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.
Neal says
I’m a Chinese boy and I recently read your book and hope to be a minimalist and promote minimalism in China
Neal says
Thank you for sharing
David Y says
Excellent post. Thanks Joshua.
Robin says
Thank you. I needed this encouragement and perspective today.
Beth Woodring says
Thank you – this post came at a very needed time for me as I have been struggling with transitions. I hope to find inspiration in your words and let go of fear. The message is inspiring that good can come from change.
Ola says
I needed this. Going through a rough patch in life and need to find my new voice!
Sherry says
Very inspiring as usual!! Thank you always for sharing
Cindy says
Amen. There is a time to weep and grieve. Though, as difficult as it may seem, there will also be a time to move along to find “a new voice.” Some people need to be given permission or be reminded of that; it’s difficult to hear. Thank you, Joshua, for saying it so well.
Donna says
Thank you for this post. It is very inspiring especially with all that is going on in the world right now and in my own life. I needed this post today!
Sharon says
I have just lost my job yesterday. A job I haven’t had for long (about 5 months) and where I learnt quickly to bite my tongue because if I spoke up it was seen as under mining or gossiping instead of wisdom based on excperience. I was planning to leave anyway because I felt my voice was not valued. So I’m in the process of change, moving on to some where, where my voice can be heard and valued. I love this article, it has come in perfect timing for me. Hear my voice and hear me roar!