That all said, what is the big deal? I’ve thought about this a lot. As someone who has done quite a bit of singing in choirs and enjoyed a bit of success as a musician and performance artist, I examined the clip a bit critically, as I’m want to do — after all, extraordinary is the standard around here.

The conclusion I came to in conversation with my friend Renee today is this: Ms. Boyle, while having an amazing voice, was not so much amazing in who she was, but rather, in helping people see (the audience for starters) how they had unconscious expectations of what amazing or excellent might “look” like.

I was not shocked to hear her belt out the excellent choice of songs with the strength and passion with which she sung. I thought she sang quite well. And, at the same time, excellence is every where, so I was not at all surprised. What did surprise me is that people were so impressed by it. Is this phenomenon because we (humanity) has such limited views about what is possible? Is it because we expect certain things to look a certain way — in terms of voice, dress, character and aesthetics?

Frankly, I think people being so surprised – at least surprise is what I perceive when I watch the whole clip with the judges conversation — is a result of their limiting views on what’s possible, not a commentary on Ms. Boyle. So I proudly salute you Ms. Boyle for helping people see how they are allowing themselves to have such limited views of what can be so in this world.

Of course, as I said to Renee, I’m sort of an unexpected walking incarnation of my dreams, so maybe I just believe hope and possibility lives everywhere.

What I recently discovered through feedback from Facebook followers is that, as one friend/follower said last week, “your personal is your professional is your spiritual is your political — you’re a lot more brave than I am.”

I have to agree – there is a certain amount of courage required. On the other hand, I notice I have increasing amounts of freedom the more rawly I share myself because I am being authentic and don’t feel I need to hide me. I am more integrated in who I present myself as because all the things I am are one. And the truth is, I’d rather be transparent than have to deal with figuring out who I can tell what to. So I just made a decision about 8 months ago and just went for it. And the truth is, I have gotten braver and braver. Read this weeks posts though and you’ll get a sense of real rawness! I have had a crazy week.

I also believe it is very healing to be transparent. We have so much of our lives been told to be inauthentic and “do the right thing” which often means “be polite” rather than “be authentic.” I say f*ck that — let’s be real and share ourselves so our beauty can shine through and we can support each other more fully.

I believe by sharing my world more fully, I feel more free. I also believe that as others see this freedom, they become inspired and take it on themselves. It is a self perpetuating upward spiral.

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As I was walking toward the door, a tall male Caucasian with big, not-so-brushed-hair, a baseball cap and outstretched arms approached me. I tried to side step him and he stepped back in my path. Again I tried to side step him, and again he stepped in my path, the entire time walking forward. I took out my headphones and looked him square in the eyes, thinking, “I can take him…” and I attempted once more to side step him and and step back. He continued to approach me and I said, “Dude, get the f*ck away from me.” I pushed him with my left hand out of my space and walked brusquely past him and directly into the WalGreen’s. I walked inside, a bit stunned, aware that the look on my face was not normal. A woman at the counter (customer side) asked, “Did that man just accost you also?” To which I replied yes.

She asked the man (he might have actually been a teen, I’m not sure — he looked young to me) behind the register to call the police. The register guy went outside and because he didn’t see the guy, he didn’t call them.

While I was standing at the register, two people walked in and asked if they sell cigarettes there. WalGreen’s, apparently, no longer carries them. I thought that, at least, was good news.