This is me...

Sometimes in my life I feel that I need to break out into a song like in a musical. Sometimes I feel that I I am repeating the same letter over and over and over again. Yet, it's amazing how we can associate our own lives with movies, characters or situations in books, and even in music. I have always loved musicals and while I cannot sing a tune, I can sing pretty good in the car, alone.

Recently, I was watching The Greatest Showman based on P.T. Barnum. The musical, itself, was spectacular; however, it's not about the musical but the song, "This is me" by Keala Settle. If you listened to the lyrics, it's easy to get lost in them. We each have felt the same in one way or another. The part where Settle sings:

"Another round of bullets hits my skin Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in We are bursting through the barricades And reaching for the sun (we are warriors) Yeah, that's what we've become"

Takes on a different meaning for many. However, for me, it feels that I am being hit from every which way. I find myself hit over and over again but I won't let it change who I am. As stated in the previous blog about being criticized for what you do. As an English teacher, the words need to be analyzed in order to relate to what I am going through on the inside. The words are not thought of as literal, at least in my case. Take, for example, the first line of the song, "another round of bullets hits my skin." The use of the word, bullets, creates a metaphor for what is being thrown at me, those who are against me, and what I have to deflect so that it doesn't bring me down. The title, "This is me," is just what is says. Those who are against me want to bring me down; although I come out bruised, I come out stronger than ever.

"I am who I'm meant to be, this is me Look out 'cause here I come" (Lettie Lutz a.k.a. Kerala Settle).

This is who I was meant to be. It was because of my father that I am strong, it was because of what I needed to fight for in order to prove myself that made me who I am, and it was because of what I do that makes me who I am. And while many can't see this, this is me, and I make no apologies for who I am.

THIS IS ME