"Weeping Willow": Artist, David Patterson. A gift from my dear friends KDN & Gus Langlais.

I was flipping through the radio station on my way to work today and stopped when I heard a conversation on Z100 about a contestant on American Idol who was eliminated and didn’t handle it very well. The Radio Hosts went back and forth about how intensely the contestant reacted and whether or not he was too invested in his dream. They argued about whether or not a 16 year old should be so invested in his/her dream; so much so that their world literally crumbles when someone rejects him/her. Should the contestant have subjected himself to the type of scrutiny and potential disappointment that comes with auditioning for a show like American Idol? They played a sound bite of Simon Cowell flippantly eliminating the contestant while also comforting him with the words “there is nothing wrong with you”. The contestant began to cry and you could hear the pain and confusion in his heart and mind…after-all he was told by the most controversial judge that he didn’t do anything wrong. He was far too emotional to realize that even though he was being eliminated from the show, no one person could ever take away his gift and his desire to pursue and live out his dream.

Well, I could certainly relate to this young man. I also tried out for American Idol, made it to the 2^nd round of auditions, and performed for the executive producers. I was told “…great look, beautiful voice, but too serious.” I’ll always remember how confused and devastated I was at that very moment.

Sure, I cried after my audition. I was extremely hurt and slightly discouraged. I felt so vulnerable and my mind forced me to relive that moment over and over and over again. I must have heard the phrase “great look, beautiful voice, but too serious” echoing in my head for a full year after my audition.

But you know what, the experience made me even more serious. Serious about continuing to sing; serious about practicing and getting better; serious about finding my identity; serious about learning how to write songs better; serious about how to get my music heard; serious about becoming fully independent; serious about creating and putting out my own album by any means necessary; serious about not relying on anyone or anything to define my destiny.  Now don’t get me wrong folks. I didn’t just pull out the superwoman suit with a great big S on my chest. Oh no-sir-ee! I cried worse than an infant baby cry quite a few times along the journey…LOL. Oh yes! I’m women enough to admit it. Sometimes when you are so passionate about something and care about it so much that you don’t have the words to express it….you just cry.

So let it out. Cry! It’s okay. You are a young man with so much time to keep on working towards your dream. Never let anyone make you feel like you can’t do it and don’t let anyone stop you from trying. People aren’t always going to offer affirmations or even validate you. Affirm yourself! Know that you are strong, talented and capable. You may experience future disappointments along the way but don’t let it break you. Bask in the light of your own faith. Be confident and always willing to learn! Your opportunity to live your dream will always be possible as long as it lives inside of you.