Ever have an experience so unusual you just had to share it? I did, and I thought you would enjoy hearing about it.
One morning, when there was an cold chill in the air, I was puzzled when my husband called me into my studio. As I entered, I was amazed to see an orange sunrise softly surrounding me from the windows that stretch around three sides of the room. It was as if we were being enfolded in God’s love. Days later, when I began to think ahead toward March, the month of each year’s awakening, I remembered that special sunrise, and how truly living the Circle of Life can place a person in that same warm soft Circle of Love, and I decided it was time to share a perfect example I have been wanting to tell about a real person who truly lived the Seven Spiritual Laws.
Born in Montreal, Canada, of hardworking, old country Russian Jewish parents, young George Bernstein was being trained to follow in his father’s footsteps as a tailor, but he had a dream to become a famous opera singer, although he could not read a note of music, and seemed to have little talent. But when he was 15, his family moved to southern California, and his hopes rose, eager to follow his dream when he entered Hollywood High School, but he found even more against him there, for his growing deep bass voice had become even louder and more uncontrolled, and he could not read a note of music—and he he was refused a place in the school chorus.
But George still believed in his heart he could do it. Learning that a famous Canadian concert singer, Nathan Stewart, a bass-baritone like himself, had left the profession and was now living in Hollywood, he thought he had a chance. However, Nathan had lost all desire for music, so he refused to even listen to George. But George refused to give up. So when Nathan returned from work each evening, he found George sitting on his back doorstep, and though he tried to discourage the boy, handsome young George persisted, and Nathan finally gave in and listened. Hearing something that no one else had, he agreed to teach him.
George studied and worked hard, and when Nathan felt he was ready, he auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, but was turned down. Undaunted, George kept studying and singing with other young hopefuls, even traveled to Vienna, where he became famous in opera, while living in fear, until World War II was over. Returning to New York, he was finally accepted at the Met, made many concert tours, even appearing on the Ed Sullivan show, singing not only opera, but the songs popular of the day.Though he was doing well, his story was not over, for when his magnificent voice was finally stilled by illness, he turned in another direction becoming an outstanding stage director not only at the Met, but also the National Opera in Washington DC. Then true to his heart, he established the George London Foundation which helped other young hopefuls then, and even today, achieve their hopes and dreams. For George generously gave back what he had received. And that is the way things work. Giving and receiving are just a part of the magnificent flowing circle of life, As we give, we receive, and so it must follow that as we receive we give. For George not only gave of himself, but he served others as he had been served by my friend, Nathan Stewart.
What do you have to give? Think about it. Every person has at least one physical or spiritual gift or talent. Find it. Hone it. Use it to have a better life, not only for yourself, but for all the others you meet. You may not become famous as a musician, actor or artist, but you can help others as a teacher, a chef or the one who makes an office work joyously and well. Or—you might be the person who everyone knows as the kindest person around.
TIP: If you are stuck looking for your gift or talent, ask someone who knows you well. You may be as surprised as the elderly lady, who told me she would be leaving nothing behind when it was her time to leave this life, when I told her that her gift was a really special one—love, for that lady gave more love than anyone I knew, and everyone who knew her loved her. So—physical talents are nice to have and use, but spiritual gifts are even better. You might be like George London and have both.
