Halleluja!  Is all I can say.  Susan Boyle – we love you, salute you and are completely in awe of you.

I’m from Scotland myself and obviously feel immensly proud of this incredibly charming and humble lady – not to mention talented too.  But it is not her talent that has inspired me but her story, her courage and her determination to follow her dream.

Susan, from the age of 12 loved to sing – a gift from god – but through learning difficulties, charity work,  and the love of her Mum, whom she cared for deeply, her dream was quietly burning away in the background as she thought of other people first. Ten years ago – 1999, she recorded a charity album with the song “Cry Me A River” and when I heard it, I was blown away – outstanding vocals  (see video below).

When Susan Boyle appeared on Britain’s Got Talent singing the very emotional “I dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables, I felt ashamed at the reaction she got initially, then immensly proud that the people of Scotland applauded her and embraced her.  Tears rolled down my eyes – I’ve lost count at how many times I’ve watched her performance again on Youtube.

What I am incredibly touched by is how millions of people all over the world have taken Susan into their hearts.

• Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher twittered her
• Larry King interviewed her
• People all over the world are wearing t-shirts of her
• Hollywood want to make a film with her
• Oprah Winfrey wants her on her show
• Elaine Page wants to duet with her
• Don’t you just want to be her!

I believe at the root of everyone is a desire to be accepted for who we are – not by how we look.  Here is a lady who represents what humanity should be – giving, caring and encouraging.

Little did she know when she walked onto that stage how much her life was going to change.  Just like for all of us – who knows what our life will be like once we start to follow our dreams.

I love Susan’s story and I love how we have found our humanity again.  I’m not cynical (unlike other shallow stories I have been reading on the internet) – I truly believe that her story has inspired so many and will continue to shine and endure and give other people hope, just like Susan Boyle has, to grasp their dreams and take hold of a new beginning.

Are you living your dream and encouraging others to do the same?  Please share your story.