Why Susan Boyle Strikes a Pitch-Perfect Note

Susan Boyle has captured the attention of the world literally. In fact, with her unassuming appearance and attitude, she has caught millions off guard.

People expect women with the looks of Sarah Brightman to have the voice of an angel. But, a somewhat dowdy never-been-kissed from a village in Scotland? Not likely.

Yet, Susan Boyle has proven us all wrong. She has shown that some are simply born with brilliant talent. Their talent may not be wrapped up in the most glittering package.

Sadly, though, when this is the case, this talent may be ignored or upstaged. After all, we live in a world in which many celebrities are short on talent, but long on looks or connections.

Susan Boyle has miraculously catapulted herself from obscurity into the realms of international fame. She has left her simple digs, shared with her beloved cat Pebbles, and become a singing sensation.

Right now, the world is her oyster. And how has she done this? How, or more importantly why, has Susan Boyle struck a picture-perfect note with the hearts of millions?

* Susan Boyle is the real deal.

Susan Boyle is a genuine person. She does not put on airs. She is not trying to be something she is not. How rare, and might I add refreshing, that is in such a shallow and political world.

It seems we can barely find genuine people anymore, whether in our personal lives or in the headlines. We work with people who simply want to look out for themselves. Fear seems to be the order of the day. Everything seems political.

But, Susan Boyle is not that. When she auditioned for "Britain's Got Talent," she walked on stage to do one thing: show her true talent through singing a gorgeous song. When asked what she wanted to be, she answered a real answer. She wanted to be a professional singer.

Susan Boyle was real at that moment, but met with eye rolls and snickers. Yet, that did not stop her from speaking her truth or from performing her best. There is a lesson to be learned in that, for those who have the depth to get it.

* Susan Boyle has the voice of an angel.

Few performances give millions of people goose bumps or tears. Susan Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" did just that.

Her voice literally spoke to the souls of people all over the world, bringing a few minutes of inexplicable joy to all who heard it. A talent like this is rare. Using it to bring joy to others is a gift, one that Susan has so freely given to all of us.

* Susan Boyle is a real-life feel-good story.

Susan Boyle is like the hero of the movie "Rudy." But, her story is not scripted, and it was not made in Hollywood.

Susan Boyle is a real-life feel-good story. She is a woman who has lived a hard life. She has been blessed with the love of a good family. My guess is she is also a woman of strong faith.

But she was not living her potential. With a voice like that, she should have had her name in lights years ago. Yet, she did not.

She instead cared for her parents, giving of herself. For whatever reason, she was not living to her potential - not the potential granted by her God-given talent.

Susan Boyle has appeared on the scene now, though, and given the world a video clip that has hit the perfect pitch. She has given us all something we can re-watch whenever we need to be lifted.

Susan Boyle has given this world a bit of much-needed joy. She has reminded us that good people can have happy endings. She has given us hope for a better tomorrow, as well as the hope that we can hear her voice for many years to come.