BY MYSELF/ ALONE/ MONI MOY

Being raised in Vancouver, Canada, the first words I heard by my Greek parents were in Greek, the rest were in English by my siblings, cousins, mappet show, sesame street, primary school teachers (thank you Joan) and co-babies from Douglas Park pre-school….


I consistently refused to talk in Greek, while I could understand what my parents were saying to me, I was responding in English, with the highlight of saying to my mother (whose use of language was pretty basic) "Don’t talk mommy you embarrass me!!!"
So great words to hear from your little girl :)

When I decided to speak in Greek the fist words I said were moni mou: by myself, alone, on my own. I was 2 ½ and decided it was high time….to cook! On my own, moni mou, alone. I was yelling and pushing my parents out of the kitchen, probably I needed my space.
My space to do the things I want, on my own, by myself, alone.

Funny as it may sound, today, I wander what exactly I can do on my own, by myself, moni mou. Can’t find anything.
Every move since the time I get up depends upon someone else, somebody, somewhere needs to be sure that the water runs in the tubes, the electricity exists for the hazelnut coffee, my couch has been made and delivered in the home so that I write on it etc..
Basic needs.

What about the other needs, the need of friendship, sexual intimacy, family, self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect by others, respect for others, morality, creativity? Is it possible to achieve any of the above mentioned on my own, by myself, alone, moni mou?
And when there are challenges, when problem solving is needed, even if I try to solve the problem on my own, don’t I use things I have read, heard or discussed about?
What about the times I feel really sad, when I deeply have the need to be on my own, by myself, moni mou, what are the chances of overcoming sadness and pain alone?

I can’t do anything on my own, moni mou, by myself, alone. Not because I lack a competency: because its human nature. Because I need support, help, to give and to receive, to hear and be heard.And I am so grateful to be surrounded by people who help and support me to expand myself, my Uniqueness every day and therefore I am eager to supporting other people to unlock their Uniqueness and live with themselves, not against them.

Are you surrounded by people who support you to expand yourself? Do you live with yourself or against yourself? Do you cook in the kitchen, on your own, alone, by yourself, moni/monos sou?
Do you say to yourself, Don’t talk…you embarrass me?

Be Unique!

JD