DESMOND TUTU

For as long as I can remember my being has always had a wonderfully magical response to excellence. I can easily be brought to tears in the presence of Pavarotti singing Nessun dorma, Comaneci scoring a ten, Tiger when he's Tiger, or some nerd doing a Rubik's cube. There is something so spectacular about the beauty of the human potential when it manifests itself. This is why I am so drawn to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I have been quite fortunate on a number of occasions to have been able to be in his presence. Most of you will know about the strength of his courage and convictions. Many of you will know about the depth of his spiritual wisdom and practice. An equal treasure is the opportunity to see "The Arch" at play.
While addressing 3000 students he will tell them that in order to win the Nobel Peace Prize one needs to have a great nose and sexy legs. While addressing 1000 preachers he will remark that now that Obama is the American president Americans don't have to pretend to be Canadians when traveling abroad. I've seen him spontaneously walk on stage during a concert and dance with the music.
There is much that is good about organized religion. But there is also much that has aroused a great deal of guilt, shame and anxiety through the propagation of unrealistic and dehumanizing standards. Archbishop Tutu emanates the beauty of the reality that when one risks to truly be seen what emerges is spectacularly glorious.