Sunday, November 1, 2009

Welcome to UniquelyU!

Hello, blog buddies!

By now, I hope you've also checked out Weight Is Enough and Pop Culture Report Card and watched what I've posted at HelloRoss.com. I am so excited about expanding our community and I hope you are, too.

Welcome to UniquelyU - the most personal and important "channel" in the HelloRoss "network".

Any success I've had in my life can be attributed to a simple reason - I turned what made me different, what many saw as a "flaw", into what made me stand out.

And it was no mistake. I've always known what I was doing. It was a lesson I learned at a very early age.

There was a specific moment (I'm not going into now) when I was about 12 that I realized that I was at a fork in the road. I have no idea where this rush of sudden wisdom came from - I mean, I was still playing with G.I. Joe's and scared to sleep in the dark.

But, for whatever reason, I knew. I just knew. I had a choice - hate myself for what made me different (the things that everyone made fun of me for), or embrace my "uniqueness" and celebrate it as what makes me special.

It sounds cheesy, almost. Even now, as I articulate it on my keyboard, it sounds very simple and borderline elementary.

But it's not - if it were, I wouldn't get emails from as many people as I do who have the same comment: "I wish I could live in my skin like you do and never apologize for who or what I am, but I can't. I've never been able to."

That's an actual quote taken from an email from one of YOU. And it's just one of thousands.

And, just for the record, I don't have it all figured out. I am still a work in progress. I kinda hope I always am... :)

So that's what I want to do here - I want us to rip the band-aide off and start saying out loud what our "flaws" are and, with the help of each other, turn them into what makes us all UniquelyU!

How are we gonna do it? I want YOUR stories!

Send them - whether it's a story or a picture or a video (uploaded to YouTube) - to me at uniquelyu@helloross.com and I will post them here so that your fellow blog buddies can be inspired to share along with you!

That's right - most of the content on these HelloRoss channels will be user generated (that means from YOU!). So step up and send me an email! I can't wait.

Life is too short, gang. We are what we are what we are. Let's celebrate it.
:)
Ross

38 comments:

  1. You're welcome, MareJohn, and thank YOU!
    :)
    Ross

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  2. WOW ROSS...this is so inspiring...thank you so much!!!!

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  3. MY STORY WILL NEVER BE PUT OUT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. I DO HAVE A STORY AND I WOULD TELL IT IN A SMALL GROUP BUT NOT HERE ON THE BLOG. TO HURTFUL. PAIN COVERS MANY AREA IN LIFE BUT LIKE YOU ROSS,YOU GET ON WITH LIFE AFTER YOU FIGURE IT ALL OUT. I LOVE ME DO YOU LOVE YOU? GOOD QUESTION. I THINK I BECAME OF AGE AT 69.

    TG

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  4. TG; LOVE that. I am turning 57 and feeling as those I may ...MAYBE...just be figuring things out a little about myself. You're right, we all have a story, a lot of mine is intertwined with a loved ones and not mine to share, but we move on and look up and look ahead. Great idea Ross has about sharing here and I imagine it will take us a bit to get in the swing, but I know we have a support here and a safe place to vent and so many many different people from all walks of life. Many different outlooks and way to look at things. It's good.

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  5. Nice to get others perception on things!

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  6. I thank my parents for making me the person I am today, I wouldn't change a thing.

    We work hard in life to get the things we want for ourselves and loved ones. Sometimes people choose a separate path than I would for myself but that's what makes all of us unique!

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  7. This is a great place for me to share right now because I'm in the process of trying to recover some of the things that are uniquely me and find some new things as well. When my job as creative services director was eliminated last June, I had a really hard time finding a reason for anything. Without a job and a place to be every day, I felt there was no point in trying to do anything. I've made it past most of that, but I still grapple with a meaning or purpose for my life.

    A lot of people have encouraged me to use this time to explore other possibilities and opportunities for my life. Why not? It's not like I've got all that much else to do. So I'm trying to figure out what is uniquely me and how best to use it in my life. I'm glad I'll have this spot to try to share some of it.

    I have to admit that today is a little more difficult than usual. This is the last day of the severance package I got when the job was cut. There is no more income coming in. I still have a decent amount of retirement savings to use and will supplement that with unemployment payments. I've never had to apply for unemployment and I've been putting it off because it seems to slap a label on me I've been trying to avoid.

    So here we all go on our various unique paths and I look forward to sharing the experience with you.

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  8. Hi Ross,

    My apologies if this is double sent but hey its TommyTime and just would like to send ya some big time props out from me! Your constant push towards new endeavors and drive to provide are really an inspiration man!

    Hope to become more involved with your new sites.

    Take care man,

    Tommy

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  9. Brian, you deserve every penny of UEI! That's why we work all our lives, that money is yours use it up.

    Sometimes it's more fun to try another field, even if you make less money. Your personal happiness is most important.

    The right job will come your way!

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  10. Brian~ditto to what JOJO said! well put!

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  11. Thanks marejohn & Jojobits.... I have to keep reminding myself that it's all money I earned from working for 26 years. It just feels very strange and wrong.

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  12. Brian - I had to tell my hub this....
    Unemployment benefits come from "paying" UE insurance on each and every one of your paychecks....you have paid a premium for just this instance! It's there for you in a fund you've been adding to.

    It's not taking advantage of anything. It's the same as filing an insurance claim...

    Just sayin' Go for it...it's yours!

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  13. BRIAN, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. MY DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW LOST THEIR JOBS ONE YEAR AGO THIS MONTH. MY DAUGHTER JUST STARTED A NEW JOB THIS WEEK. I'M SURE LESS PAY. I DIDN'T ASKED. HER HUBBY IS STILL WITHOUT WORK. BOTH WERE IN MANAGEMENT. I CAN SEE DEPRESSION IN HIM. PLUS, HIS MOTHER IS VERY ILL. THEY NEVER ASKED FOR A CENT. THEY LIVED ON THE MONEY THEY SAVED FOR YEARS. NOW MY DAUGHTER HAS TO SUPPORT THEM . SHE HAS MS AND I WORRY ABOUT HER. CAN SHE DO IT? I KNOW SHE WILL. SHE NEVER LOST FAITH THAT SOMETHING WOULD TURN UP. WILL SHE ENJOY THE JOB SHE'S GOTTEN. NO, BUT SHE TOOK IT TO FEED HER FAMILY. TAKE THE UNEMPLOYMENT. IT'S YOUR FOR THE TAKING. THE KIDS FELT LIKE YOU BUT THE BILLS STILL COME IN RATHER YOU WORK OR NOT.

    TG

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  14. CHEF, DO YOU HAVE A STORY?
    BEAR,"""""""""""""""""""""
    RYAN,"""""""""""""""""""""
    MATHEW,"""""""""""""""""""
    CHARLIE"""""""""""""""""""
    po,"""""""""""""""""""""""
    MARK,"""""""""""""""""""""
    BETH,"""""""""""""""""""""
    SUENY,""""""""""""""""""""
    KAREN,""""""""""""""""""""
    LINDA,""""""""""""""""""""
    KATHNJ,"""""""""""""""""""
    JACNY,""""""""""""""""""""
    DG,"""""""""""""""""""""""
    ANNIE,""""""""""""""""""""
    JOJO,"""""""""""""""""""""
    CHERRISH,"""""""""""""""""
    JOEY,"""""""""""""""""""""
    GRAPEPIT""""""""""""""""""
    MOTHER HUBBARD,"""""""""""
    SANFRANJOE,"""""""""""""""
    ROBERT,"""""""""""""""""""
    ROSS' MOM AND ROSS' MOMS' NEIGHBOR YOU GOT A STORY TO SHARE? TELL US ABOUT ROSS.


    ETC.TO MANY NAMES FOR ME TO REMEMBER. LETS GET STARTED

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  15. I FORGOT, WE DO HAVE PEEKERS. SOME WE ALREADY KNOW

    DO YOU HAVE A STORY.
    COME JOIN IN.

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  16. As long as life is not perfect there will always be stories. I have a few (okay i lied lmao i have many), and so do YOU.

    Brian, thank you for sharing your story, and I hope things get better.

    One of my close friend is staying with me because she's going through some tough times; she's looking for job, broke up with her 5 years relationship, got kicked out of law school, and so on...
    She's now coming out of her depression, she getting it together (finger-snap, snap)...thanks to good friends for their love-&-support and patience not-to-mention lots of wine and chocolate ~kidding.

    Again, I hope things will get better.

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  17. Thanks everyone for the support. Although this is not a happy situation to be in, I am fortunate to have people encouraging me and my circumstances are still much better than many. I do think that they key for my future is to reclaim some of my own unique attributes and, as Ross did, embrace and celebrate them.

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  18. my story is just starting, im 19 living in the US by myself. My family was transfered over seas and im learning new things sooner then most. im not saying its a bad thing but its stressful at times.

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  19. Ross is unique, and funny, that's why I started following his blog. I always felt different in my life, unique, but haven't figured out if it is a good quality or not in my life or if has served a purpose yet. I have however loved meeting new people here on the Ross blog, although, at times it feels a lot like my life, that I don't fit in, but I love Ross and all his friends and all the blog buddies here. In a way it is what I am looking for in my life. Just to fit in somewhere. So, I keep coming back. I get something out of hearing about others, I have compassion in my heart, and feel the need to connect, but I do struggle in expressing myself and don't alway do a good job at it. I love Ross, because he always puts his best foot forward, always, even if he struggles and I know that he does cuz he's human. Even tho he is 10 years younger than me and is SO different from me I admire him and look up to him, after all we really aren't that different. That is something I learned here. :)

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  20. Hey guys I got a story: I grow up with parents they were divorce. My mom raise the three of us. We Lived in Clarksonville, In. I moved to Orange Park, Fl when I was in the 9th Grade. I was in class that help me do school. Not sure what to call it because I hate the world SPECIAL EDUCATION: Even those I think that everyone in there is Special that got something to share with the world. I like three close friends in High School. I Grad in 1997 from Orange Park High School. I was like so pround of myself. I work at BK until I moved to Colorado 4 1/2 year ok Now I work for a company called Safeway. I am 31. OMG this is like everywhere I not going to delate I going to post it jsut like I have wrote it. I believe in treating people how you want to be treat. I sometimes it hard for me to foucs on more then one thing at a time. My dad and his family has not wish me Happy Birthday and that was Sept 12th (How SAD) But all the people here in Colorado that are my friend did. that are my EXtended family one of many family I have you guys are my family here on the ROSS BLOG!! Thanks for letting me share.

    Hello Ross

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  21. MATTHEW, HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY HON. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. WE ARE ALL SPECIAL IN OUR OWN RIGHT. ALWAYS REMEMBER IF SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH YOU IT'S THERE PROBLEM. I'M NOT ONE TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL FOR MY BIRTHDAY I GUESS IT'S BECAUSE NOONE EVER GAVE ME BUT ONE PARTY EVER. THANK GOD MY KIDS DO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. I SHOULD SAY, MOM ALWAYS DID BAKE US KIDS A CAKE BUT NO PRESENTS. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR VERY SPECIAL HERE AT THE ROSS BLOG.

    TG

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  22. Amanda -- sometimes I wish I were just starting again. It's exciting and full of possibility. Treasure it.

    Stylin -- when this Uniquely U thing showed up and I started thinking about it, I kept hearing this one song in my head (from the gawdawful Carpenters) "don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing a song." It's pretty good advice.

    Happy Late Birthday Matthew! Family is a gift, no matter where you find it.

    T-Granny: I'm sure I got birthday presents when I was a kid, although I can't remember a single one. All I remember is the cake. That's really the most important part.

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  23. Smiles to Stylin, and Happy Birthday to Matthew

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  24. brian/anders- thanks , yea i look back and if my parents hadn't moved I wouldn't have had the experiences i've had. I hope your day is going well:)


    Hello Ross :)

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  25. I am trying to find who I am all over again. Just retired from teaching art. So much of who we are is what we do. I find myself adrift. Lot's of things to do but I don't want to do anything. So for the time being I read, phone friends, exercise, shop, watch tv but feel empty. I have done SO MUCH in my life and enjoyed it all but now the wind has stopped and my sailboat isn't moving, the doldrums.I always knew I was an artist but now.....no motivation. I would very much like to hear others life stories. What is going on? What motivates you? What got you to this point? Gay or straight? What obsticals have you overcome? What are you facing now? Come on and post. There has to be more that 30 of us!

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  26. Thanks Brian and Po sometimes all it takes is a smile and a song. :0)

    "Hang on" Fets, the wind will blow and the creativity will flow again.

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  27. WHAT ARTS ARE YOU INTO? TELL US ABOUT YOUR ADVENTURES YOU'VE BEEN ON.

    TG

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  28. If anyone has a story they are supposed to email Ross at uniquelyu@helloross.com and they he posts them on here. I think this comment section is supposed to be in response to the posts. I'm pretty sure that's the way it's meant to work. Hopefully he'll post some soon...

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  29. Hi Kathy, Sending posts to Ross is an option, particularly if you want to display pix or be able to include video. If you want to be able to express yourself in the moment, though, you should probably cut straight to the comments section. Ross has lots of irons in the fire and unless he's hired someone to sort through submitted content, it might be a bit before it gets on here. I guess we'll see.

    Fets-- I completely understand where you are now. The loss of identity when you leave or lose a job is so much greater than I ever expected. (Not that I was expecting to lose mine.) I spent most of the first three months sleeping because there didn't seem to be a point in doing anything else. It's much, much better now (thank you modern pharmaceuticals!) but still a struggle. I think your analogy to losing the wind in your sails is spot on. I'm trying to stir up a little breeze by getting back into things that were inspirational to me when I was younger. Tonight I went to the ballet and was reminded of how amazing it felt to move with exuberance, expression and beauty back when I took classes. I was able to tap into to the buzz of energy on stage and feel very positive and hopeful right now. I hope there are things you can re-discover that will help carry you forward as well.

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  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. Taking a break from movie night...checking on the blog...i deleted my earlier comments...wasn't quite sure if I was feeling weird out from what's going on lol Anyway,
    I was watching "Sweet November" and it reminded me so much about myself lol living life here in SF... Too bad Keanu R. is such a terrible actor in this movie hahaha no offense!

    Much love ~po

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  32. No one has posted here in a few weeks. Is anyone still reading? :)

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  33. Hello again Ross. Uniquely U is so in sync with what I practice and share with others too. I'm so glad to follow this great new channel of yours and to see you putting this out there. I say each person is unique, must find their passion, and determine who YOU are ... "who are you really" I ask. Humanistic Psychologists have been saying this for decades, and I use their expertise and wisdom daily with myself and my clients. Thanks for continuing this conversation. You are an inspiration to many!

    -Danielle
    twitter: livingcareers

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