I hope you had the chance to catch the new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which started this weekend. I missed it but was able to catch the amazing performance of Susan Boyle on You Tube.

As she sat in the waiting room she talked with the presenters about her life, single, living with her cat Pebbles, unemployed and never been kissed. She joked as she awkwardly explained that she had always wanted to sing and that she was going to rock the audience.

At 47 years old, Susan did not fit the Hollywood profile. She is not a size 8, no blonde hair, no Botox,  just a simple woman in her Sunday best dress, with a smile for everybody and a dream.

Walking onto the stage she appeared uncomfortable, unable to recall where she lived and seeking to assert her aspiration and dream to a background of giggles, crude remarks about her appearance and jeering. All this before she had been given the chance to show her talent.

Susan was written off in front of 11.3 million people. Cast off, undermined and seemingly only allowed to perform for the entertainment of the audience who all hoped she would be as awful they imagined.

Finally, after being provoked to say she dreamed of being as famous as Elaine Paige she was allowed to sing. And boy could she sing. Within 10 seconds the audience cheered, they stood and applauded the talent and strength of her voice.  The song was a lament about a life not fulfilled and a dream lost.

As she performed she gained strength. As the audience applauded she grew strong. Finishing on a high note, the audience and the judges stood and gave her a standing ovation. As the judges gave their views and heaped praise on Susan she stood awkward and unable to absorb the praise whilst blowing kisses to those who 6 minutes earlier laughed in her face.

The rest is history, her slots on you tube have had 5 million hits in 4 days, Demi Moore twitters about bringing her to the USA to perform, interviews and contracts are on the table.

And just like Paul Potts, another hero was discovered. Everyday your work asks you to stand in judgment of those who sit out side many of the norms of our communities. Unemployed, unkissed, living alone but still with hopes and dreams. Everyday you give Paul and Susan a safe place to grow and be the people they know they can be. You make that happen, you have that gift.

As I sat and watched Susan perform, it reminded me what a great bunch of people you are on the front line, and how important it is that we all collectively keep searching for Lives to improve.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Susan please clink on the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Thanks

roy