Passionate Theme of the Day: Voice

"No, nothing.
No, I regret nothing.
Neither the good done to me, nor the bad;
to me, they’re all the same.” ~Edith Piaf

Last week I went to see the film La Vie En Rose, the story of French singer Edith Piaf also known as, Little Sparrow. It took all I had not to cry like a baby at the end. Talk about tragic! I’m not sure if everything that happened in the film was truth or fiction, but it was one tragedy after another for this woman with the voice of an angel.

There were many things I took away from this film. But the biggie was to live each day as if it were your last. And to live your life with passion. To excavate your own unique gift, polish it up (spit shine it if need be), and share it with the world. We all have the voice of an angel inside of us. We just don’t all sound like Piaf.

Some of us use our “voice” differently. I express mine through written word best. Some people express their voice through painting, designing, playing an instrument, sculpting, others in operating rooms, courtrooms, classrooms, and boardrooms.

Where are you in your process of self-discovery? Have you discovered your voice, but just aren’t sure where or how to express it yet? Or are you still trying to figure out what that gift is and then you’ll figure out how to express it?

If money and time was no object, what one thing would you do? When I ask students in class this questions they often answer, “I’d do a whole lot of nothing!” But upon further investigation “nothing” really means things like travel, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, exploring new cultures, learning to play the guitar or piano, reading more books, or volunteering. Most people would get bored actually doing “nothing”.

This weekend I took a quick trip to Memphis, a beautiful, colorful, soulful city I’d never visited, even though it’s only a short four hour drive from St. Louis. On Beale Street there was a group of young men that were doing back flips down the street to entertain the crowds for applause and pocket change.

What gets you so excited you’d back flip down a cobblestone street?

Edith Piaf wanted to sing in front of an audience so bad, she began her career singing in the streets. People are waiting for your joy to be expressed through you in the way that only you can deliver. Just by witnessing YOU living your JOY, others are inspired, touched, moved and forever changed by you simply being YOU. Doing whatever it is that YOU do best. If you don’t know what that is…isn’t it time you gave it some thought?

If you don’t know where to begin your excavation process try this...Grab a bunch of magazines. Tear out pictures of things you like to wear, people you admire, places you’d like to visit, activities you’d like to partake in, playful action pics that express your inner desires and words that describe you at your best and brightest.

Grab a glue stick or some tape and a piece of paper, a notebook or a poster board. Arrange the pictures any way you’d like and slap a picture of YOU right in the middle. You’ve just started getting clearer on the life you’d like to live. By creating a visual representation of the kind of life you’d like to live, you’re one step closer to drawing in the people, places and things you need to make that vision become a reality.

Sure there’s a TON of ACTION that will be required to get the wheels in motion. But the universe is a grand a mysteriously magical place. Once you’ve got your basic ingredients of your vision gathered in one place, then you can begin to get cooking. Place your vision board in a place that you will see it frequently. Look at it daily, even several times a day.

Start thinking the way THAT person would think. How would they speak? How would they dress? How would others respond to this person? How does this new you interact with the world? Do you carry yourself differently? Does this person speak up and ask for a raise? A promotion? More affection from their mate? More respect from their children?

What types of friends does this person have? Supportive, loving ones? Or naysayer’s and busy-bodies? Odds are in order to become the person in the vision, you’re gonna have to make some changes. Ties may need to be broken. Deals may need to be re-negotiated. Commitments to yourself may need to be strengthened.

What’s the alternative? Living someone else’s dream? Or worse…living your own nightmare? If your life doesn’t look the way you’d like it to, change it. Sounds simple, yes. No, it doesn’t happen over night.

But with a strong vision, and a clear voice, your song will carry you through the darkest nights, the toughest times and the roughest waters. If Edith Piaf was able to blossom after being raised in a brothel and often homeless, certainly you can thrive in your own life…can’t you?

I leave you with the words she sang at her final performance from the song, “No Regrets”:

No, nothing.
No, I regret nothing.
Neither the good done to me, nor the bad;
to me, they’re all the same.

No, nothing at all.
No, I regret nothing.
It’s all paid for, swept away, forgotten;
I don’t care about the past.

With my memories,
I’ve lit a fire.
My sorrows, my pleasures,
I need them no more.

Swept away are my loves
and all their tremors.
Swept away forever.
I start from scratch.

No, nothing really.
No, I have no regrets.
Neither the good done to me, nor the bad;
to me, they’re all the same.

No, nothing.
No, I regret nothing.
Because my life, because my joys,
today, begin with you.

Today and everyday your life does begin with you. What song are you longing to sing?

Life is Wonderful,
Kam

Life Is Wonderful Lyrics