The Last Line Joe Wrote In His Lyric Notebook: “Use Your Voice — While It’S Yours.”

April 2, 2025

Joe sat in his small, cluttered room, surrounded by crumpled papers and half-empty coffee cups that had long grown cold. The walls, once a bright blue, were now faded and marked with sketches of his dreams. As he tuned his guitar, he felt the weight of expectations pressing down on him. It had been a difficult year; after losing his mother, the only person who truly believed in his talent, he found himself grappling with a deep sense of loss and uncertainty. Music had always been his escape, a way to express the feelings he couldn’t quite put into words, but lately, he felt lost in a fog of sorrow.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow through his window, something stirred inside him. He picked up his favorite lyric notebook, worn at the corners and filled with the remnants of songs that never saw the light of day. He flipped through the pages, tracing his fingers over the words he had written in moments of hope and despair. Suddenly, a surge of inspiration washed over him. With renewed determination, he grabbed a pen and began to write, pouring his heart onto the page. The words flowed effortlessly, and he felt his mother’s spirit guiding him, whispering that it was time to share his voice.

Hours later, as the room darkened, Joe scribbled the last line he would write that night: “Use your voice — while it’s yours.” He paused, the weight of those words settling over him like a warm blanket. It was a simple reminder, but it carried the weight of his journey. He understood now that life was fleeting, and he had to seize the moments that mattered. Joe realized that his voice, once muted by grief, was still powerful, capable of breaking through walls and connecting with others. He felt an urgency to honor not just his dreams but also his mother’s belief in him.

The next day, Joe went to an open mic night at a local café, a place he had always wanted to perform but had never mustered the courage to step into. As he walked on stage, his heart raced, but he remembered that line he had written. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth and let his voice ring out. Each note resonated with the struggles he had faced, and the audience listened intently, captivated by the emotions he conveyed. As he sang, it felt as if his mother was there with him, smiling, urging him to let go of his fears.

After that night, everything changed for Joe. The café owner, impressed by his performance, offered him regular slots, and word soon spread about the talented young artist with a hauntingly beautiful voice. With every performance, he poured a piece of himself into the music, sharing his story of loss and resilience. Joe soon found himself recording his first album, and as he looked back, he realized that the simple line he had written had ignited a fire within him.

Months later, as he stood backstage at his first big concert, he felt a whirlwind of emotions. He could hear the crowd echoing his name, each cheer reminding him of the journey he had taken. When he stepped onto the stage, holding his guitar, he was ready to give them everything. As he sang his heart out that night, he knew that he was using his voice, just like he had promised himself. In that moment, he understood that every struggle and every tear had led him here, and his journey was just beginning.