Have you seen the reality TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance” ? My kids love this show, so I often catch snippets of it as I walk through the family room. Two recent episodes caught my interest.
The first episode was one of the initial audition rounds. At this level, anything is possible. You never know what you’re going to see. Here is what made me stop and watch. Robert Muraine. Click on that link and you’ll see his audition. It’s worth watching.
He wowed the judges and they sent him on to the next round in Las Vegas.
OK, next episode. Here’s the link. Robert in Las Vegas.
Did you watch it? He walked away! He made it to Las Vegas, then turned around and left. What? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Actually, I understand it all too well. And I completely respect him for having the courage to stand there and say he is not ready.
When I was in college, I entered a talent competition at the university. I was one of the top 3 winners. The prize was not monetary. It was better. All three of us were given an open invitation to perform on stage at Catch A Rising Star comedy club in New York City. The first place winner received an all-expense paid trip to NYC to facilitate that invitation. (I wasn’t first, but I honestly don’t remember whether I came in 2nd or 3rd.)
Wow! What an opportunity! All I have to do is get to NYC!
And you know what? I never went. I chickened out. I was not ready and I knew it.
I don’t regret that decision. Sure, I’ve had those moments of “what if…”. But in my heart, I know now as I knew then that I was not ready. Comedy club audiences are a far cry from the safe haven of the church groups for whom I did most of my shows at that time. Had I gone and gotten the reaction that I surely would have received, I may have given up performing forever. This wasn’t just fear, this was reality.
Say what you want about Robert Muraine’s decision. I respect him for it.
