Mediocre At Best

What is it about society today that makes mediocrity acceptable? Why do we as a people accept par, or even sub-par, behavior? While I think it is unfortunate, I do understand that not everyone can be excellent at many things. Some people only excel at one thing. And there are some who excel at nothing. They dabble in many things that may seem easy for them, but in reality they are mediocre, at best.

I spend a lot of time watching young dancers. And dance is a hard thing to excel at. Lots of years and discipline go in to dance training. There are some great dancers. There are a lot of okay dancers. And there are a whole lot of bad dancers. One of the issues I have is that people not only accept mediocrity, but encourage it. I don't get it. Why? We should push young people to be better than everyone else. They should excel at what they do... and if they don't, they should find something they are good at. Because saying "look at how she does this! and she's only 14!" does not make her any better at it. She is still bad, and we're limiting her by pretending she's not.

I find while I'm watching the next generation (are they the next generation? am I a whole generation ahead of today's high school kids? gosh...I'm old) of kids grow and mature, that there is a general lack luster attitude about life. Like it's not their responsibility to make the most of the situation present. Sometimes when I'm teaching, my students are trying to do something, but they are doing it wrong. They look to me like, "Help me fix this!" when really, there's nothing I can do. They have to find it and figure it out for themselves. But sometimes that seems to be too complex an idea. So instead they put forth a "half-ass" attempt, and just tell me it's because they can't do it. Bullshit... oops I meant, B.S.

But Epiphany, why, you may ask, are you writing this post disparaging mediocrity this new year? Because it is absolutely the time to tackle this. Quick, while everyone is making their New Year's Resolutions. In 2012 MEDIOCRITY is not acceptable. Personally, nothing less than 110% will be acknowledged as effort from myself. In the Kwanzaa celebration, January 1 is the day of Imani, meaning faith. Last year, I talked about having faith in my God to lead me where He plans. This year I see that, and raise myself to take more risks in my faith that no matter what, what God means for me to be will be. Whatever needs to be done to make my life and myself who and what God wants will be done without hesitation. I already know I have many blessings, they only wait for me to take them. I plan to excel at not only what I want to do but everything God leads me to do in 2012.

the rest is still UNwritten...

When I Grow Up

I wanna be famous. 
I wanna be a star. 
I wanna be in movies.

I feel like after I turned 20, my birthdays have become progressively anti-climatic. I mean, for 20 I did it in a big way. Party at Bourbon Street, 2nd floor reserved for the Epiphany Party. 365 Days and Counting... I was celebrating my 21st birthday, the bar just didn't know I was celebrating a year early :-)

When I was underage I would flip out if I was carded. I'd cajole, and flirt, and try to reason my way out of showing my fake. Why? Because that's what you do when you're trying to get away with being bad. But alas, you're only bad if you get caught. So that makes me a good girl...right? *wink*

Being pretty can get you a lot of things in this world-- it's a sad but true fact of life. Being a pretty girl... man...the things I'm tempted with.
I'm sorry, you want to buy me what? Indeed. It happens, and I'm not just talking drinks at the bar on that gentleman in the corner. Shoes, clothes, little mementos... I've got them all. And for what? A little bit of my attention. I can do that. A little bit of my #@*$&? *gasp* What?! I am a good girl :-)

But I'm digressing. What I want to say is that as I get older, I constantly feel like I have to get my life together. There are many a day when I reflect on where I am in my life, and how much more I want to do. I want to be on Broadway. I want to be in a movie (like for real, not as background). I want to go on tour with cirque, or on a cruise ship. Basically I just want to work. Big works. A lot. As in all the time.

Unfortunately, pretty girl that I am, on a good day I look about 17. On my best day, with make-up, older people, and grown up clothes I can pass for 20...ish. I will unfailingly be carded for the next 10 years. In an audition I wouldn't say that I have an exotic look, but more often then not I'm type cast out for whatever reason I don't fit what they're looking for. For every yes I've ever received in auditions there have probably been 8.8 nos. 


How is that relevant? Well when I finally grow up, and can pass for 20s instead of 15.
I'm gonna be Famous. 
I'm gonna be A Star. 
I'm gonna be in Movies. 


the rest is still UNwritten...