There are countless opportunities to grow and to develop new skills or to get better at the skills you already possess. It can be uncomfortable or scary to put yourself out there, but once you do, you’ll see so much change. 

Growing up, I’ve always loved singing. My family is big on music and everyone has their own skills and talents. My mom plays piano professionally, my dad and sister plays guitar and my brothers are passionate and are ready to learn themselves. I always looked up to my parents for their musicality. It prompted me to begin learning and developing new skills myself.

I started playing the flute in 5th grade and continued it until 8th grade, but I knew I wasn’t going to continue in high school. I wanted to learn something I could play my whole life! I picked up a bass guitar and fell in love with it. In 6th grade, I tried joining the jazz band at my school on the bass and while I learned so many new skills, I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. But I didn’t give up!

That same year I was asked by my old church’s youth group worship team to play bass for the high school services. It was so cool to play in a band with other kids my age. I played only a few times but when I did, I loved it. 

Last year, I was asked to be on the worship team at North Valley Community Church. I played along the side of my mom who plays the piano and sings. I remember being so nervous at my first service, but I’m so glad I took the opportunity. It was such a cool experience to get to play with very talented musicians and also build strong bonds with each person. I play every other Sunday and I absolutely love it!

As I mentioned before, I love to sing. I would sing with my sister and we would make little videos, but singing in front of a crowd scares me. The worship pastor at my church found out that I sang and listened to one of my videos and asked me to sing at a service. I was scared out of my mind! 

Though I was afraid, I decided to go for it. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen: forgetting the words and panicking, having an intense voice crack, shaking out of fear? Well, all of those things did happen to me, and I was so embarrassed. What I didn’t realize was that no one noticed, but instead were just getting into the music. I needed to remember why I was there singing instead of focusing on how nervous I was. I have a gift of singing and it’s an honor to be able to use this gift within my church. 

Why keep your talents hidden if you could share them with others and make a difference? It’s so important to branch out and put yourself in uncomfortable situations. You will mess up, but that’s OK! Messing up will only teach you that everyone makes mistakes and that we can learn from our mistakes.

I’ve sung at my church a couple times now and each time is just as scary. Facing fears may not ever get less scary, but it will make you a stronger person. You will be able to handle situations that make you nervous with more and more confidence the more you do it. If you face your biggest fears, the smaller fears you have will feel like nothing when coming across them. 

With that being said, do what you love! Do what scares you and learn new things to discover what you’re good at. You will discover something new inside you that you wouldn’t know existed if you don’t put yourself out there with your skills and talents.