Monday, June 18, 2007

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.

20 comments:

The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick said...

Scarlett, that was a great clip. Nessun Dorma has always been one of my absolute FAVORITE songs! Funny, how I've never really looked up the straight translation of the song into English, but regardless, I've never been able to hear that song without tearing up. It's such an emotional song, even without knowing exactly what's being said. There's so much energy there that it just exudes through the music, itself. :-)

Christina

Unknown said...

He's been making the headlines in the British papers this weekend, so it's nice to see what all the fuss is all about. Typically the press is saying that he has been trained, but even if he has to wipe the smug smiles off that trio must have been fun.

Jon M said...

I missed that...I must have been blogging. Isn't it nice to see someone do well? Mind you if I lived the dream I had last night, I'd be being chased by carnivorous hedgehogs round a maze made of marshmallow. I think it was the Stilton toothpaste!

Unknown said...

Someone put me onto this over the weekend. Just watched it again and had the same lump. I hope he does well.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

I saw a piece on him this morning on Good Morning America. What a story.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hey Christina!

Good to see you here!
Isn't that powerful? I get misty-eyed and weepy every time I watch it. I hope he wins.
I love the song also, isn't it beautiful? I have a vague idea of the meaning, but not a literal translation. I love Turandot.



Hi Verilion!

Yes, I am sure he's making headlines... and I am very glad to hear it. He sounds trained, but it could be that he just learned by listening carefully and constantly, and studying books etc. Really, I could care less... he sounds great and he's your ordinary average Joe, following his dream. God I hope he gets it.


Jon... carnivorous hedgehogs, marshmallows and toothpaste huh? Perhaps it was whatever you ate before you went to bed? No spice next time, okay? ;o)


Minx,

It's really something, isn't it? I get a lump and waterworks... the whole thing. It's just so good to see someone who SHOULD be dealt a royal flush, have a chance at getting it.


NYC/C,

Good morning America? Wow... his story is really getting around! GOOD! It's such a great story.
Thanks for coming by.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Anonymous said...

I had not seen this before so thank you for putting it up. Boy, it is hard NOT to root for the underdog. That was good stuff.

Anonymous said...

Oh Bravo! How inspiring Scarlett! We haven't heard the story here (US news is hideous terrible at telling us whats going on the rest of the world). Thank you for sharing this.
katcampbell.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Live your dreams, eh? good advice even for those of us without "Idol" dreams.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Mr. GoodThomas,

I think a lot of us in the US didn't get a chance to see it since it was featured in the UK, but the ideal of reaching for the dreams that are dearest to our heart is so universal that this man and his story transcend all geographic boundaries to reach deep inside each of us and inspire us to remember that sometimes, even the 'everyman' can wake one day to find his dreams resting within the grasp of his hands.


Kat,

So glad you got to hear the story, thanks to the internet... the world is a much closer place.




Hey Ally,

Yes... live your dreams. Without those, we don't have much. Oftentimes we admire those who reach for their dreams and are spotlighted when they realize them, but it's equally important to reach for small or attainable dreams, to taste a bit of success. It doesn't have to be broadcast to the world to be good... sometimes the best dreams are the little victories that are realized within our own hearts, and only to ourselves.



Scarlett & Viaggiatore

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I hadn't heard of Paul, but it's an amazing story. He has a truly beautiful voice, and is well on his way to fulfilling his dreams because he took a chance.

Thank you for sharing this!

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hey Hearts,

Glad you enjoyed it, and glad to share such a great story with everyone.



Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

I've followed him a bit through some US media outlets--what a great story! I'm a sucker for an underdog too :)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hi Sognatrice!

He's got quite a following already, from what I am learning. Very glad to know it. I can't wait to buy his first cd!



MyUtopia,

Thanks!


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

exskindiver said...

I love this story.
Thanks for calling our attention to it.
I wil be back.
Thanks for being excited about making Dive Master.
:)
You are too cute.

Dewey said...

This gave me chills! Thanks for posting it.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hey Chesca,

Glad to have you here. This is a great story. I had to post it, it was almost a moral obligation to the 'underdogs' of the world.
So good to see his star shine.

I am SO excited about Dive Master status... woo hoo!!!!! Thanks!


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hi Dewey!

Me too. Still get misty eyed. It's so great.



Scarlett & V.

rel said...

Scarlett & Viaggiatore,
Wow! What a magnificent voice. Crystal clear and nary a waver. (I'm glad he won, the deserving don't always.)
Next to the performance the act that made the whole video was a tearful, smiling Amanda.
As aparapharse:
Cab ride to theater...$20.00
Suit: $200.00
Amanda's reaction: priceless!

In so many cases, it takes more courage to step up to the mic than to do the actual performance.....There is an old lesson here for all of us to mind.
Thanks for being a sharer.
rel

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Rel,

Glad to know that you enjoyed it as well. Looks like he has quite a growing fan club.
Amanda's tears ran each time he sang, actually. In all the other videos, she is crying when he sings... (two other performances and his win).
Luckily, in his case, that's a very good thing.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore