#as long as the help is only on their terms and timetable in accordance with their beliefs and preferences

[awheckery]

life advice if you're ever helping someone move:

if you don't know what something is, and/or don't know how much something costs, don't assume the person you're theoretically trying to help either doesn't need the thing or will be easily able to replace it later after you throw it away

this message brought to you by the realization that my (cisgender) father somehow managed to throw away all of my menstrual products (that I had to order online after stores stopped carrying the kind I use), a $150 Livia unit for dealing with my crippling period cramps (while somehow keeping the charging cord?), as well everything on my vanity that was clearly in regular use

but somehow, the mostly empty box of breathe right strips, expired camphor rub and half-used roll of toilet paper were completely necessary to pack up

[taimco]

Benefits of Transportable Stages and Stair Railings

In a variety of settings, portable stages and stair rails play vital roles that improve usability and safety while also offering useful advantages. An examination of their benefits is provided below:

1. Safety Enhancement: 

Stair rails are a must for safety, particularly in settings where stairs are regularly used or by individuals with different degrees of mobility. They lessen the chance of trips, falls, and slips by offering stability and support.

2. Adherence to Building standards: 

In order to protect the safety of occupants, stair railing must be installed in accordance with several building standards and regulations. Buildings that have railings installed correctly help to achieve these regulations and stay out of trouble with the law.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: 

Stair railings add to the outside and interior visual appeal in addition to their utilitarian value. They arrive in various materials and designs, allowing for customization that complements the overall architectural style.

4. Durability and Maintenance: 

Materials for contemporary stair railings, like powder-coated finishes, stainless steel, and aluminum, are durable and low maintenance. Because of this, they are a wise long-term investment for both commercial and residential establishments.

5. Accessibility: 

Stair railings offer vital support for people with impairments or restricted mobility, enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of spaces.

Flexibility and Versatility: Portable stage are incredibly versatile and offer unparalleled flexibility, making it easy to quickly assemble and disassemble them in a variety of settings. Because of their adaptability, they are perfect for a variety of occasions, including community meetings, business presentations, and concerts and performances.

Cost-Effectiveness: Portable stages can be less expensive than permanent stages, particularly for venues or groups that conduct sporadic events and need flexible staging alternatives.

Ease of Transportation and Storage: Portable stages are made to be both lightweight and durable, making them simple to move between locations and store when not in use. The logistical difficulties and storage expenses related to conventional staging are lessened by this convenience.

Customization Options: Integrated lighting and sound systems, various surface treatments, height adjustments, and other features are all standard on contemporary portable stages. These alternatives improve both practicality and visual appeal by meeting particular event requirements.

Quick Deployment: One of the main benefits of portable stages is their speedy setup, which frequently only for a small amount of labor and equipment. For event planners who have to oversee strict timetables and guarantee smooth transitions between events, this efficiency is priceless.

In summary, 

portable stages and stair railings are essential components that improve functionality, safety, and aesthetics in a variety of contexts. Their benefits highlight their crucial position in contemporary architecture and event planning, whether they are protecting accessibility in buildings or creating dynamic event venues.

[morpheusindia]

Mastering Time Management: Strategies for Boosting Productivity and Efficiency

Introduction:

Effective time management is not only a desired ability in today's fast-paced world, but it is also an essential element of success.

Gaining expertise in time management techniques from Morpheus Consulting turns it from a straightforward undertaking into a vital component for increasing productivity, accomplishing your objectives, and preserving a positive work-life balance. Let's examine some essential time management techniques. 

1. Set Clear Goals and Priorities:

Establish your priorities and short- and long-term goals first. Divide big objectives into smaller, more doable tasks, and rank them according to priority and urgency. Keeping organized and focused is made easier when you have a clear plan.

2. Create a Daily Schedule:

Establish a daily timetable or to-do list to help you plan your day ahead of time. Set aside specified amounts of time for every task or activity, including downtime and breaks. To stay focused and on track, try your best to adhere to your timetable.

3. Eliminate Time-Wasting Activities:

Find and cut out time-wasting pursuits that don't advance your priorities or ambitions. Reduce the amount of time spent on unneeded meetings, social media, and multitasking. Instead, concentrate on important chores that will help you achieve your goals.

4. Use Time Management Tools:

Utilize time management strategies and technologies to maintain organization and speed up your workflow. To maximize your time and boost your productivity, use digital calendars, task management applications, or productivity strategies like the Pomodoro Technique.

5. Learn to Delegate:

Acknowledge when you need help and practice assigning responsibilities to others. Give some jobs to your teammates or team members so you can concentrate on higher-priority activities that call for your experience. Leveraging your team's capabilities and increasing productivity both depend on effective delegation.

Conclusion:

With Morpheus Consulting's assistance, you may achieve success in both your personal and professional lives by learning effective time management techniques. 

You may increase productivity and efficiency by prioritizing tasks, making a daily routine, getting rid of time-consuming hobbies, utilizing time management apps, and learning how to delegate. 

Accept these time management techniques to achieve your objectives and live a more balanced and meaningful life.

.

For more Recruitment / Placement / HR / Consultancy services, connect with Morpheus Consulting:

📞: (+91) 8376986986

📩: contact@mhc.co.in

🌐: www.mhc.co.in

[esgjuly]

Benefits of Net Zero Finance for Companies

As one of the leading Net Zero consultant, the timetable for getting to Net-Zero is shown in the above graphic. The shift to a net-zero planet is one of the most significant challenges humanities has ever faced. The global pandemic proves that we must drastically alter how we create, consume, and travel. The energy sector produces significant GDP income in both developed and developing nations. Investment in greener energy and replacing filthy coal, gas, and oil-fired power with electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar will significantly reduce carbon emissions. This will necessitate global transformational change, incremental transitional change, and education. Since achieving net zero emissions in the allotted period will be difficult, the "net" in net zero is essential. However, in addition to making significant and audacious cuts to emission objectives, we must accelerate investments in decarbonization infrastructure.

Being a Net Zero Consultancy, for net zero to be effective, there must be a long-term cultural shift that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from improper carbon dioxide storage or by minimizing forest fires. A Net Zero strategy entails decarbonizing every economic sector, from transportation to agriculture, and implementing strategies to reduce climate-damaging emissions. The following actions are part of the UK Net-Zero policy, which was released in October 2021: To cease selling brand-new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2030. To offer financial assistance to homeowners converting from gas boilers to heat pumps or other low-carbon heating systems. Financial rewards to promote low-carbon farming practices among farmers. Related: Sustainable business strategy's risks and opportunities. On the route to Net-Zero 2050, where are we now. The amount that the government invests now needs to be increased.

In our role as Net Zero Carbon, Businesses must have a strategic plan of action for funding decarbonization investments, programs, and activities to bring about change within and throughout their ecosystem while optimizing costs and value sustainably for investors and shareholders if they are to meet net zero carbon targets. Projects should follow global sustainability standards, and businesses should ensure they collaborate with an impartial audit or advisory firm comprised of skilled experts. Companies need to ensure their operations and investments benefit the local community on a social and environmental level and are carbon-efficient. When greenhouse gas reductions or offsets balance corporate residual emissions, significantly reducing carbon emissions along the entire value chain must reach net zero. Businesses can use carbon offsets or removals to achieve net zero after maximizing abatement

To help you as Net Zero, the present national climate plans of all 193 Parties to the Paris Agreement combined indicate that 2030 global greenhouse gas emissions will have significantly increased from 2010 levels by approximately 14%. All nations, particularly the largest emitters, need to drastically raise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and swiftly reduce emissions. The Glasgow Climate Pact called for all countries to increase their 2030 commitments by the end of 2022. In the UK, low-carbon initiatives received only roughly £10 billion in public and private investment in 2020. According to the independent Climate Change Committee, net-zero investments in renewable energy, transportation, and construction must reach £50 billion annually by the late 2020s to achieve net-zero status by 2050.Crucially, there will be significant cost savings as well.

As a Net Zero consultant, this more substantial investment (capital expenditure) will be compensated by reductions in routine spending (operational expenditure) by the late 2030s, mainly due to electric cars' increased efficiency. Other analyses have generally arrived at similar conclusions. A little over £10 billion annually. This translates into savings of about £1.1 trillion and costs of about £1.4 trillion. Global governments must spearhead large investment projects, but the private sector will handle most of the funding and implementation. Ordinary people will also need to push change by cutting back on their spending and investments in non-carbon-friendly goods and services. The CCC states that it is improbable that governments will supply the lion's share of the money needed to support the private sector. To produce future economic gains, the decarbonization investment and cover expenses currently need to be demonstrated.

[fincrif]

Is Taking a Personal Loan a Good Idea? Do's and Don'ts to Remember

Make yourself feel inspired and acknowledge your small accomplishments, no matter how fast-paced the corporate world of today is or how rigorous the timetable of a start-up is. The goal of prudent financial planning is to preserve a portion of your income so that you can give valuable items to your loved ones and yourself. If you can handle timely repayments and avoid getting into a debt cycle, taking out a personal loan to finance a trip or purchase a new bike for yourself is a terrific idea.

Is Taking a Personal Loan a Good Idea

Due to the demand for a fast-paced lifestyle, lenders have been compelled to flood the market with appealing personal loan products. Personal loans are the most practical type of debt that a person may obtain when they are in need. By requiring less paperwork, disbursing loans quickly, and offering loans with reasonable terms and duration, lenders have made things more convenient.

For urgent financial needs like wedding expenses, vacation expenses, car purchases, or home remodeling, these loans are quite helpful. Long-term and short-term needs are both well served by personal loans. You can make a budget according to your demands and determine whether your income can cover the EMIs. You can apply for your personal loan now if the answer is yes!

What you need to Remember While Taking a Personal Loan?

Just borrow what you really need

Avoiding financial traps is made possible by doing this, which is crucial. Borrow just what you need to even if you might be qualified for a larger loan amount. A personal overdraft allows you to make withdrawals based on your needs and has the option to approve the entire loan amount at once if you are unsure of how much to borrow. Just the portion that you use would be subject to interest charges.

Take out only loans that you can afford to pay back

A personal loan's monthly interest payment shouldn't, as a general rule, be more than 15% to 20% of your net income. Calculate how much you can afford to pay each month once all of your bills have been paid, and then modify the loan amount.

Select an appropriate tenure

While shorter loan terms might be appropriate for short-term financial demands where funds are expected from other sources in a matter of days or months, longer loan terms will assist you lower the amount of interest you pay each month. There are lenders that provide no prepayment penalties together with extended terms. Make a wise selection! Pay on time. Late payments destroy your credit ratings and lower your chances of being approved for a loan down the road. Furthermore, they expose you to further fees and/or late payment penalties.

Avoid using loan funds for luxuries 

It can be simple to give in to the want to spend loan funds on indulgences because there are no restrictions on where you can use money from a personal loan.While treating yourself now and then is wonderful, use caution while using borrowed funds and ensure that you have the means to repay them on schedule before incurring any unforeseen expenses.

Pay off and combine your debts

The most effective financial instrument for consolidating debt is a personal loan. It makes sense to combine your obligations and pay them off with a single personal loan if you have high-interest loans or are managing several debts (credit cardsand/or loans). This removes the possibility that you may forget a payment date and relieves you of the burden of having to remember several dates and amounts. You will have to pay less interest if you carefully choose a personal loan with an interest rate that is lower than your current loans.

Carefully review the terms 

Examine the tiny print thoroughly before signing the loan agreement. Seek assistance from a friend, coworker, or family member to read the contract and make sure you understand what you are entering into, if necessary.

What Common Mistakes Can You Avoid While Applying for Personal Loans?

Human error occurs. However, knowing about probable hazards in advance could assist you in avoiding them:

Poor research quality 

When it comes to borrowing, it is crucial to complete your homework. Look into a number of lenders, speak with those who have taken out personal loans, and/or understand the complexities involved in borrowing from a professional lender. Keep an open mind while comparing the features and conditions of different loans and lenders when considering online personal loans.

Overextending your credit limit 

Consider your options carefully, keep your budget in mind, and only borrow as much as you can safely return rather than being an impulsive borrower and spender.

Borrowing funds in order to make investments 

There are numerous flaws in this theory, even if borrowing money to invest may seem like a wise financial move. When using a loan for investments, be sure that you: (1) earn a lower interest rate on your loan than you would from your investment; and (2) choose low-risk assets where there is little to no chance of losing money.

Using a loan's proceeds for unneeded costs 

Your "needs" and certain wants are intended to be met by a personal loan. It might not be a smart idea for your financial security to use borrowed funds for avoidable and luxurious expenditures. If you have to take out a loan for anything like that much-desired luxury bike or that long-awaited trip abroad, make sure you have the resources to pay it back on time and without jeopardizing your investments.

Ignoring the small print 

As was previously said, it is very crucial to read every word of an agreement before signing it. Desperate financial situations can occasionally impair judgement and cause rash actions that may not be the best ones. Before you sign on the dotted line, take your time and get advice from those who are experienced about finances.

Conclusion 

Due to their ease of use and speed, personal loans are a blessing in the current financial landscape. When it comes to tight finances, they might be your greatest ally if you use them carefully. Therefore, decide what you need, create a budget, and apply for a personal loan after that.

[qingzhouxi]

Do I Even Study?

Blog Post #5 Preliminary Drafting: May 4, 2023 Blog Draft Created: June 2, 2023 Blog Posted: June 3, 2023 Post-Publish Revision: June 5, 2023 - Added statements to Headings D and E and updated List of References

Short Answer: No. Long Answer: It depends on the context.

I technically do not really study, if the definition of studying is the memorization of concepts and how they relate to each other. So what is reviewing anyway, and how does it help a person perform academically or in other contexts?

A. What It Means to Study

According to Merriam-Webster (n.d.), to study means to use reference materials to learn about a particular subject at hand, which means the process that revolves around gathering information from a specific preferred source. It is clear here that learning is a process wherein there is a transfer of information from one space to another (i.e. from a source to a receiver). With that, any conscious entity like humans, AI (artificial intelligence), and even bacteria can learn from their environment. However, learning and studying are not the same. Learning needs a processing unit and a storing unit while studying needs only a processing unit. Therefore, studying is not a reactionary process, rather, it is only a conscious process. Studying means gathering information and processing it whereas learning means gathering information, processing it, and reacting to it. To study means to immerse oneself in an environment full of information but not necessarily to absorb this information.

B. Studying vs Immersion

These days, many groups or organizations claim that they have the perfect studying technique for you. However, it is not as easy as that, because when people aim to study, they do not just aim to study—they aim to learn. In this case, the proper term should be the perfect learning technique, especially because studying is only one of the two major ways through which a person learns. A person can learn through studying or immersion, they acquire knowledge from the former, experience from the latter. In this case, a person does not necessarily need to study in order to learn, they just need to find a suitable way to learn the concepts, lessons, or ideas that they need to learn. That being said, studying is still the default option because only through this can someone dig deep into the nuances of particular information. Studying involves learning through reviewing and observation while immersion only involves observation. Studying is using scientific and empirical information whereas immersion uses anecdotal information. Studying is used more often in the physical sciences because they need solid and universal explanations whereas immersion is used more often in the social sciences. Fortunately, I like both physical sciences and social sciences and so I like a balance between studying and immersion, which means I study fairly often back then. It just so happens that almost all my courses for this semester are under social sciences, which made me study less, hence my answers in the introduction.

C. Systems Related to Learning

There are many different learning systems that a person can employ in order to study. Self-regulated learning is one of them, which is defined by Añonuevo (2010) as the use of different cognitive abilities to learn at one's own pace and desired environment. Some of the systems that should be developed and used in this type of learning are time management, scheduling, challenge, proactivity, idea organization and connection, environment modeling, and areas of interest. Therefore, learning should:

make good use of one's time

use timetables and management systems

be sufficiently but not too challenging

be a proactive process

allow a person to integrate an idea into the learner's daily life

take place in an environment conducive to learning

tackle topics or lessons that are interesting

However, studying is a different experience for everyone, which means that not all learners will learn a concept in the same way. Thus, it is important for a learner to determine what works best for him. What remains constant though is the element of having reason in order to study. This basically tells us that study guides may help us learn, but they should not dictate to us how to learn. At the very least, they should just be able to point out what topics may be of interest to people who want to learn. Hence, studying also varies from person to person, and the method through which a person studies and learns must be developed by the person, not by the so-called experts.

D. My Study Habits

Personally, I only like studying when the task or assignment calls for it (i.e. when there is a quiz or an exam, a recitation, or anything that requires a rapid recall of information). To help give you an insight into how I actually study, below is my analysis of how I study based on the statements of Añonuevo (2010):

I often cram outputs that I consider easy.

I do not make timetables for when I should be studying and when I should be doing some other tasks.

I challenge myself from time to time, but not too frequently that it leaves me drained.

I am a proactive learner. The only time that I learn reactively is when dealing with historical lectures because careful evaluation must be done first before integrating ideas into my mind in order to prevent false interpretations, incorrect comprehension, and faulty perspectives.

I usually integrate learnings into my life. I do this by determining the purpose of the information and then looking for ways in which I can apply my learnings.

I do not study in cramped and noisy places because the environment always ends up distracting me, leading to an inefficient studying session.

I make sure that I find topics that interesting in a particular subject. This is less complicated than how it sounds because I am naturally curious and therefore consider many topics as areas of interest.

Oftentimes, what people want to know when they ask about one's studying habits is their studying technique. Whereas study habits can be defined as what context enables a person to study efficiently, I define studying techniques as the categories of practice through which a person can learn the topic the person wants to learn. Personally, I employ two studying techniques—notetaking and blurting. Some may argue that notetaking is not a studying technique and yes, I do think it is not entirely a studying technique. However, I still view notetaking as one because I not only immerse myself in information through which I can learn but also gained knowledge since notetaking is a form of reviewing the information gathered through immersion. On the other hand, I use blurting because it helps me check whether I remembered the information I need to learn and memorize. While Cayanan (2019) claimed that shared space study sessions are inevitable to happen between siblings, I personally do not study with my brother or even with anyone in general because I always get distracted when in the presence of other people since I end up observing them instead of studying what I need to study. Aside from this, I do not think there are more things to elaborate on regarding my study habits. For the most part, I like immersion more than studying and so, I am more aware of how I want to immerse myself than how I want to study.

E. Outlook and Reflections

Curiosity and good studying habits are the keys to a fruitful learning experience. However, there still needs to be an appealing end goal to any studying session because if there is no reason for someone to study, that person would not be happy to study, would not retain information, or would not study at all. In my case, I only study when I think there is a need to study or the topic is interesting, whether for academic purposes or just to satiate my desire for information. This may explain why I do not always study for quizzes or exams but I like studying geography, neurology, and literature even when I do not take these courses. In addition, my habit of not always studying is solely based on what piques my interest and not because of other activities taking up my time. In fact, a study conducted by Guzman (2014) reported that there is no correlation between doing casual activities (e.g. using social media, extra-curricular activities, and personal interests) and the time spent studying of students. Despite this, I recognize the fact that I need to study often in order to maintain passing or good grades. Hence, I am planning to look for areas of interest in the following semesters.

References:

Añonuevo, K. (2010). Ipinatong sa mesa, ibinalibag sa kama! [Audio podcast]. Iskomunidad. https://iskomunidad.upd.edu.ph/images/2/25/POCH101410.mp3

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Study. In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/study

UP Theses References (Diliman only):

Cayanan, I.L.F. (2019). A multiple case study on how siblings transform an existing domestic space into a shared study space [Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines-Diliman]. University of the Philippines Diliman Digital Archive. https://digitalarchives.upd.edu.ph/file/23661

Guzman, J.G. (2014). The Reading Interests and Habits of Science Curriculum Students and Science High School Students in Quezon City [Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines-Diliman]. University of the Philippines Diliman Digital Archive. https://digitalarchives.upd.edu.ph/file/28041

Original Word Count: ~1285 (w/o References), ~1305 (w/ References) Post-Revision Word Count: ~1400 (w/o References), ~1495 (w/ References)

[ammg-old2]

A new report describing plummeting achievement rates in the arts in New Zealand primary schools should be a wake-up call for officials on taking the arts education crisis seriously, advocates say.

Achievement levels for primary-aged learners dropped for dance, drama, music and visual arts subjects when compared to 2015 scores, according to the new national report that surveyed more than 1000 students.

Despite the national curriculum requiring that students have access to arts learning, there was no question the arts were relegated as a low priority and not even offered in some schools, said Jeremy Winter, a retired educator and reform advocate.

“Some teachers have got the skills and qualifications but aren’t given the opportunity to use them. There’s no time in the timetable for [the arts]. We know of whole schools where nothing is happening,” Winter said.

The report detailed scores of issues.

They included: low numbers of learning opportunities in the arts for students, particularly dance; little time spent in the classroom learning the arts; and little or no professional development for teachers on how to teach the arts.

And principals said the arts were an even lower priority in their schools now versus in the year 2015.

That’s despite “nearly all” teachers agreeing it was important to teach the arts.

The data comes amid a worsening truancy crisis, which pundits argue could be improved by a greater focus on arts-rich education.

Winter said it was sad the arts were not more strongly mandated despite an abundance of international research showing the value of the arts being taught, including helping to improve children’s motor skills, social skills, creativity, self-expression, and literacy and numeracy.

The new report found that girls had higher levels of achievement in the arts than boys in primary schools.

Māori had lower levels of achievement than non-Māori, and it was the same situation for students who attended low-decile schools versus high-decile schools.

Students became less enthusiastic about learning the arts as they aged.

One major problem with teaching the arts was the little time given to would-be teachers when they are training, with only hours during a three-year study period for the entire music subject, for example.

“We can’t change the world overnight and suddenly have teacher training providers give much more efforts to [the arts], but that’s what needs to happen over the long term ... People will say this isn’t important versus maths or science. But this stuff is important because it adds to that and contributes to that,” Winter said.

Principals clearly did not understand what the arts were or what they could do for students, said Peter O’Connor, an arts expert from the University of Auckland.

“When we had the best literacy and numeracy rates in the world, we had strong arts in primary schools. It’s a tragedy that link isn’t in here ... We’ve lost so much, no-one really cares,” O’Connor said.

The Ministry of Education recognised some of the barriers to arts engagement, said Julia Novak, the acting general manager of the NZ Curriculum.

“[We] are conscious of ensuring ākonga (students) are entitled to quality arts education,” she said, adding the arts curriculum would be refreshed next year.

The report’s authors noted the pandemic may have impacted students’ achievement rates, but could not exactly quantify this.

[scannerca]

5 Steps to Construct a Comprehensive CA Intermediate Study Time Table for May 2023

Preparing for the CA Intermediate Exam in May 2023? Here is a systematic study plan to help you make the most of your time, and ace the exam easily. Follow these 5 simple steps and you'll have all the necessary elements to create a reliable and effective study timetable.

Compile your study material:

The first step of your comprehensive study plan is to compile all the materials you’ll need for the exam. From CA Intermediate books and revision guides to knowledge-based resources, such as lectures and online tutorials, don’t forget to include any other learning materials you may find helpful. Make sure you prioritize studying topics according to their weightage in the syllabus and create a checklist to help track your progress.

With your materials in order, you can start planning your study schedule. Aim to break up long-term goals, like completing each paper and module syllabus into smaller parts, such as individual courses, topics, or chapters. Split things further into daily tasks and assign dedicated study time for each session—this way you’ll be able to track your progress more effectively. Make sure to allot ample time for revision at the end and don’t forget to include a few hours of rest each day to ensure you keep your energy levels up throughout the entire exam period!

Set realistic and achievable goals:

It’s important to stay focused and disciplined while studying, so set realistic goals and break them down into achievable targets. Set an ideal amount of study hours each day and work out how much time it will take you to complete each syllabus topic. Aim for smaller goals and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t reach your target! It's also a good idea to review your progress periodically and make any necessary adjustments as needed.

It can be overwhelming when first setting out on a study plan, so build in extra days for any topics you find particularly challenging. You should also set aside some extra study time for practice exams. Taking full length mock tests gives you an idea of the flow and format of the exam, plus it'll help you track your progress. There are some of the best ca entrance exam books which provide the mock test papers samples. Some CA Intermediate candidates even create study plans which include both academic and mental health goals - like devoting two hours a day to physical activity and catching up with friends once a week. This way you can make sure you're taking good care of yourself even as you juggle the demands of Exam preparation.

Divide topics according to importance:

Divide the topics in each syllabus into manageable sections according to their importance, i.e., which ones help you build on other concepts? That way, you can grasp the core point for a better understanding of later topics. Also make sure to read sample questions and model answers to get an idea of the syllabus weightage and level of difficulty. This will enable you to plan your timetable more effectively using efficient learning techniques.

To study for the CA Intermediate Exam in a more manageable way, make a time table which divides available study hours into short sessions according to sections. Study for a maximum of two hours at a stretch and then take a break of 10 – 15 minutes. This break should be used to relax and de-stress your mind. During this break you can do some physical activity or read something that is not related to your studies, like a book. It is important to have proper sleep during this period, so carve out adequate time for sleeping as well.

Schedule regular study sessions:

Allot specific hours each day to study. Make sure you stick to the schedule and set short-term goals so you can measure your progress regularly. Additionally, plan realistic breaks between sessions to help keep you motivated. Scheduling regular study sessions not only helps you make better use of your time but also makes it easier to remember information better.

When creating a study schedule, set aside enough time to cover the entire syllabus and plan for any extra activities such as group discussions and research papers. Also, try not to cram the night before your exams. Lastly, be sure to pick a schedule that works best for you- it should fit your lifestyle and keep you away from getting bored. This way you can make the most of your allotted time and maximize the chances of success in May 2023.

Incorporate rest days and catch-up sessions:

An effective study plan should also include rest days. This means taking a break from studying to help relieve any stress and burnout. On top of that, if you find yourself lagging behind your schedule, consider incorporating catch-up sessions into your study timetable. This allows you to make up for the days when you didn’t manage to complete your goals and can help keep you to be on track with the rest of your studying.

Along with rest days and catch-up sessions, your study time table should also take into account your other commitments such as family time and exercise. Don’t be tempted to overwork yourself by cramming in more hours of studying than is necessary. Estimating how much time you need to cover a topic and then scheduling ‘off’ days will help you structure your studying and ensure that you feel refreshed, motivated, and energized during the course of your studying period.

Conclusion: 

In order to succeed in the CA Intermediate Course exam, it is essential to prepare adequately by setting realistic goals and allocating enough time for self-study and revision. Additionally, regular practice tests should be taken in order to measure progress and gain confidence before moving on to new topics. Also, you should study from the best ca intermediate study materials. Finally, taking time out of one's daily schedule to review previously studied material will help individuals perform better on the examination day.

[chudleycanonficfest]

Stars in the Night Sky

Day 3, Story #2 is by @adenei

Title: Stars in the Night Sky

Author: adenei

Pairing: Jily (James Potter x Lily Evans)

Prompt: Stargazing

Rating: PG

TW: None :)

****************

The castle is peaceful as it nears midnight, a calm surrender to the usual bustling halls during the day. Rounds ended over an hour ago, but the quick pair of footsteps was not rushing through a late shift, they were on their way to the Astronomy Tower to meet their partner and begin Professor Sinistra’s constellation project. 

Allocation of the work was all in the luck of the draw. Where one half of the class drew a name, and the other pulled the astronomical phenomenon they were to study. Lily Evans had pulled the piece of parchment on stars and constellations, and according to the project’s outline, she and her partner would be tracking Orion, Cassiopeia, Gemini, and Canis Major for the next two weeks.

The project left Lily questioning why she chose to pursue the subject after passing her O.W.L.s. Maybe it was because she has always been fascinated by the subject, or maybe it’s for the sole fact that Astronomy is one of the subjects she can discuss with her family since it relates closely to muggle sciences. Regardless, she’s not sure it’s worth the lack of sleep she’s about to endure over the next few weeks.

As Lily climbs the steps of the Astronomy Tower, her heart thunders in her chest with anticipation about who her partner will be. The class is small, with only ten students, but she didn’t bother to hang around and discuss ‘who had who’ at the end of class. She had a meeting with Professor McGonagall about her Head Girl duties and couldn’t be bothered to worry about who her partner was. 

But now, after finding out through Mary that she’s been paired with Remus and Sirius pulled Benjy Fenwick’s name, Lily is nervous. Rumblings at dinner also confirmed that Calliope Forsythe of Hufflepuff was disappointed that she chose Bridgette Marls’s name instead of James’s, leaving Lily sweating the remaining possible outcomes. She doesn’t want to jinx it by getting her hopes up that James may have pulled her name out of the cauldron, and she’s mad at herself for wanting it so desperately.

We already spend enough time together with our Head duties. Plus, we’re friends now, so we can hang out whenever we like...just not alone.

Her last thought is only a partial lie, considering they’re ‘alone’ when creating schedules for rounds, but it never fails that some fifth or sixth-year students are always barging in to use the Prefect’s lounge to study, ruining any potential chance for either to make a move. Even when they’re on rounds, their conversation is constantly interrupted by catching a couple in a broom closet or empty classroom. 

Lily lets out a huff of frustration as she recalls the last time, when she was sure he was about to ask her to Hogsmeade, but then there was a loud clatter from a room up ahead, breaking the moment. So really, it’d be ideal if James were her partner for this project. She’s sick of the song and dance they’ve been playing since the start of term and wants nothing more than to find out whether he still fancies her or not. After all, it’s only a matter of time that some other girl will swoop in, causing his devilishly handsome smile to be trained on them instead.

As Lily approaches the foot of the stairs leading up to the observation room, she checks her watch. 11:59. Right on time. She holds her breath during the entire stair climb, and only when she rounds the corner to the dimly lit area with one singular candle on the table to take notes, does she see him. He’s leaning over the table, the light illuminating his messy black hair as his glasses slip down his nose. The sleeves on the white shirt of his uniform are rolled up to his elbows, exposing the sinewy muscles of his forearm as Lily stands there, getting lost in a daydream that finds those arms wrapped around her body.

The hoot of an owl in the distance snaps her out of her thoughts as she takes a few steps closer.

“I hope you haven’t started without me.” 

Lily’s light chiding gets James’s attention as a wide smirk dons his face. Her insides tremble as her heart pounds faster in her chest.

“How can I get started if I don’t know what we’re supposed to be looking at,” he remarks, eliciting a nervous laugh from her chest.

“Yeah, sorry for not sticking around after class. I had another appointment.”

“Well, I hope my reveal isn’t too much of a shock.”

“Better you than Mulciber or Avery,” she teases. “Why didn’t you ask Professor Sinistra what topic I pulled after you gave your information and got our timetable?”

James walks around the table to join her as she pulls out the project guidelines. She assumes he would have known what they were studying, considering everyone had to check-in and get their schedules from Professor Sinistra. Depending on what the group has chosen, their research times varied.

“Because I thought we were going for the surprise factor,” his cheeky grin matches the lightness in his voice. “Besides, I figured it’d be another excuse to pore over the parchment in close proximity.”

Lily searches the space next to her to see just how close James is before meeting his gaze. She becomes dizzy from the scent of his cologne, with hints of cinnamon and sandalwood invading her sense of smell. If she gives in to temptation now, they won’t accomplish anything on their first night.

Work first, play later.

Strengthening her resolve, Lily makes a swift turn and heads for the telescope. “We’re responsible for tracking the four constellations that are listed on the first page. I’ll see which one I can find first and we’ll go from there. We can take turns tracing, and observing if that’s alright with you.”

“Sure, I’ll get the parchment set up,” James agrees.

Lily’s not sure, but she thinks she may have heard a hint of disappointment in his tone. She pushes the thoughts aside and peers into the massive telescope that’s bolted down in the center of the room. It doesn’t take long to find Jupiter, and from there, she’s able to see a handful of the stars that make up Orion. The belt is the most prevalent as she takes mental notes to transfer on the paper.

Settling into a steady hum of working together, the pair take turns between the telescope and table, making light work of the night’s observations. When Lily checks her watch again, she realizes they’ve finished with time to spare. She wanders over to the railing, and even though she’s spent the better part of the last ninety minutes studying the stars, she finds herself looking up to the sky once more. Only this time, she’s stargazing with only the naked eye. 

She feels James approaching before he arrives at her side, gazing up at the twinkling stars among the backdrop of black and midnight blue.

“We make a pretty good team.” Her voice is soft as it carries through the air between them.

Lily’s exhaustion is prevalent as her eyelids become heavier, but she can’t be bothered to move away from James’s side. Not yet, anyways.

“You haven’t gathered that from our flawless round schedules and seamless Prefect meetings we’ve run so far as Heads?”

Lily can’t help the smile that creeps across her lips. He’s playing into her words in the exact way she was hoping for. “Of course, I’ve noticed. I was just thinking out loud…” she trails off, hoping she’s got him hooked and wanting to know what else she’s about to say.

“About what?” Barely a second passes before the question leaves his mouth.

She drags her teeth over her bottom lip as she looks up at him. Here goes nothing.

“Just about how our teamwork might work in other respects, too.”

His lips part as she hears a sharp intake of breath. “Evans,” he warns as he inches ever closer to her face.

“Potter,” she challenges right back.

They are mere centimeters away from each other now, and it’d be so easy to close the gap between them. James seems to have frozen in front of her as she finds herself leaning up on her tiptoes to press a feather-light kiss to his lips. She pulls away, not wanting to push her luck.

When he doesn’t move after she pulls away, her heart sinks. Lily grabs her bag and turns to head back to the common room. Clearly, I was mistaken.

“Sorry, I just thought—” but she never finished her apology.

Her foot grazes the top step of the staircase before a warm, strong hand wraps around her wrist and pulls her back, where she hits a wall of muscle. Her lips are on his again, and this time he’s kissing her back as her arms snake around his shoulders and her foot lifts off the ground of its own accord. 

James Potter is kissing me!

The moment only lasts a few moments before they pull apart, their breathing heavy under the starry night.

James breaks the silence after a minute. “So, er, Hogsmeade this weekend?”

Lily grins as she backs away slightly, leaving him standing there as she heads toward the stairs for the second time. She flashes a ‘come and get me’ look. 

“I thought you’d never ask.”

[srininow]

Turing.com Review: How Good Is Turing For Remote Software Jobs? Should You Apply?

"I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me to work and experience the remote culture. I gave it a try and here I am working in one of the best companies with a perfect work-life balance"

Turing.com is a technology company that helps remote developers find quality software jobs at some of the top US companies and startups. The platform has gained a lot of traction over the past few years as a lot of remote developers from countries like India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria, Croatia, Mexico and more have successfully grabbed jobs at reputed Silicon Valley companies. The company claims over a million developers have signed up to its platform so far and the number is growing with each passing day. Now the question is should you join Turing to get remote software jobs?

A lot of developers and internal Turing members have shared their reviews about the company on various platforms. You can totally read them and make an informed decision about Turing company. But I think out of those reviews, the review posted by Vinay Nair, a front-end developer with Turing, gives us a balanced view of the company. He has talked about both the pros and cons of Turing.com in a detailed post. I am reproducing what he wrote on Quora here so that you can read that too. Here's what he wrote.

"My experience with Turing.com has been awesome! I have been working with Turing.com for the past few months now and today I am here to share my personal experience. With the pandemic hit hard, I was looking for a job that offers complete remote work as my parents are senior citizens. You would ask why not go for freelancing? The thing is I wanted stability which I am never gonna get if I work as a freelancer.

I applied for the job through LinkedIn and a few days later I got a call. I researched about the company and how it works. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me to work and experience the remote culture. I gave it a try and here I am working in one of the best companies with a perfect work-life balance.

Here are a few points that I would like to mention as to why I applied:

Turing.com offers U.S. opportunities: Turing provides Silicon Valley/American jobs to developers. All the jobs are work from home in nature and long-term, personally, this was very attractive to me.

Turing's salary is usually higher than the market range: Because the clients are US companies it usually offers better than market average salaries to developers from around the world.

Faster onboarding: My onboarding happened surprisingly quickly, I was onboarded within a month of applying, although your mileage might vary.

Better work-life balance: Turing.com offers flexible work hours, rather than rigid timetables. I overlap about 4 hours with the U.S. timezone and spend 4 hours during the day according to my convenience. This gives me time to catch up on my reading or play soccer, help out at home, etc.

Long-term remote software jobs: Something I mentioned earlier also, that stability was super important to me but I did not want to go to the office in the middle of a pandemic. So this was a real clincher for me.

Cons: The only downside that I could think of was probably that the company has scaled very quickly (I read recently that they’ve become a Unicorn) and hence are experiencing growing pains. Although I did not personally experience it I have heard some people have complained about some challenges they faced during the process. But it always seemed to me that these are pretty standard start-up troubles and I was willing to overlook and still give it a shot. I’m really glad I did."

I hope this article has given you some clarity about Turing.com. Let me know in the comment section what you think about it.

[be11atrixthestrange]

According To The Stars

Be11a writes Jily Fluff! Read here or on AO3

*******

According To The Stars

While working on Divination homework, James learns something new about Lily. Good thing Divination is a load of rubbish... or is it?

*******

James wasn't sure if he believed in Divination, or if it was just a load of rubbish. Honestly, one of the only reasons he was still taking the subject was the company — it was on Lily Evans' sixth-year timetable, and therefore his.

His friends had dropped the subject, and they made sure to take the mickey out of him when he signed back up.

"Divination, really James?"

"Why take that when you could have a free period?"

"Is it the subject matter that fascinates you, or is it a certain redhead?"

The questions were rhetorical, and his friends knew that. They were perfectly aware of James' motivation for sticking around in Divination, and they knew that he preferred they weren't there. Not many students continued beyond their O.W.L. year in the subject, and James was happy that Lily was the only other student he knew well. He could assure they would always be partnered up for projects, and he didn't have to worry about anyone swooping in and stealing her attention from him. Not Remus, Sirius, Peter, or worst of all, Snivellus.

James was procrastinating on his Divination essay in the Gryffindor common room when Lily approached him.

"Have you started?" she asked.

"Not yet, I was waiting for you. I was hoping you could help."

"You're smart, you'll figure it out," she said as she took a seat at the table beside him. "It's just a birth chart, anyway."

Just a birth chart. The problem wasn't that James thought birth charts were difficult to understand; it was that he hated the idea of them. The fact that the date, location, and time of his birth supposedly determined his fate really bothered him.

Earlier in class, they had mapped out their star signs, and their homework was to analyze them. He had been feeling a pit of dread all day, simply because he'd have to dive into all of the details of his future. He truly didn't want to know what the stars had to say about his life. In James' opinion, there was no point in knowing how or when he might die, who his future wife would be, how many kids he would have, or what he would do for an occupation. It sucked all of the excitement right out of life and stripped him of his autonomy. He wanted to believe that his choices mattered.

He knew he should take it all with a grain of salt because humans could never fully understand the truth of the stars. Predictions were wrong all the time, and there were always going to be flaws in human methods of telling the future.

But the mere idea that James' future was set in stone made him deeply uncomfortable. Like his friends, he could simply choose not to believe in any of it, but the problem was that he sort of did.

He looked over to see that Lily had already started her essay and was scribbling furiously on her parchment. Reluctantly, he turned back to his own star chart and began writing too.

My name is James Potter, and I was born at 5:45 pm on Sunday, March 27th, 1960, in London, England.

This makes my Sun Sign Aries, my Moon Sign Aries, and my Ascendant Libra.

Sun Sign: Aries

The sun determines our ego, identity, and 'role' in life. It's the core of who we are. On my birthdate — Sunday, March 27th, 1960 — my Sun was in Aries.

I am fundamentally assertive, persistent, and courageous. Naturally competitive and fiercely independent, I push things forward with energy and enthusiasm. I am determined, and I persevere through anything.

James thought back to his time on the Quidditch Pitch, where he would do anything for a victory. He was a risk-taker with a deep desire to win, and that had landed him in the Hospital Wing more times than he'd care to admit. He was definitely independent — although he played Chaser on the Gryffindor team, he much preferred the solitary aspect of Seeker; when playing Chaser, his fellow teammates often badgered him for being a "Quaffle-Hog".

I need to learn to understand other people as complex wholes.

The analysis felt spot-on for James. People were like puzzles, and he enjoyed figuring them out. All-day, James had been riddled with curiosity about Lily's birth chart. He was planning to ask her about it tonight and was excited to get to know her on a deeper level.

I feel the need to distinguish myself from others.

James felt exposed by that one. He was a prankster; he enjoyed his popularity, and he often engaged in what others — mainly professors — would call "attention-seeking behavior." Touche, birth chart, he thought, as he carried on writing.

Moon Sign: Aries

The moon rules our emotions, moods, and feelings, reflecting our personalities when we're alone and comfortable. On my birthdate — Sunday, March 27th, 1960 — my Moon was in Aries.

My emotional self is independent, energetic, and enthusiastic. I have a tendency to feel inadequate and overcompensate just because failure is a possibility.

That one hurt a bit. James immediately felt defensive as he wrote it, but deep down, he knew it was true. As the only son of a well-known and successful family, failure was not an option. He was no stranger to pressure, and sometimes he overcompensated. He was a smart kid, but he often relied on his charm to build connections and network. He knew his smooth-talking could drive some people — mostly Lily — insane, but it was nothing more than a defense mechanism because he truly was terrified of failure.

I find security and safety through close relationships and long-term partnerships.

James held his friends close, and had no idea what he would do without them. He believed they would all be there for him for the rest of his life, and he couldn't entertain the idea that they might not. He would risk his life to protect his friends, and they'd do the same for him. According to his analysis, whether or not his overwhelming trust in others was a strength or a weakness was open to interpretation, and James chose to see it as a good thing. What was the point of life without friends, anyway? He smiled warmly at the thought and continued.

Ascendant: Libra

Our Ascendant is the "mask" we present to people. It can be seen in our personal style and our first impressions. Some say its relevance fades as we age. Our Ascendant is determined by our time of birth — I was born at 5:45 pm, meaning my Ascendant is Libra.

I come across as compromising, courteous, and impartial, though sometimes passive-aggressive.

For most people, he was a compromising and courteous individual, at least for people he liked. Unfortunately, passive-aggressive was a no-brainer as well. Some folks — particularly Snivellus — might say he was a bully. In detention, he'd received lectures about how pranking and cursing others was not the proper way to alleviate interpersonal issues. McGonagall never hesitated to tell him that a calm and rational discussion would be much more effective than a Levicorpus Charm. Admittedly, his methods could be considered passive-aggressive.

I am inclined towards balance.

James was a well-rounded fellow, that was for sure. He was an academic, an athlete, and he maintained a social life quite effortlessly. Balance truly was important to him. There was just one part missing from his ideal balance — a relationship. More specifically, a relationship with Lily.

In fact, that missing piece was one of the first things he looked for when he began his birth chart analysis. On a separate piece of parchment, he had scribbled down a few signs — Aquarius, Sagittarius, Leo, and Gemini. According to the stars, his ideal life partner's Sun, Moon, and Ascendant signs should fall into these categories. Part of him didn't want to know what Lily's chart said, and the rest of him needed to. It could all be rubbish, but maybe it wasn't.

"What are your signs, Lily?"

"Why do you want to know?" she asked.

"Research," he said.

"You want to know my fate?"

"You could say that," he responded. It was partially true — he wanted to know what the stars said about her life, but specifically her compatibility with him.

Lily sighed. "My Sun Sign is Aquarius."

James' stomach fluttered with excitement. Aquarius was one of his most compatible signs, so that was a good start. "And your Moon Sign?"

"Pisces."

He tried not to let the disappointment show on his face. Nowhere on his chart did it say he should look for someone with a Pisces Moon Sign. "What about your Ascendant?"

James froze in anticipation, hoping for Lily to say one of the four options. Two of three compatible signs would make them a decent match.

"Virgo."

His stomach sank. One out of three matching signs wasn't ideal. Sure, it could work, but it meant that Lily wouldn't be his perfect partner. If he were to believe the stars, there was someone else out there that was better suited to him, and he wasn't sure if he wanted that to be true.

"Are you okay?" asked Lily.

James tried his best to smile and mask his fallen expression. He was okay; he just really wished Lily's astrological signs were fully compatible with his, but he didn't feel like he could tell her that. At least not straight-up.

"Do you believe in all of this?" he asked instead.

"Divination?"

"Yeah, but more specifically, this birth chart stuff. Do you believe that this should determine your future? Your personality, your jobs, and who you should be with?"

"Who I should be with?" she asked, her eyes moving to his parchment. She was squinting, and James wondered if she was trying to read his chart. "What are your signs?"

He hesitated before answering. What if she really did believe in all of it, and learning how lukewarm their compatibility was just turned her away? He knew he couldn't get away without telling her, so he took a deep breath and responded. "Aries, Aries, Libra."

Lily didn't say anything at first, and the pit grew in James' stomach the longer she was quiet.

"Lily?" he asked after she'd been silent for a few seconds too long for comfort. "What do you believe?"

"Honestly?" she said. "I believe it's a load of rubbish. At least I hope it is. What about you?"

He felt a wave of relief at her words. "Good. I think it's rubbish too, and I hope we're right."

She smiled at him, and he grinned back, the heat rising to his cheeks. They turned to their essays and began writing again. There was a little bounce in their quills, a mark of the excitement between two teenagers who just — sort of — admitted something big.

James felt better knowing that whatever his birth chart said about his future, his choices did matter. Sure, the stars might have a plan for him, but if they didn't involve the cute Aquarius beside him, he'd happily choose not to believe any of it.

[athenabehavioralhealth]

High Job Stress increases Risk of Mental Disorders in Professionals

Long working hours, the pressure to meet the hovering deadlines, and the necessity of managing both the home and the workspace are the basic requirements of any job in the current times. As a result, individuals tend to work for over 60 hours a week against the ideal 40-45 hours a week bringing a lot of stress unto them, leading to deterioration of their mental health.

As per the statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), about 7.5 percent Indians suffer from a mental health condition. Further, it is predicted that by the end of 2023, more than 20 percent of the Indian population, that is, 56 million Indians will suffer from depression. For such a huge burden of depression, India today has only 4000 professionals to help them.

According to experts, when professionals are required to spend more hours at their jobs, they are left with very little or no time for personal care and development. The lack thereof, can trigger the development of serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Consequently, it is not only the individuals themselves who bear the brunt of the stress, but also the companies and organizations in turn, as they report a loss of productivity due to higher rate of absenteeism caused by increasing mental health issues. Even if the employees are forced to attend office despite their mental illness, they are not able to concentrate or work which further translates into loss of productive man days.

Therefore, it is important to provide such professionals with mandatory benefits such as more paid vacation days and monthly mental health checkups to combat stress and depressive symptoms, thereby promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Making workplace mental health

Stress at workplace is inevitable; however, it is possible to manage the levels of stress. In general, a job becomes stressful due to poor managerial and workplace practices, excessive workloads which demand to do more with less, and interpersonal conflicts. They, individually, or in combination, become a potential trigger for development or worsen the existing mental disorder. Since the situation is more or less the same in every organization, changing jobs is not the solution.

Organizational contribution

Amidst all this, it is important for the companies to incorporate proper employee engagement programs with special attention given to mental health care of the employees. Efforts should be made to ensure equal distribution of work among the employees to avoid overburdening an individual. Further, steps like planning the workflow and deciding short-term goals rather than aiming to hit the final target, can also help in reducing the amount of stress on the professionals. Additionally, providing sufficient vacations, leaves, and timely mental health checks can encourage the individuals to work in a stress-free environment.

Meanwhile, as an individual, professionals can create a timetable to prioritize their work, structure the flow and set end-of-the-day targets to avoid over piling of work and the resultant stress.

Further, office spaces and the management should be open and welcoming to listen to employee grievances and grasp any discrepancy in mental health that the employee might be facing. Although it should not be necessary for an employee to share their mental illness with the management, however, they should be given the flexibility to take leaves or breaks to recover from the condition.

Road to recovery

Mental illnesses are complex conditions and are often misunderstood by others. Also, the existing stigmas and taboos associated with mental disorders further makes it difficult for others to get the true picture, thereby also discouraging them from taking appropriate steps to address the concern. However, treating mental disorders is as essential as curing any physical ailment.

Mental disorders can be treated with proper medical intervention that includes medication, therapies or combination of both, depending on the severity and duration of the condition as determined by the clinical assessment. Therefore, if you, or your loved one is suffering from any mental health condition, or experiencing any of the symptoms, you can seek help from Athena Behavioral Health. You can call at our 24/7 helpline number +91 9289086193 and email at info@athenabhs.com or chat with our experts to know about the programs available at mental health treatment centers.

Also Read:

Things People with OCD Should Be Aware of?

How Mindfulness can Help Overcome Alcohol Addiction?

Understanding the Principles of the 12-Step Treatment Program

Things that Are Normal for Schizophrenics But Weird for Others

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

September 28, 2021

Heather Cox Richardson

Today, the fight over the debt ceiling continued. As Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that breaching the debt ceiling would delay Social Security payments and military paychecks, as well as jeopardizing the status of the U.S. dollar as the international reserve currency, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) offered Senate Republicans “a way out” from having to participate in raising the ceiling, despite the fact that the Republicans had added $7.8 trillion to the now-$28 trillion debt during Trump’s term. Schumer asked for unanimous consent to pass a debt ceiling increase with a simple majority that the Democrats could provide alone.

Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked the effort. “There is no chance, no chance the Republican conference will go out of our way to help Democrats conserve their time and energy, so they can resume ramming through partisan socialism as fast as possible,” he said.

It is hard to escape the conclusion that McConnell is deliberately running out Congress’s clock, and it is hard to ignore that the big item on the Senate’s agenda is the Freedom to Vote Act, which Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Angus King (I-ME) have worked to hammer out in place of the voting rights bills passed by the House.

The Freedom to Vote Act protects the right to vote. It also bans partisan gerrymandering.

States have already begun to carve up districts based on the 2020 census numbers. The Texas legislature, for one, has gerrymandered its state—one that is imperative for the Republicans to hold for the 2024 presidential election—to protect Republicans and underrepresent Black and Latino voters, who tend to vote Democratic. (Growth in the Latino population is what gave the state two new representatives.) If Texas redistricting is completed by November 15, the candidate filing period will end on December 13. At that point, after candidates have filed according to established district lines, it will be significantly harder for courts to overturn those lines before the 2022 election.

So if McConnell can tie up Democrats over the absolutely must-pass debt ceiling increase and can stave off a voting rights bill, Republican gerrymandering might well survive for the 2022 election.

Indeed, the political news out of Washington must all be read with an eye to the 2022 election, including the other big story from today: the testimony of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and General Kenneth F. McKenzie, commander of the U.S. Central Command, in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Before his testimony, Milley submitted a statement that was quietly remarkable. A highly decorated career soldier, Milley was appointed by former president Trump and, after making the mistake of walking with Trump across Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square in June 2020 for the former president’s ill-received photo-op with a Bible, has become a principled and outspoken advocate for the military’s defense of the United States Constitution, even, when necessary, against domestic enemies.

In his statement, Milley laid out the course of the war in Afghanistan. He noted that in 20 years there, more than 800,000 U.S. military personnel served; 2,461 were killed in action, 20,698 were wounded, and countless others came home with internal scars. Milley expressed his opinion that their service in Afghanistan prevented another attack on America from terrorists based there.

Then Milley talked of our exit from the country, emphasizing that it is a mistake to focus only on our rushed exit in August. In 2011, we began a long-term drawdown of troops from their peak of 97,000 U.S. troops and 41,000 NATO troops. On February 29, 2020, when the Trump administration signed an agreement with the Taliban, there were 12,600 U.S. troops, 8,000 NATO troops, and 10,500 contractors in Afghanistan. With that agreement, known as the Doha Agreement, we agreed to withdraw if the Taliban met seven conditions that would lead to a deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban, while we agreed to eight conditions.

Milley wrote that the Taliban honored only one of its seven required conditions: it did not attack U.S. personnel. It did not cut ties to al Qaeda, and it significantly increased, rather than decreased, its attacks on Afghan civilians. Nonetheless, in the 8 months after the agreement, “we reduced US military forces from 12,600 to 6,800, NATO forces from 8,000 to 5,400 and US contractors from 9,700 to 7,900….”

On November 9, 2020, six days after the presidential election, Milley and then–Secretary of Defense Mark Esper recommended stopping the withdrawal until the Taliban met the required conditions. Two days later, on November 11, then-president Trump ordered the military to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by January 15, 2021. Blindsided, military officers were able to talk Trump out of that rushed timetable, but on November 17, Trump ordered Milley to reduce troop levels to 2,500 no later than January 15.

So, when President Biden took office, only about 3,500 U.S. troops, 5,400 NATO troops, and 6,300 contractors were still in Afghanistan, leaving him with the problem that he would have either to leave altogether or to put in more troops in anticipation of resumed hostilities with the Taliban. Biden ordered a review of the situation and ultimately decided to withdraw from the country altogether.

Milley went on to explain some of the issues that have preoccupied pundits. He said he saw no predictions that the Afghan Army would melt away in 11 days. “The speed, scale and scope of the collapse was a surprise.” He said that holding the Bagram air base would have required 5,000–6,000 additional troops and that staying on after the August 31 deadline would have required 15,000–20,000 more troops, who would have faced significant risks, including the likelihood of casualties. “While it was militarily feasible,” he wrote, “we assessed the cost to be extraordinarily high…. Therefore, we unanimously recommended that the military mission be transitioned on 31 August to a diplomatic mission in order to get out the remaining American citizens.” In response to a question from Senator King, Milley put it more clearly: “On the first of September, we were going to go to war again with the Taliban. Of that there was no doubt.”

In short, Milley’s statement was a clear explanation of the last year and a half of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, and it placed the blame for the messy withdrawal largely on Trump, rather than Biden, despite Milley's own advice to Biden that the new president keep in place the troops remaining there when he took office.

But that did not reflect the questioning of the Republicans on the committee. They focused not on finding out about the failures—or successes—of our time in Afghanistan, but on attacking Milley himself. Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank noted that the Republicans “assassinated his character and impugned his patriotism, accusing him of aiding the enemy and of placing his own vanity before the lives of the men and women serving under him.” Milley explained that recent reports of his having communicated with his Chinese counterpart to assure him the U.S. would not attack in the last day's of Trump's term were incomplete: he was authorized to do so by law, did so with the knowledge and advice of Esper and other administration officials, and made the calls with a significant number of people in the room.

Nonetheless, Republicans berated him, often not permitting him to respond. They seemed to be following the pattern established at hearings during the Trump administration of creating sound bites for later right-wing media stories. In this case, though, there is a deeper story: they are continuing the right-wing media’s undermining of the military officers who defended our Constitution.

The Republicans accused Milley of working with “the Chinese Communist Party” and leaking “private conversations with the president.” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) suggested that Milley was personally responsible for the deaths of the 13 personnel killed in the last days of the Afghanistan evacuation and told him: “General, I think you should resign.”

It’s hard to miss the mechanics and narratives being set up for 2022.

“I have served this Nation for 42 years,” Milley wrote in his statement. “I’ve spent years in combat and buried a lot of my troops who died while defending this country. My loyalty to this Nation, its people, and the Constitution hasn’t changed and will never change as long as I have a breath to give. My loyalty is absolute.”

Notes:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcconnell-stops-schumers-latest-attempt-raise-debt-ceiling-limit/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/texas-republicans-redistricting-proposal/

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/14/1036812609/senate-democrats-offer-a-new-voting-bill-but-a-gop-filibuster-likely-blocks-the-

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/2022-state-primary-election-dates-and-filing-deadlines.aspx

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/14/politics/woodward-costa-book-trump-afghanistan-memo/index.html

https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Printed%2028%20Sep%20SASC%20CJCS%20Written%20Statement.pdf

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/28/mark-milley-senate-hawley-blackburn/

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[educationtimesblog]

CONTROL YOUR ANGER

Ms. Aanam Verma  | Head of Department | Asst. Professor Biological Sciences  |  CPSM College of Education | Gurugram

HOW TO CONTROL YOUR ANGER  | ANGER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES | TIPS TO OVERCOME ANGER

Most people get upset simply because they don't know what to do when they experience anger in their daily life. Sometimes aggressive behaviour may get their needs met in the short-term, but there are long term consequences. Your words might cause lasting damage to the relationship or even lead to its demise. So here by, I will like to share some simple tips how to tackle the ghost of ANGER.

When calm, express the anger

As soon as your thoughts are clear, express your frustration in an assertive but non-confrontational way. You must state your concern and needs in a direct and clear way, without hurting others or trying to control them.

Physical Activities

Physical activity like yoga, stretching, aerobic exercises reduces stress which is the cause root of your anger. Neck rolls and Shoulder rolls are good examples of nonstrenuous yoga like movements, which controls your body and harness your emotions. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run, or do some enjoyable physical activities like cycling, hit a few golf ball, playing your favourite  game.

Relaxation Exercises

There are many relaxation exercises but the key is to find the one that works best for you. Breathing exercises and Progressive muscle relaxation are two common strategies for reducing tension. Your breathing becomes shallower and speeds up as you grow angry. Reverse that trend  by taking slow, deep breath from your nose and exhaling out of your mouth for several moments. In Progressive muscle relaxation, try to tense and relax slowly your different muscle groups in your body, one at a time, along with slow deliberate breathe. Eg. Closing tightly & relaxing your fist along with breathe in & out respectively. You can use kids small smiley ball too. Stress balls are also available in the market. Relaxation exercises take practice. At first, you might feel as they are not effective, but with practice, they will.

Warning signs

Be alert & aware of the emerging signs of anger like fast heart beat, red & hot face, clenching of fist, unable to think properly etc., so that you can take control and prevent it to reach the boiling point. 

 Identify Triggers

Take stock of things that trigger your anger like traffic jams, sarcastic comments, messy room, work not at time etc. You must structure your day differently and prevent the triggers to take place. 

Be aware of your feelings

Think critically what real emotions are lurking beneath your anger. Sometimes anger act as a mask to protect you from more painful emotions like embarrassment or disappointment. Acknowledging underlying right emotion can help you to get the root cause of problem. For an example, if someone cancels a plan on which you were so excited, chances are you rush in anger but underlying emotion is disappointment, so you can explain your feelings of disappointment instead of making the scene. Be honest with your feelings, then only you can resolve the issue. Responding in anger just push people away.

 Keep your mouth shut 

When you are provoked, you may speak rubbish, which will worse the situation rather than any positive result. So, in an argument tightly close your lips as they are pasted. This will help you to take time to collect your thoughts and respond in a mature way.

Repeat a mantra

                                                          When your temper flares, repeat a mantra or calming word or phrase, that will help you to calm down and refocus. Repeat that word again and again to yourself when you are upset. ‘Relax’, ‘take it easy’, ‘you will be o.k’ or ‘everything will be fine’ are good examples.

Picture a stop sign

 The universal symbol to stop can help you calm down when you are angry. It’s a quick way to help you visualise the need to halt yourself, your actions and walk away from the moment. You can put any symbol on your back of your hand which will remind you to STOP & control your anger.

Find a creative channel

You can turn your anger into a tangible production. Consider digital creativity, painting, writing poetry or journal when you feel upset. What you can't say,  perhaps you can write. Jot down what you are feeling and how you want to respond. Processing it through the written words can help you calm down and reassess the events, increases understanding and more possible solutions. Emotions are powerful muscles for creative individuals. Use yours to reduce anger.

Practice Imagination

                                                                                                                       Just step into a close room, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in a relaxing scene. Focus on the details of the imaginary scene. Colour of shedding leaves.... movement of water….brightness of the rising sun etc. This practice can give you calmness, peace, serenity and of course strength.

Keep a calm down kit

Make collection of objects which helps to engage all your senses. When you can see, hear, smell and touch the calming things you can change your emotional state. So, prepare a calm down kit which may include scented hand lotion, an image  of serene landscape or any relaxing scene, Audio- Video spiritual passage or quotes, a few pieces of your favourite candy. Just include all those things that you know will help you to remain calm. You can create a Portable calm down kit  that you can take anywhere. For example, calming music  and images, guided meditation or instructions for breathing exercises etc. to be stored in a special folder on your smartphone. Keep your bag loaded with hand lotion, perfumed wipes & candies.

Change the focus

The best way to calm down is to change the focus immediately on something else. It’s better to distract yourself with an activity. Do something that requires your focus and makes more challenging for negative thoughts to creep in. For an Example, organising the wardrobe, deep cleaning the kitchen, weeding the garden, sign a petition, write a note to an official etc. Pour your energy and emotions into something thats healthy and productive which keeps your mind occupied and won’t able to ruminate on the things upsetting you. 

Listen Music

Let the music carry you away from your frustrated feelings. Put on your earbuds, move to the park or drive the car and listen your favourite music, humming & bopping your anger away.

Countdown

Feeling angry, countdown up to 10. If your anger touching the peak, start slow backward count. By the time you count, your heart rate becomes slow, and your anger subsides slowly. 

Sharing with a friend

Instead of whirling in the episodes that made you angry, you must have a long talk with a friend who is trustful, understands you and your all perspectives and also help you to get rid of the problem. 

Write a letter or Email

Write a letter or email expressing all the events, even minute emotions which made you angry. After that, delete it. This will help you to release the suppressed emotions and make you at ease. 

Rehearse your response

Rehearse what & how you are going to say when the same type problem approaches you. This rehearsal period  gives you chance to role play all the  solutions coming to your mind.

Practice empathy

Fit in other persons shoes and see the situation from their angle. When you narrate a story according to their perspective, you may gain a new understanding and can overpower your anger. Think like a scientist, not a lawyer

Feel the anger but avoid action

In anger person loses judgement and problem solving skills which makes him rigid & blunt. Ambrose Bierce rightly said “speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret”. Anger drives us to aggress , confront,  take revenge and retaliate. It’s better to go to bed  angry, before sending angry email  keep it for few days, just walk away when fight arises.

Self reflection

Some person are proud of their anger. Even they achieved nothing, they experience a warm inner glow of self satisfaction .They believe they have accomplished something tough, powerful and righteous. But that's not.  One must see or hear himself in anger once in life. Tennis great  Roger Federer  who was a racket smashing brat in his junior years, was watching himself throwing tantrums on TV that put him off of it throughout the life. 

Take care of yourself 

Factors like alcohol, pain, fatigue, stress, sickness, unmet drives like hunger, thirst, lust, etc. act as a fuel to anger. Reduce these variables as much as possible. Take proper sleep, make routine timetable, take some time off, streamline your week, delegate, relax, and have nutrition rich diet. 

Stick with ”I”statements

Criticizm or blame game will always  increase tension. So, use ‘I’ statements while presenting the problem. Keep in mind to be specific and warm. Example say ‘I don’t feel good when you leave the table without keeping the plate in sink’ instead of saying ‘you never help in housework.

Take short breaks

Give self short breaks during stressful or overloaded days. A few moments of quiet time will help you feel better, focused and prepare you to handle what’s ahead without getting irritated or angry.

Work on solutions

Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand. Always remind yourself that anger won’t fix anything and might only make it worse.  

Forgiveness

Learn to Forgive. If your anger overpower your positive side, you find yourself dipped in bitter & poisonous fluid. But by forgiving someone who made you upset will make both of you to learn from the situation and strengthen your relationship. If it finds hard to forgive the person who has done wrong to you then imagine to forgive him. This way your anger slip away.

Evaluation of anger

Analyse  whether your anger is a friend or an enemy. If you see your right is being violated, you are suffering an unhealthy situation or emotionally abusive toxic relationship, then your anger can do justice. Here, you can change the situation rather than changing your emotional state. Anger gives you the strenghth & courage to take a stand and make the right  change. Another case, if your anger is enemy, it will destroy your healthy relationships and make you upset. So, evaluate your anger is positive or negative for you.

Humor, the best medicine

Lightening the situation can diffuse the tension. Humor can give you insight that what’s making you angry or having any unrealistic expectations. Avoid sarcastic comments, it only hurt the feelings and also make situation worse. Diffuse your anger by looking for ways to laugh, whether playing with your kids, watching  stand - up, or comedy movie. 

Gratitude

End of the day, always be thankful to life, what positive things it has given you, even under hard situations. Just ignore the negative part and enrich more with gratitude for right things in your life. Anger will get no attention & will try to eliminate automatically from your life.

Know when to seek help

Learning to control anger is a big challenge. Seek help or consult a psychologist if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do more harmful things you regret. 

Aanam Verma

[empyreal-insights]

Border Jumping: In It, Not Of It

{Border Jumping, part 1}  .  Esthero, one of my favorite singer/songwriters, posted a song on IG, “Great Version of Me”:  

They say I’ve got “spark”  They say I’ve got “magic” They say I’ve got all the things that I need, and if I want it, I have it

They say I’ve got heart And a light that surrounds it, but I’m lost in the dark Did you happen to notice? 

I need something good to happen to me ‘Cause I can’t stop drowning When will I feel like all the things they see?  When will I be this “great” version of me? 

I’ve tried so hard, tried to live it and own it Kept staring ahead, pretended how great things have been going

But I’ll let you in on my intimate moments:  I feel alone Mostly, I feel forgotten I need something good to happen to me ‘Cause I can’t stop drowning When will I feel like all the things they see? When will I be this “great” version of me?

‘Cause I can’t go back And I’m scared to move When will I feel like all the things they see in me? When will I live so gracefully?  When will I have what’s coming to me? 

I need something great to happen I wanna meet this great version of me. 

Wanna meet her so bad Great version of me

I spent a lot of time fighting against myself because of this feeling. Here’s some of what I learned when I was dancing between breaking down and breaking through.  

Find Your (Higher) Power I’ve tried so hard, tried to live it and own it Kept staring ahead, pretended how great things have been going But I’ll let you in on my intimate moments: I feel alone Mostly, I feel forgotten

I know folks have issues with God. But if you’re resonating with this message, understand that you’ll require a relationship with Source / a Higher Power / Creative Force (1). 

If you can’t wrap your head around having faith in the concept of a God-Force, the next best thing is to master some form of energetic literacy through mindfulness, tai chi, meditation, martial arts, pranic healing, reiki, or a similar methodology. 

Do not intellectualize this. You can start with a book or two, but eventually you need to choose something, then find someone that can teach you how to do it. You must learn to see Energy as barometer, master key, and mother tongue.

Why? Because your lessons, blessings, and karmic resolution are meant to play out between you and Source, with a thin veil between you and some of the "typical” human experiences (2). Energetic literacy gives you the language to stay in communion with Source, and this relationship will sustain you when people will not or cannot. 

Go With Your Flow  When will I feel like all the things they see in me?  When will I live so gracefully?  When will I have what’s coming to me?

You can’t move like everyone else. You’re on a whole other timetable - one that more closely mirrors the spiritual world. I realize that in some western spiritualities this can translate to a commitment to austerity or asceticism, which I clearly reject.  

While in this process, it helps to be able to soothe and comfort yourself on demand, in the healthiest ways you can manage. There’s enough to figure out without adding deprivation to the list. 

Also, don’t feel like you have to be happy all the time. Create space to cry, wail, grieve, and lament. The song that inspired this is a perfect example. I write. You might make art. Just make sure the pain passes through. Don’t dwell in it - that’s how you start to feel stuck.  

Chironically wounded shadow workers - those of us that long to fit in and experience the belonging others take for granted - often never asked to be set apart, but we keep finding ourselves in that position (3). Acceptance eases some of the loneliness and gives us the patience to wait our turn.      

The good news: you are exquisitely protected. Respect that. Don’t chase people who leave; don’t force yourself into incompatible spaces; don’t beg to be understood. 

This is why your relationship with Source is nonnegotiable - you need to know exactly who and what is working in your life, where They're guiding you, what to avoid, and how to call upon and respect that Power when necessary. Acting in accordance with this understanding will help your life move more effortlessly.  

Be Grateful  I need something good to happen to me ‘Cause I can’t stop drowning When will I feel like all the things they see? When will I be this “great” version of me?

You know how the spiritual folks talk about being thankful for every little thing? Do that. 

When you're hollowed out from that weeping and wailing? Take a breath (or a nap), then give thanks.

To live long enough to get all the good things waiting for you - ‘cause some of us blossom well after 35 (4) - you must learn to cling to gratitude as if you’re dangling off a cliff and help is at least 30 seconds away. 

The good things are happening, will continue to happen. You may not have everything you want, but do you have most of what you need? Thank what sustains you: food (say grace), pets, friends, plants...whatever you have. You must learn to see the joy along the way because our despair can be fatal.  

Again, it’s natural to feel anger, frustration, jealousy, and whatever else. Observe it, resolve it, and keep it moving. Be as human as you need to be in any given moment, but always, always, always return to gratitude. 

Welcome Your Awakening They say I’ve got “spark”  They say I’ve got “magic”  They say I’ve got all the things that I need, and if I want it, I have it

They say I’ve got heart And a light that surrounds it, but I’m lost in the dark Did you happen to notice?

Yes, I noticed. You’re not crazy or arrogant for realizing that you’re different. Your energy's legit, that's why people react to it so definitively. 

Accept that reactivity is often the limit of human capacity. They’ll be fascinated, dazzled, but fall short of being able to hold you, love you, or define you. 

But soon - after some dark days and some unbelievably beautiful ones - it won’t hurt so much. You’ll know where to receive comfort, love, and understanding. You’ll discover your work, your people, your place, and that great version of you. 

...

(1) Source is becoming a preferred term when sharing these thoughts because (a) the name Osun, one of my primary deities, derives from a Yoruba word meaning, “the source,” (b) I have a deep relationship with water, which is considered a/the source of life - perhaps the most important after air itself, and ( c ) it feels less loaded and/or culturally specific than “God.” Your parents - most especially your mother - can be considered your Source. Food, clothing, shelter... sources of survival. That, in my opinion, is the kind of emotional connection and relationship that allows us to interact and commune with the Divine in the most intimate, healing, healthy, and hopeful ways. 

(2) Certain aspects of Hindu and Buddhist philosophy have an intricate way of explaining why some are meant to perpetuate the needs and desires of daily / cyclical human life, while others are meant to work and live more closely with Source. I use these as examples because certain texts and concepts within these traditions have been translated and interpreted for a western audience over the last 40-50 years, and may be more immediately accessible than other ideologies. If you go for the ancient texts first, just know you’ll need to filter through what I call the “human shit” (sexism, politics of the era) to get to the underlying truths that can help you deepen your spiritual practices. (sidebar: I think this is what those “caste” systems were SUPPOSED to be about - interpreting the flow of human life and integrating our unique, personal destinies into an overarching social construct, not oppression and domination. But, humans love a hierarchy.)

(3) In contrast to the “fuck the world” cynics, loners, or folks with outsized egos willful enough to claim places they didn’t earn. And, hell, that energy has its place. They seem to have it easier, right? But we’re all prone to thinking the grass is greener where we don’t have to water it. 

(4) Why do you think elder-ship is revered in so many pre-colonial / indigenous cultures? Youth has its advantages, but most of us have to grow into ourselves, and that takes time. Even when you’re blessed with precocious emotional intelligence, there are some things you only learn through living. Allow yourself the grace to move through life at your divine pace.

[bigskydreaming]

Have you read Nightwing 71 yet? Sorry if I spoiler anything, but Ric was "groomed" "manipulated" and "brainwashed" by owls and, he IS now. I mean, AGAIN. Wow. Does DC ever know that Dick(or Ric) has his own character and personality and he is human, not tool ready to be used whenever or whoever needs? I am getting sick of this Ric grayson the free real estate BS.

I just read it now and its what I was expecting to happen but somehow it played out even worse than I was prepared for. There’s one line in particular that I don’t want to spoil in case any followers still care about that book being spoiled in terms of specific/detailed spoilers at this point, but something the Joker says to Dick near the end of the issue just makes this soooooooo much worse IMO than just another brainwashing for him. 

But I mean, lbr here. This isn’t the Church of Blood or even the Court of Owls messing with Dick’s mind this time. Literally playing God with his entire sense of self and view of reality. Its the Joker. 

The. JOKER.

This has officially pushed this story arc over even my disdain for the Forever Evil mess, and as far as I’m concerned, the rest of the Batfam should be BEGGING for his forgiveness after all this is said and done, no matter what he ends up doing while under the Joker’s control. I’m honestly going to just skip any fic that attempts to conclude or follow-up from this arc with anything other than the Batfam ALL busting their fucking asses off to do the work this time and put TIME and EFFORT into getting him to trust them or even want them around again at this point, because anything less than that will just leave me steaming at this point. 

Literally the ONLY thing I want to read right now is a fic where someone in his family figures out ON THEIR OWN, LIKE ACTUAL DETECTIVES that no one who has had his mind and agency violated and disregarded as often as he has - just that they even KNOW of - could possibly be alright, and so based off of even just plain simple logic he can not possibly be alright, and so could one of them just fucking SHOW UP for him, and not to try to fix him according to what THEY think he needs but just to be there and ask what HE needs? 

Where they make themselves a resource rather than them the knight in shining armor to his damsel in distress? Where they let it be about HIM instead of it being about them avenging him or them putting him back together or them protecting him or them somehow ending up more front and center and making more of the choices in-story than he gets to even though its supposed to be about him?

Like....just a story where the Batfam doesn’t have to wait until he has a literal breakdown before realizing he’s not okay and hasn’t been for a long time.  Where they look at the LONG string of times none of them have been there when he needed someone, and ask themselves WHY it is that they all expect him to be present and accounted for whenever they need him but none of them ever seem to be around when he could use a hand - even though they all always pretty much know exactly where to find him.....like, he’s the only hero in Bludhaven. They know this. Everyone knows this. 

Like, its not that hard to google “is shit going down in Bludhaven this week y/n” and drive half an hour when they hear his circus just got burned to the ground AGAIN or his apartment building was just blown up or there are four randos running around in his old costumes or the local crime lord just hired a dozen major assassins to all try and bring him Nightwing’s head.

Or his evil dead grandpa who last we saw was being handed over to Bruce’s custody BY Dick himself is somehow out on the loose again, why aren’t his family putting bets on where Rob Zombie’s bound to end up at some point - oh yeah, watching him through his window all creeperlike - I mean, I know their dad’s a billionaire but that’s just easy money. When a dude whose obsession is as hard to kill off as he is and with the backing and resources of a whole secret society of rich fucks who all think Dick’s destiny is to dance on the end of their strings, like when they all show a tendency to keep coming back like cockroaches no matter how many times they get stomped, what’s the best proactive approach to being prepared for the next time? 

Oh right, leave the sole focus of their constant attempts at abduction/manipulation/brainwashing completely isolated, alone and defenseless without even the memory of why he shouldn’t trust someone who shows up claiming to be his great-grandfather even when he actually turns out to be the real deal.....’see, its not that he’s lying about who he is, its that who he is happens to be evil.”

Seriously. HOW is this a family of geniuses??

HOW is fandom so often convinced its DICK who’s the dumbass out of all of them, when this is their brains on “oh no, Dick’s not here to tell us what to do while we bitch at him for it.’

Imagine fics where someone in Dick’s family looks at the HUGE number of holes in their knowledge of his life.....the periods of long stretches of time where NONE of them were in contact with him and thus have ANY idea what might have happened to their infamously-tightlipped-about-when-bad-things-happen-to-him brother/son without them knowing about it.....and wonder...hey, what DID happen to him during those times and isn’t it weird and WORRISOME that he’s never volunteered any info about those periods and we’ve never ASKED?

Aka the years he was estranged from Bruce because Bruce couldn’t pull his head out of his ass long enough to apologize to Dick for firing him and then turning around and hiring a new kid who gets the Wayne adoption AND the Grayson family name that were BOTH kept or taken from Dick when he was still pretty much just a kid himself.

Or the long months Dick spent infiltrating the mobs and then the Society of Supervillains when he was Coping Badly after everything that happened to him in Bludhaven, both what they know of and whatever else they don’t know of that could’ve been driving him back then....driving him straight into the company of VILLAINS rather than them.

Or literally anything that happened to him while he was working undercover by himself for the highly dangerous and infamous spy agency that also tried to take over his brain (PS - how many people don’t know that the ultimate resolution of the Grayson series, the endgame, was Dick battling the main villain for control over his own mind, because guess the villain’s plans for him were? Oh yeah, to be his new host body when he downloaded his consciousness into Dick’s body and kicked Dick’s consciousness to the curb. LOLOL. Ah yes. Everybody wants Dick Grayson - just without the parts that actually MAKE him Dick Grayson.)

Etc, etc, ad nauseam.

Everybody talks endlessly about how Dick Grayson is a people person and the heart of the family and his teams and nobody thinks twice about the fact that this is the same person who is so infamously often left on his own to his own devices battling the worst of the worst and everybody thinks oh he’s fiiiiiiiiiine. Like, I’m not actually sold on the idea that Dick is an extrovert rather than an introvert vs he just fakes being an extrovert very well....but what does it say that everybody ASSUMES Dick is this huge extrovert and yet.....it never occurs to them to seek HIM out and surround HIM with the people that supposedly an extrovert like him should need to recharge and recover after enduring shit like he does?

How about instead of a million fics where Dick’s agency is ignored yet again so the Batfam can dramatically find out about his rapes whether he likes it or not, and insert THEIR idea of what should happen next/how he should deal.....how about fics where he TELLS one of them or all of them about these or other events that have happened to him, on HIS timetable, of his OWN volition....because he WANTS to? Because he’s READY? Because he honestly believes it’ll help him to tell them, that they’ll be there for him, he TRUSTS this....because they’ve already done the work of proving to him they will or giving him reason to believe they will....rather than just leaving him with no other choice?

Just....

Think about how often Dick’s casually referred to as the glue that holds the family together or the emotional heart or center of it.....

And then wonder if maybe the reason the Batfam as a whole is so fucked up....

Is because what everyone calls the HEART of it is constantly left neglected, alone, and fucked up and not taken care of, not looked after....

Like....

What tends to happen when you don’t take care of your heart? Protect it? Keep it healthy, keep it safe?

Y’die.

Your body goes stone cold. You keel over. DOA.

Hmmm.

Don’t want the Batfamily to be cold...distant....a family in name only....

MAYBE YOU SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ITS SO-CALLED HEART THEN.