Nov 16, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
A middle-aged, unassuming and unglamorous woman walks out on the stage and sings before judges, a large audience and millions on television. It’s a talent contest — Britain’s Got Talent — to be specific. And the reaction is surprise and shock when she displays an extraordinary voice.
Since her appearance on the show, her performance has been viewed by more than 100 million on YouTube — making her a global, Internet sensation. In fact, her video is expected to soon become the most viewed YouTube clip of all time. I admit that when I watched her on YouTube, I was captivated, astounded and brought to tears.
But why did I — along with many others — have this reaction?
Did I really believe that only those with beautiful faces and bodies could have beautiful voices? Why shouldn’t it be just as natural for a woman in her late forties to pursue her dream than it is for someone in their twenties?
I think my emotions were aroused as I witnessed the transformation of the audience’s response to this woman. Her name is Susan Boyle, by the way. And she sang “I dreamed a dream” from Les Miserables.
When she first walked out on the stage, the camera showed a skeptical and scornful audience. Even the judges were rolling their eyes and raising their eyebrows as they questioned why she was bothering to audition. And they were amused when she expressed her hopes to become a professional singer like British musical theater star, Elaine Paige.
She didn’t react to the teasing with hurt feelings or embarrassment but countered with wit and humor.
It seemed likely that Susan was very familiar with low expectations of her, making it all the more powerful to witness the saying — “You can’t judge a book by its cover” — proven true and lived out before a worldwide audience.
The moment Susan began to sing, the audience’s demeanor immediately changed from doubt and sarcasm to applause and wonder. Everyone was ecstatic to have their first impression proven wrong. A lesson on passing judgment and making assumptions was learned like a cold splash of water to our arrogant faces.
I’m three years older than Susan, and the fact that she would be pursuing her dream at this point in her life resonates with me and gives me encouragement that it is never too late to begin.
I think some of my tears were also at the thought of the world being deprived of her inspiring voice until now. And I can’t help but wonder how much more undiscovered talent remains silent or stifled and perhaps may never be shared with the rest of us. I’m also thinking about dream upon dream I’ve never acted upon.
Being inspired by Susan’s angelic voice is not something I would have wanted to miss. I’m beginning to understand more about the interconnectedness of humanity. What we do or don’t do with our lives matters. We make a difference to those our lives touch.
Do you have a dream you’ve tucked away on a high shelf with the hope you’ll get it down someday and do something about it?
Susan Boyle has shown the world that there are no time limitations or requirements for acting upon our dreams. And she is showing each of us how to reach them.
Does it take courage? Perhaps so, but even more as Susan is showing us, achieving dreams requires being yourself — genuine, authentic, honest, real. Her authenticity has given the world hope at a time when we’re all trying to figure out how to make changes and improvements to dire situations. Maybe the answers are within each of us.
There is no better time than the present to be true to yourself — to pursue dreams and set about reaching goals. We all have unique, God-given talents and skills that need to be used and are meant to be shared. We may not all be singers, but we all have a purpose to be fulfilled.
Let’s get busy doing just that. The world needs each of us!
Nov 16, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
I suspect most of us are aware of the American cargo ship captain — Capt. Richard Phillips — who was held hostage by Somali pirates on a lifeboat in a five-day standoff. I’m writing this column only hours after hearing the good news of his rescue by US Navy SEALS, and no doubt there will be many more details published before this column is in print. But what I know now impels me to write.
“A model for all Americans” is how President Obama described the Captain’s courage. Rear Admiral Richard Gurnon, President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy where Phillips was a graduate, said speaking of Capt. Phillips, “He was the good shepherd — he exchanged his life for the life of his crew.” And Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said, “The actions of Capt. Phillips and the civilian mariners of Maersk-Alabama were heroic. They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Capt. Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew.”
The Captain’s decision to surrender himself to the pirate hijackers in an effort to safeguard his crew certainly epitomizes Jesus words, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
How fitting that news of the happy resolution of his saga came on Easter morning!
Evil didn’t win the battle against Capt. Phillips, just as it didn’t against Jesus. Jesus’ wrongful crucifixion was not the end of his story. His resurrection teaches us many lessons, but among them is to never give up our hope and faith in the power of good. I feel certain that Capt. Phillips didn’t give up hope.
I can’t help but appreciate the fact that a couple of days before his rescue, the Captain tried to save his own life by leaping into the ocean. Perhaps this is also an important lesson for us all.
How many times have I feared that I wouldn’t be able to do something successfully and I didn’t even make an attempt? Or how many times did I fail at something in my first try and became so depressed, disappointed and despondent that I never tried again? I suspect that given the opportunity the Captain would have continued to try to escape.
And consider his crew. They didn’t accept defeat in their initial capture and found their way to freedom from their hijackers by making the heroic effort to regain control of their ship.
There’s something very empowering as I consider the choices made by Capt. Phillips and his crew — choices that resonate with the Psalmist’s resolute declaration, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalms 118:17)
The model of courage we have witnessed inspires us to see that we all have the ability to take actions that can result in life — in our happiness, in our satisfaction, in solutions, improvement and progress. We don’t have to be overwhelmed, oppressed or overcome by uncertainty, indecision, rejection, failure, illness or debt and loss. Keeping our faith certain and our hope strong that good is omnipotent and God-ordained will make us courageous as we face whatever would try to capture our peace, our freedom, or our life and livelihood.
I love the many “un” synonyms for “courageous” such as undaunted, unalarmed, undismayed, unafraid as well as unswerving, unfaltering, unflinching, and unconquerable — all qualities that would keep us trying again and again until we reach our goal or solve a problem.
We may never face life or death choices like Capt. Phillips and his crew. But whatever our endeavor, we can choose to never give up. We can choose to not readily accept defeat. We can choose to never believe we are without hope.
May there come a day when humanity learns to live in peace with one another and no longer tries to rob another of what they could earn for themselves rightfully, legally and fairly.
Let’s continue our prayers for the safety and freedom of the many that remain hostages of pirates.
Nov 16, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
“All I need is a room with a view,” I told my husband, as we explored locations for celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary. The past few months had been filled with one “unexpected” or “unwanted” situation after another. Mostly, I longed for a break from all the commotion and wanted time to focus only on my marriage.
As we drove the narrow, winding road up the wooded mountain, I had no doubt that I was headed to a secluded, romantic hideaway. Then, suddenly, we reached the top, and what would become my very own Tuscan villa for the next three nights came into view. The serene atmosphere that embraced me as I walked to the front door assured me I was right where I needed to be.
The balcony view from our room provided a panorama of sky, hills, trees and lake. And almost immediately, a broader perspective took shape in my mind, helping me to see beyond challenges and dilemmas waiting at home to be solved.
I was again reminded of the prayer advice Jesus gave when he said, “Enter into thy closet.” (Matthew 6:6) I’ve thought about this many times when I’ve felt the need to get away from whatever was troubling me in order to pray, meditate and be quiet. My closet has taken many forms through the years — lying on the beach, fishing in a mountaintop lake, walking around our farm, drinking mochas at Starbucks or even shutting my eyes for a few moments in the midst of a busy day. This time my closet was sitting on an Oklahoma hillside!
Jesus’ next piece of advice to us is to “shut the door behind you” before we begin to pray. The door shut on any worries and concerns the moment I walked onto our balcony. The wide landscape that filled my gaze broke the spell that was hypnotizing me into a state of uneasiness. I knew a resurrection of my peace of mind was imminent. I was no longer preoccupied with tomorrow or next week but focused only on the present moment and the beauty, calm and love that was with me in that moment.
Now that I’m home, once again facing the “unwanted” stuff, I am trying to hang on to the peace of mind I felt on my Oklahoma mountain.
With the Easter season upon me, I’ve been wondering if the disciples were searching for peace of mind when they went fishing after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Perhaps they were trying to make sense of everything they had experienced and witnessed. Perhaps they were unsure of what they needed to do next with their lives.
Jesus prepared breakfast for them, and it seems that what Jesus told them at this last meal on the shores of the Galilean Sea (John, Chapter 21) — along with everything they had witnessed and were yet to witness with Jesus’ ascension — resulted in their spiritual awakening. This awakening transformed any doubts, pride and grief into clarity, humility and repentance. And their newfound understanding and commitment changed their lives and the world forever.
I’ve started to realize the importance of a morning meal — the morning communion with our Father-Mother God — which provides spiritual nourishment and direction for our day. Certainly, the delicious breakfast each morning on our Oklahoma hillside was filling and satisfying as we prepared for our day’s activities. But even more invigorating and inspiring was the time my husband and I spent each morning studying our Bible lesson together.
The Psalmist promised, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
I’m learning that when disappointments, fearful speculations, regrets, complaints or any of life’s miseries or pressures threatens to bury us into a tomb of despair, there is a spiritual view that will show us the way up, out and onward. There is no problem too large or daunting for divine power to remove. And this spiritual view is what we can count on in any situation — wherever we are — to inspire, encourage, reassure and guide us along our way.
I can’t always escape to that “room with a view.” Perhaps you can’t either. But we can rest assured that God’s point of view is available to us 24/7, that His wisdom will lead us to what’s good for us, and that He will give us the strength and ability we need to tackle anything coming at us.
(For those curious or interested: www.lagovistabedandbreakfast.com)
Nov 16, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
There is panic today in the hearts of many. Some are disheartened because they see no solution in sight. Some believe they can trust no one for viable answers.
A preoccupation with fears and worries often incites panic.
When multitudes desperately begged Jesus for help and answers, he taught them a prayer that was described by Christian healer, Mary Baker Eddy, as the “prayer which covers all human needs.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)
Prayer enables us to feel God’s presence and know we are enveloped in His love. And there is power in His presence.
I have suffered many times from panic attacks. When faced with conflict, dilemmas, or any turmoil — whether it was real or perceived — I’ve often become a physical and emotional wreck. So I can testify that when the going gets tough, leaning on God is better than panic.
Taking some deep spiritual breaths in times of crisis, pressure and immense stress, enables us to be comforted and reassured by God’s ever-presence. Panic is replaced by peace, and peace quiets fear and calms anxiety. We reach a state of mind that fosters inspiration and revelation. And then, we can see solutions realized and implemented. Problems that at first seem huge or beyond repair become small (or much smaller) and fixable.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) More than a promise, this is a fact and a lesson I have learned — and I must admit — sometimes need to relearn.
The Psalmist wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me….” (Psalms 23:4) It could be said that the “valley” represents any difficult or terrifying experience we face. “For thou art with me” is an eternal Truth that dissipates fear.
The Lord makes us strong when we are weak.
Several days ago I felt like I was getting hit with one catastrophe after another. I found myself waiting for the next shoe to drop. And it did. The pressure in my head and chest was building until one night I could not even lie down and breathe normally. I felt like I was going to explode.
In my anguish, I prayed. I began with The Lord’s Prayer. As my uneasy thoughts began to calm, I let go of the internal struggle. I put aside all the details weighing on my heart. I stopped my mind from hurrying to tomorrow or next week or next year. And I focused only on feeling God’s presence.
“The Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Psalms 29:11) And He blessed me with peace. My weary night turned into restful breaths and sleep. And the next morning, I awoke refreshed and still confident of God’s ever-presence.
Stay grounded in your spirituality, dear friends. Rest your thoughts on the spiritual rock, or knowledge, that affirms God’s presence, omnipotence and goodness. Then you’ll be like that wise man Jesus told about in the parable who “built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
Panic paralyzes, cripples, blinds and stifles. Panic is a reaction — an unconscious choice — that serves no good purpose and isn’t helpful or productive.
When our first instinct is to panic, we can consciously choose to pray. Prayer reassures and reminds us that anything is possible, that possibilities are infinite, and that God is with us. And prayer will enable us to move forward, reach new heights, overcome hurdles, and break new ground.
There is no good time to panic, my troubled friends. Pray and you will persevere.
Nov 16, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
An article on msnbc’s website, “Anonymity can turn nice people nasty,” claims that “one minute, they’re nice normal people. The next they’re frothing at the mouse.” Posted last October, the article suggests that today’s “faceless” communication encourages disrespect. It references a study published in the journal Psychological Reports (February 2008). For the study, the goal of which was to determine if anonymity resulted in antisocial behavior, 20 men and 50 women were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. It concluded that anonymity is more apt to result in rudeness, since only participants who did not identify themselves came across as blunt or rude.
Yet faceless communication can hardly be avoided today. People rely on e-mail, cellphones, Blackberrys, iPhones. Each allows us to be in touch with friends or strangers without ever having eye contact or observing body language. And social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, have completely changed the landscape of our personal connections, allowing us to build community and reconnect with others with the click of a mouse.
While these advancements increase in fascination and usefulness, many agree they’ve fostered a lack of respect toward one another. The article contends that current forms of faceless communication, together with those that have existed for decades, contribute to an increase in abusive interactions. For example, customer service representatives tell of being treated rudely on a daily basis; online bloggers type insults without apparent care for their impact; and reports of online taunting and bullying continue to rise. David Pogue, New York Times technology columnist, wrote of those engaged in online name-calling: “It may be that anonymity removes whatever self-control they might have exhibited when confronting their subjects in person” (“Try to play nice, wicked wide web,” December 31, 2006).
I admit that the anonymity of my contacts with others has at times made it easy to say what I’d never say in person.
Such reactions are a direct call for the prayer that can move society toward more loving thoughts and actions, ones that encourage individual responsibility and progress while still valuing technological innovations. The Apostle Paul’s question is still apt in today’s world: “Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?” (Acts 7:26, New King James Version). As the sons and daughters of one divine Parent, would we really want to communicate something through cyberspace or by phone that we wouldn’t say face to face?
I admit that the anonymity of my contacts with others, whether online, over the telephone, or even in my car, has at times made it easy to say what I’d never say in person. But mean-spirited and careless communication leads to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, even violence—and it’s important for people to be held accountable for their actions.
Jesus, the master communicator, looked to God, Love itself, to instruct him in all matters. His Sermon on the Mount is an incredible guide for personal interactions, whether texting, blogging, or talking face to face. The sermon emphasizes kindness, forgiveness, love—even loving those perceived to be enemies.
Prayer that goes to God with the conviction that He is the source of all communication elevates individual and collective thinking.
And Jesus’ life example showed how to live without holding grudges, insulting or scorning others, but with tolerance, patience, and respect. “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” he taught (Luke 6:31, New International Version). The Sentinel’s founder, Mary Baker Eddy, referred to this golden counsel as “a divine rule for human conduct” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 301). She also observed, “Our thoughts beget our actions; they make us what we are. . . . A deep sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 203).
Prayer that goes to God with the conviction that He is the source of all communication elevates individual and collective thinking. Such a starting point has a way of transforming misguided or reckless action into harmonious and gracious interchange. Having the means to communicate more fully and freely around the world is a gift, which has dissolved barriers of all kinds. Collective prayer that acknowledges divine Love as the grand Communicator will guard and guide interactions for both giver and receiver. And prayer, inspired by Jesus’ counsel, will help protect and elevate it.
