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This blog post has been ‘composting’ in my brain for 2 days.
During that time, there has been a mindless media frenzy about an actor named Ashton Kutcher getting one million followers on Twitter ahead of media giant CNN, which was (from what I hear) quite a contest to win.
I wondered why.
Frankly, I didn’t see any reason to cheer about anyone having more or less ‘followers’ on Twitter, given the nebulous tightness of bonds on this social network.
Mindless Media.
That’s the phrase I use to describe the @aplusk vs @cnnbrk phenomenon.
Simultaneously, though, another story was unfolding – and that stirred me to the depths of my soul. Maybe it did yours.
At the time I watched the video of Susan Boyle’s performance at “Britain’s Got Talent”, it had been viewed 6 million times on YouTube. Today, when I checked, it’s at – hold on to your hat! – over TWENTY FIVE MILLION views!
Wow.
And that’s just ONE video. There are many versions of it posted (like this one which has received another 5 million views!)
When I first watched it, my mind was in turmoil. There were just so MANY levels on which the performance moved me that it was hard to say which one mattered most – or was the most important. I hit ‘REPLAY’ three more times, and each time, a wave of strong emotion ran through me.
Predominant was that surge of sheer adrenaline that makes you want to stand up and scream at the top of your lungs:
“YES!”
It’s the primal cry, an atavistic rooting for the underdog, the irrational desire to see passion triumph over logic, the excitement that we live vicariously through seeing someone else go for that impossible dream… and win!
When the audience rose to give Susan a standing ovation, I didn’t just see a middle-aged 47-year old house-wife receiving accolades for a superlative on-stage performance.
I saw validation of the relentless persistence of a determined dreamer who dared to follow her heart.
I saw the collective cheering of humanity for someone who stared down a cynical universe, and spat in its eye.
And I saw MY FUTURE. Yours too. If you want that.
Because Susan showed me – and you – that it is NEVER ‘too late’ to shoot for the stars. When Simon asked, before she sang, about her ambition to be famous:
“Why hasn’t it worked out so far, darling?”
Susan answered:
“I’VE NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE!”
Didn’t we ALL tell ourselves that at one time or another? And didn’t we then CHOOSE to shelve those dreams – forever?
And isn’t THIS our wake-up call?
Maybe you, like me, told yourself “But there are dreams that cannot be… And there are storms we cannot weather”
And then, perhaps, you buried that hope and desire and ambition that once burned in your soul deep inside you, brushed aside the restless spirit that rose up in stubborn rebellion from time to time, soothed the nagging voice that echoed in the silence of the night with the platitude, “Later. Yes, later.”
Sure, watching that video made me UNCOMFORTABLE. Because until now, I had an excuse. Now, I don’t. And that’s disturbing, in a sense.
“I Dreamed a Dream”, the song Susan Boyle performed at BGT, ends with the words:
“Now life has killed the dream I dreamed”
My question to you is:
ARE YOU GOING TO LET IT?
Or are you going to fight FOR it to come true?
I know my answer.
Share yours in a comment, please.
Here are the lyrics of “I Dreamed a Dream”
There was a time, when men were kind
And their voices were soft
And their words were inviting
There was a time, when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time it all went wrongI dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgivingThen I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untastedBut the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they turn your hope apart
As they turn your dreams to shameHe slept a summer by my side
He filled my dreams with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn cameAnd still I dream he’d come to me
That we would live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weatherI had a dream my life would be
So different from the hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed
{ 11 comments }
My hair stood up and I must have watched that video numerous times again and again and again!
It literally moved me not just from my seat but even by the way I think.
Uncomfortable, well perhaps in a nice way, yes.
“the irrational desire to see passion triumph over logic” just goes to tell us never judge a book by its cover.
Simon’s face was seen to be believed! he was so embarrassed and the cynical crowd by humbled by this 47 year old who although sang “killed the dream I dream” in no way killed it but has not become a sensational inspiration for all of us.
Well done Susan Boyle, just goes to show when we reach out for the stars, we can touch them.
Rohan Davare
http://www.mymusicticket.in
First, thanks for sharing the words to the song.
When I first heard the song, I hit the replay button several times also and shared it with others as well.
A month or so ago I read a quote in the newspaper that basically said, “Now is not the time to dream…”. Well, more than ever, now is the time to dream and dream big and then take massive action to bring your dreams into reality.
In truth, there is no shortage of money in the world. Heck, the USA is printing more and more everyday. What there is a shortage of are dreamers who believe in themselves and take action.
Susan Boyle is an amazing woman and she chose the perfect song to sing at BGT.
I, too, am stunned each time I watch the video. I pay particular attention to a different section at each screening. I know I had a dream when I was younger, but I don’t remember what it is. I buried it very deep, I guess. After the second time watching, I decided no matter what, I’m doing the work to remember my dream, pick it up and dust it off. It may need a little tweaking here and there, but it will look as close to the old one as I can make it.
Linda
From the first with her actions I felt that this
was a special person. She was herself no matter
who she was in front of. She had a large sense
of humor to to help her confront a huge audience,
and judges and to set others at ease. They say
that she is ugly, I did not see that. A different
hair styling would make a big difference, The way
she carried herself, her very demeaner was very
impressive. I have seen that in my sister who
was badly burned and scared in face.
But it was when she opened her mouth and that first
note came out of her mouth. Shivers ran though
my whole body. I feel like I am in shock. I want
to record that song and hear it every morning when
I first awake. I can hardly carry a tune much less
a note, but I have always within myself heard my
own voice and seen my self sing just like her. but
when I open my mouth it is just the opposite.
There are very few singers that I have really been
impressed with that could reach down and pluck
my heart strings. I could probably count them on
one hand. Yet she is like the whole hand.
I see much more than just her beautiful voice.
I see her courage, tenasity, her inner control,
her being able to pull joy up from within herself,
her inner strength. I can only imagine how comforting
she and her voice was to her mother and others.
Even though I could not hear all the words, It
has struck a deep cord within me. Perhaps
I too can develop those same type of qualities
that I seen in her. It is worth working for.
Thank you for the words
Virginia “Lucille” Crabtree
Great post Dr. Mani. I enjoyed the video of Susan Boyle’s performance. It was truly inspiring. My opportunity is coming!
I, also, view television coverage of the Kutcher-CNN Contest. I was outraged by this mindless movement. It was reminiscent of mob mentality.
I would like to see people put more thought into the causes that they support.
Very inspiring article. Yes ! We need to wake up, think differently, stop waiting for some one else’s approval.
A very moving “happening”, Hopefull, and yet the lyrics so true of life of how life batters one relentlesly to the point that the “Dream” looses its validity, to stand up, and try again is verbalised, but there isnt any real belief that “Dream” will be realised.
Dr. Mani, when we were children we played with our toys and dreamed a thousand dreams in sleep. But when we grew older and turned into young men, most of those dreams faded. As time robbed us of the essence of our youth we held onto the belief that anything was possible. And…when our realties became clear we started to focus mostly on what was important to us in our lives. All of a sudden we all crossed one particular boundary that reminded us that we had to address other issues that concerned others around us. It is without claim that we do care and support a variety of worthwhile charities and projects around the world, but the underlying factor is that we are just ONE and we all need to make a more assertive effort to stamp out poverty & Injustice forever. I hope there other people around the world who are like minded and as an online community, we can pool all of our resources & knowledge to achieve this and many other possibilities.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you say, Dr. Mani! I’d just like to add something, because I’m sure you realize most people won’t interpret that video in such a way, as you or I do. Lot’s of people prefer to listen to their inner nay-sayer, to stay in their ‘comfort zone’. To them it’s much easier to rule out their ability to accomplish great deeds, and attribute such accomplishment in others to ‘talent’ or ‘luck’ or ‘connections’… when really IT IS about all the passion you can muster and follow through on with persistence and dedication… but the first most essential step is recognizing the mental barriers we have, telling us ‘I can’t do that’ or ‘this is impossible’… that’s the hardest obstacle. I hope someone reading this thinks about it. PEACE, doc!
My hats off to Susan Boyle
Then again – why have we forgotten Paul Potts.
Have a look see please.
I just felt joy when she started to sing.
It was clear what the judges and the audience thought before she started singing but I sized her up when she walked onto the stage -I saw strength and she proved it.
I forget who it is – one marketer I subscribe to has in his footer of his emails -there are no failures just people who give up before they succeed…
But she did not get where she is because she had a dream – but because she kept going. Lots of people with dreams did not enter the talent show she was on…
When the law of attraction meets the law of action magic happens!
Alex
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