Why I'm Following My Heart And Creating My Very Own Series On Ye Olde YouTube Called" The Little Mermaid's Transformational Tales."

For me to tell you why I've decided to create this next adventure, I should have to explain the full story, which led to my decision.

Hold your hat; because several years ago, I was an avid viewer of the network Bravo channel. There was a reality show called "Southern Charm." From my understanding initially, the executive producer of that show is a lad named Whitney, and his mother is named Patricia.

When Southern Charm first gained a rise in popularity, Patricia wrote a book about southern hospitality in which I read. In her book, I stumbled upon a chapter where she spoke of her adoration for Weeki Wachee Springs (the place I worked at for years), also sharing a photo of herself in a mermaid photo that was taken at the park. When I read that Patricia had an interest in mermaids, I contacted her as I thought perhaps she'd be interested in at least hearing me out for my reality show idea which revolves around mermaids. I hatched the plan over seven years ago. I have had a bit of interest on numerous occasions; however, each time I began making headway, the idea fizzled out for those lending me an ear. Besides, every single person had negative commentary on how my concept ultimately wasn't something folks would want to watch. Of course, I vehemently disagree with all of them and now, most notably with the kind of culture we are living in presently.

It did seem to spark the interest of Patricia, and through several emails and texts, she had arranged for Whitney and myself to have a meeting. Whitney's father lives in Florida, and he was planning a trip, so Patricia suggested we should take a meeting while he was here. I had the cast of mermaids set to go, and they each had agreed to sign on, however upon me waiting on Patricia and Whitney to set up the meeting, Patricia began ghosting me. I'm not one to beg or be needy, so I just chalked it up to she had a change of tune. Why I have no idea, and I no longer cared, but I will say I was a bit angry. I think because having such a lovely idea and knowing that this would be a successful show this had inevitably turned out to be another scenario of no one believing in my dream or seeing the potential in a good idea. I have pitched this idea to other networks, and the same thing happened. I got the response, no one wants to watch an uplifting, positive reality television show. I beg to differ; I believe that's what the world needs significantly. I wanted an exact honest way of watching these five real-life mermaid performers transitioning from a mermaid career into a landlocked career and follow along with that voyage, each mermaid bringing something bold, beautiful and uniquely varied. Mermaid performers aren't like actresses in Hollywood, where they can start getting parts as older women. Mermaids have to acclimate to the world and change their careers.

In so much that I could see this coming many years ago, I received proof of this exact thing happening just last week from one of the mermaids that had said she would be interested but that she wasn't going to put much stock into my idea for a show. Then she threw out the "I have to pitch this to my agent", in which I said no. I decided to replace her with another famous mermaid. So then last week I'm scrolling through Facebook, and that same famous mermaid popped up with an entire page explaining where she's been for the last several months. She went on to explain that because of the COVID and economy, she was being forced to return to her home country of Australia and that she was no longer capable of making a living as a mermaid. She had not received income or any work since February as no one's hiring mermaids. I saw this coming years ago. Most significantly, as I am a mermaid, and after my divorce, I realised as I began again that I had to have another plan for my sustainability. I love that I have "mermaid" as my profession, but I also have always had a dream of being an author, artist and produce my own reality show. I'm blending the things that I love, along with documenting the progress of my for-purpose foundation (The Carter Settlement).

I believe that many folks would be interested in this type of show. It's a mixture of entertainment (mermaids) along with inspiration, optimistic and the real strength of the human spirit. I know people love a story of transformation. It sells. I know what I'm talking about on this, but I know better than most that you can lead a horse to water but still not convince them to drink.

Furthermore, that's not my job to make someone believe in my dream. I believe in my dream, and I decided right then and there, that I will be the one making my dream come true. Honestly, the thought came to me from the dear southern boy Ryan Upchurch. He is a lad that I have watched blossom since 2014. He is young enough to be my son; in fact, when Sawyer was alive, they were close in age. That's why I like him so much because Sawyer used to watch him on Vine, and he reminds me of my dear puppet Sawyer. Ryan is an independent artist, and he has made a way to live his dream, and he has proven it with tenacity and an unquenchable drive without having a music label. Even an ol' retired mermaid can learn something from a young sprite such as Ryan.

Sawyer has been gone for a little over a year now, and I have learnt that I'm no longer interested in wasting my time on other people, and I'm determined to do it on my own. I will make my dreams come true. I read an article one time that Will Smith said," Say there are two people on treadmills; one of us is getting off, and it's not going to be me unless I'm dead and even then you'll have to pull me off." I like that analogy quite a bit.

Now looking back on those rejections, I'm actually quite pleased with having experienced them. I will do this myself, and I will succeed, and I don't need anyone to get me to where I am going.

There's an olde saying that goes something like this: "if you can't find what you want in the world, then make it yourself." That's precisely what I am doing.

So I have decided to create a series on my YouTube channel all about me and my personal voyage which I named," The Little Mermaid's Transformational Tales." I'm using that name because I was the first Ariel in the underwater show at Weeki Wachee Springs of the adaptation Hans Christian Andersen. I'm using" tales" because it's a play on my series of books and it's also my very own fairy tale. (Smile)

I'm experimenting with all sorts of video, editing and audio. I am going to bring something that is ethereal and sets the mood of calmness, positivity, nature, and domesticated life after hanging up my mermaid tail in search of living my dream as an artist, author, farmer and founder of an organisation. I want to share all of the lovely things that feel wonderful in the world. I also will continue being my authentic self as I must remain faithful to the core of who I am as a woman. And sometimes that's not always picture-perfect, but it's real, and what matters is how I/we learn and expand from it. I genuinely believe there's a way to portray life in a way that dwells in possibility and I'm going to show you how beautiful our world truly is and the beauty that exists. That's speaking volumes because I know what hardship is especially with my history and having just recently lost my child to being murdered, and yet still I am choosing to dwell in joy.

Bear with me as I begin. I have no idea how this will evolve, but I'm determined to create something extraordinary. Here's a piece of me explaining why I decided to do this in video structure if you'd prefer to watch.

Tell me, would you be interested in watching something of this nature? Also, don't forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube and become a part of our family," Heart and Shoal." Welcome Mermaid Junkies, Junkettes, Mermaidlings and Mermates. We are going to become a great community of love, joy and make massive waves!

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx