A journey towards authenticity

Joey Jones6 Comments

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

Hey WordPress, we have certainly skirted around this type of question before, and it is as complex now as it was back then.

It really is a massive subject, worthy of a thesis, I reckon.

Surely, it starts with genetics. Not just parents, but going back some. We all have heard about ‘ things’ missing a generation and showing up further down the line.

How ‘ together’ separately or alone the parents, guardians are in themselves. The behaviours they portray are for some time going to have an influence on a young soul.

The environment we grow up in. How varied that can be.

And that’s just the start, isn’t it? The complex nature of families, their personalities, characters and intelligence are there for little ones to soak up or repel.

Some kids get a good start, and others don’t stand a chance from the off.

Education and schooling then have factors to consider. There are going to be issues over  any interest taken in the child by everyone. Their natural abilities were noticed or not. Their peers, their teachers, they all have their own issues which can come into play.

Putting aside any conditioning, what about the nature of the child. Is there anyone to give thought and time to nurture that. To help it grow? Are their siblings, is their rivalry?

And in that forced ( probably) educational environment where does one stand, to the back? To the forefront? Kids can be cruel.

Getting into a workplace, the right path, can be dependent on so many factors. Luck, courage, ability, assistance, nurturing, or neglect, to name a few.

Ongoing support or not during early adulthood. Sent feral or closeted?

A child may have an inate sense of self and inherited gene that helps to shape them in a positive manner.

There may be underlying medical issues, which affect a personality to some degree.

You can see where I’m going with this? It can take a very long time to get totally comfortable in one’s own skin.

Adulthood brings experiences good and bad, and it’s how those are handled that can leave a mark.

How fragile, how complex we are….

A favourite quote of mine from David Bowie   ( 1947~2016)  of growing older an ‘extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been’.

Giving yourself the chance to forever  grow and learn and shape-shift. To do away with out- dated thoughts and ideas. To continually update oneself. They must be the keys?

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Netflix and Prime

Joey Jones14 Comments

What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?

Seeing how I do more screen time than reading at the moment, I feel the need to chat about sequels to series.

I love a good series, crime/drama my most favourite and something the French are really good at. The Scandi ones are worth watching, but a tad predictable ( a detective returns to their home town/village at the same time a child goes missing or a murder. But I still enjoy them.

I seem to identify with Danish and enjoy the Polish productions and absolutely love Irish ones, The Hispanic can be quite feisty and captivating.

But I digress. You get involved, identify/like the cast, the script, the cinematography watch a season or two are totally hooked, and then find Prime or Amazon have cancelled it.

It’s understandable initially if it doesn’t get good tv figures/ratings, but things have changed now. The suits need to be a bit more forward-thinking. With healthy streaming audiences reaching far beyond their wildest dreams.

They cancel something as the original viewers did not engage back then, but now the world population is their potential reach.

I’ve lost count of shows I was gutted to find had no more seasons to follow.

But maybe in the interim, the execs have got wind of the changes. Obviously, the cast and crew need to know pretty sharpish if their services are going to be needed. Else, they need to move on. I get it. It’s a gamble, but that is what they get paid shed loads for.

What do you think? Are you disappointed when a series you have invested in is cancelled?

Robbin’ Robin

Joey Jones6 Comments

What villain actually had a good point?

Sherwood Forest feels alive in Robin Hood’s legend, a watchful companion rather than a backdrop. It is the place that turned an outlaw into a myth.

When the Sheriff’s men entered, the paths shifted, and the shadows thickened. When Robin Hood walked beneath the branches, the forest opened and guided him with quiet approval.That was the moment the story became something. People saw that Robin Hood was not simply hiding in Sherwood. He was recognised by it.

He robbed the rich to feed the poor, and the forest responded by sheltering him, shaping him, and giving his rebellion a home older than any king.

The Major Oak still stands like a witness, holding centuries of memory. In that green hush, it is easy to believe Sherwood remembers the outlaw it chose.

Nothing grows in a comfort zone

Joey Jones5 Comments

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

At this very moment in time, I’m happy enough where we are. Thank you all the same.

Reflecting on the DP about chaos yesterday- I feel we are in the after-chaos place right now. Not the ‘ calm before the storm’ phase’ but that gentle relax with relief area.

It’s been a long, long time coming, so each moment is sacred.

I totally get the excitement of change and have embraced it whether it was forced on me or not. Somewhere new can be so exhilarating. Character building comes with change.

As I write this, it has occurred to me that lots of movement on the job front over the years came down to a boredom, the growing out of the position, itchy feet for horizons new.

The best job I ever had was to be in a stable position within a post that involved travel. Win win.

Some folk wait until they retire to travel the world, I think. I’m happy I got the travel bug out of my system and am now perfecting how to chill.

Yes and no

Joey Jones4 Comments

Is a little chaos actually good for us?

Isn’t it what follows chaos that makes it worthwhile to endure for a while?

That solid gold moment when you find your device, your keys, your dog, after a horrible moment of panic?

The environment you have found yourself in feels too much, and you can walk away?

Little snippets of chaos I can cope with…but seriously major upheavals? Those situations folk find themselves in, with no let up in sight? No, no thank you.

The World according to WP Bloggers…

Joey Jones21 Comments

Who is your favorite blogger to follow?

The truth is most of us would like a brief glimpse of our name up there in bright lights. A nanosecond, enough time to gulp and blush.

But the fact is this is a diverse community with doors and windows opening and closing. Folk coming and going- sometimes with lots to say, other times not so much.

And that is where the energy is- within this space where, on a daily basis, there’s wisdom to be gained, laughs to be had, a hug to be given. Stories, opinions, thoughts, ideas.. It’s all here. In the peaceful surroundings WP provides,

So, choosing a favourite doesn’t really work per se. ‘Favourites’ yes, that I get. So we follow, mingle, read, enjoy, and acknowledge( like) the blogs with what time we have. And I, for one, love it here.

Sleep tight

Joey Jones2 Comments

What do you do to improve your sleep?

We have all heard or read the rules regarding getting a good night’s sleep.

A cozy sanctuary, clean sheets, uncluttered room, limited food, alcohol and screen time leading up to it.

An open window and  your head facing south -according to Feng Shui.

No animals on the bed ( yeah right) and of course it would help if you don’t have a lumpy mattress, your partner snores or live somewhere too guiet( for some) or too noisy outside (for others)

We don’t want or need it too hot or too cold, either

Over tired, a busy brain, the list could go on for a bit, eh?

But my own thought is to go to bed with a clear conscience.

Don’t look back in anger

Joey Jones4 Comments

What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

Truth is, I have never been any good at following my gut. Much to my own detriment, I guess.

A combination of wanting to see the best in people being too giving, lenient, forgiving, and trusting mixed with heavens only knows what I’ve rarely got things exactly right.

But that was then, and this now, I’ve changed a lot recently. It’s taken me until this age to see. But my eyes are open wide and the big picture is totally in focus.

Getting older doesn’t mean you lose it… it can mean you refine and be at peace with yourself.