If someone asks me what my favorite movie is, I tend to think of those that have inspired me. Those that touch me somewhere deep down inside, maybe even bringing a noticeable tear to the eye. Of course, being a “tough guy” I would never let “you” notice that. Examples that come to mind, well, recently I saw the movie Seabiscuit for perhaps the tenth time and like always it got to me. I like old movies, especially the classic Frank Capra ones with Jimmy Stewart, like Its a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Those old movies strike a chord somewhere in the depths of the soul and make you want to do and be better. Now that’s what I call a good movie….that is, one that has the potential to actually change your life. I remember when I saw Rocky (the original) back in my early teen years (wow, has it been that long?). That movie actually inspired a devotion to physical fitness, a “good” habit that I carry with me to this day. Well I recently saw something that really inspired me. It inspired me because in our cynical Western culture we always tend to want to “judge the book by its cover.” If someone didn’t go to the right school, well then they must not be smart enough, etc. We tend to be attracted to and place upon a pedestal those who are rich, glamorous, beautiful, or seemingly intelligent. We tend to judge based on superficialities and if someone doesn’t quickly meet the test, they get screened out and discarded. We judge them before they even have a chance to demonstrate what they’re all about. And woe to those who make a mistake that is “media worthy.” Take Mel Gibson for instance. This great actor and even greater film producer has now been virtually run out of the country, the U.S. that is. Why? Because he got drunk and did something stupid (glad I never do stupid things when I’m drunk….yea right). He made a mistake. Have you ever done this? No, he is an outwardly religious person who made a mistake and that makes his blunder much much worse. The good news is that he has taken refuge in this country, Costa Rica, and we welcome him down here! But the person I really wanted to bring to attention in this post, as if she now needed more of that, is Susan Boyle. Did you catch her performance on the show Britain’s Got Talent (their version of Star Search) featuring the always courteous, Simon Crowell? Boyle appeared awkward when she first walked onto the stage and the audience and the judges quickly assumed that she would be a colossal flop. There was even an insinuation about her age, 47, which really got under my skin (I’m 48….I guess the “insinuation” was that our worthiness ends at 40?) Boy did they get the surprise of their lives. When Boyle opened her mouth to sing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables, it was, to put it mildly, electrifying. He voice pierced right to the soul of Crowell and the other judges. She received a standing ovation from the skeptical audience and all three judges gave her a rousing thumbs up, including the highly critical Crowell. For me the whole spectacle, which I watched via YouTube, was another one of those inspirational moments that brought a tear to my eye (always a tell-tale sign). Why? I guess because we “normal” people all feel judged at times, but we often retreat in the face of criticism. This lady didn’t. Instead she let’em have it! It was encouraging for me to see that and reminded me of what is possible. That is, If we ignore our limitations, whatever they might be, and pursue a dream with all our heart and with a firm belief that we can achieve what we set out to do. Susan Boyle believed in herself when the audience didn’t. And in the end she made a believer of us all! The song was I Dreamed a Dream, but in my opinion, Susan Boyle sang one! Thank you Susan for an inspiring performance.
If you haven’t seen the video, click here.
Comments
Dianna Adams
I’m sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. I just watched Susan Boyle on youtube. Simply stunning. I think I’ll go write a poem now.