Okay, so first let me say that I just spent all weekend at Comicpalooza in Houston. I went to almost every single brony panel that was hosted by the Houston Brony Group (an amazing group of people that organize events and brony meetups in the Houston area and such).
Being there with other bronies, from as young as six to as old as fifty, male and female, all races, one big family... we just had so much fun together. Talking and being with them all was effortless and comfortable and amazing. We sung MLP Karaoke together, talked about the show, watched PMVs together, had a quiz game together, and made friends with each other immediately.
When I came home today (the last day of the convention), I just looked at all of the pictures and started re-watching episodes of MLP. After that, I just looked at the Houston Brony Group page on Facebook, and searched things that bronies have done in my community and elsewhere, charities that have been run, amazing events that have been held, lives that have been changed by something so innocent and pure, a cartoon about ponies... and all of a sudden I just broke down into tears. Partly of happiness, and partly because of sadness because my weekend with the HBG and my new friends was over.
And they kept going and going and going. And they're still going.
One of the guys in the HBG brought up a point that, things are becoming so much gorier and edgier and dark in the media, the internet, etc... that people are reaching out for things like MLP. Beautiful, innocent, wholesome things that bring people together, not in darkness or fear, but friendship and happiness.
I can't help but smile when I hear Pinkie's smile song. I really think about the lessons that every episode teaches and how it applies to my life. I see the good qualities that every pony has in my own friends and myself.
I deal with depression, self harm, anxiety...
But all it takes is something so simple, like My Little Pony, to make me forget about all of that... and remind me that there is good in the world. That friendship is a real thing, happiness is infectious...
I don't know, maybe I've just had a big exciting weekend, maybe I'm just weird, maybe it's just PMS! Lol!
I just want to tell everyone that... well, you all have something to offer to the world, just like every pony in the show. A special talent that no one else has... even if it's just being a friend to people or sharing a smile, being generous, being loyal, honest, kind, or bringing magic to the world through whatever you do.
I am so proud to be part of this group... it's more than a fandom or an internet meme. We're one big spectacular family. Love you guys!
~Emily