We all cry. What makes you cry? I can bet the list may be longer now than it usually is.
Even though I believe, practice, speak, and coach about positivity, it is healthy and OK to acknowledge when you are sad.
That’s right. Recognize it, sit with it, see if you can figure out why you are sad and aim to move past it. Sometimes, however, crying can be therapeutic and release tension from other factors. It can be helpful.
Does anyone else who is reading this watch America’s Got Talent? My husband Ryan and I have watched it since the beginning. It’s one of the few shows we do watch together. Why? Because for the most part it’s happy, positive, and shows that what you put your mind to you can do. You can achieve it.
I don’t want to be a spoiler if you haven’t watched the new season first episode of AGT yet. So, warning if you need to look away. I cried twice. Let me be honest, more than cried… I bawled my eyes out.
The act I bawled my eyes out to first was a gentleman named Archie Williams. The jury wrongly accused Archie and he had been incarcerated for 37 years. Can you believe that? He spent 37 years in jail for a hideous crime he did not commit. Finally, a DNA test with new technology freed him. Imagine trying to build a life after 37 years in jail. Think of all you have or can do in 37 years. He wasn’t in the Caribbean on vacation; he was in jail.
“Hopeful eyes searching, restless arms reaching. Our battles going down with chaos all around. And the mother reassures herself everything will be all right as she steps in rhythm to the sounds of the sidewalk.”
During that time, he focused on his mindset and singing. He watched AGT and dreamt and visualized being on the show someday. And yep, here he was singing an Elton John song, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” so amazingly that everyone had tears in their eyes. I challenge you to sit with this and process what he went through. But, instead of focusing on the negative, he used his mind to push through. Archie is now sharing his gift with the world.
The second act that deeply touched my heart and soul was a choir, Voice of the City. The choir is made up primarily of homeless people in San Diego, California. Steph Johnson organized the choir in 2016. I can only imagine the hope, inspiration, purpose, and community that this choir provides to this beautiful group of people. The choir was incredible, the song was original, and we loved the spoke-words section by member Patricia Gaines.
The performance received The Golden Buzzer from the host Terry Crews and was the first Golden Buzzer of the season. The choir deserved it, and we will be anxiously awaiting their return in August for the live finale.
We watched the episode on the night of May 26 right before all the riots and looting started. How poignant in this time, that her verse was about the sidewalks? How chilling in how affected so many people are?
Both of these performances were born from challenging situations. These situations were sad, downright wrong, and out of control. But they all kept positive mindsets and focused where they could. They found ways to share, help others, and realize the meaning they have in their lives.
I only hope I can do the same.
