#Life Choices

[forestpixies]

no actually you’re either gentle parenting your child or you’re being emotionally and/or physically abusive to them, whether or not you’re aware of that.

because the term gentle parenting already includes discipline and teaching your kid right from wrong. gentle parenting doesn’t mean you can’t tell your kid no. it means you can tell them no when they do something they shouldn’t, but instead of punishing or yelling at them, you’re explaining and giving them reasons why they can’t do that, you are helping them learn and encouraging them to be better. gentle parenting means you’re using reasons built on mutual respect instead of anger. because yes, no matter how young your child is, they deserve respect too.

I’m sorry but most of the times when someone says they’re a strict parent, what it means is that they give their child childhood trauma that’ll last a lifetime, whether or not they’re aware of it. especially parents who brag to other people about how strict they are and how they punished their children.

and I’m sorry but saying you have a short temper is never an excuse to be emotionally and/or physically abusive towards your kid either.

“I yelled at you because I have a short temper” then why am I the one suffering? if you can’t control your anger, then get help. work on it. do better. be better.

also… your child standing up for themself against you, when you’re being abusive to them, isn’t them being disrespectful towards you. it means they are defending themself because you wouldn’t do that for them and so they had to step in and be their own protector.

if you’re a parent and can defend and stand up for yourself when you feel like you need to, but at the same time punish your kid when they stand up for themself against you, then you are the problem.

I was that child and I’m gonna make it as simple as I can for any parent out there — because no kid deserves to go through what I went through — imagine yourself owning a dog. really. you can either

a.) beat that dog whenever they do something wrong and simply take your anger out on them until they’re fully submissive and are terrified of you

or

b.) train them with love and gentleness and earn their love and loyalty in return

now imagine both A and B dogs on leashes and imagine them no longer being on leashes one day. which dog do you think will run away as far as they can and never look back, and which one do you think will stay because they love and want to be with their owner?

[thesearethedaysofmylife]

[thepeacefulgarden]

[rudytubooty2107]

The Bird

As I looked out into the desert sky, I felt a breeze I had never felt before. It felt almost calming, as if something were to call out to me in the distance with its warm tones that feel all too familiar to my ears. And at last, I see an entity with that same sense of familiarity. There it was, a bird silhouetting through its never-ending seas. It was like I could taste the sweetness of a honeycomb tree each time its wing grazed through the untouchable wind. I knew it was taking over me. And I knew I couldn't fake it, even if I wanted to. I knew this feeling all too well. It felt like home to me. As if the ancient roots were wrapped around my every being.

And yet I still felt as though there was something more to all of this. I couldn't put my finger to it, but I knew I just had to know. Because it was so alluring to me that I felt as though I would never want to leave. But I just had to know what it was that truly was there calling out to me. So, I asked the bird who they truly were, to diverge not just its identity, but its intentions as well. It did not speak, not even a chirp. It flew away, but I knew I could not stand by and watch it leave my eyes. I could feel that warmth I once had slowly become colder. I knew that I needed to follow it so not only would I still remain warm, but perhaps uncover the truth to all of this.

So, I followed without thought, without consideration for the possible consequences that could ensue at any given moment. But it did not matter to me. I knew that this warmth I felt would never lead me astray. I knew that I would only become closer and closer to something even more grand that I had already experienced. And I couldn't have been more right. I could see something in the distance that could have never been in a barren waste land that I was in for so long. It was a field of the greenest grass I could've ever seen. It smelled sour but refreshing at the same time. I felt as though I could run faster, for I could see the bird was even farther. And so, I ran faster.

As I ran, I could see something more. It was a field of roses in every color you could ever have imagined. The beauty of it all was so captivating. It had the sweetest smell to it all. I felt as if I could taste it in my month as I breathed it all in. It opened up my lungs. And in doing so, I could run even faster than I did not even a moment ago. And I found myself running along side that same bird.

Whilst we ran alongside each other I could feel something in the air that had a slight cool breeze within the warmth I had already felt. It was a lake that glistened with the glare of the bright sun. I ran alongside that beautiful lake with my eyes wide open.

As I continued on, I could feel myself slowly lessening my strides. I felt as though I couldn't let something so beautiful slip past me. And as I did so, I could see everything I saw along my way converge together all in one place. So, I did what I felt was right and stopped to take it all in.

In doing so I lost track of the bird. The very thing that I set out on my journey to stay alongside so that I could continue to feel the warmth it gave me. I felt as if I had lost everything without having given anything at all. I could do nothing but fall over myself feeling my eye well up with tears full of sadness. The feeling of lose took hold of me faster than I could ever run from.

But then, suddenly I felt that warmth again, and yet it felt different. I knew it was close by, as if it was right behind me. I turned around with a quickness wondering what could bring me such a warmth again. But I was blinded by the light that shined even brighter before. As I opened my eyes to it all, there it was, what I never thought I would ever see again in my life. It was my family with their arms wide open ready to bring me into their arms once again after so many years. I could do nothing but continue to let my tears fall. They fell down my face as if it could overflow the lake that laid right beside us. Never before had I felt such a joy before in so long.

I thought they would say so many things to me as I had hoped. But they just held me still and silent with the warmth I had longed for. It felt like nothing short of complete bliss. I knew at that exact moment that there was no need for any words, not even a whisper was needed. Because I already had everything I need.

And yet I still gazed my eyes in the distant as I heard something. It was that same bird I had followed all the way here. At first I reached out my hand longing for its companionship. But then, I retracked my hand as I saw it fly off into the distant. I no longer cared about that birds reasons for bringing me here. I no longer wished to find the truth I thought I was searching for. Because the truth of it all is that it brought me right where I needed to be. It brought me Home.

[amoment1875]

Loving for authenticity is the root of all joy. TBD

[curiositysavesthecat]

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[ae-cha08]

Worry is a thief that steals your joy, your energy, and your sleep at night. You don't make good decisions when you're worried. You weren't created to be constantly worried about your health, upset about your job, or stressed out over a friend who had been rude.

Your mind needs a break. You weren't designed to carry all that load. You have to turn your cares over to God.

David had all kinds of opposition and enemies coming against him. He could have lived upset and worried, but he understood this principle: "The Lord is my shepherd. He leads me to restful waters."

[your-heart-is-a-treasure]

Be guided by the Soul and not driven by ego.

[cas-backwards-tie]

I hate hate hate that being chronically ill means being a young adult and constantly having to choose between resting and trying to feel better, or doing what you want and going out with the friends you’re trying to keep (bc you’ve flaked so many times due to health issues) and exhausting yourself to no end. It feels like a lose-lose situation 90% of the time. 🥺

[motocrunch]

I will tell you what freedom is to me.

No.

Fear.

[throughtheeyesofmeblog]

Don't keep going back to the person who's already shown you that they're willing to hurt you.

[spockvarietyhour]

Clark Gregg in Law & Order's "Life Choices" (1991)

[90s-kid-sad-adult]

[randik-86]

Never would I have believed that,

This day would ever arrive,

Where I feel our love slip away,

Beneath the dark black waters,

Flowing through such strong tides of built-up tension,

That kept us pulling apart from each other,

As much as we attempted to make it work,

We had to find a way to move on,

Neither of us is giving up,

We just fell in the realisation that it is for the best...

©️randik86

[rudytubooty2107]

What would you tell your 10-year-old self?

I was recently asked this question and I feel as if you already know exactly what I would say. I would sat absolutely nothing to my younger self. To be more specific, I wouldn't even approach my younger self out of fear for my presence would unintentionally harm my current self.

Allow me to explain myself on my reasonings for these actions I've decided to take with my past self, and why it would harm my present self. You see, I've been through a lot in my life. There have been so many things that have made my life a living hell if I had to be honest. I have been backstabbed, betrayed, thrown under the bus, left behind, and so many more things that I just can't explain. Mostly because it would take way too long to explain all of this is just one go. If I had to be honest, I could make several books with all these horrible things that have happened to me. And as much as it may seem like my life is complete shit, there is more to this than it may sound like. There's a song I love I heard when I was about the age of 10 that I hold very deep to my heart, it was called Live And Learn by Crush40. Just the name of the song should say more than enough for you to understand where I'm trying to go with this. As terrible as these things were, I learned a lot from all of these things that have happened to me. I know its very fucked up, and there's no other way to put it, but when life gives you lemons do whatever the fuck you want to do with them lemons. As long as you don't do the same thing you did before.

But there's not just the horrible things that keeps me from even approaching my younger self. Believe it or not, I have lived a great life full of plenty of beautifully wonderful people, places, and things. To be honest, I've met and talked to people who wished they could have lived the life that I'm currently living right now. I won't lie when I say that some of the things that I've done aren't things that I could really say on this platform without getting either reported or banned for life. Mind you, there not bad things, or even illegal (maybe), they were really fun and exciting. It's just they're not very appropriate to put on here. Regardless of that, I've had a lot of fun in my life. I've seen so many things that my younger self could've never dreamed of being able to see or be apart of. If anything, he'd be so jealous that he'd hope to never do anything that would ruin the chance of him doing everything that I've done to bring him to where I am right now.

The point is, I would never wish to change anything. I would rather going through hell and back again then to ever have to change anything that has happened to me in my past life. I want everything to be exactly the same as it has ever been so far. And nothing could make me change my mind. I want to be able to continue my life as it is. If not I wouldn't have been able to meet all of the wonderful people that I've come across so far. All of the places I've travelled to that most people could only hope to go to. More than likely have to spend thousands of dollars just to be able to come close to going to these places. Now mind you, I'm usually not the type of person that would brag about certain things in my life. I've always felt as if its very rude and inconsiderate of those that may not be in the same position as yourself or those around you. But for this, I'll make an exception just so you get the point.

So, as I said before, I would say absolutely nothing to my younger self, I wouldn't even approach him. But there is one thing I would do if I could go back in time to see my past self. I would just sit back and watch my younger self do all the things that I remember. Maybe even notice things that I had forgotten I had even done. It'd be a way to be able to reminisce on the time I had in my life back in those days. Even if I saw my younger past self stumble and fall, maybe even fail at something. I would do nothing but smile and laugh thinking to myself "It's ok, it'll all be worth it in the long run, I promise."

[palatinewolfsblog]

“I can always choose, but I ought to know

that if I do not choose, I am still choosing.”

Jean Paul Sartre.

Trump triumphant (for my old friend Shane a.k.a. @acommonloon).