Susan Sparks: The Music Inside

I’m sure you have all heard of the great composer Beethoven and his famous piece the 9th Symphony. It was heralded as a work of genius because Beethoven did something that had never been done before: he added voices in the fourth and last movement. He basically turned a symphony into an opera.

But here’s the real kicker -- he wrote that breath-taking piece toward the end of his life.

When he was deaf.

In fact, when he conducted the Symphony for the first time, one of the soloists had to turn him around at the end to see the that the audience was furiously clapping.

What a great lesson on the power within. Beethoven could have could have focused on his deafness – could have focused on the silence he heard coming from the outside world and never composed again. But instead, he focused on the music inside. He listened to the beauty inside and brought forth one of the great musical pieces of all time.

How many times have we shunned our inner voice for the opinion of the crowd?

How many times have we based our self-worth on what other people say?

How many times have we given up a dream because someone “out there” said it couldn’t be done?

We must tap the power and beauty inside to offset the negativity and ugliness outside.

Let me give you one example of how to do it. Not too long ago, I had a phone call with my dear friend, Paul Lambert, a Broadway producer, who was working a new show. Paul talked about how he was praying constantly about the project. He said, “I think about it like visiting with God. Every day and every night we have the opportunity to ring the doorbell of the most powerful force in the universe. We can just go and chat with God. Anytime! And so, I do!”

Amen to that.

The next time we are fighting the corrosive voices of the world, remember the voice of wisdom, power. and beauty inside our own heart; remember that we can ring the doorbell of the most powerful force in the universe – anytime -- and bring forth the greatest that dwells within; remember that we can tap the music inside.

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Reposted from Susan's newsletter, Shiny Side Up! To connect with Susan, click here.