The publisher of MISSION TO BE HAPPY has a wonderful yearly tradition of thanking the authors and artists who’s works were published the previous year. It’s Dinner and a Show, and it’s a fun and tender evening. Fun because the executive team puts together an hilarious video presentation honoring all the creators of the books, CDs, DVDs and artwork that hit the shelves in 2009. The tender part of the evening comes when we’re all thanked for our efforts as well as being challenged AND encouraged to keep it up.
My publisher is part of a group called the Deseret Media Companies and their mission statement is: To be trusted voices of light and knowledge reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide. When I read this statement, printed on the bottom of the program for the evening, I wasn’t sure if I was inspired or intimidated by it. Interestingly enough it wasn’t the “reaching hundreds of millions of people world wide” that intimidated me. It was the part that read, “to be trusted voices of light and knowledge.“ Whoa, dude, that’s heavy.
It started me thinking about what it means to be a trusted voice. Does trusting a voice mean that someone is really just trusting the voices THEY trust? If that’s the case, then knowing what motivates the voices that are out there, begging to be listened to everyday, ought to be given significant consideration. Is what I’m hearing true? Is it helpful? Is it lighting my candle or blowing it out? If I choose to trust this voice, where will it lead me?
Then on the drive home it hit me! Every time I write a song, or finish a script or step on stage or write a M2B:) blog I’m in one way or another asking people to listen to MY voice. And a huge chunk of my work is published by a company that wants my voice to be a trusted voice of light and knowledge (oh yeah, and if that’s not overwhelming enough, it’s mission is for voices like mine to reach hundreds of millions of people worldwide. No pressure there.) So, how do I respond to something like this?
Well, I took my meds today and I’m relatively rationale so I’ll tell you how I respond:
I don’t trust my own voice when it speaks (or sings, or writes or performs) from a place that’s all about me. Don’t trust it at all. That voice is self-serving, self-absorbed and though it can be entertaining and charming, when it’s motivated by an unhealthy desire to be adored it’s just selfish and totally untrustworthy. WHAT I DO TRUST is the other VOICE within that’s utterly, compulsively honest, unselfish and true. It has NEVER lead me astray. Never lied. When I allow THAT VOICE to be heard through the things I create, then, and only then, am I a helpful traveler on a mission to be a trusted voice of light and knowledge OR a mission to be happy.
I wish I could say that in my work I ALWAYS reflect that truer, trustworthy, still small voice within, but I don’t. Sometimes I get distracted and take the path of least resistance and let my other voice say something stupid which I later regret. But having called myself on a mission to be happy, and believing that true happiness must be an honest happiness, I promise to share the truth as I experience it and feel it. I’ll try to keep silent until my voice has been appropriately influenced by a truer one. And if I EVER become one of those trusted voices of light and knowledge, it will be an honest reflection of the voices I choose to trust.
As for the reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide part, well, if it happens, lunch is on me.
4 Comments
Dude, it’s THAT OTHER VOICE that I have grown to appreciate immensly over the years. My mother sent The Forgotten Carols as a Christmas gift when it came out, complete with the hardback book including the sheet music. I treasure that gift and was grateful some of my family lives in Utah so I am kept “in the loop”. I passed on THAT voice to my husband, children, and numerous friends. We are only a few of the countless who have been lifted by THAT OTHER VOICE and continue to be uplifted. We are grateful you have the courage and strength to “keep on keeping on” and sharing. Thank you!!
This is why I can’t listen to some artists over others because I don’t think they’re truly listening to “that other voice.” I used to think I was this primadonna as a teen when I sang, but somewhere along the way, I realized what it was all about -ME-and I am far from being any good. I retired from singing and now realize why I like the certain artists I do. They are doing it to bring light and knowledge to the rest of us.
I cant sing, but I can share the spirit with everyone I can. I was recently diagnosed with cancer and realized that I can share the spirit in a way I never could before the diagnosis. Now I post everyday, the happy things I experience thru this cancer experience. It has brought me happiness in a funny sort of way. Keeping my journal on Caring Bridge, helps me look for the happiness that happens daily dispite dealing with tough circumstances.
By the way, your music was inspiration to me when I was a teenager struggling with my place in life. I thank the Lord for blessing me thru your music.
I trust you. You have never lead me in the wrong way. I love your music and your books. I have been truly inspired by them. Anything is Possible! I am going to prepare myself for that lunch you will be buying!