When Did You Stop Singing? It's time to open your mouth and be heard.

When Did You Stop Singing? It is time to open your mouth and be heard.
There are three types of people singing at church. There are those that open the hymnal and move their lips, but no noise comes out of their mouth. There are those that sing beautifully and those that can’t carry a tune but belt out the tune at the top of their lungs. Which one are you?

If you are the person that moves their lips but doesn’t sing reflect back and think about when did you stop singing and why?

Did you stop singing because someone told you that you couldn’t carry a tune?

Did you stop singing because you started comparing yourself to those around you and lost your confidence?

Did you stop singing because you lost your voice amongst those that were loud, pushy, and obnoxious?

As you reflect back upon why you no longer sing think about other areas of your life where you have stopped singing. Are you still on the path to pursuing your dreams? If you are a business owner are you still on the path you envisioned for your business or have you gone down a different path? If you are an employee are you pursuing the career of your dreams or just existing?

As we prepare to give thanks and enter into the holiday season take some time to examine where you are and where you are going. If you don’t like the path you are on you have the power to change it.

Business owners, yes, you must provide the services your customers or clients want but if you are off course I challenge you to find a way to return to what fuels your passion while turning a profit. If you are a careerist now is the time to examine your career goals. Do you need to invest in training to advance to where you envision yourself?

You only get one life. There is no do-over. If you are not jumping out of bed each morning ready to seize the day then it is time to figure out why. We often get led down a path because we are chasing the money trail. We let others bully, intimidate, or silence our voice. Today is the day to find your voice and start singing at the top of your lungs. God gave you unique gifts and he wants you to use them. Stop being the follower and create your ideal life, career, or business. Do not let the haters; Jealous Josie’s, Negative Nelly’s, Pessimistic Paul’s, and Debbie Downers cause you to not live your life purpose.

Now, it is the time to examine your circle of influence and see if it is time to eliminate a few people from your circle. If seeing an email from someone, seeing a text message or name when your phone rings, or just thinking about a person causes you to feel anger, rage, or insecure it is time to remove that person from your contact list and circle of influence. When you remove the toxic people from your life you will feel better. You will have less stress in your life. Not all friendships are healthy. Sometimes we outgrow friends. Sometimes customers or clients are not healthy for us. When you examine your circle of influence and make a list of toxic friends, customers or acquaintances you can then look for commonalities. When you identify the undesirable characteristics of these people you can use the information when selecting new friends or customers.

It is ok to not like everyone. It is ok that not everyone likes you. Live life for you and your loved ones, not the haters. Stop trying to please everyone and be a martyr. Remove the toxic people so you can sleep well. Believe me; the toxic people are not losing sleep over you. They are jumping out of bed each morning ready to cause more hate and discontent. Stop the haters. Live life for YOU!

Make today the day you start singing. Open your mouth and let your voice be heard. When Christmas mass rolls around be the one belting out Christmas carols at the top your lungs and praising God for giving you the power to be YOU!