Believe in Yourself

So, it's official. I have moved into my new apartment in Chicago. This apartment is bigger than I could ever imagine, and the biggest that I have had since I have been living in the residence halls. I have a great view of the Chicago skyline from my apartment, and overall there is culture around me that I really missed in Salisbury.

I was waiting for a subway on the Blue Line here in Chicago, and there was a person playing the guitar for tips. Yes, subway stations have such fantastic acoustics that even I could probably sound good. But still, the fact remains that he was really talented, and he really could sing. He might have been in his early 30s, clothe that probably had been worn for about 3 days straight. He had a out of style, under maintenanced afro to his hair, and shoes that probably had walked about 20,000 miles more than it's capacity. Nevertheless, he was putting himself out there, and passionately sang his song about Love, Hope, and Religion. I stood there and listened to his music for about 5 minutes till my train came and echoed throughout the station so that I couldn't hear his voice any more. On my way to getting on the train, I put a dollar and some loose change I had in my pocket in his guitar case.

After getting on the subway, it made me think about the culture, and seeing so much diversity in Chicago. It really got me excited about the opportunities for myself and allowing myself to be the person I want to be. If that man can sit in the middle of a subway station and make a difference in my life, I have the same kind of opportunities as he does, minus perhaps the talent in playing a guitar. Too many times we don't do things because we don't like the way it might look, or how your image might be compromised. Sometimes we love to sing, but don't because you don't like the way you might be seen or heard. Sometimes we love to dance, but we don't because of how others might see you being goofy, or acting "stupid". Too many times we sacrifice so much of what we love because of someone else. I guess as the saying goes..."Sing like no one is listening, Dance like no one is watching..." (there is more to that saying, but for time being I will leave that at that..)

We live in a society in which diversity is celebrated. We have so much work to do, but if we start with ourselves, and stop worrying about what others might think, and just do things and live the life you have always wanted to live, than maybe society might be a better place. Sure, it sounds selfish, but how long do we really have in life? Do we ever know? If that man can sing his heart out in the middle of the subway station crowd, what's to say we can't live our life, our dreams, and try to be original and ourselves as we like to see ourselves? We can. We don't need to wait till we have courage, or a brain, or a heart. The truth is, we already have it. Just like those guys in the movie.

The question is, do we believe we do?