Breathe hope.
The British version of “American Idol” had a guy on last year named Paul Potts. I saw his audition video this week for the first time.
For the most part, I like watching American Idol because I think it’s hilarious to laugh at the socially awkward people, and the people who think they are great singers and are offended to find that they are not.
Paul Potts’ audition was different. Every stereotype I know told me that this video would be hilarious. That he would horribly humiliate himself, and his embarrassment would only be made worse as Simon vividly criticized his singing just as much as his appearance. (I know that shouldn’t be funny, but I can’t help it.) But again, Paul Potts’ audition was different.
From his initial interview, through his singing and the reaction of the audience, which was everything from tears to standing ovations, there are a few things you can tell about Paul.
For so long, Paul’s life has been clogged with despair and his dreams weighed down by doubt. In a moment of courageousness he boldly calls out for hope to break through the long forgotten passages to his soul. Paul is an exception. Paul is an example. Paul is an encouragement.
My vision is clouded by stereotypes, and my eyes deceive my heart as I categorize and group together people, yet Paul reminds me that people can’t be categorized. That life takes effort. It’s not as easy as grouping people together and only associating with those in my group. Paul encourages me to peel back the layers of my own preconceived ideas and breathe hope into the lives of those around me. Breathe hope into the lives of people who normally get overlooked. Breathe hope into passageways of their souls where despair has clogged all entry. Paul is an exception. The “Paul’s” in your life might not have even a shred of hope to give them the boldness to be heard. What would it mean for you to remove the fog of social norms and peer into the heart of people; calling out their beauty, breathing hope into their souls.
Check out Paul’s audition tape here:
Paul went on to win the entire competition.
3 comments:
Wow!!! That was great! It brought tears to my eyes to see this Paul guy sing like that and then see the look on his face after he was done. You can tell he was waiting for critisim. You can tell he thought that he was a long shot. This is a reminder that you are what people think of you. It is sad to see so many awesome people not living their life to the fullest, not having any self esteem or confidence all because of the standards that society sets.
Hey Brad, I was at Buffalo Wild Wings watching football this past Sunday. At the start of the game in London, Paul sang the British national anthem. It brought tears to my eyes all over again!
no way! That's awesome!
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