Have you seen the singer Susan Boyle on “Britain’s Got Talent”? This 47 year old woman exemplifies the abject bliss one and the world can experience when you fully unite with your Vision. It is a beautifully moving portrait of what can happen when someone does not give up but follows their dream. I loved the fact that the song she chose was I Dreamed a Dream from Le Miserables (one of my favorite songs). I also loved the fact that when Simon Cowell asked her, why she had not succeeded as a singer, that she answered, because “no one has given me the chance”. I don’t know her story but what I heard in what she said was that she always believed in herself no matter what.
The audience reaction was very interesting to watch. Before she opened her mouth you could see the scorn and derision on their faces towards this person, who they no doubt saw as too old, not attractive enough etc. Then as soon as she opened her mouth the people were stunned and almost immediately so happy for her and her obvious victory. By the end of her performance they were elated. Her story is a classic one of the underdog winning against all odds and we humans love those stories. I think we love those stories because even if we are doubtful or cynical most of us feel like underdogs and we all want to believe that in the end we will win.
(first posted 4.19.09)
The following came from a reader…
My name is Melissa Blair and I am a 38 year old divorced mom of 3 children, ages 9, 10 and 12.
I really feel compelled to share the importance of Nicole’s accent on “vision”. As much as I stay very much in the
day to day momentum of keeping up with my and my childrens schedules, I get more peace when I try and connect with
my bigger vision for the future. It isn’t about wishful thinking or dreaming, it is just a daily awareness that I am working towards my vision.
A vision of helping people in the field of natural and integrative health. A vision of being an independent woman capable of
my own earning power and abilities to engage in my field of studies. I am currently enrolled in a doctorate program in shich I will earn a Doctor of Natural Health degree, DNH. This will legally allow me to listen to clients and educate them on how best to take charge of their own physical and mental well being.
In the recent past I heard a very successful woman give a speech on how her vision came to fruition. This woman spoke of the importance of learning from her mistakes instead of repeating them and she also confessed her undeniable
dedication of time focused on her vision. These are features to me that make a sticking point and they keep me on
the path I have chosen, even during the times that I have challenges in my field and studies.
It is important for me to understand the gift of mistakes made and the sacrafice of time dedicated to my vision of becoming
a Doctor of Natural Health so that I may help those in need of my services. I have a fierce loyalty and compassion for the clients I already serve and the ones I am to meet in the future.
I try to meet my vision with integrity, honesty and openess. It is in teaching, that i truly learn.
Thank you.
The following came from a reader in Philadelphia…
I had to respond to this one b/c just last night Dennis asked me if I had heard about the latest “Britain’s Got Talent” success, Susan Boyle and he tracked down the YouTube coverage for me. (Bit of back story—a year ago or more we were driving through town when the similar triumph of Paul Potts was described on an NPR program. I was so touched by the story and his humble description of his journey that I literally wept all through the day. As a result, Dennis always tries to provoke a “Paul Potts reaction” with human interest stories, etc.) I feel so uplifted when the simple gifts of good people are recognized in a big way—in this case, by the positive reactions of a massive audience and the accolades of the judges. I think of all the people in her world who must frequently have the joy of hearing her lovely voice – Christmas carols and Happy Birthday renditions or even drunken karaoke dedications—and I feel privileged to share that experience with them. I might only get to hear her sing one song, one time—but I try to appreciate it just as much as the relative who gets to hear her every year at the ole Boyle family reunion. It’s just an incredible feeling, and it inspires me to keep forging ahead on my path to discover what my gift might be. Surely I have one (something other than class clown)
Doctor,
This is very interesting. As one that was defintely an underdog while in my teens (many years ago), I think I suprised many of my old friends when the found out that I was not in jail, etc.
Pierpont, Washington, DC