I had the opportunity today to share my artistry with a wonderful class of middle schoolers. It was unique in that it was both a band class and a career class, so I talked about the job of being the president, and then talked about what I was going to do when I get out of office, all in character as President Bush.

I told the kids I still wanted to be an impactifier of persons, so I had taken guitar lessons and am now busily writing songs. I sung (sang?) a few tunes I've written and I think the kids enjoyed my silliness, especially when I stage dove (dived?) off a chair.

Then after a while I broke character and shared with the students some of the crazy things I've done, and the trouble I've gotten into. I shared about how I was chased by a crazy drunk in Boston, and various other episodes in this Bushy saga.

Most importantly though, I shared about how I was a major loser in school. Afraid of rejection and afraid of failing, and how those fears prevented me from accepting challenge. I told them that when I was a senior, I was picked to play the lead role in our senior class play, George Orwell's 1984, but instead of enjoying the chance of a lifetime, I quit the drama club out of fear.

Then I told them about the fears that faced me as I considered launching into this new career. All the "yeah buts" and the "what ifs." I told them that I nearly didn't do this. I almost let my fears keep me from even trying this. One of the thoughts that moved me forward was, "If this is God providing, and If I'm meant to do this, and I let fear hold me back, what would it be like to look back ten years from now and wonder what it might have been like, what might have happened."

I thought, don't let fear be the reason you don't do this. And so, with God's help and a lot of encouragement from my wife, I launched. I am so glad that I did, because I have had the opportunity to do so many things. This career has been so wonderful.

There are many reasons to do, or not to do something, to launch into some new venture, to start a new career. If you have a song in your heart, sing it! If you have a dream, live it! Whatever you do, don't let fear be the reason you hold back! God Bless You