Semi-Finalist International Songwriting Competition & Past Regrets

Last fall (2024), on a whim, I entered the International Songwriting Competition. I entered one of my music videos, La La Love and then pretty much forgot about it, until the other day when I got an email from the competition stating that I had made it to the semi-finals. The email also stated that only about 15% of people make it that far. I have entered other competitions and never made it to the semi-finals, so I know that not many people move forward to the final rounds. I’m grateful to have made it this far.

There’s more to the story though.

And some of it quite bitter for me.

And I’ve never shared this publicly before, but here goes. . .

In 2022, this music video won first place at the Vocal Sport Music Video Competition, and then went on the be a finalist at the Zion’s Indie Film Fest. The weekend of the Vocal Sport Competition, I was waiting for biopsy results on an aggressive cancer and grappling with my mortality (among some other very heavy challenges).

I had worked hard my entire adult life at writing music. I’d had mentors in the industry validate my writing skills and even tell me I could have a career in music. Unfortunately, the first 18.5 years of my adult life were spent in a really difficult marriage where my musical aspirations were not supported, so I never had the opportunity to spread my musical wings.

Now that I was in a good marriage, and able to pursue more musically, I was hopeful for at least a tiny bit of recognition on my work, some kind of tangible achievement. I mean, who doesn’t want people to positively acknowledge their work, right? But the night of the award ceremony I knew there was no way I’d be able to put on a smiling face and pretend that everything was okay. . .because it wasn’t.

So, I didn’t go.

And wouldn’t you know it, I won first place.

There are no words to describe the bitterness of regret I felt at having missed that experience. . . [big pause for emphasis]

Those kinds of things don’t come along every day. They are special.

And I missed it.

Fast forward to today, I may not make it to the finals in this competition. And there won’t be a physical audience to applaud my efforts even if I did, but making it to the semi-finals in such a prominent competition is a little gift. I could have chosen to keep this gift all to myself, but life’s bitter lessons hold great wisdom that can often benefit others when we share them.

So now, my question moving forward during hard times is: Is there a scenario that I will regret if I don’t do this thing? Even if it’s hard to do?

If the answer is yes, even a little, I suck it up and move forward despite the discomfort.

I wish you joy in the journey. Embrace all your opportunities with gratitude, even if it’s hard, cause they may never come along again. But, don’t despair if you have regrets, life offers many shining moments in lots of different flavors as we keep moving forward despite the past.

If you haven’t seen the video, here it is: