The Invisible Wall

The Invisible Wall

I just watched a video of a voice teacher, doing what she tell’s her students to do, take the biggest risk of your life.

She got up and sang on one of those talent shows.

She is amazing.

When she finished she said something about  a wall crashing down and that her life would never be the same.

She held herself back, taking a seat in the background, until this moment.

How many of us put up invisible walls?

Often times they are made of harsh words spoken by others.

Sometimes it’s a criticism that sticks.

It might look like an insecurity or fear of falling flat on your face.

But it’s still a wall.

I’ve got news for you youngsters out there. Even at 65 we find walls that need demolished.

The world whispers, “you don’t need to do that anymore you’re almost done.”

Oh, yes I do. I’m not done. Finished is what the medic says when my last breath was minutes ago.

But I will admit it gets harder, this breaking walls business.

You recognize familiar patterns that return without invitation.

The older you get the more people in your life who let you down.

It gets harder to get back up mentally and physically.

“Issues” you thought resolved, only tempered for a weak moment when they whisper despair into your soul.

I remember a woman, who at the time was about my age now, telling me she was never treated worse than she was

for being an older person.

She was heavy, she was a lesbian, but her age is what brought her the least respect.

I refuse to let labels, name-calling, my more conservative view of life or my age to be a brick in that invisible wall.

You may find me cranky at times, loud, even obnoxious…..that’s okay.

Some use hammers to break down walls.

Some use their position.

I use my voice and my words.

Funny how a little video of a woman risking everything to do the very thing that makes her come alive, sing…..can wake you up.