The Durutti Column. Hands down, one of my favourite bands on the planet.

Fronted by influential Mancunian guitarist Vini Reilly, new music dropped this week from their first new studio album in over fifteen years, ‘Renascent’. Yeah I’m excited.

He’s now 72 years old. Still doing his thing. Still releasing enchanting, soul-soothing music that needs no explanation. The indomitable spirit in this song, and in their music, helps me trust in the power of life. The power of living a life of Truth. True to myself, my integrity, and my unique interests.

Fashion fades, style lives on forever... Vini’s music is timeless.

Renascent is an adjective that means experiencing renewed vigor, springing again into being, or being reborn. It describes anything that is reviving, restoring, or returning to a state of strength and activity after a period of dormancy.

In my own practice, songwriting has opened doors within me that I didn’t even know existed.

It’s helped me access states of being I didn’t know were possible, and helped me see that I have all the answers within myself — but I must have the balls to hold the line.

I must trust in the unknown, in my gut, and in my heart — I must put myself first.

Selfishness gets a bad rap. But really, you can only be generous when you’re ‘selfish’ enough to stay true to yourself.

That’s when you can truly GIVE, because you’re not trying to GET.

INVICTUS

By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

      Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

      Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

      I am the captain of my soul.

Paula Rego - War