And this Blog is Dedicated To...

…the strugglers among us.

Look around… that's actually everyone you know. We've all been through it. We've been through that, "I am not as good as I should be" phase. That "I know so many people who are more successful/talented/attractive/wealthy" phase. 

The phase where you literally want to lock yourself in a room and cry.

Now I've told a man (ahem +Matthew Northover ) that I'd dedicate this blog to him, and I'd put "twists" in it so that he's fully engaged the whole time. I hope this satisfies. But there's another man in my life, a man that I love, trust and support, that this is dedicated to. I hope he knows how much I love him and want him to succeed, and I hope it helps him to find the courage to just do what he loves to do. And now, the story begins.

The Life of Bonnie Lass.

Bonnie Lass was of average weight, beauty, strength, intellect. She was of average class, and considered herself the type that would be satisfied with bread on the table and a roof over her head, as the story goes. But what Bonnie Lass didn't realise was her gut instinct to prove, step by step, that she was more than average. How would Bonnie achieve this in a world of high achievers?

Bonnie Lass tried to be like the people she adored. She played tennis like her brothers, learned music like her mother, and developed a deliberate tongue like her father. She danced in ballet classes, she studied the history books and literature. She learned to be even more average than ever, struggling with everything, excelling at nothing. In her struggles, she condemned herself for not being better than she was. Her frustration was self-inflicted and it was the greatest hurt she'd ever experienced.

Bonnie Lass' gut instinct to prove, step by step, that she was more than average, lingered alongside her discontent. It fed her self-loathing, but it also instigated a new bout of energy. She was caught in a new wave of determination to prove, for once and for all, that she was better than average.

Bonnie Lass returned to the classroom, returned to the courts, returned to books, and returned to the barre. She continued to do the things that made her upset, but these things were also the things that propelled her to live a more-than-average life. She battled with her self-respect when peers got the better parts in shows, better grades on papers, better scores on the tennis court. Her determination to prove herself increased. God, she was one focused Bonnie Lass.

Well, with the encouragement of her loved ones, Bonnie Lass got some awesome opportunities. She was voted as Class President, befriended her teachers, got solos, gained respect. Yet the cycle of discontent continued. She wanted a completely unique path, she wanted to achieve what others have not, she wanted to supersede those around her.

Poor Bonnie Lass struggled through her discontent. Poor Bonnie. She still struggles. She struggles more than ever. She realises that each step of the way is a step closer to super-human, but each step of the way surrounds her with others on their track to super-humanity. She will never truly rise above the fold. 

What Bonnie doesn't realise, is her unique contribution to the people around her. She can smile, and the world can be a happier place. She can say hello, and that outreach can salvage another from pain. She can give a hug, a pat on the back, a compassionate look, and then… she can raise another person from desolation to contentedness. She can be herself, be happy just being, and the world smiles with her. The world laughs with her!

Bonnie Lass has something to say. She struggles to be super-human… but the funny thing is...we are all meant to be human. We are all meant to struggle. But most importantly, we are meant to be here for one another. The struggle of humanity is a fundamental one, but we are all distracted along the way.

Bonnie Lass realises that, whatever humanity is, super-humanity isn't part of the definition. Sometimes Bonnie Lass needs a reminder. Sometimes, though, Bonnie Lass accepts that she is wonderfully blessed with the people around her, and she hopes that she can make them feel just as good as they do to her.

And the man who this is dedicated to… He took these photos for me. So there you go - now here's a clue to my mystery man. I love you very, very much. I want you to know that I am walking beside you, struggling when you struggle, and believing very much in your ability to succeed.

Nature at it's finest. a Black LadyB with Red Spots

The Sun is Out. I haven't seen you in a while! @RWCMD

And last but not least, a shout out to Ms Kathie Platt, who celebrated her birthday this week. You'll be proud of your daughter.