#and to teach myself that things don't need to be perfect to serve a purpose | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ineed-to-sleep · 6 months ago

Note

hey hi hello!! I'm such a big fan of your art, ITS SO BEAUTIFUL - I was just wondering if you have any tips for younger artists such as myself (I haven't been doing it for that long) - I'm just looking to improve and I really look up to your art as inspiration because of how much I love it 😭 your colours and lines are gorgeous I mean even your sketches are so fleshed out aaaa!!

Hii thank youuu <3 and sorry for taking so long to respond, I kind of forgot about my askbox for a while fjksksfk but yeah I can definitely spare some tips!!

First off, for learning I'd recommend the site drawabox. It's perfect for beginners and has videos that walk you through each of the early steps of learning how to draw, from how to hold your pen to what the fundamentals are to gradually giving you drawing challenges. It's sooo so helpful, besides being really comprehensive in how it teaches you. I can't recommend it enough.

There's also a lot of great teachers on youtube, like Ahmed Aldoori, Marc Brunet, and Proko who all have great study tips and tutorials organized in playlists on their channels, whenever you want to keep expanding your skillset.

Another tip I have, which is more of a mental health tip(though just as important in my opinion), is to be patient with your art. It's a journey, it's long and the road isn't straight, and that's okay. What's important is that you stick to it and keep finding ways to have fun along the way. There's a lot to learn and a lot to study, and honestly I don't think artists ever really stop learning ajdkkd there's always more things to study, more things to get better at. So I definitely recommend you don't overwhelm yourself with how much there is or get frustrated with not being able to "get there" fast, but instead try to enjoy the process. Do studies, do challenges, but don't neglect drawing for yourself purely to have some fun. Not everything needs to help you improve, not everything needs to serve a purpose, not everything needs to even be seen by others. Sometimes all you need is to draw this thing you really wanted to draw and that's it. And that's the healthiest thing you can do for yourself, honestly. I can't deny that art is frustrating sometimes, but it shouldn't be frustrating all the time. If it is, you could be walking right into a burnout and get the art block that comes along with it. So I definitely recommend taking it one step at a time and always making time to draw for yourself.

That's all I can think of right now! Good luck on your art journey!!! This is such a wonderful skill to develop and it's so satisfying to see your own progress on the long run, I wish you all the best!! <3

#asks #art tips #art advice

49 notes · View notes

chris-aok · 11 months ago

Text

Welcome to the Conversation

I've never tried blogging before (This is a lie, I wrote three articles on Medium years ago that I forgot about) Like most of social media, blogging seemed like a symptom of narcissism and vanity (Make sure to follow me on Twitter/X: @chris_aok). Why would anyone care about what I thought enough to read it regularly? Why should I want people to read what I have to say?

Now I feel differently about it. I still think there is plenty of narcissism and vanity involved a lot of the time, but I know there are a host of other reasons for wanting to share your thoughts online for everyone to see: You genuinely want to connect with others that feel or think like you do; you want to share something you are really excited about and love; you want to have a place to collect your thoughts and possibly even have a sounding board; you need help and support with an issue; etc.

In that spirit, I've decided to give blogging a shot. It's an odd choice to make in 2024. Blogging as a medium is a lot more commercial now than it used to be, in that most blogs have a specific focus meant to connect with a specific audience for the purpose of converting them into customers, be it by serving them ads or getting them to buy your product/service. Additionally, blogging as a medium peaked years ago. The social media medium du jour is short-form video content.

I have nothing against the use of blogging for commercial purposes, and I don't have anything against TikTok, I just want to express myself this way. I want to blog. I love the Internet but have never really tried to be a part of it in any meaningful way. I feel as though blogging--having a place where I share my thoughts for all to see is a way to be a part of the Internet; more so than merely having a social media account (Follow me on Twitter/X: @chris_aok). My plan here is to have a personal blog for me and my thoughts, views, and things I like. I want an outlet for myself. Building an audience is not the goal, neither is generating revenue.

It's also to help me overcome my constant need for perfection. The fear of not producing something perfect has held me back a lot in life. By making an effort to produce something for myself that I won't agonize over in trying to make perfect, I'm hoping to teach myself to be ok with a little imperfection. They say "Done is better than perfect." I want to experience that.

I have no format planned, but I think consistency will need to be a component. Consistency being another thing I have difficulty with.

So here's to trying new things and doing them with enough consistency for them to become a habit.

Welcome to the conversation I have with myself :)

#intro #post #welcome #hello #new beginnings #start #beginning

0 notes

beggingwolf · 3 years ago

Text

jes's musings on writing (and finally getting to beta for someone again, jesus merciful christ thank you universe I've missed it so much, and I can't wait to beta for lis again and aaa) have had me thinking about my own "writing" "process," since I've had a hell of a time lately and I'm interestingly caught between two friends—one of whom is very methodical about her approach, and the other who works best when guided by her natural talent and whim.

it's interesting to observe, because I think the analogy I've settled on for my "writing" "process" (look at those neat little scare quotes I've employed to make light of my work, nice) is it's like riding wild horses, lol. I often rely on blind ambition and hope to propel me through, and I rarely feel in control during.

it's frustrating; I still haven't quite solved myself yet. which—that's silly to expect... I've been writing now for less than a year and I am relatively young, but nonetheless—it's something I want to do. that's always been my big hangup; I've been wanting to write stories since I was a kid, and plot was always so damn hard for me because you honestly have to WORK at it, and I am a creature who deeply enjoys being slovenly and low-effort.

and, like, not to get too woo-woo about it, but, isn't adulthood, like, confronting that the things worth having take effort? and time? and concentrated pursuit? and failure? and doggedly picking yourself up and trying again?

I sort of feel like I have a lifetime of self-training to overcome: "the fastest way to complete-a-thing-to-acceptable-standards" isn't really an admirable method anymore. it served me heinously well in education, but that part of my life has been over for a little while now, and as I grow more dissatisfied with what it's won me, I have to keep confronting the reality of what will actually be "good" for me.

it's like... this is my whole shtick. I "realize" something, I go "well, shit, that looks like a lot of effort and something huge to confront," I shelve it for anywhere from a few months to a decade (we don't need to talk about my hilariously lengthy coming-out-to-myself process lol), and then at some later point I incorporate it into my self-image like it was always there.

it's been a neat little way I could ignore myself subconsciously doing the mental work... just shelving my thoughts and "ignoring" them until I'd finished processing them. but! BUT!

I'm tired of shelving things and shambling along until my id works them out. I see people who pursue their hobbies—with levity, and with enjoyment, and with purpose, and with drive, and with intention, and I go I want to do that.

and I believe I can? like, I really do. but I need to teach myself that failure is good, and okay, and natural, and I need to kill the "perfect" draft/idea in my head. I have a wildly overdeveloped inner writing critic (which, to be fair, I won awards for in university lol) but I need to stop turning it on myself in a fear-inducing, freeze-up-and-panic way.

I can edit to a brutally good standard. that means I can edit my own writing to that standard, too, if I just dare to put the pen to paper and commit the time it will take to congeal enough words together to carve something out of.

I'm going to spend some time working on some aggressively fun things—the TKK sequel feels like, god, a PLAYGROUND, because (ironically) my negative self-talk over its predecessor means I feel like there are no stakes to the sequel: I can do whatever I want! I can be free!—and I might work on another goofy little story

and then I'm going to try conquering one of the bigger fic ideas I've had, that I've been saving up for half a year, at least. I think I'm ready to experiment and put in the work and effort and teach myself how to do this. I can do it!!!! I can!!!!

#craven rantings????

3 notes · View notes

adazieht · 4 years ago

Text

Initially, I wrote an article for a Russian-speaking audience. I TRANSLATED WITH THE HELP OF AN ONLINE TRANSLATOR. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I WILL TRANSLATE MYSELF, BUT MOST LIKELY TO THE GERMAN LANGUAGE.

Attention: I love the world of "Harry Potter," but I think the main character is antihero.

The system of roles that I have described for the story's characters is based on the Writer's Way (the old edition was called the Hero's Way), a classic Hollywood typology. Briefly about the typology Of " the way of the Writer/Hero's» The author believes that by giving a group of first-and second-plan characters clear roles that affect the plot and the Main Character, it is possible to create a strong story. Its typology was at first critically accepted, as proponents of chaotic plot creation thought that it would kill the individual. But in the end, everything turned out exactly the opposite and indeed the best pictures of American and European cinema were created using this typology. Proving once again that random writing can't create a clear and understandable story for female viewers.

------------------

In my opinion the path of the Writer/This is a very strong system, which has been present in the stories of Pixar, Disney, paramount, especially 20th century Fox and others for twenty years (or even more, it should be clarified). However, it creates at first glance clear restrictions that the authors first see and therefore decide to work within the framework, although the typology is intended to adapt to the authors, their mentality, mentality and territoriality (for example: the plot in Germany from an Irish immigrant will not be similar to the plot of an American, although they strictly followed the system of the role of heroes in the plot).

Let The Writer/The hero does not give full will in what characters to use and how. Since it has a total of 7 types (Hero, Trickster, guardian of the Threshold, Mentor, Werewolf, Partners and Shadow). Around which is usually built a dynamic, but short story, which is not easy for everyone to work through and yet is mostly suitable for a movie in the last 1.5 hours.

But it really can be useful, it's just better to Supplement it with your own interpretation and other typologies. It should be clarified that I will not touch on the manner of writing a story using the writer's Path system, since I do not share the opinion about its convenience. Although it is definitely more convenient than the classical system, which is actively taught in Russian universities, where thank you that there are not 25 steps in the story, which are told to put in 40 minutes of narration.

I used The Writer's Path/the hero to quickly think through what classic conflict/action should occur in connection with one of the characters.

Mentor. The mentor was the same Yoda from Star Wars. That is, the character performing the function of a Mentor should teach something to the Main Character/Hero, perhaps even accompany the story, like Merlin. Or teach a lesson and die provoking the Heroine / Hero into action (Uncle Ben from Spider-Man).

False Mentor. Negative Mentor, so to speak. He is trusted by the main character, he even teaches him, but leads thereby to destruction because he is actually an insidious manipulator. Dumbledore from Harry Potter.

The topic of Harry Potter as a character will be touched upon later to demonstrate how we can be manipulated by writers and writers who keep in mind the ideal image of the Main Character-Hercules.

The trickster. Tricksters are the most independent characters. People like to say that Loki from marvel is a Trickster, but in fact he only has trickster elements in his system of action. Namely, to act not only during the main actions on the screen, but also before, between, and behind them. Tricksters don't care about the goals of the Main Character, the Villain, or anyone else. They have their own goals and want to achieve them. Tricksters are always active and do not stand still, so they are rarely in the focus of the cameras or suddenly appear on the scene and thank you if they decide to support Hero. We can say that Tricksters are one of the most powerful characters, both mentally and physically, some of them therefore decide not to go into the main plot especially (if they are not interested in the reward for help or the object of the Main Character's hunt), because why should they go into what they decide with one hand? This is boring, and boredom is not for them, and they like to pretend to be physically weak. As a result, I will write that Tricksters exist so that the world in which the actions take place is alive. So that the tower over there will explode and attract attention, so that at this moment the reader will be hooked by its mystery trickster. To create an active and complete world atmosphere.

Guardian of the threshold. Always on the side of the villain. In the story, it serves to become the last obstacle for the hero, after which he is convinced of his strength and that he definitely needs to defeat the Shadow (the main villain). Sometimes it can take the side of the Hero, since the main role of the Guardian is educational and inspiring during the contact between them. The guardian can decide that the Hero is perfect or that his strength has earned his loyalty, and the Shadow will lose. Usually in the arches of the confrontation between Batman( the Hero) and the Joker (the Shadow), the role of the Guardian is performed by Harley Quinn, who is not rarely disappointed in the Shadow and tries to start living again. But most often the Threshold Guard is killed.

Werewolf. An inferior type in this typology. The author is still not completely sure how much it has the place to be, as a separate type, and not a special quality of other types. For example, a False mentor can also be called a Werewolf who seemed to be one, but turned out to be another. But a Werewolf takes place when the differences from the original image are so strong that it seems that it is a completely different character. That is, There was little red riding Hood - cute, but it turned out to be a serial killer who kills grandmothers and blames the wolf.

The shadow is always the main villain of the story. The shadow has similar features to the main character, not rarely the same weaknesses, desires, but unlike him, the Shadow does not restrain anything and it creates hell that. At the same time, because of similarities, they may have mutual understanding and dialogues, but because of differences, they can not coexist.

Partners-partners and there is nothing to describe here. Just the Hero's partners. All.

And now about the Hero/Heroine and what does the deception I mentioned earlier in the story about Harry Potter have to do with it?

A hero in the classical sense is all good deeds in one person and the desire to do everything for the best. This is a great image of a person who overcomes difficulties and solves the problems of the plot. Their personal plot is easy to understand and always equals the plot of the story.

However, there is also a plot about an anti-Hero. An antihero is a hero who tends to self-flagellate, do stupid things and negatively tune in to the world around him, trying on the mask of an often beaten person who can justify his negative outbursts, bad treatment of his Partners (including sitting on their necks). Antiheroes usually arise from an attempt to make the Trickster the main character, or to arouse pity from readers, often ending with the death of this antihero in order to teach the audience something.

And this is a description of the main character of "Harry Potter", that is, Harry himself. And classics stories about anti-Heroes he was also dragged through the plot, through his "do not want", while its true purpose (which is at least not entirely overlap with the purpose of his environment and history) a large part of the plot was not formed, and after the trigger 4 in the book, he started to want revenge for parents who didn't idealiziruete the image of his cause (revenge for ideal people and for the lost perfect life in complete comfort, instead of to create comfort; despite the fact that he also, like a typical anti-hero, clung to those who would give him this comfort). Then he learns information that tells him that perfect people are not completely perfect. And it is during this period that he begins to physically threaten other people, even committing actions that can kill someone, giving in to anger. Around the characters begin to die, which of course puts pressure on the antihero, but emotionally he does not often remember the deaths, quickly moving away (if it is not the characters who gave him either hope for comfort, or already giving comfort).

Like all anti-heroes, he also exhales sharply, then flares up, then sees that darkness is happening around him. Dies for the sake of achieving a good future (because the decision of the plot is always either in the death of the anti-hero, or because he can do nothing else). Sometimes the authors at the same time give the antihero during or after death a chance to solve the main conflict of the story plot with their own hands, organizing their rebirth, as if they are Phoenixes and are born again bright and clean.

Where do the legs of a typical anti-Hero story grow from? From Greek myths, where heroes often performed "feats" in which they not infrequently killed those who did not harm them or creatures that logically ate those who wandered into the heart of their territories, or killed deservedly villains, but again in the name of Victory, Revenge, to Order, and not justice.

Greek mythology as a whole can be characterized as an anti-Hero cult, which serves to satisfy and encourage the fact that at that time Greece was a very negative country in terms of moral appearance. However, these feats of HEROES were presented to all of us as something beautiful and truly heroic. The same disney cartoon about Hercules could not become anything else either. At the same time, thanks to the development of critical thinking people, it was noticed that the only one who had motivation - was Hades, and the same Zeus asshole.

And if you superimpose Hercules from the beginning of the story and Harry Potter, will there be a special difference in functionality? There are great forces and all around say that he is special, the world around him does not understand, he wants more and feels that somewhere there is a true comfort for him. He wants justice for Himself, not for others. Then something happens that gets him involved in the story's plot. He is given the opportunity to enter the magical world, where he seems to be in the theme, allowed to practice their own powers. At the same time, he does not want to return to the old world, as he is inclined to devalue all the good that he received there. He wants to become a Hero, feeling that he is an inferior classic Hero and something is wrong with him ( he is an anti-hero). And a sense of inferiority develops. There is a trigger that causes him to have a clearly formulated goal, but his goal is not perfect in fact. He is disappointed, but decides to act like a Hero, without showing empathy for others, emotionally distancing himself (he does not understand someone's reasons why they do this, but sees how they do it). There is a dangerous situation for their lives with the deaths of other people (or near deaths). The final, where he is white and cleared of doubt.

Very often, the Shadow of the anti-Hero in the final finally goes mad, reflecting the anti-Hero's obsession with his own goal. Remember when Hades and Voldemort had their roofs blown off?

This is the end of the article. Good luck to all and enjoy writing any texts.

#character #characterdesign #blog #blog post #writing #The Writer's Way #Hero's Way #How to write #Harry Potter #Online translator #:d <3

2 notes · View notes

the-hermit-path · 5 years ago

Text

Ritual, Routine, and Mental Illness

A note: Truthfully, I've been hesitant about sharing things like this here. My healing has been deeply personal and I know that recovery isn't one-size-fits-all, but I also feel that if any pieces of what have been effective for me can help others, then I'm compelled to open up and share them. And of course, if you have access to professional care in these matters, use it.

[ Image Description: A nightstand under a window with a potted plant in the foreground and a candle and lamp painted with roses in the background. End ID. ]

A dear friend and I were talking recently about ritual structure and the function of each aspect of ritual, and in the same conversation we also talked about my mental health and how I've structured my routine to give me a leg up on recovery, and having the two topics that close together showed me their similarities. I have my daily and weekly rituals, but I've begun thinking now about how my routine (which I've thought of as predominantly mundane) is itself a kind of ritual.

Beyond the obvious -- that rituals and routines are both a series of actions which are repeated -- my routine is like a ritual in the way it helps me make sense of and carry momentum throughout my day. In the mornings I record my dreams and take time in bed to let go of worries and start to wake up, like cleansing a space and grounding. My morning prayers are like creating sacred space around my day, setting intentions and petitioning the deities for their help and guidance like I might do at the start of a full moon rite. My day itself is the ritual action, tackling the tasks I set intentions for at the start, tasks and intentions designed to help me build myself up out of a lifetime of illness and disorder. Throughout the day I check in with myself, staying centered the way I might in a ritual, keeping connected to a certain energy. At the end of my day I give thanks and wind down my brain, using meditation to calm me and ready me for sleep, mirroring the final offerings and closing of a ritual. Each day for me, then, is it's own kind of healing ritual.

This of course looks different for everyone and that's my point in sharing this. What is your day's structure? What are your routines? If you have yet to build some, what might they look like, and more importantly what do they mean to you? I've learned the hard way that real healing starts when you stop performing what you think it should look like and do the healing you're called to do. For some it may be early morning exercise, positive affirmations, cleansing spells in the shower and gratitude at meals. For others maybe your playlist on the way to work or school inspires you to be uplifted, perhaps even dedicated to a particular deity to help you feel close to them.

I'll also mention that I think purpose is often more important than the action itself. Some people wake up with the sun and go get active, which is a great way to regulate your circadian rhythm and get oxygen to your muscles and brain, waking up your mind and body, but it doesn't work for everybody. Personally, I need some restful time slowly waking up. My first hour is spent in bed letting my mind come into the new day, and in fact days where I have to roll out of bed and get going first thing often leave me disoriented and foggy. Try not to focus so much on what you're doing as what it's doing for you. Look at the routine you have in place already, even ordinary activities like brushing your teeth and getting dressed, and find ways to frame them within a purpose. Does the color you're wearing correspond to an intention you have? Does brushing your teeth energetically cleanse you of harmful words and negative self talk? Start from where you are and build your purpose and further routine into it.

Not to contradict myself, but the practice itself is important, too. Repetition builds into triggers and creates inertia, so if you light a candle every morning with a prayer and intention, but one morning you're running late and can't muster up your usual focus, take the thirty seconds to simply light the candle while you get dressed and get your things together. Once you've chosen your routine, stick to it. Give it six weeks. If it needs tweaks, make those changes and then do that for another six weeks. To call this process difficult is a massive understatement but the hardest part of it is also it's key to success, and that is that healing is slow. Invest in it and accept that it's going to happen in small increments over a long period of time. In truth, for many of us healing is a lifelong dedication.

Routine is vital for those of us who struggle with our mental health. The momentum of having some structure already in place to get you through your day helps create and hold space for bigger projects and handling our rough patches. If you're lacking routine right now, make a list of things you feel would lend structure and stability to your day -- mindfulness, quiet time alone, focus and motivation -- and then find methods that work for you. Set timers on your phone to stop and breathe or meditate throughout the day. Leave post-it notes with affirmations on your bathroom mirror. Write a prayer to offer before bed each night. Again, the action itself isn't as important as the purpose it serves and how effective it is for you, so be creative and find your own coping mechanisms if the usual suggestions don't seem to connect.

I will note also that routine is about forming habits, which is difficult, and doubly so for those of us struggling. Start small and be forgiving with yourself. Perhaps begin by curbing negative habits into healthier ones. If you're prone to pick up your phone in the morning and scroll social media, maybe course-correct to reading articles about your interests or personal growth, doing a guided meditation, or sending positive good morning texts to a friend. Most importantly, value consistency over perfection. If you miss a day or need to adjust your routine to accommodate, don't let yourself create a narrative of failure. Keep trying, keep going, and if at first all you can manage is one small act a day, then do it. There is no such thing as a small change. Everything counts, it all adds up. Your illness is not a reflection of you and your worth but a challenge to cope with and overcome. Look at how you reinforce harmful narratives and habits and crowd them out with things and thoughts that are better for your wellbeing. This looks different for everyone, trust and be honest with yourself about what you need to change and then break it down and begin making those changes a little piece at a time. Don't set deadlines on a certain ideal of progress, either, especially at first. Think of new habits as an experiment, a curiosity about what you can do and seeing how a new perspective through routine can teach you something or help you develop better ways of coping. If you need some more inspiration about where to start, @the-diary-of-a-failure has a really great outline here.

Think of your days as ritual and focus on their beginnings and endings, creating and releasing sacred space around your life. They don't need to have direct spiritual meanings, but frame them in a way that lends you the sort of perspective you need to prioritize and focus on the things that help you get by. Forgive yourself when you fail and learn from what doesn't work. Celebrate when you find what works and let it guide you towards the type of energy you need. For those of us with mental illness, it's hard to even find enough worth in ourselves to put energy into our healing, but it takes sacrifice to create the sacred. Sacrifice what time, focus, and energy you have towards your wellbeing and let it consecrate the healing process, shifting your perspective of recovery into a sacred task.

Ritual is how we communicate both to the greater Universe and to our subconscious selves. By creating a perspective of ritual into our daily routines, we can make our lives themselves a ritual, and thus a conversation with existence and how we want to reside within it as a whole.

Be safe out there, moonbeams.🖤🔮🌘

🚫 do not interact: transphobes, homophobes, or racists 🚫

#witchblr #mental illness #mental health #mentally ill witch #community #river's practice

34 notes · View notes

senseandaccountability · 7 years ago

Text

The Stolen Throne in 15 minutes

I wrote this parody back in 2010 and it would be a shame if Livejournal dies with this mocking post, so have a re-post here on tumblr. I actually love Stolen Throne, but it’s not going to win a Nobel prize, that’s for damn sure. REBEL QUEEN: *is slain *

MARIC, a Level 1 Prince: OH NOES! I can barely hold a sword and now I'm all alone on the run from the usurper! HELP! HELP!

LOGHAIN, a Level 56 Warrior, several miles away: I have a really bad feeling about this shit.

MARIC: HELP! HELP! *cracks the skull of random attacker * HELP! HELP!

LOGHAIN: Oh for fuck's sake. Come along, then.

LOGHAIN’S DAD: Like all good leaders of men in the DAO canon, I am somewhat reluctant to lead. Yet I do. I’m also quite classy if I may say so myself.

MARIC: Agreed! I dub thee, ser Loghain's Dad to a knight in my service. Now, go off and die protecting me!

LOGHAIN: What the hell?

LOGHAIN’S DAD: Son, in a very foreshadowing moment I will now ask you to put your emotions and personal desires aside and do as you must. Sure, it will seem really fucking grim but so will the rest of your life. Now off you go and protect the Prince with your life.

LOGHAIN’S DAD and EVERYONE IN CAMP: *dies protecting the Rebel Prince* --

MARIC: *suffers prettily*

LOGHAIN: I hate you so very much.

MARIC: Naaah. 　

ENEMIES: *Attack!*

MARIC: Oh noes! *falls off horse/gets stabbed/is unconscious*

LOGHAIN: Okay, I can’t really hate you. It’s like hating a puppy.

MARIC: Told ya!

WITCH OF THE WILDS: Come boys, come...give me your semen. I mean, let me babble inexplicably off-screen about secret visions of mine...

MARIC: Oh, sure!

PLOT: *thickens *

LOGHAIN and READERS: Whatever. 　　

-- ROWAN: *dramatic entrance*

MARIC: Oh look, it’s my future Queen.

LOGHAIN: Oh look, she can actually hold her own in a fight! WELCOME! Don't ever leave!

ROWAN: I'm the Warrior Maiden of this story. But don't worry, fangirls, I won't stand in the way of slash, plot or have much of a personality. I rejoice in seeing you alive, Maric. It would be pointless to rebel without a prince after all. And you’re cute when you fall off horses.

MARIC: Did you say something? I can’t seem to focus on non-elven women.

LOGHAIN: Oh, Maker, warrior women are so sexy. I like my women like I like my coffee,with a spoon in them hot and strong.

ROWAN: Sorry, did you say something? I can’t seem to focus on commoners.

ROMANTIC DRAMA: *is obvious * -- 　　

ORLESIANS: *are Evil and Depraved even in their own POV-chapters*

LOGHAIN: See, this is what I keep saying! --

MARIC: *is endlessly fascinated with Loghain*

LOGHAIN: *teaches Maric how to use a sword*

MARIC: You make me a man!

LOGHAIN: You make me speak in semi-long sentences and open up my glum heart!

MARIC: I fanboy you so hard, there is nothing you cannot do! Here, have a pair of too tight leather trousers, for eh, plot purposes.

LOGHAIN: Who the fuck am I again? Fandom Draco?

MARIC: What? I don't sexualize you! Perish the thought!

ROWAN: I think I'm going to go for a walk. You two... hang out.

DAO FANDOM: Oh, look I wrote this multi-chaptered fic about how Alistair falls in love with my PC R'heaigh-Leihy-inneh Cousland, who is incredibly pretty! And then this long-ass sequel about their lives after the game, isn't that just so clever and romantic? It even has some NSFW bits!

SLASHERS IN EVERY OTHER FANDOM, EVER: OH COME ON! 　

-- ROWAN & LOGHAIN: *builds a small mountain of unresolved and badly written sexual tension*

KATRIEL: Hello. I am the Plot Device of this little story.

MARIC: OH MY GOD, AN ELF! *fans self *

KATRIEL: Indeed.

MARIC: Look, guys, there was an elf in my tent! She’s very pretty!

ROWAN: Yes, yes. Sooo, Loghain, maybe we should... duel. Just a little? Get the blood pumping, the adrenaline rushing… Nothing sexual about it, just to determine who’s the best…fighter?

LOGHAIN: I thought you’d never ask.

ROWAN & LOGHAIN: *fights*

LOGHAIN: *wins* I’m so sorry I hurt you! *angsts* And so incredibly turned on by the fact that you almost beat me.

ROWAN: I know, right. Now, let’s forget about the part where we are clearly perfect for each other because I am Maric’s.

LOGHAIN: Yes, duty first.

MARIC: *shags the elf* 　　

-- MARIC: *shags the elf*

ROWAN: *angsts*

LOGHAIN: *angsts*

ROWAN: I am so stupid and ugly and not an elf.

LOGHAIN: *mutters* I think you are beautiful.

ROWAN: No! Our UST must remain heavy on the U-part! For plot purposes!

LOGHAIN: He’s too stupid to breathe and yet I am the lesser man. Oh, this will define my character in many interesting ways, I’m sure! *storms off *

MARIC: Hey, where are you going?

LOGHAIN: I’m done now. You made it through the woods and it’s been eh,years

MARIC: But how can I make it one day without you? I've been taking self-preservation lessons from Bella Swan! I need a big, strong, dominant man to heal me sexually save me!

ROWAN: For true. I can't bloody take care of his emotional neediness all alone, please stay!

LOGHAIN: *angsts*

ROWAN: *angsts*

MARIC: *emo puppy*

LOGHAIN: Fine, I'll stay.

MARIC: I love you. Here, have a fancy title.

LOGHAIN: *kneels awkwardly* I love you, too. I swear to serve you well.

MARIC, ROWAN, LILITH & DAVID GAIDER: OH ♥LOGHAIN♥! -- 　　

BATTLES: *a plenty *

MARIC: *is dumb*

ORLESIANS: *are evil and well-informed*

ROWAN: Loghain, we must – surprise, surprise – save Maric from a certain death! Someone who I'm sure my future king doesn't sleep with has told the enemies of our plans and we are overwhelmed and Maric will die!

LOGHAIN: I am a bit busy here, being the Commander and all. If we leave them they will die.

ROWAN: Surely you have realised by now that you are the one who will make all the harsh decisions that others can't bear and end up in a turmoil of politics you don’t master and internal fighting you care nothing for? I sure as hell don't want to make this decision, it's awful and I'm one of the Pure and Good Characters. Now, please tell me you will sacrifice my dad!

LOGHAIN: Oh, this will define my character in many interesting ways, I’m sure.

MARIC: *emo puppy* I don't deserve to be saved. If this was a fanfic I'd be crying myself to sleep, listening to music that isn't invented yet.

LOGHAIN: There, there. One of my hidden talents is that I comfort very well.

LILITH: Awww.

MARIC: I second that awww.

ROWAN: Oh, me too! Me too! Now do me! I mean, in a non-sexy friendly kind of way.

LOGHAIN: Of course. Duty first.

MARIC: *shags the elf * 　　　 --

DEEP ROADS: *are cool*

KATRIEL: *knows a lot*

MARIC: *is not suspicious at all *

ROWAN & LOGHAIN: *headdesk*　

MARIC: Oh, and I love the not-at-all-suspicious elf, by the way.

ROWAN: Bastard.

LOGHAIN: What the hell? I've angsted over your future queen for well over hundred pages of Gaider-prose and you don't even love her. I will kill you in your sleep.

MARIC: *puppy eyes *

LOGHAIN: Fuck you. 　 --

ROWAN: *angsts*

LOGHAIN: Did I eh…mention that I comfort very well? Cause I do.

ROWAN: Comfort me! With hot, brooding sex! With gingerly sexings accompanied by our mutual tears, because we do cry an awful lot, all three of us.

LOGHAIN: I'm not the object of our mutual desire Maric.

ROWAN: Can you pretend? And glad I am to hear it!

LOGHAIN: Only if you do, too. Really?

ROWAN: Damn straight. Eh. Pun intended. Really, really.

DEEP ROADS: We bring the sexytimes like nothing else in the DAO canon! 　 -- 　

MARIC: Oh noes! Betrayal! It hurts! I love her so! She is so completely without a personality save being pretty and shady and into me! My dream girl!

LOGHAIN: Much like the PC can choose to do in the game version of our future, I am now picking the option to harden you. Everyone’s out for themselves. There you go. Harden up, bitch.

MARIC: But I’m such a gentle flower! Girls dig that.

LOGHAIN: Yes, indeed. I dig that, too, and this breaks my fucking heart. But life’s a bitch and then your mother gets raped and killed by Orlesians while you are forced to watch and you must give up the woman you love for duty and Ferelden and FOR FUCK’S SAKE, MAN, JUST GROW A SPINE SO WE CAN GET THIS SHIT DONE!

MARIC: *grows an insta-spine*

KATRIEL: Oh, crap.

MARIC: This moment defines me. *stabs her to death*

LOGHAIN: This moment defines me. *turns off emotions *

KATRIEL: I think I was informed of this plot because I wrote a really obvious good-bye letter, but whatever. I still die prettily and redeem myself in doing so while also making Loghain look extra cruel. A little something for everyone! 　

ROWAN: We are, as always, the harsh pragmatists of this story. Or well, you are a harsh pragmatist while I may or may not act out of jealousy which really doesn't put me in a better light. Regardless, my heartless yet loving soulmate, why must it hurt so?

LOGHAIN: Because life’s a bitch and then-

ROWAN: Shut up!

LOGHAIN: *dark, brooding emo puppy*

ROWAN: You are the only one who can be allowed to see me weak. Which is quite touching.

LOGHAIN: It is. I see you as my equal, which also is hot and something that ought to be more present in fanfiction. Alas, for now I shall break up with you!

ROWAN: Look, the hardening quest is fun for like, five minutes, but for the rest of my life? COME ON! Why do I get to be Maric's consolation prize?

LOGHAIN: Well, life’s a bitch and-

ROWAN: DAMN YOU.

LOGHAIN: I AM DAMNING MYSELF AS WE SPEAK! JUST BLOODY PLAY ORIGINS AND YOU WILL SEE!

DRAMATIC BREAK-UP: *is dramatic*

ROWAN: *cries*

LOGHAIN: *cries*

MARIC, in a different room: *cries*

ORLESIANS: And these people will overthrow our brutal occupation? I think not. --

MARIC: I NEED A HUG!

ROWAN: I will hug you. I will also assume the role of your loving, forgiving and much-stronger queen. Such is my duty.

MARIC: Sexy.

ROWAN: Not particularly. Sexy just broke up with me.

MARIC: I killed sexy. I NEED A HUG!

ROWAN: This will get old very quickly. --

MARIC: I am hardened. It sucks. I suddenly have a spine, and I do things to further our goal.

LOGAIN: I am as surprised as the readers. And a bit guiltily conflicted about it but that's just going to be my personality from now on. So roll with it.

ROWAN: I am stuck with the elf-fetishist for the rest of my life, but hey, why mind me? I never had much of a personality to begin with and won't get a fanbase anyway.

PLOT: *is wearing a bit thin* Come on, get this book over with! --

LOGHAIN: I am very sexy as I lead my rebels in battle.

ROWAN: He is. The bastard.

MARIC: He surely is. And – wait for it - I seem to have found a few survival skills!

LOGHAIN & ROWAN: Praise the Maker! --

WAR:* is won in the epilogue*

ROWAN: *is dead in the epilogue *

LOGHAIN: *is miserable in the epilogue *

MARIC: *is a miserable king in the epilogue*

READERS: Wow, what a fun ride that was.

#dragon age the stolen throne #Loghain Mac Tir #king maric #rowan theirin

391 notes · View notes

ahopkins1965 · 4 years ago

Text

Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women

Toggle navigation

10 Things I Have to Tell Myself Everyday

Aretha Grant

2020

21 Aug

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Meditating on the word of God is essential to Believers. With all the negativity we're seeing in the news today, we must meditate on the scriptures and speak them over our lives. When we study His word, meditate on it, and apply the verses to our lives, we'll see spiritual growth and renewed strength. Further, meditating on the word will guard our hearts against anger, hatred, unforgiveness, etc.

Let’s take a look at 10 scriptures that we can speak over ourselves daily.

1. I am a child of God.

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16)

Beauty is vain, but being God’s child is not. Beauty fades, but being God’s child is forever if our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Your adoption into God’s family is much more important than what you look like, the amount of money you make, or the family into which you were born. It’s both an honor and a privilege to be one of God’s precious children. Daily remind yourself of your relationship with the Creator of the universe.

2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

I've come across many people who belittle themselves because they were born out of wedlock. We can't control how we were born, and quite frankly, it doesn't matter. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. If you ever feel like your birth was an accident, remind yourself of how you were truly created: by God.

3. Beauty is vain.

Proverbs 31:30 teaches, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

All of us want to be beautiful, but idolizing physical beauty is vanity. Christian girls and women should focus on who we are in Christ instead of outward beauty. When we focus on Christ and our relationships with Him, we're strengthened and encouraged. And we'll stop comparing ourselves to the vain standards of beauty that society dictates us. It's time to break free from the bondage of comparison and live freely in the liberty that's ours in Christ Jesus. One of the best ways to walk in that liberty is by reminding ourselves of who we are in Jesus.

4. I am filled with God's Spirit.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

God the Father, took of His Spirit, and placed it inside His children. You carry greatness. Think about that for a second. God loved you so much that He gave you the Comforter to help you walk the Christian walk. Whenever you feel down about yourself, remember that you're filled with the Holy Spirit.

5. I am a doer of the word.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22)

The word of God means a lot to God's children. We don't merely hear the word; we strive to do what the word commands. Although you may not get it right every time, God honors your desire to obey His word. We need to remind ourselves about that. We may not be perfect, but we are being perfected and transformed through God's word.

6. Pray for my enemies.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

This verse cuts like a knife every time I read it, but I’m determined to obey it. And I’m sure you are too. We must remember the importance of praying for our enemies. We don’t have to treat our enemies the way they treat us. We don’t have to seek vengeance. We don’t have to retaliate. We can and must pray for them. This is an important scripture to remember today with so much hatred in the world. Pray for your enemies.

7. I don’t have to be anxious.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Children of God don't have to be anxious. We can relax in God. We can trust Him and rely upon Him. We don't have to stress ourselves out about anything we're facing. Indeed, we can walk in a peace "...which surpasses all comprehension" (Philippians 4:7).

8. This is working together for my good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God's children can rest assured that the trial or test they're facing is working together for their good. Although the trial is harsh, God can use it to produce good fruit. We should remind ourselves of this scripture every day, regardless of the intensity of the obstacle we’re enduring.

9. I can do it!

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I started exercising and eating healthfully last month. Every time I want to give up and throw in the towel, I have to remind myself that I can do it. Whenever you want to quit, remember that you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you.

10. Put on the full armor.

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)

The devil is busy, but God didn't leave us unprepared or defenseless. God is our protector, and He tells us in Ephesians 6:13-18 how to combat the enemy. We should remind ourselves every day to guard ourselves against the devil. We mustn't let down our defenses. We must remind ourselves to put on the full armor.

11. Jesus came to give us abundant life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

We mustn’t forget that Jesus came so that we can have an abundant life. Our lives can be filled with joy, peace, love, forgiveness, and hope because Jesus came and died to give them to us. No matter what you face, remember, the abundant life is yours.

12. I’m not who I used to be.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Daily we must remind ourselves and the enemy that we aren't who we used to be. We are new in Christ. We must learn to use our pasts only as a testimony of God's healing and delivering power. We mustn't allow our pasts to control us or hold us in bondage. Your past has passed away. You're new in Jesus.

These aren't the only scriptures on which you can meditate daily. The Bible is filled with encouraging verses that will guard your heart and mind against the tricks of the devil and strengthen your relationship with God and your fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Whenever you experience difficulties, remember who you are in Christ and the power in the Word. You can and will overcome.

Aretha Grant serves her local church as a bible teacher and elder. She loves writing and is the author of Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously. Aretha resides in Hagerstown, MD with her husband and two youngest children. You can read Aretha’s blog at www.arethagrant.com.

Georgia Drivers With No DUI's Getting A Pay Day On Saturday