“Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.”

—Erica Jong

Singing your song

While attending college as a young adult, one of the things I did to earn money was teach music.

My students ranged from 8 to 80 years of age, and the degree of their natural talent was often very high.

What I found most frustrating was that, in many cases, I was able to recognize their talent but they could not see it in themselves.

After a few months of lessons some students would throw in the towel, offering excuses such as “I’m too old (or too young) to learn how to sing or play the piano or guitar” or “These drums just take up too much space in my home.”

I believe that for at least some of them, beyond the resistance to daily practice, their own fear held them back. They knew if their music started sounding too good then they would have to do something with it.

I saw so much awesome talent and potential choked back by fear and uncertainty.

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, “Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them.” The music Holmes is speaking of is the unexpressed Self, the creative essence of Spirit seeking an outlet.

What I learned from my students and from the pursuit of my own career as a writer and performer was that it requires courage to sing our song. That courage will indeed take us to the very edge of our comfort zone— that dark place Erica Jong speaks of where fear lingers: fear of rejection, fear of failure and perhaps even fear of success.

Fear of failure and rejection seems to be an issue most all of us have to get past if we are going to be fully expressed in bringing the gift of who we are to life.

It’s like, “Oh my God, what will I do if they don’t like my song?”

Get over it.

You are singing your song for you, not them. Some of us have held back singing our own songs because we were too busy trying to sing the song someone else thought we should be singing, usually our parents or teachers.

Can you hear your song calling? Your “song” may not be music at all, but it will be something that gives greater expression to your divine nature; it will serve as an opening through which the uniqueness of your soul flows through you and onto the stage of life.

How will you know when you are singing your song? You’ll become a vessel for unbridled joy and time will seem to stand still.

Perhaps your unsung song is painting, writing, dancing, learning another language, becoming an entrepreneur, public speaking, teaching, sewing, juggling, gardening, gourmet cooking or—fill in the blank.

Regardless of what it might be, make a commitment to share the passion, talent or creative self-expression you’ve been holding back from the world with at least three people— prime the pump and get the juices flowing.

The world is waiting for you and the gift you bring. It is time to come to the edge of that dark place.

Not to worry: Infinite Presence, the ultimate source of light, is right there with you, so go ahead; you’ve got the spotlight. Sing your song for all you’re worth.

Dennis Merritt Jones is a local spiritual mentor, keynote speaker and author of the book “The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Pur pose in Your Life.” Contact him at www.DennisMerrittJones.com.