‘I’m not ashamed to be me. More than anyone else I know, I love my life and accept myself. What’s wrong with being unique? I am proud of everything that I am and will become.’ – Johnny Weir
‘Family is a unique gift that needs to be appreciated and treasured, even when they’re driving you crazy. As much as they make you mad, interrupt you, annoy you, curse at you, try to control you, these are the people who know you the best and who love you.’ – Jenna Morasca
‘Finding and realising who the unique you is, by yourself, without being distracted by the voices of those filled with self interest and self doubt, is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Through that discovery, your eyes and mind are opened to the incredible possibilities that are available to you.’ – Jon Duke
Uniqueness – ‘the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind’ or ‘having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable’ or ‘not typical; unusual’.
Those of us who are old enough will remember a TV programme (yes, my American friends, that is how you spell it 🤣) called Stars In Their Eyes. It was hosted by Matthew Kelly, and contestants would basically be what we call these days a tribute act / impressionist of a famous singer.
So, tonight Matthew I’m going to be Tony Hadley. ‘Thank you for coming home, I’m sorry that the chairs are all worn. I left them here I could have sworn.These are my salad days. Slowly being eaten away. Just another play for today.Oh but I’m proud of you, but I’m proud of you. Nothing left to make me feel small. Luck has left me standing so tall. Gold!’ (Gold – written by Gary Kemp)
I think you get the picture.
Welcome to my view from the ground. It’s been a funny old week. Why Jon? Thank you for asking. Well, it’s the first week back at work after 2 weeks off. I’m lucky, as I enjoy my job and am grateful to work with such a committed group of people. But, it’s hard to recondition to 6 am starts rather than lolloping about in bed until we’re even bothered to get up.
Then there’s things that Ben and Liv are having to deal with, which such an awesome and inspirational son and daughter shouldn’t have to. Imagine, wanting with all your heart to see and speak to a parent (who is ‘alive’) only for said parent to withdraw contact. Apparently, after being ‘guided’ to read my recent blogs and having ‘reflected’, believes she should cease online contact for now. I’m truly saddened that my words are alleged to be the cause. I’m sure you can guess how Ben and Liv feel. I’m trying to work out if this is a control drama or a poor me situation.
I’d like to set the record straight once and for all. I write my blogs from the heart. I write my blogs with the purpose of trying to help others through sharing the journey, yes, journey, that #TeamDuke have been on over the last 14 months – and more to be fair. We’re in a bloody good place now and we want others to be in a similar place of happiness.
Yes, I have been angry at the circumstances that caused us to set sail on this journey but we are bigger (my waist), better, and stronger as a result. Our love for each other is quite unbelievable and we now have Audrey and her wonderful family as part of our group. We are blessed, yes, blessed!, to still be part of the Waller family. What is wrong with that?
Okay, the Dark Side Of The Moonie raised questions. But these were my questions, not from Ben and Liv. And, that’s all they were, questions!
As I said, my blogs are written to help others and, hopefully, put a smile on the reader’s face. I reflect on what I write before I publish it so I stand by every word I’ve written. However, for Ben and Liv to apparently be cast aside by their mother is upsetting and I must question the damaging effect that a person / people around her have had on a woman who was such a wonderfully inspirational mother.
Ok, so what else. Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ve watched the reader numbers of the blog grow quite incredibly. I really want to reach out further and would ask if you could share these blogs please. Some are currently been updated ready to be shaped into book 1 – working title now ‘Yes, you can call me Dum’.
As those who know me well, I like to use Facebook – a lot! Sometimes, I will read something that I don’t quite agree with, and sometimes I will respond raising a question to such a post. However, that all it is – a question. I’m not saying the other person is wrong or that I am right. I usually am ………. JOKE! What I don’t intend though is for the writer of the post to be upset and withdraw from a specific Facebook group as a result. We are all entitled to an opinion and we are all unique and should celebrate our uniqueness (well, unless your mind has been bombarded with the warped views of the deluded). So, if I offend anyone by my questioning their posts, sorry. That’s just the unique me.
None of us should be a clone. There are too many people willing to look at someone, read something, be preached to and then hold up a mirror and say ’that’s me, that is’. Really? Is it you or are you a clone? Are you Dolly the sheep? I can hear it now, ‘baa, off he goes!’
Come on world, stand in your own truth. Be you, be unique, and be proud.
And, so, I’d like to finish with some lyrics from a song I heard a couple of days ago. It’s a young Welsh band, Neck Deep, and I found the words quite incredible so I want to share them. I’d recommend looking them up. The new album contains some very personal words.
“Don’t Wait” – Neck Deep (feat. Sam Carter)
“Disrupted they keep dividing
The government is lying
I’m not going to be a Pharisee of this society
Turn off your TV station
That’s not real information
Trying to define the human mind
It’s like puppetry
And they’ve got you by your strings
Playing God for money
A sorry sad charade
You can see right through it
Don’t wait for anyone
Say it for you
Say it for yourself
What if God was the beggar in disguise
Would it make any difference
Would you open your eyes?
Suspend your disbelief
Are you paying close attention
If you blink than you might miss their tricks and their deception
Destruct and disobey their laws
They say cause all the world is dark
And if you choose to read the news
Than you must question everything
And they’ve got you on your knees
They’ve got your milk and honey
And then we put them on the parade
And celebrate what’s coming
Don’t wait for anyone
Say it for you
Say it for yourself
What if God was the beggar in disguise
Would it make any difference
Would you open your eyes?
No path No grave No justice No peace The deep parade The truth will set you free No path No grave No justice No peace
Dig deep and see
The government is lying
Don’t wait for anyone
Say it for you
Say it for yourself
What if God was the beggar in disguise
Would it make any difference
Would you open your eyes?
No path No grave No justice No peace
The deep parade
The truth will set you free
No path No grave No justice No peace
Would it make any difference
Would you open your eyes?”
I just love it. Take care and, remember, be unique. It’s not a game of clones.
Jon
