I Sense There’s More in There

Each night before I go to bed, I take 15 minutes to floss and brush my teeth. While I’m going through that routine, I turn on the TV in our bedroom and usually watch a video on YouTube that puts me in a good mental space to rest well - most often music I like, a short interview with someone I respect and admire, or something inspirational and positive to end the day.

A few days ago, I stumbled upon an incredible audition by 22-year old Gruffydd Wyn Roberts, from a small island - Anglesey - in Wales, on Britain’s Got Talent, from 2018. A theater assistant who loved playing rugby and lived with his grandmother, Gruffydd was there to sing. Opera. He was clearly very nervous. 

Within 30 seconds, as he started to sing Andrea Bocelli’s “Nelle Tue Mani”, in Italian, English television personality, record executive, and entrepreneur,  judge Simon Cowell - a notoriously tough judge - stopped Gruffydd and declared:

“This was very cold and mechanical for me. I sense there’s more in there …. What else have you got?”

“Nessun Dorma”, replied Gruffydd.

“Let’s do that”, suggested Simon.

And so Gruffydd started again, with the Italian aria, by Giacomo Puccini.

This time, the judges, including Simon, were awestruck! They and the audience rose to their feet as the aria was ending. 

“Quite frankly, that was epic - you’re a new man tonight”, exclaimed judge Alesha Anjanette Dixon, an English singer, rapper, dancer, television personality, and author.

Another judge, English media personality, actor and singer,  Amanda Holden, hit the Golden Buzzer, a special button each judge and host gets to press once per series, instantly signifying that an act is truly exceptional, guaranteeing them a spot to perform live in the semi-finals, giving them a significant advantage in the competition. 

Watch Gruffydd Wyn’s Britain’s Got Talent journey here:

Gruffydd wows with OUT OF THIS WORLD vocals and bags a GOLDEN BUZZER! | Auditions | BGT 2018

Gruffydd Wyn Roberts Opera Singer STANDING OVATION Britain's Got Talent 2018 Semi Final 3 BGT S12E10

Gruffydd Wyn with AMAZING Ed Sheeran cover Full performance ★ Britains Got Talent 2018 ★ S12E18

Gruffydd’s performances were so well-received that he was voted into the finals of Britain’s Got Talent. He didn’t win. He came in fourth. But in the face of what looked like failure and elimination during his audition, Simon Cowell spoke encouragement into Gruffydd by declaring,

“I sense there’s more in there.”

That’s what ultimately launched him into the final.

By giving him another chance, Gruffydd Wyn, as he’s professionally known now, since his time on Britain’s Got Talent, has been a singing success across the United Kingdom. He is also passionate about working alongside charities he loves, as an ambassador for cancer charities in the UK. 

Those words - “I sense there’s more in there” - served to help make Gruffydd Wyn a new man that night, elevating him to where he is at age 29, today. 

We all need words such as those spoken to each of us throughout our lives. We all need someone to see beyond the nerves, beyond the imperfections, beyond the insecurities, into our being. 

Each of us is so much more than what others may see on the outside. We all have value to share, to offer. We all have gifts that this world needs. Gifts that teach. Gifts that heal. Gifts that inspire. Every one of us.

Without others speaking into our lives, reassuring us, encouraging us, empowering us, affirming us - seeing in us our inherent worth and sacred gifts - we can never fully be who we are born to be. We cannot be our best selves. 

But when we have someone who notices us and is able to see beyond the surface to the richness of our being and the potential we all have to be the goodness and the very gifts that this world needs us to share, there is power unleashed. It is a power that transforms and transcends our ordinary lives, in extraordinary ways. 

Someone To Tell It To strives to notice those gifts in others. Intently and intentionally, compassionately and openly, we strive to see the inherent worth of everyone we listen to. And it’s not that hard to see; it’s really not. 

Those who speak into our lives and encourage our potential offer us all an opportunity to become our best selves, whatever our best selves might be. We all need to hear the words:

“I sense there’s more in there.”

We hope that you have - and always will. 

Photo by Steven Erixon on Unsplash