Blog - Forget What Is and Ask Yourself What If? - Andy Andrews

Forget What Is and Ask Yourself What If?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Hi Everyone!

As soon as you are able, please close your eyes and attempt to clear your mind for 30 seconds. Then, read the questions below and click play.

1) What is the "right" age for accomplishing my greatest dream?

2) Do I hear the laughter and believe the doubters when I am mocked for expecting life's very best?

3) What great possibility have I forced myself to stop considering?

4) Who will be inspired or benefit directly when I succeed?

5) When will right now become the best time to begin?

Your friend,

Andy

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Posted in Uncategorized | Make a Comment (44) |

1. Sandy - April 14, 2009 @ 3:19 PM

"This is so incredibly wonderful. I can't stop crying. It's always so lovely to see an average person be blessed by God in such an incredible way. Thank you Father God for this special blessing! Good luck Susan Boyle!!!"

2. Melodie - April 14, 2009 @ 3:35 PM

"Thank you so much. I've been struggling with my choice to follow my dream of a small service agency for adults with disabilities in this crazy economic storm. But now I see it doesn't really matter if I fail, at least I tried my best."

3. Carole Miller - April 14, 2009 @ 3:36 PM

"This is a video we all need to watch at least once daily. I am thrilled Susan Boyle was given the chance. She is amazing.

Thanks so much for sending this gift.

Carole"

4. Nancy - April 14, 2009 @ 3:42 PM

"This is wonderful - God has truly blessed this woman with a wonderful singing voice - I am so glad she went for it!"

5. Frances - April 14, 2009 @ 3:45 PM

"Absolutely amazing. This is one of the most uplifting videos I have seen in quite some time!
Susan Boyle is blessed with a beautiful voice and a personality to match. It was also a pleasure to see Simon and Piers so awestruck - icing on the cake!
Thank you for blessing us Andy!
Keep going Susan!"

6. Charlie Ferguson - April 14, 2009 @ 4:13 PM

"What a wonderful surprise when she started singing! And what a great choice of a song. I hope we will be blessed in the future with more of her beautiful singing."

7. Kristi Link - April 14, 2009 @ 4:16 PM

"Wow!!! I was in tears! Thank you so much for sharing that! Anything is possible. What a voice!"

8. Samuel E Osborn - April 14, 2009 @ 4:42 PM

"Although this might encourage each of us to chase our dreams, I hope it encourages each of us to consider how we treat others. How many people do we judge by how they talk and how they dress? In so doing we discourage them to fulfill their potential and rob ourselves of what God has blessed them with.

This is a keeper.

Sam (in Atlanta)"

9. Dave Paul - April 14, 2009 @ 5:10 PM

"Simply amazing. If I choose to judge, which I often have, I am often wrong,.....Susan Boyle is successful as her beauty (her talent and spirit) goes way deeper than my superficial judgement (of her looks).....might I learn something from this lesson....and the next time I am quick to make a judgement may Susan Boyle come to mind.....on my way to becoming a deeper (rather than shallower) person seeking deeper meaning. Great Lesson in this, Andy! Thank you."

10. Ginny - April 14, 2009 @ 5:13 PM

"This is from an un-named blogger on The Atlantic's Daily Dish website:
I watched Susan Boyle over and over today. I'm so moved by it... her voice is simply beautiful, of course, but she owned that stage. She knew she belonged there - where the hell did that assurance come from?
I looked up her story: she was bullied terribly as a child, had or has a disability, has never been married, never been kissed, probably never been somebody’s most important person. After all that, and having just come out of serious depression on her mother’s death, what on earth gives her the confidence to get up there on the stage? Where did she find that courage?
And the self-belief that she can rock that audience... and the world it seems? I work with women in prison. I so wish we could bottle whatever it is that has made Susan believe she deserves – and can create - a different reality for herself; even one that is so seemingly out of reach and impossible. I am in awe of her capacity to do that. And I wish the world would be converted to the courage of the women I work with as much as they seem to be to Susan...
Peace to you in this easter season. And may the impossible continue to unfold."

11. Irene Robinson - April 14, 2009 @ 5:30 PM

"Andy...Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful performance..It brings home the importance of believing in yourself..She goes on my Board of Directors!"

12. Jeanne - April 14, 2009 @ 5:33 PM

"Ditto to all of the posts before me on this one. And, if I can do one thing....instill in our children to follow their dreams no matter what people tell them.

Andy, thank you!"

13. Ron - April 14, 2009 @ 5:42 PM

"Andy,
Just wanted to say thanks first for the Susan Boyle video and second for your continuing to be bold in sharing the communication gift that God has given you - the gift of taking simple moments like Susan's time on TV and helping us to see such powerful life lessons out of something that we could have easily overlooked."

14. Lisa - April 14, 2009 @ 6:11 PM

"Okay, I'm keeping my dreams. Thank you. I needed some inspiration. WOW. I think I was slowly giving them up. Not now. I will be more aware in the future of how I may prejudge a person. Thank you Andy, once again you have helped me be more."

15. Rich Wiley - April 14, 2009 @ 6:24 PM

"The timing of this is incredible. Ironically, I am about the same age as Susan and facing a huge decision in my own career. As my mom always said, "don't judge a book by it's cover"

This has taught me that you don't just see things with your eyes, you can see with your other senses.

This was a great and timely blessing...
God bless"

16. Chuck - April 14, 2009 @ 6:33 PM

"I am a 56 year old male and I cried as soon as Susan began to sing because my heart just wept for joy that this amazing woman has finally been able to fulfill her dream to sing in front of a large audience and I hope and pray she has many more opportunities to do so. Oh, by the way, I immediately watched it two more times and the tears are still flowing. Thank you Andy and THANK YOU SUSAN for having the courage to share your dream with the world. WE LOVE YOU. If you ever get to York, PA in the USofA I have a hug waiting for you. Blessings my dear!"

17. Jennifer - April 14, 2009 @ 7:21 PM

"Andy - it's hard to type through the tears. THANK YOU for posting that link so that I could listen and learn. At 44 I was feeling sorry for myself and ready to quit. I will reassess and get my dreams back to the forefront again and move forward. THANK YOU."

18. Jake - April 14, 2009 @ 8:07 PM

"I have an email file marked "Inspiration" where I file email links like this one from you today, Andy. You might also enjoy this one from the same Britain's got talent show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Thanks,

Jake"

19. Maureen - April 14, 2009 @ 9:22 PM

"Thanks for posting this Andy! It is amazing how things come at just the perfect time--I definitely needed to watch this today . It assisted me in putting things back into perspective. WOW! What an amazing voice! Thanks for all you do Andy!"

20. Lori - April 14, 2009 @ 11:31 PM

"All I can say is WOW!! I was blown away by Susan's seemingly fearless performance and her amazing talent. I hope that Susan will have many more opportunities to fulfill her dream. It's so exciting to see how the video is gaining popularity. I cannot wait to hear from Susan again.
Thank you, Andy, for your perfect timing with your email. I've shared it with many friends and they've all been as moved as I was. God Bless you!!"

21. Renee Badertscher - April 15, 2009 @ 12:45 AM

"As I was watching the video I recalled an experience I had too many years ago to count, but recent enough to remember the lesson. I attended a wedding where I sat on the main floor of the church. During the service the soloist, who was out of sight in the balcony above us, sang several times. I was awestruck! She had the most beautiful voice and had the full attention of everyone in attendance. After the ceremony I purposely placed myself where I could see what this woman with the voice of an angel looked like. I was young (or ignorant) enough to be, once again, awestruck, because walking down the balcony stairway was not an angel but a woman who was, well, really unappealing to look at. I remember feeling sorry for her (I really WAS ignorant!) and being amazed that a voice like hers came with a physical appearance like that! Years later the incident came back to my mind and my arrogance shamed me. This video was so similar it is uncanny. Except I don't think that wedding soloist ever got her due for what she added to that day. At least Susan got her fulfillment, and then some! Happy endings are SO satisfying!"

22. Cheryl Norwood Ashurst - April 15, 2009 @ 9:57 AM

"Wow! Crying,smiling... wonderful!! Thanks for sharing! I will share with others!"

23. Shawn Major - April 15, 2009 @ 9:58 AM

"In a time of such negative oppression from our adversary the devil our dreams are often laid aside as we enter survival mode. Thank you to Susan and yourself for the inspiration to dream amidst the mockers and press on in dark days.
Shawn (Bon Secour,Al)"

24. William - April 15, 2009 @ 11:19 AM

"I think I am really going your site.Motivation is should be the way you start everyday ."

25. Donna Tharge - April 15, 2009 @ 12:19 PM

"This was amazing... I stmbled across it while scanning CNN nes online...
They were all so skeptical. God Bless Susan for trying & suceeding."

26. Heman Smith - April 15, 2009 @ 2:07 PM

"Incredible, and unbelievably inspiring. Who of us cannot now reconsider any dreams we may have decided to "set aside" for fear. Including me.

I am now inspired to again approach my own dream, long ago let go for fear.

Thank you for sharing it.

Heman"

27. Carmo - April 15, 2009 @ 2:28 PM

"Thanks to andy Andrews for sharing hope, to Susan Boyle for the work and courage in sharing her voice and thanks to the gods for the beautiful voice they gave Susan."

28. Wayne - April 15, 2009 @ 8:42 PM

"Thank you for sharing this. God's gifts are amazing!!"

29. James Hollingsworth - April 15, 2009 @ 10:12 PM

"I understand that her mother recently passed away and made Susan promise she'd go on this show. I think her mom is looking over her! I think we are now all behind her too! At least I am. We all need to see and hear more events like this!"

30. Art Fisk - April 16, 2009 @ 12:46 AM

"I was just like the others, I expected some sort of mess, because of how she looked. I am ashamed that I thought this way and will take this life lesson and do my best to never judge a book by its cover. Susan is a remarkable lady, a tremendous talent and now my teacher. Thank you Andy."

31. Kanani - April 16, 2009 @ 6:37 AM

"It is 12:33am. I had to watch this again for the second time. Susan sang one of my favorite songs. Now the lyrics have even more meaning, and the melody more haunting. I am more than inspired... Thank you Andy and thank you Susan."

32. Beccah - April 16, 2009 @ 8:48 AM

"Simply beautiful and amazing. Thank you for sharing and thanks to Danny Boyle for believing in herself."

33. Monica - April 16, 2009 @ 9:06 PM

"Andy, thanks for telling me the video was on the blog. Simply beautiful; it was great to hear and see at the end of a long day!"

34. Anna - April 16, 2009 @ 11:00 PM

"Miracles happen every day, if we dare to create them!And Susan certainly did!
That is why we should look up to each day! This is the Salutation of the Dawn!"

35. Rachel - April 17, 2009 @ 3:24 PM

"thanks for sharing this... i cant stop watching it and i tear up every time i hear it! im so happy for her that she got the opportunity to acheive her dream!! really sad to see everyones faces in the audience; doubting and making fun of her. but good for her! im so happy =]"

36. Liz - April 17, 2009 @ 7:12 PM

"How wonderful for Susan.But it did upset me that people made such smerk looks. People should not judge one by their looks. GOOD LUCK SUSAN and don't anyone bring you down because your singing puts everyone in the clouds"

37. jj - April 17, 2009 @ 7:38 PM

"Thank you for sharing, This was amasing. Wonderful inspiration. God bless Susan with her dream and most amazing voice. Keep rocking Susan. and God bless."

38. Donna - April 18, 2009 @ 12:08 AM

"Simply cannot stop watching Susan's performance. Brings me to tears. BRAVO SUSAN!!! Absolute wonderful choice of song too -- "I Dreamed A Dream". Thank you so much Andy for sharing this inspiration."

39. Alisha Alligood (Neese) - April 18, 2009 @ 12:41 AM

"This is so wonderful. I cry every time I see it! What a gift...I am so glad Susan reached her dream and I hope she continues with great success! I can't wait to hear more from her. Thanks for sharing that awesome video. You always inspire Andy...Thanks!!!"

40. Pam - April 19, 2009 @ 9:12 AM

"My mother always taught me that beauty comes from within. This precious gift that God has given Susan Boyle and her willingness to be bold to share it lets all of us know that God's timing is perfect! I'm really excited to hear the honest comments from the judges and experience the excitement of the audience. She destroyed the heart of skepticism in the first phrase of "her dream"."

41. Tommy Fulton - April 19, 2009 @ 2:48 PM

"I cannot count the times I've viewed this video since someone recently sent it to me. I'm a grown man and have never seen anything online that has affected me so much. What an incredible inspiration!"

42. David Short - May 18, 2009 @ 11:58 AM

"This has nothing to do with your blog, although I enjoy all of them. I just wanted you to know that I have just finished The Noticer and I thought it was your second best effort (behind The Traveler's Gift). Chapter two was especially well-done and very true. I have recently purchased 5 copies of The Traveler's Gift to give as graduation gifts. I have also read and enjoyed The Lost Choice and Island of Saints. Keep up the good work.
David"

43. Johnny Mosley - July 10, 2009 @ 8:49 AM

"My wife and I were lucky enough to meet Andy back in the 80s,we knew then that he was destined for bigger and better things,still keeping the faith and thankful for meeting such a special young man,"

44. Kendall Boggs - August 14, 2009 @ 8:16 AM

"Well Andy, you know the dream I'm following. 50 has given me the reason to follow that dream. Also I have a few board members as well. You, Ann, and most of all my sweet best friend that I know you remember Becky Sollie who is now in Heaven with the help of the Lord guiding my hands through every painting that I paint. Wow, what a year I'm having! Finally decided to just DO IT! I mean, what's it gonna hurt? to give it a shot! Thank you for being one of my biggest supporters and encouraging me through those eloquent words of yours. Not sure if you've been to my blog lately (and you need to enter the contest buddy!) but the comments are overwhelming me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart my sweet friend.
Kendall"