A couple weeks ago, I sang on stage at the Grand Ole Opry!
Okay, so it may have involved a backstage tour.
The tour guide says anyone may sing when in the historic circle.
The dozen or so folks ahead of me choose not to do so.
A part of me wonders if I should refrain also, yet I know I would love it …and what the heck?
While a photographer takes the shot, I belt out, “You can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine, You can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine…”
Perhaps it is obvious I attended law school and not music school.
As a kid whose Saturday nights included Minnie Pearl and Hee Haw, I am thrilled for this moment though. I chose what I wanted in the moment. There was no harm to anyone (unless, it bothered an ear drum or two).
What happens when you go after what you want? What does it mean to speak up for yourself?
I see families and organizations struggle when not asking for what they want. Conflict arises when folks refrain from speaking their truth in the moment, and let resentment build. One person offers an idea or suggestion, and folks just go along with it.
The may not be what anyone would love. The person making the first suggestion may not be attached that idea. They just want to see something happen. The rest of the folks think they must go along to get along.
The person who offers ideas may feel frustrated they always have to come up with the plan. Other folks may resent that they seem to always do what one person wants.
In a healthy family or organization, you may always ask for what you want. You may toss out a bunch of ideas to meet your needs for connection, clarity, respect, support, or whatever else you hope to achieve.
As you sort through those ideas, you may come up with something even better than any one person could have created on their own.
The decision to engage in the creative process opens space for joy and connection.
My split second decision to sing a verse still brings a smile to my face.
You may choose joy.
You get to go ask for what you want. You get to go after what you want.
You may even go for what you would love.
You transform your own life by choosing what you would love. You also inspire those around you.
As Donna Fargo sang, “there’s a little light in all of us…and you can be a beacon if you just let it shine…”
To receive support in shining your light, click here.
What if you let your light shine? What if you create space for the folks around you to shine their light too?
