Monday, January 10, 2011

Lessons from the Man with the Golden Voice

Did you see the story about Ted Williams, the homeless man with a golden voice whose life changed within hours because of a news dispatcher?

I thought I'd share it to inspire you to stay true to yourself and what your heart wants. If you want to create a satisfying livelihood, it can be frustrating and discouraging if things don't go as planned. You may have a dream or passion and be taking steps towards what you want, but the results you want haven't happened. You may be wondering, "What am I doing wrong?"

Maybe nothing. Because everyone and everything is interconnected, there's a timing of when and how your gifts and skills are needed to solve a problem or make a difference. Think of a basketball player who finally gets the ball in the last few seconds and makes the winning goal. Just like her, it doesn't mean you just sit around and do nothing while you're waiting for the moment. You've got to be alert and ready.

How? Here are a few reminders from Ted's story:

Be conscious. Are there any habits, actions or behaviors that interfere with your ability to be present, notice what's going on, and act with clarity?  Hopefully, you don't have an alcohol or drug problem to deal with; however, eating, shopping, watching TV, surfing the web, or doing tasks mindlessly are examples of ways to "check out" or escape what's going on, but the risk is missing opportunities.

Notice what you can do. Ted said when he was standing on street corners, he used his voice to imitate local radio stations and wish drivers a good day. He noticed they'd smile and come back to hear him again. Small steps, perhaps, but see how ready Ted was when the cameraman asked him to say something? He'd been practicing!

Patience. Because there is a timing to things coming together, you don't want to force something to happen that's out of sync. How you get what you want is just as important as what you achieve. So, just focus on what your heart wants and ask to be shown the next step.

Let go of expectations and outcomes. Do you think Ted imagined what would happen, that companies and basketball teams would be making him employment offers within days of seeing the video of him? Be open to possibilities about how your dream shows up, big or small.

Be grateful. When you appreciate what you've got and feel it from the heart, you attract more to you.

What reminders did you get from Ted's story?

P.S. The latest news about Ted and how he's handling his overnight success are not flattering, which provides another reminder. While you may think it would be great for your dreams to come true overnight, slower progress may be better for you. You learn how to handle success in small doses and stay grounded.

1 comment:

  1. I'm finding that mental habits can obstruct the ability to be conscious, just as much as physical habits, e.g., the habit of thinking you're not good enough or capable enough to achieve a dream.

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