Great You Tube Video

Last night our flat mates/neighbors came over to listen to a lecture on community (maybe I’ll write about that later) but before listening to the lecture we watched this video on youtube of Susan Boyle:

Click here to see the video (sorry I wasn't able to embed it)

At the beginning of this video everyone is judging and sort of making fun of this single (never been kissed) unemployed 47 year old. But the second she starts singing it surprises them and forces them to chance their predetermined judgments and wake them up to the reality that things are often different then they may appear.

I also loved her song choice. Les Miserables has been one of my favorite musicals since the first time I saw it when I was about 8 or 9. I still think it’s one of the most powerful and beautiful stories I’ve heard. Here are the lyrics:

I dreamed a dream in time gone by When hope was high And life worth living I dreamed that love would never die I dreamed that God would be forgiving Then I was young and unafraid And dreams were made and used and wasted There was no ransom to be paid No song unsung, no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night With their voices soft as thunder As they tear your hope apart And they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side He filled my days with endless wonder He took my childhood in his stride But he was gone when autumn came

And still I dream he’ll come to me That we will live the years together But there are dreams that cannot be And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be So different from this hell I’m living So different now from what it seemed Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

So, here’s what it made me think about today…

Who am I judging based on my own preconceived ideas? Will I give someone the time and space to surprise me?

What dreams have I let die and not pursued myself out of fear that others will judge me or laugh at me?

Rejoicing in the journey - Bethany