Tango with the unexpected

I sat poised in my spot on the risers as the orchestra boomed out the lusty notes of the Carmina Burana, the Maestro and all the fun and froth he brought to the piece, leading all of us down a sensual path.  The air was heavy with summer moisture and a slight cooling breeze gave us some level of relief.  As the piece progressed, the percussion, my favorite part, reverberated through my body.  I was grateful for this time as I sat waiting for my time to sing.

I was still getting used to the fact that for the first time in my life I was a full-time singer.  I reflected back on the experience earlier that day when I found out that I was being laid off from my job of 12 years.

With not much time to contemplate the news, I had rushed to rehearsal, which in a timely and symbolic fashion reminded me of my priorities.  As I observed the Maestro giving notes, I felt the heightened emotional poignancy of the rehearsal after having my safety net removed.  I was suprised to realize that the overriding emotion at that moment was elation.

Another curveball had presented itself.

Although I know that I should always find the courage to make my own changes in order to forge my life and to not wait for the changes to come to me, I was grateful for this turn of events.  In that one moment, I received the wake-up call.  Instead of panicing, I will meet the challenge head on and choose to make the most out of the opportunity by becoming very resourceful and innovative.  I will head out to my auditions this week with new insight and excitement for the future.  The time to redesign my life had come.

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