I’ve been homeless four times in my 25 years on this planet.
When I was 7 my father kicked my mother, me and my four siblings out of the house.
When I was 9 my father had found where we lived and my mum fled with us for our well-being.
When I was 11, he found us again. We ran.
The last time I was homeless was when I’d refused to get involved in my local gang in Easterhouse (one of Scotland’s poorest housing estates), so drew attention from one of the local hooligans. I was beaten up so badly that we left the area for our own safety.
I’m not writing this so people feel sorry for me, rather I’m writing it to illustrate that yes, whilst I was homeless four times I’ve not let it dictate my life in a negative manner — rather I use it as a means of inspiration.
I’d like to tell you a little about this and how you too could benefit from the lessons I learned, without all the hassle of being homeless.
There’s always a silver lining
No matter how down you feel or how bad your situation is it could always be worse. I’m thankful that we never had to sleep on the streets, we had the benefit of hostels and temporary accommodation. Whilst we were being flitted about pillar to post, we still had a roof over our head. So, there was a silver lining as every night we put our heads on a pillow.
Patience is a virtue.
Whilst people that know me would say the idea I’m patient is ridiculous – I could always be less patient. When you’re homeless and awaiting public housing for a single parent and 5 kids, you can wait a good long while. We ignored the offers of poor accommodation, clearly put to us to get us off the books, so to speak, and waited it out. We knew something better would come along. Don’t always jump on the first thing that comes around because it seems like the best thing at the time.
Trust your instinct, it can often be the best tool you’ve got.
Trusting your instinct is key, especially when your life is in flux . One time, a fellow resident of the Hamish Allan Centre (a help centre for the homeless, with some accommodation for families) had to ‘pick up something for his kid’. I decided to tag along, despite my instinct telling me that he wasn’t to be trusted. It was suggested I wait outside the Boots Chemist for him, I got bored and so decided to walk in, only to see him receiving a mouthful of what I later found out was methadone, by way of spitting from a troubled looking woman. I left him there and decided not to venture out with him again. I should have trusted my own instinct.
Planning.
Keep your goals.
No matter how much life seems to throw up against you, you make goals for a reason- stick to them and you’ll enjoy the reward all that much more. The last time I was homeless, I thought that leaving school would be the best thing to do, to help provide for my family. Eventually, I realised that I couldn’t achieve my long term goals of never worrying about money or where the next meal was coming from, without furthering my education.
No man is an island.
Nothing you gain in life is because of your own self. True, nobody is going to hand you anything – but chances are someone has given you a chance, extended an opportunity or looked the other way when you’ve slipped up. I try to realise that everything I’ve achieved is because of working with others, whether it be my siblings in getting through the long lonely nights as we shifted from place to place or my mum for instilling the value that we could be anything we wanted to be or my partner for encouraging me, even when at times I let negativity overtake me.
Those are six lessons I try to keep with me in my personal and professional life and I guarantee you, that if you take them on, you too can live a positive life and feel successful, no matter what stage of your life you’re at.
I suppose an addendum to all of this, is never be bitter. Sometimes life can change direction and everything can rail against you and for some people that’s enough to defeat them. My dad died in October 2015, after years of battling his demons. He still played a part in bringing me to the world and shaped me, even if he didn’t realise it. So there’s always that to be thankful for.
Thanks for reading this, it would seem self indulgent but I’ve got the hope that someone, somewhere will take it on-board and feel better for it. I hope that person is you.
As for me, I’ve stopped running.
~ By Kenny Murray
Wonderful, wise, and encouraging! I wish you the best of luck and thank you for this awesome inspirational post!
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I agree with you and also saying that his post can help any one to hold mental toughness in any crucial moment inour life.http://www.inspiretips.wordpress.com
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Absolutely! If he has this attitude then everybody can have it!!!
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positive attitude in any moment can help us to survive.
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Absolutely!
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Reblogged this on "Gambling Addiction Is Real,We Can Recover ~ This Is My Story, My Recovery Journey" and commented:
When you are feeling fed up and can not handle “negative” in your life? Come read Kenny’s story and be “inspired” to never give up !
*Catherine Lyon, Author *
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Yes, kenny’s post can give us the power of face the tough challenges in our life.http://www.inspiretips.wordpress.com
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Kenny,
I hope you know you are an inspiration to many. Sharing one’s story is a powerful tool to help others. I admire your guts to not give in or give up when life can be a cruel place to live in. No, I don’t feel sorry for you, I feel proud of you for setting an example for many to push forward, learn along the way and keep a positive outlook. You made me feel a little more “humble and grateful” today ….
Many Blessings,
Author, Catherine Lyon XOXO 🙂
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Kenny’s positive out attitude in any condition give us the hope and inspiration.http://www.inspiretips.wordpress.com
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Always lessons to be learned …. ALWAYS!!
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Yes, life lessons are always inspiring.http://www.inspiretips.wordpress.com
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Reblogged this on Inspire Tips and commented:
Very inspiring for challenge tough situation in life.
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Wow. What an incredible attitude and amazing guy. I hope the rest of your life is filled with the kindness you deserve. Go and set the world on fire ❤
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Thank you all for the kind thoughts 🙂
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Excellent. One of the best things I’ve read in a long time. Those are valuable lessons for everyone, no matter what your situation. Thank you for sharing your experiences with you.
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I meant “us,” not you.
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All good lessons. Thanks
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Reblogged this on The Sick and the Dating and commented:
These are all wonderful points; some of them will save you from homelessness if you ever find yourself close to it. (The only one I don’t practice is believing that it can always be worse. As I like to say, it’s not a competition for the shit cookie.) Be well and be loved.
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Thank you for your ‘Life Lessons’ I needed to hear them, especially today 😀
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Reblogged this on .
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This made me smile so much. Such a powerful story! Thank you for sharing this.
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