Lessons Learned from Susan Boyle

I've been thinking a lot about the spectacular reaction to Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer whose performance on "Britain's Got Talent" has received worldwide attention via YouTube and network news.  I included a link to that YouTube video in my last post.  Now there are a dozen or more posts on YouTube, several showing people reacting as they hear her sing for the first time.  These reactions are amazing to watch, and I noticed that they all follow a similar pattern.

There's the initial skepticism, even amusement at her endearingly dowdy appearance.  Then the moment of stunned disbelief when she begins to sing.  Then the teary, goosebumpy, hair-standing-up realization a few seconds later that one is witnessing something remarkable.  Isn't it awesome that so many people can be touched and uplifted by the beauty of an exceptional human voice?

It occurred to me that there's a message here.  It was 21st century technology that brought Susan Boyle to all of us.  But it was her humanity--her vulnerability, hope, humor, courage, and incredible talent--that bound us to her. Something in Susan Boyle connected with something in us, soul to soul.  Technology may fascinate us, but it still takes human beings to touch our hearts.