I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't been able to hear.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the profound impact that hearing has had on Ray Charles's life and artistry, suggesting that it enabled him to overcome challenges.
Ray Charles, an iconic musician who was blind, emphasizes the crucial role that hearing played in his life. His ability to hear not only shaped his musical genius but also allowed him to connect deeply with the world around him, showcasing the significance of the senses in navigating life's challenges and finding one's passion.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
I suppose I've always done my share of crying, especially when there's no other way to contain my feelings. I know that men ain't supposed to cry, but I think that's wrong. Crying's always been a way for me to get things out which are buried deep, deep down. When I sing, I often cry. Crying is feeling, and feeling is being human. Oh yes, I cry.
I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.
To me, music is entertainment - what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.
Just because you can't see anything , doesn't mean you should shut your eyes.
Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound egotistical, but it makes sense.
When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.
Don't settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon.
My legacy is that I stayed on course...from the beginning to the end, because I believed in something inside of me.
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself, believe.
Hold high the brow serene,_x000D_ O youth, where now you stand;_x000D_ Let the bright sheen_x000D_ Of your grace be seen,_x000D_ Fair hope of my fatherland!
To this day, I can never shake the connection between this boy, Peeta Mellark, and the bread that gave me hope, and the dandelion that reminded me that I was not doomed.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.