“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.”

NB4X~Appreciation

Modes About Me - Until I Get Better (Prod. LoewFii)

Music: Composed, written, and performed by
LoewFii
https://www.youtube.com/@loewfii5674

Lyrics: Written and performed by Modes About Me "Mark David McClellan"

Until I Get Better (Prod. LoewFii)

As a child growing up in Liverpool during the eighties, I witnessed first hand the struggles people had to endure because of the government’s neglect of our city. The government got away with neglecting its children, whilst Yosser and no doubt many like him had theirs taken away.

Yosser Hughes, the fictional character from Alan Bleasdale's incredible television series 'Boys from the Blackstuff', depicted a single father unable to find work whilst trying to look after his three children. 

The perception of Yosser back then, and probably still now is that he was a crazy, weak, and dangerous person. The reality though, is that Yosser’s behaviour was fuelled by many factors, not just povery, lack of work, and a broken relationship that we witness on screen.

Mental health awareness was zilch back then and most men today like Yosser find it impossible to talk about their struggles in life. This is largely due to the stigma of being perceived as weak. The only person he felt that he could open up to was a priest behind a veiled confessional box, who seemingly offered no help, support or guidance.

There will have been many traumatic events in Yossers life, all as a result of a cycle of poverty and lack of support and understanding that was generationally passed down. 

Yosser struggled on with his failing mental health, but clearly his love remained for his children. He kept looking for work, feeding his children, doing the best he could with what little he had. He like many was unfortunately doomed to succeed, and yet if he had been given help and support he could have brought his children up and been there for them. His wife, like Yosser just another casualty of the continuing cycle of victims, and sadly their children next.

Anyone struggling with their mental health should break free from the societal  stigma and speak to someone. You’re only human and can’t carry that weight alone. You are not alone and It’s ok to be vulnerable, it’s what makes us human. Just please ask someone for help!

Additionally, If you know someone who may be struggling with things, ask them if they want to talk, lend your ear, normalize their worries or concerns, and encourage them to seek help and support.

Thanks to Liverpool artist Mikey Gannon, for letting me use his artwork: http://ko-fi.com/mikeygannon

Yosser hughes

Yosser Hughes

The song asks a question that arises in every person throughout his life when choosing a path. The question is whether a person makes choices with full awareness or whether social principles force him to go through everything he does. And finally, will he dare to let them go or continue to spend his whole life simply running away from the faces of those that surround him?

The Only Way

She's gone, and he says he's cool with that. Is he, tho? All the little things that annoy you during a relationship are somehow missed when it's over.

Cool With That

Orange County Death March