A friend just told me a story that made me realize, once again, how an emotional hurt can become central to your identity and paralyze you. John was in elementary school, they separated the boys into two groups—those who would be in the choir and those that were “squawkers.” John thought he had a good voice and was angry that he was labelled a “squawker,” but he never sang again.
He played guitar as a hobby, but never sang. He insisted he was just a “squawker,” until he was retired and started playing guitar with a friend who sang. His friend encouraged him to sing along—and John discovered he was not a “squawker.” Indeed, John and his friend played and sang together and started playing gigs in bars and clubs.
John’s story made me think more about holding on to old grievances. CLICK HERE or the image above to read more about it on thirdAge.