#taintless

Flesh to flesh, and heart to heart, Put together and pulled apart, Jubilation through the throng, Sweet is this, the The Night Court Song. 'Bodies grinding to and fro, Rhythm writhing, spirits glow, Sing and dance and move their feet, Desperation in their heat. ...Freedom’s taste is e’er so far, The secret dance hall’s only mar, The dancers trapped, ‘till end of days, Forever sealed in lusty haze... ...And suddenly above the dell, The rising sun begins to dwell, The music halts, the faeries flee, The daylight ends their devilish glee... ...A lone minstrel still plays his flute, The entertainment still spelled mute, One by one they disappear, As they leave this earthly sphere... ...For those who join the faeries’ dance, All will fall in wicked trance, Cursed to dance for all of time, Until death’s kiss, a bliss sublime... ...The party fades into the mist, All the magic now desist, A question hanging in the air...Were the fae folk ever there?

Raising her lantern into the sky, she finally let it go among the other and smiled softly. "For the city of starlight..." she whispered to herself, hoping that maybe it would go all the way there. Watching the lanterns reminded her of another night, back home. Starfall. Would she end up missing it this year? As she watched the lanterns for a bit longer, she knew the night would be drawing to a close and she'd be making one hell of a decision. Tamlin had already promised to come with her blindly somewhere; her mother’s grave, back home in The Night Court.

Lukhanyo Mdingi Taintless Campaign, SS16

This is one of my many flaws.

The other - constant strive for perfection.

Some may say this is a blessing, a drive… I beg to differ.

Let’s first define perfection, ‘a state or quality of being perfect’.

Well that really sums it up. Okay folks, that’s my job jdone, good day…

Our education system and society are so focussed on perfection. Black and white, with no grey areas. Right and wrong. With no exceptions to the rule.

It’s all about how well can we fit through the square. But what if I’m a circle? Or a triangle?

Still, there isn’t a clear definition of perfection, or success for that matter. All we can really tell is that it’s about pursuing money and status.

But how happy is the general population? Zilch. They’re not happy. But yet, we continue the same trend. From A, to B, to C, to D. No deviations. Generation, after generation.

Did you know that the definition of insanity is ‘doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results’.

We’re individuals and we’re not all going to fit through that damn square!

Our ability to achieve perfection and success is currently based upon someone elses opinion. We’re handing over our power and accepting a life sentence of conformity.

At school, we’re given one option. University. And be a damn good employee. Robert Kiyosaki really goes over this a lot in his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad. One dad vs the adopted dad. University graduate vs the drop out. Pay the bills vs millionaire.

Now I’m not saying - don’t go to University. We need teachers, doctors, lawyers, architects… Some people really enjoy the paths that university can offer. Bravo to you! You have a calling!

What I am saying - University isn’t everything!

I’ve always struggled with this phrase each time it has been said to me.

I was accepted into my first choice course and university. I enrolled. I deferred. I cancelled.

I’ve always felt like a fool for not pursuing a degree. I’ve always felt like a fool for trying to fit through the square.

But we’re not a one size fits all.

I am a twenty sided shape. I am passionate about so many things (as my husband, family and friends are well aware of).

The education system teaches us to be one kind of human being, but believe me - there are so many more options out there for us. I finally believe it now.

So yes, I’ve got flaws.

But my flaws are what make me - me. Uniquely individual.

Let’s redefine perfection to ‘A state of happiness, where one is proud and feels good about oneself’.