Well love it or loathe it, it is hard to ignore the fact Mr Cowell’s X-Factor season is upon us again. And if newspapers are to be believed, 14 million of us tune in to watch the singing, the tears, the antics and the judges quarrels every weekend.
Yes the TV show on a Saturday night which would have us believe the entire country is on the look out for Britain’s latest singer ( or not as the case may be!) with the ‘X-Factor’. Mind you I am not sure I still know what Simon, Cheryl, Danni and Louis consider the ‘X-Factor talent’ to be anymore. A bit of debate going on there methinks! But I have to admit, whether or not I am a fan, each of them have been pretty successful in discovering their own ‘X-Factor’ and flogging it for all they have got.
But can anyone tell me what ‘X-Factor’ actually means?
I am guessing it stands for uniqueness, individuality, maybe star quality, someone who stands out, talented, ability to draw others in – yes?
In that case don’t we all posses the ‘X-Factor’ in life in some form or another? Our own, individual uniqueness, talent and an ability to draw others in? That doesn’t mean we need to be seen in flashing light’s, on stage with a yelling and cheering audience to help us find it.
Would you say a great teacher might have the ‘X-Factor’? Or how about a sick child, bravely fighting a life threatening illness, who rarely complains? Then there is the inventor who is the brain behind a great new technological breakthrough, which we can all benefit from.
Or you might consider an aid worker in Afghanistan, willing to risk their life to help others as having the ‘X-Factor; the unsung heroes among us. And what about the troops themselves, placed in further danger to represent their country’s attempt to fight terrorism?
Now I don’t know what you think, but that type of ‘X-Factor’ is a far cry from the one on Simon Cowell’s Show on Saturday night T.V.
Never the less, they all share the same thing in common; that their ‘X-Factor’ qualities shine through as they follow their heart and purpose. Yes, despite the cheers and tears, the pressure and the pain, they are carrying out their desire by following their heart and purpose albeit until they are voted off the show.
Maybe this is what reveals their ‘X-Factor’ to others, as well as themselves? And if so, then doesn’t that mean you and I have a ‘X-Factor’ inside us as well?
It doesn’t have to be singing well known songs to 14million people, fighting on the front line in some torn, far off place or battling against leukaemia at a young age.
I am suggesting that within you and your greatness yet ordinariness, lies your own ‘X-Factor’ talents, appeal and star quality. The big question is though – do you know what your ‘X-Factor’ is? Have you found it? Embraced it? Are you living it right now?
You and you alone are capable of displaying and feeling your own ‘X-Factor’. You only need to be determined to find it. Just like Matt, One Direction, Mary and yes Wagner (!) have thrown themselves into the limelight in order to discover their ‘X-Factor’. Remember you can find, design and live your own ‘X-Factor’ qualities if you really want to. Nature never dictated that having the ‘X-Factor’ requires full staging, media exposure and judges being brutally honest in public about your efforts.
Neither should you! To do so, might end up missing your own ‘X-Factor’ show altogether. That would be a travesty for you, me and everyone else too!
Now there’s a fact even Simon, Cheryl, Danni and Louis might vote for!
Have a great week.
Billy
