#a girl in spirit but not societally. if it even makes sense

[queen0fm0nsterz]

So, (sits down at the table) (lights up cigarette) are we all ready to discuss how Six's lack of gender conformity in the beginning of the franchise can be read not only as an expression of her nonbinary identity but also an inherent refusal of what their assigned gender requires of her, which is why they are put in contrapposition with the Lady, whose name and role is inherently tied to her identity as a woman, and by refusing to abide to that standard Six challenges not only the structure of the Maw but also the basic concept on which the Lady based her entire life and identity on

[cursed-spirit-manipulation]

thinking Abt Suguru autism and struggling bc I have forgotten 1. Everything Suguru has ever done 2. Every symptom of autism ever and then I remembered Suguru fucking. Knows every curse he's swallowed. And it's like y'know what maybe I don't have to make an airtight case for this

[vesora]

is law of assumption real? yeah

i have come across an individual vilifying the loa community and i find their statements kinda funny and stupid but i love having my beliefs challenged bc i can know why i believe in this. please also read my response to this other girl who thought loa ppl were crazy. it is ok to think if it’s crazy. ur welcome to criticize it. also, i am using aesthetic pictures bc of my ocd, i need things to be divided.

this is for the people who want to listen whether LOA is real from MY perspective:

firstly, i was primed for law of assumption from a young age. this means that i experienced many and i mean MANY spiritual things from a young age. i saw spirits (not hallucinations, it was my dead grandma who i had never seen and i described her down to her ring to my dad and he started crying because it was her), started speaking french at random points without ever having consciously learned the language, heard random piano compositions in my ear which i had never heard before, had visions which protected me/warned me about the future/informed me about the future and many manyyy more things. this proves to me the power of the subconscious mind.

the difference between someone who was born with their third eye awakened versus someone who has no spiritual experiences + is not open-minded to it, is that they will view spiritual phenomena from a materialistic practical sense.

this is saddening, because humans before being impacted by materialism were so spiritual and we were the ones who created the pyramids and all the structures you see on earth. we did that.

anyways,

is it real?

my opinion: yes. 

no i am not in a cult waiting to pounce on the next vulnerable piece of meat. in fact, my future career is removing people out of cults and helping trafficking victims but anyways.

i have manifested things far beyond logic. you know how and why? because manifestation is the most basic human trait. and awakening to the fact that you are the creator of your reality is the most liberating amazing feeling and practice. i manifested one of my dying cats becoming free of cancer. that is not luck. that is manifestation. i manifested bad circumstances away. not luck, manifestation. i manifested all my exes leaving me the SAME way because i had assumed they would. not a coincidence, manifestation. there is definitely a lot we don’t know about the universe. i can’t say with certainty that all things are attributed to us which is also why i hate any form of victim blaming. but one thing is for sure is that humans have more control over our lives than we think. we don’t need a divine presence outside of us to dictate us the circumstances in OUR lives.

also, law of assumption is not law of attraction. law of attraction is “AHHH DONT THINK BAD THOUGHTS OR U WILL GET BAD JUJU” very fear-based, also seen in dogmatic religions. law of assumption uses a CBT based approach to change assumptions and therefore, influence reality. you have every right to not believe in this and even chastise me for it, i understand. however, i know this is real for me.

i was a victim of many racist attacks, however, as soon as i decided that the outside world is safe for me, i never had ONE negative experience. is this a coincidence? not for me, no. this is a human taking control of their life. this is a human not bound by societal expectations and leaning into divine energy and expressing the truest essence of one’s self. i am not blaming myself for being a victim, it is the racist’s fault. i am not blaming other victims, it is the perpetrators’ fault. however, if there is any fucking chance i can help a victim, i will take it, i do NOT care.

things i manifested regarding other people towards me:

1. no more racism towards me, family and friends.

2. parents being emotionally available with me

3. my friends expressing affection the way i want them to

4. my mum making me the exact food i visualised many times

5. my professor saying the exact words to me as i visualised

6. my friends saying to me the exact words i visualised

7. this guy flirting with me out of nowhere because i visualised it

8. and many more stuff this shit is too easy so

maybe i feel this strongly because i am a fighter for the working class. my main goal in life is to help liberate all oppressed people. if there is any chance that it can be done by mind, i would take it. would you not? would you not help people by the means you have helped yourself?

how can you so strongly and with such conviction without ever practising the law come to a conclusion that is a harmful new age ideology when the maxim prevalent in so many esoteric practices (yes, non-white too) have preached that reality is made by the mind? will we ignore the science behind it too? will we ignore the cia declassified documents? will we ignore ancient accounts of reality shifting? will we ignore hermes trismegistus? will we ignore rumi? will we ignore plato? 

you can ignore this. i won’t, however. this is the liberation of the human soul. having said this, anyone is welcome to criticise the LOA community, look at us as vultures, think we are crazy. i value all opinions (even if they’re wrong HAHA sorry). 

how is loa different from dogmatic religion?

well for one, there is evidence for conscious manifestation (e.g. dr joe dispenza’s books). i personally do not like religion. i have religious trauma so if you are religious, id advise you to not read this section. abrahamic religion is based on fear to oppress minorities, trap human potential and it also makes you rely on luck and wishful thinking (this view is only if the holy books were to be taken in the literal sense and abused by ministers etc) whereas the human is able to decide its own fate. law of assumption liberates the human by putting the human from an us vs them view to an us AND them view, meaning everyone is one and the same. this is not a christian thing, this is a well documented thing featured in asian philosophy. consciousness is the thing that unites us all. it is within you and it is within me. religion (abrahamic) forces you to look at the people who are not like you, aka dont believe what you do, as these other creatures who have defied the will of God and ahhh will face wrath. LOA instead empowers the individual and promotes free will. i understand if you think this is dangerous, the woo-woo stuff, just dont practise it.

how is loa not a cult?

loa CAN be misused in a cult but on its own it is not a cult. no one in the loa community is forcing the individual to join this practice which lowkey is just manifestation. however, i get your concerns and i advise you to read this reply: x

i wish i took pics of my cat when she was sick so i could provide u guys evidence but of course i didnt take any pics.

anyone is welcome to leave. anyone is welcome to adjust loa to their lives the way they see fit.

the void state

i doubt that so many people are lying about manifesting in the void state. i do think it’s not a big deal but i definitely don’t think it’s fake. besides, whats the harm in trying?

thing is right, if you are not garnering results or whatever, u dont need to stay. i stayed regardless of whether i manifested my shit instantly or not (which in the beginning was hard for me) because i believed in the philosophy, it resonated with me and it didn’t make me alienate my fellow man. however, if you feel you have a chance of being manipulated here or idk what, don’t join this practice. seriously, it’s okay. i am not being sarcastic or anything, because you are welcome to stay or leave. you are welcome to compliment me or insult me. i will love you either way for you are my fellow man.

also this is so random and a general thing but only psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychologists use the subconsciously thing.

[natsmagi]

sorry for making yet another textpost but i came across that post saying they dislike transfem natsume because he "canonically hates being perceived as a girl and tries to erase all sorts of memories related to that" and also went on to shame genderbends of him aswell. So, as someone who not only draws genderbends of natsume but is myself someone who is nonbinary and hates being perceived as a woman, i thought id offer my two cents

first of all; i think its important to note that natsume does NOT hate his childhood. in fact, hes quite happy that he had such an unusual upbringing!

what natsume hates is being perceived as weak. thats why he was raised as a girl after all, it was his mother trying to protect him from evil spirits. he doesnt hate the whole "-chan" or "wearing dresses" thing because he has a hatred for womanhood, its because due to his upbringing hes now come to associate those things as being weak. he begs tsumugi to forget about it because that means tsumugi remembers natsume being weak, and natsume thinks tsumugi still referring to him as "natsume-chan" means he still sees natsume as weak. (iirc natsume did however once say that he is a little sad that he doesnt really know how to relate to young boys due to this in poltergeist, but i couldnt find the exact quote. either way that just adds to the complexity of natsumes relationship with his childhood, because while he is happy to be "abnormal" in that sense, it has left him lacking in some areas)

i have to ask though, should this conflict of his not be something we hope he overcomes? should we not want him to develop a healthy relationship with various gender expressions? should we not want natsume to overcome his belief that feminine things = weakness? i want natsume to reach a point where he can wear feminine clothing and not feel like some damsel in distress because of it. i want natsumes character to grow. i want him to develop a positive relationship with his gender because natsume DOES enjoy some more typically feminine things, like baking! he used to bake with his mom when he was little! and i want him to feel like he can indulge in that side of him without feeling insecure.....

i LOVE transmasc natsume, my primary hc for him is transmasc nonbinary after all, but with all these things considered, shouldnt people be allowed to headcanon him however they want? if they hear his story and negative relationship with femininity and how that resonates with them and they themselves are transfem, should they not be allowed to hc him as such too?

which brings me to my next point; my own personal relationship with gender and femininity. i was raised as a girl and i fucking DESPISED womanhood. i hated everything about it. i hated how i felt forced into a box i didnt want to be stuck in, and i hated how it felt like my whole life had already been planned out for me due to societal expectations, aswell as me needing to present a certain way. i was peak "tomboy" growing up, constantly wearing super baggy clothes and wouldnt even brush my hair alot of the time. but despite that i remained miserable. i frankly hated how i looked and would constantly dye my hair vibrant colors in an attempt to make me like myself a little more. it wasnt until i realized "wow, im actually not a girl at all" that i finally let go of believing i needed to look a certain way (and thus, defying it) and started to dress for myself. i started to dress in clothes that made me happy and feel pretty! alot of which leans feminine, but clothes doesnt have a gender, and how you dress doesnt define your gender either, but it can still be a bit scary yknow? especially since i dont want people to think of me as a girl, and drawing a bunch of femstars has really made me learn to love myself more in a funny way. i can put these characters in clothes i think are beautiful, i can explore the more feminine parts of me that i adore but dont want to express in public due to how i want others to perceive me, but it has also warmed me up to femininity even more. because femstars to me feels detached from the expectations of society because its not a real thing!! there are no canon femstars designs!!! i can do literally whatever the hell i want with it and its been so liberating to me!!

all this to say; i think it really sucks seeing the way this fandom treats transfem hcs and explicit genderbends, because like ive said before; they can truly be something so personal. you dont know why that person is drawing what theyre drawing, so its a little unwise to make assumptions based on ........ Well, whatever it may be. i know very well that women dressing the way society expects them to SUCKS, esp if you have personal ties to it, but you have to realize the issue isnt femininity, but misogyny.

[theshittymarimo]

Dreams and Daemons

Chapter 1: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji Fandom: One Piece Summary: Introduction of Meggy, Sora and Mimi. Words: 1 851 Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4

Monkey D. Luffy - MEGGY, Ring-tailed Lemur

"Family, Play, Happiness. Lemur people are very focused on family and friends, food, tradition, and enjoying the simpler things in life. They tend to be charismatic, unique, spirited individuals. They also have a great sense of fun and are often considered eccentric, living in their own world (and happily so)." - “Dæmons Unveiled: Navigating the Bonds of this World”, Filipe Haulman

Initially, Zoro had spotted the black-haired boy from atop the wall and attempted to scare him off. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the little girl from the town came back, and the idiot son of a navy officer stomped on the first food Zoro had seen in a long while before callously ordering the girl to be thrown over the wall. Zoro found himself silently hoping that she was all right when he noticed the boy from earlier now standing in front of him, and this time he saw his daemon. The first thing to catch Zoro’s attention was the long black and white striped tail wrapped around the boy’s stomach and neck. For a moment, he mistook it for a snake, but swiftly realized his mistake as a small face with golden eyes, framed by black fur, emerged just centimetres from his own. Zoro had never seen such an animal, nor a daemon. A deamon who seemed to ignore all societal norms by climbing onto his shoulders, sniffing curiously at the ropes binding his arms to the cross. “Oi!” Zoro’s daemon, Sora, growled indignantly and with surprise from beside him as the unfamiliar daemon touched Zoro. Despite the almost paralyzing hunger they both felt, Sora stood up but hesitated – technically, Zoro wasn’t touching the daemon; the daemon was touching him. But such a thing was unheard of. The boy in front of them laughed happily, looking relaxed with his arms crossed. “They say you’re a bad guy”, the unfamiliar daemon suddenly spoke to him from her perch on his arm. Zoro looked at the daemon disbelievingly, who tilted her head slightly when he didn’t respond. “… You still here?” Zoro redirected his attention to the boy; he wasn’t comfortable talking with someone else’s daemon. He could almost hear the daemon pout next to his ear. There was something strange about the boy, and not just his daemon, who later introduced themselves as Luffy and Meggy. Zoro wasn’t usually the one for conversation, even among those he might possibly call friends. Yet, Luffy managed to coax Zoro into sharing his dream, much to Sora’s surprise, as Zoro found himself speaking more than he had in a long time. Luffy didn’t laugh at him; instead, his daemon, Meggy, seemed to shiver with excitement. However, Luffy did blackmail Zoro into joining his crew with Zoro’s own katanas, which Luffy had gotten from the base. It was ridiculous - a grinning boy, probably younger than him, with his strange black and white daemon perched atop his hat. Yet, when Zoro threatened that he would make him commit seppuku if he ever got into his way, Luffy just grinned and said he expected no less. Zoro could feel a kindred spirit in that grin and smirked back. Though he hadn’t anticipated Luffy being made of rubber. Nevertheless, he seemed strong, Zoro noted as he observed his new captain fight Morgan. If you could even call it a fight as he was clearly stronger than the marine. “She’s fighting too”, Sora murmured to him. Zoro blinked down at her in surprise, then looked up to see what she meant. Normally, daemons only fought each other, and stayed out of the human’s fights to avoid touching other people. But Meggy was darting around, distracting Morgan and using her tail to unbalance him despite the marine’s daemon chasing after her, touching him without reservation. There was something very strange about them. Later, at the restaurant in town, after Zoro had finally eaten his fill (though Luffy still managed to eat more than him), he got to know what kind of animal Meggy was. She was a ring-tailed lemur, some strange sort of monkey, or so they claimed. Despite his skepticism, Sora insisted it must be real, as Meggy was living proof.

Roronoa Zoro - SORA, Bengal tiger

"Independence, strength, beauty. Tiger people tend to be confident, powerful people that need space, enjoy solitude, and revere silence. Tiger medicine teaches ferocity, passion, sensuality, and physical grounding. The tiger is a symbol of power, physical strength, and indulgence."      - “Dæmons Unveiled: Navigating the Bonds of this World”, Filipe Haulman  

Chopper had to admit that the one he feared most on the ship was Zoro and his daemon. Chopper was still new to the crew and didn’t have a daemon. He never had one, probably because he was a reindeer from the beginning; it was the one thing the devil fruit hadn’t been able to give him. However, the daemons on the crew were so friendly and kind to him, accepting him like he was one of them, even though he wasn’t a daemon. So, he felt very close and similar to them. But Sora was just terrifying - those huge teeth and sharp claws made him shudder at the mere thought of them. Though he hadn’t seen her in action yet, she and Zoro mostly seemed to lay around and sleep. But a tiger was a dangerous animal; he had read about them, very powerful and independent. Still … he was on Luffy’s crew; that had to mean something. Chopper peeked over his shoulder and saw Zoro leaning back on Sora, both of them sleeping on the deck. Suddenly, Sora yawned, showing all those large canines, which looked very dangerous. Chopper gulped. “You looking at Zoro?” Luffy’s voice suddenly spoke up from behind him, making him jump. “Or wait, is it Sora?” “Ah, no, I mean, yes”, Chopper stumbled over his words. Though Luffy and Meggy had been incredibly kind to him, he didn’t want to make a mistake. “She just looks so… And Zoro is …” “Scary?” Meggy grinned, while Luffy looked confused that anyone could ever think that. “Don’t worry, they’re big softies!” If they said so… But still, Chopper couldn’t quite believe it. Until they were in Alabasta, walking in the desert. Chopper was nearly dying, or at least it certainly felt like it, from the heat. The other daemons must have felt the same; Meggy had been collapsed on Luffy’s back for a long while after the first excitement, but Chopper had checked that she was still breathing. When Chopper wasn’t able to walk anymore, he suddenly felt someone grab the back of his clothes and lift him up. He almost yelped, but when he looked up, he barely managed to keep the sound in. Sora was holding him in her mouth; it must’ve been heavy. But she held him and walked up to Zoro, who looked down and grunted before taking over and helping Chopper. Chopper hadn’t even needed to say a word, and surely Sora needed Zoro’s help more - after all, no one else could touch and help her. “Are you sure..?” Chopper mumbled in embarrassment as Sora walked next to them. “What?” Sora said, a bit annoyed, but Chopper guessed they were all a bit annoyed because of the heat. “Don’t be dumb. I’m fine.” Chopper glanced at her and saw that she was panting, her long tongue lolling out. She didn’t look very fine and would probably not like to know how much she looked like Luffy in that moment. Chopper managed to keep in the giggle only because it was too hot to giggle. He felt a lot more comfortable with them after that.

Sanji - MIMI, Mountain goat

"Fearlessness, high ambitions, curiosity, intuition. Sensuality, determination, health and vitality. Goats have a reputation for having great dignity and composed behavior. Goat people are good at maintaining their balance. Whether climbing a narrow mountain ledge of challenges or walking a calm wooded path, they have sure-footed determination. They take life one moment, one step at a time. As a Goat person they instinctively know when and whom to trust. Even when the ground may look very uncertain or dangerous, they proceed cautiously, yet confidently." - “Dæmons Unveiled: Navigating the Bonds of this World”, Filipe Haulman

During Sanji’s childhood, his daemon had been just another failure to his family. His siblings’ daemons had already achieved their final forms from a young age. But Sanji’s daemon, Mimi, kept changing. Most of the time, she preferred to take the form of a mouse so she could hide in one of his pockets. A mouse. His father called it useless. Sometimes she changed into the bird his mother’s daemon was, but mostly she remained something small so she could run and hide from his brothers’ daemons, who liked to pick on her just as his brothers did to him. Sanji sometimes felt jealous of her; he wanted to be able hide too. However, when they ran away from home, Mimi slowly started to take on bigger forms as they grew more comfortable. Though the mouse shape came in handy during their weeks on the island. A mouse didn’t need a lot of food. It wasn’t until the late teenage years that Mimi finally found her final form. It was a bit embarrassing. Zeff’s daemon was a brown-red goat, and lately Mimi had become fond of taking the shape of a large white goat. The other chefs teased Sanji relentlessly, claiming he wanted to be like Zeff since they were both goat people. Sanji found them annoying, and one day during a long stint of washing the dishes and enduring their teasing and laughter, he asked Mimi if she could change into something else. “No?” Mimi looked at him with a confused look in her comforting golden eyes. “Just for the moment, please?” Sanji hissed lowly so the others wouldn’t hear him. “But I can’t change”, Mimi stated plainly and sat down on her bum, she looked ridiculous. “I haven’t been able to for a while.” Sanji blinked, and the kitchen suddenly fell silent as the others had heard her too. They all stared at the goat daemon, who sat there looking as if it wasn’t something special. “You what?!” The kitchen suddenly exploded into laughter. Sanji asked her why she hadn’t told him earlier, and she answered that she thought he had noticed. If he wasn’t so hell-bent on not kicking ladies, he would’ve kicked her then and there. The teasing didn’t get any better; the others even baked a cake in the shape of a white goat. Sanji would deny forever that he felt a bit warm from that cake. He hadn’t even considered the possibility that someone would celebrate that. Zeff just huffed.

Notes: I knew that I wanted to give Luffy a monkey. I wanted it to be a happy smaller monkey and at first I thought of a squirrel monkey. But soon I recalled the ring-tailed lemur, so I looked up some symbolism behind the animal and it was perfect for Luffy. That's all he love; food, his family and crew, and having fun. The name Meggy come from I wanted to have a similar short simple name as Luffy, ending in y, for her. Zoro have been a tiger since the start, classic but yet so right. I wanted her to have a short similar sounding name to Zoro, and I could only find Sora that satisfied me. I realized later that Sanji's mom had that name. But let's say that there was a couple of uncomfortable weeks there in the beginning before Sanji got used to her name. Sanji's mountain goat is also an animal that I had for him from the start. I wanted her to be female and have horns, so I was specific in the search for a goat that had horns. His "family" had a tradition of letting the children give their daemons their names when they found their final forms, Sanji's brothers all gave their daemons harsh masculine names. Sanji was a "late bloomer" and called his daemon the name Mimi, a cute-sy name, that was supposed to be temporary. But in the end Mimi liked her name and Sanji didn't feel it was right to change it. Fun fact: Sanji and Mimi's party trick is when Sanji straighten up one leg into the air, and Mimi jumps up to stand on the sole of his shoe. Sanji loves to impress the ladies and Mimi loves to show off.

[paschameleon]

The DunBroch Family.

Merida never married, but she had daughters with a descendant of one of the three brothers of Mor’du (a great grandnephew).

Merida and Alastair shared a deep bond rooted in their mutual defiance of societal expectations. While Merida challenged the stereotypical princess role Alastair did so by embracing more "feminine" interests, like painting, sewing, and music. They connected over their shared sense of individuality and independence. Merida admired Alastair’s intelligence, diplomacy, curiosity, and adventurous spirit, while he valued her fierce spirit. Though romance never bloomed between them, their friendship was unwavering.

Now Merida, who had always adored caring for her younger brothers, knew she wanted children but still had no desire to marry. She asked Alastair if he would father her child, and he agreed. Together, they had triplet girls Annora, Moira, and Adira. Alastair, though he didn’t live with them, remained a loving father and frequently visited, continuing to share adventures and his wisdom with Merida and their daughters.

Annora

Annora has inherited Elinor’s elegance, always composed and calm, even in high-pressure situations. As a "proper" princess, her regal appearance commands respect from those around her, and she carries herself with graceful authority, never straying far from the customs and traditions of her heritage.

From Alastair, she has inherited a love for the arts and intellectual pursuits. Annora is an accomplished musician, painter, and writer. She is very educated and knowledgeable, often admired for her intellect and quick wit. Like Alastair she is skilled at resolving conflicts with words rather than force. Her ability to empathize with others and find common ground is her greatest strength.

While she respects and upholds many of the traditional customs of her heritage, she remains open to new ideas, particularly those that challenge outdated norms. This open-mindedness, influenced by her mother’s defiance of societal expectations, makes her a bridge between the old ways and the evolving future.

Annora is confident and she can be a bit stern, especially when she needs to take control of a situation that might go wrong, but her kind and caring nature always shines through. Annora is deeply compassionate and loyal, always ready to support and care for her family and friends. Despite her elegance, Annora has a playful side that emerges when she's with her sisters, Moira and Adira.

Overall Annora's personality is a blend of seriousness and lightheartedness. She is a unique harmony between traditional elegance and progressive thinking. Her composure and responsibility are balanced by her playful spirit and deep compassion, making her both a poised leader and a loving sister.

Moira

Moira is the creative and daring type, always brimming with energy and an adventurous spirit. Kind and caring at heart, she has an innocence about her that makes her a bit naive at times, but her quick wit often pulls her through tricky situations. Much like her mother, Merida, Moira loves riding her horse, practicing her archery, and wandering around the forest. She has a love for exploring her surroundings and finds joy in the simplest moments.

On her adventures she always brings a sketchbook along with her capturing the beauty of the landscapes before her. She is very talented at drawing. While she is free-spirited and energetic, Moira also has a deep appreciation for traditions, enjoying the stories and customs passed down to her and finding beauty in the rituals of her heritage.

Daring and brave, she’s never one to back down from a challenge and has a fiercer edge that shines through when the moment calls for it. Despite her boldness, Moira remains playful and lighthearted, often bringing joy to those around her with her adventurous tales and enthusiasm.

Adira

Adira is a bold, brave, daring, courageous, stubborn, rebellious, and headstrong girl. She is a whirlwind of energy and adventure, embodying a wild and free-spirited nature. She is always seeking the next challenge and is never content to sit still. Unruly and loud, she often stands out with her tomboyish demeanor, never shying away from getting her hands dirty or chasing the next thrill. Her impulsive nature makes her quick to action, sometimes without thinking, and she has a short temper that flares up easily, especially when things don’t go her way.

While her brashness can come across as slightly selfish at times, Adira has a kind strong heart, always determined to prove her strength and capability. Despite her kind heart her raw strength, pride, and stubbornness give her the potential to be a fearsome force. She harbors a competitive drive to be the best, and her frustration with limitations or challenges can turn into a dangerous hunger for power if left unchecked. Adira knows she has the potential to become someone feared if she allows pride and anger to control her actions. Yet, what keeps her grounded is her deep love for her family and fierce loyalty to her sisters.

Much like her mother, Adira is skilled at archery, an activity that she loves doing. She shares a playful side with her sisters, often keeping things light-hearted, though her hyperactivity can make her difficult to keep up with. Despite her strong-willed and unruly personality, Adira’s bold spirit and boundless energy make her a force to be reckoned with, always keeping her family on their toes.

For those who want more information about Alastair here is his personality

Alastair is a gentle, intellectual, and somewhat rebellious young man. He is stubborn when it comes to his deeply held beliefs and principles, yet he expresses his defiance in a calm, measured way, never raising his voice but standing firm in what he believes in. Although he doesn’t fit into the traditional male role of his society, he holds a deep love for customs and traditions, appreciating the beauty in heritage while rejecting the rigid expectations others place on him. His passion lies in the creative arts—painting, drawing, sewing, writing poetry, and playing music are his favourite pastimes, all of which are often considered feminine to others.

Despite his graceful demeanor and refined manners, he is no stranger to adventure. He enjoys riding his horse, exploring the countryside, and allowing his curiosity to guide him to new discoveries. Always diplomatic, he is quick-witted and wise, keeping a calm head in dangerous situations and resolving conflicts with reason and understanding. Loyal and compassionate, he listens carefully to others, remaining open-minded and kind, no matter the circumstances.

Beneath his calm and elegant exterior, he has a playful, adventurous side, enjoying lighthearted moments and spontaneous exploration. His sharp intellect, combined with his caring and graceful nature, makes him both an unconventional man and an admirable one.

[martyrbat]

i think my favorite part is how you know what follows after manderley is set ablaze. you know what happens, the life of these characters and how truly tragic it is rather than being left up to imagination. the first chapter, she describes manderley in detail with a sense of deep longing. before we know anything, we know there was a house that is no more. that this house was a vessel to their soul and spirit, not merely a home to their physical bodies. and now it is no more. we later learn the symbolism of the house. the way it was a tie in to the main character's youth, the postcard she had of it since she was a little girl and dreams and admiration and curiosity she had for the house at such a young age—how she lives more in a daydream than a reality. those hopes, that curiosity, was everything for a character like hee. and now, despite being only 25 at the oldest, that youth is no more. she left it and all the hopes that manderley was a symbolistic house for behind her. her husband, while proposing, never said i love you. he never had a confession of happiness or love for her. he told her he wanted to show her manderley. he wanted to bring her with him to manderley. manderly, equally haunted and beloved, was more of a presence than he ever was for her.

in the second chapter she details a bit of their life in exile. the way the boring post is what they look forward to. she says she'll keep the things that hurt to herself, that thinking of manderley and the excitement she once dreamt of is her secret indulgence. ‘color and scent and sound, rain and the lapping of water, even the mists of autumn and the smell of the flood tide, these are memories of manderley that will not be denied.’ she becomes the partner with the secret, despite earlier stating that her and maxim have none between them. she says theyre happy, that happiness is not a possession to be prized but a state of mind and thought. and yet follows ‘Poor whims of fancy, tender and un-harsh. They are the enemy to bitterness and regret, and sweeten this exile we have brought upon ourselves. Because of them I can enjoy my afternoon, and return, smiling and refreshed, to face the little ritual of our tea.’

she establishes herself as an unreliable narrator instantly. she says they're happy, they because they are finally together in unison, they must be. but we know how the story concludes, not on the last page but in the very first. she dreamt of manderley again and will not tell him. her dreams, her indulging fantasy, is the only thing she has left. she has sacrificed her life, something she feared when working for mrs van hooper. instead of being payed with money to be an assistant, a companion, she is payed with his approval. with his need of her, his dependence on her after the whole ordeal being her reward. she speaks only to read him stories he approves of, she doesn't share her dream or desires with the man she loves. she packs their things and accompanies him. she is a pretty little thing to carry his burdens and do his tasks and be his company. she will cover up murder just to get his approval, his love. she excused the murder of rebbeca and now she is slowly being killed, letting her spirit dwindle before its ever firey like rebbeca's once was. she is desperate to be the perfect housewife even without a house, she makes herself the perfect companion. not too opinionated, not firey or passionate. insecure and shy, basing her worth on his happiness and moodiness, on him entirely. the story is titled rebbeca because she's the only one who was shown to have lived enough to haunt later, to have made a crimson impact against this gray societal world that our main character was so eager to slot into. she lives to fulfill her expected wifely duties without anything being left for her outside of it. rebbeca was dead yet continues to haunt them while our main character is the living dead—a ghost in her own story until maxim is dead. and once he is, rebbeca will still continue to haunt her.

[happi-tree]

👀 your pfp is from your fae amphibia au right? i would love to know more about it <3333

Actually, my pfp is from a different Amphibia au that I haven't talked about at all on here! I've tentatively called it "the raven and the dove" and it's roughly based on the movie (the MOVIE, not the books) The School for Good and Evil and my friend @toonteller came up with a lot of it (hi, toon, hope you don't mind the tag!). If you're at all familiar with the characters from that, Anne takes Agatha's role while Marcy takes Sophie's and Sasha takes Tedros'. You don't have to be familiar with the characters at all for the au to make sense, though!

Basically, Anne and Marcy are two girls growing up in a rural village. They've been friends since they were very small, sticking close together and facing the mean-spirited remarks of their peers together. Marcy happens to stumble across a book one day that tells her of a magical place that trains the heroes and villains of fairytale stories and becomes very determined to find it, while Anne rushes along after her because she doesn't want to lose her only friend and sincerely doubts that any good could come of this. The two of them end up getting whisked away to The School For Good and Evil, where they are promptly deposited into their respective schools - Anne into the School For Good, which trains heroes, and Marcy into the School For Evil, which trains villains. And obviously this is a huge mistake, because not only does Anne want to get back to her parents, but also Marcy cannot possibly be evil! There isn't a vindictive bone in her body! The headmaster, Andrias, tells the girls that the only way to prove Marcy's innate Goodness is a true love's kiss (because villains don't get one of those in the stories, right?). They end up causing quite a stir among the students, as they are both generally disruptive and the first to enroll from outside the fairytale realm in a long time, and the shenanigans draws the attention and disapproval of one Sasha of Camelot, heir to the throne of the Storied and the School For Good's golden child. And. Well.

Quite a lot of chaos ensues in an attempt to get Marcy into the "proper" school and get Anne home, including but not limited to a Marcy corruption arc (and one for Anne, to a different extent), some identity/morality/sexuality crises on the part of Sasha, magic and shapeshifting, a slow dance (with evil overtones), gay archery lessons, ruminations on the societal expectations of beauty, attraction, gender roles, and morality, women covered in blood, true love's kiss(es), and LOTS of impractical fantasy costume changes. It's quite a bit of fun (and Sashannarcy endgame, obviously), even if I haven't thought about it in awhile! :DDD

[ohhgingersnaps]

Hrm...what's a fun and different ship to ask about lmfao...oh yes. What do you think about Wizard/Linus? Oh and also I actually saw Maru/Sam once and while that's kinda crack I also love it? What do you think? 😂

Oooh Wizard/Linus is ship I haven't considered before!! I could see it working— I could see this ship falling into Grumpy Old Man Divorcee/Free-Spirited Sunshine territory, which I do enjoy (albeit the Sunshine here is one who's a bit wary of other people, but I love a good slow burn).

Re: Maru/Sam, my feelings are !!!! YES. It's an OTP for me. Sam's very emotionally intelligent, upbeat, and a good listener, and he is endlessly supportive as a spouse. He's had to shoulder a lot of responsibility with Kent gone, and imo he's more mature than he seems (see: the cutscene with Vincent), but he has learned to chill. And Maru is passionate, intelligent, outgoing, and ambitious, but she also needs to undergo the process of differentiating herself from her dad that Sam kind of had to undergo when Kent left, and navigating that is a huge part of her in-game arc (or it was intended to be, even if it comes across as more Demetrius' arc than Maru's imo).

Sam's tendency to question societal expectations of productivity, and his ability to relax, will be good for Maru, actually! Let Maru question the expectations she (and Demetrius) puts on herself a little bit. Get that girl a man who challenges her to ask what she wants, instead of what she thinks she's "supposed" to do and be. ("Did you get everything done on [your research project] today? If you didn't I won't be mad!" <- a post-marriage quote from Sam that Maru would greatly benefit from hearing more)

Also, once he gets the job at the library/museum?? In my mind, he is burning custom-tailored playlists for her and sliding the CDs in alongside the books she puts on reserve. He is constantly asking for her opinions on his songs. They infodump at each other (him about music, her about her latest fun chemistry or mechanical engineering thing) (yes I am sprinkling in some autism/ADHD solidarity here). She is fixing his audio equipment with scraps she finds around the lab like MacGyver and he thinks it's the absolute coolest thing.

Also worth mentioning: Sam isn't set on a traditional career. If Maru's pursuing a full-time STEM career (as she wants and deserves to!), this is actually a benefit, logistically speaking. From personal experience, a STEM career requires constant relocating from college age through your late twenties (undergrad -> PhD -> postdoc), which makes romantic relationships during that stage of life notoriously difficult— not to mention the "two-body problem" dilemma she'll face if she ends up wanting to go into academia. A STEM career is a lot easier to navigate if your partner is open to rearranging their own career to move with you.

Side note: Demetrius would not approve of Sam, at least at first. He's near and dear to my heart, but he tends to have Ideas About How Things Should Go, and I don't think it's easy for him to let go of the idea that his little girl deserves someone who has the same type of talents and intelligence and can "provide for her" in the traditional sense, despite Maru a) being happy and fulfilled because of Sam's differences, b) recognizing that Sam's talents and ambitions, while less traditional and financially stable, are incredibly valuable, and c) being fully capable of being the main breadwinner. There's a whole character arc of "Demetrius learns to let Maru be a grown woman who makes her own decisions, even if he doesn't understand them, and Maru learns to be cool with her dad not approving of her choices" that's begging to be written, here.

Also, secondary to the rest of it, but I can't get over the idea of Sam going through Maru's two-heart event. Demetrius tries to give Sam a shovel talk and our favorite golden retriever boy immediately goes "haha oh yeah Maru's the BEST isn't she? :D" and spends the next ten minutes rambling about what Cool Fun Science Girl Vibes she has. This is fully off-script from the scenarios Demetrius prepped in his head, and he has no idea how to respond.

Thank you for asking!! I apologize that this turned into such an essay, I'm just really invested in them haha :)

[bivht]

Pythagorean Numerology Observations

Here is chaldean numerology observations if u are new to numerology.

I’ll only be using first names! Not last names. So when I say heart’s desire, it’s purely using first names.

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🪷I’ve noticed growth number 3s tend to be more on the introverted side. They are also not very interactive with people. They usually get recognized for their talents easily though they are lazy. The Chaldean growth number can enhance or diminish some of these traits. They can also be quite ignorant, clueless and superficial, constantly wanting to be entertained instead of educating themselves on important issues. The type to watch a movie/tv show unfolding the complexity of multiple important societal issues and themes and then forgetting all about it with time because they only saw the entertainment value in it. On a positive note, they don’t really care much about a lot of things, which is a refreshing, good thing in certain cases!!

🪷If the hearts desire of the first name is an odd number, they are very excitable. If it’s even, they are more on the calmer side.

🪷Growth number 8 tends to get unnecessary hate. They have a very strong, resilient personality despite how many obstacles and hate they receive. Kind of like Capricorns. Let me hug you guys.

🪷Growth number 1 evokes strong reactions in people especially if the first letter of the name is 1 e.g. A,J,S. I’ve seen people b*tch about them behind their backs a lot. They seem to come off as arrogant and mean-spirited to many people in my personal experience (even if they are not). On the contrary, on the media, they seem to have a powerful influence and evoke strong feelings in others e.g. Jimin, Soojin. For some reason, a lot of them are also amazing dancers e.g. Jimin, Soojin, Dayeon, Seulgi, Hoseok, Seungcheol etc. So powerful, they make people question their sexuality LMAOO.

🪷If the first letter of their name is even, heart’s desire is even, and growth number is even, they are often seen as wholesome, pure, genuine good people e.g. Michael.

🪷If the opposite, everything is an odd number, they can have a mean spirited sense of humour😂.

🪷Heart’s desire 2 at its worse can be a negative nancy! Moody, overly anxious, likes to project their stress and bad moods onto others, and treats people like sh*t!! However, when dealing with them, it’s best to understand that they are stressed, and not stoop down to their levels of immaturity by lashing out. Communicate with them when they’re not under stress!! They also are prone to stress eating, easily gain weight, having various pressure points on their bodies. Sit back, relax, get a massage❤️. At their best, they are very caring, organized, prepared, lovable people, a good kind of naggy. The women with this look great wearing white and floral clothes. They also have nice boobs lmao, like the cancer of numerology.

They also are easily seen as good parents to outsiders. For good or worse.

🪷Hearts desire 2 and growth number 2 are most likely to gain weighing via stress.

🪷People with first vowel as ‘e’ tend to stress less than others, they don’t stress gain. Quite good at consistently maintaining their weight.

🪷The way growth number 7 delivers jokes and punchlines is like a dad or uncle. Sometimes it’s funny tho. They are really great friends.

🪷A lot of growth number 9s are really into fitness. Complimented on their body and healthy diet e.g. Emi Wong (Emi), Vivacious Honey (Vanessa), Chaeryeong itzy, Golden gully (Bilal) “yk it’s my cheat day.”

🪷If the first letter of your name is 6 e.g. F, O, X, ur absolutely gorgeous and so caring and family oriented!! Very fluffy personality. I’ve never met an unattractive person with this.

🪷Growth number 6 are recognized for their hard work!! They’re always giving it their all, they don’t know the meaning of “go girl give us nothing.” e.g. Beyonce.

🪷Growth number 5s are fun, fun, fun!!!

🪷Growth number 4s have a very distinct individuality and they’re very cool people that attract a lots of people and evoke envy in other people. They give off ‘main character energy.’

🪷Hearts desire 3 and 5 are VERY entertaining and a natural comedian.

🪷Hearts desire 5 make awesome teachers because they make learning so much fun!! Especially if the first vowel of their name is ‘e’.

🪷If the first vowel of your name is ‘u’, you are hilarious, even if you have the dryest sense of humour.

🪷Hearts desire 9 is also very funny. Think meme-faces funny.

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I’d loved to hear your thoughts if any of this did or didn’t resonate with you. Thanks for reading!!

[cocoartistwrites]

I love the agony aunt idea! You give great advice! In that spirit, I do have a story hehe:

(context) I’ve been dating this guy for a few months and he’s very nice and also very conventionally attractive. I haven’t ever had major major self-image issues, but I would consider myself to be pretty in an average way. Anyway, this girl from my work (I work in an office) asked about my boyfriend and I showed her a picture and she’s like (in a certain tone) “Wow, you would think he would be able to date a model or something”!!! I was gobsmacked, can you believe! It’s literally something in a high school movie- I’m TWENTY SIX.

At first I just thought it was funny & dumb and that maybe I had even misunderstood her meaning, but I honestly don’t think I did. And now I have been feeling kind of bad about myself! I didn’t tell my boyfriend and I realized it was because I didn’t want to plant the seed in his mind that he was too good for me. That’s crazy! I feel like I’m sixteen and it’s so stupid and shallow but GAHH. I don’t really know if this is an advice question but hmm wish I could get over it. Hope you get some entertainment out of this if anything!

I am SHOCKED tbh that is very rude but also I do think probably says more about her and her view on life and herself than it does on you? We all know the most beautiful women with apparently very substandard men, and I think there’s a general trend where, viewed in a purely physical context, men are more likely to date women who are judged more conventionally attractive women than them. BUT!! This is, when taken case by case instead of societally, absolute nonsense naturally — lots of very handsome men also appreciate a good personality, that’s not something women have a monopoly on.

So specifically for you: this person is obviously not a great associate so don’t trust her but also now that you know her opinion is a bit trash why hold yourself up against it? You should only be concerned with the opinion of people you respect and also, as we all know, of total strangers on public transport.

So sweep her views aside into nothing and we get to the crux, which is why you didn’t tell your boyfriend. I actually think that’s good initially - if you’re anything like any of my friends you’d have tried to make it funny and come across just a little too tense. But it has obviously exposed a sensitivity that I do maybe think warrants some very gentle self-reflection and maybe a confession at some point that you aren’t always as physically confident as you’d like to be. Exposing our vulnerabilities is good for two reasons: it brings us closer but also it means he is aware of it going forward and will know that every now and again he might touch a nerve and why. In a relationship I think it’s good to arm your partner with the knowledge they need to understand you if you can, and this seems like a good opportunity to flag something that isn’t major or serious or character defining but could potentially derail a conversation in a shop on a Saturday when you’re hungover or at 8pm at a wedding or when his mother compliments your courageous dress sense.

I think I’m leaning towards doing the agony aunt newsletter, so thank you for this anecdote which made me laugh and was very relatable and do send more

[elegantsongwombat]

Shed in Her Globe: The Excitement of Shrinking in Giantess Stories

Giantess

Introduction

Giantess accounts have actually captured the creative imagination of numerous, supplying a thrilling as well as special experience for those who look into their world. One specific facet of these accounts that kindles exhilaration is actually the idea of shrinking. It includes an extra layer of imagination and also experience, allowing viewers to engage themselves in a planet where they come to be small beings in the visibility of big girls. In this post, we are going to explore the appeal of shrinking in giantess accounts, delving right into the themes, dreams, and emotions it evokes.

The Enthrallment with Vore What is Vore?

Vore is actually a term typically related to giantess stories, describing the process of being accepted whole by a giantess or any other large company. It take advantage of primitive desires as well as imaginations, mixing factors of dominance, article, as well as affection. The tip of being actually fully utilized by an effective personality sets off both fear and excitement, generating an eye-catching narrative for readers.

The Electrical power Dynamic

One of the crucial tourist attractions in giantess accounts entailing vore https://giantess.miraheze.org/wiki/Giantess is the power dynamic at play. As tiny creatures in the visibility of a towering giantess, viewers experience a feeling of susceptability as well as fretfulness. This energy imbalance fuels dreams of relinquishing management and going to the mercy of a dominant force. It entwines along with motifs of submitting and dominance, offering a thrilling getaway from day-to-day life.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Shrinking in giantess stories can bring about a vast array of emotional states for audiences. The first concern as well as uneasiness as https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/giantess/ being one familiarizes their belittled measurements progressively gives way to awe and also wonderment at the transparent range of their settings. The contrast in between their little growth and also the enormous planet around all of them makes a sense of mind-blowing beauty.

Moreover, there is an undeniable aspect of sexiness interwoven within these stories. The susceptability of the contracted protagonist and the sexy power of the giantess develop a sizzling mix of desire as well as threat. It use primordial intuitions and also whips up intense feelings, improving the overall physical experience.

The Artistic Phrase in Hentai Exploring Dreams with Hentai

Hentai, a category of Oriental cartoon pornography, has welcomed the concept of shrinking in giantess tales. It gives an unique system for artists to carry these imaginations to life in visually promoting methods. With their vibrant illustrations as well as attention to particular, hentai performers grab the spirit of the shrinking experience, submersing visitors in a globe where desires can be looked into without limitations.

Pushing Boundaries as well as Taboos

Hentai allows the expedition of themes that might be actually taken into consideration taboo in traditional media. It offers an electrical outlet for individuals to enjoy their imaginations safely and also anonymously, without opinion or even societal restraints. The imaginative articulation found in hentai giantess accounts presses borders, demanding standard notions of wish and also arousal.

Emotional Link by means of Art

Artistic representations in hentai giantess tales transcend plain arousal. They ai

[2024-portfolio-azo-aansh-binner]

Swish

Medium: Digital

Dimensions: 9000 x 9000 pi

Year: 2024

This artwork encapsulates the spirit of women's empowerment, with the luminous white eyes symbolizing a profound inner resilience and potential. an artwork I decided to make after a skirt and uniform issue that occurred in our school where girls didn't get any support and were at many times hurt even more. The act of flipping her hair becomes a symbolic gesture, challenging societal norms and breaking free from traditional constraints. The divine white eyes radiate wisdom and untapped strength, underscoring the inherent power often overlooked in women. This celebrates the beauty found in strength, encouraging viewers to recognize the potent force within every woman. The composition speaks to the broader theme of defying limitations, inviting women to embrace their power and challenge preconceived notions. This piece, aims to evoke a universal sense of empowerment, inspiring a narrative that transcends individual identity and speaks to the collective strength of women.

[best-chicago-personal-trainers]

Empowering Strength: 9 Reasons Why Girls Should Embrace Lifting Weights

In a world that is gradually shifting towards inclusivity and breaking down gender stereotypes, the realm of fitness is no exception. Girls lifting weights is a powerful movement gaining momentum, and it's time to celebrate the myriad benefits that weightlifting brings to the table. In this article, we'll explore nine compelling reasons why girls should wholeheartedly embrace lifting weights and make it an integral part of their fitness journey.

1. Strength, Not Bulk: Dispelling the Myth of Bulking Up

One common misconception that often discourages women from lifting weights is the fear of bulking up. It's crucial to emphasize that weightlifting, when done properly, does not automatically lead to a bulky physique. In fact, it helps in toning and sculpting muscles, creating a lean and strong body.

2. Body Confidence: Sculpting More Than Just Muscles

Beyond physical strength, weightlifting has a profound impact on body confidence. Engaging in strength training fosters a positive relationship with one's body, promoting self-acceptance and appreciation for what it can achieve.

3. Mental Resilience: Lifting Weights, Lifting Spirits

The benefits of weightlifting extend far beyond the physical realm. The mental resilience developed through challenging workouts can empower girls to face life's obstacles with a newfound strength. The discipline and determination required in the weight room translate into a resilient mindset outside of it.

4. Empowering Independence: Taking Control of Your Fitness Journey

Girls who embrace weightlifting gain a sense of empowerment and independence in their fitness journey. Unlike some workout routines that may rely on external factors, weightlifting allows individuals to take control of their progress, set personal goals, and achieve them through dedication and hard work.

5. Efficient Fat Loss: Boosting Metabolism with Strength Training

Weightlifting is a highly effective tool for fat loss. As muscle mass increases, so does the body's metabolism. This means that even when not actively working out, individuals who lift weights burn more calories at rest, contributing to efficient fat loss over time.

6. Bone Health: Strengthening the Foundation for Life

Especially crucial for girls and women, weightlifting plays a significant role in enhancing bone health. As they age, the risk of osteoporosis increases, making weight-bearing exercises like lifting crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones.

7. Versatility in Workouts: Breaking the Monotony

Weightlifting introduces a diverse range of exercises that add versatility to workout routines. From compound movements like squats and deadlifts to isolation exercises, incorporating weightlifting ensures that workouts remain interesting and challenging, preventing the monotony that can lead to exercise burnout.

8. Functional Fitness: Preparing for Real-Life Challenges

Girls who lift weights aren't just building strength for the gym; they are enhancing their functional fitness for everyday life. Whether lifting groceries, moving furniture, or tackling physical challenges, the strength gained from weightlifting proves invaluable in real-world situations.

9. Community and Support: Joining the Rise of Women in the Weight Room

As more girls embrace weightlifting, a supportive community is emerging. Breaking stereotypes and joining a community of like-minded individuals fosters a sense of belonging and encourages girls to challenge societal norms, creating a more inclusive space in the traditionally male-dominated weight room.

In conclusion, the reasons for girls to embrace lifting weights extend beyond physical strength. It's about challenging stereotypes, fostering mental resilience, and promoting a positive relationship with one's body. By embracing weightlifting, girls can embark on a journey that not only transforms their physical well-being but also empowers them in all aspects of life. It's time to celebrate the strength, both physical and mental, that comes with girls lifting weights.Visit at Transform Personal Training.

[quirkydoodler]

Religion has always been something I’ve wondered about. Whether it was in my history classes, documentaries, or readings about different cultures and ways of thinkings, there was just…

Something about knowing there were things I didn’t know in the spiritual or religious way that brought a peaceful curiosity to my mind since I was little.

Sometimes I wonder about God, or gods, or the world and the universe and all the interesting little tidbits of life that we still consider unknowns.

As I’ve gotten older, I still wonder: How do I define myself spiritually and/or religiously?

I grew up in a fairly open-minded household: My dad was brought up with a devoutly Christian mother and (from what I gather) a more easygoing, open-minded father, while my mother grew up Catholic and went to a Catholic girls’ school. Yet growing up, my sister and I were allowed to figure things out for ourselves in that way, though we were told about the basics, such as the meaning of Christmas, the cross, prayer, and biblical stories.

And I have gotten to know people who are Christian, Catholic, Mormon, Buddhist, agnostic, atheist…

The point is, with all these diverse takes on our spiritual and religious purposes, I’ve strived more and more to be at peace with the choices I’ve personally made and the paths I’ve taken, though they may deviate from the norm depending on who’s assessing them.

As it stands:

I believe that there is some kind of higher power watching over us, though I also believe in not knowing about the exact details of that. I’m more monotheistic in this sense. So maybe more of a Western take, if we are categorizing more broadly by region.

However, I also believe that the spirits of those loved ones who are no longer with us watch over us (more of an Eastern aspect, I think); for example, my grandfather — God rest his soul — passed away the year I started high school, but ever since then, I believe in his presence watching over us, and so I am more motivated and inspired to keep going forward.

That in mind, I also feel a bit agnostic: I can’t say for sure that there is or isn’t a god or gods, but from this perspective, neither concept offends or frightens me; if I come across someone who believes in the existence, I will listen with an open mind because this is all a bit of a learning process for me. And if I come across someone who believes that there is no such existence, I will again consider that perspective intriguing and listen as openly as I can.

Because, the concept of religion and spirituality reminds me of chapters in my old history textbooks, where we might study the beliefs of ancient peoples. In those cases, the cultural beliefs would be met with intrigue and fascination and most importantly, a long-lasting desire to want to learn more. Even if not necessarily alongside a devotion to one of those sets of beliefs.

The Bible, the Torah, the Quran, the Lunyu…any of these sacred and meaningful texts can still be viewed by people with a more agnostic perspective like mine as profound pieces, as literary masterpieces because of the wisdom they can offer us all on an individual and societal level. If I find interesting passages in any of these, it doesn’t mean I need to commit to that specific religion or set of beliefs. I’m a writer, a poet, a translator…I live for passages that make me think deeper; that they are well-renowned texts is the icing on the case, because works like that tend to have lots of timeless messages that relate to us no matter how different our circumstances may be.

I’ve, granted, perused passages mainly from Western beliefs (Christianity, Catholicism, and Mormonism), but — despite my eagerness to gain some insight or deeper thought from the texts, I deviate from the norm, so to speak, since I don’t attend church.

This has intrigued some, because (reasonably) the community and environment of a church setting could help “bring me closer to Him” and so on. I understand that and respect that others that choose that path, but ultimately I have chosen a different path and am content with it 🙂

But I feel that in this day and age, to describe how my perspectives differ isn’t criminal — so many others other there are various and diverse in their own perceptions, so mine is just one among those many.

I’m more spiritual than religious; I like to consider the spiritual life within people and animals, for instance, and thus our innate connection with nature.

For some, then, going to church specifically can help them better find themselves. For me, long walks through nature and mindfulness are how I can better find myself. That is all.

If anything, this is also why I stan Stray Kids so much; not everyone in the group has the exact same religious/spiritual beliefs. Similar, yes. But how they got there individually likely isn’t all the same.

But!

That’s not what makes their individual and collective dynamics with each other so amazing to watch and admire and aspire towards.

Rather, it’s that they (from my understanding) have shared moral values and qualities that help lift each other up, things that have no doubt been enhanced by their individual perspectives on life, whether or not that came with a religion :)

Some may continue questioning my varied takes on life in that spiritual/religious sense.

Some may relate to it.

Others still may despise it.

But I can be alright with this deviation. Because none of us are exactly the same, and in the end, being true to ourselves in this area as well as to other parts of our lives?

That.

That’s what truly helps us become wiser and better people ✨💫

[fcb3]

I'm reading John C. Maxwell's book, "Change Your World"; I first heard him on James Dobson thirty years ago, and I've never forgotten his stories, his infectious enthusiasm and joy. This book delivers the goods; written for Christian and non-Christian alike.

Most Christians have a sense of urgency about the times we live; and many have devoted themselves to political hopes, others sigh and say, the End is near, it's a sign of the times.... But we have a better hope, not spinach like Popeye, our "spinach" is the power of the Holy Spirit to change people, communities and worlds.

We have this power in earthen vessels and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. Only our procrastination, excuses and lack of vision can defeat us. "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. It takes courage to believe the best is yet to come. That courageous faith will help us to win tomorrow. But we find it when we allow ourselves to feel the urgency of today."

Maxwell visited an at-risk school and a third grader named Ethan asked him, "Do you ever feel, deep down here [pointing to his heart] that you want to help people and make a difference?" He couldn't believe it! He responded, "Ethan, that's exactly the way I feel! "Every day deep down in my heart I want to make a difference."

Maxwell goes on to share a story about Rob, a close friend of his who took a wrong turn and he entered a small urban community called Avondale.

As Rob drove around what he saw arrested his attention. He witnessed a drug deal, prostitutes soliciting customers in the middle of the day, gang members holding court with school age boys who should have been in class, and moms clearly under the influence watching passively as bunches of children ran around on their lawns.

"I felt angry," Rob said. I was angry at the condition of my community. Right across the street from my work were people suffering, trapped by their circumstances. I felt the pain of those father's, unable to provide for their kids. I was angry at the waste of human potential. Angry because I knew these children, through no fault of their own, were trapped in a societal prison of poverty, abuse and neglect. But I was also angry at myself, angry that I hadn't seen what was happening right in front of me. It deeply convicted me that although I was helping kids around the world, I had failed to see that hopelessness lived next door."

Avondale ranked in the bottom 1 percent of U.S. neighborhoods for safety, with 776 crimes per square mile per year, in contrast to the rest of the U.S. at 50 per square mile.

He organized some like minded people and after research etc., they opened an after school reading program for kids and adults, they organized classes in English as a second language, hosted health fairs, taught interviewing skills to job seekers, helped feed families in need and provided mentors to help people grow. They found the number one determinant of whether kids graduate from High school is Third grade literacy. How many have the gift of teaching within the church!

Let me share one moving story about a student we'll call Haylee, she found hope and healing in a desperate situation. She was being raised by her grandmother because her mother was a drug addict, and her father was in jail. Working multiple jobs and trying to do the best she could for her granddaughter, Haylee's grandmother enrolled her in the new after school care school. It has become a safe, secure place for her, and Haylee has been growing and thriving. But then last year, Haylee's grandma received a call that the girls's mom had passed away from a drug overdose. It's traumatic for a child to lose a parent, and even harder when its to drug addiction. However, Haylee is going to be okay because she is in a place filed with love and support.

In short, if you feel,

"It's all I can stands, and I can't stands no more!"

Then put your faith in Christ, not our political machine, seek places where you can share your love and talents to help change your community. You may save a life and you are sure to hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

All schools need teacher's helpers, all missions need Spirit filled Christians to come alongside the men and women in the programs; there are widows, orphans, destitute, handicapped, sick, imprisoned, strangers, hungry people at our door. Who will help? If not you, then who? If not now, then when?

Be salt, be light, and see if Christ does not honor His promise -- "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over."

One last thought to ponder: Unless you want to help people whether they become a Christian or not, your love is still in infancy.