It’s no secret that I LOVE singing! The benefits are also wonderful…
…and now scientifically proven. Making music exercises the brain, and singing improves breathing, posture and muscle tension. Singing nourishes a healthy immune system by simultaneously releasing feelgood endorphins and reducing the stress hormone cortisol.
See, I’m not just a singer, I’m an Art of Brilliance wellbeing geek!
I joined my musical theatre choir last year and it has been so lovely to meet people, join a community and share a passion of mine.
We have been lucky enough to have had some unique performance opportunities, none more bucket-listy than being asked to perform with Gareth Malone! THE Gareth Malone! Off the telly!
Backstory, I am a military wife, but I didn’t get a chance to join the military wives’ choirs back in 2010 owing to the arrival of my first daughter and my husband being away on a tour of duty. This was my chance! I practiced and practiced, learnt all the songs in my choir part, then set my heart on a one-line solo in Emeli Sandé’s Brighter Days.
I auditioned and was successful in gaining the solo! Pinch yourself Flis. It’s happening! You’ve got a solo line!
Next stop Birmingham Town Hall. We were called to the stage, met Gareth, chatted to Gareth, we all sang the choral parts, I delivered my line and Gareth was well impressed. My dreams were coming true, then this happened: ‘Great,’ said Gareth, ‘Flis, I want you to sing the whole song.’
OMG… I would have LOVED this; except I hadn’t learnt the whole song. I had only learnt my line as the solo and my choral part. If you’ve ever seen Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream, that was me! I had to admit to Gareth that I didn’t know the whole song. Heartbroken, I reverted to Plan A, and he picked someone else.
Talk about the rollercoaster of life!
Why am I sharing this? Well, it’s not really about Gareth Malone, singing or even dreams coming true. It’s a true story about the subconscious limitations we set upon ourselves. Without even realising it, I had set a limit upon myself. I thought I could only sing a solo line. I never even dreamed I would have the opportunity to sing the entire song as a solo, so I didn’t learn the solo part. Opportunity knocked, and I wasn’t home!
To be clear, I’m not suggesting Gareth Malone destroyed my life! I thoroughly enjoyed singing the chorus and my line. But the learning for me is to quit playing small. Next time opportunity comes knocking, I’m suitcase packed, ready and waiting.
Here’s to many more opportunities of all kinds, and to our possibilities becoming limitless.