I think you really do have to decide what kind of a world you want to create for yourself.
But decide properly I mean.
Not just say silly empty words.
That make you sound like a nob.
When nothing happens.
Again.
Decide!
Properly.
Then really, really fucking focus.
And be consistent.
And resilient.
And don’t give up.
David Bowie.
I think that David Bowie decided to become a legend.
I really do.
I think he just decided.
Fearlessly.
And here’s how I define legend.
David sits on Parkinson.
Next to Tom Hanks.
Telling a little story about how he was asked to write some lyrics for some song.
That he made a really shit job of.
So Paul Anka was asked to mend the lyrics problem he’d created.
And so Anka did.
And Paul Anka wrote My Way.
For Frank Sinatra to sing.
And then David Bowie said, well, I was really pissed off about that.
So I wrote this other song.
As a strange kind of revenge attack.
That was a bit like My Way structurally.
Called Life On Mars.
And then he just stands up and sings it
With just a piano.
And it was absolutely fucking out of this world.
Absolutely flawless.
Legendary.
Because I don’t think that David Bowie is actually singing.
He’s telling a brilliant, unique story that he made up.
That makes you tingle.
Anecdotes.
OK.
So here’s what you need to do now.
Think of your best anecdote.
Then compare it to this bit of David Bowie’s life.
And if it’s absolutely nowhere near as sexy.
Create an actual anecdote that gets closer.
An anecdote of your own.
Maybe not as sexy as David’s.
But get as close as you can.
Something better than walking into TESCO just as they were marking down the buns that you actually went in there to buy.
(That’s one of mine).
Your World.
There’s time for you.
But life’s short.
I think you really do have to decide what kind of a world you want to create for yourself.
But decide properly I mean.
Not just say silly empty words.
That make you sound like a nob.
When nothing happens.
Again.
Decide!
Properly.
Then really, really fucking focus.
And be consistent.
And resilient.
And don’t give up.
Please take a look at the video here: https://www.50odd.co.uk/your-world/
2 Comments
Great blog again Michael. There is no limit to our imagination and creativity and that is invigorating and inspiring in itself. The only thing we can control our own thoughts and actions. Money, background, education, age, gender and so forth can’t stop our imagination and creativity and neither can anything stop us turning that imagination and creativity into a world, a story, a song, a poet, a cause, a campaign, an enterprise which will do something really great – like Anka and Bowie. Life may be short but imagination, creativity and wanting to make a positive difference in our world, especially with friends and family, makes time fly by in a really fun way. Things we can’t control will throw all sorts of shit at us but we can cope and enjoy and be grateful for what goes on in our head. I may not have explained this very well but if you read Hard Times you’ll understand it better. Dickens calls it ‘fancy’ I can also recommend Derren Brown’s book ‘Happy’ – he’s a Stoic like ‘moi’. Bestest #KeepWriting – I love it and you’re supreme in all you attempt 🙂
I will look up the books you reference, Tony.
It is always lovely to hear from you.
I am so glad that we are still in touch.
See you very soon I hope.
Blimey – it’s nearly Christmas!
Michael x