We’re almost into the third month of 2015 and I have one question for you. How are those New Year’s resolutions coming? Hmmm, just what I thought. The only way to create, set and implement your goals successfully until completion is through accountability. With no accountability there’s no power behind it. You need someone who will push you because they see your highest potential. Someone who will speak life into you because you’re a daughter of the Most High. Someone in your corner who will help to unleash the power within you that you didn’t even know was there.
You see, when you’ve made a decision to stop complaining, watching on the sidelines and step in—it’s not up for discussion. There’s a life waiting for you but you’re choosing to leave it on the shelf. Step one may be easy, but I can’t promise you that step two will be. When you step into your purpose it’s going to be a little uncomfortable at first. So guess what that means? It’s time to do it scared. I promise you it will pay off! Then before you know it, you’re going to exhale and say, “Wow, this is what I was born to do.” How many of us can truly say that now?
Years ago, I entered a talent competition. I had just been dumped in a relationship and needed a distraction. I decided to sing and play Roberta Flack’s, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” I wore a gown from the 70’s and a giant afro! I played the piano and sang my heart out. I didn’t win. After the contest, people told me that I was robbed and should have won. “Oh well,” I thought. “Wait until next year.”
As the late Ed McMahon, who was host of the talent show Star Search said, “There’s something that happens to the losers.” He was referring to the unknown groups and solo artists that lost on the show, but came back with a vengeance and are some of the most famous and successful in the entertainment industry today. And something did happen to me. The next year came and I was determined to take first place and beat out the guy who had won the previous year. I knew I had to do something that would knock the judges’ socks off! I decided to do something wild and crazy because I wanted to win. I performed Jerry Lee Lewis’, “Great Balls of Fire.” Draped in a gold lame jacket and black and white shoes, I pounded on those keys and did my rendition of the popular tune. I shocked them all! I won first place in the DC competition and placed second in the finals and was $8,000 richer!
Yep, that’s me. One leg is missing because it’s up on the piano—just like Jerry did! LOL
Do it scared
But guess what? I was scared to death. My heart was beating fast and if you listen closely to the tape (I wasn’t supposed to let you know one existed), you can hear me breathing—hard. Before I went on I said a little prayer. I also remember reciting the words to Eminem’s rap song, “Lose Yourself.” I reminded myself by mumbling, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime…”
It all worked because I went out there and did my thing!
What I didn’t tell you was that you had to turn in an audition tape to be considered to enter. You can imagine the amount of things that went wrong and distractions that decided to happen as the deadline approached. One huge inconvenience was that my SUV broke down so I had to catch a cab to work. I was leaving out of the house and looked at my keyboard by the door. It was raining and I didn’t feel like lugging it all the way to work. But this was the last day to make an audition tape so I could qualify. I certainly didn’t feel like it but grabbed it anyhow. I wrapped it in a huge plastic bag so it wouldn’t get wet. Well, it was the best decision ever! I moved past how I was currently feeling about being dumped and having car trouble, and was victorious in the end. If I went by how I felt in that moment, I would not have made the audition tape that qualified me to compete and go on to win the giant prize! When you’re close to something great, things will try and come to block and sabotage it. Don’t let it! Push forward and just know you’re that much closer to it.
There’s something that happens when I take the stage. It’s that same something that ignites inside of me when I find out you have a dream.
What will happen when you step in?
Let’s have a talk about it.
Yep, that’s me. One leg is missing because it’s up on the piano—just like Jerry did! LOL