Why ‘A Familiar Stranger’?
Well, that would be me, Matthew. Let me explain.
We all have a story to tell. Our stories connect us to others, enabling us to recognise our shared humanity in our shared struggles and triumphs.
We are a social species and we need such connections; we need to feel that we belong somewhere. And when life is tough, we need to know that we aren’t alone; that someone, somewhere, gets it. That somebody just like us has been there, and has come out the other side.
I share my story, of overcoming some of life’s biggest challenges and using them as a springboard to create a better future, to be that familiar stranger to others.
And, if you find that you are not living the story that you want to live, then I would like to help you to find greater passion, purpose and meaning in your own life.
We can all change our stories, and in doing so we can change our lives.
There’s another reason why ‘A Familiar Stranger’ is such a fitting name for my site.
In my struggles with my mental health there have been many times when I have felt like a familiar stranger to myself. In writing the posts and poems that you will find here, I have come to better know and understand the familiar stranger that I see in the mirror.
Thank you for dropping by. I’m pleased you found your way here and hope you stick around.
Very best wishes
Matthew
Soundtrack:
Helter Skelter – The Beatles
Hi Matthew I stumbled on your blog whilst trying to find my blog I wrote in 2013 at university which happened to be given the same title as yours. I had featured a lot of my struggles with coming to terms with my divorce and single parenting and also looking at the funny side of life. Well done on making a success of your writing I do often believe all the reflections and writing I did for my degrees has been a way to clear the mind x
Just read 7 myths about depression via Yahoo and everything you said was true. Reading more of your blogs daily!
Thank you Mary! I hope you like them 😊
Hey Matthew, found your blog thru Sonia’s Facebook post. I recently created a conceptually similar Space for the global Jewish community’s wellness. Would love if you’d check it out and share your thoughts and feedback with me. In the meantime, I’ll dive deeper into yours!
Best,
Fay
Thank you for dropping by Fay 😊 Yes I’ll check that out, sounds great.
Found page through SuzieSpeaks :). Just wanted to let you know your Facebook social link is broken.
Thank you Hanna! Don’t suppose you know how to fix it?!? Haha!
Are you using a WP plug in for the social link? Do you have the URL to the actual FB Page? If it already has the Facebook.com/[insert handle afterward]. If not I would try just pasting the ID in. You can try pasting it in a reply to this and I can test it out.
Thank you!
https://m.facebook.com/mwlovelaughtertruth/
Thank you Hanna, think I’ve managed to fix it with your help 😊
You are very welcome! Glad you were able to fix it :D!
Hi Matthew. I have just come over from Suzie’ blog. I love the sound of your blog and I too like to try and see the funny side of life, especially when sh*t haappens! Anyway,I just wanted to say hello and have a poke around your blog! 🙂
Thank you for visiting Judy! I hope you like what you find here amongst the shit haha! 😊
Hi, I found your blog via Suzie Speaks! Your posts are the sorts of things I like to write about too. I’m looking forward to taking a look around 🙂
Thank you, I hope you like what you find here! I’ll be sure to check yours out too 😊
You’re doing great job, big support from Serbia 😊
Thank you Suzana and as are you, big support back to you from England 🙂
What a brilliant topic for a blog! I commend you. One aspect I noticed in the title for your site “Love, Laughter & Truth” is that they always seem to go together.
PEACE!
– DDM
Thank you! I think you’re right, seems like a good signpost to what I’m looking for in life!