Ten life-affirming performances

Happy Friday, everyone.

I’m delighted to share some of my favorite performances from television that showcase and celebrate human talent—shows like America’s Got Talent, American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars. I’m so excited to share these with you, so please do feel free to skip to the bottom and watch the links instead of reading!

I’m a huge fan of these shows. I rarely watch them in full, but I am always searching for outstanding performances. Over the years, I’ve returned over and over to my favorite acts, typically in the late-night hours after I’m too tired to work but not yet ready to sleep.

What do I get from observing these individuals? Why do I watch song after song, overwhelmed by emotion and moved to quiet tears, ignoring the fact it’s 1am and I have to be up in 5 hours? What deep need of my soul is being met?  

I’ve noticed that there are at least three distinct values:

1. Experiencing these performances affirms my commitment to Mission without Martyrdom. Seeing people rise above adversity to create something profound helps me center on my power to choose. Mission without Martyrdom, a core value at Higher Ground, is the idea that we are missionaries by choice. We are not martyrs; our mission is not a matter of stubborn suffering. We are missionaries who consciously resist the temptation to pretend that our choices are not choices, that we lack the control over our lives we in fact possess, and that we are victims of circumstance.

2. Experiencing these performances orients me to the profound value of human excellence, to the fact that it is the capable that move the world. Seeing people produce works of great quality makes me more loyal to the capacity for greatness in myself, in all those I work with, and in the children whose potential we serve.

3. And finally, experiencing these performances reinforces my conviction that life is to be lived, that it is a gift and a treasure and not to be betrayed by the petty or trivial concerns of the moment. Seeing individuals strive to make the most of their lives inspires me to make the most of mine, and reminds me that such joy is both a possible and necessary part of the human condition.   

All of these represent, in different ways, a form of refueling my tank. They are one of the ways in which I stay oriented to the things that matter to me.

For many of us, me included, adverse emotions are always just an arm’s length away. Always around the corner is the weight of our responsibilities, the loneliness of being misunderstood, the resentment of feeling that all hands have forsaken and abandoned us to carry our burden.

Our greatest obligation to ourselves and to those we love—each of us to our own life and happiness, and to the people we care for most—is to ensure that we always have the reservoirs to deal with these challenges. It is a sign of maturity, of success at living, of virtue, to embrace and take seriously the commitment to always have something left in the tank. To know that if we need to, we can go to our inner well one more time to see us through something hard, that we can offer our best selves to others, and be present to experience the fullness of our lives.   

Over time, I’ve developed many habits and practices that serve this purpose. One of them is watching videos of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, offering something beautiful to the world: their beautiful work, and also their own beauty in doing it: their strength, their competence, their love of the good. These performances are affirmations that I live in a world where effort pays off and where virtue triumphs. In the words of my favorite author, Ayn Rand, “the sight of an achievement [is] the greatest gift a human being can offer to others”.

Here is a sampling of ten performances I’ve returned to regularly, with a comment on what I love about each. I’ve mostly chosen examples of performers rising above unfathomable adversity but also included two (the last two) which show the pure joy of dedication to one’s craft.

In all cases, the thing that shines through is the worthiness of the choice to dedicate oneself to creating the good and the beautiful. That having the discipline of one’s convictions is not a thankless obligation, but an engine of joy.

1. Archie Williams rising above the most unimaginable injustice. His resilience of soul inspires me to not waste a second of my freedom.

2. Nightbird refusing to let circumstance define her. If she is not a victim, how could I ever be?

3. Evie Claire’s strength for her father gives me the strength to be present for the people who need me.

4. Mandy Harvey transcends her disability and reminds me to appreciate the capacities life has given me.

5. Lauren Engle makes me so thankful for my family and friends and reminds me never to take their presence for granted.

6. Nick Townsend helps me process the senselessness of loss, and to honor various challenging events I’ve had in my life.

7. Susan Boyle orients me towards the best and most noble in everyone around me.

8. Grace Vanderwaal captures the beauty and innocence of youth, and the spirit I want to serve in our students

9. Arthur Gunn evokes a deep appreciation in and of the American Dream.

10. Alejandro Aranda awakens my desire to worship competence and adore human achievement above all things.

I should also say that I could easily add another ten to this list. If you want more, feel free to let me know. And add your own favorites, either in the comments or in an email reply!

Ray Girn
CEO, Higher Ground Education