I'm going to make that audience rock

When Susan Boyle tells the fellows backstage at Britain's Got Talent that she's going to rock the audience, the eavesdropping crowd out front laughs. They're not laughing when she finishes her performance. Give a listen.

I'm going to make that audience rock!

Susan Boyle

Watch the full performance, including the touching before and after interviews (embedding was not permitted).

Despite their often condescending attitudes, I give gratitude to the producers and judges of the show for giving the world an opportunity to hear the voice of Susan Boyle, Paul Potts and others who have honed their talents quietly, with perhaps only secret hopes of one day performing in front of an audience.

In the world of Ordinary, every individual is valued for their unique abilities. One does not need to be nipped and tucked, pruned and peeled, toned and tanned, body-sculpted and blemish-covered to achieve success. All any one needs is to honor their gifts and, well, give them.

Most of us did not grow up with that kind of support and encouragement. It's up to us to trust our abilities, to find our true work (play), and to begin to share it with the world. It's never too late. No matter where you are in life, you have something of beauty to offer the rest of us. Who are you rocking?

My thanks and acknowledgement to AFelsinger, amyvernon and absolutelytrue for pointing me to this wonderfully inspiring and moving performance through their tweets and retweets.

Get up and do it

I started out this week discussing love and how love is what it takes to make a place like the Village of Ordinary work. When we are loved from the get-go, we feel confident and strong. We know ourselves and our strengths and weaknesses. We know how best to contribute to society and the greater good. When we feel loved, we are at peace.

To show Village of Ordinary-like love at work in the world today, I explored a few people and organizations who are taking care of themselves and the world around them. I took you to Africa where Erna and Mark, Emmy Moshi, Chief Ntutu and others with love, determination and passion are building schools and desks and clean water supplies. These four are working to save girls whose parents sell them into slavery to improve the family's standard of living.

I introduced you to StandingWomen.org, and invited you to stand with grandmothers and their families all over the world on Mothers Day, May 11, at 1 pm your local time, anywhere you wish to stand, for five minutes. We're standing for peace. You can learn where people are standing near you here.

I shared with you the Grameen Foundation, which is helping people in third world countries lift themselves from poverty. The Grameen Foundation and the Grameen Bank provide tiny loans, often as little as $100 to individuals to build businesses in their communities. Ninety-seven percent of the recipients repay their loans, and the money is recycled to other families.

Finally, I introduced you to two remarkable individuals, Paul Potts and Jody Williams, ordinary citizens who, in doing what they felt impelled to do, achieved extraordinary things.

I'd very much like to know what you thought of these posts. Did they encourage you to pursue your own passions in some way? Did you perhaps see how one person can make a big difference, or how believing in yourself enough to keep doing what you love can change your life?

Knowing ourselves well enough to commit to our dreams is what Ordinary is all about. What are your dreams? What do you love most to do? Get up and do it! (Then come back and leave a comment about it here.)

When you feel discouraged, think of the remarkable Paul Potts

Imagine how many hours this man stood alone in an empty field, perhaps, a barnyard full of chicks and sows, a darkened house, singing his heart out. No audience to hear him. Sing he must. Sing he did. Else where did he hone this amazing voice?

Enjoy this treat.



To be sure, in their efforts to praise him after the show, the judges reveal a bit of elitist condescension, but he went on to win the competition and to sing for the Queen. Later he sang for Oprah. May he always sing.

May we all sing, each in our own way, for the joy of it.

What do you love to do, no matter who is watching, no matter who knows that you do it? What talent uniquely yours do you long to share with others? Begin.