Monday, April 13, 2009

The importance of developing your talent!

This is a topic I've had drilled into me since I was a wee tot! At church, school, & home......yet did I learn this painful and embarrassing lesson? Anybody that knows me will automatically know the answer to this question is "heck no...that would be way to easy"! Then I wouldn't have to do things the hard way and have a learning and a growing experience instead...right? At least that is what I've been telling myself for the last 24 hours.

I had the blessing of being born to two extremely musically talented individuals. They both have amazing voices that they have developed through their entire life. Being their oldest child I spent a lot of my growing up years striving to be as good and as talented as they are. The mistake I've made recently is not keeping up on the practice to keep that talent fully developed. This mistake caused me a bit of embarrassment.

As some of you know, I was recently called as the Young Women's President in our ward. This has been both fun and challenging. It's fun because I already love the girls in the program and I really enjoy spending time with them & the other leaders involved with the program. It's challenging because I feel like a juggler sometimes. I feel like I have to sometimes keep 10 balls in the air at one time. For the Easter lesson this year I decided to have our Laurel Advisor give a joint lesson to our entire young women. Brittany is a very talented teacher and all the girls love her.

She had a no talking lesson with a lot of props, videos, & music. She had already asked a couple of amazing singers in our ward to sing 2 songs, but was still in the need of 1 more. I made the mistake of volunteering. I only had to sing "I believe in Christ". I thought this would be a piece of cake because I've sang in a million times in church. However, I neglected to remember I hadn't sang a solo anywhere for years. I didn't really get nervous until the last second....then my knees started shaking & my voice was quivering. Nice and embarassing for no reason, since I knew everyone in the room. But I was disappointed with myself and my performance. Oh well!!! I finished the song better than I started it and I learned a personal lesson.

10 comments:

Channynba said...

Life is all about learning lessons...sometimes though I wish I could learn them faster.

Danae said...

I am sure you did a beautiful job and that they girls enjoyed it. They are a very special little group!

ME said...

You are full of CRAP! Did you bring the spirit into our lesson? YES! Did you do this on short notice? YES! Did you sound lovely? YES! I was very happy with everything you did and could not have done that lesson with out your help! Hello I was the one with tech. difficulties! The music in sync with the movie didn't work and I had to for go it. You, my dear were just wonderful!

Miriam said...

No one knows how nerve wracking it is to sing a solo unless you've done it - it can be a killer! I'm so proud of you! And what a blessing to not get nervous until just before, think how awful it would have been to feel like that hours or days before!

Ashley and Dave said...

I bet you did an amazing job! You always do!! Love you!

Packrat said...

Good grief! Your family is so talented. :) Soprano? Mezzo? Alto?

Packrat said...

PS One time I kind of did what you did only it was to play 3 piano pieces (one a duet with a flutist)at a wedding. I knew about 4 weeks in advance, and it wasn't music I knew. Also, I hadn't had a piano to practice on for at least 6 months. Being young and brash and very sure of myself, I waited until just a few days before the wedding to find a piano so I could practice. Let's just say that it wasn't a stellar performance.

Tara said...

I didn't know you were Young Women's President. You have always been braver than me when it comes to singing solos. I would be fine doing a duet or something but alone "no way" too scary. Spencer's sister in Bountiful had that calling for a while and I bet it will keep you busy. Good Luck!

David Higginson said...

You are such a jewel. The thrill of working with the YW of the church is such an opportunity. And what's a little knee chattering. I heard it is good exercise. I have found that I am always more critical as a performer than those who listen, but the secret to excellent performance is perform many times over and over. Most of us do not want the stress or want to take the time to do this, but you need to get in shape since the cruise will undoubtedly have a Karaoke night that is calling your name. We love you and miss you. Dad
(And you thought I did not have a blogger password.)

Unknown said...

Way to go Chelsea. I've always wished I had a good singing voice. I'm totally impressed that you stood up there and did a solo. The only solo I've ever done is at night in my bed singing songs from Little Mermaid...sad, I know.