Stories to Inspire - Susan Boyle's Amazing Gift

Have you ever felt that you could do something really well? Something that gives you joy? Something that you know deep down you are here to share with others? It's an awesome feeling!

It can also be frustrating if you don't have the right environment to share it to the full extent. And it can be very disheartening to be disregarded by the people you want to share it with.

Every day I get to talk to people who are awakening to that sense of what they do well and how they want to share it with the world. Often times, they have to overcome obstacles (doubters, challenging life experiences etc) that seem to stand in the way of what they are really here to share. It seems to be a very common thread - the need to persevere and develop an inner commitment to express a gift in spite of the challenges.

Amazing things can happen when we persevere through the challenges and hold fast to the dream of sharing our gifts with the world. In big public ways or small personal ways, we change the world by adding our magnificence.

Susan Boyle did just that. This unassuming woman, living in a small village somewhere in the UK, knocked the socks off the world when she shared her gift. Give yourself the gift of the next seven minutes on YouTube to listen to Susan Boyle's gift.

Get ready for the goosebumps...And make it an inspired day!

Where do I begin?

Have you ever had a big idea get hold of you?  It’s an amazing feeling to be able to see the big picture – how something could be done to solve and problem or make life better, richer or more enjoyable. These are the moments many creative types long for and pay homage to. They make the times of muddling along a little easier to endure.  Oh yes, the big ideas are wonderful!

And yet, the brightness of the “light bulb moment” can become rather dark as soon as we try to figure out a first step to take.  We can soon turn our focus to thoughts like:

• I’m not an expert so how far will I really get;


• I must not be committed enough because the last time I had a big idea I lost interest in a week;


• maybe someone else could do it but for me it’s just a silly pipe dream;


• that’s likely to cost a lot of money to really do it well; or


• great idea, but whose got the time...and probably an endless number of other thoughts to justify why the big idea is impossible.

Well, before you start feeling too deflated, let me remind you that as Thomas Edison was going through an amazingly long process of trial and error while inventing the light bulb in 1879, he said “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work”.

Where would we be without Mr. Edison’s perseverance?  We wouldn’t even be able to call a big idea a “light bulb moment”!

And Thomas Edison is not the only one whose had to try and try again, investing himself in so many ways to see a big idea through to completion.  Truth is, it’s a pretty common experience to have to walk through some doubt and adversity.  It’s focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel that keeps the doubt from overshadowing opportunity.

So, with the big idea intact and enthusiasm reinstated, the question still remains ‘where do I begin’?

And the answer is (drum roll please)... You begin with the end in mind. You got it.  Steven Covey’s phrase is the one to keep front and centre as you begin to focus on your big idea.

Too lofty you say?  Well, here’s my suggestion.  Try one (or more) of these out as your first step:

• Take your big idea out for a test drive and day dream a bit (how’s that for a cheap yet priceless gift to yourself?)


• Get out the scissors and old magazines and create a collage, a visual image of your big idea


• Write your big idea down on an index card and keep it in your wallet or pocket or somewhere you’ll see it regularly.  The card will remind you to get lost in your big idea even during the less-than-enthusiastic parts of the day

And if you’re ready to build even more momentum:

• Check out www.thomasedison.com/ to learn more about an inspired inventor


• Treat yourself to more of Steven Covey’s wisdom in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People


• Share your big idea to build the enthusiasm even more by contacting me at www.inspiredjourney.net/contact.cfm

These ideas don’t required a huge investment of time or money and the upside is that you’ll be investing in yourself and your big idea in a most amazing way!  You’ll be breathing life into it.

Have fun, leave the doubts behind and try it on for size.  Your big idea just might be a perfect fit.

Yours On Purpose,

Tara