Write on Wednesday - Right On!
In my blog surfing today, I came across this video, the kind of rags to riches story that makes me so excited I could jump up and down. It's the story of Paul Potts, a shy, unassuming young man, a salesman in a place called Cell Phone Warehouse, who auditioned for Britain's Got Talent, (the UK version of American Idol) and took the entire nation by storm with his ability to sing opera. On Monday night, he won the competition, and with it a record contract and an opportunity to sing for Her Majesty the Queen.
Simon Cowell judges both Britain's Got Talent, and American Idol. In one of his comments to Paul Potts, he commented that he was exactly what the creators of the show had in mind - an opportunity to put the spotlight on an ordinary man with an extrordinary talent. Until 2 years ago, I had never watched American Idol. I was completely turned off by the snippets I saw in previews or on the news, and thought all the contestants were unbearably "screechy," a phrase Simon himself uses on numerous occasions. For some reason, I started watching in 2006, and was just hooked. Mostly by the fact that ordinary people were suddenly given this opportunity to shine, to have their dreams come true in this magical, fairy tale sort of way. Like Chris Daughtry, who entered the show in 2006 as a 29 year old automobile service manager with a garage band, and now has CD that's gone platinum several times over. And this year's Melinda Doolittle, a professional back up singer who "never saw herself" as being outfront- it was amazing to see her come out of her shell and claim her rightful place at center stage.
So, what does all this have to do with writing? It's really about daring to dream, and having dreams come true. Whether you're a singer, an athlete, a scientist, or a writer, it's about having hope in the possibility of making your dreams come true. As one British journalist said about Potts' victory, "It's really a win for all us, the little people who have a dream they hope will come true."
And it's about knowing what you're meant to do. In this video, Paul Potts admits that he's never had a lot of confidence in himself, and sometimes had a hard time in school. But when he sings, he says, he always feels like he's where he should be and the world seems to come right. Finding that place where the world comes right is crucial, not only to success, but to happiness.
Writing is one of the places the world comes right for me. Music is another. With Paul Potts for inspiration, maybe I'll dust off a few of the dreams I've been harboring and see if they might come true.
So, how about you? What makes the world come right for you?
Simon Cowell judges both Britain's Got Talent, and American Idol. In one of his comments to Paul Potts, he commented that he was exactly what the creators of the show had in mind - an opportunity to put the spotlight on an ordinary man with an extrordinary talent. Until 2 years ago, I had never watched American Idol. I was completely turned off by the snippets I saw in previews or on the news, and thought all the contestants were unbearably "screechy," a phrase Simon himself uses on numerous occasions. For some reason, I started watching in 2006, and was just hooked. Mostly by the fact that ordinary people were suddenly given this opportunity to shine, to have their dreams come true in this magical, fairy tale sort of way. Like Chris Daughtry, who entered the show in 2006 as a 29 year old automobile service manager with a garage band, and now has CD that's gone platinum several times over. And this year's Melinda Doolittle, a professional back up singer who "never saw herself" as being outfront- it was amazing to see her come out of her shell and claim her rightful place at center stage.
So, what does all this have to do with writing? It's really about daring to dream, and having dreams come true. Whether you're a singer, an athlete, a scientist, or a writer, it's about having hope in the possibility of making your dreams come true. As one British journalist said about Potts' victory, "It's really a win for all us, the little people who have a dream they hope will come true."
And it's about knowing what you're meant to do. In this video, Paul Potts admits that he's never had a lot of confidence in himself, and sometimes had a hard time in school. But when he sings, he says, he always feels like he's where he should be and the world seems to come right. Finding that place where the world comes right is crucial, not only to success, but to happiness.
Writing is one of the places the world comes right for me. Music is another. With Paul Potts for inspiration, maybe I'll dust off a few of the dreams I've been harboring and see if they might come true.
So, how about you? What makes the world come right for you?
Labels: Write On Wednesday
posted by Becca at Wednesday, June 20, 2007
9 Comments:
I saw the first video earlier this week too - amazing. I can't watch American Idol because it's a miserable experience for me to see people embarrass themselves or be shot down. So bad in fact, that I have to leave the room. But when I see a person with a hidden talent, a regular person, it gives me a sense of possibility. Yes, writing makes it all come together for me. It lets all the magic shine.
Dear Becca,
I love the message in this post ... we need to dare to dream, to put ourselves out there for even a moment, because maybe (just maybe) that moment will become much, much more.
Thank you,
JP
I don't watch American Idol. While the premise is wonderful, the biting comments from judges that I've read and the mockery at tryouts that I've heard about have left me without much respect for the process. But I am truly delighted for Paul Potts and was moved to tears with his performance of Nessun Dorma (that song does it to me every time) both in the audition clip and when he sang it or the finals. I'm glad he's been given a chance to make his dreams come true.
Writing certainly helps me process life on a daily basis. Although it probably doesn't fall into the category you intend here, being in the circle of my husband's arms puts the world right for me; it calms the doubts and renews my strength to deal with whatever comes my way.
I saw the clip on Good Morning America.. just amazing. Dare to dream!
I'm not a watcher of this type of show. It's too often degrading and too often the critique is cruel. However, in this case there was a wonderful result. We must dare to dream and to move forward in our lives. But we must also be choosey about how we do it. Too often a cruel remark will completely stop a very promising dream.
A friend sent me this video and it sent chills down my spine. My favorite opera piece and he was brilliant.
I often wonder, especially with some of the work I do, what differentiates the person who's up on the stage from the person who's not but has equal, if not more talent.
And I think it's all about really stepping up and owning it ... whatever 'it' is.
So let's all be bodacious and own whatever our talent is!! That's my motto for this year ha ha!
I don't follow those shows either, but chanced upon the final minutes of this one, just as his win was being announced, so I stayed watching, curious to see what he'd do. The hair on the back of my neck stood up! Powerful performance. Yes. I like your take on this - we should all just follow the dream and take the chances we are offered.
This video was amazing when I came across it last week. I cried and felt like my faith in humankind had been restored...the power was amazing.
Writing is my Paul Potts moments...
A big "right on" for Wednesday. Great video and that is truly what that show should be about.
Now I'm hooked on "So You Think You Can Dance." Same exectutive producer as idol...oy! XXOO
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