Singing with Abandon - Lessons on Feedback

I can sing—or so they tell me. Over the years, I’ve been asked to sing for hundreds of people, and even a couple of times for crowds in the thousands. I’m not great. I’m not professional. Sometimes I hit a sour note. But apparently, I’m good enough to be a repeat blessing to someone, and that’s more than enough for me.

Recently, while cleaning the kitchen, I popped in my AirPods and let some spunky music fill my solitary world. Caught up in the rhythm, I began to sing—loudly, freely, and with passionate abandon. I was completely checked into the concert in my head, and barely aware of my actual surroundings.

A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was my adoring husband, calling from the other end of the house. His first question: “Do you have both AirPods in?”

I started laughing before I even answered. I knew exactly where this was going.

He sweetly explained that he’s been married to me most of my life and had never heard me bellow and wail quite like that before. He said it was obvious I was having a great time—but he just wanted to make sure the door to the outside wasn’t open.

(It was.)

That gave me a good giggle for quite a while, but it also reminded me of something important: the value of perspective—and the importance of feedback.

When we’re engrossed in our own little world, we don’t always hear ourselves clearly. Sometimes we think we sound one way, or are even unaware that there’s anyone around to hear, but from the outside, it might be a very different experience. It’s a perfect reminder to pause and ask:

• Are we open to other perspectives?

• Have we created an environment where feedback is welcome, frequent, and trusted?

• Are we regularly seeking encouragement, correction, and honest input from people who know the difference between a good performance and a painful one?

Whether it’s singing with headphones on, leading a team, or just navigating daily life, regular perspective checks keep us humble, growing, and connected.

Sometimes, the door to the outside world is open wider than we realize. And sometimes, that’s exactly when we need a loving voice on the other end of the line to help us course-correct—with a little laughter along the way.

When’s the last time you asked someone you trust to tell you how you really sound—whether in work, life, or love?