The Skyliner

Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Opinion

Bryant

Kayla Bryant
Online Editor


There is a man who performs at an Open Mic Night downtown every week. He comes with his guitar and the songs he has written. He shows up, puts his name on the list and waits for his turn. He isn't the best singer. He isn't the best guitar player. Yet every week he takes that same small stage to share his music with those who will listen.

I saw this man perform last week. He sat on the stool and adjusted the microphone and started to sing a song he had written about King Kong. He followed with songs about an old West Virginian home and Johnny Cash. The guy was likable. He smiled while he sang. He took himself seriously, but not so seriously that you pitied him or resented him. He wanted to make people happy with his words, but he also wanted people to learn about him through his words and his actions.

It is sad that sometimes I don't have the confidence to speak on the things that I believe in when this guy can take the stage so easily with what he has to offer. I don't mind sharing my opinions with friends or taking part in a cause, but when it comes to standing up in front of people and saying the things that I believe to be true, I tend to freeze. Even if it is an unconscious move, I pull myself more inside. I am passionate enough about a subject in my head, but the fear of rejection, the fear that what I say isn't going to be convincing enough, paralyzes my next move.

I feel confident enough to make my voice heard until I realize my words may not be accepted. It reminds me of a Relient K song that says, "And today I will trust you with the confidence of a man who's never known defeat but tomorrow upon hearing what I did, I will stare at you in disbelief. Oh, inconsistent me crying for consistency."

There are performers taking the stage at those Open Mic Nights who are better instrumentally than this man I have come to admire. Those performers may even be vocally and lyrically better, but I haven't seen anyone else who has his confidence. He stumbles over the lines of a song, but he doesn't stop, he just keeps singing that line until he gets it right. He doesn't care if people laugh at him. This is something he has come to do, and he plans to do it. I have to wonder what things I could accomplish if I would only apply that kind of confidence to my life.

I need to face the fact that not ever person is going to like me or like what I say. I need to realize that I may never speak the most eloquent words, but nevertheless they may be words that someone needs to hear. I will take my stage with the gifts God has given me and do the best I can.

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