How to Be Legendary and Bold

by Tess

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Ben rocking out in the kitchen

Guest post by Andrea Scher 

Ben was in a talent show at the local toy store last year.

When I asked him what he’d like to do, he said he’d like to perform one of his songs. His “songs” at the time were a mashup of jewish folk tunes and heavy metal. The likes of which this world might never have seen before!

He practiced outside the toy store with me, “Hine ma tov uma-na-im… (and now insert growly, deep, heavy metal voice) shevet achim gam yavat…”

It was, in short, awesome.

Ben was so excited to get on stage when we entered the store that he insisted on MC’ing the whole thing and asked if he could perform first. As I sat in the audience with my iphone video all ready to go, I saw the surprise in his eyes. It was fear but it was also surprise at how scared he actually was. He didn’t expect this at all! As a result of the sheer, unexpected terror, nothing came out of his mouth.

You can do it! all of us called out. The entire room of kids cheered him on. But he crumpled, literally, and fell to the ground. I can’t do it! he shouted from the floor.

Another kid went instead and did a fart song by putting her hand inside her armpit. (Super impressive I might add) Then a boy who was great at yo-yo did his thing.

Ben was ready to try again. I readied my camera, said a little prayer and all of us cheered again, but he was terrified and ran off the stage.

“Try starting with your back to us!” I encouraged, and that seemed to help. He started his song with his back to the audience and eventually mustered up the courage to turn around. He improvised a song, a hilarious mix of metal and rap and jewishness, and we all cheered when it was over.

He was a bit mortified by the whole thing.

But here’s what I want to share with you: Ben is now LEGENDARY at Mr. Mopp’s toy store in Berkeley. Every time we go in there, the owner says, “Ben! We loved your song at the talent show! You have a lot of fans here.” Other employees will literally come out of the back and gather around. “Ben is here! Yeah, the one from the talent show!”

They love him.

And my guess is that they love him because he was brave.

They love him because he was human.

He was afraid and he went for it anyway.

He sang a song, his song. And even though he couldn’t quite look anyone in the eyes when he did it, he did it anyway.

Ben once asked me what a legend was. I told him it was someone that people talked about for many years after they were gone, even hundreds of years, because they were so extraordinary. “Like Jesus?” he asked. “Yes. Like Jesus. And Miles Davis.”

“I want to be a legend,” he told me.

I think he’s well on his way. And he is teaching me that being brave + vulnerable is key. The crowd loves you all the more for it.

Please share your thoughts below. Help spread the love on Facebook and Twitter below. I appreciate your support!

Andrea Scher is a photographer, life coach and the creator of Superhero Life. Through her award-winning blog Superhero Journal and e-coursesAndrea will inspire you to find your passions, dream big and say YES to the life you’ve always wanted. 

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Galen Pearl November 30, 2013 at 11:23 am

I loved this story! Funny and inspiring. I bet every reader can identify with Ben–we’ve all been there. Kids are so honest, so out there with whatever is going on for them. That is it’s own kind of bravery, too. Thanks for sharing this.

And to Tess, just wanted to stop by and say hi. I recently posted my last blog post and I’m visiting the bloggers who have made a difference to me these last few years. Thanks for carrying the BOLD banner into the world. Hope you will stop by to say goodbye. Thank you.
Galen Pearl´s last post…It Is Enough

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Vidya Sury December 2, 2013 at 7:34 am

What a little darling! I love the story Andrea!
I remember during a school program some years ago, there were kids on stage – charmingly asking their teacher to prompt them, into the mic so everyone could hear. The conversation made it so enjoyable!

Thank you Tess. Children are such wonderful teachers!
Vidya Sury´s last post…Life Laughter And Happily Ever After

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Tess December 2, 2013 at 10:49 am

Hi Vidya,

It brings us previous memories for me too. Happy ones of course. The message is a strong one that certainly applies today!

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Elle December 2, 2013 at 11:57 am

No wonder little Ben is a hero. Being courageous has everything to do with feeling scared and sticking with it. Lovely story.
Elle´s last post…6 Powerful Practices To Overcome Challenges And Remove Abundance Blocks

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Tess December 2, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Hey Elle,
Don’t we know it and kids are our best teachers!

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Jessica December 5, 2013 at 10:26 am

This is awesome =) =) Go Ben! There’s nothing braver than feeling the fear and going for it anyway!

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