Start behind the curtain.
Lessons from my daughter.
Her face shone like a thousand camera flashes simultaneously exploding.
Boom!
The culmination of three weeks of high stress, full-on meltdowns and over-practised sore throats had just evaporated as she finished belting out Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’.
No point choosing an easy song.
Our daughter was taking part in the school talent show. But it had taken a lot to get to that point.
The thing she loves so much—singing, performing—had been strangled like ivy by her anxiety and fear.
If you ever get the chance to attend a Special Educational Needs school talent show, I thoroughly recommend it. The perfect antidote to a troubled world.
Imagine watching Britain’s Got Talent, but for kids who have fought, and continue to fight, their demons every minute of every day. Their talents varied and uniquely random, topped off by the fact that many of them had made it through tough starts with a set of educational needs that don’t fit the box.
We watched them conquer their fears to show us their football dribbling skills, their jumping-to-music skills, even their dancing-behind-the-curtain-because-the-watching-part-was-just-a-bit-too-much skills. A random collection of displays, but all with one thing in common—the full-on, rapturous joy that they could share what they do with us.
Smiles from them, tears from us.
I’ve failed a lot in my life.
Properly. Repeatedly. (Ask my ever-patient partner about my many grand plans.)
But it’s been easier for me—I’ve always felt loved anyway.
I can’t tell you how much that matters.
For these kids—and plenty of others—that link between failing and rejection is still very real.
When I see kids crumble over a missed shot at football, or hear about the ones who would rather disrupt a classroom than risk trying something and getting it wrong—I get it.
That moment where it’s safer not to try at all.
Failure feels brutal when you think it defines you. But it’s a hard lesson to learn on your own—especially if you don’t feel you fit in.
We’ve seen three talent shows now. Each time, the stormy build-up has been a little less. Not gone. Just… less. Another penny dropped into the self-belief pot.
The best gift we can give ourselves—and each other—is the courage to try, and the grace to forgive ourselves when it doesn’t quite work out. But it’s a skill that takes time to develop.
The rewards, though, they’re incredible.
On the other side of that fear is a beaming smile, the quiet realisation that you did it anyway, and a reminder that you can do tough things.
I hope whatever challenges you have this week, you dare to try. Push the boundaries and see what happens—or simply dance behind the curtain to start with. That’s cool too.
All the best from the West,
Founder / Proud Mum / Bad singer
PS – It’s nearly Earth Day. We’ve got something big coming. Watch this space.
PPS – Mabel — the subject of last week’s newsletter — is still going, more walks to come :o)
PPPS – As ever – feel free to comment or reply, I’m a bit rubbish at replying, but I love hearing from you. It never goes unappreciated! And I’ve been particularly rubbish lately… but I will get around to it!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
– JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Stuff you may like:
(Things we’ve seen that you may like).
SPRING TREE: In the days leading up to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, peach trees considered to be the soul of spring, are collected by motorbike [BLOSSOMING]
THERE MAYBE TROUBLE AHEAD: Ever tried running by moonlight alone? [LET’S RUN]
WOBBLE MORE: The company on a mission to make sitting more active – from baby for life [WIBBLE]
If you have any stuff you think our community would love, email it to tash@earthruns.com with the title. ‘Stuff you may like’.
This week from the Marvellous Makers’ Cabin:
We make Better Medals – by hand. Better for the planet, better for the makers, just better all round. Here’s the latest from our Makers’ Cabin:
Ah… back next week – it’s been too crazy to take any photos! Sorry!
If you want to find out more about what we do – our manifesto is here.
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Fabulous. Duly shared.