The Missing People Choir

I watched an audition by the Missing People Choir in Britain's Got Talent 2017, it was heartbreaking. 

The choir is made up of people who are missing a loved one. The missing people are mostly their children, and some missing since the 80s. Can you imagine having to live through that, not knowing?

Yet, they found strength together, singing as a choir, and they used the talent show as a platform to send a message out to the world, hoping to get some leads to find their missing loved ones. They were not out there for fame or fortune, and they were clearly there with one focus in mind - to find their loved ones. 

I admire their courage and their strength to be able to sing on stage a very emotional song and not a dry eye was left in the audience. It is one of those auditions where you want to stop watching because it is too emotional and yet you are pulled in by their open hearts.

I feel they have certainly made use of the talent platform so well, and I hope they are able to continue to bring their message across through their singing via all the social media platforms.

Had a chat with a friend the other day, and one of the things we talked about was social media, and she said: From Facebook, you would think everyone loves a fabulous life except you. 

Isn't it too true?

Social media is such that it lets you celebrate all the good things in life, which is all good. Unfortunately, as we scan through quickly all the things we see, in quick succession and order, our brain takes in information so quickly that we unconsciously form an idea in our minds that this is how people live daily. 

It is not anyone's fault that they are sharing the good stuff, it is how we are consuming the information and the projected pictures we unconsciously form in our own minds that is causing us to think that that IS reality. And that IS how people live their lives DAILY. 

Because of this, I try to give as much of a full spectrum reality as possible, via my IG and FB stories. People often think because I am a spiritual teacher, I only meditate all day long. This could not be further from the truth. So much stuff happens in the life of a spiritual teacher, from coaching clients, laundry (which I dislike!), cooking to picking up dog poop. The real-life is actually very boring. 

So we have to be mindful about how we are consuming information. In Singapore, with our elections just around the corner, keyboard warriors are taking to these platforms to spread messages. Suddenly people are coming out of the woodwork to slander this or that person, not understanding that it says more about the person slandering than the person slandered. Herd mentality makes people fall for the majority opinion, even when they do not personally know the person slandered. Yes, we need the information to make discerning decisions, but crucifying a person online is a form of bullying, isn't it? There are better ways to send messages across other than being a judge and jury behind one's keyboard. 

As individuals, we have the responsibility to use online portals for good. It is a double-edged sword. My point is that social media and entertainment platforms are here to stay in our lives, and if we have a message to send to the world, we must use it to inspire, uplift, encourage through humour, stories, videos, and more. 

So be like the Missing People Choir, they are turning their pain into strength and that is what makes people sit up and pay attention, and this makes a far lasting positive impression.

©2020 Shamala Tan

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Shamala Tan is an author, spiritual entrepreneur and healer. Her work focuses on transforming the lives of others on the spiritual, emotional, mental and earthly level.

One of her success stories as an author is to being featured alongside New York’s bestsellers Sonia Choquette, Robert Allen, Arielle Ford, Marci Shimoff as well as Christine Kloser in the book Pebbles In The Pond.

Shamala’s clients include small business owners, holistic practitioners as well as those seeking to find more significant meaning and value in life. Shamala offers laser coaching to her clients on a one-to-one basis or in a group environment, offline as well as online.