I don't know when something has moved me as much as watching Susan make one last grab for the brass ring--and catch it. It was a great reminder to me of how God has such great plans for us and we often don't have the courage to TRY. I didn't start writing until I was nearly 40 and my first book didn't sell until I was 45 or so--very near to Susan's age--so I SO identify with her. Even now, 12 years after making the first sale, it seems so surreal that God would give me the desires of my heart.
And Susan's experience was such a great reminder not to look on the outside. God looks on the inside and sees just what we're capable of with his help. Susan seemed a very ordinary, middle-aged woman who would have a mediocre voice at best instead of the pure angelic one that poured from her throat. I've watched that video at least 10-15 times and get chills every time. I'll buy her album when it comes out too, and I've never even paid much attention to American Idol and who wins or loses there. But there is something special about Susan. Maybe it's because her voice translates her heart. She cared for her mother for years and never married. God doesn't ignore that kind of sacrificial spirit.
In watching the CBS interview above, it's clear she's uncomfortable with the attention which endeared her all the more to me. She's real, humble and sweet. I bet one of the thoughts she had as the emotions swept over her when it was over was, "I wish my mother were here to see this." She so exemplifies the power of a dream. God bless you, Susan Boyle, for inspiring a world! May your tribe increase.
What about you? What's the dream you haven't followed?
P. S. If you're like me and want to know more about her, here are more interviews:
Oh, Diann! That was exactly my reaction, and my friends think I'm a little nuts. I couldn't stop crying, when watching that video.
I think, in order to follow our dreams, we must allow ourselves to dream. And sometimes, caught up in the world of potty training and preschool, my only dream is that I will get a nap...
But just by reading this blog, it has helped me define in my heart that I'd like to write, someday. And that's still a pretty vague dream that could use some beefing up. Write what? Write when? For whom? But all dreams start with a seed of hope.
Farmer's Wife, that's exactly how I felt at your age. What? When? But God opened the right doors at the right time. Once He said GO, it still took 7 years of work before He opened that door but it was so worth waiting for!
WOW. I normally eschew all things popular - American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Superman movies, etc.... so I nearly passed up this post because I figured it was just a posting on AI, but decided to watch the video. WOW. Lots of tears watching that - it was amazing.
What a woman, huh? She really is a true inspiration! I tear up every time I listen too. Her voice ever so slightly reminded me of Sarah Brightman's gorgeous vocals.
My dream is similar to yours was Colleen. I have a dream to write. What to write? Not just sure yet. For now I'm just plugging away on my CWG assignments, waiting to hear from God on what His plans are for me. In the meantime, I try to daily (or almost daily) blog so I get my "words" out until the dream is bigger than the fear of rejection. ;-)
I LOOVE her. What a talent. Isn't it amazing to think she could be hiding that voice all these years, and instead caring for her mother? Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!! I will be the first to buy her CD. That's my favorite show (Les Miserables) but I can say the version I have doesn't sound that good. WOW.
Can't get enough of this lady! I'm so glad you put it in one spot!!! I've bookmarked it for my hubby and I to watch later. I'm going for my dream, even knowing that it may take a decade or two to fulfill. ;) But's His way is worth following!
Just when I think I'm ready to throw in the towel, along comes someone like Susan to remind you that a dream is attainable at any age. You just have to believe in yourself and reach for it.
I love watching this, except it makes me so sad how much we judge people by their appearances. And the media is still harping on it - what a "shock" it was. The show even decided not to do a makeover right now so she's not distracted. Why do we insist on doing makeovers?! Not that we shouldn't look our best, but good grief, the woman sings beautifully! Two years ago they had a similar deal with a gap-toothed, overweight cell phone salesman who wowed them singing opera and won the show at the end of the season. He's now a millionaire, and they brought him on the Today Show interview to get his input. I guess they think one Ugly Duckling can tell another what to expect.
I hope she wins big and makes lots of money with her CD!
I nearly passed this up too because I don't typically follow the reality show thing, but I'm glad I watched. Thanks for posting - she is fantastic! Such an amazing gift.
Thank you for posting that, Colleen! What an amazing woman! I just love this story! My Dad's family is Scottish and I love that she's been hidden away in a little Scottish village taking care of her mother. What a beautiful story!
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.
Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
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It STILL makes me cry!!!! I'm THRILLED for her!!!! It's never too late to follow our dreams!
Oh, Diann! That was exactly my reaction, and my friends think I'm a little nuts. I couldn't stop crying, when watching that video.
I think, in order to follow our dreams, we must allow ourselves to dream. And sometimes, caught up in the world of potty training and preschool, my only dream is that I will get a nap...
But just by reading this blog, it has helped me define in my heart that I'd like to write, someday. And that's still a pretty vague dream that could use some beefing up. Write what? Write when? For whom? But all dreams start with a seed of hope.
I still cry too, girls!
Farmer's Wife, that's exactly how I felt at your age. What? When? But God opened the right doors at the right time. Once He said GO, it still took 7 years of work before He opened that door but it was so worth waiting for!
WOW. I normally eschew all things popular - American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Superman movies, etc.... so I nearly passed up this post because I figured it was just a posting on AI, but decided to watch the video. WOW. Lots of tears watching that - it was amazing.
Happy moments over coffee this morning - thanks for sharing, Colleen! :)
Hot coffee, I normally ignore that kind of thing too, but this was too fabulous to ignore!
What a woman, huh? She really is a true inspiration! I tear up every time I listen too. Her voice ever so slightly reminded me of Sarah Brightman's gorgeous vocals.
My dream is similar to yours was Colleen. I have a dream to write. What to write? Not just sure yet. For now I'm just plugging away on my CWG assignments, waiting to hear from God on what His plans are for me. In the meantime, I try to daily (or almost daily) blog so I get my "words" out until the dream is bigger than the fear of rejection. ;-)
Reading your story is so encouraging! Thanks :-)
I LOOVE her. What a talent. Isn't it amazing to think she could be hiding that voice all these years, and instead caring for her mother? Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!! I will be the first to buy her CD. That's my favorite show (Les Miserables) but I can say the version I have doesn't sound that good. WOW.
She is amazing, and I am so thrilled for her!
I love that clip. This one is older, but I also like Andrew, the bullied little boy from last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Q9Ckra6vY
Wow, he was great Jenny. I hate that kids get bullied, just breaks my heart.
It's been awhile since I've been shocked in such a pleasant way. What an inspiration Susan is!
Can't get enough of this lady! I'm so glad you put it in one spot!!! I've bookmarked it for my hubby and I to watch later. I'm going for my dream, even knowing that it may take a decade or two to fulfill. ;) But's His way is worth following!
I teared up. But I'm not the type to cry... RIGHT
Just when I think I'm ready to throw in the towel, along comes someone like Susan to remind you that a dream is attainable at any age. You just have to believe in yourself and reach for it.
I love watching this, except it makes me so sad how much we judge people by their appearances. And the media is still harping on it - what a "shock" it was. The show even decided not to do a makeover right now so she's not distracted. Why do we insist on doing makeovers?! Not that we shouldn't look our best, but good grief, the woman sings beautifully! Two years ago they had a similar deal with a gap-toothed, overweight cell phone salesman who wowed them singing opera and won the show at the end of the season. He's now a millionaire, and they brought him on the Today Show interview to get his input. I guess they think one Ugly Duckling can tell another what to expect.
I hope she wins big and makes lots of money with her CD!
She's incredible.
I nearly passed this up too because I don't typically follow the reality show thing, but I'm glad I watched. Thanks for posting - she is fantastic! Such an amazing gift.
Wow. Thank you so much for posting all these videos. What an inspiration. What a beautiful start to my day.
Isn't Susan Boyle amazing?! I, too, can't wait for her to make a CD.
Thank you for posting that, Colleen! What an amazing woman! I just love this story! My Dad's family is Scottish and I love that she's been hidden away in a little Scottish village taking care of her mother. What a beautiful story!
I have seen this YouTube video numerous times and on tv and it still moves me to tears.
The whole audience was making faces and smirking and when she began to sing like a lovely nightengale, it was fantastic.
You can just tell what beautiful person she and yes, you can see that the attention is a bit much for her, but like a trooper she continues on.
Wow!
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