Of Bronies and Ponies - A Yami Story

Fittingly, as my first blog entry, I would like to share with you all the story of my journey into bronydom and how it's affected me as a person.

Before ponies, I was quite similar to present-day me: honest, trusting, firm in belief. The difference: I was these things almost out of defiance to the world. I saw lies, backstabbing, and duplicity everywhere I looked back then, and refusing to be like that, I was stubbornly determined to be straightforward and true. I never saw/ignored all the good around me and focused on the bad. The result was I lost faith in people in general, always looked at situations assuming the worst would happen due to human negligence or outright corruption. It was a dark road indeed, but I was alright, because I knew I alone was better than that, that I alone was true. I used this belief to keep myself from giving in to despair, to good effect. A supplement to my pessimistic worldview was my total lack of self-confidence. I'd always worry what others thought of my words and actions, but never talk to them about it. After all, directly addressing it is tacky and seems like a cry for attention. So my pessimistic mind would assume the worst and fret over what was likely never an issue in the first place.

Then came the day when I ran into someone at work wearing a brony shirt last December. I was of course aware of ponies, at least I knew that YouTube always ended in ponies. I asked him what the deal was with the show out of genuine curiosity and he said to give it a shot, that it was a good show. I was intrigued, but didn't pursue it, likely because I forgot. A few months passed and in February, I ended up on the pony side of YouTube thanks to Related Videos. I found a kyrospawn video and kept watching them for a while, finding them cute. From there it expanded to Cupcakes, Epic Cupcake Time, and PONY.MOV, all of which amused me greatly. I also listened to a reading of My Little Dashie, and was touched, though didn't react as strongly as the one reading it. Suddenly it's 7 hours later. I feel I can't reasonably deny it anymore, and reluctantly admitted I might be a brony.

I downloaded all episodes and watched them over the next few days, loving it to death. The show instilled in me all those precious lessons I learned as a kid, but which a cold, uncaring world had long since made me forget or otherwise cease believing in. I observed the interactions between the ponies and saw how the lessons worked for them. I noted they worked because everyone treated each other with respect and friendliness. This was the spark that would later ignite a roaring fire within me.

A couple of days after the fateful foray into YouTube, I searched for a brony forum and lo and behold, this wonderful place was at the top of Google. The name, the board layout, it all seemed so inviting. I decided to roll the dice and try my luck here. I was met with the warmest reception I've ever received anywhere in recent memory. I quickly settled right in. During my first month, my interactions with some of the users here provided the kindling needed to turn that spark I received from the show into a wildfire of love and happiness. I reached the epiphany that changed my life and has made me happier than I've been in years: If I wish things in the world to change, I must first start with myself. How can I expect things to change without first changing myself. I started by being more pleasant to those around me. As misery is contagious, so too is cheer. If I act more cheerful, others will respond positively and feel more cheerful themselves. And who knows, maybe they'll pass that cheer on to still more people. Seeing others happy because of my own happiness in turn makes me happier, and the cycle begins anew. It doesn't always work, and it's not always easy, but I've found that determination is key in this process. If I fail, I get back up and try again. After all, the only sure way to fail is either not to try at all, or to give up. Using this, I've noticed my life, or at least how I feel about it, has steadily improved and I've begun discovering the ability to respect myself as a result.

I also learned through my interactions with bronies how key communication is in resolving almost every situation. An open forum of feelings calmly exchanged between people. It's so easy not to speak up and let your mind run wild with assumptions and presumptions. Such a way of being leads to a build-up of anxiety and resentment, as it did for me. I would observe someone being discourteous to me or wronging me, keep it inside, and grow upset and resentful. Now, thanks to the knowledge that I am not alone and have my friends to rely on, I can shrug these things off or, if they really bother, calmly approach the offender with my concerns. From something as simple as that, it is exponentially easier to clear things up or settle the issue with no ill will or resentment.

As I've observed bronies, I've come to know them as a supportive, caring, and generous bunch. I've borne witness to astounding fund raisers, beautiful art and music, and inspiring creations. I've seen them donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities and causes. I've seen them laugh and smile with those they staunchly disagree with philosophically, but not letting such differences interfere with their friendship. I've observed others berating them and painting them in a terrible light, only for them to shrug it off and laugh about it. I am truly proud and happy to consider myself a part of this breath-taking community. It has inspired me to actually begin pursuing my dreams, a thing I have not done for years. All of you are to thank for this most wonderful change in my life. I love ponies; I love bronies; and I love all of you. Don't ever let life change the wonderful people you are.