This past week I attended a business conference in Las Vegas. Despite the glitz and glamor that defines this fantasyland city, I really found little to inspire my thoughts for this week’s message.
Upon arriving home yesterday evening, I settled down to watch an episode of American Idol that actually aired on Wednesday but had been taped during my absence. American Idol has been one of the most watched series on television for over a decade, but for those few of you who may not be familiar with its format, the show chronicles the real life singing competition of young men and women that culminates in the selection of one as this year’s American Idol. It begins with literally thousands of hopefuls auditioning in cities throughout the country. Their first goal is to make it to Hollywood Week where some 200 of the best are pared down through a series of performances to only 20 men and 20 women who will enter the final competition.
One of the contestants spotlighted on this episode was a young lady named Brandy Neely. She was eliminated following Group Night. This is where several contestants are paired into pre-selected teams and have to learn a song and choreograph it with less than one day to prepare for their performance before the judges. Brandy’s group consisted of four young women. The three others in the group advanced. Brandy didn’t.
At this time all of the remaining contestants are very talented. They are the best of the best, and the four judges are burdened with the task of reducing the number to the final forty. As such, they have to make some very tough decisions as to who will stay and who will go and they were not unanimous in their decision to eliminate Brandy.
As she was leaving the stage after the decision was rendered, Brandy smiled at the judges and said, “Thank you for the opportunity and everything.” In harmony with the other judges, Keith Urban exclaimed, “I loved your voice, Brandy.” She responds, “Hey, this is not the last time you’re going to see Brandy Neeley!” With a complimentary retort, judge Randy Jackson shouted, “Come on! Come On! That’s the attitude!”
The show then moved to cut shots of the numerous winning performances that brought Brandy to Hollywood Week. It ends with a voice-over wherein she imparts a bit of wisdom we should all endeavor to embrace. She commented, “From this season I have learned when it is your time, then it will come together.”
Throughout our lives we will encounter both victories and losses, but losing does not mean lost unless we give up and failing is never failure unless we quit.
Brandy is a talented and confident young lady. She is also wise beyond her years. How she handled herself in defeat proves that she is a winner. As the great motivator Napoleon Hill said, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.”
Have an AWE-full weekend!
William J. “Bill” Bacque