Can’t not Didn’t

For a long time I had heard of Netflix and many recommended it to me, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I decided it was something I would sign up for. Now, when I want to watch something, I just scroll through the program list and the options are endless. I have watched tv series that I didn’t see when they were current. I have picked up some new documentaries that are only available on Netflix. And I get to watch some movies, which if you know me, you know is a favourite pastime. Last night I did just that, watched a movie.

The movie was one I had seen when it was in the theatre a few years back and it was good to see it again. Two of my favourite actors, Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant spooled out the tale of Florence Foster Jenkins. Based on the true story of the American socialite who lived from 1868 to 1944. Florence Jenkins loved music and took promotion of music as her calling. Like all movie productions that are based on the truth, there are some questions as to accuracy but the story is engaging and there is enough truth to it to make it believable.

Jenkins was a terrible singer. She just didn’t know it. She loved to sing and would put on elaborate productions. Being wealthy she could afford to make a mark! She made a record, privately funded and produced from her own pocket. She even presented a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The film ends with the notation that the recording of that concert is one of the most popular in Carnegie Hall history! Let me repeat – she was a terrible singer. She just didn’t know it and her friends colluded to keep her singing and entertaining.

The film ends with her saying, “People might say I couldn’t sing but they will never say I didn’t sing.” I love that attitude.

We all know the old maxim, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Well, effort does not always produce talent. But effort does merit recognition. As Florence put it, they might say I can’t but they won’t say I didn’t. It has kept me thinking all day – what are the things I don’t do because in my mind I can’t do them? What are the things I could do, even if I don’t do them well? It is an interesting tension between can’t and don’t. How often have we stifled another by suggesting that they are not good at something? How often have I not engaged in something because I believed I wouldn’t do it well?

Florence Foster Jenkins sang with abandon, no, make that with gusto. Why? Because she loved music and she believed in music. The fact that she wasn’t good at it didn’t stop her. Her attitude has opened up a new page for me in considering what I might or might not do. “People might say I can’t, but they will never say I didn’t.” Hmmm, just what might I get up to this weekend?