I have heard it said by both fans and friends alike, that David Archuleta is the “real” deal. In the dictionary the word real is defined as: true; authentic and genuine; not pretend; sincere.

Recently I observed David showing his true, authentic and genuine self. He did not pretend and he was so sincere. It was a simple video taken by a fan during one of David’s concerts last week in St. Louis, MO. At the time, he had been battling allergies and was not feeling his best. There were some reports that he had lost his voice a few times during the day and was on vocal rest. This video and a recent blog from David confirmed that. However David as usual, would go on to perform wonderfully regardless of how he was feeling. In that blog of his, as Judith mentioned in her article from August 13, “Upside Down”. David wrote:

“This last week has been pretty interesting since I’ve had the little challenge of trying to perform even though I was struggling with losing my voice. It’s actually been a pretty good learning experience though! I struggled quite a bit the last 3 shows, but what’s interesting is that I loved all 3!

David, we loved them too! You sang beautifully as usual and you enchanted and entertained the audience with your charisma. You may have not been feeling your best but your sure did a wonderful job of giving your best! ;)

Now about that video I was referring to earlier. In it, David was going to sing a song on the piano when all of a sudden he stops. He seems visibly sick. While he is talking with the audience, he does sound a bit congested and raspy. As he continues to chat with the crowd, he does something that I found not only amusing, but also very charming as well. David gets up from the piano and quickly excuses himself from the stage. It was not only what he said when he did this, but also the way he behaved that I found so endearing. He talks with the fans as if they are old friends. He treats them like he would any one else he knows well. He seems to feel comfortable enough with them, that he can excuse himself while he is in the middle of a performance and promise that he will be right back! I find the way he interacts with people to be so delightful. Fame has not gone to his head. On the contrary, he is so normal and down to earth, that he can behave with us the same way he would if he were at home performing in front of family and friends. He keeps it real! Of course David was back in front of his audience in no time flat. He quickly composed himself, then flashed that enormous grin of his. He acted as if it was no big deal, because of course the show must go on!

David’s performance that evening was amazing and he did not disappoint! It got me thinking about other stars. How many would have canceled their show because they did not feel they could pull it off? Would they have given their audience such a sweet and true explanation? I wonder, because David is so different from other stars. He is so real. He tells the audience like it is. He does his very best to perform even when he is not feeling one hundred percent. He tries to do what he is comfortable with, while also making sure to put on a good performance for the fans.

David Archuleta has such a natural ability to make his fans feel at ease. He is a true professional in every way, when he sings. He is a star, but when he talks to his fans he is “just David”. He is sweet and genuinely caring. Polite, honest and engaging. He is a talented and wonderful performer. Yes, I do think David Archuleta is the “real” deal, and it is such a pleasure to experience.

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Benevolence is the expression of kindness and altruism.

On July 15 David posted on Twitter :

Just did some things for Rising Star Outreach :) Haven’t heard about it yet? go here to learn about it: http://www.risingstaroutrea…

On that day David Archuleta took time away from his very busy schedule of non-stop touring and recording to again lend a helping hand to Rising Star Outreach by promoting Angels For A Cause second phase project - “Pathway of Hope.” This project is dedicated to collecting funds via brick purchases to build a pathway to a small garden area in honor of David at the new secondary school for the children of the leper colonies in India. These funds are to help furnish and purchase supplies for the school. To help promote this project David met with Amy Antonelli, Executive Director of Rising Star Outreach, to autograph for auction a representative red brick stepping stone - pictured above. Part of the Pathway of Hope project is custom jewelry that David also helped to show case.

From the smiles in the photos on the video below, you know that David has learned that happiness is not achieved when pursuit of it is the end goal. Instead I think he knows that happiness is achieved along the pathway of giving of one self to the benefit of others.

“The true source of cheerfulness is benevolence.” P. Godwin

David Archuleta knows that there is a future worth fighting for - for all of God’s children and is lending of himself to help out and raise awareness for those less fortunate than ourselves.

“There cannot be a more glorious object in creation than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he may render himself most acceptable to the Creator by doing good to his creatures.” Fielding Henry

Angels For A Cause

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Although David Archuleta has won 4 Teen Choice Award Surfboards, this blog title “Wipe Out” is not a surfing reference. Instead it is about the eraser that David doesn’t need but we probably do.

John W Gardiner wrote:
“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”

Now what does that mean exactly? Perhaps it can be interpreted to mean, take care in your words and actions. At the end of any given day are there things we wish we could erase but can’t? In this time of instant tweets and texting we have even more opportunity to stick our foot into it big time. Thanks to 21st century technology we can mess up incredibly fast!

Every once in a while, David Archuleta, in his open endearing way, may be a wee bit too candid. But never candid in a hurtful way to anyone but himself. I am in awe of this young man who never says an unkind thing about anyone else. I don’t think it is even a struggle for him. His innate kindness is so deep and genuine the idea of being any other way never enters his mind. If life was the New York Times crossword puzzle, David could fill it in nicely in ink!

But for most of us this can be a daily temptation. At school or work or even with the families we love so much..we can wound with our words. Have you ever had one of those terrible moments when what you wrote or said about someone comes back to haunt you? Your heart races, your cheeks burn with embarrassment and regret…. you wish with all your heart that you could wipe it out forever with a giant eraser? My grandfather would warn us in Spanish about “sapos” ..toads that jump out of our mouths. The words said in anger or jealousy that should have never been said.

Try to picture David being verbally rude or sarcastic in line at the supermarket or while pumping gas for his car. Would he verbally attack the person in front of him who has 12 items not 10 in the express line? Would he lash out at the driver of the car that got to the gas pump before him? Would he send an e mail or Tweet that was negative about anyone? I don’t think so. Actually it is humorous to try and picture David acting this way…it would be so out of character.

So maybe we can count to 10 before hitting the send button or think a little before letting lots of ugly little sapos hop out of our mouths. Until we can invent a “Way Back Machine” that allows us to erase what we said or wrote..it might be a good idea to listen more and speak a little less. The Dalai Lama has commented on mistakes made:”When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.”

And an Unknown Author penned this very smart statement :”The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid.”

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