I look forward to Johnny’s voice lesson every week. Johnny (name changed for privacy) is a high functioning autistic student. His imagination is boundless. Everyday he has a different story, a different world to talk about, a new joke to tell. He has the sweetest spirit and always tries to do the right thing. Today, I worked with him to focus his often twitchy energy and channel it into his singing. We tried a few vocal exercises and the stillness fueled his voice. It came out beautiful and clear.

He stopped for a moment, looked and me and asked, “Have you seen Happy Feet about the penguin who couldn’t be still?”

“Yes,” I said. “I love that movie.”

“Me too.” He paused.

“You know, he was dropped as an egg and came out different. All the other penguins didn’t understand him because he had to move but they didn’t know how to. But, then, one day, he got them all to dance with him.”

He paused again. There was a look in his eyes, a deep sense of connection to this little penguin that was dropped as an egg and came out different.

In that moment there was understanding. He was not trying to make excuses for why he has trouble holding still. He achieved stillness quite quickly when he tried. He simply shared a story with me that helped him see the value he has to offer the world even through, what some would call, his brokenness.

I think we all tend to obsess with what we don’t have to offer and ignore the amazing gifts that we can uniquely give to the world. I often look at successful performers, teachers, etc. and see all the skills that I don’t have. But, God did not make me to be someone else. He made me to be me. He made Johnny to be Johnny. And, maybe one day, I’ll get to see Johnny lead us all in a dance.

Through music, through art we tell stories that connect, inspire, and even help those who are different see their unique value.