“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you in action, and because there is only one you in all time, this expression is unique. And, if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” Marth Graham
I could read this quote over and over again. We all have places where we doubt ourselves. Doubt can encourage us to be better, practice that extra little bit, and then we let go of the doubt and trust that someone will be blessed and touched by our voice, our authentic voice that no one else can share.
Why does the fact that only one voice is yours mean anything?
Early in my teaching I taught voice lessons to a junior high aged student. Her parents were divorced and she lived with both parents, changing homes every two or three days. She often forgot music at the other house. When she began singing, she was shy and timid. One day we had a moment where I told her that all that she has experienced and gone through are in her voice. She began to sing again. As I listened tears came to my eyes. I was so moved by this young student’s voice. The part of me that listens with my heart heard a beautiful shift. When our hearts are open to our own feelings, we can be more sensitive to the sounds of others. As I held the space in the studio for her to feel safe, her voice story began to unfold. It was so beautiful.
Holding on to fear of releasing our voice holds back our healing.
If you are a parent, you probably know that your child recognizes your voice. Your child may think you are a wonderful singer. If your parent has deceased, do you ever yearn to hear their voice? Visualize that voice and hear them singing to you. Does it have more meaning?
I remember my Mom singing the hymns in church. I never heard her sing any other time. I thought it was neat she would sing even though she wasn’t a “singer.” Her singing voice is in my memory bank. My Dad loved the song “Abraham, Martin, and John.” As it would play he would sing the organ and guitar solos whiile explaining to me who Abrahm, Martina, and John were. 25 years later and I remember plain as day.
Love is all around us. It is so easy to be overcome by fear of making mistakes, being judged, but really in the end it is all about loving ourselves as being as geniune as we can possibly be.
Be creative. Be open. Feel yourself up with Love.
Your voice story will tell itself.
