More naps these days
So I was watching “America’s Got Talent” this past week . . . oops, before we get to that, we have this:
“Humans aren’t as good as we should be in our capacity to empathize with feelings and thoughts of others, be they humans or other animals on Earth. So maybe part of our formal education should be training in empathy. Imagine how different the world would be if, in fact, that were ‘reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy.” ‘ Neil deGrasse Tyson
So now, back to the show. The last act of the night was some children’s choir from Detroit, Michigan. It was a big choir, probably thirty kids of various ages, all lower-income, inner-city, underprivileged kids, all living in a dead-end part of a major U.S. city with very little hope for the future.
The choir director started the choir as a way of giving these kids something to do, something which would give them a sense of purpose, a sense of value, a distraction from the bleak existence they had been born into. His mission was one of love, volunteer only, giving back in a way someone had given to him when he was a child.
The choir sang. They sang beautifully, and then they were voted on to the next round and I swear, their reactions, well, about 4,000 people in that auditorium cried as did Bev and I. I have no doubt most of those kids had never been on an airplane. If I know anything about inner-city poverty, I’m willing to bet most of them had never been out of Detroit. It is entirely possible that the trip to Hollywood, the performance, and the applause will be the highlight of their entire lives.
I’m telling you, it was impossible to watch that sequence and not feel elation for those kids.
That’s empathy, folks! We need more of it, and as writers we need to call upon it to make our writing relatable and real.
TOTALLY UNRELATED
I was sitting down to continue working on my memoir, and the intro to a new “Shadow” book popped into my brain. I guess I’m now working on two books at once. I wish my muse would make up her mind! LOL “Shadows Across the Pond” is the working title. I’m taking murder and mayhem over to Engliand. Great fun!
Just some random thoughts on this Tuesday . . . have a great day unless you’ve made other plans.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, love your Tuesday musings and thanks for that and more here. Now, wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead, my friend!! 🙂
Thank you Janine, and Happy Tuesday to you, my friend.
Hi Bill We also saw AGT last week and I think my husband had a few tears running down his face. One of the best performances EVER on that show! I felt the emotion throughout! This is one of my favorite shows – we never miss it. You are still not popping up on my FB page but I will continue to look for you. I definitely want a copy of every book you write.
God bless, I will look for you on FB now. Lea T 🙂
Awww, Lea, thank you! I hope you are well. We have kind of lost touch recently, and I suspect it has much to do with health issues. I will continue to pray for you, my friend.
Ahh, how wonderful is the duplicity of the brain, the ability to work on fiction and nonfiction at the same time. Embrace it!
I will for sure, Donna! I just hope this old brain is up for the challenge.
Given the chance. Kids can be totally awesome! Yes. Empathy is needed in great measure. Best wishes with the current Shadow. Peace.
Thank you Manatita! I hope this finds you well and busy counting your blessings.
J and I talk a lot about the idea of empathy and the lack of its presence from so many human interactions.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson was right: we should be teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy if we are to continue to grow as a human population and to avoid conflict as much as possible.
It’s funny, that muse. I know her well, though in a “veiled way.” I’ve always sort of thought that there could very well come a day when I get inspiration for the visionary fiction – that’s not cheesy – I’ve wanted to write for a long time. I always have felt like the novels I have written are just not very good. But I’ve often thought that I just haven’t found the exact right thing.
Then again, maybe I’ll just stick with non-fiction. Haha.
In any case, congrats on the new novel idea (hmmm, I wonder if that’s where the expression ‘novel idea’ comes from ). Ha! Sending hugs from Cackalack.
Cackalack, Lil Sis? Now you’re making these places up, right? LOL Thanks for your share…right on as always. I like you just the way you are, but of course you’ll be changing, as all intelligent humans do, and then I’ll like you through all of the changes as well. 🙂
hugs
What a great story. I guess I am missing out on things with no live TV. Oh well I got friends who fill me in, thanks.
Bill just a note for you; My son is in a Sonshine club. And they teach those great qualities. Respect, sympathy, empathy, compassion and above all love. It is Christian based “Son” shine club.
But yesterday was learning to play the guitar and capture the flag. Somebody out there is really on top of things.
Thanks again for teaching me of such things.
Capture the flag…dude, we used to play that all the time. Loved it. I think I’ve got a few permanent scars as trophies from those days. lol Tell your son hey for me, will you?
Bill
That was awesome about the choir. I still remember Susan Boyle’s audition on Britain’s Got Talent. One of the judges told her “When you first walked on the stage, we laughed at you, now no one is laughing”
A little more empathy would be awesome.
I remember Boyles’ audition quite well. Great example, Lawrence.
It is so easy to show empathy and yet so hard for many to do. What a mystery that is.
Hey, Bill.
Just got back off of holiday and I’m catching up on the emails.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you just publish a Shadow book? And now you’re working on another as well as your memoirs? Am always amazed at how prolific you are. So, you’re setting your new book in Old Blighty. I can’t wait to see Baker and Co. will clash with law enforcement here. The difference between here and the States is like night and day. Should be interesting. Will there be any teasers?
Must dash now. The sun’s out and I am not wasting a moment of this glorious day.
Enjoy your day, Bill.
Good to have you back, Zulma! I trust you had a brilliant holiday. Yes, two books…what can I say? I can’t silence the muse, and like it or not,time is running out on my writing ability. Must hurry, like you, while the sun still shines upon me.
Enjoy that sunshine, my friend.