Ever open up a dishwasher right after it has finished it’s cycle, and end up with a face full of fog as you struggle to find your breath, having just accidentally filled your lungs with hot steam — or what may seem like molten lava?

I do that about 30 times a week at work. So it’s become a familiar feeling. There’s a momentary thought of “Oh shit, can’t breathe!!!” followed by a deep-rooted sentiment of cleansing and renewal.

Did she really just use a dishwasher to convey her emotions?? Yup, sure did! 🙂

Anyway, this sense of renewal produced from a slight loss of breath and the subsequent comfort of profound exhale is exactly the kind of feeling that was extracted from my core when I first watched this performance. It was almost metaphysical — as if some indescribable force were moving through me.

Terrence Cunningham single handedly reached into my soul and ripped through my emotions in the course of 90 seconds.

No, this is not a music critique. This is simply one creative individual admiring — trying to process, even — the pure artistry, talent and love displayed by such a beautiful soul.

As many of you know, I have always been passionate about music and singing, but these aspirations have mostly lived in the back of my mind. I have performed on my own a few times, and countlessly with choirs and musical theater groups. But a little doubting voice in my head has always kept me from pursuing music more seriously.

Unfortunately, I’ve always told myself it was too late: I’m too old to start pursuing music because anyone who’s worth anything in the art industry basically starts straight out of the womb, right?

It’s not a written law that one must start from a young age, but rather a socio-cultural construct revolving around the idea that we need to be born with a plan and follow it to the tee if we are to achieve success.

But that’s completely ludicrous. I am 20 years old and somehow already of the impression that my passions and the time to pursue them have long passed. How did we get here?

It’s creative minds like Terrence Cunningham who have the ability, influence and pure talent to change this mindset.

It is NEVER to late to seek happiness. After all, that is our purpose, no?

Music has the incredible ability to communicate ideas and emotions in a way that no other medium can. We feel music. We live music.

And it takes very special individuals to be able to so flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly communicate such sentiments. So thank you, Terrence, for cracking open a box I’ve been too afraid to unlock for much too long.

You are an inspiration and a visionary.

Now it’s my turn.

To be continued…