Our Own American Idol

The DeFinis-Lydon first annual Easter Brunch and Talent Show was a huge success!  On Easter Sunday a family style version of American Idol (minus the crusty Simon Cowell) was served up by our guests who ranged in age from sixteen to eighty-five. Beat boxing, cowboy haiku poems, cowbells, a love letter from a 78 year old grandfather, guitar favorites, the ABC’s in sign language, show tunes, a Times Square story from a first time Fijian visitor, a contortionist, a golf lesson, a Sicilian author reading a travel article about a Sicilian passion play, and last but not least, my dear god-daughter stuffing her entire right fist into her large teenage mouth, a talent that none of us could match.

It was the Pecha Kucha of performance, alive and enthusiastic, greater than “show and tell” and only slightly less than Carnegie Hall. There was generosity, boldness, spontaneity and a willingness to be a part of a small community in action. Watching our talented performers deliver such individual and touching presentations gave everyone a chance to share in a glorious celebration of spring.  

What I loved most was that everyone took this celebration seriously and came prepared to contribute something unique. People practiced their songs and skits; they worked on their timing and audience participation. And while any one of these presentations would have been great entertainment for a Sunday afternoon, the cumulative “show” made it all the more dramatic. The group connection grew deeper as each performance built on the one before. Everyone was committed and eager, not only to support the performer, but to fully enjoy the experience. 

That’s how life is. If you have the desire to create and a simple talent to share you will bring richness and joy to those around you. Creativity and generosity go hand in hand. It’s not a difficult thing to do. Singers sing, guitarist strum, writers write, beat boxers beat—and each inspires others in a unique and powerful way. 

This magic of connection can be created just as easily in the world of business. And when it does, working teams are solidified, new partnerships are forged, and goals and values are realized. There is no stopping the positive outcome that can occur as a result of a generous performance and shared connection.