Spooky FM

 Hello Marlifers

I would like to share this great podcast which is a Halloween gift from me to you all. It is a spooky piece of work written and directed by my friend and colleague, international award winner, Peter Dunne.

I won't tell you how excellent Peter's work is because I know you will notice once you listen to the podcast.

A new radio station has misteriously appeared in Ireland in time for Halloween - Spooky FM! It's most terrifying show, Scare Me if You Can, is hosted by Uncle Vlad, a vampire from the heart of Transylvania, and Zombetty, surprisingly chipper considering she's been dead for 100 years. It's time for the children of Ireland to turn the table and scare the devilish duo with their own tale of terror! Filled with werewolves, witches, evil fairies and slimy sea monsters, are you brave enough to listen?

If you are, click on below and listen

Thanks for supporting my friend Peter. He is awesome.

Marlon/Marlife

Surviving lockdown

Hello Marlifers,

For those who live out of Ireland and read Marlife, you might have heard that the whole country has been put on a second lockdown until the beginning of December. The government more or less said that this harsh decision is the only one they had to make in order to tackle the spread of Covid. Even though it is not we want, I guess it is the right decision.

This pandemic has affected us all, in different ways, and it is true #WeAreInThisTogether. Sadly, some people have died, some people have lost loved ones and have not been able to have a proper funeral; businesses closing down for good; some people have lost their jobs. It has affected mental health, domestic abouse has increased, and the list goes on and on and one. It has been very hard and, for some very sad.

Counting our blessings

I consider myself a very optimistic person, and I try to keep my hopes up by saying to myself "this won't last forever". However, if I have to be completely honest, I have to say that sometimes I find a bit hard to be working from home, because it's like sometimes I can't separate one from the other. I am quite good to try to separate my domestic life from my working life. Now this was prior Covid. Having said that, I know it is nothing in comparison other people's situations. 

I feel for those who live on their own; for those who live on their own and are sick or have a medical condition. I REALLY feel for the erderly who also live on their own. My heart goes out to them. My feeling was exhacerbated even more when I read an article written by David Monaghan, who I know through GCN - Gay Community News - where I work. In his article titled "For Many Elderly People, the Pandemic has Worsened a Sense of Lonliness" - David speaks about the impact this pandemic has had on older people. When I read the article, which is written in a very informative yet candid way, the first thing that came to my mind was "What can I do to help?" - so I am doing some research to find a way to lend my helping hand to bring a little bit of solace to some elderly who live on their own and feel lonely.

David in his article mentioned NGO - ALONE.

Counting our blessings

I feel lucky I have my hubby, John. This pandemic has taught me to appreciate him and what we have as a couple even more. However, yes, sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming (for him more than for me) 😅 I am grateful I have his company. We are very much relying on each other's company. Also I have Sammy, our dog as part of my blessings.

What can I say and/or offer?

First of all, remember nothing lasts forever, including this pandemic. We will eventually get there. Try to remain hopeful and positive. I know it is easier to say it than do it, but at least try.

For those who are able, excersing and walking is always great. It will keep us fit and good for our mental health. We are walking with Sammy a lot as we have a park nearby, and it feels great.

Use your creativity. I am sure your imagination is flying aorund in your head. Use it even if it's for making trivial things. Read a book, watch movies, watch TV. The internet is always very useful if you would like to use it to amuse yourself or stimulate your curiosity. 

There plenty of great podcats out there. No matter the topic you are into politics, fashion, humor, music whatever topic you like to listen to, there is a podcast for.

Call family and friends on the phone more. I have been doing this more now than ever before.

If you are into social media, I am humble to tell you that if you would like to follow me, you are more than welcome. As part of trying to amuse myself, I am always creating content that is light, positive, sometimes inspiring, sometimes crazy and silly, but I am always putting stuff out there and a lot of people love it. I am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and I also have a podcast, MarlonDublinSouthFM, of a radio show I am part of called "The Power Of  Dreams Show" on Dublin South 93.9FM.

Cooking is also a great way to find joy. My hubby is the cook in our home, but again, I try or together we try to make it an adventure when we can. So yes we are eating a lot these days hehehe.

I would like to finish by saying, remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After a very rainy day, we can see a rainbow. Stay positive, motivated and optimistc, or at least try. You are not alone. Reach out to people if you feel you need to or want to. Feel free to reach out to me, I like helping when I can.

And remember, always remember that the last thing that remained in Pandora's box was...HOPE! And #WeAreInThisTogether

Thanks for reading!

Marlon/Marlife

I am just myself

Hello my Marlifers

I get a lot of private messages like the one below - which I will use to convey a very sincere message

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Do you know how I do it? I am just myself. I try to keep true to myself. Even sometimes to my own detriment, but that's OK! Why? Because I am very well-connected to who I am, what I think and feel. And if somebody doesn't like me, so be it. I can take it. So for me it's very easy to reveal about me because I don't like to conceal my feelings, thougts and emotions - which is why as a person...

I feel unique, and that sense of uniqueness is my platform to celebrate my Mother's memory who loved me in such a loving way for me to express who I am. I am very happy within myself which is very liberating. I don't need to look out there for what I already have within me: A true sense of who I am. Wow the power of feeling unique.

When it comes to my marriage, I am so happy to see that I do not need to compare my relationship to anyone else's. Why? because I am very happy in my marriage - with its ups and downs - more ups than downs though, but I guess that happens when you are with someone for nearly 17 years : )

When it comes to my work and everything I do, again I enjoy putting my stamp on it. I don't want to be somebody else or copy somebody else, because what I have to offer is unique. And I love it.

Last thing, we need to try to enjoy life. We have one chance in life which is life itself. So we need to try to make it spectacular - whatever that means for us.

Why am I saying all this publicly on here? Because I was privately asked about it on here. And when you truly love yourself, you love your life and your partner and everything in between. You really feel you need to speak about it. For me love is not about concealing it, but about revealing it. Revelation is the most sincere nature of love and, when it comes to mine, I am very easy to reveal it.

Being me will always liberate me, it will never encarcelate me. Why? because I feel I am the reason of my Mother's love!

Thanks for reading!

Marlon/Marlife