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.
Val says
Something we all need to hear once and awhile: we will prevail. Thank you for your inspiring writing.
Robin says
My parents, sibling, and my husband’s family are in the recovery stage from Hurricane Michael. They all received damage to their homes and some of them lost their homes. Our lives have all been forever changed. But I’m grateful that they are all alive as I am grateful for you and your willingness to share your story and experiences with us. Our lives are what we make them! Thank you!
Nancy says
Thank you, so perfect! As a person who turned 60 last year, I am working on finding a new voice and a new path. Of course, change is not something I embrace readily so it is a work in progress!
Peace, Nancy
Barb says
Thank you. I needed to hear this, things have just taken a complete left turn for us this past couple of weeks and I needed to be reminded that we will prevail, that we will find a way through. Again, Thank you.
Jen says
What a beautiful article about a beautiful person. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. This struck me deeply and I feel the truth in your words. This is something that will stick with me.
Mahal says
Wow! Thank you for this article. The message is so timely for me as I begin to set the foundation for my new career and turn pages for new chapters in my life, such as continuing with minimalism and researching the tiny house movement.
Corrie Hoffmeier says
Love Julie Andrews!! Your timing is impeccable. After 20+ years of appraising commercial real estate, we downsized and moved to a very small town….which necessitates a new career. Trying to figure that out the next few weeks. Hopefully God will bless me in this. He has before.
Sabrina says
Change has always given me hope. Why? Tough times are tough, but I know and believe good times are around the corner. Coping with the tough times with a loving heart and hope will help me get through tough times.
Most times, I create change by changing what I am doing, it is beautiful!
Thank you
Erin says
Joshua,
Thank you for your thoughtful writing. You are the first minimalist blog that I point people to because of your insight and perspective.
I appreciate the time and thought you give, which in turn helps me to have a more positive outlook on this journey of life.
Mary Ann says
Thank you for this encouraging message.