Stage Fright

I am terrified of talking in front of people. Every time I have to give a talk in church (which isn’t often thank goodness!) I freak out in the days before I have to speak and while I am speaking my face and neck turn bright red and I shake the whole time. I am also terrified of doing anything else in front of people, like singing or playing my flute. Doing a musical number is a little bit better because I really enjoy singing and playing the flute. And I do fine singing with a choir where I am not the center of attention and no one will notice much if I mess up. But this Sunday I have to sing in Sacrament meeting with just two other women. We’ve only practiced twice. And actually I am not worried about my ability to sing the song in general, but singing it in front of a room full of people I see at least once a week is a different story. I am so scared that my voice will just give out and I won’t be able to finish the song. One of my friends in the ward who serves in the primary with me is very gifted musically. She majored in vocal performance at BYU. A few weeks ago she gave a talk about inspiring others through your musical talents rather than trying to impress everyone with how good you are. And I am not saying that I am trying to show off. I am just trying to convince myself that it is more about inviting the Spirit and inspiring others through our performance rather than impressing them with how well we can sing. I hope that I can be inspiring and sing with the Spirit. And of course I really hope I don’t choke half way through because there will be no inspiring others if I’m not even singing!