Be Something

As you are aware, my TV watching consists of mainly reality shows. My favorite part of the shows is when the contestants share their life story. I have always felt that everyone has a story, and very often it is about overcoming adversities. A couple of those stories have sparked this post. 

A young man was auditioning on America Idol. His story was that of being raised by a single mom. They had their struggles, and at one point they were living in their car. His mom would say to him, "Be Something". He was still in his teens as he stood with his guitar giving a performance of his life in the hope of winning a spot on American Idol. His mother's words were in his head, and there he was doing the best he could to "Be Something". It will be interesting for me to follow this life-changing journey for him as he continues to compete.

The ending of "America's Got Talent, Fantasy League" has come. The contestants were all amazing, but it is Kody Lee that my heart always goes out to. Kody is 24 and was born with optic nerve hypoplasia causing him to be legally blind. He is also diagnosed with autism. He is considered to be a musical savant, someone that has a developmental disorder who manifests profound talent. Kody has had several appearances on AGT and won the show the first year he performed. He has grown so much professionally that he is now writing and performing his own music. When they tell his story, they show pictures of him as an infant with a keyboard beside him. His mother explains that as he got older, they would play a song for Kody; he would then play it on the piano and sing along. When Kody is asked a question, he is very happy, and has only a few words to say. But, set him down at a piano and his voice is incredible. He can perform with anyone and has the type of voice that sounds nothing like his speaking voice. His dream is to be on the radio, I am sure it will come through.

I just love Kody's story; it is such a sad-happy story. His parents wanted Kody to "Be Something". When he was a baby, they never gave up hope. They had no idea he would connect to the keyboard, but he did. The odds were stacked against him, but with his mother always by his side Kody Lee will "Be Something".

I love to have conversations with people about what they want in their life. I think it is hard for some to truly believe they can be whatever they want to be. I worked with a woman that at 15 years old she lived on the streets of Chicago. She turned that around and worked hard until she obtained her PhD. Another colleague was a single mom with 3 kids and no support when she began going to school to become a nurse. She also pushed on to get her PhD. I have nothing but utmost respect for those women, and how hard they worked to "Be Something". 

It seems that when you turn something around often it is because you "got a break" or "an opportunity". For those performing on musical talent shows, it is always said, "this is the break you need". For my friends at work, I am not sure what break they got, but they made something out of themselves. I believe that there are times when we don't grab onto the break that comes our way. We give up opportunities that would maybe make the change in our lives that we need.   

I hope this post has helped you reflect on a time in your life, that you decided to, "Be Something". I have had conversations where some women said, there be something was to be a good wife and mother. Others aspire to be a cashier, while many just continue to learn. As you reflect, be proud of being something. For those looking ahead, you can be the something you have always wanted. Put your head down, sacrifice, work hard and go for it.