Susan Boyle Takes a Chance



By now, everyone on the planet with a television or an Internet connection has heard the heartwarming, bring tears to your eyes story of Susan Boyle and her unlikely skyrocket to fame. I was at home getting ready for work, listening to the news, when the story played on CNN. Like the judges, I was ready to roll my eyes and prepare myself for another William Huang moment.

Then she started to sing... and tears popped into my eyes. I was thrilled and speechless.

My first thought, after recovering my breath: how lovely her dream has come true!

My second thought: wait, what this really represents is a lesson in going after one's dreams. Here she is, one of the unlikeliest characters to win the 'BIG DREAM'. By current cultural standards, especially those involving TV appearances: 1) she's past her prime age-wise, 2) she is not a stereotypical beauty, 3) she's from the middle of nowhere. In other words she is the exact opposite of the 21 year old, lithe, blond ingenue who gets 'discovered' in New York or LA or on American Idol.

So, yes, she had all the classic strikes against her and had she remained in her peaceful little village, she likely would never have had this stunning moment. But she took a chance. Something in her soul gave her the courage to swagger out on stage, scold Simon Cowell, then open her mouth and let the magic begin.

But the magic would never have happened if she had not taken the first step and gone to that audition to pursue her dream when everyone else thought she had no chance. What courage it must have taken to stand on that stage, knowing that others were laughing at her audacity. That is the real joy and the lesson.

While I admire Susan Boyle's voice and can't wait to buy her first CD , what I have learned from Susan Boyle that will stay with me much longer is what can happen when we have the courage to step out on in faith (in ourselves, in God, in the belief that we are about to meet our true destiny), to pursue our dreams, no matter how late our start, or how meager our beginnings, or how unlikely our outcome looks on paper. Susan Boyle's story is living proof of this:

“…the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”


What dream do you need to let loose?



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Comments

Barrie said…
Wasn't this just GREAT!?!
Jennifer S said…
I can't tell you how many times I've watched that video. (And cry just about every time...) But I've taken away the same thing from it. She's proof that it's never too late if you go after what you want. She has such an amazing voice. Gives me goosebumps.
Larramie said…
Susan Boyle and YOU! :)

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