Good morning 👋
Hope you’re keeping well 🙂
With Saint David’s Day yesterday, and being born and raised in the Swansea valleys, it feels only right to lean into Wales, Welsh culture and how it’s helped shape me into who I am a little more today 🏴
Hello and Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!
To some people, where they are from doesn’t matter; it’s just bricks and mortar, a house, not a home. However, for others, it’s a sanctuary of safety, culture and belonging – a place that helps you flourish, that helps you own who you were, are and who you want to be in your life.
I’ve always felt this innate pride in my local area. Whether that’s more of a Welsh thing, I’m not 100% sure; however, I do find it a fascinating area to dive into, reflect on personally and chat about with others.
So, here’s a little bit about how my Welsh roots have shaped me:
👐 Community is lived in and everywhere
Growing up in the valleys, you learn to talk to anyone. I live in a house that’s been in my family for over 100 years – imagine the stories, the friendships and the bonds that this house has seen.
I’m known for being happy to chat to anybody regardless of who they are, where they’ve come from or what they do in life. For some people, that may appear to be really strange, or as this alien concept, but for me, it’s just a part of what makes me who I am.
⛏️ Resilient through and through
My dad grew up working down the mines. It wasn’t easy work, and it shaped entire villages. When times were tough, people leaned on each other. They didn’t have much choice.
This doesn’t just cover the hard times, though; it does, of course, work for the good times too. Whether it’s a trip down the pub for a laugh with mates, a personal chat, or having someone to ask “how are you really doing?” during uncertain times, the resilience that develops is so good to see.
📚 Storytelling is who we are
My grandfather was in a Welsh Male Voice Choir which toured all across the world. From small Welsh communities to stages around the world, the idea that your voice matters, no matter where you’re from, has always stuck with me. It’s a big reason why I do a lot of the work that I do in my life.
We don’t always realise how much where we’re from influences who we turn out to be as people. I think it’s a beautiful thing to reflect on from time to time. I might actually expand on some of the stories and things I’ve mentioned here in the future. I think that would be a lovely touch – leave that with me for the time being, though.
That’s all from me for today. What do you think? Do you enjoy seeing blogs like this on the page? Are there any topics you’d like to see me cover moving forward?
I’d love to hear your thoughts 😊
Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely day!
James
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