However, as I have a voice like a foghorn, I only sing in the privacy of my room - otherwise I'd be liable to be arrested for causing distress if not harm.
You mentioned getting out there and expressing oneself through karaoke as a means of perhaps finding one's own inner confidence and also learning how to get over the fear of others' judgments of us or their actual judgments of us.
Growing up my older siblings were always louder and quicker to speak. It seems as a result of that, I developed a vocal pattern that kept my voice from projecting much beyond my lips and face. It was as if my voice was talking from behind a type of Swiss cheese, styrofoam wall where only some of the sound was getting out into the world or like my very life force was just tired to push the sound out. I suppose I might have also lost trust in thinking what I had to say had any merit as I was raised in a family where unsolicited thoughts, needs or opinions were not easily digested. They just added stress to an already over-burdened single mother with three children who had enough on her mind. Given that, it was actually kind of a miracle that I still attempted to make sounds or dared to utter any thoughts.
One thing my family couldn't stop me from doing was singing, but nevermore in my home, in my family's company. I'd only sing for myself or for my friends, upon request, because I had a weird ability to sound like various artists like Carole King, Linda Rhondstadt and even Barbra Streisand. Even then I couldn't sing facing them because my confidence was so low. Then I started getting chosen at school to sing harmony on Christmas songs for school performances. Still, there were mean kids who took on the attitude of, "Who does she think SHE is!" If they only knew that inside I was actually wondering if I had any redeemable gifts in me whatsoever. In spite of the chides and the insults, with which I was quite familiar, I carried on with the help of my friends. Friends became my secret weapon, serving as my emotional strength and shelter from the proverbial storms of life.
With their encouragement and some raw talent in sports I started to find my footing in spite of my family. Later, I learned I was smart and achieved excellence in academics and in school leadership and in community service. I was one of two people from my area to be listed in Who's Who Among High School Students. Yet, I still wanted to sing.
After my 4-year, all-paid scholarship was thwarted due to reasons I won't take up time and space explaining here I decided to just get a job and start working to get out on my own. During that time, I got the gumption to start taking voice lessons and I told my boss I had a new, standing commitment every Wednesday night so on those nights I wouldn't be able to stay late. To my great surprise he didn't balk about it. I never dared tell anyone what I was doing on those evenings as I had learned by then how to protect it. Committing to singing lessons was my first foray into taking myself seriously, and setting a goal which end was not yet in sight.
I was rewarded with learning techniques to bring my voice forward and to use my diaphragm to project my sound. I started singing in my choir, then as a soloist, and then auditioned and performed in musicals and placed in karaoke contests and attended and sang at open-mic nights at local jazz clubs with live musicians. The side benefit of these singing lessons is how my speaking voice became much more present as well. And probably to no one's surprise who's reading this, I found my inner voice and what mattered to me most. I didn't just want to sing. I had things I needed to say and I was told by certain others that people need to hear what I have to say.
In the many years and decades that followed I found my passions always evolved around promoting peace, mediating heated differences of opinion on YouTube, presenting another point of view, at the core of which were, consistently, civil rights, workers' rights, and consumers' rights - basically aimed at expanding narrow minds and in any area where peoples' rights were being trampled upon, to which I'm very devoted. God has used me in a myriad of ways to open people's minds and hearts at the city, county and now federal levels. I'm ever so grateful to be able to use this live-silenced voice at this particular time in history where I feel I might be able to make an actual difference - because I have things to say that just might need to be heard by someone, and in a way that they can perhaps digest them.
So coming back around to your point about trying karaoke as a way of expressing oneself I can personally, attest to the reward of finding one's voice and then facing a crowd even when most vulnerable, perhaps when most vulnerable. Practicing that kind of courage in front of strangers whose opinions don't really matter translates to practicing courage in all areas of life. They say courage is defined as something we do in spite of being afraid. Some really great things can come out of that - like finding out we're stronger than we know, that others might really enjoy what we have to offer and that it really doesn't matter what others think so much as it does that we are living the life that we want. We might even give others the courage to try something new as well.
I heard recently that where the head and the heart come together in harmony is right in the middle between them, where our throat is, where we emit sound, and from where we let people know who we are and for what we stand. I'm fairly certain it's my singing path that helped me actually find my inner voice. I'm so glad I followed that quiet, nagging voice inside me that urged me to sing. Thank you for talking about your times in Lima where you and your wife would karaoke together. I could picture the scene so clearly, and it stirred up some wonderful memories for me.
It further warmed my heart and made me smile hearing about how you and your wife's singing inspired your two girls to use THEIR voices in song. To be allowed to find one's voice as a child in their own home, and to be helped to overcome their self- consciousness is a truly remarkable gift. You're teaching them good life skills they can use anywhere all throughout their lives.
P.S. I saw a fantastic movie that could benefit every young girl or young woman of any race, creed or color. It's called RULE BREAKERS, and I highly recommend it. It just opened nationwide. Maybe you and your family could go see it and then you and your movie friend could discuss it on air. It really deserves attention.
OMG I need to listen once I’m not out and about. I love the shit outta karaoke!
I hope you enjoy it, we had such a fun night!
Really? I have never done karaoke. I'll have to try it.
You can try in your living room. Just go to YouTube and search "Karaoke" + name of artist. Then you can sing along. It's fun!
I agree 💯
Karaoke is great for the soul!
Yup! We had so much fun!
Thank you!
A lovely, and even spiritual, experience.
However, as I have a voice like a foghorn, I only sing in the privacy of my room - otherwise I'd be liable to be arrested for causing distress if not harm.
Everybody has a song they can sing :)
Liked!
I agree - it's just that no one would want to hear mine! lol.
Here's the link:
Rule Breakers https://g.co/kgs/QBoK5CV
*once-silenced voice
Sounds like good family fun!
You mentioned getting out there and expressing oneself through karaoke as a means of perhaps finding one's own inner confidence and also learning how to get over the fear of others' judgments of us or their actual judgments of us.
Growing up my older siblings were always louder and quicker to speak. It seems as a result of that, I developed a vocal pattern that kept my voice from projecting much beyond my lips and face. It was as if my voice was talking from behind a type of Swiss cheese, styrofoam wall where only some of the sound was getting out into the world or like my very life force was just tired to push the sound out. I suppose I might have also lost trust in thinking what I had to say had any merit as I was raised in a family where unsolicited thoughts, needs or opinions were not easily digested. They just added stress to an already over-burdened single mother with three children who had enough on her mind. Given that, it was actually kind of a miracle that I still attempted to make sounds or dared to utter any thoughts.
One thing my family couldn't stop me from doing was singing, but nevermore in my home, in my family's company. I'd only sing for myself or for my friends, upon request, because I had a weird ability to sound like various artists like Carole King, Linda Rhondstadt and even Barbra Streisand. Even then I couldn't sing facing them because my confidence was so low. Then I started getting chosen at school to sing harmony on Christmas songs for school performances. Still, there were mean kids who took on the attitude of, "Who does she think SHE is!" If they only knew that inside I was actually wondering if I had any redeemable gifts in me whatsoever. In spite of the chides and the insults, with which I was quite familiar, I carried on with the help of my friends. Friends became my secret weapon, serving as my emotional strength and shelter from the proverbial storms of life.
With their encouragement and some raw talent in sports I started to find my footing in spite of my family. Later, I learned I was smart and achieved excellence in academics and in school leadership and in community service. I was one of two people from my area to be listed in Who's Who Among High School Students. Yet, I still wanted to sing.
After my 4-year, all-paid scholarship was thwarted due to reasons I won't take up time and space explaining here I decided to just get a job and start working to get out on my own. During that time, I got the gumption to start taking voice lessons and I told my boss I had a new, standing commitment every Wednesday night so on those nights I wouldn't be able to stay late. To my great surprise he didn't balk about it. I never dared tell anyone what I was doing on those evenings as I had learned by then how to protect it. Committing to singing lessons was my first foray into taking myself seriously, and setting a goal which end was not yet in sight.
I was rewarded with learning techniques to bring my voice forward and to use my diaphragm to project my sound. I started singing in my choir, then as a soloist, and then auditioned and performed in musicals and placed in karaoke contests and attended and sang at open-mic nights at local jazz clubs with live musicians. The side benefit of these singing lessons is how my speaking voice became much more present as well. And probably to no one's surprise who's reading this, I found my inner voice and what mattered to me most. I didn't just want to sing. I had things I needed to say and I was told by certain others that people need to hear what I have to say.
In the many years and decades that followed I found my passions always evolved around promoting peace, mediating heated differences of opinion on YouTube, presenting another point of view, at the core of which were, consistently, civil rights, workers' rights, and consumers' rights - basically aimed at expanding narrow minds and in any area where peoples' rights were being trampled upon, to which I'm very devoted. God has used me in a myriad of ways to open people's minds and hearts at the city, county and now federal levels. I'm ever so grateful to be able to use this live-silenced voice at this particular time in history where I feel I might be able to make an actual difference - because I have things to say that just might need to be heard by someone, and in a way that they can perhaps digest them.
So coming back around to your point about trying karaoke as a way of expressing oneself I can personally, attest to the reward of finding one's voice and then facing a crowd even when most vulnerable, perhaps when most vulnerable. Practicing that kind of courage in front of strangers whose opinions don't really matter translates to practicing courage in all areas of life. They say courage is defined as something we do in spite of being afraid. Some really great things can come out of that - like finding out we're stronger than we know, that others might really enjoy what we have to offer and that it really doesn't matter what others think so much as it does that we are living the life that we want. We might even give others the courage to try something new as well.
I heard recently that where the head and the heart come together in harmony is right in the middle between them, where our throat is, where we emit sound, and from where we let people know who we are and for what we stand. I'm fairly certain it's my singing path that helped me actually find my inner voice. I'm so glad I followed that quiet, nagging voice inside me that urged me to sing. Thank you for talking about your times in Lima where you and your wife would karaoke together. I could picture the scene so clearly, and it stirred up some wonderful memories for me.
It further warmed my heart and made me smile hearing about how you and your wife's singing inspired your two girls to use THEIR voices in song. To be allowed to find one's voice as a child in their own home, and to be helped to overcome their self- consciousness is a truly remarkable gift. You're teaching them good life skills they can use anywhere all throughout their lives.
P.S. I saw a fantastic movie that could benefit every young girl or young woman of any race, creed or color. It's called RULE BREAKERS, and I highly recommend it. It just opened nationwide. Maybe you and your family could go see it and then you and your movie friend could discuss it on air. It really deserves attention.
Be well!
Christy 🇺🇲❤️🕊