Letting the past keep you from your future.

Recently a VERY close friend of mine was auditioning for their senior year musical. They were promised, ever since their Freshman year, that they would have a lead role their Senior year. As their senior year quickly approached they became great with anticipation to see what the musical was going to be. They auditioned, and did not receive a lead role like they were promised for 4 years. As I sat one night emailing them, filled with fury, they told me that they were upset but were going to make the best of it.

I have the biggest respect for my friend because they didn't allow the promises of man determine their attitude. I was sitting down with my mother telling her about how proud I was of this individual. She reminded me of a time in my life that someone did something similar to me. She said you should tell them about that so maybe it will encourage them for the future. So, my friend and everyone, this is for yall.

I was in 8th grade and spent 2 years diving into one specific subject. This teacher, whom I highly respected, taught me so much about music and many other area's in life. I was that annoying student who got most of the solo's, always got picked for all district choir, worked very hard to keep up with the more intelligent students in my class. At the end of my 'reign' of middle school, this specific teacher gave out a huge award to the student who they thought did the best overall in their class. Everyone assumed that it was me. I had worked hard, went over and above what I was asked to do.

As they announced the person who they thought was the most awesome student, my name was not heard. Everyone was in a state of shock. The person who received the award looked stunned and hurt because they didn't think they deserved it. A shattered little girl, I clapped and went on with my life. A friend of mine told me that this teacher had done the same to her the year before. Not to sweat it and go on. Days came and went and this teacher decided to give me some advice. Never do anything with music and singing, it will get you nowhere.

At that moment, everything stopped. I quit singing all together. In High School I didn't audition for musicals, until my senior year. I didn't try out for choir. I didn't sing in church anymore. And turned my focus elsewhere. Acting. This moment effected me so much that even in Governors School they were unaware that I could actually sing until my senior year. In my internship I was asked why I didn't try out for the praise and worship team. My response, Meh not worth the time.

Even in arriving home, no one at my church knew I could sing until it came to a huge break up and I sang my heart out at the alter. My 'boyfriend' put me on a song of his that he deleted after we broke up. Don't blame him at all. Now I'm faced with a decision to audition for something that I have always wanted to do. (No not american idol)

I wanted to take a second and thank the wonderful friend who rose above the circumstance. They took the circumstance, dug deep, and decided that they were better than what someone else saw. I'm so incredibly proud of you and love you so so much!!!!

I AUDITIONED FOR PRAISE AND WORSHIP WITH ELEVATION ROANOKE