This week I saw an amazing transformation of a young lady.  When we first met a few months ago, I mentally labeled her shy, nice kid, but shy.  Now I know putting labels on a person is not the best thing to do, but with her down cast eyes and barely audible voice as she spoke it was the only impression coming through.

So there I sat in the audience, watching a talent show with my family, when the MC says she’s the next act.  I covered my mouth and thought, “Are you kidding me?  She’ll faint at the sight of all these people.”

Hesitantly, she took center stage with a glittering, hot pink guitar strapped on.  As soon as she reached the mic, her gaze dropped to the floor.  My heart did the same.  Her nerves, so palpable, I doubted her shaking fingers even have the strength to play the guitar she held.  This was not going to end well.  Why would her parents push her to do something like this?

The first few bars were just like I thought they’d be; quiet and hard to understand.  Then something happened, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, she lifted her head, put her lips right up to the microphone, and sang.  No, no, she didn’t just sing, she rocked, and damn well if I do say so myself.  Every ounce of energy in the room was literally coming from her.  Mesmerized by the transformation, I sat in awe at the young girl I thought to be only shy.  She was so much more, with a natural stage presence most actors would kill for.  Just think how much more we all could be if we’d just peeled free of our insecurities, like she did, and follow our deepest desires.