You might have realized by now that I’m a sucker for reality talent shows like The Voice, X-factor, and American Idol. In truth, it’s not so much the performances that keep me glued to the television as it is the incredible stories behind the talent. What unfolds are stories of passion, vulnerability, hope, and perseverance – inspiring real life examples of people who are chasing their fire despite the odds.
Take 18-year old Trevin Hunte for example. Recently on The Voice, Trevin blew the judges away with his performance of “Listen” (by Beyonce Knowles). Within the first few seconds of his buttery voice filling the auditorium, the crowd rose to their feet as the judges’ chairs flung around to see the face behind the voice. The judges fought over Trevin, knowing that his was a rare talent. “I hit my button out of sheer respect…it absolutely blows my mind!” said Blake Shelton. CeeLo agreed, “You might be that dude to win this thing!”
Here’s the ironic part:
Trevin Hunte was told by his eighth grade teacher that he wouldn’t become anything. And what’s worse, he believed her.
“Confidence hasn’t always been the biggest thing in my life,” he told the judges as he shared his story. It took all of him to pursue his passion given the voices in the back of his mind that kept insisting that he could not do it. ”Screw your 8th grade teacher!” judge Blake cried out in disbelief. (Can I hear an Amen to that?)
Trevin’s story hits home because many of us have encountered naysayers as we have chased our fires – though hopefully these experiences were not as painful as they were for Trevin. It’s hard to know why people feel it necessary to crush others’ dreams. Maybe they are jealous. Maybe they are just mean-spirited. Or maybe seeing others chase their fires is a painful reminder of unfulfilled dreams that just “couldn’t be done.”
Remember that just because something was impossible for someone else does not mean that it will be impossible for you.
People are incredibly different. You have unique qualities and characteristics that support your success in ways that might have been impossible for someone else. And even more importantly, you have a will in you to fight for what you want for your life. Instead of hoping for things to work out, you do your best to make it work out. You don’t give up. And like Trevin, you prove them wrong.
Trevin’s story caused me to reflect on a powerful inspirational poem by Edward Guest that I think you might also enjoy:
It Couldn’t Be Done
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, as he did it.
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one we know has done it”;
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle right in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That cannot be done, and you’ll do it.
- Edgar Guest
Friend, instead of listening to those that say it can’t be done, be the exception. Try anyway, and keep trying until you succeed. Be an inspiration to those around you like Trevin is to us. Show others that dreams can become a reality. Because, as Marianne Williamson reminds us, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.“
Go inspire greatness, friends!
.
PS – Has anyone ever told you that your dreams were unrealistic? That it couldn’t be done? Please use your story to inspire others! Share in the comments below.
Photo credit: godoflite
Dr. Vera V. Chapman is a Licensed Professional Counselor currently practicing as a Career Planning Specialist at a large public university in the Southeastern United States where she also teaches. Before the age of 30, she held a Ph.D. in the field of Higher Education Administration, a Masters degree in Counseling, and a triple major Bachelor of Science in Physiology, Genetics, and Psychology. Read more.
Tagged with: attitude • growth • happiness • living the dream • meaningful life • motivation • passion • perseverance • resiliency • self actualization • self confidence
Filed under: Life Strategies • Self Development • Stories
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Thanks, me too! I am also a sucker for stories of passion, vulnerability, hope, and perseverance. It has always inspired me to the point of tears. It brings out enormous emotions within me.
Love love love this post Vera! I watched that episode and cried (well I cry all the time when watching The Voice because of so many inspiring stories).
I needed to read this today, as I have been coming across bumps on my road such as being strong-armed by established foundations and being deceived by organizations who were supposedly helping… it is so disheartening to learn the things I’m uncovering. These challenges fuel my desire to keep going forward, but I have had my share of moments of doubt.
Thank you for reminding me to “tackle the thing that couldn’t be done” and I’ll do it!
Christine, thank you so much for your feedback! I’m glad that this was just the message that you needed to hear. There will always be bumps in the road, my friend. Some bigger (and scarier) than others. I’m so glad to see that you’re not letting them stop you from pursuing your dreams and accomplishing your goals. Obstacles are nothing compared to the strength that lies within you! You’ve got this.