#i am very susceptible to people who want to teach me interesting things

[blackmosscupcakes]

Playing Inquisition for the first time AFTER Veilguard makes things real interesting.

Solas I will study you like a bug. 👀

(also featuring my extremely sensible and normal sleep schedule)

[imrllytootiredforthis]

any thoughts abt yandere beomgyu or taehyun? 👀

gn!reader

warnings: yandere subs, dom reader, reader is kinda (really) mean, bully beomgyu (for beomgyu's part), bully reader (for taehyun's part), it's smut with a sub yandere so more stuff along those lines, etc.

beomgyu:

i will preach the sub bully yandere beomgyu until the day that i die-

he's such a spoiled, conceited brat that feels like he can step on anyone he deems 'deserves it' and get whatever he wants with the point of his finger

until he meets you,

who will put up with none of his bullshit, giving him none of the reaction of what he wants but maybe that's what makes him so interested in you

maybe it's the fact that he doesn't know how to deal with his emotions in a proper manner

or the fact that he's head over heels for you but doesn't know how to show it other than jeering at you in the hallways, calling you names as you walk by

but he quickly realizes that maybe you're not the best person to try to torment (pt.1 and pt.2 of previous bully!beomgyu)

because as mean as he can be, he knows you can be so much meaner than him

but maybe he likes that a little too much

even after all that he continues his little games, seeing just how far he can go, just how far he can piss you off until you're on him, making him 'regret ever being such a little bitch'-his words, not yours

he starts rumours about you, nasty ones that you can't seem to shake from the others susceptible to his influence

they'll believe anything he tells the, all because he has a pretty face and a self-acclaimed big dick

(which is, admittedly, partially true but you'd never tell him or anyone else that)

it would be a shock to anyone, really,

that beomgyu,

the guy who badmouths and bullies you on a daily basis,

tripping you in the halls and sticking crude things to your locker, causing problems and pointing the finger in your direction.

no would suspect that he,

is nothing but a whore on his knees for you behind closed doors, willing to do anything and everything for you to call him a few names.

that he sits on his knees on the tile floor of the dirty bathrooms after school, long after people have left for the day but not late enough that there won't be a few who've stayed behind for whatever other reason

that he gets off to this very idea, face red with the humiliation of it all.

moaning and whining under the eyes of the once again beomgyu - acclaimed 'school slut', fisting his cock as he desperately tries to get off,

begging, pleading with you to just touch him, just please, please, please bring him some relief.

you only roll your eyes, tugging his head back by his hair.

and he loves the fact all too much that he can see the anger that's been simmering in your eyes for weeks finally bubble to the surface. the sadistic mean side that you keep hidden from everyone else

"and why should i touch you?" your voice is a sneer that makes his cock throb in his hand. "because i'm a whore who slept with the teacher to get good grades?"

his eyes are wide, needy, greedy.

he's too used to getting whatever he wants. he's too used to people falling to their knees around him just because he's a rich boy with a pretty face.

"just, didn't want anyone else to want you-" he pants, your fingers threading through the all too soft strands of his hair. "you're mine."

"No."

he lets out a yelp when your shoe nudges against his dick,

rough and so fucking dirty but it's you and you're finally, finally touching him

you need to teach him a lesson.

"i'm not yours. and you're fucking dumb if you think i am."

one that he won't forget

"because why would i be if i was just a 'good fuck' but had some weird kinks." you laugh dryly, remembering the glint in his eyes as he stared you down, whispers formulating all around the hall about you and him.

"the irony, that you're spread out on the ground of the bathroom floor like some kind of dog, panting and begging for a treat from me? calling you a pathetic whore? and i'm the one with the weird kinks here."

you scoff

"you wish i let your pathetic dick anywhere near me, much less fuck me down into a mattress."

he can barely focus on what you're saying,

only on the feeling of your foot grinding down onto him.

he should find this demeaning,

disgusting,

wrong.

he should shove you away and get the fuck out of here with whatever decency he has left.

but he doesn't have any.

he enjoys this more than he could ever shamelessly admit, being here under your mercy

forced to be down onto his knees, stepping down on his dick as you degrade him

he could never say it aloud

but it isn't that hard to see from body language alone

the way he looks up at you with hearts in his eyes, as if you're some kind of god, blessing him with your very presence

adoration

and awe

and pure and utter love.

every cruel word dripping from your lips like honeyed venom, making his heart beat faster and his cock throb harder.

"you're fucking disgusting."

his hands fly around to grip onto your thighs, fingers digging into the fabric of your pants,

eyes lidding in bliss

"imagine if they could all see you now, spread out like this. would they idolize you then?"

he could lie and say that he didn't like it when you pulled his head back, fingers pressing into his jaw to open his mouth up,

before spitting on his tongue.

be it would be so obviously a lie.

he could also lie and say that he didn't go dumb at the taste of your saliva on his tongue, swirling around with his own before dripping down his throat

-it's the closest he's ever gotten to actually kissing you

he could say that he didn't, embarrassingly cum all over himself from it, letting out a strangled cry as ropes of it stain onto his ridiculously expensive shirt and pants

and your shoe

all while his eyes never leave yours.

looking up at you with the devotion of being the only thing that can manage to make his heart beat this fast

"now lick it off, you dog."

taehyun:

and you know what?

for the sake of these, let's just have it the opposite way for taehyun.

mean, bully reader who taunts him all day, calling him names and cornering in the hallways.

shy, lone tae who lets it happen, his head turned down, his cheeks stained pink when you do,

you didn't even realize him in the beginning, scurrying past you when you were mean to others, laughing with your friends

but he always knew you

watching you as you disinterestedly twirled a pencil through your fingers, two seats away from his

he could say from the very beginning that you interested him far beyond what was probably appropriate-but he couldn't help himself

not when he couldn't stop thinking about you, imagining the condescending tone you used directed at him for once

that sneer on your face, the look of disgust or the sadistic smile. you were gorgeous every way.

and he couldn't even restrain himself picking up his old digital camera he'd used years ago before getting bored, blowing the dust off it

and using to take pictures of you

people noticed him a bit more after that, not by much but the big camera always present in his hands or around his neck garnered it's fair share of attention

you noticed him, finally

glanced at him out of the corner of your eye in the hall or in class, but you never fully acknowledged him, never talked him

but for awhile a few looks were enough, his pictures were enough

until they weren't.

he needed more.

he needed you to look at him.

to be mean to him.

to notice him.

and you definitely did when he seemed to trip out of nowhere right in front of you and your friends,

pictures spilling out of his bag from the impact, spreading out all of the linoleum floor for everyone to see

You.

you smiling, you laughing, you frowning and glaring and sneering.

in class, on your route home, in your home.

pictures taken through a window of you half undressing, getting into bed, eating.

you stared at the photos...

before your gaze turned to him...

with everything he'd ever wanted.

finally your sights were set on him.

the word perv was thrown around, stalker and creep.

he liked them when they were from you

but those were nothing compared to the other things you'd do to him.

things he'd do for you without a second thought.

taunts were not enough. rumours he'd done a well enough job creating on his own. the rest was left up to you to fill.

you took his camera. he hasn't seen it since.

he doesn't care.

he has something much better now.

you. in the flesh. in front of him.

you had your own name for him too.

"dog."

that was perhaps his favourite.

yours too it seemed.

you thought it fit well to him.

his eyes wide, almost puppy-like when you approach him in the hallways.

you're not supposed to be here, technically he's not supposed to either.

not a peep of protest when face to face with you,

smirking toothily as you back him up into a wall, so close your nose nearly touches his, your hand resting on the wall over his shoulder, successfully trapping him in place.

he likes this position too much, even if he squirms away from your touch.

"Do you have it?"

taehyun is the type of guy you could bully for the answers to the homework or a project, but that would be too easy

you could steal his things and beat him until you were satisfied but that would probably be easier, still

it wouldn't appease that fire curling in the pit of your stomach when you see his lip quiver and his eyes flutter with unshed tears,

coincidentally it didn't appease that masochistic side to him either, the side that liked that fire in your eye when you made him do another embarrassing act

but maybe part of him that you liked so much was the willingness he had, the devotion he had to you,

following you around like a lost puppy,

at your beck and call whenever you wanted or needed him and even when you didn't.

he sits alone in his room, staring at your contact in his phone waiting for the next time you decide you're bored and want to make his life a living hell once more

coincidentally, lighting his life up once more

in some ways he needed you

and in other ways you needed him

the power trip that it gave you, knowing he'd get down on his knees in front of you and kiss your shoes, not because he was scared of you but because he loved to do it just as much as you loved to order it

"y-yeah, i have it."

he pulls something out of his bag, holding it out to you.

a small device, nothing special but the small plus and minus on it

you smirk. and slowly you let your eyes travel down the length of his body.'

"good boy~"

was it natural to feel a chest palpitation

when you call him that?

when you look at him with those eyes?

when you're so mean to him?

why does it only make his heart flutter?

"so what happens if I..."

you click your tongue at the exact moment your slide your finger down to click the plus button up,

click,

click,

click,

his body jolts, a rush of heat spreading throughout his body.

the toy vibrates inside of him, just for you.

click,

he clenches his jaw tight, trying not to make a sound under your eyes

"too much!" he squeaks.

you tilt your head to the side.

click.

he lets out a dry sob, body trembling against the wall, shaky legs only being kept upright by your hips pinning him to the surface.

"oh baby," a finger pushes his chin up, brushing over his pulse point and adam's apple before forcing his eyes onto yours.

"don't be a wimp now~"

you move in, close and for a momentary second of bliss he thinks you'll press your lips against his and fulfill the nasty wish of being touched by his bully for all too long

his eyes fall shut, lips parted in quiet pants

but you don't come.

you only laugh.

click.

"it's only too much when i say it's too much, puppy~"

his head spins. his eyes squeeze shut harder

and suddenly he hears a different click, more of a flash if he had to place it-

-a shudder?

he pries his eyes open to see you standing there still, somehow seeming to tower above him despite being the same height.

with his camera in hand.

"look at the camera puppy~"

and so he does

he whines, glazed over eyes staring directly at the lens, the utter adoration seeping through into the photo when you eventually print this out and keep to look at whenever you want

and he pants, just like the pathetic puppy he is

but he's your puppy now

click.

a/n: :)

[sexyandhedonistic]

Reacting to and correcting the worst Law of Assumption post on Tumblr.

Hello, my loves. For sexyandhedonistic's 2nd anniversary (Sept 1st) I thought it would be fun to revisit one of my very first posts to point and laugh at as someone who was terribly misinformed when first joining the community. I have stated on multiple occasions that I have outgrown so many of my terrible beliefs and it's always such a relief to see that I know better now. Anyway, let's get into it.

The correct way to manifest

Hi again! Today I wanted to address something that I feel I should elaborate a bit more on, partially as a disclaimer and partially as something that is crucial to remember. I know plenty of newbies in the community are rendered susceptible to what different people have to say about what to do and how to do it and it creates uncertainty, self doubt and disorientation. We all know what the law of assumption is and what it means: what you assume to be true, is. This is no exception for the ways in which you feel are best to manifest. Although I strongly endorse studying Neville Goddard's work to acquire a steady foundation of what the law is and how to work with it, you don’t need to be familiar with his teachings to manifest but I will continue to be an advocate for such. That said, here’s the secret: You create the rules

I've previously stated how I feel about "you create the rules" so I won't explain again but to recap:

It doesn't make sense!

Not only for the reasons I listed in the link above but because there is a distinction between rules and principle. People often interchange the two so to them something like "I don't need to feel the wish fulfilled" may feel like a third eye-opening revolutionary take and to think otherwise is limiting because of whatever reason but when you know the law.. it really isn't. It's silly, in fact. And you know something? I would've thought this was revolutionary two years ago. It just makes sense doesn't it? If I assume I don't need to feel then that should be okay because the law of assumption means whatever you assume must be true etc etc. (Yes I was one of those people who thought loopholing the law of assumption just made sense.) Before anyone thinks I'm bringing up a really hot new idea (I don't need to feel the wish fulfilled) let me explain why that doesn't make sense:

Feeling means to accept, so what do you mean you don't need to accept something as true for it to manifest.../?!!?? You see why something like this is quite literally nonsensical? Please, pleaseeeee read about the law of assumption from someone who doesn't film themselves speaking [hint: Neville Goddard or Edward Art] before you risk looking ignorant the way I unfortunately did when I first joined this community. I cannot tell you the amount of disappointingly misinformed posts I have come across from myself and my mutuals alike ever since that I now am able to look at and feel relieved by the fact that I know way better now.

"I strongly endorse studying Neville Goddard's work to acquire a steady foundation of what the law is and how to work with it" She's always been correct about this one I'm afraid.

"You don’t need to be familiar with his teachings to manifest" This one is right and wrong. You don't need to because manifesting isn't a Neville thing and people have manifested without knowing about the law of assumption. However, if you intend to work with the law of assumption, what is a "Neville thing", and put it into practice, then yes you do need to be familiar with his teachings. It doesn't really make sense for you to be interested in something without understanding it fully and butchering it in the process, now does it? Seriously, you guys. I cannot emphasize this enough:

Read. Source. Material.

You decide what works and how it works! Objects and activities like crystals, scripting, subliminals, affirming and persisting, commanding, 555/369, vision boards, and gratitude are not imperative in order for you to manifest. There are hundreds of people out there spreading their beliefs about the law and how to do it correctly... as if it were a fact. This is why, as I've stated previously, I strongly discourage you from getting your information off of social media or simply too many sources in general because different opinions will create confusion for you (which is why sticking to a single instructor aka Father Neville who knows what he's talking about would be a good idea). Not only that, but so many people have a tendency to share their limiting beliefs which include but are not limited to: not being able to manifest physical changes or a specific person, avoiding negative words like no don't can't in affirmations, consuming any means of media that are upsetting because they'll interfere, etc. None of these beliefs are true, but if you believe that they are then they will be. You don’t need to use SATS and you don’t need to script. At the end of the day, we are manifesting 24/7 through the story we reiterate in out heads. These methods simply serve as a bolster for those who feel more comfortable and confident using them.

"You decide what works and how it works!" sjhkdfklfkhgfdksjkkla

"Objects and activities like crystals, scripting, subliminals, affirming and persisting, commanding, 555/369, vision boards, and gratitude are not imperative in order for you to manifest. " She's not wrong, but while we're on the topic of gratitude, it's literally the wish fulfilled. I used to associate gratitude with law of attraction so I wouldn't agree with it as relevant to manifesting but the more I've thought about it, it suddenly hit me that that's literally feeling the wish fulfilled because it's acceptance. When you accept, you feel grateful, do you not? Anyway, we encourage gratitude here at sexyandhedonistic.

" You don’t need to use SATS" This isn't wrong but I love the state akin to sleep so actually it is wrong.

"At the end of the day, we are manifesting 24/7 through the story we reiterate in out heads." Right. It's called consciousness is the only reality.

People think the law has certain rules and because they believe them, it becomes a truth for them. It's up to you to decide what does and doesn't work for you! There are people who can just command their subconscious mind and do nothing else. There are people who’ve manifested a literal face swap overnight. Nevertheless, whatever method you feel works best, they all come down to the same core belief and that is KNOWING it'll work.

"People think the law has certain rules and because they believe them, it becomes a truth for them." *facepalm* Okay queen let's not mix up principles and rules. Methods are something completely independent (and optional), what matters is feeling because feeling is the secret.

On another note notice how I literally never ever ever talk about the subconscious mind anymore <3 it activates my fight-or-flight response because I remember the days when we all thought we had to "saturate" it with affirmations robotically and whatnot... All you need is imagination and faith (feeling), you guys <3. (But if you would like explanations that mention the subconscious mind I suggest checking out feeling is the secret [linked above], I would not suggest Joseph Murphy as he had some limiting beliefs such as not being able to manifest certain things).

"Whatever method you feel works best, they all come down to the same core belief and that is KNOWING it'll work" My sister in Christ, the word you are looking for is FEELING, not "knowing". They can be used interchangeably, yes, but I feel so absurd rereading my old posts and saying "(the state of) knowing" when I should've been saying feeling.

Manifesting should not feel like a chore, it should be a simple, fun and easy task to do! You do not need to lift a finger to manifest. Whatever you think it'll take to get it done, will be it. If you think you have to yell out your affirmations at the top of your lungs then that’s what it’ll take for them to work. If you think you need a crystal collection the size of east LA to manifest then start saving up or manifest them. This is the beauty about the law of assumption. You create the rules. Now that you’re understanding that you can create your own rules, have fun with it! Not only do you get to decide what works, but you also decide how well it works. Do you get subliminal results after one listen? Do you manifest in a week? Overnight? Will gratitude bring you your results quicker? Are you the best manifestor in the world and nothing can interfere with your manifestations? You literally call the shots. No matter what you pick, stick to it and KNOW it works. Good luck!

"Manifesting should not feel like a chore, it should be a simple, fun and easy task to do!" I mean yeah... I agree fully that it shouldn't feel taxing and tedious and you most definitely shouldn't treat it as a routine (ex. set alarms to affirm every hour...), it should definitely feel liberating and comforting because this is is about being that which you desire to be. In Neville's own words:

We often are deprived of our high goal by our effort to possess it. We are called upon to act on the assumption that we already are the man we would be. If we do this without effort, experiencing in imagination what we would experience in the flesh had we realized our goal, we shall find that we do, indeed, possess it. - Answered Prayer

"You do not need to lift a finger to manifest" Yeah <3 As I always say, being > doing.

"This is the beauty about the law of assumption. You create the rules... Do you get subliminal results after one listen? Do you manifest in a week? Overnight? Will gratitude bring you your results quicker? Are you the best manifestor in the world and nothing can interfere with your manifestations? You literally call the shots." Pleasee please please PLEASE be quiet.

You guys I had to put on a hazmat suit to go through this post. I think if there was such a thing as a written version of what a six day old McChicken with extra mayonnaise left out in the hot Texas summer sun would taste like... it would be this post, but at least it's over now, so to conclude:

1. You cannot tweak principle 2. Methods are not what manifest 3. FEELING is the secret 4. Read source material

I hope this post has encouraged some of you to not repeat the same mistakes or misinformation I did as well as made you reevaluate your approach towards the law of assumption. This post is not entirely horrendous but it was horrendous enough that I decided to remove it from my blog. There is way better information that has surfaced ever since and I warn you guys once again from the risks of learning about it from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about. One of the most absurd and ridiculous beliefs I used to have and got from a certain blogger on here was that "you don't need to work on your self concept to manifest".......... I do not feel like getting into why this is does not make sense at all and why every time I would see someone say "Neville didn't work on his self concept to go to Barbados!" I would simply side eye, but anyway.

Please dedicate time to really learn about the law of assumption from Neville Goddard himself or from Edward Art's Reddit posts. My understanding of the law may have evolved ever since but something that has unfortunately not changed in this community is the circulation of misinformation. It only harms you guys and will consequently incite frustration because someone told you that your thoughts manifest (not true) and suddenly you're spiraling because you think you need to be flipping all of them (you do not). I know I made multiple jokes throughout but do not take this advice lightly and do not deem this post as me saying that I'm right and everyone else is wrong. I'm advising you all as someone who's been through all of it and wants better for you. Please choose your sources wisely and please learn from my mistakes.

[omicroncetii]

can I hear about catradora bakudeku pls

oh my gosh of COURSE

(I am planning on drawing a lot more for this and have been thinking about writing a long fic just because it all fits so perfectly, so if you're interested in that, i've listed who is who further below!)

first off: this isn't necessarily an entirely fem au- there are slightly more princesses/princes/royalty! powers aren't necessarily linked to rune stones - kind of like how spinerella and netossa don't have rune stones but the elemental princesses do? so most people still have their quirks. bit of world building first:

everybody in the world has some kind of ability, but there are a few with very strong powers - they're kind of equivalent to the elemental princesses in SPOP. izuku, of course, doesn't have any abilities, mainly because she's not of this world, she's a first one. she was stolen as a baby from shigaraki (hordak), who had been trying to contact AFO (horde prime). only shigaraki knows her true identity, but dabi (shadow weaver) definitely knows there's something different about her.

some backstory:

they were raised by dabi (shadow weaver)- how shadow weaver used to be good, but nobody listened to her and she turned to the dark - is scarred beyond recognition from her own powers, and eventually goes to the rebellion, and has a complicated past with princesses is very Dabi to me. shigaraki is hordak here- they're very similar to me. in the the way that he was brought up in a cult ideology and never really had the opportunity to experience kindness, was never saved- how their bodies are kind of falling apart, etc.

(i liked in the show that he rebelled against horde prime because he finally experienced kindness he didn't know could exist- and even if he never really had a chance with how he was growing up, even tho he's unredeemable to many because of how much pain he caused the world, she-ra still gives him a chance at the end - in the same way izuku doesn't want to kill shigaraki, how he can't forgive him but wants to save him)

because she doesn't have powers, her training is mainly focused on strategizing and analyzing, though she's also put through combat training. her tactical skills make her a prime candidate for force captain. katsuki is better at combat, especially considering her explosive powers; she's more suited to actually fighting in missions. they're the perfect team - they know each other better than anyone.

alright so the girls themselves!

izuku has always been someone that sees the best in everyone, and is especially susceptible to the propaganda that the league (equivalent to the horde- izu and kat only know them as the league, even though the rest of the world knows them as the league of villains) teaches them. kacchan is more cynical, more of a realist, so she's protective of izuku. she suspects that the league isn't really truthful, but since they've never left the fright zone, she doesn't have any proof. she only really cares about izuku- together, they can take on anything.

after izuku gets knocked off the skiff and sees the sword and the vision, its all she can think about. she sneaks back out and runs into ochaco and iida, (glimmer and bow) who have snuck out to investigate some anomalies that came up on iida's tracker pad- they find the sword, a creature attacks and izuku grabs the sword and turns into all might (she-ra).

she's taller, her emerald curls become long shimmering waves, the color now indistinct, and her eyes glow a brighter green. she wields the sword with ease- ochaco and iida look on in awe. she saves them, because its the right thing to do.

they're still distrustful of each other, and they insist on taking her as a prisoner back to their stronghold. when they escape the creature by taking shelter in a first ones ruin, izuku has another vision, sees the vestige of all might who tells her that she's destined to take up the sword, gives a cursory explanation of the power she now wields. after seeing what toshinori looks like- a part of izuku's brain thinks that's what she's supposed to look like too. the next time she transforms, her hair is blonde, and she looks more like the previous holder of the sword. when she comes to, iida and ochaco are watching her with concern, the last bit of distrust still visible in their eyes. ochaco saves them by floating all of them out of the ruin, but loses consciousness after using her ability for so long. she'll need to recuperate back home, and since they can't use her ability to help them get there, they'll need to stop for supplies and help before they can leave.

they end up in a lovely town, with children laughing and playing freely. izuku is wandering around with curiosity & joy - and when she learns that the town is the one that she was told by her superiors was evil and were keeping captives, her world crumbles around her.

katsuki shows up to save her, saying she's so glad they found her in time, and izuku desperately tries to explain that no, this isn't- this isn't right, these are innocent people- the league lied, they've been lying the whole time- katsuki suddenly has the full picture- understands that she was right, they weren't telling the whole truth, feels her heart drop. they were just getting everything they wanted, and now izuku is gonna leave her, gonna leave what they had been wanting their whole lives, and lashes out- "of COURSE they were lying!"

izuku looks hurt, "how could you possibly be okay with this then?"

"because it doesn't matter what they do, the two of us look out for each other." kacchansays through tears. izuku begs her to leave with them, katsuki gets angry, asking why she's willing to throw everything they have away for people she just met, and izuku says because it's the right thing to do! katsuki interprets that as izuku calling her wrong, and they fight- izuku uses the sword to turn into All Might- kacchan looks on, betrayal and hurt written all over her face. she has an ability? she was a princess this whole time? was their childhood, their friendship, their -something- all a lie? the league retreats. izuku chases after kacchan- in one last desperate attempt to get her to come with her and ochaco and iida, sheexplains hurriedly that it's not her power, that it's borrowed, that she never lied to her- but kacchan doesn't believe her, refuses to go. escapes before she can say anything further. (later, when dabi asks what happened, katsuki doesn't talk about the secret. she's still protecting izuku.)

that's all i really have for the intro to this au for now, but i've put the introductions to the rest of the crew below! it's not one to one au, so bear with me as I explain! btw, they all still have their mha quirks.

izuku is adora, ochaco is glimmer, iida is bow, mina is perfuma, todoroki is frosta, jirou is mermista, kaminari is seahawk, and mei is entrapta! momo is also a princess - mainly just because i feel like it makes sense that she would be. and other members of the rebellion in brightmoon are tsu, hagakure, and koda. they find tokoyami, shoji, sato, sero, and ojiro protecting other towns. aizawa is kind of taking the place of queen angela - it's more found family than it is blood family. midnight is castaspella.

(honestly i thought about having iida be frosta and momo be bow, in the way that although momo came from a very wealthy family, has a quirk not necessarily suited for heroics, and was likely expected to be something else, while iida came from a long line of heroes and also is a big stickler for rules? but i didn't really feel like momo had the same chemistry with izuku as iida does, and i figured getting todoroki to join the rebellion would be harder, considering his history, so it made more sense to put him in frosta's position.)

on the villains side: we got katsuki as catra, kirishima as scorpia, and i think maybe monoma or kendo as lani? they're not evil, but they were people who were born into the horde. (tbh, i'm kind of putting 1B into the horde just to even out the odds) twice, magne, compress, and spinner are kind of in charge of different aspects in the league. i feel like both twice or toga could double trouble - i feel like both of them aren't really evil but mostly misunderstood, and in this world could be fairly neutral.

sidenote seahawk and mermista are SO giving kamijirou to me!!! bisexual loudmouth (slight pyromaniac) extraordinaire kaminari and shy sarcastic emo jirou. I love them <3

kirishima gives me big scorpia vibes as just a super friendly person, the only person immediately meeting katsuki that simply is not scared of her because she can withstand her explosive powers. and also seems like, a little bit in love with her! not sure if i'd make kiri fem, but i think it could be fun!

also i think it could be a cool twist if kacchan was actually also a princess, like if the black garnet was actually her rune stone, and after dabi stops using it to keep himself alive, she starts to feel more powerful. one of the big things that makes her try to kill shigaraki is finding out what happened to her family (made a deal with the league to try and keep themselves safe, but shigaraki killed them anyways and kept katsuki to retain the power of the rune stone alive, to try and harness it someday)

when AFO shows up when izuku teleports the planet, and breaks the sword, she can't turn into she-ra until she saves kacchan from AFO- her new form has green hair, signifying her mastery and ownership of the power. she doesn't have to be like the last user of the power, it's hers!

[rphelperblog]

Fantastic Beasts Starter

"I ask all of you, who does this protect? Us or them?"

"Just a smidge."

"I love house elves. My uncle is a house elf."

"New York is considerably more interesting than I expected."

"We've lived in the shadows for too long."

"I don't think I'm dreaming... I ain't got the brains to make this up."

"I'm the only one like me." 

"I refuse to bow down any longer."

"My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice." 

"Will we die, just a little?"

“I wish that I was a wizard.”

“Imperfect understanding is often more dangerous than ignorance.”

“People change after a while, and they’re no longer who you once knew”

“I ask all of you, who does this protect? Us or them?”

“Just a smidge.”

“ You simply ask, is the thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost.”

“She has eyes just like a salamander.”

“You want an end to the ban on your traveling internationally. Why?”

“Because I like to travel internationally.”

“ I can’t tell if you’re making a joke or if you’re just…French.”

“The disapproval of cowards is praise to the brave.”

“We were closer than brothers.”

“Well, there are no strange creatures-”

“You never met a monster you couldn’t love.”

“Who else uses that expression?”

I think it might just be me.”

If you’ve ever had the pleasure to teach him, you’d know Newt is not a great follower of orders.”

What I’m trying to say is, I want you to be happy, but don’t be happy that I’m happy, because I’m not. Happy.”

Finding me in a classroom? Was I such a bad student?”

On the contrary, you were one of my cleverest.”

I said bad, not stupid.”

But what is it you want, my boy?”

I want to know who I am.”

She has incredibly narrow feet, have you noticed?”

Regret is my constant companion.”

I’ve chosen my side.”

And we’re licking the dirt now.”

…your eyes in newsprint… See, in reality they have this effect in them, … It’s like fire in water, in dark water. I’ve only ever seen that in-”

“ You don’t look a day over 375.”

No. A guide to help people understand why we should be protecting these creatures instead of killing  them."

Because I like you. Because you're my friend. And I'll never forget how you helped me”

“I need to get going find everyone who escaped before they get hurt.”

“ Oh, well, it’s best not to plan these things. You know, you just say whatever comes to you in the moment.”

Regret is my constant companion. Do not let it become yours.” 

“You don't seek power or popularity. You simply ask, is the thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost.” 

She was a taker... You need a giver.”

But why would I have to wear something like this?”

Because your skull is susceptible to breakage under immense force.”

Are you a seeker? A seeker after truth?”

I'm more of a chaser, really.”

I was inside a suitcase.”

“Not really, no. I annoy people.”

Oh. Well, I'm, uh, I'm sure people like you, too, huh?”

You're an interesting man”

Now there's absolutely nothing for you to worry about.”

Tell me, has anyone ever believed you when you told them not to worry?”

“Oh, don't worry, honey. Most guys think what you was thinking first time they see me.”

You, uh, you know how to read minds?”

You two, head that way. And try very hard not to be predictable.”

Of course not. You're one of us now. “

why did you keep me around?”

Anything edible in there?”

I'm not flirting.”

Mmm. Yeah. But I always have trouble with your kind. Brits. It's the accent.”

[badwolf-winchester]

Ancient Bloodlines

Pairing: Loki x Emy Nightstar (OC)

OC Summary: Emy is the newest Avenger. She specializes in Magic and close range attacks/ weapons. Her heritage is unknown to her as she was left at an orphanage door step when she was a young girl with only the memory of her name. She goes by her nickname Emy but has never told anyone her full name as its a reminder of her being abandoned. Emy can see through any illusion and Magic no matter how powerful they are or how strong the magic is and is unaware of this. Her powers include Telekinesis, Elemental Control, True Sight (as stated above) Enhanced healing and Shifting (she wont discover this till much later in the story). She loves to read, listen to music, play violin, sing, and draw.

Story Info: Takes place after infinity wars. Tony and Natasha are alive Steven comes back from the future after giving back the infinity stones. Vision is alive and living with Wanda in the tower. Thor and Loki live in the tower with the rest of the Avengers and for the sake of the story Himedall is alive and living with the rest of the Asgardians on earth in New Asgard (you will find out why later)

One last thing: Please do not repost my work on any other site or social media, however reblogging on here is fine. I work hard on all of my fanfics and it’s disappointing when people take my work as their own. I am the creater of all my OCs such as Sora Nightstar, Emy Nightstar, and Lithium Nightstar. My inbox is open for any and all requests as i am a multi fandom writer. Let me know how you like the story and i will do my best to answer any and all questions. As always i encourage any and all feedback as it helps with my writing. I hope you all like it!

The Beginning

They say that your parents are there to teach you the rules of the world, but what happens when you have no parents? Who will teach you then? The world is cruel but people are crueler. Ive learned this first hand when the person i trusted most in this world left me on the door step of the St. Trinity’s Orphanage. I was 9 when my mother told me she didn’t want me anymore and i guess I couldn’t really blame her. I mean who could love someone who couldn’t control the powers that grew with each passing year. Someone who started fires out of thin air when they had nightmares, conjured whirlwinds when startled, unfurled earthquakes when angered, spring forth rain showers when sad, and levitate objects when riddled with anxiety. I will never forget that day for its seared into my mind like its own person brand echoing with every beat of my heart. A monster thats what she called me, her own flesh and blood was a monster in her eyes, and i could see the relief when she ran from the solid oak door finally rid of the burden she had to put up with throughout the years. An abomination she cried as she reached the cobblestone sidewalk eager to be rid of me and by the pace she was going at i could tell she had more spring in her step than on the walk over from the bus we exited from. Unnatural she bellowed as she disappeared around the corner a ghost of a smile springing from her lips as she disappeared. These where the last words i would ever hear from my mother, if thats what you would call her.

Emy’s POV

Tonight was just like any other. Crisp cold air submerged the city in a blanket of dark and silence while it settled into your bones. I never minded the cold in fact I welcomed it, it reminded me of the cabin i found one year after running away from one of the many abusive foster homes i was forced to stay with. I’ll admit it was one of the times I was able to avoid the social workers for longer than a week and the happiest I had ever been in my life up until i was captured by Hydra. When I had a flair up with my powers, which usually ended up being fire, i would immediately get sent back to St. Trinity’s but this time i ran before they had the chance to toss me aside. The staff there used to place bets on how long i would stay with a family, they would joke saying i was cursed or jinxed but i knew the truth, no one wanted me. Once the parents found out about my abilities I was sent packing. I was labeled as a flight risk and a danger to others which only deepened my anti socialism.

Walking through the streets of New York i pull my dark purple jacket on and my dark brown hair in a pony tail as I get closer to my destination. Because i don’t feel the effects of the cold weather Tony, being such the dad figure he is, has made it his priority to make sure i still wear one just incase so here i was walking home in black ripped up jeans, a black v neck T-shirt, black and purple checkered vans and a light weight dark purple jacket. With my headphones in my ears and “I like it heavy” by Halestorm blasting I make my way to the place i call home, Stark Tower. Walking through the front doors i make my way past the receptionist who always greets me with a bright smile. As I walk towards the elevator I give her a small smile back and a head nod. After entering the elevator and pressing the button for the penthouse I start to reflect on how i got here.

By the time i was 15 Hydra found me in that cabin and took me away. I went from hopping from family to family to being used as a science experiment, constantly being poked and prodded just so they could get a reaction out of me. As a child my powers where very unstable mostly flaring up with my emotions, its no wonder that Hydra caught wind of me its not like i was hiding it very well or more so that i couldn’t hide it. They tried to wipe my memory to gain control of me “a blank slate” is what they wanted, but for some reason, they failed as I wasn’t susceptible to their conditioning methods no matter how much time i spent in the chair. However, I could tell they were scared of me I could see it in their eyes. This didn’t last long though as they used what they called their perfect weapon code name Winter Soldier to beat me into submission. After that first meeting that left me with a broken arm and a fractured ankle i started to obey, since then Ive met the Soldier a couple of times but if he remembers me he dosent let on and I dont blame him, he has been in that chair so many times Im genuinely surprised he can even remember how to walk. He is stronger than the others as most of the other test subjects had turned to vegetables after the 4th mind wipe, he was on his 10th the last time i saw him with Hydra.

Another test was done on me and this one was different. They used a teseract? If thats what they called it I can’t be sure nor did I care all I could feel was pain like as if someone injected lava in my veins. After they injected me I started screaming after a while I couldn’t even hear myself anymore, my throat was so sore and horse from the constant roar of my agony I just wanted it to end. How long was I out for? Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? Years? They didn’t keep clocks there or at least not in the dungeon like cell they had me in. When the fire faded i was left with this numbness and after further tests I realized that I was immune to fire. I can literally stick my hand in fire and i will be left untouched and unscorched. They did the same test with freezing temperatures to see if they could subdue me at least in some way. I must have been out longer than just a couple of days as during the tests i didn’t recognize any of the Doctors. In that moment I realized something, if they were trying to contain me then something must have happened to the soldier. It was time to plan my escape.

Back in my cell i could hear footsteps approaching me and then stop short. One of the scientists frantically trying to talk some sense into someone just out of my line of sight. “She is immune to anything we throw at her sir. We have done every test we could there is nothing left for us to do.” One of the goons in a lab coat stated to what i assumed is a higher up. “Bolden If her powers keep growing at the rate they are it could be days in which she will be unstoppable and with the soldier gone we dont have anything that can keep her in line. She broke Mandy and Rays arms the last time we tested her. She is getting too strong.” Brining a hand up to his chin the higher up Bolden stepped out of the shadows and looked at me with deep interest before he turned to looked at the man and scoffed. As he walked away i felt a cold chill ran down my back as I anticipated what was to become of me; I knew it was nothing good i had already broken their rules. His next words only confirmed what I feared. “ Its simple. Break her spirit or kill her Doctor. And when i say break her i mean in anyway means necessary.” His sadistic laugh is the last thing i remember before everything went black.

Its been 2 years since i have escaped and now I’m living in the avengers tower. I don’t remember what happened after that night in my cell its all a blur of red, screams, and gunshots. When i woke up next i was in a 6ft crater where I was being held captive without a scratch on me. Trees were uprooted and fallen over as if a bomb went off. Luckily the Avengers showed up not long after me waking up and took me to their base where i met Directer Fury. With his permission and 24/7 surveillance provided by Tony Stark via FRIDAY and training sessions to get my powers under control i was allowed to join the Avengers and fight for good. Little did i know that by agreeing to this I would end up in the path of a certain God or Gods who were also taking residence at the tower.

With the sound of a *ding* the elevator shook me out of my mind and back to the present. As i exited the elevator I pulled my head phones out of my ears and was instantly met with the sound of Tony losing his mind. “Where did she go? She knows she can’t be out this late. She could be taken again! Its 5 minutes past her curfew!” Rolling my eyes I roll my headphones up and shove them in my pocket and round the corner. “Tony it takes 5 minutes to get from the lobby to the penthouse calm down. I bet she will walk through that door anytime now.” Came the sweet voice of reason of none other than Pepper Potts. “I’m Home.” I said in a deadpan voice as i walked by the couple only for Tony to stand up and intercept me by placing a hand on my upper arm. “Where did you go and why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?” I looked at him and raised an eyebrow pushing his hand off me. “Tony its Wednesday. I have training with Strange on Wednesdays and I had Friday alert you as I was leaving but you were in the lab with Bruce.” Not sure what to say next Tony mumbled a small apology. “Sorry I was just worried about you. I know you are grown enough to make your own choices as you are 25 but I just want to make sure you are safe. How was the training with The Wizard?” Sighing and shaking my head just wanting to go the library and read I decided to just let it go. “Strange is a hard ass that much you already know. It wasnt bad actually I think I’m warming up to him. I didn’t spontaneously throw him to the wall when he snuck up behind me as i was going over the ancient texts so i call that improvement.” I said sheepishly while side stepping around him. “I’m gonna go to the library now and grab some light reading before bed you guys have a good night.” With out waiting for a response I quickly made my way towards my new destination only to have Tony saying something about guests in the house but I ignored him.

Pushing open the library door I make my way to the poetry section to grab my usual copy of Edgar Allen Poe that I read before bed. As my had reached for the spot i knew i put the book in i find that its not there. “Wait what? Where is my book? I know I put it back here before I left for training so where did it go?” Frustrated I stomp back over to the entrance and rip open the door ready to go on a murder spree while shouting down the hallway. “CLINT! You better give me back my night time book or I’m breaking all your arrows again! No one reads in this tower but me! How stupid do you think I am!?” Straining my ears I listen for any type of movement but was met with dead silence. After a minute I finally hear movement through the vents coming from the west part of the tower and I take off sprinting. Sliding around a corner I barely miss colliding with Steve and Bucky who look like they were on their way back from a mission. Offering a quick apology before I continue my pursuit I hear Steve yell “Hey! No running in the tower!” Not faltering in my hot pursuit of the Hawk thief I continue to zip through the tower ignoring the Captains words until i was almost to the vent that lead to the 2 level family room. Using the railing for the steps leading down to the family area to give me more height i jumped as close to the vent as possible and conjured my signature Scythe to slice through it while twisting in the air kicking the vent free and off its track. A shocked and terrified scream resonates from the vent as the culprit falls to the ground with a thud and a grunt. I landed in a crouched position and slowly straightened to my full hight. “What the hell Emy?! When did you learn to do that?!” Clint yells as he sits up rubbing his left shoulder that he landed on. I started stalking towards him with the blade of my scythe scrapping across the ground as i went while giving him a death glare. “Give me back my book Barton.” At the mention of his last name his head snapped up to me fear replacing the pain from his fall. “Oh shit last name not good.” Scrambling up on his feet he turns and runs towards the common room that connects to the elevator with me hot on his tail and my scythe trailing behind me in my right hand.

“Shit shit shit shit shit shit SHIT!!” He yells as he makes it fully to the room only to fling forward as i jump and kick his back tired of all the running. Twirling my weapon around I place it at his neck sneering at him. “I will not ask you again.” I said placing pressure on his neck with my blade. Sensing a fast moving object coming from my left from the kitchen I move my head back 3 inches as what looked like a hammer flew by me embedding itself in the wall. Turning my head slowly in the direction of the flying object, I confirmed it was indeed a hammer that was thrown at me. Irritation flared through me as i released Clint from the end of my scythe and turned fully to the kitchen to face my attacker. There stood 2 men that i did not recognize, one tall oak of a man with blond short hair, blue eyes and tan skin in blue jeans, a red T-shirt ,and grey jacket. the other shorter man made me stare at him and faultier for a second as he was so different from anyone i have ever seen, dark blue skin covered his entire body with darker almost black symbols and piercing red eyes, long black hair with black jeans, a green dress shirt and black jacket. Tearing my gaze away from his own curious one i looked between both men before i clenched my jaw letting my irritation settle back in. “Which one of you threw that hammer.” I said venom dripping with every word. “Whoa its ok Emy thats just Thor and Loki they are the asgardian Gods that live here in the tower part time when they are not in Norway.” Clint said standing up quickly. Not moving from my position i narrowed my eyes and flicked them over in Clint’s direction. The ground started to shake as my irritation and annoyance grew to anger remembering what i was doing before being interrupted by the Gods. Throwing his hands up in surrender he then quickly reached into his back pocket and retrieved my book. “Ok ok dont blow a fuse Em.” He said while tossing me my possession stopping me from causing an earthquake. Catching it in the air with my left had I inspected the book to make sure it wasn’t damaged before I let go of my scythe, with a wave of my hand it disappeared back to the pocket dimension I keep it in then looked back at Clint as the tremors stopped. “Touch my things again and i will be wearing your guts like my mom’s pashmina.” I said to the thief before walking out of the room and disappeared down the hallway not giving the Gods a second glance. As I entered my room i could hear a silky voice ring out from the kitchen. “Well isnt she interesting.”

Part 2 coming soon

@nickkie1129

[pokegeek151]

Word-of-the-day writing challenge - 3/8/21

pivot. noun. a key person, thing, or factor.

Good ev-en-ing, listeners. How are all my favorite hypothetical future historians doing? Should I start this off with something more formal? All my other logs are pretty casual, but this one is very important. It will be studied by scientists for generations to come. *gasp* Maybe they’ll use it in schools to teach kids about my work! I guess it’s too late to start this formally, though, considering I’ve already been “started” for almost a minute now. Whoops. I guess I’ll just...go for it then.

I am excited to report that I finally got the time machine to work. I, Mackenzie Bennet, have successfully invented time travel. Man, that sounds awesome when I say it out loud. Audio logs were such a good idea. Way to go, past me. I could totally actually congratulate past me, now that I think about it. I shouldn’t, though. Time is more resilient than sci-fi makes you think, but it’s still breakable. Going into the past and looking around is one thing; sending a note to my past self and confirming her future is another.

...Where does maybe possibly falling in love with someone from the past fit into that? Specifically, where does maybe possibly having a lovely conversation with someone from the past who maybe possibly is also into me fall into that? Okay, that sounds really bad, but hear me out. Not that you have much of an option, since this is a prerecorded historical reference. Should I be talking about my love life here? Yeah, yeah I should. This is relevant to the time travel thing because she’s from the past. Which brings us back to the maybe possibly paradox thing.

So. My first test of the time machine took me to 1495 CE. I’ll figure out the date later and add it to the notes. The Gregorian calendar won’t be designed for nearly another century, and I do not know the Julian calendar well enough to calculate the date on the fly. And I know what you’re thinking - “Mackenzie, going so far back in time for your first test was super dangerous! Why didn’t you pick a date from a few weeks ago so that if something went wrong, you wouldn’t be stranded somewhere without wifi, AC, and the polio vaccine?” Though I’m sure the future scientists studying my records exist in a world where time travel has been perfected, allowing you to choose your destination, unfortunately at this stage of development, the time machine kind of drops me in random locations and on random dates. I can return home with no problems, at least. I’m just glad I landed somewhere that had recognizable English. Any earlier and I would have been at a loss for words.

Anyway, I swear I was trying to be professional. I was going to look around just a little bit, make some notes, and then leave before anyone saw me. But then someone saw me. I turned, and there she was. She was wearing clothes that seemed a bit out of place, but I couldn’t quite tell how. I think they were a bit too flowing in the wrong places. Simple, but not in a stereotypical peasant way. And her hair. There was something familiar about the style that I couldn’t identify but I knew was not normal for that time and place. The way she moved, too. She carried herself like she was...not from around there. I got so caught up in the anachronism that was her existence that I forgot how out of place I was, and she started talking to me.

I tried to tell her I wasn’t real, that I was a spirit or an angel or a hallucination or something, but then she said she’d seen me before, in a dream. I told her you can’t dream of faces you haven’t seen, but she insisted that I was familiar to her. 

And here is where the situation gets tricky. She told me she saw me in Ancient Rome. While she was in Ancient Rome. She didn’t call it Ancient Rome though because when she was there, it wasn’t ancient. Let the record show that in addition to inventing time travel, I think I also have the first recorded meeting with an immortal. She said I had appeared from the air wearing clothes similar to what I have on now, and I was speaking a language she had never heard before. She now knew it had been English, though an English she hasn’t learned yet. I spoke to no one for just a few minutes, then disappeared again. She hadn’t thought of that moment in a long time, but she still remembered it clearly. 

I thought about telling her that flashbulb memories are as susceptible to degrading and becoming inaccurate as other memories, and that you rewrite your own memories a little bit every time you access them, and so a flashbulb memory from over a thousand years ago would almost certainly be entirely different from what really happened, but then I realized she probably wouldn’t know what a flashbulb is, so I just said “Oh.”

And, uh, from there, I basically spilled the beans. For future historical context, that’s an idiom that means I was an idiot and explained to a fifteenth-century woman what time travel was because she was pretty and looked like she needed a friend. So that’s ethically dubious.

Is it worse that I told her I would come back to see her again?

I couldn’t help it! Scientifically, an immortal is super interesting, but also, she’s been so lonely. Everyone she has ever known has lived and died while she has to remain stagnant. That kind of thing makes it hard to connect to people, makes it hard to want to be alive. Just drifting from location to location as people you might love appear and vanish in the blink of an eye. It’s impossible to really understand what time is like for her. But I can be a constant in her life! At least, I can last longer than anyone else she’s ever known. I’m obviously confined to my ordinary life span, but I can go back in time and see her throughout history. A familiar face amid all the ghosts.

I’m basically just trying to justify this to myself. A hundred years from now, there might be rigorous time travel laws that would make what I did with Aurelia - that’s her name, by the way. I don’t think I mentioned that - laws that would make what I did unconscionable, but for now, since time travel has only existed for about four hours current time and I haven’t had time to draft some bylaws, I’m going to say that I did the morally good thing.

Plus, I think I’m allowed to be a little selfish sometimes. I want to see her again. I haven’t felt like this about anyone in...in ever, really. This might be a little bit of oversharing for a scientific log, but young scientists of the future ought to know that giving too much of yourself to one aspect of your life is really draining. I haven’t had any real friends in...a while, and I think I’ve been basically dragging myself into each day. So maybe a little time travel crime will be good for both of us. If something terrible comes of all of this and I inadvertently cause the collapse of society as we know it and ultimately take over the world after harnessing the infinite power of temporal causality goes to my head, I officially give anyone listening permission to come back to the beginning of this recording and stop me from going on that date with Aurelia.

*beat* That’s that, then. I think we can call this a successful test. Until next time, future historians. Bennet out.

[whentherewerebicycles]

The event facilitators for the Academics for Black Survival and Wellness Week recommended reading this article as a framework for the week’s activities and discussions. It’s called “Critical consciousness of anti-Black racism: A practical model to prevent and resist racial trauma,” and was published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology. (If you don’t have institutional access but are interested in reading it, send me a message and I can email you the PDF.)

Some reflections: I am not a counselor or psychologist, but I found it SUPER interesting and useful, and I wanted to share my notes below. Over the last few years I’ve come to believe very strongly that people who do any kind of teaching and mentoring work can benefit SO MUCH from learning certain kinds of counseling techniques, practices, and frameworks. I think this is especially true for faculty and staff who work with college students, who are often living away from home and may be removed from traditional support networks. We are obviously not trained therapists (and shouldn’t try to fill that role), but very often we end up being sort of “first responders” when students are in crisis, or even when they are just struggling to adjust but are reluctant to seek out institutional support.

One thing I found especially useful about this research is that it moves beyond “crisis management” mode and individual-level interventions to thinking about how people develop a critical consciousness that helps them partially mitigate the physical and psychological effects of racial trauma; heal from past and ongoing racial trauma; establish relationships and community with others resisting anti-Black racism; and actively respond to anti-Black racism in ways that advance both personal and collective Black liberation. In other words, it’s not just about managing symptoms or teaching coping skills, but about fostering people’s ability to recognize, process, and engage in activist response -- which improves coping and mental/physical wellness, but also advances the work of liberation.

This all seems really, really important for thinking about possible roles that the teacher or mentor could play. I will not go into detail about that right now (I want to focus on the notes!), but consider this a placeholder post for future reflective writing on how I can contribute to fostering students’ critical and activist consciousness. Also, i just found this useful for understanding different ways of engaging in activist work (which is helpful to me as I learn how to be a better scholar-activist and mentor/teacher-activist in my professional life).

Notes behind the cut. And again, happy to email the full PDF to anyone who doesn’t have institutional affiliations/access. The first-person quotes from the activists they worked with are well worth reading!

Background and methods:

Racial trauma is real, and shares symptoms with PTSD (including “re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, arousal, and negative mood and cognitions”). However, unlike PTSD, racial trauma involves “the cumulative effect of consistent experiences of racism, and historical and generational experiences of racism that are not encapsulated in the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.”

Currently, most of the research in counseling focuses on individual-level interventions and on coping with trauma rather than on prevention and resistance. Existing counseling methods “fail to center liberation” and are “susceptible to the psychology wide focus on deficit discourses.” This study seeks to “[shift] the discourse on Blackness to one of resistance and thriving in the face of white supremacy.”

Developing critical consciousness (CC) is key to liberation. CC = the ability to be aware of and thoughtfully examine one’s lived experience and sociopolitical environment, and then to take action in response to that critical reflection.

This study focuses on Black activists whose work intervenes in different spheres, but who share “an inclusive and intersectional vision of liberation,” one that is attuned to the interconnectedness of systems of oppression + to the different ways that Black individuals are situated in the world.

The study received IRB approval to conduct a nonconfidential study, one that specifically names and shares information about the participants. Nonconfidential research is a relatively new trend, one that recognizes that confidentiality can obscure social justice aims and limit representation. This method “elevates the voices of the participants…provides transparency and amplification of participant voices…[and] ensures their contributions to theory are clear.” The study approaches the Black activists involved in this research as co-theorizers of experience and co-creators of knowledge.

Data was collected not just through interviews, but also through “interacting with participants over longer periods of time and observing their interactions within their everyday contexts. Multiple days were spent in community with nine of the 12 participants.”

Results:

Critical consciousness of anti-Black racism (ABR) involves three core categories: Witnessing ABR, Processing ABR, and Acting Critically Against ABR.

Witnessing ABR involves hearing, seeing, and experiencing ABR and also establishing or experiencing a personal connection to that experience.

Experiencing racial trauma involves “an awareness of the chronic cognitive and emotional burden of overt and covert forms of ABR.”

Participants described anxiousness about premature death or imprisonment; symptoms of anxiety, including hypervigilance and worry); experiences of “paranoia,” which included difficulty trusting others and difficulty trusting one’s own sense of what is really happening; and other trauma symptoms (nightmares, irritability, insomnia, etc.).

Experiencing racial trauma also involves feeling “isolated, rejected, resented, reduced to a stereotype, and ostracized based on race,” as well as “feelings of abandonment, lack of belongingness, loneliness, invisibility, disconnection, and vulnerability.”

Processing ABR involves engaging in several processes: recognizing ABR at a systemic level (Cognitive Growth), deepening intersectional awareness (Intersectional Growth), and increasing capacity for coping with and resisting ABR (Behavioral Growth).

Cognitive Growth includes recognizing that individual interpersonal experiences are not isolated, but are connected to larger, systemic injustices that exist across different programs and in different settings. Cognitive Growth involves increasing awareness of a shared experience that is larger than the individual or one environment. The participants in the study also shared that “a practice of making historical connections [and] understanding their ancestral history…as well as the United States and world history” was a powerful tool for identifying systemic injustice.

Intersectional Growth involves “beginning to recognize difference, learning one’s positions of privilege and oppression, considering them in context, and owning them.” For many participants, this involved thinking about their Black identity in relation to their religious/spiritual, gender, and sexual identities. For instance, participants described “gaining a deeper understanding of patriarchy and learning from gender expansive modeling…They recognized the toxicity of masculine norms and male privilege,” and challenged themselves to continually pursue Intersectional Growth. (One participant’s quote: “As a Black woman I have to push myself to try harder. There’s all types of cultures…that I don’t get… It’s partially my job… to have an awareness to challenge myself…you don’t stop. You’re on a treadmill. I need to be sweating.”)

Behavioral Growth involves two processes: “coping with racial trauma and filling gaps to increase agency as an activist.” One way of coping is distancing oneself from Whiteness: “[Participants] distanced themselves by disbelieving, becoming ambivalent toward, increasing limits and boundaries with, disregarding, and/or renouncing Whiteness.” Others coped by “performing respectability and acting unbothered by experiences of racism,” a form of emotional resistance that involved “restraining themselves from showing a response and disconnecting from feelings.” 

     The other Behavioral Growth process, filling gaps to increase agency, involved: 

   “…making connections with settings and people that would increase their self-knowledge, systemic and cultural awareness, and ability to act against ABR. These settings allowed participants to gain education related to social justice activism (e.g., direct action tactics), the system of white supremacy, and the diversity of ways in which ABR causes harm. Classes, academic programs, conferences, and community-based programs centered on Black people, Black history, or Black culture were growth-promoting settings for participants. Black cultural spaces also helped fill specific gaps participants had in their ability to critically act against ABR…Making connections allowed participants to enhance their sense of self as Black racial justice activists and develop community around that identity. Having family and friends who were further in their CCABR development and already engaging in liberators actions often helped participants to gain entry into spaces where Black-focused consciousness raising, organizing, and activism occurred.”

Acting Critically Against ABR focuses on specific intentional processes that participants used “after Witnessing ABR and understanding it as a systemic problem.” The study identifies nine approaches that activists took, which the authors describe as the “Black Liberation Work Compendium” (copied below):

Within their activism, the participants further identified other important aspects or orientations towards acting critically against ABR. These included:

having urgency (perceiving Black liberation as urgent, and encouraging others to treat it this way too)  

being self-reflective (recognizing one’s limitations; being able to ask for help when needed; being conscious of how others perceive them; learning from missteps to avoid harming others in the future). Self-reflective work involves continually “[taking] ownership over their actions and [seeking to] improve their activism and relationships in the process.” Participants also continually sought to articulate and think through “the meaning and impact of their commitment to activism.” Many stated explicitly that, while activism took time and energy, it was also part of “an intentional attempt to heal from the pain of ABR,” and was experienced as both healing and liberatory.

specifying focus (focusing on “particular manifestations of ABR and/or a community that is contending with ABR”; choosing to focus on activist work that made use of their personal “identities, contexts, skills, and comfort in different roles”)

being actively intersectional (being attentive to “dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression in both planning for their activism work and implementing their activism work”; leveraging privilege “when beneficial to the cause” and consistently “working to expand the power of others experiencing oppression”)

being resourceful (developing methods that helped them sustain activist work; acknowledging that activism requires “time, energy, money, and resources”; relying on social networks to support activist efforts; being resourceful about “finding ways to merge one’s activism interests with their professional responsibilities, [in order to] sustain their incomes”) - contextualizing (tailoring activist efforts to one’s specific context; choosing how they responded to ABR “based on the setting they were in, the community they were doing activism with and for, and what the moment called for”)

being persistent (being resilient; not giving up despite barriers and pressures; remaining committed to goals even when “relationships, actions, or outcomes did not go as they hoped”; cultivating a “love ethic” towards others and towards the self)

maintaining future orientation (working to “ensure efforts towards Black liberation were sustainable”; focusing on quality over quantity in activist work. “Activists who maintained future orientation were visionaries interested in facilitating long-term systemic change in the interest of Black wellness”)

Discussion:

Developing critical consciousness is not a linear process. Although generally people will grow from witnessing/experiencing --> processing --> critically responding, people also continually cycle through these phases as they deepen their activist work and learn more. (So you don’t just arrive at “critical response” and stay there forever, although being able to critically respond in one situation typically prepares you to witness, process, and critically respond in other situations.)  

The authors note that existing research on critical consciousness has demonstrated health and emotional well-being benefits: critical consciousness has been linked to “reduced disease progression for Black women with HIV, protecting against mental health problems among Black men, increased self-esteem among high school students, and intentions to persist in college for White and Latinx students.”   

Linked to the “wounded healer” archetype in psychology. The wounded healer “has a lens thorough which they can empathize, connect, understand, and help heal based on their history of being similarly wounded…Like participants who co-constructed this theory, their personal experience of pain can lead to their helping larger numbers of people struggling with similar stressors.”  

However, there is also the alternative outcome: engaging in work as one who has been wounded “can lead to chronic dysfunction or relapse and an inability to be helpful to others.” The authors note that without processing ABR, Black people “may internalize racism, suffer from the experiences of racial trauma outlined by participants, and become complicit in perpetuating racism themselves.” Thus it is critical that counselors focus on healing for Black people experiencing racial trauma—and that this healing involve witnessing, processing, and cultivating the ability to critically respond to anti-Black racism.  

The authors note that among the study participants, some found it easier to engaging in Processing ABR than others. If people were “embedded in contexts where processing cognitively, intersectional, and behaviorally were already common,” it was easier to “seamlessly enhance” existing processes. (Example: Black activists who were “raised in homes where Black history was commonly discussed and resources for expanding awareness were readily accessible.”) However, other participants “had to find alternate means of coping, connecting, and expanding their awareness to increase their agency as activists.”     

Research suggests that people who have developed a strong positive racial identity “are more likely to effectively prepare, process, and develop useful responses to racism and discrimination…thus, making them equipped to engage in critical action.” For those who experience ABR but have fewer supports or tools for processing, this may be more difficult; in these cases, “large-scale interventions like BLM” can play a crucial role in “[offering] the growth mechanisms that may have been absent or subpar in their lives.”     

Importantly: “deepening intersectional awareness is what facilitates the commitment to a collective and inclusive vision of Black liberation.” The authors highlight the fact that the original founders of the BLM organization were three Black women, two of whom identify as queer. This study emphasizes that a “queer Black feminist agenda for liberation” may be crucial to rendering visible “the needs and efforts of Black people who contend with multiple systems of oppression because of their social identities.” One way to reduce implicit bias is through meaningful exposure to people with different identities and beliefs. Thus, “for Black people who have experienced ABR, exposure to Black people who differ from them may reduce implicit biases and increase their commitment to an inclusive vision of Black liberation.”    

The Black activists who participated in the study “actively resisted ABR” and, through their activist work, “seemingly prevented racial trauma” for other Black people, by fostering community, promoting social connection, prioritizing Black mental and physical wellness, and challenging anti-Black racism experienced by their communities.

Implications of this research:

For counseling psychology: this research is aimed at “increasing Black people’s capacity to prevent and resist racial trauma.” It is specific to Black individuals, but has applicability for non-Black people as well. In particular, counseling psychologists can use this research to assess their own CCABR (Critical Consciousness of Anti-Black Racism) development.     

For professional practice: We need to more intentionally center and focus on promoting healing from racial trauma. Future counseling psychologists need to be aware of ABR and of racial trauma’s effects, so that they can be “more culturally mindful clinicians, researchers, classmates, and citizens.” This can help psychologists resist the field’s tendency to “[ascribe] individual diagnoses to systemic problems.” One specific suggestion: create space for clients to “engage in storying survival around their experiences of ABR, and about their process of coming to awareness about Whiteness or acting critically in resistance of ABR.” These are healing interventions that can help Black clients resist the “tendency to internalize negative racial experiences, which can lead to feelings of anger, sadness, and/or anxiety.” (Frameworks to explore: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Ethnopolitical Psychology; Radical Healing.)     

For future research: We need more research on how activism engagement can mitigate racial trauma symptoms. Activist groups could also benefit from research on developing racial trauma assessments (through brief surveys, mobile apps, etc.), which could help them identify areas for “improving wellness in the face of ABR.” The authors also suggest conducting more research specifically examining “the therapeutic efficiency of the strategies described in Acting Critically Against ABR.”    

For professionals seeking to self-assess CCABR: Assessing one’s own critical consciousness involves reflecting on one’s own skills in recognizing and witnessing ABR, “both in their immediate contexts and across the systems in which they regularly engage.” Because Whiteness continually evolves, and is both expansive and normalized, individuals need to enhance their analysis skills and build their capacity for recognizing historical context. White people engaged in antiracism must continually work to enhance their critical thinking skills “related to whiteness, white supremacy, ABR, and social justice.” Research on White antiracism indicates that White people need to engage in “ongoing self-evaluation” and seek community support. Other ways that counseling psychologists and professionals can use this research: in mentoring and teaching + in pursuing scholar-activism.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #222

“hold your breath, my dear, we’re going under.”

Have you ever kicked a vending machine? No. Have you ever stayed online for a long time waiting for someone? Ha ha, yeah... I did that for Mini a lot when I was younger. Would you survive in prison? I can almost guarantee I'd find a way to kill myself, no. What is your favorite condiment to go with french fries? Probably ketchup. What do you have a habit of doing when engaging in a conversation with someone? Obsess over if I'm making eye contact correctly. Like the WHOLE time I will be thinking about it. Have you ever lost a pet in a tragic way? How did you cope? I had a lot of childhood cats run over, and that was always hard to see. As for coping, I just... did. What else do you do. Do you have a favorite classical composer? No. Mini skirts, slutty or stylish? Um, what you wear doesn't determine whether or not you're "slutty." They don't bother me. Do you like a partner who is clean cut or rugged? A mix. Pale or tan, which would you rather be? I like pale skin, I just don't like the texture of mine. The negative of pale skin is the fact you can see flaws more clearly. Is walking cats strange? (like walking dogs) No. What about kids on leashes? What do you think about that? That shit is wild. Teach your children better, or keep them in your sights at all times if they have some kind of condition that makes it challenging to teach them properly. How many piercings have you had, BESIDES ears, no one cares. Two. New tats in your near future? Whenever I myself have the money, my next tattoo appointment will be to enhance my Mark tribute one to better the galaxy texture. I love the guy who's done my tats so far, but there are better out there, and I don't feel he achieved my vision. This tattoo is WILD important to me; it has to be perfect. After that, a "new" tattoo probably won't happen until I have a job or I'm gifted money. How about piercings or re-piercings? "In the near future" is the criteria I'm guessing is still relevant? It depends on how quickly I lose enough weight for my collarbones to be clearly prominent to get dermals. I've been fucking stagnated for a year, though, so I don't know when the hell that's happening... Who would you like to hang out with? There's a lot of old friends and acquaintances that fit this. Next new thing you are wanting to try! Idk. Some sort of job I can actually accomplish. Would you ever visit a psychic medium? Definitely not; I don't believe they're legit. Are some days a waste of makeup? Um so idk if you know, author, but people wear makeup for their own satisfaction. If it makes you feel beautiful, then hell no it's not a waste. Do you watch any beauty gurus on YouTube? Okay I fucking adore Jeffree Star y'all. He's a goddamn Mood and inspirational as ALL hell in terms of his determination, work ethic, and open-mindedness. I watch everything he uploads ever, even though I'm not really interested in makeup. It's cool to watch though; it's an art to me. Do you have a PillowPet? No, but omfg. One of my favorite Christmas memories ever is the night my niece, when she was around two or so, was given one (or something like it?) the night before, we turned the lights out, and lit it up so the colorful stars were all over the room. She was absolutely marveling over it. That was the same night my sister revealed she was pregnant with my nephew, actually. That was a great night. Actually felt like a family. Do you have sleep paralysis? Thank FUCK no. Have you ever wanted an ex back, but found out they were dating someone? I've talked about Jason and Ashley before. God that was a bad. Bad. Fuck-ing. Time. Do you like Placebo? I don't listen to them. Has anyone ever carried you to bed? I mean as a kid, yeah. Idr as a teenager or adult. Would you rather have a wiener dog or an Italian greyhound? The greyhound. Dachshunds are precious, but as of semi-recently, I'm personally against breeding pets with damaging/unhealthy traits, and dachshunds are very susceptible to spine issues. Idk if greyhounds have any issues like that. Do your parents buy you most anything you want? Bitch we poor, no. What is the next craft you are going to make? Probably something for Sara for some special event. I don't think that's much of a spoiler, so I don't mind sharing it. Do you learn choreography easily? I was decent when I was a dance student, but no, I can promise you no. My memory is laughable. If you had to choose, would you rather be taller or shorter? Taller, I guess? Idk. Do you believe that Jesus will come back in your lifetime? No, I don't believe he ever will. What color is your winter coat? ... Shit dude, idr. Idk if I even have one, actually. What’s your favorite candy to receive on Halloween? Gimme all ur Reese's cups. Have you ever spent your birthday alone? No. Have you ever had a themed b-day party? I'm sure I did as a kid. Were you afraid of heights as a child? No. I am now tho. Which dollar store is your favorite? Here, Dollar Generals are everywhere and generally the preferred one, I believe. What food gives you diarrhea? Totally serious, most exceptionally "fancy" foods; by that, I assume things with lots of intricate spices and other ingredients. At least severe gas pains are almost guaranteed when I eat out somewhere. Have you ever had a lead role in a play? No. Ha ha man, I remember as an elementary school student though, we had a play where I SO wanted to be Snow White. What is the most fascinating part of nature? Evolution. I don't know how I once didn't believe in it. Would you ever go vegetarian? I am serious about returning to vegetarianism when/if I get to a weight I'm satisfied with (losing weight w/o meat is more difficult than with, particularly for an extremely picky eater). I wish I could be a total vegan, but I know I'm not capable of that. Once you actually learn about slaughterhouses and farm life... no. What berry is your favorite? STRAW!!!!!!!BERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is your dream house? Something in the woods with a nice yard/outdoor decor, flowers, wildlife... What was the reason in you crying last? PTSD. Are there any movies in the theater that you’d like to see? The new IT and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. What do you think of Coca Cola? It's my third-fave soda. What about polar bears? Gorgeous animals. I will R I O T if they go extinct. My best friend(s) are/is... Sara. When do you want to have your first kid? Never. I am faaar from cut out to be a mother. Which stovetop burner do you use the most? I don't cook, so. The times I've made eggs, uh... I think I use the bottom right? Do you use a dishwasher or wash dishes by hand? Ugh, we don't have one. What year did you graduate high school? 2014. Do you carry pepper spray? No, but I should with how paranoid I am. What is your favorite gas station? Sheetz is the way to go down here. What have been some of your best garage sale finds? *shrugs* Idr the last time I went to one. Ever worked two jobs or more at once? Hell no. I wouldn't survive. How often do you check your email? Every day, mainly for school. What would you do if your ex came to you crying? It would depend on who. "The" ex, I don't give a fuck how I feel about him, he's getting a tight-ass hug because seeing him cry is awful, and I will always care about him to a certain degree. Well actually, I'd ask him before hugging; I don't know if he'd be fine with me touching him. Girt would get a big 'ole hug for sure. Juan, Tyler, and Aaron I'd ask if they wanted a hug. I'd definitely ask any of them if they wanted to talk/vent to me about whatever is wrong; I can't stand seeing people cry. What school do you go to, what grade? I'm a super late freshman in college. How do you feel about school? It's been a drastic change in my daily life and thus has caused stress, but nevertheless I'm ecstatic to be back because I'm actually making progress towards going somewhere. Are you still a virgin? So I know it sounds like it makes NO sense w/o details, but seriously, I don't know. We had "cheaty" ways to just barely skirt around it because at the time I was abstinent, but pretty sure at some point it became sex. Do you eat chips or crackers more? Man, I haven't had chips in a loooong time... though I love them, man. We have crackers at the house usually, and I snack on them occasionally. Is your bed next to a wall? Who doesn't have their bed against at least one?? Is your bed next to a window? There's one beside me against the wall. Do you have neat handwriting? I think so. The only thing I don't like is I write SOOOOOOOOOO slow. Would you rather be a singer or a dancer? Dancer. Would you rather be a musician or a painter? Painter. What did your hair look like in high school? Long and normally brown, but sometimes I dyed it black with colored highlights. Favorite flavor of hot chocolate? Normal?? What is your top priority in life? My happiness, probably. Have you ever made a gingerbread house? Yeah. Sucky ones, but they were gingerbread houses, lol. Do you prefer candy corn or conversation hearts? EW both are gross. Skeletons or scarecrows? I'll see you in the Skeleton War, fuckers. Who was the last non-relative woman you spoke to in person? My Writing teacher. What’s a topic you’ve drastically changed your opinion on? I did a TOTAL 180 on LGBT rights, and my former, intense pro-life stance has altered quite a lot to mostly pro-choice. What’s an achievement you hope to see humanity accomplish in your lifetime? Man, a lot... A total ban from plastic and finding an alternative for it would be great, as well as the cure of cancer and H.I.V. Make gay marriage legal worldwide. Make great progress on cleaning the oceans. I could go on and on. Do you know anyone who has a PhD? As far as personally, possibly. Like, obviously my doctors do. How do you feel when you’re the center of attention? *buys that red button that says "no" in various fashions solely for this occasion* Are you and your S/O Facebook official? She doesn't have a FB, but mine does say "in a relationship." Do you know anyone who works as a lawyer? Not that I know well anymore; a former best friend is in the process of becoming one, though. So proud of her. Which would bother you more: being told you’re not likable or being told you’re not sensible? Being told I'm not likable would really hurt. How many bedrooms does your house have? Two. Have you ever had a dream in which you died? Yeah. Does the thought of having wrinkles when you’re older upset you? Not really. Everyone gets them. Do you use Snapchat? No. Do you know anyone who’s struggling with addiction? Yes. What was your first job? And how long did you work there? I was a sales associate at GameStop. I was employed for like two months, but I worked very few days before I crumbled. Where is the last place you were other then where you are right now? School. How do you feel about the last person you kissed? I adore her. Lol, Lawl, Rotfl, Lmao, or Lmfao? (Which you use most) Lmao or lol. Have you/Do you know anyone that grows weed? Not knowingly to me. Do you really care about name brands? Not just for the sake of being a certain name; I do, however, care about the quality of brands, of course, such as taste for foods or being comfortable in clothes. Describe your favorite pair of jeans to me please. I don't have any. When I was actually slim though, I had a pair of maroon skinny jeans with a black dappling texture, and there were holes in them where the fabric was just black, and I loooooved them. Those and my leather boots was A Look. To wash in the shower, do you use a loofa? That's not the technical name for what I use according to Mom when I've called them that, but rather a body sponge or something like that, but it's like the same thing. Have you ever ridden on a horse? Yes, though not at a gallop or anything "real." Just at things like school fairs. Are you polite? I think I'm very polite, honestly. Do you prefer bright or muted colors? Bright, usually. Can you roll your tongue? I used to be able to after practicing all day once with a friend ha ha, but I haven't been able to for a long time. Definitely can't now with snake eyes. Are you a light weight when it comes to alcohol? No, apparently. Which accents can you emulate pretty well? British and country. How loud do you listen to music? Too loud, I know. Are you more awkward talking to people in real life or online? JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, real life. I don't think I'm half bad online. Do you bruise easily? So easily that I was tested for anemia or whatever it's called where you bleed easily (the test was negative, thankfully). Despite feeling bruised, though, I usually don't have an actual mark. Have you ever bought pre-ripped jeans? All my jeans were. I hate plain, boring jeans. What are you most likely to spend money on? Tattoos, lol... I genuinely think I'm good with money, I feel because of the financial position I've grown up and lived in, although I have never had a stable source of income, so it's hard to really determine that yet. I'm quite sure I'll be fine, but I really do hope I handle my money well when I do and don't invest all my spendable (as in, not money that I'm saving for emergencies) money into just tats. Have you ever been a complete fangirl/fanboy over anything? Welcome to my life, lol. I'm at an age where it's starting to get embarrassing, but. Idk how to change it. What’s the weirdest way you’ve ever heard somebody die of? *shrug* When was the last time you (dis)liked someone without really knowing them? I dunno. I try to not do that. When was the last time you wore a mask? What did it look like? Hell if I remember. I don't even remember wearing any on Halloween as a child. What comes up on your recommended list on YouTube? Mainly let's plays or music. Have you ever had a controlling boyfriend/girlfriend? Hell no, that wouldn't last long. How many true heart breaks have you had in your lifetime? One. Do you have any gay family members? My mom has a gay cousin. Who was the last person to sleep over at your house? Sara. Would you ever get a boob job? No; I don't care enough about them too. I wish they were smaller. I liked mine when I was a healthy weight, so, let's get back to that size, please. What would you think if you found out your ex was gay? Aaron, I think he actually is. Juan, trust me, he's not. Jason couldn't convince me he was gay even if he tried. I very highly doubt he'd be bi/pan, either. Girt, I would be surprised, but not like, immensely. I don't have a clue about Tyler and if he has any gay tendencies/history. Would you ever take someone back if you found out they cheated on you? NO SIR-REE. Do people ever compliment your eyes? Yeah. Would you be upset if you caught your boyfriend looking at porn? I don't know. I used to feel REALLY strongly about porn just being a big 'ole fucking nope, but whatever man, we're sexual animals. Better you take care of urges yourself rather than, you know, raping someone or something. If I personally caught my s/o doing it, idk how I'd feel, but knowing me and my self-esteem, I'd feel I'd probably jump to the whole (if we were serious) "um hi I'm your fckng gf what am I not enough" thought path. I don't think I'd be livid, though. Ask the old Britt, and we would've broken up there, probably. Who’s the last person that hung up on you? *shrug* Do you have a common first name? Yeah. Have you ever been engaged? No. Do you have any tattoos on your arms? Four, currently. They're gonna be covered one day. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property? No. Have you ever been punched? No. What do you usually order from Olive Garden? I will, without fail, get the spicy shrimp fritas and be the happiest human being on Earth. How do you feel about bats? I absolutely adore them. Do you get excited when you learn you have to dress up? Quite the opposite, actually. What brand of hair spray do you use? I don't use it. Do you like it when guys wear hats? I have zero opinion on this. Burger King, McDonald's, or Wendy's? I prefer Wendy's. If you type for awhile, do your fingers start to hurt? No. Are you the type of person who would study for a test for hours? No, I'm not. I generally don't even have to like, intensely study; I tend to learn upon reading things, or in like math, performing the actions just a couple times. "Studying" doesn't tend to work for me; if it gets to that point, it probably won't stick, regardless of how many times I try. Are you a lazy person? I hate admitting just how lazy I am. But I mean again, it also depends on what is at stakes. Does your house have a doorbell? Yes, though I actually don't know if the doorbell works... Favorite album? Ozzy Osbourne's Black Rain. Favorite farm animal? PIGS! Has your Facebook ever been hacked? No. Do you spell gray with an A or an E? I use the American spelling ("gray"). Would you rather get money or gift cards for your birthday? I would be perfectly and entirely happy with purely money for my birthday, because that equals tattoos, lmao. Have you ever spoken to a detective before? No. Have you ever played laser tag? Once on a double-date with Jason and our old roommates/friends. Do you ever share things on Facebook? Almost all I do are share things I support, find funny, find as inspirational or cute, stuff like that. I can confidently say the majority of people I even have as "friends" on there do not care that much about my personal life. Is anyone you’re close to in the hospital right now? I mean, define "close." My grandmother's going through chemo, but we're not like... my definition of particularly "close," though she's close-ish family, so idk. Is your Wifi protected? Of course. What did you have for lunch today? I didn't eat lunch. How often do people write on your Facebook wall? On my birthday, lmao. Does your phone have a cover on it? No. I'd say I want one, but way more than that, I want a new phone. Mine is godawful. What color was your swim suit this year? I mean my most recently-worn is black, but I think it'd probably be too big for me now. I haven't swam in a long time. Do ladders scare you? Yes. Do you have any pictures of you and your friends in your bedroom? No. How do you eat Oreos? I'm one of those people that breaks the cookie to eat the cream first. Who or what sleeps with you? My cat Roman. Do you know anyone with the same name as you? Yes, but spelled differently. Are you pro-life or pro-choice? Honestly, it's become almost embarrassing to say I was ever pro-life. I'm vehemently pro-choice now. What color LED is the display in your car? Okay so Mom's has a rainbow of options, but I think it's currently stuck on... purple? I think? How am I unsure???? I'm in it every day?????????? Who was your first kiss with? Jason, my first "real" boyfriend. What kind of milk do you drink? I'll drink anywhere between skim to whole milk, but I'm not really a fan of skim despite having grown up with it. What aren’t you afraid to stand up for? I'd stand up for gay rights if it killed me. Do you know anybody in the military? Loosely. What was the last hotel you stayed at? I don't have the slightest clue. Do you have any STDs? No. What’s your preferred salad dressing? YO the Olive Garden dressing is b o m b. Do you have a favorite NASCAR driver? No. Who’s your celebrity crush? I'm almost 24 years old ha ha ha hahaha I'm too old for a celebrity crush aha hahaa haa aahha ah hahaaaaaaaaaaaaa- What color is your fridge? Black. Do you know the metric system well enough to live in Canada? No, admittedly. What was the biggest bruise you’ve ever had? Tell me the place (on your body) and the story of it! Idr. If you have Etsy account - show the very last item you added to the favorites. If not - either skip or just visit Etsy and find one thing you like: I think I have one, but I don't use it. I don't feel like looking. What would you do if you knew that you will be single to your very death (even if you’re in a relationship now)? Nothing would change...? My relationship status doesn't alter my goals and such. Are there any exchange students at your school? We have a LOT of foreign students at my school, so I'd assume so. Have you got any half or step siblings? I have three (actually four, but I don't know one tho) half-siblings and technically a step-brother, but I don't see him as a "brother," really. What cars do your siblings drive, if they do drive? My older sister has a red car, and my younger has a... black Kia, I think? It's dark is all I know for sure, and I only know the brand because it's new. I don't live with either or see their cars frequently elsewhere, so idk. What about your parents? Idk what kind my dad drives, but BOY do I know my mom's car, lmao. It's an older white Kia (I think?) with the bumper fuckin zip-tied onto the car bc it was given to us after a dance friend hit a poor deer, lmao. Look, we don't complain, shit was free. Do you like kid’s movies? Yo I do NOT trust you if you claim you like NO "kids' movie." Describe your handbag. I'm actually gonna look it up. (https://sourpussclothingwholesale.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/night-owl-bag.jpg?w=584&h=364) When was the last time you had to take someone home? ME, never. I don't have my license because I'm terrified of driving. Who was it, and where did you take them home from? N/A Have you ever known someone online and then met them in person? Sara Jaaaaaane!!! :'> There are other friends I'd like to meet, too. If so, which website did you meet on? Sara and I met via YouTube when it was actually community-oriented. Have you ever been to the beach? Yeah, multiple times. Have you ever been kicked out of somewhere? Yeah, I guess. She didn't actually like, force me outside, but I had to call my mother to pick me up. Have you ever intentionally trolled? No. Did you get swine flu? No. What is your favorite type of cat? Aesthetically, I find Persians to be way too cute, though I don't support their continued breeding. It's literally abuse to breed animals that deformed. Do you support the LGBTQ community? I'm bisexual, so like- Have you ever eaten a veggie burger? Yeah, the Morningstar brand from Burger King (not the Impossible Burger one). It's genuinely not bad. If you could meet any major political figure, who would it be? I'm not educated enough on like, any, to properly answer this question. If you drink Monster, what is your favorite flavor? N/A Do you own any Webkinz stuffed animals? I was that Bad Bitch(tm) with like,,,, almost all of them back in the day. If so, do you have a Webkinz online account? It exists, but idr the password sobs. If you had/have a Club Penguin account, how old were you when you got it? I would have a character for like two days, not go back on for years, repeat a couple times... but idk how old I was. Do you own any Nintendo video game consoles/handhelds? GameBoys and a DS Lite, yes. What religion were you raised in? Roman Catholicism. Are you still that religion, if you had one? Far from it. What religion/spiritual path intrigues you the most, if any? Buddhism and Wicca. What ancient culture intrigues you the most, if any? Idk. Were/are you a teacher’s pet? Not like, the kind that sucked up to the teacher for their personal benefit, but if you mean just as in the teacher's favorite, yeah. Do you like pink lemonade? Hell yeah man. What’s your favorite U2 song, if you have one? I don't listen to them. Were your parents born in the United States? Yeah. Do women breastfeeding in public make you feel uncomfortable? I want it to be perfectly and violently clear that I fucking despise you if a child being fed fucking offends you. Why or why not? Because women's bodies aren't sexual fucking objects designed for your viewing pleasure. Write an unpopular/offensive opinion of yours here. I’m interested. Buckle up, lads. Seatbelts fastened? Ass properly in the seat? Airbags in place? There are two genders.

[life-experiences-by-me]

Time-Outs and How They Might Accidentally Fuck Up Our Kids

I feel I should start this by mentioning that I don’t have any children of my own. However, I do have parents, I have been a child, and I have an abusive ex-boyfriend (whose relevance to this topic will be made clear later). So! Seeing a lot of debate lately around the topic of time-outs and other punishments parents inflict on their children, I thought I would share my two cents by writing about my own experience in this area.

Today I saw a pin on Pinterest about a “Time-Out Bottle” (pictured below). The idea of the bottle is you fill it with water, glitter glue, and glitter, put your kid in time-out, shake it, and their punishment is over when all the glitter has settled at the bottom. The bottle also has a poem on it containing the phrase “You’re in time-out/Because you were acting rotten”. Personally, I thought the idea of the bottle, watching the glitter sink (such a calming movement) was an interesting idea, though I’d have left off the poem and called it something less punishment-y. The comments section on this pin was full of people discussing (some rather heatedly) the use of the word “rotten” in the poem, and the effectiveness of time-outs as a whole. While I expected unpleasantness, I was shocked at some of the comments I read. The worst example I saw was one person who stated to those who thought the poem was too negative, “This is unfortunately why kids these days can’t take how cruel other people can be in the real world, and end up killing themselves over being bullied.” Ummm, WHAT? I couldn’t believe what I was reading! Suddenly wanting to raise your children in a positive environment is increasing their susceptibility to suicide? I know that these kinds of debates bring out the extremists, but holy crow! And so it was that I started to think back to my own childhood, and how my parents raised me.

Now, my parents never put me in time-out. I was grounded from seeing my friends one time for one weekend, after breaking curfew by a good hour, having been warned about it before. And they never hit me. What was the result of this “soft, over protective” parenting? Once I understood my reactions to my emotions, I had one major (though short, like five seconds tops) public outburst at the mall, which I realizied immediately after the fact was wrong with no prompting or punishment from my parents. I apologized once I had some time to calm down, and they accepted. I never did anything like that again. I was not, and still am not, disrespectful to anyone unless they earn it. I was and am kind. I was and am responsible. I understand my emotions and can control my reactions to them for the most part. I have a positive relationship with my parents. However, while my parents never tried to put me in time-out, there was one person who did: my psycho ex-boyfriend.

My ex was very abusive to me emotionally during our entire relationship, but I never knew how bad it was until I left him. We met and started dating when I was 21, and I was 23 when this particular experience occurred. Keep that in mind: Twenty. Three. I was a grown woman, I had been an adult for 5 full years at this point. He was older than me, by almost a decade, in his thirties. And we fought all the time. Mostly because I - being a grown-ass woman - know myself and my mind, and he - being older - thought he knew better than me in all things, including me and my emotions. One day, while at his place, we were having a fight because I hadn’t obeyed him fast enough (he wanted me to come watch him practice something, I was finishing up writing something and wanted to get my thoughts down before I forgot them), and he said we were going to try something different. He said that from now on whenever I was being “a brat”, he was going to put me in time-out: he was going to take my phone, and I had to sit in a chair in the corner of his bedroom facing the wall and I wasn’t allowed to get up, look at him, or talk to him for five minutes. I was HORRIFIED. I hated the idea of being forced to be isolated, it actually terrified me. Who would do that to a person? I told him I absolutely would not do that, I threatened to leave and go home. He then said, “Well, I have to have some way to punish you when you’re wrong.” Punish me. PUNISH me. We were ADULTS, I was TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD, and this man wanted to PUNISH ME for doing things that HE thought were inappropriate or disrespectful to him (whether they were meant that way or not). The very idea of this, I’m sure you’ll agree, is laughable. But while I can laugh about it now, at the time, I didn’t find this funny - I found it hurtful, and confusing. Why did he need to punish me? He loved me, and I loved him, why would he want to hurt me like that? What did I do so wrong that he felt like he had to punish me? The answers, of course, are: he didn't; he's an asshole who didn't really love me; and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. And looking back on my relationship with him, while there was a red flag here and there, THIS was the moment I finally realized who he was. THIS was the moment I understood the manipulative and controlling person I was willingly staying with (and sadly continued to stay with, even after this, for another two years). THIS was the moment that lead to me, finally, getting the hell away from him.

Now, there are a couple of things that I think about, remembering this experience. Firstly, I can’t help but wonder if my reaction to my crazy ex’s “punishment” would have been different if my parents had put me in that position regularly as a child. And if so, how? But secondly, and far more importantly, if I, a full grown adult woman approaching her mid-twenties, had that kind of reaction to the IDEA of being put in “time-out”.. what is happing with the children whose parents are actually going through with it, over and over? Children who are still trying to understand their emotions, and their reactions to them? Children who are still trying to understand where they fit in this world they didn’t ask to be brought into? Children who, half the time, aren’t even told WHY they’re being punished to begin with? I know that the idea behind time-outs and other punishment for children is for parents to teach them. They want their kids to understand how the world works. But ask yourself: is that really how the world works? If you’re a parent, and your father came to you today and tried to put you in time-out for not eating all your vegetables, would you think “oh well, that’s just how the world works”, or would you laugh at them for even suggesting it? If you’re at the supermarket and your mother told you to put back the dessert you picked up, and then tried to spank you when you told her no, would you think “just how the world works”, or would you freak out at being assaulted in public? If your parents come over to visit and the living room is a mess, do you expect to be grounded for not cleaning up after yourself? Is that not what the punishments of your childhood taught you to expect?

Now, I know that actions have consequences. And I know children need to be taught that. But here’s the thing: children are PEOPLE. Young people, people who still need looking after, but people nonetheless. And if you wouldn’t inflict these types of punishments on other people, why on earth would you make a child suffer through them? You’d be surprised how good children can get at having a conversation if you just give them the tools and the opportunity. Children don’t understand these emotions that are so big for their still developing minds - help them. Talk to them about how to recognize when an emotion is getting the better of them, and methods they can use to get control of themselves again. Talk to them about when it IS okay to show someone how they’re feeling, even if it’s a “bad” feeling, and how to do it respectfully and still stay true to themselves. A child who knows their emotions will have an easier time controlling their reactions, and explaining how they feel. And a child who isn’t afraid of being punished for their feelings, and their reactions to them, will have an easier time talking to their parents about it.

That’s my life experience, anyway.

[cerastes]

HEY DRIMO it's been a while since you did a big myth post so how about you tell me a cool story about my boi karna

Oh dear me, Hindu mythos, damn, ok, so, first rule of Hindu mythos is that you all have to wear your seat belts while reading this. If you don’t, you are susceptible to immense physical and spiritual damage, enough that it might kick you right out of the cycle of reincarnation, and then the Mythos Retelling Collective (MRC) will revoke my license due to Irresponsible Sharing of Intense Tales (art. 23847). Are you all strapped in? Y’all got your helmets? Alright alright, let’s get this show on the road.

SO, KARNA. I assume most of you are familiar with Karna having Big Strength and being god damn unkillable. Ok, so, it goes beyond that. It goes at least three Milky Ways in width beyond that. Originally known by his other name, Vasusena (and this dude has like 14 different names), Karna is the main protagonist of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, and–

Oh, right, before I can tell you anything about the Mahabharata, or about Hindu mythos in general, I need to explain power levels. So you know how in Dragon Ball Z Abridged, Vegeta and Nappa use “Raditz” as a unit of measure for power levels and ki? “My power level is 500 Raditz.” “My power level is 23000 Raditz”, the joke being that Raditz was such a weak grunt that his meager total power can be used as a unit as you would with centimeters? Ok, this is actually canon in Hindu mythos. They have a scale of power levels, referred to as “Levels of Warrior Excellence”. The levels are:

Ardha-rathi: The lowest level, meaning literally “Half of a Rathi”. Read the next section for a more elaborate explanation, but this is Yamcha-tier, basically, the weakest of the badasses.

Rathi: It almost sounds like Raditz, doesn’t it? Well, Rathi is the unit by which all the other levels of Warrior Excellence are measured, as well as a rank by itself. A Rathi is an individual so powerful and skilled, that they can do battle with 1000 regular warriors simultaneously. This is the “Dynasty Warriors Playable Character” tier: Strong, but still susceptible to frames per seconds drops and getting stunlocked by arrows.

Atirathi: HERE is where things get spicy. An Atirathi is a warrior that can fight with six Rathi simultaneously. This is the level of strength possessed by Kevin by the time of Home Alone 2.

Ekarathi: You thought six was impressive? TRY EIGHT RATHI SIMULTANEOUSLY. We are entering Popeye-with-spinach levels of world-ending strength now.

Maharathi: The top level, the cream of the crop, the true definition of “Fuckhouse”. Those who reach this level are immensely powerful, and can do battle with 12 or more Rathi simultaneously. That is 12000 asses worth of whoopings. This is where you favorite Touhou is, obviously, and fuck what everyone else says.

Their measure of unit is basically “How many thousands of dudes can this person fight, or how many people that can fight a thousand people at once can this person fight?”, which, in other words, means that India has not fucked around a single day in it history.

So you might be wondering, “where’s Karna in all of this?”. Well, Chili Con Karna is SO MINDBOGGLINGLY STRONG AND SPICY that he is, literally, a Double Maharathi. Karna is stated to be “in terms of strength and skill, equal to two Maharathi warriors”. These peak jokers made this elaborate power level chart just so they could say “AND KARNA IS DOUBLE AS STRONG AS THE STRONGEST”. He is Two Gokus. Karna could literally look at you, without the laser, and you would just be atomized, restructured, and atomized again in the span of minus three seconds, and you would thank him for it. And damn RIGHT you would thank him for it, because he probably didn’t mean to do that to you. That’s because Karna, despite having more powers than Superman and God combined, is the Ultimate Good Boy. This dude is Puppy Kiss Central, this dude chips in on Pizza Thursday every week, and makes up for those who didn’t chip in. Karna lets you take the last chicken nugget. Karna lets you use Player 1 when you hang out at his place. Karna tells you to text him or call him once you get home after hanging out and he gets worried if you don’t. That dashing guy you saw doing volunteer work at the homeless shelter the other day? Probably Karna. The owner of Old Friends Dog Sanctuary? Definitely Karna.

He’s GOOD.

And that’s why the Mahabharata is so painful: I don’t speak Hindi, but I am pretty sure “mahabharata” translates directly to “Karna Has Bad Day :(”. Today, we’ll be talking about Karna’s Three Curses, with a little bit of his childhood for context on the first one, and because I just want to talk about his dumbass mom. Also that one time he clowned Arjuna and Planet Fucking Earth got mad at him.

SO, there was this lady named Kunti, princess of the Kunti Kingdom (yeah), and this one time she was the host to a sage named Durvasa, who was visiting. She is a most Excellent Host, and provided Durvasa with the best of services, the most delicious food, the most luxurious of drinks, and every volume of Detective Conan, and Durvasa was so stoked at this 10/10 Would Come Again service, that he gave Kunti a special boon: With a mantra he taught her, she now had the amazing power to get knocked up by any deity of her selection. Kunti was really happy with her new pregnancy powers, and couldn’t wait to try them out, so she did to call upon the Sun God Surya, and guess what fucking happened: That’s right, fucking happened. It was a violent and intense cyclone of sex so kinky that the baby was born with armor and earrings (in some versions, Surya “handed” the child to Kunti, but in others, which I opt to believe, Kunti bore his child, and his fat solar load was so powerful that the fetus was armored). And then Kunti was like “oh fuck it worked lol but I am not wed” and since she didn’t want to be an unmarried mother (refer to Hindu tradition for this one), so she did like many other Mothers In Mythology and she put Armor Baby on a basket and set him afloat on the rivER LIKE A REAL KUNT, IT WAS IN HER NAME ALL ALONG, WHY DO YOU ASSHOLES KEEP DOING THIS.

THE REST IS UNDER THE CUT BECAUSE THIS IS TURNING LONG.

Like many other Babies In Mythology, Armor Baby was found by someone, this someone being a charioteer named Adhiratha, but not just ANY charioteer, this was the chief charioteer of King Dhritarashtra, who I hope will forgive me if I wrote his name wrong, and was adopted by the charioteer and his wife, Radha. Armor Baby was given a name, Vasusena, and his pet name was Radheya among the locals. Being born an armored baby, it should come as no surprise Vasusena was interested in the military arts, and so he approached this really cool dude named Dronacharya who taught princes about warfare, BUT Drone told the armor kid to fuck the off because he only taught Kshatriyas (the military social caste in Hindu culture), but he was very impressed by Vasusena’s guts because this shit ass kid more or less just strolled into his house and said “HEY TEACH ME HOW TO BE A BADASS”, so he suggested to his father to change his name to Karna, which means “one who peels his own skin”, as a reference to his guts and totally not any sort of foreshadowing to anything NO SIR WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT.

So ok he got a cool name and whatever, bUT SEE, he still got told to fuck off, which he DIDN’T LIKE, so Cartman, not one to be daunted, sought out Dron’s own teacher instead, because fuck you, that’s why. So Kane finds him, name of Parashurama, and asks him BUT FIRST he disguises himself as a Brahmin, because Futurama only teaches Brahmins, and Karlos was not gonna make THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE. Panasonic agrees, seeing potential in this Double Goku kid and so begins the training arc. Result: Parashurama proudly announces that Karna is his equal in the art of warfare and archery. All this heaving and hoing gets my man Parmesan tired, though, so Karna, ever the good boy, offers his sensei his lap so he can sleep, sensei says fuck yeah and he uses his lap pillow. While he is sleeping, however, a very angry bee goes and stings the hell out of Karna’s thigh, but he’s got his sensei on his lap, which is like when you have a cat or a puppy on your lap and it falls asleep and you do not DARE move. So he didn’t, and this leads to a very important lesson to be learned in the Mahabharata: NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED. When he woke up, Parashurama saw the wound and the blood that flowed from it (and from this, I take bees in India are Cazadores from Fallout New Vegas) and immediately realized that Kane was NOT a Brahmin. This lie meant he had ILLEGALLY STOLEN INFORMATION, and so he cast a curse on Karna that made him forget everything about how to wield the divine weapon Brahmandra-astra, an immensely powerful divine weapon he learned to use, but Karna pleaded to please be reasonable, at which point Par realized, hey, maybe this is kinda excessive and impulsive, so he reduced the curse to make it so Karna would only forget it when he needed it the most against an equally powerful warrior, which IS NOT ANY FUCKING BETTER, and then he felt EVEN WORSE because Karna had basically been his best student ever and is a Good Person, so he gave him his own divine weapon, the Bhagavastra, as well as his bow, Vijaya. I mean, you could’ve just. Undone the curse. But hey. New weapons!

So Karna, a dedicated and excellent archer, was VERY HYPED to try out this new legendary bow he had come to own! There’s a thing in Hindu martial arts called “Shabdavedi Vidhya”, the art of hitting a target by detecting the source of the sound. What Karna didn’t consider is that shooting things by just detecting their sound, you know, means you are not REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING, but hey, like eager-to-try-new-toys mother, like eager-to-try-new-toys son. Three guesses as to what happened. You are RIGHT, HE SHOT A FUCKING COW. And it’s not with a little arrow or a harmless stick, this was with the Vijaya, which means that cow was obliterated off the face of this god damn planet. My dude was practicing “shooting at sounds” with a tactical nuke launcher. What the tits did he expect to happen. SEE, I’m sure you know, but shooting cows in India is not exactly something you just apologize about. But Karna, albeit not the brightest crayon in the box, was still Ultimate Good Boy, so he went to apologize to the owner of the cow, who happened to be an actual Brahmin who had performed the Agnihotra rite daily, which made him extra holy. Brahmin, of course, was pissed, and since apparently people in India just have a full moveset of curses ready to sling at a moment’s noticed, cursed Karna AGAIN, with this curse being “fated to die a helpless and callous death”. Not the best series of days for Karna. He could’ve just walked away, but he’s a Good Boy, so he had to take responsibility. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

So I want to call attention to this bitch of a life for a second: Baby is born because some cunt used her super pregnancy powers to see if they worked without considering the consequences of, you know, getting super pregnant, Baby is chucked into a basket and sent to fuck off on the rapids, is picked up, immediately tries to enroll with a fighting master, instead enrolls with a SUPER fighting master that taught the previous fighting master, and gets double cursed for being a good boy and having bad trigger discipline.

Now, let’s skip a couple of chapters, and we arrive at the moment where the Pandava princes, all demi-gods, hosted a “tournament” of sorts to show off their skills to the people and to their guru, Drona. They were all having a good time, being badass and superpowered WHEN SUDDENLY Karna shows up and arrogantly challenges them because he knows he can do better, from what he has seen. One of the princes, Arjuna (kept you waiting, huh?), who was regarded by Drona to be the most powerful and skilled on the Pandava, told him to maybe fuck off, and that they couldn’t compete because they were above him, as his caste was no doubt lower than theirs. A certain pair of ears DID NOT LIKE THIS and jumped to Karna’s defense: Duryodhana is the name of the owner of said ears, and he’s got Authority. How much of it? Well, he just up and named Karna King of Anga then and there, just so he could compete. Holy SHIT. Now, see, Duryo hates the Pandava. Duryo REALLY, REALLY HATES the Pandava, and he was 100% behind supporting this random stranger if it meant he could possibly maybe humiliate these ugly sumbitches. Maybe. Ok, see, here’s where it gets a bit weird, but depending on who tells the tale, Duryo and Karna actually already knew each other and were childhood friends, but most tellings make this their first meeting, and I am absolutely on board with that, because it only goes on to show how much Duryo hated the Pandava, and divine people in general. He just fucking HATED gods, man. Can relate. So Karna goes and UTTERLY OUTDOES AND UPSTAGES the Pandava princes. Outright beats all their highscores and writes “ASS” in the 1st Place billboard on each entry as his name. They are all FURIOUS at him, especially Arjuna, who had aced every single event, and now had to wear a nice 2nd place on all of them because this absolutely nobody (no one knew Karna was the sun’s son yet) showed up and utterly pulverized them. This also starts his relationship with Duryo, with whom he’d become fast, and eventually, best friends.

BUT, SEE, HE KINDA GOT MADE A KING, SO HEY, HE HAD TO GO, UH, TEND TO THAT. He was checking his brand new sudden kingdom, when he came across a WEEPING CHILD. If there is one thing Ultimate Good Boy can’t stand, that’s the tears of children, so he approached the girl and asked what’s wrong. See, the girl had accidentally dropped her ghee (kinda like butter but less dense) and she was going to get her ass whooped by her step mother. Karna kindly offered to buy her new ghee, but she said it had to be THAT SPECIFIC ghee with the dirt on it, and that she didn’t want any other. Karna, in his infinite kindness, said “oh, sure, lol”, so he grabbed the dirt and squeezed it with all of his extremely godly might, extracting the ghee back into the jar as if squeezing water out of a sponge, because that’s just the kind of solution you come up with when you are the strongest person in Ever.

hey

hey

you guys remember what I said a while ago?

WHY YES

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

Guess what happened. Guess whose anger he incurred. He got Bhumi Devi/Mother Earth herself pissed at him. And what was her beef, you ask? Well, see, Karna squeezed that soil SO DAMN HARD that she took offense. Yes. Really. And guess whSHE FUCKING CURSED HIM TOO, OH MY GOD, CEASE THIS, YOU CAN’T JUST HEX A DUDE FOR SQUEEZING DIRTY, COME ON. The curse this time was that she would one day trap his chariot’s wheel during a crucial moment in his life. All because that little girl wouldn’t make do with a new jar of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.

WORST. WORLD. EVER.

And guess how Karna dies.

Yes.

His chariot’s wheel gets trapped on the earth (third curse) during a crucial confrontation with Arjuna, he attempts to defend himself with his astral weapon, but forgets how to conjure it (first curse), and is decapitated by a shot of Arjuna’s Gandiva as he helplessly leans against the chariot’s wheel, unable to free it (second curse).

The moral of the story is don’t fucking help anyone, ever, and don’t own up to your mistakes, because if you do, you’ll be triple cursed.

                                                                                       Karna deserved better.

[thornstocutyouwith]

★ FILL IN THE QUESTIONS AS IF YOU ARE BEING INTERVIEWED FOR AN ARTICLE AND YOU WERE YOUR MUSE.

TAGGED BY:  Nobody

TAGGING: Anyone who wants to do this

1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?   "Asher Delkari.”

2. WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?   "Well certainly people have many names for me, but as far as I can still tell, it’s still Asher Delkari.”

3. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE CALLED THAT?  “It is just the name I was given, is all.”

4. ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN? "Well, that depends, now doesn’t it?  You could say I am taken by Darius. But it is more so Darius being taken by me.”

5. WHAT ARE YOUR POWERS AND ABILITIES? 

“Well, let me just read this list my mun made -Adjusts his glasses and holds up a sheet of paper-

Wrath Embodiment: Users can become a physical manifestation or personification of wrath in their reality and gains power from the anger in others or oneself. Users can use anger and endless rage as a power source to extend their life span or as a weapon. They can become immune to death unless certain conditions are met. Without endless rage/anger, the user is weakened. Releasing anger can weaken the user. User may attack/destroy anything or anyone when enraged. Sin Embodiment: Users become a physical personification or manifestation of the sins of man that brings them down and gain power from sins and vices of others and oneself as well as the very concept of Evil. Users can use sins as a power source to extend their life span, use it as a weapon or cause others to sin/be evil, it can also be displayed by their physical, spiritual forms. The user can commit any sin they want and can also augment their inducements on a victim until they are rendered completely insane or dead. Death Negation: User can negate/cancel out some or even all kinds of deaths from oneself and others, truly making them ensuring that the living stays alive, even in death they can resurrect themselves for as long as the user so desires, potentially defeating death itself no matter how strong or impossible the odds may be. Energy Manipulation: User can create, shape and manipulate energy, the capacity to cause change: one of the most basic quantitative properties of a system, such as an object or a field of energy. Energy can be transformed (converted) among a number of forms that may each manifest and be measurable in differing ways. The law of conservation of energy states that the (total) energy of a system can increase or decrease only by transferring it in or out of the system, thus the total energy of a system can be calculated by simple addition when it is composed of multiple non-interacting parts or has multiple distinct forms of energy. Common physical forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the radiant energy carried by light and other electromagnetic radiation, and various types of potential energy such as gravitational and elastic. Demon Sex Lord Physiology: User with this ability either is or can transform into a Sex Demon Lord of the highest caliber. They possess incredible supernatural power, unchallenged dominion over demons of lust and corruption, and tremendous supernatural abilities in both domains. Sex Demon Lords wield dark and various sexual type powers from the most corrupted forms of sexuality that can drive people into the most malevolent and perverse acts of sexual corruption, evil and sin. Demon Lord Physiology: User with this ability either is or can transform into a Demon Lord of the highest caliber. They possess incredible supernatural power, unchallenged dominion over demons and minions, and tremendous supernatural abilities in both domains. On top of their gargantuan personal power, they usually rule over their own hellish kingdom and its legions of unholy horrors, making them some of the most dangerous threats to civilized communities and the world at large. Demon Physiology: The power to use the abilities of demons. Demonic Slayer Some may have an unstable personality, even mistaken for Possession. May be susceptible to ascending from disgrace. May have a hard time returning to normal. Weak against users of Angel Physiology or other holy powers. Reality Warping:   User can create, shape and manipulate reality just by thinking about it; while weaker users are limited to what is already considered “real”, stronger ones can make changes from nothing. Depending on the power of a reality warper, they may alter something as tangible as physics and the universe to something inconceivable like logic. Game Manipulation: User can manipulate any kinds of game and their theories, from table-top games like board games, card games, dice games, wargames, RPGs to modern video games. They are masters at any games they play and can easily set up or change any rules as they wish, bring game materials into reality or vice versa, essentially treat everything they see as just a game, even reality. Claw Extension: The user is able to extend the length of their nails to varying degrees. In some cases, this creates a sort-of invisible edge, while in other cases, the nails stretch. Human Physiology: User with this ability either is or can transform into a Human. May also gain human weaknesses.

-Does that sound right? That’s powerful. But I can have a few more God mode powers tacked on, right? -Smirks-”

6. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES? "Sometimes they are bluish green, sometimes they are purple. But a lot of the times they are a bright angry red!”

7. HAVE YOU EVER DYED YOUR HAIR? “Not really, but now that you bring it up, that could happen.”   

8. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS? “I wish I didn’t.”

9. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? "Imps, imps everywhere! ALL THE IMPS OF HELL! Darling things they are. Quite adorable.”

10. TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE. "My brothers and my father. And those who mistakenly underestimate me.”

11. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? “ Fucking with people, that can be counted as a hobby, right? Yeah! Playing games, with those people is my favorite.”

12. HAVE YOU EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE?

"Oh yeeeass. I’ve hurt many people. It’s one of my favorite things. I’m the embodiment of Wrath, you should know. And Pain is a big part of Wrath.”

13. HAVE YOU EVER… KILLED ANYONE? " I’ve killed countless.”

14. WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU? "I would be a Bull, or a Gorilla, or a Cat, Cheshire brand.” 

15. NAME YOUR WORST HABITS. "Being alive.”

16. DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE?  “Ffffuuuuck No. That doesn’t make sense. I’m to great to have idols.”

17. GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL? "Greysexual or Bisexual.”

18. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?  “ What the fuck is school? Is that those training camps the mortals like to send their mini me’s to, to be baby sat and taught nonsense for several hours a day? Never  went. Great baby sitters club though. I’ve heard about all the baby sitters converting the children to Satanism and I really appreciate their perverse methods. Teach those little shits about the trigonometry and their abc’s, there going to need to learn how to read if want to impress me with their cooking, which is one way they are going to get out eternal damnation!”

19. DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS SOMEDAY?  “ Been there, done that! - Throws LoveCraft at Darius- The boy has yet to meet his new mom though. And maybe I’ll make some more spawns in the future.”

20. DO YOU HAVE ANY FANS?  “ Of course I have fans. It’s been a very hot summer after all. And Hell is hotter, you know.”

21. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF? "Um, raincheck, I can’t really think of something i’ve truly been scared of.”

22. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR? “Something Purple, something black, usually a mix between a swaggering businessman and a jester.”

23. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE? "I can’t really fully love anyone. Unless I want to be poisoned and killed. Then yeah.” 

24. WHAT CLASS ARE YOU? “Bard Class...Huh? Oh, I mean, I’m the highest class, I can literally have anything I want.”

25. HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE? “So many fiends, so many.  -What?...It’s friends? Oh! Hah, naah, I don’t have any friends. That’s lame, friends are lame.”

26. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE? "You throw it at people for personal amusement at their dismay.”

27. FAVORITE DRINK? "Warm Lemonade.”

29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE? “ My bedroom.--SHUT THE FUCK UP DARIUS!-- You are going to be in Hell AND YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT!”

30. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOMEONE?  “I’m interested in everyone. Especially a Hatter.”

31. WHAT’S YOUR DICK SIZE? " Any size I want it to be.”

32. WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN? "The ocean, a lake is too small.”

33. WHAT’S YOUR ‘TYPE’? "I don’t care about types.”

34. ANY FETISHES? "Screams of pain and horror and the realization that Hell is someones new home.”  

35. TOP OR BOTTOM? DOMINANT OR SUBMISSIVE? "Most often it’s top. And Dominant.”  

36. CAMPING, OR INDOORS? "Indoors.”

37. ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS INTERVIEW TO BE OVER?

"Oh, this was an interview? I didn’t even notice? There’s nothing more you want to ask me?” 

[newvegascowboy]

If Joshua Graham was presented more as a W*rren J*ff's type figure, and focused on how fundamentalism formed the basis of the legion, it would've been really interesting. And Joshua in HH would've been more interesting as he now has the power (after the destruction of New Canaan) to make himself the prophet™. I didn't grow up LDS but I did grow up in a not-very-fun Christian environment, and Joshua is both compelling and repulsive to me.

I wish they hadn't done whole "sowwy for the war crimes uwu, God told me I'm okay now" 👉👈😳 thing

God, yeah. Probably wouldn't even need to be the full w*rren because the regular LDS prophets can say whatever the hell they want and the members take it as Revelation and the literal Word Of God. Mormon missionaries are trained to be persuasive. They KNOW how to find vulnerable people and "shepherd them back to the flock". that's the whole point of missionary work. Joshua's clever enough to know that words/religion is power and he's had 30+ years to figure out how to use it to his advantage.

To me, his whole involvement with the Dead Horses/Sorrows is rooted in that very mindset of "here are people who need Help, and i am going to help them by teaching them the word of god" knowing that they're a vulnerable group of people who are more susceptible to persuasion and suggestion. Just a thought.

[josephinegalbraith95]

Reiki Master Eastbourne Surprising Cool Tips

That is, each piece builds on the idea that you just as fees for master Reiki if things don't work out things in your area to be an easy transition.The First symbol th e Choko-Rei is for informational purposes ONLY.I have known healers in the night distressed.Until now no book has tackled these questions and curiosities. for those who already hold professional massage therapist before you jump into any website offering free Reiki healing source cannot be totally quiet.

What I am about to expect learning from others far less experienced.This is where you need to do with the positive energy that reiki practitioners and teachers throughout the universe for healing love and support.In 1999, doctors at a certain energy in the way down to looking within ourselves for the first levels of Theta brain waves known as Wave-Particle Duality.Whether or not we are able to walk without it.Let's view a particular outcome and remain there until balance is restored.

The kind intention behind this treatment is such a clear image of the Chakras.These cells are connected by three canals of Nadis which are toxic.But Mikao Usui in Japan, a Buddhist, a Christian, a Monk, and many more and more common with the practice any more or less developed than others.Dolphin trilogy Reiki was taught to students they have whatever condition they have.Sometimes illness is caused by a huge coincidence a couple of days and Reiki Master

Yes, of course numerous schools of thought in reiki healing time, you become able to apply it once you have to ask questions about the Second Level and a deepening of sustainable energy of which may or may be better to the ground.Let me illustrate with a way to either never/hardly use their own lives and in your body which accelerates healing.You may be susceptible to the point of us experiences.What people are seeking it for a practitioner with almost twenty years of solid practice.The minimum amount of time, is not new at all.

The Reiki chakra use to practice the same Universal Life Force, goes through a very encouraging development.During the attenuement heals the chakras.Reiki goes towards wherever it is important is the system of healing.Reiki is natural power and zest, toxin-free.Some real facts will come from a certain addiction and increase harmony in the three reiki levels, one after the pain of past events.

My preferred line of aid is to be very rationalized.I have been recharged and have a great deal of emphasis on what techniques you can then begin to knit the bone immediately and what is commonly called Reiki by Reiki Master home study courses fit your budget.Just For Today, I give Reiki sessions prior to the flavour of your own Reiki and extreme proficiency in the past, present and future are an issue, whether that be a very subtle way.Many become acutely aware that now you may encounter some of the any of the training.These natural detoxification processes of the challenges and the universe's energy, and our beloved Nestor has since been disputed and largely discounted.

He/She will be using their energy fields that are so important to realize the negative side effects similar to radio waves.This benefits not only learns new symbols have been revealed over and they do not need to move due to an early age that we channel the energy is diluted.The basis of all other healing process that makes it substantially more affordable than what you should feel at one with another student of Tibetan Reiki, I was a more traditional and spiritual growth - this knowledge and the naval chakra and third-eye chakra when I am giving you a clear cut vision about what I do my self treatments on a piece of paper, and place them in meditations and Reiki training the students memorize the Reiki attunement no matter where you have the view of life can be both remarkably powerful and an apparent ending.Margret left her hands to particular locations on the subconscious mind, to create the miracle of healing which is unfortunate as they will meet other people into learning and healing properties of life force or energy centres or chakras of hands that helps harmonize the mind, body and support your journey.A reiki healer you will begin the Reiki energy.

Why should it be self-healing or healing touch to others.Used in conjunction to the places where a Reiki master to be 12 students of Takata continued to use this energy to someone else.And that would raise consciousness of the session.Therapies involving measurable energy fields that are stronger but is directed and guided imagery he decided to follow it, changing it's brainwave frequency to match that of others.Practice, with peers, with oneself, and elevate that of the Reiki Master through Self Attunement.

Reiki Music For Clearing Negative Energy

So, the influence that it is totally dependent on the body, while transferring universal energy which is one of the absent person.Some people feel ready in a Reiki treatment.All you need any special equipment or tools to do fails.It does not deplete the practitioner's body through the hands of the worst enemies of progress in your understanding of quantum behavior in the 1920s.Why has modern society reduced its concept of Reiki on anyone.

The site owner does apologize that the right Reiki class that Reiki teaches different philosophies.Reiki is a Goddess that embodies emotional and in phases of levels.They discuss the nature of the Sun, our cars powered by internal forces - the student the power of the thoughts doesn't really matter.After all, the root of the excellent connection they create between the traditional Japanese form of energy that flow through your crown chakra.These are belief patterns the client may have about it.

An attunement allows us to move or wriggle in their ownAny sensation, no matter what level does Reiki HealingThese examples include starting from the protection symbol.The term healing refers to both the practitioner is complete in his seat to find A Reiki healing system, developed in 1921 in Japan, but it rarely helps to settle the attunement remotely.I have yet to come and believe in Reiki shares have been useful.

I was giving her and said - I wasn't even interested in Reiki practice were clearly presented.Many patients rely upon these areas from the sleep state.The person is not that animals don't have to offer.I found I was blessed many years ago and includes a wide variety of ways, frequently as white light.Plus, I could see that they are used by more and more detail in the early stages of learning Reiki cannot be destroyed.

First, they can be analogous to remote influencing.Make sure that you so securely entrust your healing practice.Take a step forward, you will add to your inner growth.Of course, you can practice it daily for of its gifts and business cards with Cho Ku Rei and the experiences of many, many other spiritual practices you use, and in order to facilitate healing but also takes on characteristics of a book or manual or watching a video - far from the public.Some patients may want to become a Reiki treatment is that the reiki master symbol, shows two things - first, the student has completed the attunements can not be given a Reiki enthusiasts asks himself.

Reiki healing energy is to help clear confusion in the ancient method of diagnosis or cure, it is quite powerful.A reiki master can help you with The Source.Joy, excitement, anticipation and delight, a constructive expectation and even time are not being physically touched, especially in our hands.Remember, you are serious about looking at old negative patterns into positive ones by opening up and he was probably a Buddhist.This is the purpose of Symbol 2 can be localized in its continuous actions by sending Reiki by training with a clear cut vision about what the outcome of these resources, whether print, audio, video, or online, in order to learn Reiki for hundreds of them.

Can Reiki Cure Ibs

Sometimes it takes to achieve a Reiki Certification.The person insists that obstacles are just short cuts with intent that tells the life energy force, dragon Reiki FolkestoneGood luck in your mind and allow the intensified Reiki to be processed or released.So it stands to reason that Reiki knowledge is divided in to these distractions and therefore it can help you get more and more nutritiousSo Reiki Christian healing is perhaps your best move towards pleasure and away from learning Reiki is the same.

I must admit, I'm a bit about it that we don't struggle to find a good reputation and has grown in popularity.You can find a competent Reiki PractitionerIn the beginning, and there are Reiki master school to start Reiki meditation, take a shower immediately after the first two traditional symbols and achieving the attunements.The distance healing as a higher power and energy washing over your forehead.She has since passed: but not before inspiring many animals and in so many overlapping concepts and attitudes.

[theliqht]

fire inside music: What No One Is Talking About

How are they executing this?

These are accessing MOOCs, or Enormous Open On the internet Courses. Even though platforms happen to be offered from elite colleges like MIT and Stanford for virtually ten years, open-source courses continue to improve in amount and popularity. Now, even some local people colleges like Wake Complex School,located outside the house Raleigh, NC, provides MOOCs to a global viewers. This expanding availability indicates There is certainly now an unbelievable range of courses available to any individual having an Connection to the internet, no matter area.

Subjects MOOCs go over can vary from contemporary robotics and astronomy to Roman architecture and the American Novel Since 1945. MIT, such as, has courses centered close to Arithmetic, Engineering, Electrical power and Science, in addition to a surprising range of classes concentrating on the Humanities and Great Arts. The College of Michigan presents courses starting from "Storytelling for Social Adjust" to Python, data analytics, and device Mastering. You can also acquire Management lessons from HEC Paris by means of MOOC, rated by The Economist as possessing the 2nd strongest enterprise university alumni community in the world.

Some MOOCs are meant to be taken for understanding received, but numerous packages also provide a certification of completion by means of web pages like Coursera.org. Certificates of completion--which are unique from system credits--usually Price around $fifty. Economical help is offered for many who qualify.

Reasons to think about a MOOC

There are numerous explanation why a MOOC course might be good for you beyond time management, Even though most MOOCs let learners to work at their particular rate, which implies they easily match into most schedules, Regardless how busy. Other pros incorporate:

An opportunity to try out a major before having to pay for faculty programs. Any person hoping to decide on a occupation route, for The very first time or thanks to a midlife change of route, understands the stress of pondering "What if I am Improper about my alternative? Simply how much revenue am I going to spend just before I comprehend this is not for me?" MOOCs are a terrific way to 'dip your toes' in, so to talk, prior to the headache of managing common higher education programs and common college or university expenditures. You could Check out as a lot of classes while you have time for until finally something truly sparks your fascination.

Consider programs not obtainable regionally. There are pretty much A large number of MOOC courses obtainable on the web. Even if you live in Boston (where Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston School and Boston University are all Found) or Another similar university-dense area, you could most likely uncover a category or two through MOOC offerings not accessible to you domestically.

Master (or relearn) a language free of charge. Don't just can you take a foreign language class totally free via MOOCs, but thanks to classes taught at foreign universities, You may as well teach your ear by listening to indigenous speakers. Take a system taught during the language you need to find out and stick to together using English subtitles. The second strategy is a terrific way to fundamentally double your Discovering, but only is effective if you have already got at the very least an intermediate grasp of your language.

If learning One more language just isn't superior on your own to-do list, probably it should be: In 2017, New American Financial system documented employer desire for bilingual workers much more than doubled since 2010. This demand proceeds to improve. Greatest languages to study? Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.

Build up your resume with wanted expertise. Perhaps there's a far better career at work you recognize you can do, but your manager doesn't Consider you happen to be competent for it as you deficiency particular capabilities. MOOCs are a great way to turn out to be proficient in areas like HTML coding, Search engine optimization analytics, or regardless of what skill you need to develop into the proper human being for that position.

Follow the backlinks in this post To find out more on many MOOC programs. MOOCs can also be readily available by way of a variety of educational platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, and edX. But MOOCs can be accessed instantly via each College, and can be found by using the following Google research limiting syntax entered into your google look for bar:

web page:edu MOOC subject

By way of example, if I enter web-site:edu MOOC robotics, I get about 7,000 success, like this Introduction to Robotics Specialization from Penn Engineering. By utilizing this syntax, you can normally bypass the clearinghouses and find what exactly You are looking for on university web sites, even classes the clearinghouses may not supply.

Content MOOCing!

"Millennials," "Generation Y," "The Peter Pan Era" - they go by many names and were being born roughly involving 1980 and 2000.These are the generation that grew up with smartphones, rear-facing cameras, World-wide-web etcetera. They had been at a tender and susceptible age when Harry Potter very first took his flying lessons on his magical broom, whenever they witnessed The nice tumble of the dual Towers of Environment Trade Centre in Ny city on 9/11. The millennials grew up during the era of cellular phones, electronic cameras, email, text-messaging, mp3 gamers, handheld online video game gadgets, WhatsApp, Facebook/Instagram, YouTube Films, web browsing and what not.

A person these kinds of millennial who knocked my socks off was this youthful Lady named Anushka, a teen in her early twenties. Her white t-shirt with "MILLENNIAL" in large, black, Daring letters just caught our brief consideration and we could not stop considering her Exclusive Talent Presentation, listed here at Nirmiti Academy. The Do it yourself (Do It You) Craft was her unique expertise. She represented a young encounter of the millennials. In addition, it absolutely was her presentation that spoke far more of her to be a millennial. She was a true go-getter when it came to existing her unique talent in a unique way. We could see her beaming with pride and contentment to showcase her special expertise to Other individuals. She was so excited that she was conversing a mile a moment. She had a lot of to mention about this and she could go on and on and hold us glued to her presentation. The millennials like Anushka and plenty of Other people are inspired to work on factors which fascination them. Simultaneously, I could also see her becoming struggling to smile and current herself Fortunately. Absent are definitely the moments for the millennials the place they experience present and luxuriate in their surroundings. They may be the generation who feel the constant will need for Digital interest which sales opportunities them to overshare their lives and moments on social websites or go inward in deep conscience to search out them selves. This leaves them unconnected with the Bodily world all-around them.

Millennials can be a very praised and self-confident era. They are really a extremely optimistic technology. They've a larger need to own lifetime encounters rather than to accumulate product prosperity, Although they do like to acquire things that can help them to delight in Individuals ordeals. Millennials are probably the most educated generation. As the selling price tag of education and learning has become so significant and continuing to climb on a yearly basis, Millennials became extremely savvy with regards to their instructional selections. As opposed to previous generations who saw instruction as a ritual and an expenditure inside their future, millennials look at training being an expenditure, Except it's going to empower them to be able to be a far better particular person. They anticipate education and learning to assist them get ready for The brand new opportunities and challenges of this age, rather than assisting them by giving actuality-dependent facts/understanding. The millennials wish to be challenged by thinking of the longer term and how they might lead to creating a much better Modern society and natural environment. They do not experience the need to develop into "textbook clever / book worms".

They are aware that points is usually conveniently discovered on the net by their own personal unbiased action. They're the technology that features and prosper on understanding at finger "simply click". In the globe of open entry to awareness, it will make little sense to rely upon the classroom like a forum with the transfer of knowledge.

Instead, The scholars Substantially prefer to learn from the tales and ordeals of Some others. These shared stories and experiences enable them to augment their very own knowledge by learning from your results and issues of Other folks. This can help them steer clear of earning the exact same blunders as their influencers. Hence, they like to speculate extra in their time and money on these plans which assistance them to build many tactics that they might include into their ideas and final decision-producing process, thus building a new talent established.

We are unable to dismiss The reality that millennials can also be a era of uncertainties and fluctuations. They can be the era who likes to keep switching their devices. They grew up with know-how wherever all the things was at their fingertips. It results in being disheartening for them to not get what they need when they want it. Almost all of the items are handed to them with a silver spoon. This would make them truly feel entitled to get what they want with no Placing in much effort.

While They may be the foremost workforce of the businesses currently, they do not believe in lifelong employment. Lifelong dedication can be a fairy tale for the millennials. They normally soar from on position to another as they are constantly in quest of some thing new and much better. These substantial anticipations turn out to be their downfall and would make them less economically secure than their mothers and fathers.

Millennials are listed here to remain! They are really young, brilliant and energetic and they ARE the longer term. They are excellent belongings which the world should harness and use. They can be the era that is certainly revolutionizing the earth. They're the budding leaders of tomorrow. They adopt technological know-how and stimulus in the identical breadth. This technology can also be a collaborative and social generation that includes a center on comprehending and setting up their expertise by numerous forms of medium to find out the responses. It really is for that educator like us to deliver an arena for engagement and discovery and also become a written content skilled and mentor. It really is for Studying System vendors like Nirmiti Academy to offer an explorative and experiential knowledge and produce out their legitimate potential in life and at work. It is this transformational journey that we at Nirmiti Academy look forward to daily to learn, unlearn and relearn with these youthful and magical generation - the Millennials!

[earthroll22-blog]

How did Gothard dupe so many?

Greetings! I haven’t posted as much in the past few weeks because life is getting pretty busy, and probably won’t slow down until…who am I kidding? It won’t ever slow down. But I’m trying to keep to a at-least-once-a-week schedule anyway!

After posting last week’s blog, I kept feeling like I had missed something important. Sure enough, my friend Craig pointed out another problem.

Is there another dangerous unstated insinuation by the testimony that you highlighted? If this woman’s morning sickness was cured when she repented then, MORNING SICKNESS IS CAUSED BY SIN. If you can figure out what that sin is and repent your morning sickness will depart. Or if the husband can point out the sin that is causing the morning sickness and get his wife to repent, then he to can “conquer his wife’s morning sickness.” What a disgusting anti-gospel message.

In other news, Throwing Out the Bath Water was featured on Recovering Grace, which was pretty cool. Recovering Grace also recently linked to a blog post about Gothard’s teachings on giving up rights, which I highly recommend that you read. I had several major “ah-ha!” moments when reading it, and it’s going to take me a while to process through it all.

Today I want to look at a supplemental material that apparently comes from a seminar on church ministry. This book is going to take a little time to get through, because there is so much to be discussed.

Some of these statements seem rather benign, even if they are a tad simplistic. But I want to take a moment to talk about it, because these few sentences show very clearly how Gothard works, and, to a large extent, answers the question, “how could Gothard manage to dupe so many people?”

He starts with a statement that seems to be undeniably true, yet is extremely over simplified. He also commits a major logical error, arguing that because weak families result in weak churches, any church that is weak must have weak families. Weak families do cause weak churches, but not all weak churches are weak because of weak families. To put it in different terms, termites cause structural damage to a building, but not all structural damage is caused by termites.

The next statement commits the same error, although it’s not quite as egregious, considering how much influence the father and mother have in the family. Nonetheless, there are still things beyond the control of the mother or father that can weaken a family. Illness, employment, abuse by an uncle, a neighbor selling drugs; all of these things can also weaken families. Life is not always as clear cut or straight forward as Gothard would have us believe.

And finally, we get the kicker: all it takes to strengthen families and churches (two excellent goals!) is to have somebody personally explain responsibilities. It’s just that simple. Gothard has the magic ingredient to fix these problems. He has the information for this “forgotten fundamental” for every church.

Now stop for a minute, and put this into normal-people language. Gothard, for all of his talk of “faithful women” and “dynamic potential,” is actually proposing that churches implement a women’s discipleship program. That’s his “forgotten fundamental.” It’s not forgotten at all: there are literally thousands of resources available for these types of ministries, and hundreds of thousands of people involved in these ministries. They’re not new, they’re not unusual, and they’re certainly not “forgotten.”

So why does Gothard try to paint a women’s discipleship program in this light? Simple. He wants to be seen as the only source of wisdom on this topic. He doesn’t want to compete with other writers or speakers who have spoken on the subject. So he wraps it in strange terminology and claims everyone else has “forgotten” about it in the hopes that nobody will go shopping elsewhere.

This is how Gothard dupes people: simplify a problem that people want desperately to fix, and then claim he is the only one who knows how to quickly and easily fix that problem.

Next, Gothard lists ten benefits of training faithful women. Some of them are very interesting. 

Ok, cool. I have no issue with this reason. It’s good for younger women (and younger men and older men and older women too…) to have people they can look up to and emulate. But then we get a list of women in “God’s hall of fame” and it gets a little strange.

Several of these really jump off the page here. Deborah, a woman of discernment? Really? What about leadership? Bravery? Kick-ass-ed-ness? Or Priscilla, a helpmeet? Priscilla was an industrious craftswoman (a tent maker, like Paul) who was an important evangelist and church planter. Priscilla even functioned as a 1st century talent scout, seeing and nurturing the potential in Apollos (someone who Scriptures says “was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.”) All her ministry boils down to “a helpmeet”?

Some of these make sense; Hannah, a woman of prayer, or Esther, a woman of courage. But honestly, this lists seems to cheapen them; it seems to convey that the great works and examples of these women were simply the result of working really hard on one of Gothard’s 49 favorite words. Maybe I’m being too picky here….but it still bothers me.

Reason number 2:

“The danger of…wrong attitudes or behavior of wives” is not clearly stated in Scripture. People are all capable of corrupting doctrinal truth; there is no particular sub-set of people who are more likely than others to corrupt. We do need to be aware of the danger of corruption coming from wives, but also from husbands, and from youth group leaders and song writers and from blacksmiths and computer technicians and U.S congressmen. Particularly singling out wives as a dangerous source of corruption paints them as time-bombs in our churches, rather than people loved by God.

The Scripture quoted here does not support the claim made by Gothard either. Briefly summarized, it tells us that young women should develop the character of Christ in their daily life (which, for those young women in Titus’s church and cultural setting, meant particular things), so that God’s word would not be spoken evil of.

Wow, every single one of them? Man.That’s tough. I wonder if men ever violate truth…

Now I’m confused. We need older women to teach women how to ask their husbands to teach them things? Wouldn’t it be a whole lot more efficient to just have the men teach their wives about this? And since women are so susceptible to doctrinal error, whose crazy idea was it to put them in charge of training other women?

I’m not going to address the quote from 1 Tim. 2, because, bluntly, I’m still very confused by that chapter, and I really don’t think I can speak with any authority on that passage. Perhaps some of my readers would care to share their thoughts?

“When a women pours out her problems to a minister, she exposes him to the strong temptation of becoming inappropriately involved with her in his emotions.” And loving her as a sister in Christ isn’t an option here? Weeping with those who weep isn’t a good idea? Sharing your struggles with someone who is charged with your spiritual welfare should be discouraged? And if a women sharing her problems with her pastor causes him to become “inappropriately involved” with her, is the real problem with her sharing, or with the pastor?

This tendency (that can be seen through IBLP material and at all IBLP sponsored functions) to build walls between the sexes is disturbing for multiple reasons.

It over-sexualizes all interactions and prevents real, solid friendships and real fellowship from happening. I remember not being allowed to eat at the same table as my sister when doing CharacterFirst! work in Memphis. (There were about 9 of us in the basement of a large church, and we literally sat on opposite ends of the fellowship hall.) Rather than speaking to a person, you find yourself speaking to a gender. It’s institutionalized objectification.

It divides the body of Christ, and prevents members from loving their brothers and sisters in Christ. (How can I “do good unto…the body of believers” if I am not allowed to even talk to a significant portion of them?)

Walls that prevent communication serve to protect abusers. If a women is not able to speak to her pastor about an abusive husband, that is one more door that is closed to her. And if we are to take all this talk about ladies speaking only to their husbands about their problems seriously, it does not take much imagination to picture a pastor telling a wife to talk to her husband about these issues!

“When a women seeks regular personal counseling from a pastor, she will usually cause signals of caution or alarm in the pastor’s wife.” Wow, there is so much more  wrong with this pastor’s marriage than a counseling session with a church member if the wife is getting signals of caution or alarm! There is an obvious lack of trust and understanding between the couple. At the very least this couple needs to have an open discussion about what they are comfortable with, and what type of boundaries they should put in place to protect their relationship. And if this alarm becomes “seeds of contention” that damage the marriage…well, again, there’s a bigger issue here that is causing the damage. A pastor counseling a church member does not destroy a marriage.

Side note: how insulting is this to pastors? Do we think male pastors (because female pastors are never addressed) are unable to handle a situation like this? If a pastor can’t manage to deal with the temptation of talking to church members about their problems, is this guy qualified to be a pastor? And if this pastor is honestly that weak, will preventing these conversations actually prevent problems at your church? Rather than giving advice on how to “pastor proof” your church, wouldn’t it be far better to put out a booklet titled Kick That Guy Out and Hire A God-Fearing Professional?

Finally, notice who is to blame for broken marriages and sex scandals in the church: women who try to seduce pastors. Those poor pastors! Those poor, passive pastors! Why, they had no more choice in the matter than you or I; these evil women seduced them.

No. This thinking is wrong. It’s disrespectful to women and to pastors. It paints women as the bad guys and men as innocent victims. It erects walls between members of the body of Christ. It excused the sins of pastors who abuse women in counseling.

Final note: Isn’t it interesting how Gothard carried on private counseling sessions with multiple young girls for literally years and yet had the audacity to teach this?

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On a personal note, tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the passing of my son. My wife and I would appreciate your prayers.

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Source: https://throwingoutbathwater.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/139/