Today's Story is available for one week. That's so the person who couldn't read it yesterday, reads it today. 

When you were born, you were a confident spiritual being, delighted to experience life in a body. Initially, you're happy to touch your toes and suck your thumb. Before long, your interests change from getting acquainted with your body to adjusting to your environment and those around you. Your environment can be a mixed bag, depending on the personalities of your household. That means, during these formative years, you learn to "fit in," based on the rules of those you live with. If you are born into a household where free expression, based on mutual respect is acceptable, life unfolds miraculously. However, this is often not the case, with many children never able to express their true selves. Instead, they hide behind a mask of being what someone else expects from them. 

That's the story of Jane.

From the time she was a toddler, Jane quickly learns what is expected of her: do exactly as mother tells her. Her mother is an overbearing, critical woman who finds fault easily, and only accepts behavior that fits her image. This causes Jane to often feel anxious, afraid that her mother won't like what she likes. Deep inside, Jane loves music. She often sings songs she hears on the radio when riding in her car seat. Her doesn't like that she likes music, and turns the radio off. She thinks music is a bad influence, having decided that Jane, at the age of four, is to be an accountant. That's where the money is! Jane quickly learns that music isn't acceptable, and that she must not like it. Instead, she must find something that will fit her mother's approval. 

As Jane grows, she finds many things she likes, but nothing compares with music. Knowing that music is "a no no," Jane keeps her love for music to herself, humming quietly when she's alone. She would love to share her love of music with her friends at school, but this is impossible. She can't like music! Her mother has given strict orders for her not to participate in any activity where music is played. Her mother uses religious reasons for this, prohibiting Jane from these sessions. When music or band practice is held, Jane is sent to the library to study books on mathematics. Unless her mother approves, it's considered folly, and not based on what her mother believes is best for her.

Sometimes, when she leaves or enters the music room, Jane hears voices singing and the instruments practicing. Those brief moments are thrilling to her. Of course her heart aches, wanting to join the other children in the music program, but she's a child and can't go against her mother! No, she accepts her mother's decision as "her fate," believing there's nothing she can do about it. 

This is Jane's life until she graduates from high school. That summer, Jane gets a job at a music store. Her mother is furious, telling her to quit the job immediately. After all, she has worked long hours making the arrangements for her Freshman curriculum, so a job in an accounting office would be more appropriate. Jane refuses to quit. Thankfully, her father has already agreed to drive her, so she spreads her wings of this new found freedom and stands firm. This causes a strain between her parents, which saddens Jane. Still, she can't allow their silent treatment to interfere with the joy she feels around music.

Everytime, Jane walks into the music store, it's like a breath of fresh air. She becomes enthralled to hear the sounds of music, as she takes her place behind the counter. She enjoys meeting musicians who come to the store and share their love of music with her. This includes a professor of music from the local conservatory who asks if Jane can locate music from the 18th century. To help him, she leaves the counter to search for this music. As she is flipping through countless sheets of music, he tells Jane about the music program at the Conservatory, along with a variety of concerts that will be held this summer. He explains they would offer an excellent preparation for the music program for next year. He shares this information with Jane because she's attentive to his every word, making him think she is an upcoming music student. 

Jane can't hide her disappointment. 

The professor doesn't understand why Jane looks so sad. Concerts are wonderful! 

Jane is uncertain what to say. 

The professor looks at her quizzically, having seen the girl's interest that she likes music. 

"These concerts will give you a headstart in the music program for next year, and they're wonderful to attend!"

Her mouth tilts.

"I'm sure they are, Professor, but I have no way to go to concerts!" Her frank response surprises her.   

"You have a car, don't you?" He asks.

"No, my father drives me." She states before her voice unravels "Don't think he can drive me because he can't! My mother won't allow it! She wants me to be an accountant! So you can forget about concerts or music school!" She blurts, her words sounding like her mother's. She's surprised to tell this to a stranger, who stares at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ---" She tells the professor.

"It's quite alright." He now understands the dilemma."I have parents, too."

Jane looks at him.

"Many parents believe that a career in music, or any of the arts, is a bad idea. Mine were musicians, so they didn't have those concerns. But I can see on your face that you do."

Her lips pierce.

"I realize this may be uncomfortable for you, but you're at a crossroads. You're old enough to work, so legally you're old enough to make your own decisions. My concern for you is to decide what you want and live it. To go into a profession you'd hate is one of the worst decisions you can make. Think of the hours you'll spend wishing you were doing something else! You must decide what you want, and if you decide you want music, contact me." He hands her his card.

She takes the card.

"I'll do everything I can to help you." He smiles before buying the music and leaving.

She watches the man as he leaves the store. 

That night his words are like a symphony. She feels their truth. Do I have the strength to be true to myself? She remembers the years of unhappiness she experienced because her mother refused to allow music into her life. The years of hiding her love of music, humming songs, alone. The years of pretending to be someone other than her true self. She decides she doesn't want that anymore. No. Not another day! I'm being true to me!

At lunch the next day, she calls the professor, who is delighted to hear from her.

"This is a bold step." He tells her.

She accepts his accolade with a smile, as arrangements are made to meet the Dean and the Finance Office to discuss how she can enroll as a Music Major. After these discussions, Jane has a direction. One that leads her to become a Music Teacher. Armed with this information, she is fully prepared for the backlash from her mother, who will express the differences between pay grades of the two professionals. Her winning argument is the level of job satisfaction she'll achieve as a Music Teacher versus an Accountant. As an Accountant, it's zero. But, as a Music Teacher, it's a hundred percent! She points out that greater job satisfaction leads to less stress and better health. Her mother can't argue against that, and plummets with disbelief that her daughter should "go against her," telling her that she is no longer welcomed in “her” home. Her father is upset that his wife feels this way. However, Jane had already figured this might happen. She tells them that she intends to take Summer Courses at the Conservatory, where housing will be provided. She can also continue working at the music store part-time, so she can go to school.

Taking these steps has changed Jane's life dramatically. No longer is she a fraction of the person she once was when living under the strict rules of her mother. Today, she is growing forward, confident in her future, and enjoying her independence as a "free" woman because she made up her mind to be true to herself.