| Biographical Non-Fiction posted July 6, 2022 |
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Successful at
Being ... just me
by Wendy G
Describe Yourself Contest Winner
Like everyone, I wanted a meaningful life, being successful at SOMETHING. In retrospect, I realise that life consists of quite small meaningful experiences, and success depends upon its definition. Success in this world no longer appeals; it's irrelevant.
I am very ordinary, quiet and shy, wife, mother of three, foster-mother of one, teacher of thousands, grandmother of seven, Christian, dabbler in many interests, and volunteer.
I reflect on my family life with mixed feelings. We looked after a severely disabled child for ten years, and I was his advocate in many difficult situations where governmental expediency threatened his well-being. I learned to be strong, for him.
However, I feel my children missed out on some special childhood experiences because I was either too busy with his care, or too tired, and I have forgotten much of their childhood. Where did it go? Where did time go? Yet he is still alive and well, and they learned to be compassionate. Perhaps that's enough.
I developed the ability to overcome my natural reticence where necessary. I am not comfortable in crowds or parties; yet, place me in front of a class of teenagers, and I don my "teacher persona", at ease and confident. They know they have boundaries, and that I will draw out their best, setting a high bar of expectations. This dualism in my personality continues to amuse and puzzle me. Teaching fulfilled me. It was enough.
I enjoy many hobbies: presently heading the list is writing. I have explored various interests, but lack of perseverance, practice and patience to arrive at my goal (being brilliant or acclaimed) has diminished or eliminated any chance of "success". Was I ever likely to be outstanding at anything? No, I'm a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none". I've enjoyed the process, however, and fortunately, that's enough.
Ten years ago, I rode a bike over two hundred kilometres in ten hours, fund-raising for cancer research – possibly my most rewarding and fulfilling life challenge, involving hours of gruelling training. I hadn't ridden a bike since childhood. Gears, cleats, even a helmet – all new experiences, along with some ungainly falls! That anticipation of a worthwhile contribution – that was enough.
I always had delusions, or illusions, of being heroic, saving some-one from danger. However, my numerous predictable (ordinary) fears preclude most rescue situations. Being unafraid of snakes or spiders is not bravery! I don't fear death, and look forward to the outcome – but I fear the dying process, losing my faculties and independence, and being unwanted.
I always want to serve the Master, but often fail, defeated by my very humanness. Ordinary me, yet still extra-ordinarily loved. More than enough!
Describe myself?
A curious mixture of aspirational, romantic idealism and the reality of being no-one special. Strong, weak, happy, sad, funny, serious, simple, complex, fulfilled, yet wanting more from life and from myself … I'm still working on understanding myself and who I am. Successful in being the mixture of ... me!
I am very ordinary, quiet and shy, wife, mother of three, foster-mother of one, teacher of thousands, grandmother of seven, Christian, dabbler in many interests, and volunteer.
I reflect on my family life with mixed feelings. We looked after a severely disabled child for ten years, and I was his advocate in many difficult situations where governmental expediency threatened his well-being. I learned to be strong, for him.
However, I feel my children missed out on some special childhood experiences because I was either too busy with his care, or too tired, and I have forgotten much of their childhood. Where did it go? Where did time go? Yet he is still alive and well, and they learned to be compassionate. Perhaps that's enough.
I developed the ability to overcome my natural reticence where necessary. I am not comfortable in crowds or parties; yet, place me in front of a class of teenagers, and I don my "teacher persona", at ease and confident. They know they have boundaries, and that I will draw out their best, setting a high bar of expectations. This dualism in my personality continues to amuse and puzzle me. Teaching fulfilled me. It was enough.
I enjoy many hobbies: presently heading the list is writing. I have explored various interests, but lack of perseverance, practice and patience to arrive at my goal (being brilliant or acclaimed) has diminished or eliminated any chance of "success". Was I ever likely to be outstanding at anything? No, I'm a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none". I've enjoyed the process, however, and fortunately, that's enough.
Ten years ago, I rode a bike over two hundred kilometres in ten hours, fund-raising for cancer research – possibly my most rewarding and fulfilling life challenge, involving hours of gruelling training. I hadn't ridden a bike since childhood. Gears, cleats, even a helmet – all new experiences, along with some ungainly falls! That anticipation of a worthwhile contribution – that was enough.
I always had delusions, or illusions, of being heroic, saving some-one from danger. However, my numerous predictable (ordinary) fears preclude most rescue situations. Being unafraid of snakes or spiders is not bravery! I don't fear death, and look forward to the outcome – but I fear the dying process, losing my faculties and independence, and being unwanted.
I always want to serve the Master, but often fail, defeated by my very humanness. Ordinary me, yet still extra-ordinarily loved. More than enough!
Describe myself?
A curious mixture of aspirational, romantic idealism and the reality of being no-one special. Strong, weak, happy, sad, funny, serious, simple, complex, fulfilled, yet wanting more from life and from myself … I'm still working on understanding myself and who I am. Successful in being the mixture of ... me!
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Writing Prompt Describe in less than 500 words, in any form, poetic or verse or story form. |
Describe Yourself Contest Winner |
 Recognized |
#12 July 2022 |
497 words
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 
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