What is it with Mediocrity?

A really old post that was never published, because, what the heck:


It never ceases to amaze me how so many of my friends seem to go willingly into that good night. I have no idea how those that seem so potentially gifted seem to fall one by one, in one way or another, into the pit of "good enough" right along with everyone else that I know. One friend is an amazingly gifted writer who seems willing to allow her fear to hold her to relative anonymity (easy Stacey, I speak of another amazingly talented writer), one is a compassionate under-achiever who, with potential unbounded, has apparently decided to settle for a piece of paper that says they tried hard; rather than the personal satisfaction of knowing it down deep....yet another was one tye-dye short of Height Ashbury but decided instead to trade up to nail polish and tailored jeans. I wouldn't be so taken aback were it not for the fact that I know all these people really want, and believe in, the things they are dropping because, well basically because there is too much work and toil envolved. Which makes my day-to-day seem that much more pointless, but I am a mule dammit....and a stubborn one at that. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to let my fear hold me in my comfort zone, I'd adore not having to spend nights pouring over things that I could care less about, but will still be tested on. As a matter of fact, I might even enjoy changing my style of hair and clothes, so that those I come in contact with on a regular basis would except me as one of "the crowd".....but you know what....I absolutely and catagorically refuse! There may not be one person left around me when I get done but I will never let fear hold me from something I truly wish to do, nor will I ever give up because it would be so much easier; and I will never, ever change who I am or the way I look to satisfy a person or set "norm." So now if you'll excuse me I have a soapbox to put away and some major tests to study for. To all those fighting it out to be themselves and finish what they started......."Even after all your suffering sows, you know I love you so, you know I love you so and so, even after all, you just survive soldier and your soul is beautiful......and your soul is good." (Quaye)