When Life Hands you the Mic

It's acknowledging your capacity, not testing your ability.

So many pictures were taken the day Dinah and I spoke at her elementary school. Reporters, the superintendent, members of the board, and even the mayor, Daren Nigsarian, were there.

As I culled through all the pictures sent to me, one jumped out to me more than all the others.

This one.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think they were talking about one like this.

The little human in the pink leggings is Dinah’s youngest cousin, Maxine, who is four. I love this image because it captures the essence of entrepreneurship so brilliantly.

Bravely stepping into unknown opportunities.

Day after day, we show up to our business despite challenges and setbacks.

We pursue our ‘why’—unique to each of us.

Take chances, win, lose, learn, and hope for the best.

We also inevitably come across moments we call “lucky” or being in the “right place at the right time.”

In those moments, we often don’t feel “ready,” yet the moment is there.

The microphone suddenly handed to us by the Universe.

This is our cue, our moment.

I have, at times, taken the brave leap; other times, I’ve frozen, and other times, pulled back entirely.

I regularly grapple with the whispering shadows of self-doubt. But I have also come to see that being handed the mic by life is not a test of perfection; it's an invitation to trust.

To trust my voice, journey, and the cosmic conductor orchestrating the music of my life.

At the heart of I Believe In Me! is the story of how a little human’s dream turns into reality.

It's about Dinah, a young girl who learns that her voice matters. It’s a story about Luisa, who learns to play and follow her joy.

Together, Dinah and I share the powerful lessons we learned: when you trust in your ideas and take action, the universe sings along with you.

As she and I found our voices, we discovered that self-trust is the key to unlocking the courage we need when the mic is handed to us.

I wonder if you, too, have that same microphone within your grasp. It could be an idea, a project, or an unforeseen opportunity that can change your world.

Remember this: when life hands you the mic, it's acknowledging your capacity, not testing your ability.

Here's the real talk: insecurities will whisper that you're not ready, that the mic is meant for someone else, someone “more qualified.” But here's where trust plays a sweet tune.

Trust is not the absence of doubt; it’s the choice to sing louder than the fears. To act despite them.

So, as you stand there looking at the mic with big eyes, if self-doubt tries to mute your melody, remember Dinah’s courage. She believed in her idea and took one brave step after another, and the universe became her audience, eager to hear her song.

Now, ask yourself, "How will I respond when life hands me the mic?" Will you let the music within you fade out, or will you trust in the rhythm of your dreams and let the world hear your unique song?

Don't wait for the perfect note; the music of life is in the improvisation. It's your time. Trust yourself, take the stage, and let the symphony of your dreams play out loud.