Sure, I cry all the time

I received a lively surprise for my birthday this week. I’m an ‘Aquarian’ so a birthday in the bleakness and cold of January is actually really nice. (although I don’t admit it). As with all my blogs, follow the links to very interesting places.

I was visiting the staggeringly beautiful city of Milan last week, on business unfortunately, and in my hotel room on the morning of my Birthday, 25th. of January I found a beautiful surprise on returning from a business session. A lovely slice of cake with a single candle and a note from all my ‘gals’ wishing me well, which was very special. They, are a good bunch. On returning home to Cork, late on Sunday 26th. there were gifts for me to open. One, was a beautiful book, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. I scribbled the front of the book, encouraged by Charlie.

It is a beautiful read, loving caring and thoughtful. I got a lump in my throat at the simplicity and kindness of it. As Charlie says in the introduction, it can be read by someone of 8 years to someone of 88 years. It is a graphic novel, illustrated by Charlie.

Charlie has distilled life’s learning’s into this short, emotional read. I cried.

I have a Post-Grad in Crying. It was earned, if memory serves me right, while watching the Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

I cried so much (blubbered in fact) watching this movie that I cleared my tear ducts completely, having blocked them so well as a young ‘Man’. Swallowing tough emotions, pushing them down into my chest, clogging the emotional freedom to cry. Glad to say I’m now a ‘Cryer’ and it sits OK with me. (Although, privately, is still my most comfortable crying space. It is still a vulnerability, jeeze Men). This year, 2020 is shaping up to be an interesting year. I don’t do big resolutions. I try to set small goals (quietly) and do what I can to achieve same.

1. Less to drink (cut the wine and have a Dry January), inspired by my beautiful daughter, Elaine,  who made that leap over a year ago and is now supporting those on the same journey (including me), Elaine’s Story, Soberhood  . This strong lady is inspiring.  www.iamelainebenson.com
2. Finding a Project (with the help of another incredibly strong lady in my life, Alice) that would test me on my return to the field and the demands of the regulated and scrutinised workplace. I carried out an audit of a facility, less than 10 days ago, that is establishing a ‘Stem’ cell facility to produce a drug that is commercially licenced for sale and this facility is essentially a ramp up of production to meet market needs. This revolutionary new-to-market treatment cures Crohn’s Disease with a single treatment. This is just incredible, this is a terrible disease. My good pal 17171 left this world from the physical and mental effects of this devastating illness.
3. Be the Best. If I am to do any training, then I will do the very best job I can do. At a recent workshop, I put in the effort and I got the resulting great feedback from the participants. But lot’s of room to get even better.

So, not having heard of this book, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, I did some googling, and found Charlie explaining the book , so much better in his own words. But I also found a really connected human being. Have a look.

So Charlie Mackesy impressed me no end, and after his explanation of The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse, I stayed in YouTube and listened to his words on a few more videos. Charlies, YouTube presence is perfect, no Billion view’s, no Million views, no 100,000’s views, but his words are truly beautiful. I really hope you find the time to listen

The 1st. Video below focuses on how we stop trying to be good, great, the best and just be ourselves. This also made me cry. Maybe it’s the time of year or the beauty of his words.

Charlie talks about his love of drawing and the reluctance of adults to have a go at drawing or painting in case they are judged or have been hurt by someones sneer at their past attempts. He beautifully captures the emergence of people out of these shackles. Our babies have no such inhibitions, their lines and squiggles have such meaning and freedom for them. This is Rory’s latest masterpiece. It happens to be his Mammy’s monthly planner, but minor details aside, it’s simply superb, as is he.

And finally a video below, that has stirred something I thought, long gone. I hope you enjoy. I feel another blog coming together. Until we meet I will send you the blessings of the universe. And if you have a the time, please say Hello in the comments section.  

Come as you are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgsrzOrE6W8

And ‘Thank You’ Charlie Mackesy (now to see if I can find your email address). GB