Sometimes TV sitcoms do mirror reality....

Watching the much applauded "Ted Lasso" on Apple TV has been delightful, has yielded some great laughs and has made me reflect on some extreme sadness that has happened in my life. The episodes "Midnight Train To Royston", and "Inverting the Pyramid of Success" were two episodes that hit me to my core. The exquisite writing and acting of these episodes balanced the friendships and the betrayals of the characters extremely well. I think everyone has known a bubbly Keeley or the dark character Nate in their lives. 

I have always preferred the "Keeley" type of people, but have been exposed to the "Nate" types more than once. Betrayal and deceit are the cruelest form of punishment a family member, or friend can inflict on you. These wounds are the deepest, hurtful and most insidious thing a person can do to another. Especially since they can blindside you, and destroy the world you've been living in. For me, I felt as if I had fallen into the rabbit hole, and been shrunk into oblivion. I didn't need magic mushrooms, the world crashing in on me was enough.

These horrific people, who I will not mention, have no remorse and a lack of conscience for what they've done.

I must admit, for a brief time I was defeated, and this is what these monsters wanted. In the end my phoenix rose and I have spread my wings even wider, and conquered all the challenges I have faced despite the adversity. Clawing my way from financial hardship took many years, but during those lean times my parents were my rock and helped immensely. I have changed, for the better, and I am still excelling and enjoying my personal and professional life. My perspective on life has grown and I I work with fantastic clients photographing fulfilling community projects, I sail and I love to travel; especially to Sicily where my family is from. 

After all these years, I've won. Especially since I know that the man I share my life with has a huge giving heart. We have the type of relationship that supports growth, friendship and love. What I've learned, the hard way, is that trust and respect is not just given; it is earned.

You never really know the heart of an individual, for evil does live amongst us, but if we truly cared no-one would have to go through the fires of hell. We have become divided and when money has more value than family, or humanity ... then we are all doomed.