Listen to my interview with Shenaz Ibrahim, a business woman from Darwen, who has chosen to care for her elderly mum at home on top of looking after her husband, children and business. Find out why by hitting play. Produced for BBC Radio Lancashire.
Tuesday 10 June 2014
Saturday 7 June 2014
TheBlindJournalist: Dom Smith Interview
A big house, lots of money, family, love? I pondered to
myself trying to answer the million dollar question; what is the key to
happiness?
Hoping to unlock the answer I went and interviewed Dominic
Smith, who has been voted one of the happiest men in the UK.
It isn’t hard to realise why Dom Smith, a disabled
27-year-old from York, has been awarded this title. As soon as I saw him I was
greeted with a heart-warming smile and firm hand shake.
I sit down with Dom, over a nice cup of tea, and ask him:
Q: What is your official job title and how
long have you been doing that job?
I am the editor and publisher of Soundsphere
magazine and Soundspheremag.com. I am also the co-founder of Disabled
Entrepreneurs and The Creative Condition.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have one sister, and four step-sisters and
one step-brother.
Q; How did you become one of the happiest men
in the UK - were you nominated?
I'm still not sure how that happened. I got a
tweet saying I was in the Independent on Sunday as part of their 2013 Happy
List. It was awesome. I guess someone researched me, and the stuff that I do!
It's a great feeling.
Q: When you look at yourself in the mirror, do
you see yourself as one of the happiest men in the UK?
Most days. Some days more than others I do
feel that way, but whenever I feel sad, I think about all the inspirational
people who are out there and all of my awesome family and friends. Also, the
fact that I have a very cool job helps!
Q: What does it take to be one of the happiest
men in the UK?
I would say, at the core: Determination.
Drive. Social skills, or the ability to just talk to people and be nice. The
ability to chill out. Always making sure you treat everyone with respect, because then you get it back. Finding a way to be useful to others is also
important. Soundsphere and Disabled Entrepreneurs are huge tools for people to
use for promotion and support, and having the ability to do that makes me very
happy.
Q: Why do you think you are one of the
happiest men in the UK?
Because I'm probably the luckiest person I
know.
Q: Do you feel your upbringing or family life
is one of the reasons you are so happy?
Absolutely. I had the greatest support from
family and friends growing up. I am eternally grateful to everyone that helped
me get to where I am. All of my family are really cool.
Q: For some people money, women, or chocolate
makes them happy. What puts a smile on your face?
All of those things make me happy too! I'd say
mostly, putting a smile on other people's faces. Knowing I've helped a band or
entrepreneur do something, or I've helped someone get a cool job with a
reference. I'm constantly meeting awesome people that keep me motivated and
inspired to keep going.
Q: On the flip side; what makes you sad or
angers you?
Escalators. I hate them.
Q: What advice would you give to all those
people who always complain that they aren't happy with their life?
I think it's down to circumstance. I've met
people who haven't had the support I had growing up, who have done some
wonderful things in their lives, and inspired others. I think it's important to
understand that not everybody can be happy all the time, I'm not!
I think that it's important to celebrate the
smallest things in life, and a lot of those small things can happen throughout
a day; being able to get up, having a good conversation with a friend, seeing
someone you haven't seen in an age, eating a particularly great food, going to
a gig, helping someone at work. Everyone has the potential to do immense good
in this world. Not for fame, or money necessarily. And, while your happiness or
good deeds may not impact the world, they'll have a great impact on the others
around you. I think by doing as many good things as possible, it attracts and
brings happiness to you.
Q: What is your outlook on life?
Don't worry be happy.
Q: Do you have any role models or
inspirational figures that motivate you?
Shane Bratby (Disabled Entrepreneurs) for his
strength of character, Mike Cooper (The Creative Condition) for his
determination. My dad for his drive, my mum for her patience, and my sister for
her patience.
In terms of celebrity? Marilyn Manson for not
giving a f*** about trends or appearance in music and art when I was growing
up. Also, every Paralympic athlete ever. There are loads! The human race and
its potential is astounding, most of the time.
Q: To smile it costs nothing but why do you
think people don't smile often enough?
Because they don't drink enough tea. Also,
they don't appreciate the little things, and are always going after stressful
stuff! Everyone's always running about, not just in work (which is fine because
there are deadlines...), but in every day life, nobody ever stops to appreciate
what they have, and the opportunities that are right there. It's not about the
stuff you don't have – the job, the car, the fame. Everybody you meet, from
people on the streets, to producers, artists and whoever can create a new
exciting opportunity for you. If you have nothing. Then go find something, and
someone that can support you, and help you to have something. People will help,
and they'll be happy because of it. Support others, and help others to be
happy, and you'll be happy too. The more you do that, the more people will help
you, and the more support you'll get from more people. That's just my opinion,
though!
Q: How do you deal with pressure or stress?
I drink tea. Lots of tea. And chat to friends.
Q: Can you describe
yourself in one word?
Chaotic.
After another firm handshake and heart-warming smile I
thank Dom and end the interview.
A big house, lots of money, family, love? Well actually
its all of these things and more. But tea is the key.