The decision to drink electrically-charged waters to try to shrink my big ole’ thyroid nodule is a quantum leap I’m making - from accepted Western medical practices to little-tested alternative therapies.
I’m looking at Quantum Leaping in other parts of my life as well - working on blockages in any way I can that might be contributing, on a psychic level, to the blockage in my thyroid.
I have a sizable perfectionist block. Who doesn't, right?
Still.
It keeps me from completing and sharing work I’ve done - the songs and shows I’ve created. It keeps me doing endless rewrites, the latest not necessarily any better than the one that came before, just different.
It also keeps the work of my collaborators locked in the electronic file cabinet. Not fair to them.
Take the first song I created for Hope Sings. No one has ever heard it (my husband doesn't count) (don't tell him I said that).
I went to tremendous lengths to create the song “Blanca.” I brazenly buttonholed Latin music stars, worked and reworked the lyric, traveled to Panama twice to collaborate and record the demo.
And there “Blanca” sits, in its electronic drawer. 3 years, it sits.
I have let all the lovely work of my collaborators - composer Romulo Castro and musician/producer Luis Thomas – go unheard.
I have let the inspiring story of Blanca from Barcenas - a woman who raised her family from poverty, thanks to FINCA microloans and delicious bread – go unsung.
Because -
- It doesn't sound "pop" enough (I'm embarrassed of my musical theatre roots)
- I don’t like my singing voice (I sang the demo) (I'm such a soprano!)
- I ran out of money to produce it (an excuse).
- It’s not perfect.
- I’m afraid others will be even more critical than I am.
- It's not perfect
In the book "Do It Wrong Quickly" e-marketing guru Mike Moran writes:
“Music is now a conversation, and feedback from your fans helps you adjust what you do every day.”
Actually, he wrote “Marketing,” not “Music,” and “customers” not “fans.” Creative license.
Seth Godin says the same thing. Ship, ship, ship. That’s the only way to improve the product.
Rodgers and Hammerstein got a musical on stage just about every year, and that’s how they became – Rodgers and Hammerstein. They shipped. Not every show they wrote was a hit. Ever hear of Pipedream?
In our world of $100 (min) tickets to a Broadway show, consumers demand perfection. What a shame. Sometimes one glorious moment in an otherwise mediocre enterprise is worth the price of admission.
At a certain point you have to say WHO CARES WHAT ANYBODY ELSE THINKS? NOTHING IS PERFECT. HERE'S MY BEST EFFORT AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME.
Let It Go
Like you have to let a child be who they are.
Let It Go.
Like stress. Insecurity. The laundry.
Let It Go
LIke this song.
Let Blanca Go
(shades of the Wizard of Oz)
To Romulo and Luis: my heartfelt apologies. Here is your song. And a promise: I will produce it with a better voice than mine. it will be a big part of Hope Sings the Musical. (more on that soon!).
What “songs” are you hiding? Share them with me. Please. Let your babies out.
