It’s a big empty auditorium, or is it? 

It’s dark and I cannot tell if the seats are occupied or indeed vacant.

So I stand much like the duck at the entrance of the valley forlornly waiting for my echoed reply.   

And then it comes…

The echo rolls back, not as a thunderous roar of disapproval, but as something different, something unexpected.

Approval comes out of the darkness.

The offered pat on the back is genuine.

Yet you struggle to accept honest simple praise…

It’s a close relative of imposter syndrome, self-effacing deprecation struggling with complimentary praise for ones’ scribbles.

Reviews were sought; opinions given and the provider individually respected.

Praise isn’t comfortable.

Collective admiration makes you uncomfortable.

You are waiting for the ‘but’

And unlike a ducks echo, it isn’t coming! 

Pride comes before the fall

Modesty MUST prevail.

Praise must be accepted and not dissected.   

We do indeed live in strange and interesting times. 

The golden elixir of life, the warm ambrosia that justifies existence isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – pun intended. 

Some will marvel in abject awe at the magic those little black leaves produce, the alchemy that water sugar milk and those humble tips gift the world…

Yet it isn’t for everyone.

Not all will like your blend, some will even prefer crushed and boiled beans…. 

Strange.

But true.

I stand offering my wares to avowed tea drinkers, and I take the structured observations for what they are, for what was sought.

Excitement is tempered not to pressure, not to pry, but eager to know, keen to hear…

It is a hard balance to keep.

Time taken to read is a hard gift to equal.

Ego’s aren’t fragile vampires that perish under the daylight of critique.

No flames, no dust falling to the floor.

We are not the Borg, not trapped in a hive mentality where conformity is king.

Divergence is celebrated.

Opinions are majestic.

We seek, we cherish, we celebrate.

The bloom isn’t fragile.

So please read, please continue to offer opinions.