This afternoon, while I was walking around a shopping mall, I noticed a busker performing outside. He wasn’t on a big stage, and there was no spotlight—just open space, random foot traffic, and the kind of audience that can be… harsh. People can be judgmental. Worse, they can pretend you don’t exist. And honestly, that sounds like one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever.
But he still showed up.
I could tell he had practiced. His performance wasn’t careless at all. He looked prepared, focused, and committed to the moment—even though not many people were stopping to watch. That’s what impressed me the most. It’s easy to be confident when you’re guaranteed applause. It’s a different kind of courage to give your best when the world is busy scrolling, rushing, or simply walking past.
And then I started thinking: what if this is his side hustle?
I’m already tired from my full-time job, and some days I feel like work drains my brain cells (hehe). So I genuinely don’t know how people manage to work a whole day, then still find time to practice, plan, and put themselves out there like that. It takes discipline, energy, and a lot of heart.
Maybe that’s the quiet lesson: consistency doesn’t always look glamorous. Sometimes it looks like performing anyway, even when the crowd is small.
“Courage is grace under pressure.” — Ernest Hemingway
Today, I’m just grateful I witnessed someone choosing effort over comfort. It reminded me that big dreams are often built in small, unseen moments.
Link to the source of the image.