I was chatting with a dear friend about musical likes and dis-likes (she isn't a fan of the Doors - oh well). And as we were chatting, I happened to be going through my catalog of video clips, and came across one I have always been amazed at; Rachel Flowers. You see, Rachel was born 15 weeks premature, which resulted in her becoming permanently blind a few weeks after her birth. I cannot begin the fathom what my life would be like if that had been me. I am so blessed and thankful I never had to face that.
But, to her, that apparently was just a minor bump in the road. You see she went on to take second place in the student jazz contest at the Ventura Music Festival in Ventura, California, in 2010, and won it the following year. And she has performed with musical greats like; Dweezil Zappa, Arturo Sandoval, Taylor Eigsti, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Marc Bonilla, Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro, Rick Wakeman, Burt Bacharach, and Bob Reynolds. And she was good friends with Keith Emerson.
So, when I look at the challenges I face each day, people like Rachel are the ones I look to to help uplift me, and get me out of whatever funk I may be mired in. I think we all have our 'goto's' for times like that. Hugs
It has always been true that we Hu-Mans are extraordinary creatures when we choose to be.
I am reminded of race car drivers who continued to race after devastating injuries, Alex Zanardi and Robby Wilkins. I would also include Rico Abreu who, due to the condition of dwarfism, stands 4’-4” and weights 95 pounds. I won’t say that the man has no fear, but by the way he drives a 900hp, 1400lb sprint car, it would be hard to tell.
I think what they have realized is that you take what you have been given, figure out ways around what is difficult and continue the journey. To me, this is the essence the human endeavor: when we rise to face the challenges before us on the way to satisfy our goals and desires.
The late motorsports journalist, Robin Miller, had a name for people who he respected due to their of talent, bravery and competitiveness. He called them BadAsses.
Indeed.
Oh, I do hear you there DeeAnn. And the best part, is the feeling of elation once you have crested that mountain. Stand there and enjoy it, savor that feeling; but never get so full of the pride in the accomplishment, that you loose sight of the next mountain lightly obscured by the clouds. And after you have crested a few mountains, you gain the valuable self confidence that there is no mountain out there you cannot best. Hugs
Thanks Michelle for this. It is my humble opinion that every member of this forum, and every transgender person on this globe, has learned, first hand, how to overcome life's obstacles! Being born intersex, knowing at the age of three, that I was supposed to be a girl, provided ample struggles to overcome through the years.
Today, living as the woman I know I was truly born as, I can look back and realize the joys of "cresting those mountains". The self confidence we have gained is so amazing and allows us to walk authentically with our heads held high!
Hugs,
Ms. Lauren M