Recently, I heard the story of Julie Andrews losing her singing voice after a botched throat surgery.
For those of you not familiar, Julie Andrews grew up very poor in London. But she gained great renown in Great Britain and throughout the world because of her singing and stage performances.
At age 13, Julie became the youngest soloist to perform for the king and queen. By age 18, she was performing on Broadway. At 22, she starred as Cinderella in a live CBS television broadcast seen by 107 million people. At age 29, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Mary Poppins. And two years later, she starred in The Sound of Music, the biggest hit in the history of 20th Century Fox.
Her career would continue: music, stage, film, television, and activism.
But everything changed when Julie Andrews woke up from a botched throat surgery in 1997 to discover her singing voice was gone.
In an instant, adversity struck. The famous, four-octave soprano voice that she had built her life upon was gone. In her own words, she had lost “her identity.”
She recounts the story during her 2013 Commencement Speech at the University of Colorado. In the midst of the adversity of losing her singing voice, she recalls turning to her daughter and asking, “What am I going to do now?”
Her daughter’s response was the one we all need to hear from time to time. She turned to Julie and said, “Mom, you’ll simply need to find a new voice.”
Since that time, Julie and her daughter have written over 30 children’s books—many of which have been adapted for stage, film, and the symphony. She has also written a memoir of her childhood, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years. And she has continued to star in acting roles on film and television.
She is the epitome of somebody who “found and embraced a new voice.”
I was encouraged by her story.
It has been said that the only constant in life is change. Change is inevitable, it happens for each of us.
Sometimes, that change appears for the better. My cousin who just got married. My neighbor who recently received a promotion and raise at work. Or my son who recently received his driver’s license. Change, in each of these circumstances, it appears, is for the better.
But some changes in life do not seem for the better. My relative who lost his job. My two close friends recently diagnosed with cancer. Our close family friend’s recent divorce. Or my neighbor who buried his daughter at far too young an age. In each case, change has brought heartache and pain—through no fault of their own.
If you are experiencing adversity today, I don’t know if you need some encouragement. Nor do I know if you’d look for me to provide it.
But let me say one thing: You will prevail. You will overcome.
And not only that, you may just find a brand-new voice in the world as well.
Melia says
Thank you for your wise and caring words, Joshua! I’m applying them to my life today.
Sarah says
Thank you! I DID need to hear this today!
Lisa says
I needed this today, thank you!
Karen Doval says
You continue to inspire me but never so much as when I subscribed to receive emails from you. I read them before I get out of bed and find myself inspired towards a better day, each day. Thank you.
Maria Rodriguez says
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you
Jo says
Joshua, thank you so much for this encouraging word! Very timely as our family members face cancer, grief, financial struggles, some juggling work, family, and college studies pre and post grad, job stresses…through all the changes, there is One Who never changes. May Jesus be praised through all our changes. Will be sharing this email for sure. God bless your and yours!
Mike Wanek says
As human beings we must always remember that our time here is only temporary. This is not home. Change IS inevitable, for the good as well as the hard and difficult. It is up to each of us to adapt. The beauty is that when we experience change there are others to share our joys with and others to lean on when we are down. It is the nature of shared love. So as we rid ourselves of the accumulated trappings of our life each of us then has more of him or her self to give. KUDOS!
Beth says
Your words are beautiful Mike!
Thanks.
Mike wanek says
Thank you. It’s what I believe and try to live.
Barbara Tyre says
Thank you for this inspirational message it was something that I needed this morning.
Jan Fallon says
Sharing this and so appreciate your kind perspective. Julie Andrews story is an amazing example. Thank you!
Nikki says
Love this post. thank you!
Rena mansi says
Wonderful?