The Lyric: “Don’T Wait For Applause To Believe You Matter.”

April 8, 2025

Elena had always dreamed of being a singer. From a young age, she would stand in front of her bedroom mirror, singing along to her favorite songs, pretending the reflection was a cheering crowd. But as she grew older, the lights of her dreams began to dim. It wasn’t that she lacked talent; she was just terrified of what others might think. The memories of a few stinging remarks from classmates haunted her. “Elena can’t sing!” they used to whisper, and that fear of judgment kept her from sharing her voice.

One chilly evening, while flipping through radio stations, she stumbled upon a classic Elvis Presley song. His smooth voice filled the room, and she felt her heart race as the lyrics resonated deeply. “Don’t wait for applause to believe you matter.” Those words echoed in her mind, like a beacon guiding her through the fog of self-doubt. She learned that Elvis himself faced harsh criticism early in his career, especially when he broke away from the traditional norms of music. Yet, he persevered, fueled by his love for music, and ended up changing the landscape of rock and roll forever.

With newfound inspiration, Elena decided to participate in her school’s talent show. She pushed her fears aside and picked a song by Elvis to sing. Every afternoon, she’d practice in the school’s music room, her voice growing stronger with each note. The fear of failure haunted her, but she clung to the idea that every performer, no matter how famous, had to start somewhere. She thought of Elvis standing alone on stage, his heart pounding, before he became a legend. That gave her the courage to continue.

The night of the talent show arrived, and Elena’s nerves nearly got the better of her. As she stood backstage, she felt the warmth of the audience’s buzz, but all she could think about were those cruel words from the past. Just as she was about to back out, a teacher’s encouraging smile reminded her of why she loved singing in the first place—the joy it brought her and the way it felt to share her heart with others. Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the stage. The spotlight felt like a warm embrace, and as she began to sing, something magical happened. Her voice soared, and the audience started to clap along.

At that moment, Elena realized it didn’t matter if they cheered or stayed quiet; what mattered was that she was sharing her passion. The applause came, but it was the feeling of freedom and confidence that filled her heart. She knew she mattered. Just like Elvis, she learned that validation from others wasn’t what defined her worth. Striding off the stage, she felt lighter, a weight lifted from her shoulders. The experience didn’t just change her perception of herself; it rekindled her desire to pursue music wholeheartedly.

Elena understood now that the journey of an artist is filled with ups and downs, but what truly matters is the courage to be oneself and to share that with the world. Inspired by Elvis’s resilience and the power of his lyrics, she began to write her own songs, finding joy in every note she crafted. Though the path was still uncertain, she was ready to embrace every moment—applause or not. After all, she had learned that believing in oneself is the first step toward a life full of passion and purpose.