Dream maker

Sometimes following our dreams takes more bravery than we think we can muster, but once in a blue moon we find ourselves face to face with the opportunity to reach that far off neverland, where the fantasy becomes reality. It takes a very special and true kind of courage to step up to fate, close your eyes, and step off the ledge to discover that you can indeed fly.

Paul Potts is a cell phone salesman in the UK. He is a humble and shy man. He admits that he is trying to improve his low self esteem. Not unlike many of us. But unlike most of us, this man has a dream that is so dear to him that he decided to go after it, to take that chance and reach for what he wants so badly.

He auditioned for "Britain's Got Talent" (the UK's version of American Idol; hosted of course by none other than Simon Cowell who is notorious for his cruel dream killing). David meets Goliath when Paul walks quietly up to the microphone and the panel of judges asks why he is there. He humbly states that he wants to sing opera. The judges visibly cringe and roll their eyes. Paul is still and silent. The music begins... it is the well known and powerful aria Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's opera Turandot. This is no small task. The music of the orchestra swells and he looks up, with eyes wide... and changes his life.

When the under dog, the last one picked for the team, the wall flower in the corner, shows true greatness not only by grabbing hold of the chance of his lifetime, but more than that by swallowing his fears and demonstrating real bravery along with stunning talent, he becomes the hero that everyone else can believe in, and maybe he can begin to believe in himself too.

I dare you to watch this and not shed a tear... not find that you are rooting for the last man anyone would have chosen for anything. Watch this video and see the tides turn, in favor of the humblest bravery I've seen in a long, long time.

Paul Potts on Youtube




This is his audition. If you search for him on youtube, you will find two more of his performances, one in which he sings, "Time to say goodbye" and the second version of "Nessun Dorma". Both are well worth watching.


Live your dreams.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore



**********UPDATE************
Paul Potts won the competition, his prizes include £100,000 and he'll be singing for the Queen of England in December. Congratulations Paul... this is where more than dreams begin.