SPN Countdown Part 2: Lessons Learned and How the Show Has Changed the Fans

Welcome to the second story in our countdown to the Season 15 premiere of “Supernatural.” We will be doing these up until the day before/of the premiere.

Today our story/lessons come from Emma Haile (@simplyreflected)

“I went to my first ‘Supernatural’ convention last year in Montreal as a gift to myself for 10 years since the last time I attempted suicide. I was excited and nervous for a few different reasons mainly because of a series of photos I was doing on Sunday. The series of photos was one quote split into four parts, with four different actors in their solo ops.

The quote read:

“The saddest people smile the brightest

The loneliest people are the kindest

The most damaged people are the wisest

All because they do not wish anyone else to suffer the way they have.”

First one of these four was Jared, who I gave the third part to: The most damaged people are the wisest. I had read his story in the Family Don’t End With Blood book and I wanted to include him in this because I connected to how he felt during that time. That’s also why that was his part. I got to see him again in Nashville and got him to sign that photo and told him that doing that photo meant a lot to me and I thanked him for that.

The second one was Rob Benedict who I was the most anxious about doing this with. I gave him the first part, which was: The saddest people smile the brightest. I gave him this part because he was part of the inspiration for me getting better, and I had seen so many photos of him and his smile is so bright. I had also heard him talk about having depression and anxiety. When I showed him the sign, I told him to read the whole quote so he understood. He took a step back after reading it, motioning for me to show him his part. When I did this, he gave me this huge bright smile and we did the photo. I got him to sign that photo in November last year and thanked him before telling him how much it meant to do that photo.

The fourth part next: Richard Speight, Jr. All because they do not wish anyone else to suffer the way they have. I gave him this part because of the stories I’ve seen the way he is with his friends and that has helped inspire me with some of my friendships. 

Last one was Misha Collins as Castiel and I gave him the second part: The loneliest people are the kindest. I gave this to him because I used to think up in heaven before coming down to save Dean he was lonely and both Castiel and Misha are so kind. It was a good experience, and after before I walked away I had said thank you and did the sign language sign for it and he did that right back.

This is the story of something I did because of things I had learned from the show and the actors. And what had I learned? That my life matters and that I am strong. 

Remember that sometimes compliments can make someones day a whole lot brighter.

I grew up hearing that I was ugly, and that I looked like a transvestite. I get that children and teenagers can be cruel but it meant that I grew up thinking lowly of the way I looked. I very rarely feel beautiful, but I like trying to dress up for conventions. At Auckland Armageddon last year, I was told I looked beautiful by Hilly Hindi from the Hillywood show and she kept complimenting me throughout the weekend each time she saw me. It made me feel better about myself to be told that by someone as wonderful as Hilly. So much so, that I wanted to dress up for at least one day at each con, and at least feel pretty.

Which was a good idea, because Nashville this year, I was dolled up in dresses, which I don’t normally do, but I loved feeling the way I did. Rob Benedict who saw me both Saturday and Sunday had complimented me on each of the looks and the last time he saw me during that weekend told me that I looked lovely during the weekend.

While I may not always feel good about myself, I always try to remember these so I can try to feel that while I may not feel pretty or beautiful or lovely, there are people out there that think that.

 

So for today, I will leave you with this:

DON’T LET ANYONE ELSE DEFINE YOUR BEAUTY BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

 

Written by Emma Haile