It began in the spring of 2011. I stepped out beyond the bounds of my comfort zone, of my narrow definition of self, and truly accepted, embraced and set free, my inner Diva. I am a classically trained Lyric soprano so really it was just a matter of time. Considering my operatic training and years spent performing classical music, I am surprised that I was able to suppress my inner Diva this long. I believe that my love of folk music kept my inner Diva quiet all these years. Have you ever heard a singer referred to as the ‘Diva of Folk Music’? I haven’t. It just doesn’t happen. Folk singers don’t wear fabulous heels and body glitter. Folk singers are vegetarians, who wear denim jeans with holes in the knees and brown leather vests with fringe and beads on them. We wear earrings made from bird feathers, flowers behind our ears, bracelets woven from string and maybe an occasional headband in good hippie fashion. . . . Right? Well…., I am a vegetarian ….and I have been known to perform (occasionally) in a pair of blue jeans but NEVER with holes in the knees. I never wore feather earrings or fringed vests either. Can a vegetarian in blue jeans sing Mozart? Can a folk singer/songwriter wear fabulous high heels? The simple answer is …..YEAH BABY!!!! I am going to be true to ALL of who I am.
What is a Diva anyway? I think that being a true Diva is NOT about an ego trip. A true Diva fully embraces life, celebrates life, loves life and recognizes that she (or he) IS part of this life, this interdependent web of existence. We can celebrate ourselves just as we celebrate the sunrise, the silver stars, the fabulous heels, the blossoming roses and the whole world. We even celebrate the heartbreak, the sorrow and the pain, because we know that our pain enhances our gratitude for life. Only after having the experience of not being able to walk, was I able to see what an amazing gift it is just to walk around on my own two legs. Heartache and loss remind us to be grateful for every minute we are able to spend in this wondrous life. True Divas open their hearts to the world and can find beauty everywhere.
So embrace your inner Diva. Uncover your fabulousness and SHINE your light like only you can!! I hope to see you soon, strutting you stuff on the red carpet of life. I will meet you there. You will recognize me because I will be the one in blue jeans and fabulous heels.
Oh, and if you were wondering how I remembered the precise year and season that I embraced my inner Diva . . . . . Well of course it was when I bought my very first pair of fabulous high heels!