#So it’s a different reality and does not diminish the struggle.

[morakh]

Don’t read the papers, make the paper.

[reasonsforhope]

Btw, if anyone cares to know, my position on Biden and the 2024 election is this:

Starting September* 1, 2024, I will be doing whatever I can to make sure that Trump does not get a second term as president

Until that day, I'm going to be doing whatever I can to push for an end to the genocide in Gaza and an immediate ceasefire, and that includes criticizing, protesting, and lambasting Biden for funding and providing weapons for Israel's genocide

ETA: I will still be posting about significant good things the Biden administration has done, though, because some of it is a really big deal that people deserve to know about

ETA: But I will not be defending Biden from any criticism around Palestine/Israel/war crimes

*This originally said October 1st but someone pointed out to me that there are a few states where early voting starts in late September, including a couple swing states, so I changed it because that's a very good point

I don't plan to tell anyone not to vote for Biden in the meantime, myself, because shitty two party system and I'm really serious about Trump not getting reelected

But I'm also not going to do anything to discourage people who are seriously rallying against Biden, because he is, you know, literally bypassing Congress to make sure he can fund crimes against humanity

I never want to diminish that reality.

And more than that: If we want genocide to actually be a dealbreaker for politicians and presidents... then we need to start acting like it could be.

--

Details/related thoughts:

I will still be posting about good things Biden and his administration are doing, because they are the ones running the US government and Congress is super deadlocked, so a lot of the national-level good news in the US has been done by his administration, and I'm not going to stop posting about that good news

Shout-out to the anon who accused me of being a US government propagandist with a whole PR team bc I posted about Biden a few days in a row. I promise you I'm blogging from my bed in my pjs and do not have a PR team lol

Also, for people who don't think we should be spreading serious criticism about Biden, for fear of Trump winning in 2024: I hear you--that's an incredibly valid fear. I've struggled with that myself, in the process of coming to this(/these) decision(s). But consider this: it's better that we really pile on the criticism and pressure now, because a) people are dying, and b) Biden's chances will be much worse if Israel is still bombing/decimating Gaza on election day

Relatedly, for anyone who's tempted to think Trump would be better when it comes to the Gaza genocide, again, it's really understandable to want to put your hope in any viable alternative. However, I promise you that is not going to happen. Joe Biden at least conditionally gives a couple shits about human life. Trump doesn't. Remember Trump's Muslim ban? In all likelihood, Trump would just tell Israel to bomb Gaza harder and ban Palestinian refugees from entering the US

Last thing on Trump: maybe this is naive of me, but for a lot of reasons, I'm not actually particularly worried about Trump winning in 2024. If I was, I might have made some different calls here. I have a few asks about this in my inbox and will probably make a post at some point about the reasons why, but yeah, Democrats have mostly been wanting to run against Trump instead of DeSantis or Haley or whoever for some very real reasons

You're welcome to disagree with me/this post in any direction, btw

Seriously, I'm just a random person who doesn't speak for anyone besides myself and my own blog. I'm not saying these are categorically the right answers, or that any of this is what everyone should be doing. This is simply the system I have settled on (right now) for how I personally want to handle all of this

You're welcome to disagree with me but please don't send me any angry asks about any of it. Not that I in any way get a lot of those, thankfully! But yeah, this isn't something I'm interested in debating, this is mostly for notification/explanation purposes

[dearweirdme]

Living in South Korea would make it challenging for Taehyung to have a family as a single, non married man. Surrogacy is not legal or illegal, but the parent needs to adopt the child. The same would go, I gather, if you used a surrogate elsewhere and then brought the baby to SK. The surrogate mother is also considered the legal mother. While laws are changing, same sex couples are not able to adopt - and single men who want to adopt are seen as suspicious.

Given how filial Taehyung is, I don’t see him leaving SK and moving someplace else. His family, friends and work are in SK.

Seems like a bit of a conundrum.

Hi anon!

So even when I say this is offensive, you don’t take a moment to consider why that is and your response is to tell me about legislation? I’m aware of legislation… you however, are not taking queer people’s feelings and relationships seriously.

Let’s take this conversation away from Tae for a second, because I think it’s because of him that you find this difficult (wether it’s the need to have him be with a woman, or just that you enjoy the mystery more than his actual feelings I’m not sure).

Imagine for a bit that you’re a gay man. You’ve known since puberty that you are gay. You’ve struggled with coming out, because you know society is harsh and you will lose loved ones when you do. When you fall deeply in love though.. you do. You want to be with your partner in public and your love for each other means that you will sacrifice the relationships with loves ones who don’t accept you. That is how deeply you love each other. Life is hard, but love is strong and the two of you are happy and you want to stay together for the rest of your lives (not different from straight people at all). When the topic of marriage is prompted.. do your thoughts go to your partner, or do your thoughts go to an unknown woman even though you have been very much in love with a man for years and have built a life together?

Sk might be behind in queer legislation, but queer couples do exist. The queer community does fight for legislation to change for the very reason that they are incapable of changing who they are. They see the world change around them, they know that somewhere on the horizon there’s a strong possibility of them obtaining more rights.. because that is what’s happening in the world. When you diminish a queer couple’s feelings of love as though it is something they would consider leaving behind.. as if they would consider being with a partner of the opposite sex because it’s easier.. you do not understand the hardships they have possibly already gone through and you do not understand anything about love.

I’ll do you one better. I have recently watched The Boyfriend on Netflix. It’s a Japanese queer dating show on which we see queer men (two bisexuals and the rest gay) living in a house together for a couple of weeks while trying to find love. Two of them actually start falling in love and do you know what they talk about on one of their dates? Adopting a child. Japan doesn’t allow gay marriage and therefore doesn’t allow queer couples to adopt. Do you think these two men, while on a queer dating show…. on a date with each other… are talking about having a family with a woman?

Do better anon! Seriously, please invest in watching footage of queer couples trying to have a family. Go and watch same sex couples finally being able to marry when their country allows them.

If Tae is queer like we think, and in a relationship with Jk for years.. when prompted about marriage he would think of Jk and starting a family with him. The idea of it having to be a female comes from you and from homophobic society.. it has nothing to do with the reality and feelings of actual queer couples.

[genericpuff]

LR is really, really good but I just wanted to say something- this is probably more about the readers than LR itself, but when it's said that LR is so much better than LO artistically (which it is!!), like say in terms of writing, pacing, and art - I think it's also not an apples to apples comparison, since LR has LO to draw inspiration from and a lot of external reactions to LO to learn from for what to do and not to, while LO is both time-constrained and (when it started out), didn't have much basis to compare to.

(The SA plotline is one example.. many criticize RS and say she shouldn't have written it in the first place but that's the thing - she actually didn't know. While I agree it's really shitty and RS has definitely ignored a lot of criticism she should take into consideration, the conclusion that she shouldn't have written it in the first place wasn't something that she knew about until after fans pointed it out. She definitely is mishandling it now, but I think writing that in at the start was born out of actual ignorance - different from her problems now, since she's now actively ignoring and shutting down the feedback she does need to get better. This blowing up educated a lot of people- probably not you specifically- and opened up a lot of dialogue for things that Rachel likely didn't have access to at the start of LO. and has no excuse for now.)

Anyway, yeah - Love Lore Rekindled, thank you for creating it! Genuinely, I do - this ask isn't meant to be a bad thing against you at all, nor do you need to reply to it.

Not a bad thing in the slightest, I honestly agree with you! The reality is that LR wouldn't exist without LO, so to try and compare them feels kind of like... it defeats the point?

Like obviously Rekindled was made with similar intentions, I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like Rekindled wasn't made out of spite over what could have been, but at the heart of it all, it doesn't exist to 'flex' on LO, really it's just to help recapture that joy and beauty that the original comic had that I fell in love with in the first place. It's only because I loved the original concept and foundation of LO so much that it exists. That's also why I call it an "AU" of sorts, as a sort of "alternate reality where LO didn't turn out the way it did" experiment lmao Mostly by maintaining the consistency in the original art style and paying off those earlier plot threads that didn't payoff the way we were anticipating or were dropped entirely. Sure, it's trying (and in some ways succeeding) to be "better" than LO, but that definition of "better" and how it's applied was what we were hoping to get out of LO in the first place.

So yeah, when people say "the art/writing is so much better than LO's!" part of me tries to take it as the compliment it's undoubtedly intended to be, but also I'm like "ack, that's not the point!! the art still doesn't look exactly like LO, I'm failing!!" LMAO I suppose that's part of the magic, but it doesn't fully align with my original goals or intentions. That's the struggle of art stylization, you can try and mimic another person's work as much as you want, but you can never mimic the them that's in their work, just like how you can't remove the you that's in yours. I want to be at peace with my own work and what I put into it, so I try not to compare them too much and just treat them as their own unique separate things (even if one of them is directly trying to resemble the other). It's okay that Rekindled doesn't look or read exactly the same as LO, but in saying that it's 'better' defeats the point of why Rekindled exists in the first place and diminishes LO's part in the process. LO has to exist - all of its best and worst parts - for Rekindled to exist, so putting LO down just to raise LR up... isn't that kind of what we criticize all the time within the comic, how it can't seem to hold up its best parts without putting down others? Why can't they both have their own things worth appreciating on their own exclusive of one another?

This is also why I generally ask people to not share Rekindled with the general Lore Olympus hashtags or post about it in the fan groups (and why I don't mirror it on Webtoons) because I just like... don't want it to come across as some "booo you like LO??? go read this instead!" type deal. I want people to be able to enjoy Rekindled as its own standalone story as an extension of LO, in the form of what could have been. There's a very thin line in the sand between Rekindled being just what it is and it being used against the fans as if it's a crime for them to still genuinely enjoy LO. I can't enjoy LO in good faith anymore, but that doesn't mean I make Rekindled for the sake of ruining that good faith in others. I was a fan too, once upon a time, so Rekindled is just as much for the fans as it is for the people like me who started off loving this comic just to be disappointed in the end and yearning for the "what if" that could have been.

And yeah, it's absolutely an advantage that I have in my court that I have the knowledge of knowing what LO started as and where it went wrong to work off of, an advantage that Rachel didn't have. It's like when I look back on my original pages in Time Gate: Reaper and think "man, I wish I had known xyz when I made these so they could be better!" but if I hadn't made them like that the first time, I wouldn't be able to reflect on them now knowing I've improved. In that same regard, Lore Olympus had to run so that Lore Rekindled could crawl. And I'm forever thankful to LO - and Rachel - for giving us something we could all connect over to such an extensive degree that Rekindled could exist at all.

[scatterbrainedart]

I’m sure being aroace spec has given me a somewhat unique view of what love is and should be, but like. I feel like I need to articulate it, because I will probably never publicly do it again lmao. Bear with me, if you’d be so inclined :)

I am a firm believer in that love is a decision you make, as well as an emotion. I also firmly believe that liking something is not the same as loving something. I am an artist, yes? I love art. I do not like every single piece of art I see or make, nor do I always like making art. But even in the deepest depths of my worst burnout periods, I do not love it any less. I love my mother utterly and throughly, more than anyone. And even though I also like her for the overwhelming majority of the time, that is not always the case. It does not mean I love her any less.

I believe that you have little control over Love the Emotion. Sometimes it sneaks up on you, sometimes you grow into it, but you decide whether you nurture it or not. That is a decision you remake every single day. I doubt my love for things all the time. It’s healthy, to an extent, I think. I reevaluate frequently, still I’ve rarely realise that I no longer love something. It happens, but it is rare. Love, for me, rarely dies. It can falter and fall into the background, but it rarely seizes to be. In fact, thinking about it, I’m not sure it ever has. I want to say it can sizzle away, but,,,, maybe that is wrong. Maybe it is simply dormant, or maybe it never existed at all.

The people I have loved and no longer do, is that only because I loved the idea of them I created in my own head and when the idea got disproven, the love lost its foundation? Very possibly. And the others, those who I drifted away from? I think the love I have for them may very well be dormant. If I were to meet them again, I’m sure one of two things would happen: The love would either resurface, or I’d meet them a stranger.

This also begs a relatively interesting question in my opinion. What is the difference between love and hate? If loving isn’t the same as liking, but it still a stubbornly strong feeling, could they not be confused for each other? I think so. I do not, however, think love is enough for a relationship to be healthy. Obviously. Things hurt more when it comes to something or someone you love, I’ve come to realise. And those hurt feelings can be easily associated with your beloved object, which confuses things. You can love someone while being mad at them, this much I know. You can love someone/something in the long run which you dislike in the moment. On this note, I do not believe every loving emotion needs or should go anywhere, or lead to something else. For that matter, love and a relationship are two very different things, which is important to note. One can exist without the other, and “relationship” is a very broad term. Not gonna get into that right now tho I don’t think.

I do think it’s fucking dumb to say that “love is born from hate” or “love starts with fighting” or whatever the fuck. I believe those people are bad at expressing and analysing their feelings, and that is all I have to say about that.

But back to the point. Me (likely) being aroace, I struggle to see the clear divide between different kinds of love. From my view, I’m not sure there are different ones. Different attractions, yes. Different goals and wants for different dynamics, yes. I do not want to exorcise or express my love the same way for every person, thing or concept in my life. Different kinds of love entirely? I don’t know. I’m not saying there aren’t a difference for you, just that there don’t seem to be a difference for me. Maybe you love people entirely different. Maybe it feels entirely differently. This little self analysis is just that: a self analysis. That doesn’t diminish your love, nor does it diminish mine. I am, as well, a firm believer in the fact that those two realities can coexist in different people.

I think I love people the same way I love the forests or science. Sometimes even for the same reasons, although those obviously also differ drastically.

I’d love to hear someone else’s view on this. Like, do I sound like I’ve lost the plot entirely or is this relatable. And if not, what does your world look like?? I’m genuinely curious

[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

Billionaires destroy more than they create

In a land often championed for its economic opportunity and equality, the American Dream promises that anyone who works hard can rise to prosperity. But for many in today’s middle and lower economic classes, that dream is fading, shadowed by a reality that feels increasingly rigged. At the heart of this issue lies a stark and glaring imbalance: billionaires, a minuscule fraction of the population, wield a staggering concentration of wealth and influence. This is not just an issue of economics but one that touches the foundations of democracy and fairness.

Imagine the economy as a massive machine, built to churn wealth throughout society. In an ideal world, this wealth would cycle effectively, where each part contributes and benefits in turn. But as billionaires amass wealth at unprecedented levels, this machine has come to function more like a funnel, siphoning resources from the broader society and concentrating them at the very top. This dynamic, driven by complex financial structures and tax strategies, isn’t merely an accumulation of personal fortunes but a systematic extraction from the economic potential of others. The capital that could have flowed through wages, education, and public infrastructure is often diverted into private bank accounts and shell companies, rarely benefiting the people who drive and build the economy day by day.

As wealth accumulates at the top, so too does political influence. Billionaires, with vast financial resources, can fund political campaigns, lobbyists, and entire networks of think tanks dedicated to shaping policy. Through these channels, they push for tax policies, regulations, and trade agreements that benefit the ultra-wealthy at the expense of middle- and lower-income families. Politicians, indebted to these donors, increasingly look to billionaire interests rather than to constituents’ needs. This creates a disturbing feedback loop: billionaires influence politics to further policies that reinforce their own wealth and power, leaving the broader populace with dwindling opportunities to influence their own government.

This concentrated power extends far beyond campaign finance and lobbying. With ownership over significant segments of media networks, billionaires control the narratives that millions consume daily. Through these media outlets, they shape public opinion, diverting attention from policies that would challenge wealth accumulation and pushing narratives that frame the ultra-wealthy as essential “job creators” or “innovators” rather than acknowledging their role in widening economic divides. Issues that might threaten their economic stranglehold are often buried, while others, that create division and distract, are amplified.

For the middle and lower classes, this confluence of wealth, media, and political power has a real impact. Stagnant wages, diminishing job security, and rising costs of living aren’t natural outcomes of a complex economy—they’re symptoms of a system shaped to benefit those at the top. Policies that could lift working-class Americans, like raising the minimum wage, universal healthcare, or better labor protections, are often stifled in legislative deadlock, thanks in part to the political influence of the ultra-wealthy who stand to lose from them.

So, as this cycle continues, the gap between billionaires and everyone else widens. The billions accumulated at the top no longer signify mere success but a barrier to mobility for everyone else. The middle and lower classes find themselves carrying the economic burdens, often working harder for less. Meanwhile, billionaires remain insulated, living in a different economic reality, one far removed from the struggles of the average American. This isn’t just an economic imbalance but a distortion of democracy itself, as the machinery of power and influence is pulled further from the reach of ordinary citizens and held more tightly by those whose interests rarely align with theirs.

Without addressing this imbalance, the promise of opportunity, the cornerstone of the American Dream, becomes less attainable with each passing year, not just for the lower and middle classes but for the nation’s future as a whole.

Addressing their manipulation

Billionaires and their advocates often employ a familiar set of narratives to justify their wealth and the structures that enable it. These arguments, framed in terms of the free market, capitalism, or fear of socialism, are not only misleading but often serve to distract from the deeper systemic issues at play. Below is a breakdown of these claims and the counterarguments that expose their flaws:

1. “It’s Just the Free Market at Work”

The myth of the “free market” implies that billionaires achieve their wealth purely through talent, innovation, and competition in a market where everyone has equal opportunity. But in reality, the U.S. economy is far from a genuinely “free” market.

Counterpoints:

• Government Subsidies and Tax Breaks: Many billionaires’ businesses rely heavily on taxpayer-funded subsidies, special tax breaks, and other forms of government assistance. Large corporations frequently lobby for policies that grant them tax advantages, including offshore loopholes and capital gains tax breaks. This creates an environment where they aren’t competing on equal ground but rather with significant state support, distorting the market in their favor.

• Anti-Competitive Practices: Many large corporations, especially in tech and finance, engage in monopolistic behavior, buying out competitors or using aggressive tactics to drive them out of the market. This concentration of power stifles competition, contradicting the notion of a “free” market where anyone can succeed if they work hard.

• Inherited Wealth and Privilege: A significant portion of billionaire wealth is inherited rather than self-made. Generational wealth compounds, giving the ultra-wealthy an enormous head start over those without similar family resources. This challenges the idea that wealth accumulation is simply the product of individual merit or a fair market.

2. “This Is What Capitalism Is Supposed to Look Like”

The argument here suggests that capitalism is an inherently competitive system, where the most successful rise to the top, benefiting everyone through innovation and job creation. This narrative hinges on the idea of “trickle-down economics,” where the wealth of the richest eventually spreads throughout society.

Counterpoints:

• Trickle-Down Economics Doesn’t Work: Decades of evidence show that wealth rarely “trickles down” to the rest of society in any meaningful way. Income inequality has only widened, with wages stagnating for most workers while billionaire wealth has soared. Billionaires tend to reinvest wealth in ways that concentrate their holdings, like in stocks, rather than in ways that benefit the broader economy.

• Wealth Extraction, Not Wealth Creation: Many billionaires achieve and maintain their fortunes through rent-seeking behavior—extracting wealth from existing resources rather than creating new value. Hedge funds, private equity, and real estate empires often profit by cutting costs (like labor) rather than by innovating or producing new goods and services. This dynamic benefits investors but hurts workers and consumers.

• Capitalism Can Take Other Forms: The capitalism practiced in the U.S. today, sometimes called “neoliberal capitalism,” focuses on minimal regulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, and privatization. However, other countries demonstrate that capitalism can function with stronger social safety nets, wealth redistribution policies, and tighter regulations on corporate power. Nordic countries, for example, balance capitalism with robust welfare systems, ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth and services.

3. “Without Billionaires, There Would Be No Innovation or Job Creation”

A popular myth is that billionaires are essential “job creators” and “innovators” whose wealth ultimately benefits society by funding new businesses and creating employment. This claim positions billionaires as indispensable to economic growth.

Counterpoints:

• Public Funding Fuels Innovation: Many of the biggest technological advances, including the internet, GPS, and medical breakthroughs, were developed with public funding rather than billionaire investments. Government research grants and subsidies often lay the groundwork for major innovations that billionaires later profit from. In other words, society bears much of the financial risk, while billionaires reap the rewards.

• Small Businesses Create Most Jobs: Small businesses, not billionaires or large corporations, are responsible for most job creation in the United States. Big corporations often eliminate jobs through automation, outsourcing, or consolidation. They may employ a large workforce, but they also tend to exploit workers through low wages, precarious employment, and cost-cutting measures.

• Billionaires Accumulate Wealth Through Wealth, Not Innovation: Many billionaires maintain their wealth not by creating jobs or innovating but by using their existing capital to generate more wealth, often through financial instruments that have little to do with actual economic productivity. Stock buybacks, dividends, and passive investments grow their fortunes without necessarily contributing to broader economic prosperity.

4. “Any Alternative Is Socialism or Communism”

When calls arise for higher taxes on the wealthy, stricter regulations, or broader social programs, the response is often to invoke the fear of “socialism” or “communism.” This argument seeks to paint any attempt at wealth redistribution or regulation as a slippery slope toward total government control.

Counterpoints:

• Social Safety Nets and Regulations Are Not Socialism: Social safety nets, progressive taxation, and regulations do not equate to socialism or communism; they’re features of a balanced capitalist system that seeks to prevent extreme inequality and protect public welfare. Countries like Germany, Canada, and Denmark combine regulated capitalism with strong social programs, resulting in healthier economies and greater well-being for citizens without abandoning capitalism.

• Inequality Threatens Capitalism: Growing inequality and economic instability can undermine the foundations of capitalism. A healthy capitalist economy requires a strong middle class with buying power, which excessive wealth concentration undermines. Reforms like progressive taxation, labor protections, and universal healthcare aren’t a rejection of capitalism but rather a means of stabilizing it.

• Historical Success of Mixed Economies: Many of the most successful and prosperous countries practice a mixed economy, where capitalism coexists with social policies that promote equality. The U.S. itself has employed a mixed economy model in the past, particularly after the New Deal, which implemented social safety nets, labor protections, and financial regulations that led to a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the middle class.

5. “They Earned It Fair and Square”

Finally, the idea persists that billionaires deserve their wealth because they “earned” it. This argument suggests that any policy aiming to redistribute wealth is fundamentally unfair, penalizing those who worked hard to succeed.

Counterpoints:

• Systemic Advantages and Wealth Hoarding: As previously mentioned, many billionaires begin with advantages—like family wealth or elite educational opportunities—that aren’t available to most people. Additionally, billionaires often employ complex strategies to avoid taxes, lobby for favorable regulations, and capitalize on government subsidies. These factors mean they haven’t earned wealth solely through hard work or merit.

• Billionaires Didn’t Build Alone: No billionaire operates in isolation; they rely on infrastructure, public education, and the work of thousands or millions of employees. A CEO’s wealth is made possible by a web of collective contributions, yet that wealth is rarely shared equitably. While billionaires might be rewarded for their role, their fortune is far from the result of individual effort alone.

In short, these narratives around billionaires often mask a more uncomfortable truth: today’s system is structured in ways that favor the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the broader population. Economic reform, rather than a threat to capitalism, is a necessary step to ensure a more just, equitable society where wealth accumulation doesn’t depend on privilege, influence, or systemic manipulation.

Making a change

Addressing the economic imbalance and the unchecked power of the ultra-wealthy presents a unique challenge, especially given the intense political polarization in the United States. For the middle and lower classes to push back effectively, they will need to build a coalition that transcends party lines and focuses on shared economic interests rather than divisive rhetoric.

1. Build Awareness Through Shared Issues, Not Ideology

The rhetoric around “free markets” and “socialism” often obscures real issues of economic struggle that affect both conservative and progressive working- and middle-class citizens alike. Instead of framing the issue in ideological terms, framing it in terms of tangible, shared grievances can help bridge the divide:

• Focus on Economic Inequality: Income stagnation, unaffordable healthcare, and housing insecurity are felt across the political spectrum. By shifting the narrative from “class warfare” to “economic fairness,” advocates can sidestep partisan language and emphasize the shared experience of economic struggle.

• Highlight the Impact of Corporate Power on Local Communities: Framing issues around how large corporations hurt small, local businesses can resonate strongly with both sides of the political spectrum. This approach often taps into conservative values around community and self-reliance, while also aligning with progressive critiques of corporate overreach.

2. Organize Around Labor Rights and Worker Protections

Historically, unions have been instrumental in improving working conditions and advocating for fair wages, and labor movements transcend political divisions. Many Americans—left, right, and center—share concerns about the erosion of workers’ rights, stagnant wages, and the declining influence of the average worker.

• Expand Union Participation and Labor Movements: Reinvigorating unions and expanding labor protections could give workers a stronger collective voice. New labor movements that focus on economic rights without overtly partisan language could attract support across the political spectrum, particularly when they champion issues like fair wages, workplace safety, and job security.

• Support Worker Cooperatives and Employee-Owned Businesses: Promoting models like worker cooperatives or employee-owned businesses can offer a compelling alternative to the current structure of corporate ownership without resorting to divisive rhetoric. These models prioritize local control and shared economic benefits, appealing to values of self-sufficiency and fairness.

3. Pressure Politicians on Key Economic Policies

A key to bridging the partisan gap is to focus on policies that benefit the broader populace rather than framing them as part of any ideological agenda. The majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, support policies like fair taxation, healthcare reform, and increased access to education when framed in terms of fairness and opportunity.

• Promote Tax Reform as “Fairness,” Not Redistribution: Instead of advocating for “redistribution,” proponents can push for tax policies that ensure everyone pays their fair share. Policies like a wealth tax or higher taxes on capital gains can be framed as holding the ultra-wealthy accountable rather than demonizing them, a stance that resonates with people who value fairness and personal responsibility.

• Advocate for Antitrust Legislation: Pushing for stronger antitrust laws to break up monopolies and prevent anti-competitive practices can appeal to both sides. For conservatives, this aligns with the values of market competition; for progressives, it aligns with corporate accountability and consumer protection.

4. Engage in Alternative Media and Independent Journalism

The ultra-wealthy often own or influence major media outlets, which can shape public opinion in ways that protect their interests. For the middle and lower classes to gain a clearer view of economic issues, alternative media sources and independent journalism that aren’t beholden to billionaire interests are crucial.

• Support Independent News Outlets: A growing number of independent news organizations are dedicated to in-depth economic reporting without catering to corporate interests. Supporting these outlets allows individuals to access a range of perspectives that help reveal the true impact of policies on ordinary people.

• Utilize Social Media Responsibly to Build Cross-Party Awareness: Social media, while often a divisive force, can also be used to spread information about economic injustice. When used responsibly to share facts, case studies, and stories of economic hardship, it can cut through the rhetoric and provide people across the political spectrum with a shared understanding of the issues.

5. Prioritize Voting Reform and Campaign Finance Reform

Money in politics is one of the core reasons why economic policies favor the wealthy. Bipartisan support for reducing corporate influence in politics is possible, especially when the focus is on fairness, transparency, and accountability in government.

• Promote Campaign Finance Reform as an Anti-Corruption Effort: Campaign finance reform, which seeks to limit the influence of wealthy donors and corporations on elections, can appeal to conservatives and liberals alike who are frustrated with the influence of money in politics. Instead of framing it as an anti-capitalist measure, framing it as an anti-corruption measure can attract broader support.

• Support Voting Reforms for a More Representative Democracy: Reforms like ranked-choice voting, ending gerrymandering, and preventing voter suppression can help create a political environment that more accurately represents the will of the people rather than special interests. By creating a more representative democracy, policies that reflect the economic needs of the middle and lower classes have a better chance of being enacted.

6. Create Cross-Partisan Grassroots Coalitions Focused on Economic Issues

Many grassroots organizations are focused on economic justice, but they tend to align themselves with one side of the political spectrum, often losing potential support in the process. Building cross-partisan coalitions that emphasize shared economic challenges rather than ideological differences could foster stronger, more united advocacy for middle- and working-class issues.

• Organize Around Issues, Not Parties: Groups like the Poor People’s Campaign, which focuses on poverty and economic justice, have successfully united people across political lines around issues that transcend party loyalty. This approach allows people to focus on their shared struggles, making the movement harder for politicians to ignore.

• Build Community-Level Alliances: Many economic issues are felt acutely at the local level. By focusing on community-level initiatives that address healthcare, affordable housing, and education, people can create practical, on-the-ground solutions that don’t require alignment with national politics. These local successes can serve as models for broader change.

7. Emphasize Civic Education on Economic Policies

Finally, bridging the gap will require education and awareness. Many people accept billionaire-fueled rhetoric because they lack exposure to alternative perspectives. Civic education efforts that focus on teaching economic principles, tax policy, and the influence of corporate power can empower people to understand the real impacts of current policies on their lives.

• Create Accessible Educational Resources: Podcasts, documentaries, workshops, and community discussions can all serve as tools for demystifying economic issues. When people have a clearer understanding of how things like tax policies and wage laws work, they are better equipped to make informed decisions.

• Promote Financial Literacy and Empower Individuals: Financial literacy programs that help individuals understand budgeting, credit, and investments empower people to navigate the economy more effectively. While this doesn’t directly address systemic issues, it gives individuals a greater understanding of the forces shaping their lives and can be a first step toward broader engagement.

By approaching these issues with a focus on shared struggles, fairness, and practical solutions, the middle and lower classes can work together to build a movement that transcends political divides. This movement can challenge the status quo without becoming mired in divisive ideological battles. The real strength of such an effort lies in its ability to unite ordinary people around a common vision for a fairer, more just economic system—one that serves all citizens, not just the wealthiest few.

[syrena-del-mar]

Let’s talk about Uncle Jim and the preview of episode 7. 

I think we need to look at Uncle Jim as a product of circumstances. 

It’s easy to call him a hypocrite if you are only looking at the fact that he’s, essentially, pointing fingers at his nephew, Li Ming, for being gay while he’s out there having sex with Wen and whatever their ‘situationship’ is a the moment. Now, I’m not saying it’s was okay, or anything of the sort, on how he will be dealing with finding out about Li Ming and Heart, but I think we do need to go beyond the surface level, “He’s a homophobe!” virtue-signaling that has been going around and look at the complexity that lead to that moment.

I'm going to break this down into three parts: (1) Uncle Jim's financial struggles, (2) Uncle Jim's struggles with his sexual identity, and (3) how they play into the confrontation.

1. Uncle Jim and the effect of poverty on his worldview

First, we need to look at what Uncle Jim’s relationship with Li Ming. The first clue into the relationship between Uncle Jim and Li Ming is in Episode 1 while Saleng and Li Ming meet up. Saleng let’s Li Ming know that it would be best if he came back to the diner straight after school so Uncle Jim wouldn’t nag him again, and Li Ming being the teenager that he is, blew off the advice stating to just let Uncle Jim nag. Tensions between the two are already somewhat heightened, which tends to naturally occur as kids grow into their teens and don’t see eye-to-eye with their parental figures. Add in the fact that Li Ming is growing up and starting to make decisions for his own future, and Uncle Jim doesn't agree with a lot of them, their relationship is going to be rocky.

Second, Uncle Jim knows his place in a classist society and has conformed to it. Time and time again, in the conversations with Wen, Uncle Jim has diminished his work as a chicken vendor. It's a labor-intensive job. Even with a diner that's packed and being on television, the amount of money is not enough to pay the bills. Chicken prices have been going higher and higher, which the audience is informed through Gaipa's mother, and he's barely able to stretch the income that the chicken shop is bring to cover the bills. They are poor, living essentially paycheck-to-paycheck and just hoping to be able to get by. It's his every-day life and he's been burned out by it. It's no comfy desk job, local restaurants are looked down on. There's no honor or 'reward' for his work aside from seeing people enjoy the food that he makes with his own hands.

He 'knows' his place in society and behaves according to it. During the whole initial fiasco of meeting Heart's parents, Uncle Jim apologizes on behalf of Li Ming. Heart's father is an officer, a Senior Sergeant, and wealthy ones at that. Uncle Jim is more than aware of the status difference and what that signifies in the terms to the power that they hold. So Uncle Jim would rather Li Ming take the blame and smooth things over, instead of risking upsetting Heart's parents.

Meanwhile, Li Ming is aware of the classism and resents it. He's aware of their financial status and the power that others hold over them, as seen with his indignant response when Uncle Jim suggests just thinking of the situation with Heart's parents as 'bad luck'. Li Ming is young, that's the reality. He hasn't been worn down like Uncle Jim and as a result he still (correctly) pushes against the idea that just because Heart's parents hold a high status, he should plead guilty. He knows he's innocent because he is innocent, and he's hurt that Uncle Jim would tell him to just take the blame. But the thing is, I don't think it's that Uncle Jim doesn't believe or trust him, more than anything Uncle Jim is worried that defying would somehow get Li Ming in more trouble, potentially jeopardizing his future.

Which comes to the third point, Uncle Jim wants Li Ming to do better for himself and have a brighter future than he does. He doesn't want Li Ming to know the struggle of barely being able to pay for bills or the pain of such a laborious job. That's not to say that the way Uncle Jim goes about it is correct, especially when pushing Li Ming to study is just making him miserable and Uncle Jim fails or refuses to see that. But I think he truly believes that Li Ming would find a better life by getting a college degree. To Uncle Jim, it's Li Ming's ticket out of the misery that being poor brings; he pushes it onto him because he truly wants what's best for him.

Uncle Jim, like many parents or parental figures, wants Li Ming to do better in life than he has. Uncle Jim has been worn down by life, he's essentially just floating, trying not to drown. He doesn't want that for Li Ming. Yet, Uncle Jim is so consumed by the stress of running the diner and the lack of funds that it brings in, he doesn't really see that there are other ways besides getting a college degree to be successful. (I think many children of immigrant parents/third-world countries can relate to the pressure parents apply in succeeding in their education to pull themselves out of poverty.) Which results in Uncle Jim not listening to the wants and needs of Li Ming. Uncle Jim has been tired down by the reality of poverty and he doesn't want to Li Ming to experience it, especially when he can provide Li Ming the opportunity to go to college and get an education, even if it costs him more in the long run.

He wants Li Ming to have every opportunity and success out there that's available, ones that he didn't have. To Uncle Jim, that means getting a degree. A degree can open doors that are otherwise locked. It's a ticket out. Uncle Jim's main motivation is Li Ming to find success, to find financial stability. It's the idea that once you're financially stable and out of poverty, only then can you strive to find happiness. Poverty, to Uncle Jim, is a brick wall that is in Li Ming's way. Getting a degree is an opportunity that wasn't awarded to Uncle Jim and it's highly likely that Uncle Jim blames that for his present struggles.

From Uncle Jim's point of view, Li Ming is almost a mirror copy of him and going down a path that led to a lot of Uncle Jim's own pain and suffering. Uncle Jim is reactive, even when he is trying to be proactive, because that's all he knows how to do to survive. It's not that he intends to harm Li Ming, but rather it's the consequence of his good intentions that he ends up hurting him. A double-edged sword.

He doesn't want his nephew to follow in his foot steps, he wants him to be better than him.

2. Uncle Jim and his journey with his sexuality

I don't think we can just state that Uncle Jim is a hypocrite and homophobic. Does he probably struggle with internalized homophobia? Probably. But I think the reaction, stems from much more than just simple internalized homophobia. Rather I suspect his reaction has much more to do with his personal relationships, both familial and with Beam, and how they have shaped his life in relation to his sexuality.

Here we're going to start off with Uncle Jim's relationship with his sister, Li Ming's mother. His sister told him explicitly that she doesn't believe that gay relationships to work. She compared them to straight relationships and essentially, in lack of better terms, told Uncle Jim that they were inferior. Wen even states, "Love has no gender. everyday, heterosexual couples split up. No one bothers to find out why they break up. gender has nothing to do with successful or unsuccessful relationships." Even though logically, Uncle Jim understands that, the reality was that his sister's words rang in his mind after he found out that Beam was with a woman, while also being with him.

He was burned after taking a chance. When you get one too many burns, fear starts to become standard response.

Uncle Jim's relationship with Beam has a lot to do with how he NOW views love and the place it has in his life. Uncle Jim opened up the chicken dinner in hope to help provide for Beam. I mean they were wearing rings, it was a very serious and committed relationship. Uncle Jim, in his 20s, took the risk of losing his family for this man, to prove his sister wrong. Where did that lead him? To unknowingly being the sidepiece in a straight relationship. And then Beam goes and dies before Uncle Jim could get any answers.

For about a decade, Uncle Jim was left to wallow in his pain from the wound that Beam left him. He had no clue whether Beam actually loved him. Not to mention that he, a male, was the sidepiece. This isn't just simple cheating, instead it's rather significant that Beam was cheating on his long-time girlfriend/fiancée with him. While Uncle Jim and Beam may have had a ring on each other's finger, it says something that he was the hidden lover. How could Uncle Jim not wonder if Beam was using him/hiding him due to being ashamed of being gay? Or question if he was every truly loved?

Uncle Jim was left stagnant after Beam died, there was no way to come to terms with being the side-piece to a straight relationship. There was no clarity or closure that he could have gotten to move on, because the only person that could offer to him, died. It's obvious that his relationship with Beam shifted on how he felt about love, Uncle Jim states that several times to Wen. The relationship (being the hidden side piece) likely changed how he felt about being gay and gay relationships, potentially subconsciously. It wouldn't be shocking if he attributes some of his struggles to him being gay.

Uncle Jim risked his family, attempting to prove his sister wrong, and instead it backfired. A lot of pain and suffering that Uncle Jim has experienced in life has been due to his relationship, and it wouldn't be a giant leap to think that he attributes the pain specifically to having risked everything for a man. And he'd been stuck in that mindset for so many years, relationships meant potential pain. He'd gone against the status quo and that's why he got burned.

He's still barely learning to love again, learning to let go of the past.

3. How both factor in Uncle Jim confronting Li Ming about his relationship with Heart.

I think it has been established that Uncle Jim has just been in a land of pain, where he was left just a shadow of his bright 20-something-year-old self, after running the chicken diner and having a horrific ending to what seemed like a promising relationship.

Uncle Jim is only starting to reemerge and learn what it's like to live again after meeting Wen. Sure, he probably did have moments in his day-to-day life where he could laugh and smile with others, but those were fleeting moments. He was and has been struggling in every single aspect of his life, in his love-life, his financial status, his class status, he sexuality. Uncle Jim, by not being part of the status-quo, has lived a difficult life.

That's the exact opposite of what he wants for Li Ming. He wants him to be happy, to be stable, to not suffer like he is suffering for the decisions that he made as a young-adult. He's scared and afraid for the future of his nephew, because Li Ming is not willing to conform. Li Ming is resentful and indignant with society, like many young teens are, and isn't ready to bend to the rule of those with higher status. That almost guarantees that he's going to face hardships and that scares Uncle Jim.

If that wasn't bad enough, Uncle Jim finds out that he both doesn't want to get a higher education after graduation and he's gay. Two more attributes that almost guarantee a lot of pain in society, even if there has been large strides in LGBTQ+ relations since Uncle Jim came out.

When Uncle Jim sees Li Ming it's like staring at his own reflection and that scares him. He doesn't want Li Ming to end up like him, struggling for money and not fully accepted by society. It's a fear that only a guardian can truly understand.

Uncle Jim has only known pain since finding out about Papang cheated. Even though he now loves his diner, I'm sure it was painful before because it was a reminder, one that he has given his blood, sweat and tears for. He's only now coming out of the haze, from a zombie-like state, so the way he communicates isn't eloquent, it's forceful and harsh. He doesn't know how to effectively convey his worries to Li Ming and he doesn't know how to listen, to learn that maybe there is more than one way to achieve happiness and stability.

He's not mad at the fact that Li Ming is gay, but rather he's mad that after everything he has done to avoid Li Ming growing up to be like him (poor, struggling, tormented), Li Ming is still going to end up where he is. His mirror.

It's not okay that he reacts in the way that he does, I'm sure it'll hurt Li Ming more than anything, but it's also not shocking to see that Uncle Jim is angry. Angry at the situation... a repeat of his own in his eyes. And I think that it's more complicated than just a cry of "Uncle Jim is homophobic."

TLDR; Uncle Jim's outburst against Li Ming for being with Heart isn't solely rooted in homophobia, though there may be an aspect of internalized homophobia. Rather, Uncle Jim is a product of his situation and he doesn't know how to effectively communicate with his nephew. He's struggling and he doesn't want that for Li Ming. That's not to say that it's okay that Uncle Jim confronts Li Ming for being gay, especially in that manner, but it's not surprising when he reacts in that way.

[yukiwhitetm]

Too Young

by Yuki_White (@yukiwhitetm @sentariana)

What does it mean

When you say to me

That I am “too young”?

Too young to live

in pain chronically?

So, what is, shouldn’t be?

Too young to struggle

to stand and walk?

Yet here I am, struggling.

Too young to be

Constantly, unendingly

Tired? But I am exhausted!

How old do I have to grow,

What is your timely aim,

For you to accept my disability?

See, my pain does not diminish,

Nor my ability to move improve

Nor my fatigue depart from me

In the face of your judgement,

Claiming me to be

“Too young”.

Too young for what?

Too young to struggle

or strain for quality of life?

No. Disability does not

Discriminate

On gender, age or race.

Man or woman. Young or old.

Black, Hispanic, Asian,

Indigenous or White.

It makes no difference

To any disability

Or learning difficulty.

So, when you say I am

“Too young”,

It is a lie you tout as truth.

All “too young” is

Is discrimination and

An inability to accept reality.

Next time, I ask that you

Cast aside all stereotypes and biases

and engage with me honestly

[feedingtheflockministry]

Coping With the Loss of a Companion Animal

“A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” Proverbs 12:10

Recently my wife and I had to make the very grievous decision of putting down our beloved golden retriever Honey Bear. She was a true blessing from God over the last twelve and half years. She was greatly loved by us, by extended family, and brightened up those she came in contact with in our community. I have lost other pets in the past through death and moving from place to place, but never experienced the pain and grief of losing Honey.

Upon receiving her urn and a plaster print of her paw we also received a short seven page pamphlet titled “Coping With the Loss of a Companion Animal | Support Guide for Families”. We found it to be helpful in the grieving process, and decided to share it with others that may have lost a furry family member or about to. We hope it helps in the grieving process, and our hearts go out to you in your time of loss.

Grief

Grief is a healthy and normal response to loss. Attempting to suppress feelings of grief can actually prolong the grieving process. Grief can feel like being lost. The familiar things we relied on to live each day are gone. We must find new anchors or stabilizers along the way and learn a new way of relating to the world and people around us. It is also common to replay the last moments of your pet’s life repeatedly in your mind, like a videotape that keeps playing the same scene over and over.

No one can hurry the process or provide a magic cure for grief. When grief is new, it is common to feel exhausted: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Changes in appetite, sleeping patterns, or health are frequently reported. Those who are grieving often describe feelings of being out of control, isolation, and loneliness. Things that seemed so important before may now seem trivial. Others may experience a sense of “life isn’t fair” or being in a tunnel or fog while everyday life swirls around them.

“I HAD NEVER GONE THROUGH THE LOSS OF A PET AND IT HIT ME A LOT HARDER THAN I EXPECTED”

All of these feelings are normal and part of the grieving process, which follows no organized plan, rules, timetable, formula, or schedule. Don’t be surprised if you start to feel better, and then feel as if a wave has hit you. There will be ups and downs in the process of grieving.

The purpose of healthy grieving is not to “get over” the death of a loved one, but to integrate the experience of a pet’s death into present life. In this process, it is not unusual for certain memories of your pet to become blurred. This does not mean that you are forgetting your pet or that your love is diminished. The truth is, you will ALWAYS love this very special member of your family. The hope is that as time goes on, the feelings of sadness will become less difficult. In the beginning, you may be sad to think or talk about your companion animal. Eventually, the hope is that you will be able to talk and even smile or laugh at good memories.

“I THINK IT’S GODD TO HAVE SOMETHING TO READ BEFORE OR AFTER LOSING A PET. IT’S A REALLY NUMBING EXPERIENCE AND YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO TALK, BUT READING SOMETHING IS QUIET AND REFLECTIVE THAT YOU CAN DO AT YOUR OWN PACE”

Guilt

Guilt and uncertainty are probably two of the most common emotions that people experience after the death of their pet. You may find yourself thinking continuously about what you perceive you could have, should have, or would have done to prevent or postpone your pet’s death Some suggestions for coping with guilt include:

1. Be truthful with yourself about why you feel guilty.

2. Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with.

3. Do a reality check. Most people assume that if they had done something differently, the outcome would have been better. It’s just as likely, however, that if you had done things differently, the outcome would have been the same.

4. Remember that you are human. No one is perfect. Accepting your imperfections will aid you in working through your emotions.

5. Remember that all living things die. There is not always an answer to why bad things happen and you do not have to find someone (yourself or others) or something to blame. Realize that sometimes you are powerless and that you cannot control everything that happens to your loved ones. What you can control is how you choose to respond to the events that happen in your life

6. Try writing or talking to a trusted friend or advisor about your thoughts and feelings of guilt. Expressing your concerns in a safe and supportive environment can help you examine your emotions from a different perspective.

Seeking Support

While there is no standard duration for grief, the pain of loss normally eases with time. You can work through the process by applying healthy coping skills, such as talking with others about your memories and emotions and facing the grief, rather than trying to stay distracted or busy to avoid intense emotions. If your feelings . of sorrow or guilt have not diminished after several weeks or if they impair your ability to engage in family, social, work, or other functions, you may wish to reach out for support. Many people have found comfort in calling a pet loss support hotline, joining a pet loss support group, reading books about coping with the death of a pet, or talking with a trusted counselor or advisor.

Celebrate Your Pet’s Life

Some owners would like a way to memorialize their companion animal. The following are some ways that others have found helpful:

• Conduct a memorial service

• Keep your pet’s tags, toys, collars, bedding, etc. keep your horse’s shoes, tail, mane hair

• Save condolence cards or e-mails from friends and family

• Create a picture collage, scrapbook, story, or poem about vour pet

• If you chose cremation, you may keep the ashes in an urn or locket, or you may choose to scatter them in a place that was special to vour pet.

• Journal your pet’s story; how, when, and where you met, unique personality traits, nicknames, what you love the most, and what you’ll miss the most

• Donate time, money, or talent in your pet’s honor

“I HAVE A FRAMED PICTURE NEXT TO MY LIVING PLANTS, SO SHE IS SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY IN A SPACE THAT STILL FEELS ALIVE”

Adopting Again

The decision about bringing another animal into the home is very personal. Some families may decide not to adopt a new companion animal because of the emotional, physical, or financial demands involved with companion animal care. Others may feel the time is right to share their home and heart with another pet.

The time to consider adopting a new companion animal is when the entire family has had sufficient time to deal with the emotions of grief. Adopting too soon can lead to feelings of guilt or resentment toward the new family member. The important thing to remember is that bringing another animal into the home is not a betrayal of the one that is gone. You will never replace the one you’ve lost. You will simply be opening your home and heart to a new friend.

For families who want to consider adoption, it will be important to remember that each companion animal has a special and unique personality. Take time to discuss different sizes, breeds, or colors before making a final decision Consider the needs and temperament ol any surviving companion animals.

Losing a pet is extremely painful – you don’t have to face this alone. 24/7 grief support is available to all through our Pet Compassion Careline. CALL 1 (855) 245-8214 TO REACH A COUNSELOR TODAY.

Source at: https://www.gatewayservicesinc.com/grief-support (There are two pamphlets to choose from. This one and another titled “PRE-PLANNING AND PET AFTERCARE”.)

[bamfspock]

This is something that's become a huge issue for me as my medical conditions have progressed.

I'm semi-housebound. My ability to engage in interactions, and the world at large, is very limited. There are few times I can go anywhere w/o my wheelchair, and many times I can't go anywhere as intermittent vertigo and congitions issues simply make leaving the house unsafe. My diet is incredibly restricted. My life span will be 20 or so years shorter than it would be otherwise.

This means that when people talk about the future, about food, about activities, etc etc I generally have nothing to contribute to the conversation that won't sound depressing to others. When I do speak of it reactions involve sympathy or other reminders that what is normal for me makes others sad. It can stop a casual, upbeat conversation in it's tracks. When I use my fave coping mechanism - humor - to talk about these things, others either find it discomfiting or react with that same sympathy. When people *are* venting, even if I don't mention my reality when offering comfort the other person will often feel bad for feeling bad because they're reminded that I 'have it worse'.

As you can imagine, this can be really isolating, and compounds how isolated my health already makes me. If people are doing something that is inaccessible to me, I'll decline on the basis of being busy or fatigued because they feel bad when they realize they chose to do something I can't and didn't think of it (I run into this a lot with activities that revolve around food or drink - which a lot more do than I myself realized until I couldn't participate, e.g. eating out, holiday gatherings, meeting for a meal as part of a larger outing). I'm tired of having people always walking on eggshells around me, so I've ended up always doing it around others to avoid that.

It's a huge relief when people 'follow my lead' and treat what I say in the same way I do. If I make a joke related to my health, I love it when they approach it with humor of their own. When I state something in a matter-of-fact or casual manner and their tone matches, I feel like I can relax.

There are still of course times when *I'm* sad about it, or frustrated, or what have you, and when I express that I do appreciate words of comfort or encouragement (as long as they aren't along the lines of 'you can do it!' or 'maybe one day' or anything else that sounds positive but denies the truth of my experience). But feeling that way about my situation constantly is wearing. It just...feels bad. And so I go silent a lot, because when the people around me (which includes online interactions) react by feeling bad themselves...well, silence becomes preferable.

I say all this because I think sometimes the best way someone else can help someone whose life has been shaped my trauma (as mine has also been), illness, etc, is to approach it as that person does. Remember that, for them, it's a fact of life. It's their reality. And then treat it as such, rather than trauma dumping or Such An Unfortunate Thing.

Of course, if someone is *actually* venting that's different, and something we all need at times. Just because the content of the vent is of a particularly heavy variety doesn't diminish the struggles you feel, or require you to match that with equally 'heavy' expressions of your own feelings.

And of course, this isn't universal - everyone has different needs, and needs different things from their interpersonal relationships. Give and take isn't a one-to-one equation. For me, that's meant that just as I can't engage in the expressions of friendship most people think of when talking about what makes a good friend - I can't pick you up at the airport or help you move or even keep you company when you're going through something difficult - others can't show me friendship by including me in activities (though an invitation as a gesture is always appreciated) or baking something for me or even coming to visit (big energy zap). But when someone is hurting or recovering I can send a thoughtful gift, or even a card, and when I want to join in on the fun but vertigo prevents it they can offer me a ride, or text me photos of their pets when I'm hurting, or drop me a message with no expectation of response when I'm too ill to chat online so I know people think of me when I'm not there.

I've lost the thread a little here, but I hope this can maybe help someone better navigate their own relationships.

Having a traumatic childhood means you cannot talk even objectively about your basic foundational experiences without it being "venting", even if you're not actually venting. You just straight up have a huge chunk of your life you can't talk about, full stop, without it being trauma dumping.

And it not being socially acceptable to talk about your own childhood is super alienating. Sometimes people want to know why, and any answer you can give them is going to be off putting.

It's to the point I get irritated when something I said is framed as venting when I'm literally just talking about my life experiences, doing my best to keep emotion out of it.

[pokemonmadness]

need to talk about this my brain is itchy (aka moth spends the better part of their day psychoanalyzing a fictional character alongside their ocs)

So, I wanna do a post about one of my older sets of Pokemon OCs, but weirdly enough I want to talk about the specific dynamic between these characters and the canon character they're associated with. Plus this may brink more on being headcanons so to speak, so, there's that too.

One of the first sets of Pokemon OCs I came up with was Andy and Ellie/Eloise (Ellie used to have a different name but I ignore that anymore lmao) -- something similar goes with Noel because he used to be wayyy different. But, they're some of my earlier Pokemon OCs, all meant to be related to Lysandre, via being his family.

Now this could all brink too on how old Lysandre is. Personally, I kind of imagine him to be in his early-mid 40s. But, the way it goes is that Lysandre and Noel had two kids more on accident than anything, not having planned to have them. Andy is around 18, Ellie is around 20. I can infodump more about them later, but it's always gotten me interested in a certain aspect: what if Lysandre was a parent, and how would that effect his partner and/or his kids?

Looking at Lysandre as a person, he's complex. He's two-sided, wanting to come off as being very personable, very charitable, very humble. One of the good people of the world. And has he done some good in his life? Sure. But beneath that surface is a man who's obsessed with perfection, obsessed with what is truly just a subjective concept, of perfection and ugliness. But, to him that doesn't matter. He's experienced first hand the greediness of humanity, and it's something that was bad enough to where he felt this obsessive need to then want to cleanse the world of its impurities. But in reality, that didn't truly matter. To him the only worthy ones are those who agree with him, in essence. The ones who follow him, or who give up their lives for him. (Though he also sees something in the player in X and Y, and asks if you want to join him.) But, there's one thing specific about his character that I find fascinating. He doesn't seem like he's fully in control of himself sometimes. There are times where it seems like he's having an internal struggle, does he truly want to go through with what he wants to do? He doesn't like the idea of having to kill the Pokemon to get what he wants. One could argue that perhaps there's something deeper about him, maybe the battle between a different part of him versus who he is now. Who knows? Lysandre's past, outside of him being a scientist, isn't very much known. This is a bit of word vomit, so, I apologize if it is inaccurate or it doesn't make sense. And, me bringing up him not being in control is not to diminish the bad things he has done or that he's attempted to do. (Also, technically I could bring up Alain, but unfortunately I don't remember about him or the anime all too well. Though, there is an older thread talking about the dynamic between Lysandre and Alain, and the potential emotional abuse that occurred, at the end of the post.)

But then, you get into the idea of that, but as a parent. You take Alain's situation, and you could potentially use that to help see this. Going back to Andy and Ellie, it's important to know too the relationship that'd be between Lysandre and Noel. The two had met when they were much younger, somewhere around their later teens, and after a few years, they dated, and had Ellie. (I feel it is necessary to not Noel is a transgender man, and came out when Andy and Ellie were young children.) Andy was born two years after Ellie, but their parents weren't married. When they did get married, that's when their relationship completely splintered. They needed to just split up for a while, they needed to take a break. They would divorce not long later, maybe a half year after. Noel offered to take both the kids, to take a load off of Lysandre, but he decided to try to help, by taking one of the kids. Split custody to a degree, but Noel was still open to taking Andy in, as they're the one who went with Lysandre when Noel and Ellie moved back to Snowbelle City. (Wherever Lysandre currently lives, I'm not sure.) All of this to then get into the dynamic of Lysandre as a father, of being raised by him.

Andy, between the time they were a young child (say around 6) up until they were 18, lived with Lysandre. Think of it like this, to the outside world, what did they have to complain about? They got anything they wanted, any games, clothes, et cetera. To the outside world, Andy was lucky, getting to be the child of one of Kalos's most prominent men. Thing is the two did have a good relationship when Andy was a child. But after the divorce, that's when things slowly began souring. Lysandre grew distant, becoming more absorbed with his work, and slowly starting to steep himself in his hatred towards humanity. Andy was starting to grow up, they became a teen, they did as any teen did in challenging their father, and beginning to argue with him. Not out of malice per se, but, that's just what happens during adolescence. In their case there was some frustration tied into it too, with never feeling good enough. All their accomplishments, awards, are put aside, just because Lysandre is working late. Because they are not more important than his ultimate goal. They grow reclusive and angry, hiding in their room for the most part (outside of taking care of the Pokemon around the house or making food, or cleaning), and disliking when other people are around. They dislike Team Flare and its scientists, they dislike Malva, and even for a point in time they disliked Professor Sycamore. (That I may get into more in the post I make about Andy, Ellie, and Noel, but to preface it some they hated how Augustine sort of blindly followed Lysandre. They do eventually start apprenticing under the professor though.)

Now another question could come into play here: where was Noel? He was there the whole time. He didn't have the ability to gain full custody of Andy again, but he also didn't want to completely disrupt their life with school and whatnot. Instead, he would let Andy stay over for extended periods, having Ellie's bedroom have a bunk bed for the siblings when Andy was over. He accommodated for them. And they tried to further do that when he learned about how Lysandre had been acting. Again, he was powerless, but he was also very tricky. Though then again Lysandre wouldn't have noticed because of work, or thinking Andy was just in their bedroom because of how much they isolated themself. So, he didn't worry all that much.

Lysandre did have his times where he seemed more remorseful, or in agreement with Andy, yes. But for the most part, the two were always at odds. And this all made Andy deteriorate mentally. (Side note here too, genetically speaking, while Andy looks more like a combo of Lysandre and Noel, or like a flower that exhibits signs of incomplete dominance, they inherited a lot of Lysandre's personality traits, as well as his mental illnesses, and other physical issues which I just imagine to be stomach problems. Don't ask I already cursed someone with this knowledge. Sorry Kat /lh) In that note, they do already have Lysandre's mental problems; bipolar depression and OCD being the most prominent, as well as delusions from BD, which I also believe Lys has to deal with. But, as time went on, there was more and more that got added to this. But, that's when we get into Andy finding out about Lysandre's ultimate plan.

Imagine finding out what your father has been doing, since you were a child, was something leading to doomsday was leading to something you ultimately would not be apart of, because you despise what your father has become, what he is doing. When Andy found out about the plan to activate the Ultimate Weapon, and to wipe out all he does not deem to be worthy. The ugliness in the world. In reality that just means to wipe out all but Team Flare. You are a teen still, and you find all of this out. Of course this caused issues for Andy. It caused stress, and fear. More mental health problems developed, paranoia and BPD. Because what they realized in all of that too was that there was no room for them in this new world. They were Lysandre's child, sure, But, they were not a part of Team Flare, did not like what they were doing, and strongly disagreed with their father. The same could be said for Noel and Ellie as well. And this caused them to panic.

A question I can hear already is, what about Ellie? I haven't mentioned her relationship with Lysandre, because they barely have one with him. Again she was raised by Noel, not by Lysandre. She seldom interacted with him, and when she did, it was awkward in nature. And as time went on it got even more awkward, especially as Andy was telling her and their other dad about what was going on. If anything this just made things more awkward. Unlike Andy, she doesn't really look up to Lysandre. She knows he's her father but she doesn't want to pursue things like he does, she isn't a scientist but she is personable. She has the better traits Lys has, the sociability and intelligence. But, she doesn't want to pursue life like how he does, and in fact spends a lot of her time at home with Noel to help him get around. And she doesn't mind doing that. She isn't chasing any big dreams, she's living in the moment when she's allowed to.

Now what about Noel? How did he feel about all of this, seeing how his ex-husband has not only apparently gone off the deep end, or been doing do for the last several years, but the child he trusted Lysandre to raise has a bunch of issues now thanks to their father's problems. So, there are times he's close to wringing Lys's neck. But at the same time, he gets emotional about it, angry at himself almost, feeling like there was more he could have done to prevent this, even if again he was powerless. He misses the man he fell in love with, and wants him back, but he truly does hate the man he became.

The thing is too, deep down, all Andy ever wanted was for their father to see the error in his ways, to understand he couldn't change the world on a whim, that this was genocide. The pleaded with him, all they wanted was their papa back. All they wanted was to look back and to see their father, not a complete stranger. And all of that in the end took a horrid effect on their mental health. They did start healing over time, yes. But they still find themself constantly conflicted. If Lysandre dies, they wonder if that's truly what they wanted. But if he doesn't die, they still struggle with the idea of him still being out and about, if he's not put into prison that is. As ambiguous as it is, they find themself with more questions than answers in the end.

And how Lysandre would feel would be a mystery. Because there is a chance where he would regret what he did, where he would wish he could go back and make things normal, if that's truly what he wanted. To be normal again, to feel normal again. But there's the chance too that he only regrets his plans not working, because it just means he'll be seen as a pariah or someone who's mentally unstable. He isn't in control anymore, and feels scorned because of it. He made too many mistakes in the end. Even thinking about this could be subjective, wondering about it and our answers could be subjective.

Could I keep yammering about this? Yes. I genuinely could. I don't know why I'm yammering about this specifically, but, oh well. I'll probably post a more in depth analysis of Andy, Ellie, and Noel later on, but content wise I'm going to leave it at this, only adding a couple notes. If anything I mentioned above mental illness wise is at all inaccurate I apologize, even if it was just the names of particular disorders. Also, this isn't anything to demonize Lysandre or mental illness, I just think he's a really fascinating character. I think the same with a majority of the villainous Pokemon bosses, but lately I've been a bit hyperfixated on Kalos. (That, and Galar.) I know it's obvious I'm not demonizing anything, it's just something I'd like to re-iterate. If you'd like to ask anything about this feel free too, or if you'd like to figure out why I posted this, your guess is mine but maybe I'll have an explanation. (also I just like to infodump hehe)

(I'll also still link the post regarding Alain that I mentioned above if you'd like to give it a read, it's interesting to see.)

[empathenna]

Gratitude- Empathenna

2024-07-07

Gratitude can often feel difficult, or downright impossible when faced with hardships. So it is ridiculous to look a struggling person in the face and tell them that it is all about “mindset”, “just take these few actions every day and watch it happen”. And yet, that is the single most powerful thing you can do. I will share my personal experience with depression and the day I decided I was done, I will show you how it changed my life and let you decide how growth mindset and gratitude go hand in hand, and how they have the potential to unlock your life. 

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It can also be impossible to see beyond what you are dealing with, no matter how many times someone says “good will come from this”, or “look for the positive”. It often feels like an endless pool of misery, heavy, all consuming. It can actually prevent us from even pulling ourselves out of that place because there is physically no alternative inside our brains. A lot of people who discuss mental health talk as if we are capable of seeing what happens next, what could come out of this experience down the road. They suggest we search for the next thing, that looking beyond will in some way will ease the burdens surrounding us. That mindset diminishes what you are facing, and can steal away the legitimacy of the experiences or circumstances. 

Instead I’d like you to embrace the events around you. It sucks, it’s painful, and it's heartbreaking, but feeling those emotions and allowing yourself to actually recognize that it genuinely does suck will help with the next steps. That’s reality, life sucks, humans are capable of both great love and great hatred, it’s the duality that comes with intelligence and free will. The feelings and pain you are dealing with are simply a human response to the circumstances or actions that have been placed upon you. And that’s okay, there’s nothing ‘wrong’ with you, you’re not ‘abnormal’ or ‘different’, you just feel it more. In the act of embracing those feelings you begin to experience acceptance, which leads to peace. 

A lot of our anxiety or depression spirals are born out of this innate feeling that something or someone is wrong, or bad, or that we react disproportionately to our situation. When we separate our feelings from our actions we can recognize that how we feel is ok, the things that make us feel a certain way, happen because our brains have been rewired, or trained in a way to keep us safe. When we think through all the options available, or obsessively worry over a scenario, we prepare ourselves for the worst. We ‘pre-experience’ the terrible things, and then ‘re-experience’ them when our suspicions or worries are confirmed by someone else’s behavior or a set of forced circumstances. Any good or hope is crushed from the get go, any desire or true effort to do better or search for better. 

For me it was a decision that shattered my life, made me question the core of who I was, my values and beliefs had been thrown out the window and I was a shell of a human being. I looked in the mirror and didn’t even recognize myself, I asked how I had gotten where I was and completely broke. Personally, this was my come to Jesus moment, this is where I gave up on this world and this earth. This is where I saw all the cruelty and pain and greed that urges these negative emotions on, this is when I stared into the darkest parts of my soul and decided I would not succumb anymore. Because I am a Christian, I turned to God for this- decided that nothing on this earth was worth the pain and suffering that it has caused. An interesting duality here- imagine simultaneously recognizing that this planet and the ‘things’ on it bring us the happiness we are supposed to have while also seeing that chasing that happiness inevitably ends in pain and suffering. 

What a dark place to be in, what a sad realization, but will you be cynical? Or will you choose differently? Will you contribute to that darkness, those negative spaces in our lives, or will you choose to do better? Be better? Give love, not spite?

I’m not saying it will be easy, I’m not saying that one day you will wake up with the sudden ability to overcome all your difficulties, struggles and traumas. Hell, I will forever rage an internal war against the things I’ve taught myself to cope with prior circumstances. You must desire to learn, it is a choice of perception and mindset. Everything we face on this earth is an opportunity, a chance to see, learn, understand and love. Every interaction we experience holds lessons and blessings in disguise and can add an incredible depth to our perspective. I wish to encourage you to approach the world with a childlike wonder, in a Christians case a childlike faith. Do this and you may just find that love, joy and gratitude exist at the core of anything and everything. 

It seems silly, gratitude in the face of everything, and it will always be an uphill battle. But you must practice, exercise it like a muscle. Each time you successfully think of what good can come out of an event rather than the bad, you retrain your brain on outlook, perception. Start small, clean water, a bed, a roof, I can practically feel you rolling your eyes through the screen “Those are basic needs, why should I say thank you?” I won’t go down the route of “starving African children”, but I will turn the question around on you. Why wouldn’t you say thank you? Why wouldn’t you be grateful that you can drink water from the tap, or have cozy blankets? Why don’t we celebrate and enjoy the small luxuries of life, the little things that play essential roles in our day to day? Look internally, are you caring? Kind? Compassionate? What are the attributes of yourself you are proud of, and how can you exercise them to benefit you and your life? Why shouldn’t you celebrate the parts of yourself and your life that are so beautiful? 

If we only focus on what exactly we are experiencing, what is happening and could happen or has happened, when we spiral with our thoughts and feelings we miss the depth and prosperity interlaced through every event in our lives. We focus on the what, when, where and forget how much more vibrant our lives are when we not only look for good (instead of searching for ways it could go poorly), but also embrace it and give back to the world. 

To me, we are taught that we must always want more, chase more, peace and stillness starts with gratitude and acceptance of the place we are in at our current time- or any point in our life. Tomorrow has enough worries, trouble not on what you cannot control and instead focus on what you can control. You can control the age old saying ‘you give what you get’ rings true, and you can say that up until now maybe you were giving what you were getting, but this works in the reverse as well. You experience negativity, you return with negativity, and get more negativity gifted to you. At some point you must choose to break the cycle yourself and start giving something positive to your life and the world. You are exactly where you are meant to be at any given time, because life is a series of puzzles that in the end all fit together. So if it feels like you’re missing a piece, or like your puzzles are all shades of gray and muddled, give it time for new pieces to come into your life and fall into place or for a wave of relief to wash over you and lift the clouds. Alternatively reach for that relief by practicing gratitude for the things you do see, understand or have. Every tragedy or traumatic experience has only made you stronger, because you are still here. There is some part of you, big or small, that desires for better, longs for there to be a reason or purpose to the suffering. It is too easy to wall yourself off, become cold and withdrawn from the world. It is easy to decide you are done fighting for love and choose loneliness over community because people have hurt you. It is easy to be cold, jaded and cynical. These are traits that make us feel strong, safe and protected. But you starve yourself of passion, fire, love, joy, laughter and frankly, life. It takes a far deeper strength of self and is incredibly admirable to stare into the cruelty inflicted upon you and choose to be better, do better. Choose to give love and not contribute to suffering- whether it is yours or others.

[jee4682]

1

Growing up i didn't really have the desire to transition, to look more feminine. I was adamant on finding a great, genuine love where he will accept me the way i am. How i look, how i talk, how i present myself. I believed that such love does exist, i just have to wait for it.

During my teenage years, i wasn't actively looking for love even though i was surrounded by couples and flings and romance all of the freakin time. I knew it is a different struggle for me to find something they easily have or acquire so ,i decided to wait for it. I decided to let it come to me because i had it in my mind that i was somehow special and that i have a lot of love to give so anyone who would choose me would just be downright lucky. I was confident of myself. I had a sky-rocketing self esteem. I was happy with myself and how i looked even though its far from society's standards when it comes to looking for partners. I was contented and at peace.

Now that i've seen and have been immersed in the reality of the world and how it revolves and how it works, i don't think a love so great is even possible. I didn't even think a great deal of self worth, self confidence and self esteem would be diminished by it's cruel reality. There is too much superficial basis on this world that not even a good personality, good sense of humor and empathy can overcome. It is a sad reality and there is nothing we can do to change it.

I only ever had one lover and that happened because yes, i settled. I felt like if i did't take this opportunity of love (was it really though?),i would lose it forever and that for people like me, it only comes once in a blue moon so i took it despite everything about him went against my personal standards. we had good moments but that always happens when we're alone. when other people are present, we just looked like friends and i went along with it cause i know I am or i will be the cause of his humuliation. I swallowed all of my principles just to feel loved and all i got was betrayal in the end.

Fast forward to one or two years later, i found myself on a dating app. Boo is it's name. For a while it was meh. Just shallow conversations that you know will never elevate into something real. Not until i met him, James (youbin lee). The initial talk felt very different than all the other people i talked to on the app. We bonded over life's miseries and picking up our little poisons (as we call alcohol) just to drown out the misery and the loneliness. The whole time we were talking felt so different and unexplainable. He understood what i was going through and i understood his stuff as well. We'd have moments of epiphany. The "oh, i never thought about it that way". He gave me perspective and honestly, hope. I found myself craving for the feeling i get when we talked and it was great for a while. We'd talk frequently and would not run out of things to say. I'd even drunk text him all the cringey thoughts in my head and he would just laught it off and find it adorable. I was madly inlove with this man. so much so that i associated a whole band, a whole genre of music to his memory and how he made me feel. Even my friends followed suit. Everytime we would listen to Wave to Earth, his name would somehow slither it's way to the moment and I was happy about it. I felt seen and understood. He knew about what i am from the start but he did't cared to clarify it because as per his words "he liked talking to me so much".

several months passed and all of a sudden he disappeared. Without any explaination without any warning. I waited, i sent him messages even though i know he wasn't going to respond. I was devastated, the only person that i felt who saw me and understood me suddenly disappeared.

[random-thoughts-and-words]

Title: "An Interview with A Black Man: Reality and Truth Behind the Colour"

As I sit on this weathered bench, the sun's warm embrace is no different on my skin than it is on any other. Yet, some passersby seem to think otherwise. They cast glances, some filled with disdain, others with pity. But I hold my ground. I may be a coloured boy, but that doesn't diminish my right to this spot, nor does it negate my journey through education.

Growing up in Houston, Texas, being coloured meant facing a barrage of injustices. It meant enduring the taunts of white children, their cruelty excused as discipline. But I refuse to be defined by their narrow perceptions. I bleed the same red blood, feel the same pain, and possess the same intellect, regardless of the opportunities denied to me, with the silver spoon that you had since birth while I had my own two hands to keep me alive.

Hate was a lesson ingrained in us, a bitter reality we learned to navigate from a young age. We were segregated, profiled, and victimized, but we persisted. We fought for the basic rights denied to us: equal access to facilities, I worked the same job as you and the same hours and yet still, I don't get paid as much because, “I am coloured and i don't have to get paid the same wages for my labour”. Yet, even when we proved ourselves capable, we were met with scepticism and disdain.

The fight isn't over. Despite the passage of time, discrimination still rears its ugly head. Black folks struggle to secure loans, burdened by unfounded suspicions of criminality. It's a reality we face daily, a reminder that justice remains elusive.

But I refuse to succumb to despair. I carry within me the hopes and dreams of my ancestors, the very hope and dream of the slave, the resilience of those who came before me. I will continue to fight, to strive for fairness and equality, because we are all one people, bound by our shared humanity, no matter how little some may have or how narrow some's opinions may be.

So, let it be known: the colour of my skin does not diminish the gravity of the challenges I face. I may not have the most prestigious job, but I have dignity, I have resilience, and I have the unwavering determination to create a better world for us all. I am the coloured boy, but I have the same red that flows through your veins and as Maya Angelo once said, “You may write me down in history, with your bitter twisted lies, you may tread me in the very dirt but still like dust, I’ll rise.”

Let it not be forgotten for their legacy lives on.

[alm0st-sentient]

i don't find pleasure in the way people perceive my pleasure?? In my sexuality and what they assume or imagine me to be and the way it interacts with my nature, at least in their perception. I don’t know how better to explain it. I don’t agree with the way people see me or interact with me but I can’t persuade a way to be respected. I find little control in the way I act around people or what I’m trying to present.

I only can show as much as someone is willing to tolerate and I don’t feel sexy in the way they perceive me and that’s not to say that I don’t feel sexy, I just find my sexy nature to be disregarded, misunderstood, and unacknowledge for a more digestible and tolerable cardboard cut out of my full opportunity.

I often feel minimized and underestimated, and inhibited by the same double standards that claim I am too boring or inferior to be paid any mind. The ways I am extreme and shiny and brave are deviant and punishable, befitting an insensible child, but the ways I am compliant are predictable pussy-footed, and yielding for the acceptance I will not receive.

A lot of my connections’ concerns and mine differ and rarely can my opinion have a different or feasibly greater perspective or equal validity, that my ideas and experience does not deserve equally respectful contemplation.

I struggle to enjoy the conflicts that diversify my experience. I find others lack a compassion that is great enough to harm connection to me beyond what criteria allows others to be superior in their discomfort of my existence; fitting a standard that means nothing to my own personal values or that I wouldn’t have agreed with on a fundamental level for my own experience. I am often wrong, misinformed and clueless, unable to fathom any feeling and struggles they have gone through but that I am prevented from investigating for my own personal decision in how something would be suitable for me.

Not that I seem to have enough space to contemplate my values as a deserving unique presence on earth, or to apply my worldview without it being admonished by uninformed and unrelating experiences that perceive their reality, comforts, desires, and worldviews as harmless, lawful, and the only correct experience instead of a piece of advice about how they received that same experience and how it affected them personally.

Our judgements on others are so unreasonable, personal, and without consideration or interest in the other’s bases or fascinations. We don’t understand others but don’t choose to lean in to learn more when it’s foreign and undiscussed to ourselves or possibly unexplored, or if we just ‘know more.’

when people talk to me it’s often as if I couldn’t possibly understand or have means to contribute in discussion. I believe myself to be a kind, patient, and tentative soundboard as well as a good sidekick but that some don’t view me as an equal main character to be defined, but an npc of value to be assumed. A manic pixie dream girl. A supporter role, and a lesser opinion but convenient and beneficial vessel to wield.

Ick. Anger. I cannot feel understood. I will not feel seen. My appreciation is in my value and worth and not my awesomely unique experience. People are worse the more I understand how silly logic can be and how fickle humans refuse to believe they are. It makes me so afraid of rejection but makes me feel so misunderstood. I am disconnected from my body and my sense of self and I am so dissatisfied with how others interpret me and what things they choose what parts to refuse to consider that may just simply deny their concept of me or make them uncomfortable in their own and diminishing the best attributes of me, in turn valuing superficial qualities that only make me small and easy to swallow.

[barbaramoorersm]

February 5, 2023

February 5, 2023

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 58: 7-10

Jesus took the words of the Prophet to heart as he began his own ministry.

Psalm 112

The Psalmist praises the just person.

 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5

Paul speaks of his early ministry and how the strength of God assisted him.

Matthew 5: 13-16

Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount.

 So often in Jesus’ teachings, he uses the most ordinary examples to make his point and teach a lesson.  Today it is salt and light.  The Prophet Isaiah in our first reading, speaks of light and the actions that “spice” up life like salt does. 

 “…if you satisfy the afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” One wonders of Jesus’ parents shared the words of the prophet with him as he was growing.  Certainly, the Gospel writers made the direct links between the Prophet and Jesus.

“You are the salt of the earth.”  We modern folks know that the proper and diminished use of salt enhances our health, but in Jesus’ day it was an essential element in the life of the people.  Their chief source of salt was the Dead Sea. The ancients saw a “covenant of salt” as a covenant of friendship.  John McKenzie SJ writes that “the eating of the salt of another is a symbol of friendship in many languages” or to speak with words, seasoned with salt, Salt indicates words of intelligence.  In addition, salt in Jesus’ day was used to preserve food, fertilizing soil and purifying.  So, when he calls his disciples, “The salt of the earth” he brings to his comment a different meaning than we moderns might use.  “The light of the world” perhaps carries a modern understanding for all of us. Especially, this is true when storms and floods and other disasters damage lines and we are covered in darkness.

It seems to me that in these lessons, Jesus is advising his disciples, his listeners, and us how we are to behave. How are you and I called to live out our vocation in life and our Christian call?   Note as one commentator says,  Jesus does not say to his listeners, “You should be or try to be salt and light”.  No, he says to them “you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world”.   What does that mean for us these days?  Both elements are ordinary and so are we. But we have these qualities within us.  I believe it says that in the everyday issues of life and our encounters, we “are” salt and light to others.  The ordinary to the ordinary.  And in that process things become “extraordinary”.  That means giving our best in the dailiness of life and trying to act in a way that offers goodness to others.

That is exactly what the prophet Isaiah is saying. “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; cloth the naked when you see them.” Do all these things in the present moment, in the ordinary events of life. These actions will serve as salt and flavor as well as light to another’s daily struggles.

Paul seems to be saying the same thing to the church in Corinth.  “I did not come with words of sublimity or words of wisdom.  I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not persuasive words of wisdom….”   But he came as “salt” and “light” to the new community, and gave the gifts he had and allowed the Holy Spirit to work. Paul’s message and words in the midst of his own ordinariness, became extraordinary by the work of the Holy Spirit.

By our lives as Christians, we assist others to taste the goodness of God, and our lives can reflect the light of the Gospel message.  Jesus confirms this reality when he says to the disciples and to us, “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  And our beautiful Psalm today describes the just person who is letting  their “light” shine. “Their heart is firm…they lavishly give to the poor and their justice shall endure forever….”  

“You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.”  May that reality move us to allow these gifts with God’s grace, to increase and multiply within us.