#and I myself am not very experienced with religion

[beigetiger]

Cannot stop thinking about how Skulduggery has sort of peaked in his abilities. He’s four hundred, the Death Bringer, and one of the most powerful Elementals ever. That’s quite a lot to his name.

I’m also thinking of how Valkyrie is just getting started. She’s BABY to the other sorcerers, and yet she’s already practically on his level. I’m obsessed with the idea that she’ll just…keep going. Godhood is inevitable for her, she’ll just keep losing more and more of her humanity until she’s no longer even a sorcerer. She’ll outgrow the world some day. And Skulduggery will love her anyway.

There’s a lot to be said about the religious aspect of this series and I find it all extremely fascinating, both how the sorcerers view religion and how it’s wrapped up with the characters and their arcs. Valkyrie already has a religion dedicated to one of her aspects and Skulduggery is kind of the Death Bringer, and yet neither of them view each other in an explicitly religious way (although there could be an argument made for them worshiping each other in less of a generally religious and more of a mutual adoration sense).

Not much analysis going on here, I’m just thinking about them. Might write more on this later when I’m slightly more coherent and have fewer other things to do.

[luckthebard]

I think a huge problem I’m seeing in some attempts at meta with C3 is that there is a subset of viewers who do not understand the place, value, and meaning of real world religion. It breeds takes like “well throw the gods out! Who needs them! They caused characters and the world pain! Free Vax from the Raven Queen!”

I throw that last one in there because it is the most ridiculous yet frequent and is really the crux of the issue. Vax’s story is very much about faith and the importance of faith and devotion. If you place no value on that you’ll end up grossly misunderstanding the character and the nature of his tragedy.

I’m going to out myself as an atheist, but I think the issue with a lot of these takes are that they come from internet atheists who are either resentful of and hostile toward religion because of personal experiences or do not know any devout people in their lives who they respect and can empathize with. And while I am not trying to downplay the very real phenomenon of religious trauma, when healing from it it is crucial to realize that all spiritual traditions are not synonymous with the one that harmed you. I would really implore more people to explore why many good people find spiritual traditions and religion to be a source of solace, community, and meaning before writing off the idea wholesale as something only functioning as a means of power and control that people can be educated out of believing. I encourage you to branch out and here are some examples of things I’ve done to challenge my own judgement over the last ten years: read the writings of gay Catholics exploring the queerness of Jesus. Read some beautiful poetry written by a trans man who specializes in Anglican theology. Explore religious observances different from the ones you experienced and attend a Seder. Go if a coworker invites you to a celebration of Ganesh. Learn the significance of solstice celebrations because your coworker is officiating one for a Wiccan event. Break fast at sundown during Ramadan with in solidarity with your roommate.

Deciding that all fictional religion must be an allegory for a specific kind of toxic nationalistic prosperity gospel Christian cult found in America will only limit how you engage with both fiction and the real world. It took me a long time to get to this place about it and I hope I’ve put the spark of curiosity and not judgment into at least one person reading this.

[lunamoonbby]

Cult!141 x Fem!Reader

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT MDNI

⚠️Warnings⚠️: Dark Content, Manipulation, allusions to past abuse very brief not in depth, female reader, swearing, pregnancy, birth, poly relationships, smut, Cult AU, the use of lord in terms to worship, Price being referred to as Father

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, know that there is help, and please help anyone that you know to help them escape from that abuse.

⭐️Author's Note: The religion that the villagers follow is not defined, but it is NOT associated with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or any other type of religion there is⭐️

CHAPTER 2: Meeting New People

"Well, well, well, who do you have there, Father Price?" The sound came from a man who had bright blue eyes and was sporting a mowhawk and a scottish accent. Price gesturing towards y/n, "This is y/n, and I expect every single one of you to welcome her with open arms, or else our lord will be upset." "Yes, Father Price." the crowd said in unison. "How can I help you? I'm Johnny, by the way. Sorry about my bad manners, and this is Kyle." Kyle was a beautiful man with chocolate glowy skin, his eyes a beautiful shade of brown. Before y/n could answer, Price intervened,"I would like to buy a meal for myself and for y/n and give her a warm drink too." Johnny looked at y/n, "what would you like to eat and drink?". "I'll have the stew and a herbal tea, please?" y/n stated looking at johnny. "Comming right up!" johnny exclaimed, walking to the kitchen with kyle following. You were looking around the tavern, and you noticed that the people were still staring at you, it made you uncomfortable, you were worried that one of them of snitch and give your location to your ex-boyfriend, oh how you hope not.

     Price who notices your jittery state, "My child, what seems to be the matter?" Startled, y/n looks at Price."It's nothing. I'm just being paranoid." Y/n stated, not wanting to worry, Father Price. "It's not nothing if you're shaking like a leaf. Are you feeling cold, my child?" Y/n was feeling cold but she wasn't jittery because of that she decided to tell Price the truth, "although I am feeling cold, it's actually because I'm scared, all of these people are looking at me and I'm afraid that one of them must of alerted my ex-boyfriend and that he'll drag me back to his house and there he would punish me for escaping, Father Price." Price frowns at that and he turns around and looks at the patrons in a way that it made them stop staring at y/n, he truns back around and faces y/n, he places his plam gently on her cheek. "My child it's completely normal to feel that way, but you're safe here no one knows about this place, no one is supposed to find it, but somehow you did and it was our great lord who sent you to me, and remember that offering you gave, he'll make sure that you remain safe here in this village. So please stay in this village don't leave." Price removes his hand from her face. Smiling y/n felt alot better maybe it was for the best that she gave her $100 as an offering, she did find a village that was very secluded maybe she was brought here for a reason.

     "Thank you, Father Price, for welcoming me to this village and paying for my meal, I'm eternally grateful." y/n stated greatfully. "You're welcome, my child." Price stated while he gently patted her head. She was greatful for everything Father Price has done for her, but one question remains how will I pay him back, maybe, I could pay him back by being generous to other people, but the local villagers seem skeptical about me, I mean I am an outsider to them, y/n deep in her thought didn't notice Kyle and Johnny walking out with Price's food and y/n food and drink. "Here you go, bonnie lass, one steaming plate of stew." Johnny places the bowl in front of her, "and here is your herbal tea." Kyle states, placing a tea cup on in front of her. Y/n smells the food and takes a bite of the stew and a sip of her tea "mmm this taste amazing thank you so much" y/n happily eating her stew and drinking her tea.

     John looks at Johnny and Kyle, "y/n remember that story I told you about, the one with my two friends who only had $50 combined to their names?" Y/n looks at Father Price, "yes I remember that story, Father Price." Price smiles at y/n, "great cause Johnny and Kyle are the two friends I talked about. Why don't you tell y/n the story, Kyle? Y/n I'll be right back. I have to get something I won't take long. Johnny, Kyle I trust you both to keep y/n safe" Johnny and Kyle looked at each other and then at John knowing full well that what John said about the $50 story is a lie. Kyle smiled, "Of course, Father Price, myself, and Johnny would keep her safe until you return." Kyle answered and then told the story of how both himself and johnny met Jonathan Price, "Johnny and I were the best of friends growing up, we had nothing to our name except for $50 when combined with the money I had and with what Johnny had. We were traveling for a while and we happened to stumbled across this village, and it was at the church on top of hill where we met Father Price, we prayed for good fortune and success and we were told to make an offering so we made our offering of $50 to our lord, we became devoted follwers and after a couple of months we oppend our very own tavern." Y/n looked amazed and hopeful after hearing the story. "We heard you made an offering. How much did you put?" Kyle asked. Y/n looked at Kyle, "Oh, I put $100 in the offering bowl."

Taglist is open comment if you would like to be added

@yourloverslost @tabbslouuformer @angelrissa @freefallingup13 @readingcatinacorner @sylvanasthebansheequeen @casualunknownrunaway @thatpersonnamedrook @rip-cod-brainrot

I hope you enjoyed it💖

[zebulontheplanet]

I don’t talk about my mental health here much because well, this is mostly an autism page. But I think it’s good to bring awareness to all things. As some people know, I was recently sorta diagnosed with bipolar type Schizoaffective. It’s been a journey for sure. We’re still figuring out things and starting treatment. If it’s bipolar, it’s bipolar, if not, it’s another mood disorder similar to bipolar.

Hypomania has been something I have experienced multiple times but never realized was hypomania and thought it was simply ups from BPD, which I am formally diagnosed with. I never before realized that my days of being so high, weren’t BPD. However, hypomania has caused many things, and I’d like to talk about it.

Disclaimer: Hypomania is a Bipolar term. And is not something people with BPD or other mood disorders experience.

Hypomania has caused me to take on a religion I do not believe in and become obsessed with it. It’s a full on delusion. Hypomania has made it so I joined an online cult and put all my time into it. Hypomania has meant that I don’t sleep for days at a time (i sleep!! Just less than 3 hours at a time. More like naps.) I go high, do everything, do adventurous things and things I wouldn’t normally do, then I crash and sleep for a few hours, then I’m back at it again.

Hypomania is SCARY to me. It causes extreme paranoia, extreme mood swings, and extreme ups and downs in my moods.

It causes me to self harm, to hurt myself, to do things to my health that I wouldn’t in my right mind do. I won’t use my mobility aids, I’ll stop taking my medication, I’ll convince myself I’m unstoppable. I’ll walk miles even though my body can’t physically handle it. I’ll be in less chronic pain, if any, and therefore think I’m cured and on top of the world. I think I’m superior, I get shit done that I haven’t done in months and manically clean, organize, and yeah. My hypomanic episodes are not for the weak.

I get frustrated easily, I say rude things, I ruin, or almost ruin relationships with my carelessness and anger. I think of breaking up with my fiancé, even though I love them very much and would NEVER want to do that.

Hypomania is not a silly thing. I almost ruin my life EVERY SINGLE TIME. It’s hard to deal with hypomania. It’s hard to deal with me when I’m hypomanic. I’m hyper, I’m high. I’m all over the place. My heart races, and I feel like I just took a drug. I’m not myself. Me hypomanic is NOT me.

I wish more people realized that hypomania wasn’t just some silly thing, that it wasn’t something that is just silly goofy intrusive thoughts that you do. That it wasn’t just dying your hair and spending some money. (Although some people do that during hypomanic, it’s just so much more than that!!!) Hypomania is life changing. Realizing you’re hypomanic is life changing. Realizing that all your life those big highs and lows were something is life changing.

Don’t undermine hypomania. Don’t say that it’s not life ruining. Don’t say that it’s not “that bad”. It’s bad. Some people experience more calm hypomanic episodes, and I have DEFINITELY experienced more calm ones. But my hypomania is extreme most of the time. Let’s stop undermining hypomania. It’s a lot, and I wish more people realized that.

[spacelazarwolf]

these ppl never seem to fucking consider how atheists can do harm too lol like i was raised hindu and they made me feel so bad and ashamed for being religious as a teenager to the point where i distanced myself so much and am only now as an adult reconnecting with my faith (which has generally been very kind to me, i never experienced any of the things they claim are the bad parts of religion bc…..that’s not all religion that’s christianity)

like no i’m not saying atheists are a big enough power in the us at least to be able to oppress but you don’t need to be able to oppress to do harm imo.

exactly like. being an asshole to someone requires no systemic power. punching someone in the face requires no systemic power. telling someone you hope nazis kill them requires no systemic power!!

and at the same time, if you are white and not attached to any marginalized cultures, you do have systemic power, even if you’re not christian! so if you’re a white atheist and find yourself constantly going after primarily jews and muslims and other spiritual cultures that originated outside of europe, you may need to examine 1. why you are doing that, and 2. the power dynamic of a white person specifically targeting non white cultures.

[neatalchemist]

main five as things ive done (except i experienced psychosis and had hallucinations majority of my life) and im also extremely cringe

MOST OF THOSE R NSFW / MATURE 😭🙏 (no explicit stuff, mentions of it, drugs+alcohol+cigarettes mentioned)

kuras

> went to church on holy friday before easter(was eastern orthodox) to pass under the table and accidentally banged my head because i got up too fast, the table almost flipped

> always used dried up mushrooms on wounds/scratches when i used to work in the fields

> watched doctor house so much i was sure i could diagnose everything, gave myself a diagnosis and turned out correct

leander

> helped out the barman at work, and when people asked me for "a little whiskey with coke" i'd pour the cup full of whiskey and add a drop of coke for color

> was the teamleader at a school exchange event and did the orange justice in front of everyone to make everyone less embarassed of having to work together(no one spoke to me for the rest of the week)(i was 17.)

> brought a laptop to every lecture for my management class, played minecraft, when asked, explained that i'm voice recording the class to study later, got extra credit for being devoted and passed with 100%

vere

> almost fucked a weird girl because she said she'd give me weed(she had a knife collection and talked about fucking me with a knife to my throat often)

> collected Bones from The Fields to do rituals with(The Gods chose me)

> went into a sex shop and maintained eye contact while purchasing a Big One. (in english)(i still have some dignity)

ais

> got super drunk and smoked 3 packs of cigarettes, debated religion with a classmate and talked to a bottle of alcohol, cuddling it in bed(my lungs died the next day and i didnt smoke for a week)

> worshipped the Forest God, almost set fire to The Forest while doing a Ritual. Got caught, swore i'd never do it (i did it immediately again the next day)

> talked to The Entity in my room via a candle at 3 in the AM(but i was very mean about it)

mhin

> on my way to band practice, walked by an active shooting (guy barricaded himself in his house w hostages n was actively shooting at the street) with police and everything, blasting 'pain' by three days grace in my shitty headphones(the area was cut off but no one told me)

> graffitied the operator symbol all over my middle school in chalk(its still there)

> hallucinated ravens talking to me and trying to get in my room in the middle of the night, saying if i didnt let them in He'd show up (actually terrifying)

[my-castles-crumbling]

Can you acknowledge me as a trans person? Even if I act and look like a girl and have a hijab? in my religion, It's a sin and, I don't look like anything masculine. I just, want someone to tell me I can still be trans even though I never come out or transition, because, I can't. Even after being away from my parents (I still live with them) I won't come out. I don't think it's worth losing everyone, and I don't think it's worth it because in the end I will just blame myself for ruining everything.

Everyone has sinned at least once, and being a sinner doesn't mean I still don't have that belief. But people say I am either not Muslim (there isn't any force in my religion, no one can decide if you believe or not, but somehow some people still loves to talk for god) or I am not queer because I mostly act upon my beliefs (ofc nothing hateful! I hope you or anyone doesn't get prejudiced about us because of some people who claim to be religious but still judge and hate)

And I am bi. And I feel shitty no matter what. Like in the middle, not accepted in anything. Like if I am one, I can't be the other, and I know I can't, I know I need to choose something, but I can't because I love my religion, it helped me much, I felt happy each time I pray, but I also want to feel comfortable in my skin and,

I need someone to tell me I am worth something, anything, even though I am the way I am.

If that makes sense, I am not American, sorry for shitty sentences.

And now I am crying. I am sorry.

And i would appreciate it if you answer or acknowledge this ask at least, because, I was very nervous and scared to ask this even in anon, because I wear hijab and religious in a sense and I can't help but feel like you would judge or not like me at all, I know you can't hate someone anon because you don't know me, but I still feel so bad because of this, I am sorry. I know I am just someone in Tumblr and nothing that important but, you helped me a lot and I don't want to say anything wrong that could make you feel bad.

You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I am sorry.

Hi!

First, I want you to know that you are absolutely valid <3. Even as you are right now, even if you never choose to do anything differently, you are trans and you are bi, and that's totally okay and perfect. You are always loved and accepted and important here.

Second, I know that I will never fully understand the turmoil you're experiencing. I can't even imagine how difficult it is to feel like you're caught between two worlds- your religion and your queer identity. But I do want to gently remind you that there are Muslim people who are religious who are queer. I don't pretend to know much about the Muslim faith, so I don't know exactly what is taught about sin and queerness, but it might be helpful for you to look online to see if you could find some of those Muslim and queer people to see how they feel about sin, and how they approach it.

Whatever you do though, please know that you are valid just as you are <3

Naming you leaf anon!

[sluggsbugg]

ੈ✩‧₊˚ PANTHEISM ☽｡⋆

and how it it has impacted my shifting journey, and could possibly impact yours…

there are many definitions of pantheism, and many ways to look at it, but today i’m going to explain it to you (or try to lol) as i see it and try to show you how a pantheistic mindset can aid you in your shifting journey.

pantheism is described as the philosophical and spiritual belief that reality, the universe and nature are identical to or are a supreme deity. like many pantheists, i like to refer to this supreme deity, or the universe, as “the one”.

another definition of pantheism is the worship of all gods and every religion, though this could more accurately be called omnism (which also a very interesting philosophy but that’s for another time).

most pantheism beliefs do not recognize a distinct single god or deity, but instead characterizes a broad range of doctrines differing in forms of relationship between reality and divinity.

pantheism and pantheistic concepts date back thousands of years… in fact, early forms of taoism are considered to adhere to this belief. there was even a school of hindu philosophy that is thought to be similar. cheondoism, which arose during the korean joseon dynasty, and won buddhism are also considered to be pantheistic.

but how does this apply to shifting?

well, let me tell you how.

if, by pantheistic standards, the universe, reality and nature are all one single entity, then that means that we are apart of it. we are apart of “the one”, in fact we are it.

we are the universe experiencing itself.

there is no need to sit in your room or on the bus or at work thinking about “how you hope the universe will let you shift”… because YOU are the universe.

i know people in the shifting community say it a lot. over and over again you hear the advice that you are the only thing getting in your way, that you just need to see that it’s all in your hands, but it’s true. it can be annoying to hear it constantly, but i promise it’s the best bit of advice you’ll ever get.

when your doing your methods or your meditations, say to yourself, “i am the universe and i am letting myself shift”. or say something like “i am the universe and the universe is me”. really, any variation of these statements will work.

it even works for manifestation and the law of attraction.

i have gotten the best results during shifting attempts when i remind myself of these things, and the first time i started using these affirmations i even minishifted.

and don’t worry, even if you’re a christian or pagan or whatever shifter you can still adhere to these beliefs. within pantheism, these other deities exist as extensions of the universe just like you or i. they exist because we believe in them, just like we believe that the sky is blue and the ocean is salty (if that makes sense).

we make our reality and our truths, we do it everyday. easy as pie.

anyways… just a little thing i had on my mind that i thought might help somebody out there. please feel free to research pantheism more on your own, or to ask me questions in dms, comments or asks, im happy to answer.

happy shifting, and have good day/night!!

[onigiriico]

Amane audio drama (t2) - English TL

[ links: Spotify | Youtube ]

So much religion talk in this one. So much. I typed so much stuff into DeepL my JP keyboard app crashed at some point, but! it is done at last! 🎉 As always, if you've got any questions or find a mistranslated line, you can find me on Twitter or send me an ask (and in case you've got some money to spare & feel like supporting me extra, you can also find me over on Ko-fi)! But, without further ado:

⬇️ translation under the cut ⬇️

(Es enters)

E: Prisoner no.8, Amane. It’s time for your interrogation. Let’s talk for the first time in a while.

A: Warden.

E: What is it, Prisoner?

A: We've been disappointed by you.

E: Hah?

A: Even though we could sense the possibility of the new world we desire here in Milgram… and in you.

E: I don’t care how much you look down on me. I told you that won’t work.

A: Furthermore, you may say incomprehensible things, such as us “not being forgiven”...

E: Oi.

A: But we are generous. For now, let us make some time for a conversation with you. After all, our history is one that is built on dialogue.

E: Oi. Listen to what I’m saying.

A: What is it?

E: Amane. Don’t think you’ll be able to lead the conversation with that total change in attitude. Is it the result of the judgment that you’ve ended up like this?

A: “Like this”?

E: The dazed look in your eyes. The atmosphere around you. The way you speak. In comparison to the first trial, it’s like you’re a different person.

A: Hm.

E: Everyone who was unforgiven told me they heard voices judging their sins. They’re experiencing a lot of emotional stress as a result. Were your changes influenced by that as well?

A: Hah? Those stupid voices, huh? Yeah. I have heard them as well. However, such things do not pose a major problem.

E: What?

A: We have firm teachings. We have a clear and noble faith. No matter what kinds of things other people might say, these things cannot be shaken.

E: Faith… That would be referring to the religion you believe in, right?

A: Yes. It seems like the power Milgram holds is real. Did you have a look as well? At our faith.

E: Yeah. Though it was a depiction of a fairly small group of people… I’ve judged that your murder was the result of religion – of faith.

A: It wasn’t murder. It was merely a punishment in line with our doctrine.

E: So it’s not a sin, you mean?

A: Is faith a sin?

E: Faith itself is free. I’m not religious myself, but I understand that some people might be saved by it.

A: Hm. Is that so? Are the prisoners who weren’t forgiven feeling lost right now? Maybe they need our faith as well.

E: I’d rather you spare me the missionary work inside the prison.

A: Faith is free. It exists for people who are feeling lost.

E: … We’ve digressed. So – just what are you right now? You’ve been saying “we” this whole time. Does that mean you are not Amane Momose right now?

A: Right now, I am both Amane Momose and I am not. I am speaking on behalf of our faith. I am speaking as “we”, who believe that dialogue and warnings are in order since you made the misjudgment to not forgive us.

E: So you’re saying I’m talking to the very concept of your faith right now?

A: We don’t mind you thinking of it that way.

E: Huh.

A: Well then. Let us warn you once again. Warden. You judged that Milgram couldn’t forgive us, correct?

E: Yeah, that’s right.

A: As stated previously, our actions were in line with our doctrine, and thus cannot count as sins. Thus, Milgram is in the wrong.

E: You’ve killed a person.

A: In line with our doctrine.

E: You understand that you’ve broken the law, right?

A: We’ve talked about this before. There are things more important than the law. That would be our teachings.

E: I won’t acknowledge you turning such selfish rules into a standard of judgment. I won’t allow it. End of story.

A: …

E: Both religion and faith are free. However, a doctrine can’t become a universal standard of judgment.

A: You fool. Isn’t Milgram trying to enforce a new standard of judgment precisely because laws cannot guide this world onto the right path? Are you still being weighed down by the law?

E: As someone who’s just the warden, it’s not exactly my ambition to know about Milgram’s philosophy. It’s not because it’s against the law – but as Milgram, your murder can’t be forgiven. I judged it that way. That’s all.

A: …

E: Milgram… denies your doctrine.

A: If you do not adjust your way of thinking… we, too, will never be able to forgive you.

E: Heh.

A: What’s so funny?

E: What do you mean, “we”? You’re making me laugh. What you’re doing is just plain murder – no matter whether we’re talking in general or according to religion. It’s murder.

A: …!

E: Understand that. Amane Momose. It’s not “you” (plural) who killed someone – it’s you (singular). Don’t look away from your own actions by playing pretend!

A: … Ha…haha…! - You’ve insulted us… [You’ve insulted] God…!

E: So what?

A: This is unforgivable! I won’t forgive you! (screams)

(Amane tries to strike Es, but gets stopped by the barrier)

E: I’m telling you it’s impossible for prisoners to attack the warden.

A: I won’t forgive you…! I won’t forgive you!

E: Did you get those scissors from the storage room? Were you never taught that you’re not supposed to use those on people?

A: In light of our doctrine, your insult to us is more than enough to warrant a punishment! I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

(she tries and fails to attack them again)

E: Well… it’s in vain, so you might as well just listen to me like this.

A: I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

E: Prisoners can’t attack the warden. This is one of Milgram’s core rules, though a certain guy with multiple personalities slipped past it.

A: I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

E: Which means that Milgram doesn’t decide who the prisoners are based on their body, but based on their mind. If the mind is a different one, the rule doesn’t apply. It bothers me that it has a loophole, but…

A: I’ll kill you…! I’ll kill you!!

E: Thanks to this defective rule, we’ve now confirmed this: the you holding those scissors right now isn’t a god or a concept. It’s Amane Momose herself.

A: … I’ll…!

E: So, what you’re doing right now really is just a game of pretend. This is stupid.

A: …

E: This is the head-on battle with Milgram that you wanted.

A: Shut up…!

E: What’s wrong? Have you ended up wanting to be treated like a child after all?

A: Shut up!!

E: In fact, if you ask me, the fact that you are a child has a lot to do with this matter.

A: …!

E: No matter what you do, no matter how grown-up you behave – you’re a child. That’s an unchangeable truth.

A: You’re a child, too!

E: Wrong. I’m fifteen, so I’m an adult in Puerto Rico and Haiti. You’re twelve, so you’re a child no matter the country.

A: …!!

E: Hehe. You look angry.

A: I don’t.

E: You do.

A: I don’t!

E: Well, either way is fine. In the end, there’s two main reasons as to why children get reduced sentences under the law – the possibility of reformation and the influence of the environment, I believe.

A: …

E: In this case, it’s mainly the latter. I’ve said this before – during childhood, the things that the parents teach a child have a great impact on them, and the environment one grows up in has immense influence as well. A child who is born into a very religious environment will grow up believing that those are the rules of the world.

A: What are you trying to say?

E: In other words, they will turn their faith into their entire life – feeling as if their doctrine is the whole world.

A: …

E: Previously, you objected to being considered [mentally] underdeveloped based on your age. I suppose you were right about that. Your self really is fully developed. However, that self is one that was built in a particular environment, isolated from society.

A: …

E: That’s exactly why… We have also speculated whether this really was your crime, or that of your parents – of your surroundings.

A: …!

E: But as I said before, there’s different ways these components could have worked together—

A: “We”? What’s “we”? Are you not just “I”?

E: … I…?

A: Aren’t we the same? Me and Warden-san. You know, I’m aware that I’m out of the ordinary. That my environment was peculiar, and that everyone [else] is normal.

E: Amane…

A: In fact, there have been people who said that to me. I’ve been told things like, “You’re being deceived.” “You can still make it right now.” “You’re crazy.”

E: …

A: You are treating me as a child after all. Because I’m a child, you believe that I must have been brainwashed. It’s not like that. I, too— children, too, understand everything! Please don’t just decide that people must be unhappy.

E: …

A: I’m happy that I was born to my parents! It was a bit difficult, and it could feel restrictive sometimes, but I’m really happy that I could grow up on such beautiful teachings! I want to live this way!

E: Is that so…

A: You call that brainwashing, don’t you? From my perspective, you also generally oppose religion based on your personal values. Why can that be blindly trusted just because you’re more people?

E: I got what you’re trying to say.

A: It’s only natural that we, who weren’t acknowledged as a society just because we’re fewer in numbers, would view the possibility of a new world through Milgram as a dream.

E: Yeah, I’ve got it! Still, I won’t recognize your doctrine. By my standards, a doctrine that approves murder cannot be forgiven!

A: Yes. I’ve understood that.

E: Milgram is a three-trial system, though. I’ll be watching and listening to the footage from your mind for now, going into deeper depths this time… and if I feel something there, I plan on firmly accepting that.

A: Facing me head-on, is that right?

E: Yeah. That’s it.

A: If you end up deciding not to forgive me – not to forgive us –, then I will not forgive you, either.

E: Yeah.

A: Ah… no, that’s wrong. I will not forgive you (plural).

E: Wha—

(machinery whirrs, bell rings)

A: “Don’t look away from your own actions by playing pretend” – that’s my line. Warden-san, it’s not just you; it’s all of you. You all said you wouldn’t forgive us. We’re meeting each other on eye level. You all won’t be allowed to not get your hands dirty.

E: … What are you saying…?

A: What could it be? Warden-san, you were the one who said “we”, so…

E: (falls to their knees) … My head… Huh…?

A: Oh? Do you have a headache? Are you alright, Warden-san?

E: …

A: Do get back up by yourself, alright? That’s a trial given to you by God.

E: (heavy breathing)

A: Both pain and illness are trials. According to our teachings, those who run from them are the worst evil there is. That’s one of the four great principles. No matter who you are, that cannot be forgiven.

E: What are you…?

A: Oh – speaking of which, there is one among the prisoners right now. An evil existence that’s trying to steal people’s trials away from them.

E: …!

A: Shidou Kirisaki… His actions violate our rules. I have given him a warning. If he continues, I suppose it will be inevitable for me to intervene.

E: …!

A: Or… could it already be too late?

E: Shut up!! (hits her) … You’re getting ahead of yourself…!

A: Using one-sided violence… that’s unfair of you.

E: Shut your mouth…! I am the one casting the judgements here!

A: Hehehe. And how does that set you apart from us?

E: … I told you to shut up… Listen to what I’m telling you.

A: Hehe… This is nice. If the world you’re striving for is admirable in my eyes… That is to say…

E: Prisoner no.8, Amane… Sing your sins…!

[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.

[littlematchagirlll]

as someone raised mormon who is still deep in the trenches of trying to disentangle religious teachings from who i am and who i actually want to be, i feel very seen by aziraphale.

i, too, have struggled with black and white thinking due to religion. and just like aziraphale, it has impacted my relationships with people i love, even when i didn't want it to.

here are some of the things i've personally experienced that i feel like i've seen some form of in aziraphale in s1 & s2:

- internalized homophobia (i know i experience this, but idk if i can say for certain whether this is is why aziraphale makes some of the choices he does);

- categorizing certain behaviors as good or bad;

- struggling to accept that what you thought was good and bad isn't actually good and bad;

- seeing the bad of your religion but still wanting it to be good;

- coming to terms with the fact that the people you thought were "good & right" might not actually be;

- learning about the complexity and nuance of everything but still wanting it all to be simple, black and white, because it's easier;

- still seeking the approval of your religious leaders, even when you know you shouldn't care;

- trying to convince yourself that the good of your religion outweighs the bad;

- hoping you can single-handedly change things;

- going through the motions of the religion, even when you don't truly believe, because that's just what you do;

- when you grow up being taught that you are right, others are wrong, you inevitably think that it's in everyone else's best interest to join you;

- "we're the true church, why would anyone not want to join";

- trying to bring people back after they've chosen to leave, because you've been taught to believe that's what best for them, and you think you're looking out for them;

- not being able to properly fathom an existence outside of the religion you've been raised in, even if you wanted to...

long story short, i get aziraphale. i understand why he did what he did at the end of s2.

and i will forgive aziraphale, because i know exactly what he is going through. not right away, because i am grieving for crowley...

but i have to forgive him, because if i want to ever forgive myself, i have to forgive him too

[etherealfishyfeelings]

Whole Sign vs Placidus

Disclaimer: this is my own personal experience with these house systems. And its kinda weirdly worded lol. My blog, my rules. Neptune = Bamboozlement. Fight me. This is a rant.

ya know, the way that I've come to reconcile Placidus and Whole Sign house systems is that I feel that Placidus is where I am psychologically but Whole Sign is just the reality of my life. I think noticed this really strongly in my Neptune placement, my Neptune is literally in the middle of nowhere in terms of aspects, it makes no major aspects to my personal planets really.

In Placidus it sits in my 10th house and I personally felt like my career was a bit of a conundrum for a very long time but in actuality I never really experienced any bamboozlement in terms of my public image and career. I think a lot of the confusion was normal(it felt enormous though)? Like just a normal amount of confusion at what I wanted to do with my life, always landed up in more venusian positions(handling people, design and artistic themes, somehow always moved to handle conflict) even when I did not want to be there(venus in the 10th conjunct mc in Whole sign, in placidus its in the 9th, like literally 1 degree away from the cusp, and i really romanticised higher education before I realized I hated structured education, but I think I will always romanticise intellectual topics and notions. My agnostic ass loves me some religious art even if I think that most religions are full of shit).

However, in Whole Sign my Neptune is in my 11th and that is genuinely the only part of my life where I experience frequent and consistent bamboozlement and it took me A VERY LONG TIME before I noticed. Like i literally only noticed it like 2 years ago. Every time I join any type of large friendship circle or any kind of network I always tend to see it through the rosiest of rose-coloured glasses and I am always left completely gutted and shocked when the truth comes out but FR, like if I'm being honest with myself, the signs were there the whole time and I often became really angry with anyone who questioned anything about these friend groups while I was in the thick of it.

[essektheylyss]

I need to shout out the Quotations section on the wiki page for "A Tangled Web" (2x77) because reading through these in order literally feels like experiencing a "Previously on" edit that gets put before a major plot episode:

Caleb: (speaking of the captured Scourger) I assume she has not had much empathy offered to her. And thus she offers no empathy, nor will she, anymore. But things maybe would be better for me if there had been a little more empathy, and there was not. Jester: But there is now. Beau: This isn't some sort of a weird masochistic self-projection type of thing, is it? Caleb: Oh, why not both? Jester: (speaking of the Traveler) No, it's not a cult! It's an organized religion. We're very powerful, and there's a lot of us followers, and ... Oh, shit, are we a cult? Matt: (as the Scourger) Good men don't conquer. They die and are forgotten. I'll die and be forgotten, but at least I know some of my deeds will have changed the course of history. Matt: (as the Scourger) "What do you want? Why did you come here? None of this is surprising. What do you want from me?" Caleb: Maybe if I could talk plainly with you and see one inch of change, I wouldn't believe we're all damned. Matt: "I hope this lesson has been very useful." Caleb: It has. You've made what I have to do very plain. Jester: (to Caleb) I walk up and I grab his hands. "I just want to say– I just want to say that I know what you went through today in the cell was very, very hard, and probably didn't go the way you were hoping it would. So if you need anyone to talk to about it or anything, I'm here for you, okay?" Beau: (to Dairon) You told me to seek out the corruption. You told me to trust no one. You told me to find the information. I could be fucking wrong, but I'm doing exactly what you told me to do. What YOU told me to do. Fuck the Cobalt Soul. You're the first person who ever fucking believed that I could make something of myself. I don't know who vouched for me over there, but I'm assuming it was you. I've always assumed it was you. Dairon: "I am proud of you. You are a fine Expositor. Which you now are, because I say so." Dairon: (giving advice to Beau) "Pry. Ask. Demand. Extract."

[lunamoonbby]

Cult!141 x Fem!Reader

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT MDNI

⚠️Warnings⚠️: Dark Content, Manipulation, allusions to past abuse very brief not in depth, female reader, swearing, murder, pregnancy, birth, poly relationships, smut, Cult AU, the use of lord in terms to worship, Price being referred to as Father, Slow Burn

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, know that there is help, and please help anyone that you know to help them escape from that abuse.

⭐️Author's Note: The religion that the villagers follow is not defined, but it is NOT associated with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or any other type of religion there is⭐️

AN: I know I had said that I would post this chapter for thanksgiving, but I got so busy I didn't get the time and when I did, I was in "I don't want to do anything mood" I am sorry for the delay

Chapter 9: A Breakfast at the Tavern

Y/n walked away from the church in search of either Johnny, Kyle, or Simon. "Oof." Y/n bumped into someone. "Oi watch-. Lovie, I didn't see you there are you okay?" Simon asked concern laced in his voice. "Oh, hi Simon yes I'm fine. I'm glad I found you; I'm getting really hungry, and I was wondering if you know any places that are open?" Y/n looking at Simon. "Johnny said that he's opening his tavern just for the five of us so we can eat." Simon said looking at y/n moving a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, ok well let me go freshen up and I'll meet you and the others at the Tavern Restaurant." Y/n said blushing at what Simon did. "See you soon lovie." Simon watching y/n leave.

Simon entered the Tavern Restaurant. "Simon good to see you I assume that you also took care of business." Price taking a sip of his drink. "Yes, William will get what’s coming to him on Tuesday, also y/n said she'll be here just has to freshen up first." Simon looking at the door waiting for y/n. "I was feeling red when Liam threw at rock at my lovie." Simon admitted to John. "We could tell, you crushed a rock with your bare hands, hence why you’re the God of Death in this town. You come up with the most gruesome ways to kill a man, Simon. I myself wanted to start a war for my lovie right after the mass." John stated. "Hence why you're the God of War." Johnny looked at John, "I'm going to be closed for this week they'll starve, I don't care." "I wanted to jab them all with a dirty rusty needle and serve them a nonlethal dose of poison, but just enough to make them sick." Kyle and Johnny looking at John. "Johnny that's why you're the God of Famine, and Kyle is the God of Pestilence." John said looking at both Johnny and Kyle. "Something interesting I learned about Little Birdy, she wants to be a mother, she placed another set of flowers in the bowl, and I told her that the offerings she put today is for fertility, I explained that the first flower offering was for love and that this offering is for Fertility she didn't seem to mind. So, she's definitely our Goddess of Fertility, Nature, and Purity." John said in a calm tone. "I should have guessed that, when she picked the flowers, she asked if she could pick them, and a gentle breeze happened right after she asked, and she somehow knew that the gentle breeze was a yes." Simon looking at the 3 men said.

The bell to the Tavern Restaurant jingled. "Hello everyone." Y/n came in smiling. "Hello sweetheart, just in time I made you a new tea it's made with hibiscus and passion fruit. I hope you like it." Kyle gives y/n the teacup. "Thank you, Kyle, is smells amazing." Y/n taking a sip of her tea, "oh this really good. I love it." Y/n in pure bliss. "Lovie I'm glad you're here." Simon looking at y/n. "Simon I'm glad you told me that Johnny opened his tavern just for us." Y/n hugged Simon. "Ah I can't let my bonnie lass go hungry." Johnny said. "Ah little birdy, I mean y/n good for you to join us." John looked over at y/n. "Father Price and you can call me little birdy I think it's cute." Y/n giving John a closed eyed smile. "Food is ready." Johnny coming out with a hot dish of food, pancakes, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage. John served your plate first before anyone else gets their serving first. "Thank you, Father Price, also Johnny these smells delicious I can't wait to dig in." Y/n looking down at her food. After everyone got their food, they all started eating and complement Johnny on his cooking. "I have a question; Simon how did you know which room I was staying at?" Y/n looking at Simon. "Father Price told me. He wanted me to tell you about today's mass, so you won’t get thrown off when you enter the church and see that it's full." Simon looking back at y/n. "Oh okay thank you for telling me. I'm pretty sure Johnny and Kyle knows where my room is at, they own the Tavern Inn." Y/ n looking at Johnny and Kyle. "Right you are bonnie lass." Johnny smiling at y/n.

"Um Johnny, Kyle, would you allow me to use your kitchen tomorrow morning to make breakfast for all of us? Father Price said that all the shops are closed and will reopen Tuesday. So can I use your Kitchen tomorrow morning?" Y/n fidgeting her hands looking at Johnny and Kyle. "Of course you can sweetheart. Same time as today, we can even make that a tradition too." Kyle exclaimed gleefully. "Oh yes every Friday is Brisket Pot Pie, and every Sunday can be the Breakfast Day." Y/n looking at everyone. Since everyone is closed y/n was having trouble thinking about what she should do when she had an idea, "Father Price is it okay if I forage some berries for tomorrow's breakfast? I promise to stay within the village." Y/n looking at John with a pouty face. John who can’t resist, "Yes little birdy you can go forage for berries, but Simon has to go with you." John said looking at y/n and Simon. "Oh, yay thank you thank you thank you Father Price." y/n hugged John. "Here is a basket for your berries." "And a book on what berries you can pick." Johnny handing her a basket and Kyle giving her the book. "Oh, thank you for the book but I don't think I'll need it, my mother and grandmother taught me everything I know about nature and plants, but I'll still keep the book." Y/n said hugging Johnny and Kyle. "Come on Si-Si we have to go before it gets dark. Bye everyone I'll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast." Y/n dragging Simon with her.

Taglist is open comment if you would like to be added

@yourloverslost @tabbslouuformer @angelrissa @freefallingup13 @readingcatinacorner @sylvanasthebansheequeen @casualunknownrunaway @thatpersonnamedrook @rip-cod-brainrot @hoodiepandaninja16 @spacecrawllerr @kopi-nes @darkangel4121

[samsm2mstories]

My coming out story.

I thought I should share you my story about coming out which was actually recently.

For many years I had a lot of suppressive issues that were out of my hands, society, cultures and other reasons which meant for me it wasn't the right time. Luckily for some countries it's easily being who you are compared to 10-20 years ago. The world sucks still as there are homophobic idiots everywhere, some are just sore losers who got not respect in society while others just don't know any better as their upbringing wasn't teaching them to respect others.

Luckily enough I live in the UK and we as a country have got better even although the early / mid 1900s generation are still hard at adapting to the modern world. It's not their fault as their times were different. Religion, society didn't know much better but that's history as we are the ones that living in this world and will be the ones moving forward. Some people will never understand it and respect it.

I'm lucky to come out around great people, I am a very well respected in person and in general a natural born leader so you could say I was like a captain that was popular which made my coming out harder.

Some of you might be thinking now does it become easier to come out as your identity?

I believe it's can depends on a number of reasons. You got to truly believe that you are who you are.

Don't question it.

If you question yourself, don't come out as that's a sign you are not ready. Talk to your friends, talk to strangers who are gay online (be safe not to disclose personal information)

I will admit I sat in my chair for a few good hours debating how to come out. I decided to go for it and do it in one big statement. That's a strong trait of mine as you all can tell on here.

I needed to write my story in a way that it wouldn't offend people, I did mention about the industry that was homophobic, some of my family and school.

It was that second most nervous point in coming out, just posting/saying it. I thought about listening to a few songs that were a big part of my life, thinking about those moments where sometimes I should of come out earlier to enjoy those moments.

You know what, I don't regret it at all, yes I missed out on some years but I had a brilliant life, travelling the world, experiencing new cultures, and making amazing friends on the way.

It did take a toll on my mental health at times but being the strong person I am, I dealt with it quickly enough.

So that night I sat there and my song came along.

Starship: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (read the lyrics while listening to this song)

You know this was a song of mine but the words in it made me realised I want to go out there and enjoy myself.

I finally did it.....

Those nerves, stomach turning inside out, emotions running wild. It all hit me like a ton of bricks.

What will people think?

What will people say?

Will I lose some friends??

Everything was rushing in and out of my mind, I just went to bed, signed out of social media. I recommend you doing this for a day or two as you want to feel the response in one go.

People started to message me, those who had my mobile number. It became a bit easier, I wasn't in the mood for talking much so I text back in small sentences.

I went to work that day and luckily enough nobody there is on my social media pages. I managed to complete 8/10 hours of my shift.

I went home and cried for abit, emotions still hitting me like bullets. You will have moments thinking was this right but deep down you know you are right.

I decided to look at my social media pages.

The final verdict?

I'm finally a free man.

For those who are younger, there shouldn't be anyone under the age of 18 reading my stories as they are explicted but if you are reading this.

For you coming out would be different, I would recommend you do it now when the moment is right but take into consideration your family. Make sure you won't be disowned or kicked out of the house. Have a read-up online about it all and PLEASE RESEARCH EVERYTHING.

We all have different circumstances and you must be completely assured that coming out will be good when the moment is right..

Yes some might not agree with it.

Yes some might hate you now.

Yes some might be shocked and haven't replied.

Who cares????

This is your life so go out there and enjoy it, be safe while at it. Please use protection during sex with strangers.

Remember if you ever feel I doubt or want to talk, there's helplines, friends in the community, even send me a text if you want to talk more.

Don't be afraid to talk.

I hope you all enjoyed this irl story and it would be amazing if some of you reply to this about your coming out stories. It would make a brilliant discussion.

For those who are unsure on their sexuality, speak to me or other members of the community. Talking helps to make a decision. You will feel much better.

Sam your favourite Alpha writer 😎

[whossiren]

75 Soft Challenge Week 1 -

Mediterranean Diet:

I struggled to not eat out socially this week as that's something I enjoy. I also only eat once a day maybe twice if the meals are small.

The meals I did eat that were Mediterranean based was a poached egg dish that was basically Shakshuka, a tomato arugula pasta, a turkey spinach burger with tzatziki sauce, and salmon with asparagus and Yukon potatoes. Everything was delicious except the salmon I ended up just eating only half and turning the rest into nori.

3 Liters of Water:

I found this absolutely impossible even on the day where I exercised very intensely I couldn't manage this. The day I did I felt very sick.

I don't know if it's because of my size or my activity level but for next week I'm putting it down to 2 Liters and see how I do with that.

No Alcohol:

Surprisingly very easy. I was able to avoid drinking during my social outings by offering to be the designated driver.

I don't really miss alcohol either at least not this week. It has never really added anything to my life.

45 Minutes of Exercise:

This by far has to be the most disappointing row this week.

I had my coach who is also my close friend recommended stretching after workouts to prevent soreness and tightness that I had been experiencing. Also recommended taking the stretches slower and deeper. I had cramps all Friday mostly in my legs and biceps and still went back Saturday only to feel it 10x worse today

Very disappointed in myself but my coach assures me that it's alright especially for where I am in my cycle and being inactive for so long.

10 Pages of Any Book:

I have been reading Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh.

I cannot stress enough how much I do not recommend this book it was a chore to read. I enjoyed the deep symbolism it showed around religion and capitalism but that symbolism was buried under the over the top grotesque scenes that served no other purpose other than to shock you.

It seemed pointlessly edgy at times where it forgot about its main plot just to focus on disgusting you. Unlike some of her other books no character had a redeeming quality. No sob backstory could save any of these nasty people.

It was hard and genuinely thinking of buying this tote.

Summary:

I went from 111.6 to 109.4 not great not awful by any means. I still have a BMI 22 and haven't seen any noticeable improvements in my mood or energy.

At a 54% completion rate for this week that's to be expected I'll continue and update next week!