Why sing it when you can say it?

I love musicals. Specifically Rent the musical written by Jonathan Larson. It is based in the 90’s in New York City when the Aids epidemic was in full force. It is about a group of struggling artists trying to make it. It hits every heart string for me. It is about love, acceptance, loyalty, living in the moment and letting go of regret. It’s tagline is “no day but today” that I have tattooed on my foot. I have seen it live 13 times. I often sing the songs in the car, listen to them on walks and recently for my birthday I was gifted with a Cameo video from Adam Pascal (the original Roger) singing Finale B to me for my birthday.

My wife is not a fan of musicals although she has gone to see Rent live with me 3 times and has dealt with me singing the lines off key for years. Her thing about musicals is, “why sing it when you can say it?” It has been a constant joke for us for the past 10 years when I introduced my passion of Rent to her on our first date (which, in hindsight I realize was a litmus test that she passed.)

Why sing it when you can say it? Because singing it and putting passion into it is way more emotionally satisfying and fulfilling than just saying it. And that is my answer for everything.

Why run when you can walk? Because running gets my heart pumping, gives me endorphins and lifts my mood.

Why cry when you can suppress the tears? Because crying processes emotions and helps you get to the other side where you may want to be.

Why have the difficult conversation when you can avoid it? Because once the difficult conversation is over, you may have a solution or a pathway forward.

What is your say it, not sing it situation? Where are you taking a path that may not be the most fulfilling? Is there a difficult conversation to be had? Go have it. Is there a project you are avoiding? Go tackle it. Is there an emotion you are suppressing? Feel it.

Keep going. You got this.