There’s Only One You, And That’s It

Yesterday, music stars and fans paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, who died on Tuesday. Osbourne became famous for his controversial live shows, unconventional family, and uncompromising opinions.

Tony Iommi knew Ozzy at school and together they formed Black Sabbath. Tony spoke warmly about Ozzy’s love for music, the band, and their final farewell gig in their home city of Birmingham less than three weeks ago. One phrase stayed with me: ‘There’s only one Ozzy and that’s it.’

I think of the folks I met yesterday, those I know I’ll meet today… Marilyn celebrating her eightieth birthday, David with his family challenges, Jason battling with agoraphobia, Tiff creating her giant seagull, Ryan acting the part of a zombie, Trevor part-way through his cancer treatment, Sophia dreaming of being a professional artist…

To each of them I could say, ‘There’s only one you, and that’s it!’

Remembering the Seekers singing ‘I could search the whole world over, until my life is through, but I know I’ll never find another you.’ It’s many miles from Black Sabbath! It’s about enduring, idealistic, irreplaceable, love… There’s only one you – and that’s it.

Musing… I need to be better at…

…rejoicing in the uniqueness of the individual. Too often I focus on their faults, wish they were different, try to change them. Instead I should be more accepting, rejoicing in quirks and eccentricities as well as talents and strengths.

…appreciating that with unique people I form unique relationships. Each person in my life brings a different characteristic, teaches me a different lesson, adds a different perspective, contributes a different gift… as I do to them.

…not losing the idealism of love at all levels. The Seekers song speaks of ‘the Promised Land’, love that is consistent through life’s ‘long, long journey’, that strengthens and guides through life’s storms.

…maintaining and balancing the Christian, ‘Love God’ and ‘Love your neighbour’, continuing to recognise and appreciate in both, ‘There’s only one you and that’s it.’