Emily F. SS 14: "The path to success involves staying true to ourselves, continually trying to improve and being open to change." Imitation of other singers or our past selves leads to inauthentic singing. Singing is about continual improvement, and it's a process!
Key terms: success, self-compassion
Making connections: So yeah, singing is scary, but not just because I'm putting myself in front of people, but also because I worry about "success". I always wanted to sing, and after so many years of doing what I thought I was supposed to do, now I'm doing what I want to do. This brings up questions like, "What if I'm not good enough? What if I disappoint my family? Is my pursuit of my own desires hurting my family? Can I ever make money?" All of that. It's hard for me, where I am in my life, to think of the process of improvement in singing as success. My life isn't just about me, so if I fail, I'm failing those who depend on me. It's scary. Obviously, these are thoughts and feelings I'm struggling with, and this semester has been a roller coaster of them. I do have an "outcome-based" success idea, and maybe that's why it's scary, because I know that my goal may not be realized, and then I would be a failure. I have seen improvement in myself and my singing, so I am learning, and I really am enjoying the ride, minus the worries I have. It's good to read what the singers said in this chapter, and maybe because I am in the thick of my schooling it's hard to see what I have learned and accomplished.
Emily, I totally connect with what you are saying. Just know that singing is a journey that's worth it! Maybe I shouldn't tell you that, because I'm not anywhere near done with my journey haha. But still, I believe it!
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