Reality Bites Back

I hate reality shows. It seems more than not what the audience learns about the ethics and integrity of the participants I'd just as soon not know. But that's just me.

So when someone comes along that defies the odds and sets new ground rules on a failure-oriented reality show, I love it. Such is the story of Susan Boyle, a nice, middle aged, simple woman who had the courage to audition on the reality show, Britain's Got Talent.

I'm trying to imagine her backstage, in her pretty dress and matching pumps, nerves tightening her throat and feeling acutely out of place and far away from the safety of her small English village. She might have been feeling like everything was at stake and her dreams were hanging in the balance before a crowd of thousands she didn't know, young and old, judging her right along with three cynical judges. She probably wouldn't have been able to even imagine the millions more viewers around the world also tuned in on TV and the internet.

I used to watch my son David play competitive soccer in middle school. He was a thin and wiry lad, quiet and humble. But once the ball was in play, he had the skill and speed of a jaguar, whipping the ball down the field before the other team knew what was happening. His coach used to call him the team's secret weapon. It was one of his special gifts.

I am so proud of Susan for having the courage to face her dreams head on. Even with rude eyes rolling and murmers from the crowd, she pushed forward because she knew something we didn't know: she knew her gift. And when the music began, her glorious voice filled the room with pure joy, stunning us, inspiring us, and reminding us that cynicism and snap judgments are barriers to revealing who we really are. All of us have special gifts that aren't always visible with the naked eye.

Susan Boyle is a world-wide sensation because everyone wants to believe that anything is possible. It feels good to be reminded that, scary though it is, our gifts are worth sharing with the world. The writers and singers among us, those that could inspire and make a difference in big and small ways, when will we have the courage to step out on that stage and reveal ourselves? Mom was right about not judging a book by its cover.