Evolve U

Deconstructing “Sasha Fierce”

28th November, 2009 - Posted by Shaunice Hawkins - No Comments

There I was, ten years old, in a white lace dress with matching bow in hair, lace socks, patent leather shoes and microphone in hand, standing on the rostrum in front of a filled 3,000 seat church in Harlem, New York about to sing, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”.

It didn’t matter that I was born into a family of singers, that I had been singing as long as I could walk, that I had previously sung in front of large audiences, nor that I had rehearsed for hours and hours the minutes, days or weeks beforehand. What mattered was that I was about to sing while my head was spinning, heart was pounding and palms were sweaty. What the audience didn’t know was that I had terrible, terrible stage fright. I missed the first musical cue to begin singing because I was too busy trying not to faint.  However, as the pianist began playing the second cue, I closed my eyes, said a quick prayer, relaxed my shoulders, squared my feet, took a long deep breath and began to sing.  As I got past the first verse, my body and voice synched; I was on cruise control.  When I finally finished, the audience stood to their feet and applauded. I had received my first standing ovation.

Just like there are dominant and recessive genes, there are, dominant and recessive parts our personalities. In other words, there’s who we are and whom we allow others to think we are.  In my case, I wanted the audience to think I was opera legend, Leontyne Price.  So I imagined that I was her, performing Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida at the Metropolitan Opera. I sang with the same passion and conviction Ms. Price did (or at least thought I did).  After some years, I realized that it wasn’t Ms. Price I was mimicking, I was tapping into the more confident, self-assured, fearless side of “me”…my inner “Sasha Fierce”.

“Sasha Fierce” is an aggressive alter ego created by entertainer, Beyoncé Knowles.  Known offstage as shy and reserved, Beyoncé is said to tap into her alter ego on stage to deliver amazing, over the top, “no holds barred” performances.  However Beyoncé isn’t the first person to use an alter ego to express another aspect of one’s self.  Musicians, actors, comic book heroes, even villains use alter egos to accomplish their respective feats.

Within each of us lies an inner strength, a deep-seated courage, and a “take the bull by the horns” attitude.  It’s what makes the ordinary extraordinary.  For some, this type of assertiveness is part of their dominant DNA. They display unabashed fearlessness every day. For others, it subconsciously and involuntarily surfaces during those “fight or flight” moments generally when “flight” is not an option. It rises like a phoenix from the proverbial ashes to defend, protect and rescue.  Then there are those who make the conscious decision to tap into their assertive selves to do amazing, over the top, “no holds barred” things.

We are so much more than what we show to others. There are depths and breadths to us that we are either too shy, too reserved or too reticent to explore. We mustn’t be afraid of our own potential. We each have a higher purpose. While we needn’t don disguises like Peter Parker’s Spiderman or wear heels and sequins like Beyoncé to  be strong and daring, however we can “own the room” by walking erect with heads held high, shoulders back, chests out, and by speaking authoritatively (even before we feel we have the confidence to do so). We can accomplish great things. If we’d just dig into our inner “Sasha Fierce” (the deepest, bravest parts of ourselves), we’d achieve all types of courageous endeavors such as starting a new business, changing careers, presenting to venture capitalists, moving to a new city or state, going back to school or beginning a new phase in life – all of those hidden pursuits that we’ve meditated on for years but never acted upon. 

FINAL THOUGHT

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage.  Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.  ~Sydney Smith