Awaken Your Inner Music

11/13/24

Dare to Shine – Let Your Music Flow

"Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Play Your Music

Imagine moving through life with a special gift, something that you have a deep passion for, a “music” that few can replicate. Yet, many of us wait for the “right moment” to share that gift, holding back until life feels perfectly aligned. But rarely does that perfect moment arrive.

I first heard this quote from Zig Ziglar, who said, “The great tragedy in America today is not the waste of our natural resources, although that is a tragedy. The real tragedy is the waste of our human resources, and the average individual will go to their grave with their music still in them. You see, man and nature are 180 degrees apart. We use up nature’s natural resources by using them up. We use up man’s natural resources by not using them at all.”

Every single one of us carries unique, incredible gifts to share with the world. For some, it’s an invention; for others it’s creating inspirational music. Maybe it’s crafting a beautiful garden or writing an off-the-wall, imaginative comic book. Whatever your “music” is, play it boldly for the world.

Embrace you Music

Holmes’s words remind us of something powerful: each of us carries untapped potential, unspoken dreams, and unique talents that the world needs. Yet we wait, hoping for the “right” time. The reality? Life rarely gives us perfect timing. Readiness begins the moment you decide to step forward, to let your inner music flow, and to live boldly, unapologetically.

So, why wait? Start now. Imagine a world where everyone shares their gifts, where everyone’s music is heard. Picture the impact, the inspiration, the power of that world. Your music can enrich lives, spark creativity, and build a more compassionate, courageous world.

In Holmes’s time, as today, social expectations, self-doubt, and practical concerns often stifle our ambitions. How many of us put our dreams on hold, saying, “One day, I’ll get to that,” or “The timing still isn’t right,” or “I’m not ready.” The truth? “Someday” only arrives when we seize it!

Each new day is an invitation to break free from our mental chains and self-imposed limitations. Embrace your passions. By nurturing your dreams, you won’t just find joy for yourself but you will ignite a ripple effect of positivity in those around you.

Turning Vision into Reality

How do we start this transformation? Begin small. Embrace your passions and rediscover those hidden talents that were long ago buried and nearly forgotten. Give them room to grow. Make time each week to nurture the music inside of you, fanning the flames of your passions. If there’s a calling you’ve set aside, bring it back intentionally. Dream of sharing it - not tomorrow, but today.

You don’t need elaborate plans or a perfect moment. The key is to enjoy the journey. Let your music fill you with purpose and let each day become an adventure. You have music inside of you that only you can play. It’s time - share it with the world!

A Legacy of Living Fully and Authentically

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809–1894) was an influential American physician, poet, professor, and essayist known for his wit and keen insights on life, humanity, and society. As a member of the "Fireside Poets," he contributed to American literature with accessible, thought-provoking poetry and essays that resonated with the public. In medicine, he advocated for innovations in medical hygiene and played a role in advancing the understanding of infectious diseases, which was groundbreaking in his time. His popular quote, “Many people die with their music still in them…” reflects his belief in living authentically and embracing one's potential, a theme woven throughout his work. Holmes was also the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a renowned U.S. Supreme Court Justice, adding to the legacy of intellectual and public service within his family.