Most of us are now staying home to avoid spreading the virus, many of us are resorting to the television to watch endless hours of entertainment programming.   And I, like millions of Americans seem to still be drawn to the competition shows.  Whether it is on the competitor’s ability to lose more pounds than the others, the whim of a panel of judges, or the voting of viewers on their smartphones – every week another contestant is eliminated until there is one winner

Particularly I have been watching American Idol.  “There can only be one American Idol” is a phrase I hear repeatedly on the show.  There can only be one winner.  That is how it goes in competitions.  There can only be one gold medalist, one winner of the state basketball tournament, one student of the month. I get it.  It’s how the game works.  I hate it.

But it really stirred something up inside of me when I was watching this year's season of American Idol and the contestant Doug Kiker was shown into the audition room where Lionel Richie, Katie Perry, and Luke Bryan sat waiting to hear what Doug was going to sing. 

Doug works as a garbage man missing one of his front teeth.  He had no experience singing except for in the shower. He actually tried out for American Idol in August 2019 and didn’t make the cut before trying out again in front of the judges in Baton Rouge.  You can watch his audition here:

https://youtu.be/LfeXu26peJU

What stood out to me more than anything was the comment Lionel Ritchie made as he put his arm around Doug’s shoulder – “He is trying to show his daughter that he is somebody.”

With tears running down my cheeks, I blurted out, “He is somebody already!  He doesn’t have to prove that to anyone!”

As Rumi says, “You are more valuable than both Heaven and Earth.”  Just you being you is enough.

I want you to say it out loud – I am worthy of love and belonging.  When my shadows tell me otherwise, it is important for me to remember more than ever that I am loved. That I belong…

It is my hope that you can do the same, even if you are not selected as the employee of the month, don’t win on American Idol, or that you weren’t selected for the position you dreamed about – You are enough. And who knows, but if you can tap into that truth, your willingness to believe that may open doors you never imagined.

Please send me your questions for the podcast at [email protected]

You can listen to this and other episodes of the Finding Peace Podcast by going here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1472700242