Be Inspired To Seek Inspiration

It's the middle of the week. Need some inspiration?

We all need inspiration as much as the tyres need air. We can never get too much of it but persistent deficiency is our ticket to a downward spiral. Don't forget to get your regular dosage of inspiration.

I was browsing some videos from the 'Britain's Got Talent' (BGT) show and chanced upon some entertaining and yet inspiring clips. You need not be good at music or passionate about it. The fact is, few will disagree that music has been and will continue to be a universal inspiration for the longest time.

Sit back and watch some clips (click on names).

1. Aidan Davis



Aidan is an 11-year old dancer. He has received no formal dance training but his moves will move even the most professionally trained dancers. Aidan has natural rhythm and he has only been dancing for 6 months. He has learnt to dance through watching MTV and using the Internet.

When he danced at the show, the judges gaped at his incredible talent. Even the usually harsh and critical judge, Simon Cowell, gave Aidan his 1 million percent 'yes'.

Take a look at the way he incorporate his locking and popping moves into all of his routines. I just love this boy.

2. Hollie Steel


Hollie is a 10-year old girl who started dancing lessons since she was 4. Watch her clad in a little ballet tutu, looking nondescript, and yet gave enough 'wow' to receive a standing ovation.

I was under the impression that she was going to do a little ballet routine and was pleasantly surprised when she started to sing. Yup! The little ballerina sang instead of dance and gosh, she sang really well.

She reminds me of a tiny canary with a stunning voice.

3. Shaheen Jafargholi


Another young and talented boy at a tender age of 12. Shaheen had his first singing lesson at seven and has been performing at charity shows and school plays.

He sang "And I am Telling You" by Dreamgirls, a very tough number which Simon Cowell admitted that he was initially worried if he could carry it. When he sang, I could not help thinking that the voice was dubbed. That powerful voice and the childish chubby face was a big contrast.

I couldn't agree more when one of the judges, Amanda Holden said: "you have given an amazing mature performance but you still look like a kid."

4. Sallie Lax


Sallie Lax is 12 years old and gifted with a sweet voice. What makes her performance even more extraordinary is that she did a duet with a 76-year old man, her grandpa. Isn't that so sweet? No wonder Simon Cowell said it's like "putting seven sugars in your tea.".

The duo has been singing together for two and a half years. In this clip, they sing "Somewhere Out There" from the animated movie "An American Tale". Thoroughly moving.

How many of us have ever sung with our parents, let alone our grandparents?

5. Susan Boyle


I have covered her story previously and you might also find her stories flashed all over the place.

Ironically, her lack of 'packaging' or image has been the main reason why she has been such a sensation. There has been intense discussion as to whether she should carry out an extensive makeover and whether she should be judged based on her appearance.

If Susan does not teach us the real meaning of "Don't judge a book by its cover", I wonder who would.

By the way, Susan Boyle came in second during the BGT finals held last weekend. So stop calling her country pumpkin.

Enjoy her first show that shocked the world.

6. Shaun Smith

He is a 17-year old A-Level student and he is my favorite finalist.

Shaun has been singing since he was 12. When I first looked at him, Elvis came to my mind. I was not a bit surprise when he said that he has been doing Elvis impressions since as young as 4 years old.

He did the number "Ain't No Sunshine" during the semi and captivated the audience and the judges with his emotionally intense performance.

Despite his good looks and great voice, Shaun remains humble. In fact, too humble at the expense of not exuding the much needed confidence. The down-to-earth boy went straight back to his A-Level soon after he stunned the crowd.

7. Diversity


I have to include this for a simple reason - the group is the winner for this season of BGT.

Diversity is a group of 11 lads with the youngest at 12 years of age. Most of them are brothers and the group chemistry is superb. Good chemistry, but of course. Just look at their jaw-dropping, well-choreographed and unconventional street dancing. They have taught me that street dancing can be so artistic and creative. For a moment, I thought I saw 'transformers' in action.

Don't blink when you watch their winning piece.

Honestly, I have not been following the BGT this season and for that matter, any season. But I have been following how it has progressed. From time to time, I get inspired by some truly talented performers.

Once again, I give myself a gentle reminder that we need inspiration as much as the tyres need air. It is clear to me that there is so much inspiration to be drawn from everywhere and anywhere, if only we bother to do so. People who constantly lament that life is boring is manifesting their dire need for some inspiration and their inability to get enough.


We all want inspiration, don't we?

The thing is, no one owes us any inspiration. It is up to us to go find it. The bad news is that, inspiration does not take a recognizable shape and size and it is therefore easily missed. The good news is that, inspiration is found EVERYWHERE.

All you need is a willing heart to find it. Let's look at an amazing example how nature inspires us about love. Check this out:

1. Heart-Shaped Forest, Cantabria, Spain
2. Heart-Shaped Island, Gutierrez Lake, Patagonia
3. Heart-Shaped Wetland, Guandu Nature Park, Taiwan
4. Tavarua Island, Fiji
5. Galesnjak, Croatia
6. Heart-Shaped Lake, Ohio
7. Heart-Shaped Mangrove, Voh, New Caledonia
8. Heart-Shaped Lake, Chembra, India
9. Heart Reef, Great Barrier Reef of the Whitsundays

Besides nature, I draw inspiration from movies, books, paintings, photos, friends, great speakers, music and even by just watching my cats acting silly.


Most of the time, I get my inspiration through music. You gotta find what gives you yours.

You can't wait for inspiration.
You have to go after it with a club.
~ Jack London ~
(American short-story Writer and Novelist, 1876-1916)