BELIEVE▪︎Once upon a time I was a scared little girl who absolutely LOVED to sing but was afraid to do it in front of others. My mom created choreography to help me during competitions so I could learn to get out of my own way. At first I stood there in my bubble, not moving. My hands & legs would shake. Eventually I started walking the stage and doing the hand gestures my mom would design, for the song that I was singing. I despised being put on the spot to sing for anyone. I would get butterflies in my tummy any time I had to go on stage and I would run off the stage crying if I messed up at all. My mom started taking me to all of her band practices & gigs. She'd pull me up on stage with her to sing & took me to all of her karaoke shows when she had her DJ company. As a teen she started having me work with her. As an adult I worked as a DJ at clubs on the weekends, hosting karaoke at bars & private parties. I had to talk to the crowds for my job. Other people with stage freight would have me sing with them sometimes. Then I started performing at Street Dances and eventually joined my first band. Now, I feel empty when I'm not on stage. I LOVE large crowds! The bigger the crowd, the more I come to life. I have fallen on stage, tripped over fringe on my stage clothes, had technical difficulties & other embarrassing situations. I've come a long way from that little girl who used to shake and cry. Any of you young ladies (or lads) out there who have insecurities with performing in front of others, whether it be music, gymnastics, dancing or what have you, just know you can overcome ANYTHING you put your mind to! From crying in a corner after singing for 10 people, to opening for major artists and performing in front of 30,000 patrons...believe me, you can do it!! Let your passion lead you and let go of the things that hold you back! 📸 @picturegirl50 #putyourmindtoit #youcandoanything #faceyourfears #alyssaruffin #bringmetolife #music #passion #letgo #youcandoit #inspiration #motivation #determination #believe https://www.instagram.com/p/CDpRojkJSFI/?igshid=ysntsmjqg2np