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mooncruiser · 3 years

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Heyy!! I’ve been meaning to pin my testimony, so here it is :)

So, my life wasn’t really the greatest growing up. I mention C-PTSD in my bio, and that’s what I’ll get into a bit. I’ll try not to be too graphic, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be totally safe.

There were some questionable things in my toddler years, a neglectful daycare center for 3 months, my dad being in and out of my life due to fear of getting attached at first, him flying off the handle once with me (my mom got on him for it, so it never happened again) but I think the trauma started with my cousins leaving me stuck out in a baby swing twice, a near death experience with a dog bite, and a homicidal attempt on me and my mom by my sister, who was 16 at the time (I’m 5 years old).

There was also the dog cage incident I believe at…6 years old? Me and my brother were playing and he forgot me on accident. I pretty much accepted at this point that life was gonna chain me up and try to kill me lol, but it let up for a good while, and I had a pretty decent childhood. At 9 years old, there was the torturously loud school program in the gym I had to sit through for 2 hours, I think.

It was at 10 when things became chronically ongoing. Domestic violence at home from my sister (physical, emotional abuse on me and my family), more physical and emotional abuse at school from my assistant teacher because I was on an IEP for my autism. At 11, I was sexually abused by my female friend who was 12, and her female cousin, who was 13. I was abandoned by my cousins and aunt, and I was being placed in a seclusion room at school during standardized tests (which was sensory deprived solitary confinement) even after I was finished for the day. At 12 years old, I started being emotionally neglected by my mother.

I mean, I was so angry and depressed and secretly suicidal at 10, but by 12 I was severely dissociating (I had been dissociating during trauma at various times prior). I had so much fear and anxiety that by the time I was 13 I’d be feeling like passing out 24/7, so I got on meds, which only helped the more severe physical symptoms, I guess.

At 13, I started being groomed by this high school girl that liked me. She was a Sophomore, and I was in 7th grade. She noticed the neglect and told me she knew me better. She would give me gifts, teach me to ship gay pairings, gave me a gay pedophilic manga. Shamelessly told me she had sexual relations with her male cousin and his friends who were around my age. I blocked it out.

I also had a very abusive friendship with a girl online who had BPD. My assistant teacher, who came with me to middle school, restrained and tortured me with the marching band’s loud music in the hallway, which only intensified my dissociative symptoms (I was actually switching alters at this point regularly and having no idea).

I remember at 13 being confused about my gender and sexuality. My mom was no help and just wanted me to hide it from my family and everyone else, for reputation purposes and she didn’t want me bullied. That was actually how I decided to get in contact with my grooming abuser, which I wonder at this point whether that was my fault. I didn’t expect her to really take over like she did, but I was essentially brainwashed into accepting whatever I was feeling for her benefit. I just wanted advice and a friend.

I was so lonely, I had been desperate for friends for years, and I was desperate for someone to love me in any way, honestly. I was overeating. I’d spend hours daydreaming, in video games or entertainment to escape from school and everything else. During meltdowns, I’d be doing self injurious behaviors.

So by 14, I come out as a lesbian. Had a couple relationships with girls who just saw me as a sexual object (I remember saying yes to sexual things even though I didn’t want to, just so that they wouldn’t abandon me. Dissociating off and finding it disgusting), would cheat on me with multiple people, ignore me for new friends, etc.

The BPD friend I dated, when I broke up with her, immediately attempted suicide so that scarred me more into our trauma bond. She’d show me self harm pics she took from time to time. It scared me into making sure I didn’t trigger her again, but u know I never knew what triggered her in the first place, so, like with everything else, I had no strategy to life. It was either fight, run, dissociate or nod yes to everything. She took up the latter lol.

I came out as trans my Freshman year, and stayed that way into my Sophomore year. I was bitter about dating because of the whole sexual object thing, and full of shame at the same time, thinking no one would want me. I thought I was asexual. I tried out a career high school honestly just to get away from the memories of my old school.

Some feelings about being trans started to fade, but not entirely, so I went by genderfluid/genderqueer from 17-19. I was excited to make new friends at my new school, but my anxiety kept me from it. I opened up very awkwardly about my dating history to one girl (which tbh I shouldn’t have, but I had been brainwashed so lol) and she told all the girls in my lab, and I was excluded and bullied (and cyberbullied) from thereon.

I didn’t know it at first, it was so subtle. But once I knew, I tried standing up for myself and told the principal, which made them leave me alone for the most part. They’d glare at me, use me at graduation, cyberbully me one last time 8 months after graduation, and that was it. I still had to deal with domestic violence until I was 22, but once I graduated everything pretty much hit me.

I knew I’d be too stressed out to go to college or work. School indoctrination tried to teach me to be neurotypical and expect this, but it wasn’t happening. I was too afraid to leave my house for a year, and too afraid to be honest online for fear of being watched and bullied, or stalked. I was seriously considering suicide down the line. I thought I had nothing left to live for. I was useless. Nobody cared. Friends moved on to their new lives and I was dying.

That’s when Jesus stepped in.

I guess I started being curious about God again for the first time since I was 12. I always believed in God, was grateful to Him for being there for me during the domestic violence and never blamed Him for it. I found out about worship music and was thrilled, and a question came up. Was being gay a sin? My grooming abuser taught me that God made me gay, so it was alright. But I wanted to know for sure this time from the Word.

To my surprise, she was wrong. The Bible said it was indeed, a sin (the practice, not so much the identity aspect). I couldn’t piece together why, so I struggled with it for months. On my 20th birthday however, when I got done creating fanart of a gay pairing, I felt strongly convicted by the Holy Spirit that it was wrong. So I went to God.

I said, “If it is wrong, please change me so I can make You happy, because I love You. In the meantime, I won’t do anything in support of it for a while. If it’s not wrong, don’t change me, and I’ll know which way is right because I trust You.” When I look back on it, it was a pretty crazy prayer. Lots of people have said they couldn’t “pray the gay away”, and I do wonder what the difference was with me.

After 3 months, I stopped to check if I still felt anything, and the feelings were gone. My gender dysphoria was gone, too. I was way too afraid to tell anybody yet, but I remember when I did, one of the first people I told was my grooming abuser.

She was livid, tried one last time to intimidate me. Another time we crossed paths (she came out of nowhere saying hi, said she worked at that market, complimented me and walked away smiling) and I was triggered, I messaged her and told her how she hurt me and I couldn’t bear to be around her anymore, but I hoped she’d have a good life. She didn’t respond online, but she complained to my sister that I thought she was a predator, and by the end of the conversation tries to get her to tell me she said hi. When she had kids, she was planning on raising them to be nonbinary. Her husband was abusive to them, so she ended up losing them. She never bugged me again.

I was blown away by how God had changed me. How He opened my eyes to the truth. I prayed for Him to open my eyes to whatever else I had been blind to, and He slowly began lifting off the amnesia surrounding all my traumas, urging me towards recovery with Him. I realized I might have OSDD-1b recently as well, which is strange that I could have possibly had DID prior to losing my amnesia?

I have been on this journey ever since, journaling, blogging, researching, and finally in a wonderful therapy called EMDR where I truly release the traumas from my body, hear God’s new positive beliefs to replace old negative ones from my childhood, and experience loving extraordinary visions while processing that teach me to focus on Jesus, trust Him more, love and pray for my enemies, and have a real satisfying relationship with Him that’s unattainable with anyone on Earth, along with daily Bible study.

The picture on the left was me at 16 in my old life, the one on the right is me in my new creation :) God bless all of you, thank you for reading this far 💕💖

#testimony #long post

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kae-karo · 5 years

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things i’m grateful for

okay preface: i hate the reason thanksgiving was invented ofc but i do love the concept of taking a day to sit back and remind myself of the things in my life that i’m grateful for so here we go (and pls i encourage y’all to take some time and do the same) anyway feel free to read below the cut if y’all want way too much insight into my personal life lmao

my friends

without question, my experience both in the phandom and like in life in general has so massively improved thanks to these lovely people and i can’t say i’d be as happy a person as i am without them

of course my incredible gcs (jolly best friends and dickmates, “moderate sex references”, we have goldfish memories, katashen, and the gc that always changes names lmao) and the lovelies in them @thereisnobearonthisisland @philsroots @uselessphillie @daliensgrandads @severaltortillascollector @dnptrqsh @dip-and-pip-trash @transhowell @dreamdilddy @hey-itskxt @dreamdilddy @freckliephil @philsdrill @phloridas @lovestillaround @legdabs @amczingphil @phantasieslide @maanjha @manialester @sleeplessnightwithphan @phandumb @imnotinclinedtomaturity @auroraphilealis @ineverywordisay @glitterydanandphil @kerasines @workinprogress91 @merridewhoo @natigail @swissfuckingcheesegdi @phastelpink @stick-it-to-the-phan @phanarchy

my dearest friends irl with whom i never spend enough time and often bail on bc i’m tired of existing around people, but who never fail to be lovely and kind and wonderful friends anyway. i’ve known them for eight years now and i am so lucky to have found them and to still be friends with them

a very good friend of mine who taught me everything i know about customer service and just being a diligent person (she’s also literally the reason i link everything so uhh thank her lmao) who i consider my lesbian big sister and who i’ve been so so lucky to get to reconnect with and will get the opportunity to work with starting in december and who even remembered one of my fave bands like after literally two years when i only mentioned them one time i love her

my family

whomst thank fuck are not on this hellsite but i love them all dearly

my sister who’s like still figuring her life out and doing a way better job of deciding what she enjoys doing than i ever did and like she’s younger than me but it’s a constant lesson that hey look it’s good to be true to yourself and do what you want. and i’m so grateful that we don’t fight the way we used to, that we’re like partners in crime and that she actually likes spending time with me and thank god she’s not gonna see this bc she thinks i get too sappy sometimes but i gotta make up for hiding her glasses when we were younger and literally forgetting about them for two weeks okay <3

my parents who have always been steadfast supporters even when they don’t love my choices. without them, i wouldn’t be where i am today, i wouldn’t have the level of independence i do today, and honestly i wouldn’t have learned to find the strength to follow my own path. i also can’t thank them enough for supporting even when they don’t understand, like they literally do not understand dnp but my dad found out they were doing ii and asked if i would want tickets for christmas and my mom always asks about my writing

my grandma who, bless her soul, has been completely alone without my grandpa for two years now, after having been with him since she was sixteen, who reminded me (unintentionally) that people who are suffering from mental health issues (she’s had depression for years now) can so greatly benefit from having someone reach out. i’m grateful for our weekly calls where we just catch up, because sometimes i go for a year without seeing her in person (usually just for the holidays) and it’s good to know how things are going with her. i’m also eternally grateful to her for reminding me that people are just people. my parents often talk about her as if she’s some one-dimensional character who only has a handful of (negative) personality traits, and it’s nice to get to know her on my own

the rest of my extended family, who, although i’m not nearly as close to, are still always fun to see during the holidays, and i’m immensely grateful that i don’t have the kind of family that i dread seeing. there’s always entertainment, overflowing alcohol (not that i partake, but everyone else has a fuckin blast with it), and laughter and although i occasionally feel a bit outside the circle (lots of cousins getting married/in relationships/etc and uhhh can’t relate lmao) i never fail to look forward to seeing everyone

y’all

yeah ik it’s cheesy but i do really appreciate y’all so much? like. i just read this note i made to myself abt something unrelated a year ago but i’d offhand mentioned that i was so so thrilled to have almost a hundred people following me. like it just blew my mind that so many people were interested in what i had to say, in my writing at the time, etc. and now,,,,,i mean. jfc i can’t even begin to fathom what i must’ve done to deserve all of y’all, and to deserve you all being so kind. like since the minute i joined tumblr i saw/heard horror stories of mean anons, of people being rude for the sake of it, etc etc. and like. of the literal thousands of asks i’ve gotten, i can count on one hand the number of even vaguely unkind ones. it just makes me so immensely happy to know that such lovely, kind people want to participate in this blog. so please know that i appreciate the existence of every single one of you not just uwu bc u follow me and that’s what i’m supposed to say or w.e but bc you’re out here making a positive impact on the world and on me, and you’re the kind of lovely person that i’m so glad i have the pleasure of existing alongside

dnp

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ u knew it was coming, but honestly i am grateful to them as people

they set such fantastic examples for how to be good humans, constantly donating their time to good causes, reminding us to take care of ourselves, and doing their best to figure themselves out which yes is so incredibly important bc it’s this amazing example of how people aren’t any perfect shiny version of themselves, they’re real and raw and imperfect and that’s why we love them???? and by extension, that teaches us self love and love for others

that’s another thing i really didn’t realize at first - how much self-hatred i was harboring, how much internalized homophobia (toward myself! never others) and how much i just accepted about the world (heteronormativity, misogyny, the lack of diversity in media, the list goes on) and a lot of things said by both dnp and by the phandom have helped open my eyes to things like that. and dnp helped me realize that being ace isn’t a bad thing??? which was such a horrible thing i’d held onto for years and years

so i’m so grateful to dnp for existing, for being who they are and how they are and for encouraging the wonderful kindness and acceptance that they want to see in the world

my therapist

and to daniel and depression for convincing me to see one. i’ve let go of a lot of the baggage i was holding onto over the time i’ve been seeing my therapist and i’m grateful to her for, well, doing her job. and for doing it well, and for asking the questions that i didn’t think to ask, to get at things i didn’t think about before. and for reminding me (not directly, but by virtue of her existence) that honesty is one of the most important things to me

my job

or just generally the jobs i’ve had over the years that force me to interact with people, because it’s taught me that nobody’s ever angry or upset for no reason, and that people who are angry or upset and mean are not mean because they’re actually trying to be vicious but because they’re suffering in some way. so it’s a daily reminder to treat everyone with kindness and not take things personally, because ultimately most people are not intentionally vicious people. and i’m grateful to my job for reminding me how meaningful it is to me to help others

#privilegecheck

i think it’s important at this point that i stop and remind myself that i was born with a lot of privilege that makes my life immensely easy compared to others. i’m grateful for my upbringing and the ways that i’ve benefited from my privilege, but i need to acknowledge that i have benefited. not everyone is as lucky, and i need to be mindful of that in the things i do and say, and in the actions i choose to take, and - when i can - i should be using my privilege to help others

and finally, my greatest of thanks goes out to the fic writers, the gif makers, the edit makers, the phan artists, and all the other lovely people who make this community so wonderful

#thankful #kt

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moonraccoon-exe · 5 years

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You’re adorable and literally one of my favourite blogs. You’re always so happy and kind and nice and that’s why I always look forward to another post from you. Keep being amazing. You’re incredible 🐙🌙

*CLUTCHES CHEST*

OH MY GAWD, OMG AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGH MY HEART

*COLLAPSES*

*moonraccoon.exe has stopped working and needs a very long while to be able to reboot pls standby*

OH MY GOD. HOLY MOOGLES ABOVE IN THE CRYSTAL REALM. H-HOW….H-HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO REPLY TO THIS…!??!?! ;_____;

Oh nooooo, dear anon, what have you done!? What are you doing, oh no, my heart is so full that- it’s flooding and it’s…shattering and it’s breaking and…oh no, I’m so weak, my emotions are all over the place and they fill my heart so much that it hurts… (ﾉД`) /3

Oh no, dear anon… :’(

It’s serious. I’m so touched that I really don’t know very well what to say, and I’m sitting here like an emotional little bal of fluff. Hnnhngnhg…my heart is really so full right now, a-aah… ;A;

I…well, thank you, above everything else I have to say. There’s no way I can let you know how much I mean it and how much weight I want to put on it when I say it, just really…thank you. Wholeheartedly. Thank you :’(

*sigh*

Dear anon, what do you expect me to say? Normally I would write a lot of ADSAKLGJA and exploding things, but really this was a little beyond that. Because yes, it filled my heart, but it was so much, I’m in awe and speechless and overwhelmed in a good way and I JUST HNHGFH I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY AND I’M FREAKING OUT AND I *HYPERVENTILATEs* ASKLJDF GKLDAJKL A LKADFJ

*sHRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK*

*UNCONTROLLABLY FLAILING AND SPASMING ON THE GROUND*

*C O M B U S T I NG*

*ASCENDS TO THE HEAVENS*

OH NOOOOOOOOOOO, ANON, I’M SO SAD BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW HOW TO THANK YOU ENOUGH, DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, WHAT TO DO, HOW DO I HUG YOU!?!? AKFJAKLGJADKLGJADKLJG :’’(

Really, seriously. Thank you so much for everything you said. :’3

“Adorable”!?!?!?!? ADORABLE!?

IT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!?!?!?!?!!? (☆▽☆)

KLAJSFKALGJA KLFJAKLDGJAKLFAJGDKLADJG

AHA, AAAAAHHHH!!! (*ﾉ▽ﾉ)

*LOUD SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK*

*the raccoonie proceeds to hysterically giggle like an idiot while rolling around on the floor hiding its face and madly blushing*

DID YOU DO THAT ON PURPOSE!? I’M WEAK TO COMPLIMENTS AND DON’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THEM AND I JUST BECOME A MESS LAKSJDAKLGJ AKLG AAH

adorbs….~ it meeeeeeeee *squeeeeeeaaaaaaakkk* (/▽＼*)♡♡♡

Thank you so much for saying such a cute thing about me, aklsdjaklgj aaahhhh :’3

And saying I’m one of your favorite blogs, that really, really has no way I can react. NO EACTION KALSJDKALDGJALKDGJADG, that’s like, such a huge and inncredible compliment for me because…I don’t know, I often spam and, or aklsjdaklgj say some silly things, and there’s so many incredible and amazing blogs out there with phenomenal artists and mindblowing authors, and I feel sorta little in comparison (not bad or unimportant, just not THAT popular/skilled/good), so that you say that I’m one of your favorite blogs…?

Wow. Pfft. Mindblow for me and really a reason to leave me feeling so…hnjhgfnhjg, idk, with the heart full and flooding, and so happy, and so surprised?? Hngnhghg, I don’t know, I know I always overreact a little, but that’s me and how I feel. It really means a lot to me that you say that. Really.

I spend all my free time here and put lots of time and energy into it, so I’m happy that people are enjoying…and of course, happier to know it’s someone favorite..AH, MY HEART!!! :’3♡

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m happy to know that you like my mess of a virtual home. Thank you for liking it, thank you for saying such nice things about it. I hope it continues to be the cozy and safe place that I’ve always meant for it to be. ♡

A-aaahhh….oh no, I’m a blushing mess right now, and I feel even shier and so praised and loved hgnhnfnhg :’’3 It’s just…thank you as well for saying that I’m always happy, kind, and nice. Those are such cute and positive and very nice compliments, and it’s so sweet of you to say that and I’m…hnhgnhg. So touched, I don’t know what to say OH NO MAXIMUM SHYNESS MODE,A CTIVATE

AKLSJDLKJGAKLJKLGJS LKGJSLKJGAD

*is still rolling on the ground*

A-aah…thank you so…so very much, my friend. Thank you. It really- touches my little raccoonie heart and makes me happy that you think and say so. Those are such cute traitss and it makes me feel touched that you see them in me…hnhgnhg, aaah…. :’3

I’m not always that happy, and I’m sorry if you have stumbled upon a sad or negative post, buddy. I mean, sorry if you don’t like them, that is! I have this…philosophy, that even being sad in my blog is positive, because it talks about trust, you know? Like…when you guys send me a sad ask, or when I share something sad on my side, we’re opening up to each other, and it’s not that we’re negative, we’ve just dropped our happy sides and we need some company and kind hugs to get it back. That’s how I like to see the sad asks or posts here, like something shared between friends that support each other. So yeah…not always happy, but always positive, and hoping that that’s okay with you ♡

Thank you so much for the things you said, really. I’m…flattered and touched. Hnngnhg…I really…don’t know what to say. My face is burning and I’m here in full shyness mode, so don’t mind my awkwardness aksjdakldjgalkdgjadka .////.

AKFJASKLGJSALKSFJASLKGJA SLKFAJSLKAJ LGKAJS FKLAJGALKDJG

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, YOU SAID I’M AMAZING AND INCREDIBLE AND I DON’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE ALL MY EMOTIONS AND ALL THESE FEELINGS AND MY EXCITEMENT, KFDHNGNJGFH, I’M BURNING IN FEELING LOVED AND PRAISED, THIS IS LIKE BEING PET ON THE HEAD BUT A MILLION TIMES BETTER AND STRONGER AND I’M COLLAPSES AND COMBUSTING AND PLEASE HELP ME WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ;___;

Omg, dear anon, dear buddy, my friend, noooooooooooooooooo, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SAY THANK YOU!!!! ｡･ﾟ･(ﾉД`)*ﾟﾟ･｡

Oh no, see whta I mean with how this ask really fills my heart to the point it shatters? Ahah, aaah, it’s so...wholesome and so beautiful, aklsdjlkdagja, what do you expect me to say? ;___;

*CLINGS TO YOUR HEAD*

THANK YOU. Truly, really...thank you so much. Wholeheartedly and dearly. All you’ve said about me, oh my god, there’s no way I can say thanks enough.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me, in the first place. IT’s easy to think nicely about someone, but it takes effort and time to actually tell them. Thank you so dearly for your effort and time just to let me know all this. It’s wonderful, truly...and it talks of such a good and kind and nice heart in you. To take some time just to tell someone what you think of them and make them feel loved, that’s not something you see daily. I’ve- I’m...amazingly blessed by all stars and sometimes people do it every now and then, I admit. But it’s not everyone, it’s not daily, and still, no matter how much I see it, it doesn’t lose its magic. Indeed, each time it’s only more magical, because I’m blown away that there’s good and beautiful people like you that don’t want more than to tell someone nice things of themselves.

You truly did something immensely sweet and kind and I don’t know how to say thanks properly or enough. Thank you for everything, thank you for this most wonderful ask, my dear friend. I mean it, and I say it from deep within… :’)

I don’t know you, but I just need to read you and see all the effort and intention you put into this and that already talks about someone kind, with a very warm heart, welcoming, and very nice and sweet. So I mean it too when I say, you keep being a phenomenal, fantastic creature. Keep up that good heart and all the sweetness.

You too keep being awesome. You too keep being incredible. ❤

Dear friend, I feel I stay short in words, but I don’t know what else to say. Just thank you. So very sincerely and immensely thank you. Do receive lots of raccoonie hugs, and may the stars give you twice as you’ve given me. (ɔˆ⌣(ˆ⌣ˆc)

By the way, the emojis of the octopus and the moon made me SO HAPPY LIKE ZOMG, I FELT LIKE A CHILD IN CHRISTMAS FULL OF LIGHTS AND HAPPY THINGS AND COLORS EVERYWHERE FOR SOME REASON, THEY’RE JUST- SUCH ADORABLE, ABSURDLY CUTE, HAPPY EMOJIS, I CAN’T KALSJDKLADG JKLDAJGALKFJADLGJ

Look at them. Happy lil octopus and colorful cute moonie. ASKDADGJ, WHY DO THEY MAKE ME THIS ABSURDLY HAPPY!?!?!? ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡

Is that you the octopus and it me the moon? Or are you both? Is that your signature? DO YOU WANT A NAME

Octopus in spanish is pulpo and Pulpy sounds cute, but in english it sounds like pulp aahh :’(

DO YOU WANT A NAME THOUGH?!

You could choose one yourself! Or only keep the adorbs octopus as your signature, that would work too, I just don’t know what to call you ahaha, but that’s okay. Names ain’t as important as presences themselves, and I’m happy and blessed enough with your presence here, buddy. So no worries. I’m just curious on the ADORBS octopus and moonie

ANYWAYS BUDDY

Sorry it took me so many days to reply, and sorry I can’t find a way to say thanks enough!

Lotsa hugs and magical vibes your way. (˙︶˙)

I hope you’re having a MOST FANTASTIC day or night!!! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ

#coonreplies

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chickenfetus · 7 years

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HI!!! i like to request ALL of the flowery asks! btw i LOVE ur blog and maybe u????? idk 🌸🌸 (jk i love u alot)

who is this????????/ under cut bc i get rambly

azalea: what’s one word that describes you?

lame lmao

baby’s breath: what did you want to be when you were a kid?

honestly? my answer’s like yours jen because i wanted to be an astronaut but also a vet and then a few years later i wanted to be something else of a whole different profession but now i know what reality is like and i have no clue what i wanna be whoops

begonia: are you a messy or clean person?

i hate seeing my desk/workspace be messy but i cant bring myself to clean it up either???? bc im lazy

bleeding heart: has your heart ever been broken?

hMMMMm mmm idk i dont think so

bluebell: do you drink tea or coffee?

i drink tea more than i drink coffee but i drink water more than i drink tea i drink water like. everyday lmao obviously but i drink a lot of water its my brand now

buttercup: what are five things that make you apologetically happy?

what does this mean why is the word apologetically there i cancelled it lmao no negativity in this house

my favorite people (u know who + my friends)

when people answer my anon asks and . they respond with a long reply/seem really happy responding thats my fav fam

this is getting real anime but when i get an UR/4* from scouting

finding an anime/manga/book that perfectly suits my taste

im very tempted to just say water bc idk what else 2 say

calla: what’s your favorite book?

ive only read 3 whole books this year but i recommend all of them

challenger deep - neal shusterman (i could go on about this book for days honestly its so interesting and even though its told by the same person it has two kind of perspectives because there are two settings, that didnt make sense but this book is my new favorite)

see you in the cosmos - jack cheng (i love this one too because its just so warm? made me a little emo but its really good and i love how unique it is, text type wise)

a monster calls - patrick ness (this was something i heard from my school first so i didnt know if i really wanted to get it but its actually pretty good?)

carnation: what are your five most played songs?

i cant really check using the music app bc i added the songs at different timings so itll be inaccurate ill just do most played song from each band/group

again - astro (this is their best song dont @ me)

letting go - day6

all in/stuck - monsta x

death by a strawberry - dance gavin dance

check yes juliet - we the kings

chrysanthemum: what are you afraid of?

i may not b a child but im still afraid of the dark bc my imagination is wild im also afraid of bugs and disappointing others nice oh shit im also afraid of asking for things

daffodil: what’s your astrological sign?

capricorn

dahlia: what’s your favorite band?

this question was made for me its day6

daisy: which ‘friends’ character do you relate to the most?

ive never watched friends

dandelion: are you an extrovert or an introvert?

in between!!!!!

geranium: how has your day been?

its been good!!! i managed to ask my mum 2 take me to hair place so i can get it cut finally and im working on updating my tumblr pages and doing all my tags

hydrangea: what’s your dream job?

pass

iris: who’s your celebrity crush?

pass

lavender: what’s one of the best gifts you’ve ever received?

oH FUCK FAM my friends got me a kermit toy for my birthday i lvoe it 2 dEATH

lily: what’s something you’ve achieved that you’re really proud of?

i got first in my class once wow amazing that was 2 years ago i wish i was as good as the me from 2 years ago

marigold: what would you like to do more of, but don’t ?

well i want 2 b more hardworking but guess thats too late

morning glory: are you an early bird or a night owl?

now that school is over and i have no reason to wake up early ive become neither which is saddening because... i like waking up at 7am on weekends and doing things early but now i wake up at like 9-10am and i still sleep at 11pm

orchid: what’s the last movie you saw?

i really dont remember?? maybe uh guardians of the galaxy?? i dont remember who i watched it with and when but it was good actually i remember who i watched it with nvm

pansy: do you believe in love at first sight?

i dont really believe in romantic love anymore

peony: what does your url mean?

chicken fetus means an egg

periwinkle: what are you thankful for?

god get ready folks im gonna go on my biggest boxy rant ever...

so boxy is my friend who ive been mutuals for over a year and our first common interest is love live and haikyuu so we had that to talk about but im bad at keeping conversations with ppl on tumblr so that ended quickly but earlier this year or late last year i made a twitter and told people on here about it and she followed me and i didnt really mind/pay attention to the stuff she posted/rted uNTIL. until that fateful day... june 25th... at like 8pm? she rted a pic of mister brian kang with dumb minion glasses on and ok maybe i do believe in love at first sight? bc wow!!!!! whos this dumbass with minion glasses and the fluffiest hair ??? so i slide into boxy’s dm.. expecting an explanation and she gives me a good one saying how brians from a band (i would later find out), day6 and im not a fan of kpop, never have been.. ive only watched like some kpop mvs bc i love my friends so i expect myself to listen to them and get over them as soon as im done. boxy my friend, bless HER she sends me all of their mvs from congratulations to i smile and i watch the first one - i smile and me? i start smiling and i can feel myself getting excited because holy fuck theyre a band! they play fucking instruments??? and at this point im already whipped then i move onto how can i say and that shit blew my mind let me tell you.. so because of boxy... i get to where i am now, proudly stanning 3 groups and if it were not for her i wouldve never gotten into mx as well... boxy is just?? really important to me her impact is just that great?? so im super!! sUPER thankful for her and i dont think she’ll ever see this but boxy i love u thank u so much!! boxy gave me more than one reason to live, and not just exist?? without her i wouldve never been able to make so many (like 2 but hEY) new friends and this probably got so long idk im just really thankful for boxy thank u lord for blessing us with boxy (@/youngkwhom on twitter) (kittenma on tumblr) i hope shes happy forever and i also hope she has good days for the rest of her life?? boxy deserves it i lvoe u boxy

petunia: where were you ten years ago?

10 years ago i was like 6 probably watching pokemon or some shit and getting glasses

poinsettia: where would you like to be in ten years?

dead thanks

poppy: what’s your online persona?

i dont understad the meaning of persona but an egg??????

rose: who’s the last person you spent quality time with?

all my classmates in an exam hall for 2 hours, quality time indeed

snapdragon: what are your goals?

pass

sunflower: what’s your favorite quote?

i think i had one before but i forgot so maybe it wasnt my favourite lol idk i dont have one now

tulip: if you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

for all of my favourite people to be happy forever

a good future

i want astro, mx and day6 to get an award for all of their hardwork thanks

violet: what’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

i was gonna say smth negative but lets not hm m m i? ?? ill put smth irl ppl probably dont know either uh hhh i guess?? that i eat a lot?? but also get full really quickly but then really hungry right after that idk thanks digestion

zinnia: do you believe in magic?

no ????/ idk is there any evidence that magic exists

JEN !!! thank u so much for asking even tho u probably asked just to get back at me but this was still fun ask memes will never get boring bro,. i love u and i hope u have a good evening also i love ur blog too moon anon probably already told u

to anyone who actually bothered reading through this mess - thank you and i hope you have a good day/night too!!

#vampbin #asks

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lauraramargosian · 4 years

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The 2020 Coronavirus digital journals raising concern and awareness.

The 2020 Coronavirus digital journals raising concerns about what may be actually happening in China.

As someone on the outside, placing yourself on the inside, could you imagine being in China right now with what they are facing?

The Chinese new-year prevented many families from seeing one another and celebrating the 2020 new-year.

Honestly, memories are the most important aspect of life… I mean material or not, you still have a feeling and emotion.

Is it safe to hold in a sneeze? We were surprised.

For example, think about your first car, or maybe succeeding at a quest in your life and it was achieved, is it something you can think back to and smile?

Most importantly, it’s not just a “conspiracy,” just because you’re not the one going through the whole mess, it doesn’t change the fact about current events in China.

Further, is the Chinese government a threat to human rights?

Human Rights Watch opened up about the government on their 2020 World report for China’s Global threat:

“More than any other government, Beijing has made technology central to its repression.

A nightmarish system has already been built in Xinjiang, the northwestern region that is home both to some 13 million Muslims—Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic minorities—and to the most intrusive public monitoring system the world has ever known.

The Chinese Communist Party has long sought to monitor people for any sign of dissent, but the combination of growing economic means and technical capacity has led to an unprecedented regime of mass surveillance.“

KurbickIsMyCopilot opened up about the government on Reddit’s “Explain It Like I’m Five,” subreddit, saying:

“China is a dictatorship in the sense that it has a Supreme Leader whose commands are not subject to explicit restraint but does have some practical checks in the power of the Communist Party oligarchy from which the Supreme Leader rises.

Eli5 Why does China seem to be relatively under control compared to most of the world? from explainlikeimfive

The central government as a whole does wield absolute power and is not subject to public review, criticism, or election. It also wields total control of information, which is why stories about its internal problems are generally rarer in global news coverage than in other countries.

But unlike some other authoritarian states that have total media control, China also has the economic power to punish private companies abroad that publish or broadcast negative stories about it.“

It also punishes entertainment companies that depict the Chinese government negatively, which is why it hasn’t been a villain in a movie in two decades.

Offering an example of the entertainment industry.

“They offer the massive Chinese audience market to companies that depict them well and cut it off if they don’t.

So, to put it bluntly, they give the appearance of being under control because they censor the entire global media through economic pressure. But news stories do come out occasionally – massive riots by workers, purges of ethnic minorities and dissidents, massacres, etc.”

There are quite a few videos going around regarding the new virus and they all seem to emotionally journalize that “fake news,” has been controlling the masses as well as sharing their loss of access to medication even with money is impossible.

Allegations regarding “speaking up,” say that two are now missing and one person is found and considered “safe for now.”

Positive Celebrity interviewed an anonymous person who shared their thoughts on facts about the Chinese government.

On their level of censorship:

“Their level of censorship is bullshit.”

Most important there is truth to this fact. For example, if you go to your Facebook page and type “Corona Virus,” and you know people have been posting and sharing, you’ll be surprised, feel free to modify the search to “your friends,” or even “public.”

We tested it and it came back as “no results,” even though the idea was brought up by a Facebook user who has spoken up about the virus, their family and friends.

So, how and why are there “no results?”

On the viral outbreak and censorship.

“I mean this recent viral outbreak only further supports how problematic and messed up it is.”

On what would it make it better.

“Change the Chinese government’s actions and replace large portions of the Chinese government.”

On what bothers our anonymous interviewee.

“The dictator aspect I don’t like one bit. It needs to be more controlled by the people and not by a small elite group.”

On what the U.S could do something to help.

“Putting high political pressure on China to improve the government and political environment.”

How does the new virus make you feel in terms of those reaching out online, talking about the news and so on?

“I don’t think the virus quarantine was a bad choice as it prevents further spread in important ways. But there are areas that do need improvement. The video is mere speculation.”

As mentioned above, it’s a video diary, despite it being a form of propaganda, it’s no different than journaling through history… we just live in the second decade of the Millenium.

On what’s getting done by honest people who care about the lives of others.

The complete censorship gets in the way of human health. I do think there is mishandling on the government’s part but… I mean from a medical standpoint, I do think a lot is being done, the efforts made by honest people. But those who are working to contain and help with this virus are pretty overloaded.

Elexuis Green opened up about her thoughts on the video in the YouTube

“I believe every word this lady is saying. The news makes it seems like they are getting proper care but no when someone is speaking like this.

My God wraps your arms around those people they need u father God. Protect those babies over there..”

Regardless of what we can do to help, it will take research and it will be important to choose to support actual causes because we don’t ACTUALLY know everything…

Those who live in China are the ones who know what’s actually happening, just like they know less about some of our issues in different states, etc.

Truthfully, whichever side you take, make sure to have an open mind, mixed with common sense, the knowledge of his story and the efforts to do proper investigative research… it won’t be easy but how else do you find the facts?

Although, there is no perfection in research, sharing, having a voice of any kind is helpful.

What are Coronovirus symptoms?

For confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath

Lastly, be sure to stay safe, help, love one another and keep an eye on your symptoms, a lot of people have been confirmed and tested positive.

Let us know what you think about Coronovirus blogs, or what you might be itching to discuss.

Blessed be.

The Coronavirus COVID19 Truth

The post The 2020 Coronavirus digital journals raising concern and awareness. appeared first on Positive Celebrity News and Gossip.

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0n3-h4lv3 · 6 years

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10:17pm 9/7/18

FUCK yall. Heres some things that *i* have 2 say. @ morgan : i love u so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U literally deserve every good thing in this entire world. You are so loving and bubbly and positive that it is Infuriating to me that you have to face any hardship whatsoever. You dont deserve that, but you are strong enough to push through it and to make the most of any bad situation, and im SO excited for your future and the amazing things you will accomolish. Youve been my best bud for like ??????? 12 years almost ??????? How badass is that !!!!!!! U are the one bitch on this planet that i truly can tell everything. Nothing on this blog would suprise ir shock u, like a bitch knows whats up bc. God i rlly truly can 100 percent relax in ur company. SOMETIMES i still worry abt dumb shit but then i tell u anyway and it works out ok. Im mad greatful for that. Even with my other besties, i think id go mad without u and our friendship. I dont always send u the most responsive texts, but i DO think abt u every day and i LOVE u 2 bits and bits and bits. I wanna have sleepovers again. And tell bad stories abt marvel and folklore characters in the dark until we pass out laughing at eachother. I miss being kids. I dont think there was a point in my life so far where i have Truly been blissful or care free, i wasnt built that way, but memmories of u and me playing and creating and laughing together are truly the happiest i have. If not for you I would have killed myself three years ago in my bedroom after school, that day that i couldnt stop crying ? I went home and i tore at my shirt and i screamed and sobbed and slammed my head into the floor, lamenting how unlovable i was, but i really did have something that kept me from giving up, and it was you! I know thats heavy, which is why im putting it here and not actually telling you, but even though liv was my big fp at the time, you were rlly my reason to live. I just pray that i can do something meaningful for you, to repay you for being there for me before i die.

Finny! : BUD!!!! Ur actually. An angel but irl. Like sometimes i see you and stop breathing for a second. And im not even talking abt that ur like hot or whatever, its like. Gosh, finn you just have this presence ? And you are simultaniously so forgiving and understanding while taking Absolutely no shit and i respect that hard. Its like rlly hard to be uncomfortable in your presence. I still manage to sometimes, because god made me and was like "yeah this bitch will never see rest of any form", but like compared to the discomfort i feel around Most people, the discomfort i sometimes feel around you is WAY less and very warm asfjgja. I wish i got more hugs from you, i know thats like Mad stupid, but theyre. Validating and wonderful and they mean a lot and feel rlly good so more of those would be cool. I miss laying w u on the couch and watchin horror movies !! I know that was just like a month ago and its not like we cant do it again, but with how busy we are and how busy Everything is im very scared that we actually wont get to, or that u dont want to. Anyway im rambling, but u DO mean the world to me, and im so so sorry if im too much or overbearing. I dont know if you know how much you mean to me ? If youre on this blog you have an idea but i dont think these posts actually paint it accurately. For the past 10 or so years ive had a pattern of latching on to people, one at a time, and putting "all my eggs in one basket" so to say. It can be a best friend, or romantic interest, or both. But regardless ! This person directly and immediately impacts my emotional state. And rn its you !!! Which sucks a LOT. Bc even outside of my shitty "favorite person" thing, you are very important to me, and your friendship is so important to me. But i havent figured out how to negate or counter the whole fp experience, and so whenever u do anything... that i could interpret as disinterest or disgust or like anything negative, it has a 50/50 chance if sending me into a panic, sometimes a full fledged anxiety attack ! And whenever you show interest or affection or anything positive, it beyond makes my day. And thats. Like weird ? And it sucks even more for you, because if you realized how strongly just the tiniest thing can fuck me up, you wouldnt even want to talk 2 me. You would distance yourself to save urself from the stress and me from the whatever this is. But i know that my brain would just pick someone else as soon as you abandon me, so i have to just keep in my head and to myself until the fp thing moves on, or u abandon me anyway, or whatever. Bc i dont want to lose our friendship. And its ok !! But it makes our friendship more complicated on my end. I unintentionally put so much stock into how u percieve me, and so you not wanting to date me for suoer valid reasons still tears at my heart a lot. Like somethings wrong with me or you dont rlly love me or whatever even tho thats not necissarily the case. Anyway. Ill be ok. I rlly will, this is something i just need to man up about and push through ! Thank u for being such a cool friend :).

MADI !!!: UGH bitch. I do love u. Im sorry im late every time u pick me up in the morning and that i complain so goddamn much. I know its unbecoming but in my defense im feeling pretty rock bottom these days and u r like a cute little ray of sunshine that drinjs too much coffee. You are so. Beautiful okay ? That sounds like bullshit cuz im ur best friend and all. But this is honesty hour. See what i wrote to finn and mj ?? Im not fucking around. Im laying it all bare. This is the post yall will find AFTER i kill myself, so im not gonna LIE to u in it. Could u imagine ??? Anyway point is: you are so beautiful, and you are complex and interesting and Capable okay ? Like ur not a background character or basic or none of that. U feel like u are, and u say ur not pretty or whatever, and its like. The dumbest shit bc if u could only see what Every One Else was getting to look at ? U wouldnt recognize urself. Also. U have an INSANELY kind heart. I cant believe u were ok with me fucking your boyfriend. I cant believe you put up with my drama. You buy me coffee ? You go out 2 lunch with me ?? You seem to take genuine interest in me, and like my company !! Its bananas girl. I dont know how i can be so vile and low and selfish and you still stay by me. I dont believe i deserve it, but ur kinda adimant abt remaining my best friend, so hopefully ill have time to become a better person for you, and 2 return the favor. I love u mads. Like, big time. Ur a rock and roll girl and id do anythin 4 ya <3

Myla !! : buddy. Oh my god. A lot of people r likr "ohh im chaotic good" or "wow shes got such chaotic energy" and its MAD bullshit. But real talk ??? U like... do have such powerful chaotic good energy. Ilysm. Ur smile is Contagious. Actually just seeing u at school makes me smile. Ur company and friendship is such a blessing. ALSO lmao ur so ??? Like coy ?? And cheeky ???? Its mad fun, ur just like a very silly very lovely bud. I know you are Also very depressed and hurting. And i hate that so much. You dont deserve it. Nothing about you has earned it, but like depression doesnt care who earns what ya know ? Anyway ur strong. Likr 4 real, and i want u to know that you can SO overcome it, and u have such a bright future okay ?? I love you ! I KNOW finny loves you! I dont know ur parents that well but they'd be BATSHIT to not totally love you. Having you in my life is like a blessing, and i rlly rlly rlly hope i can repay the good energy some day okay ? I know u dont like talking abt how ur feeling, but if u ever want to, or u think of ANYTHING i can do to help, tell me asap okay ? Bc i will not hesitate to be there 4 u, no matter how big or small.

OKAY @ all of you !!! :

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY !!! IM *SO* GREATFUL YOU ARE ALL IN MY LIFE !!! Literally i cant. Express how important you all are. Im crying and i would Literally die for any one of you. That sounds like a silly thing but it would be. An honor to actually lay down my life for the sake of any of u guys, tho im not sure how the situation would arise lol. I feel like i owe y'all so much. I also know that if i am going to get better, i cant do it alone, and i might end up asking more from u guys :(. I hate that, but im hoping you can understand and allow me to return the favor somehow someday.

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citizentruth-blog · 6 years

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10 Keys to Well-Being (Plus Motivational Quotes) - PEER NEWS

New Post has been published on https://citizentruth.org/10-keys-to-well-being-plus-motivational-quotes/

10 Keys to Well-Being (Plus Motivational Quotes)

The very interesting Greater Good Science Center at UC-Berkeley has some assertive and scientifically-based ideas on wonderful topics such as well-being, fulfillment, meaning, happiness, flourishing, etc. Along with U-Penn’s Positive Psychology master’s program, these are two powerhouse schools that take the science of optimism, happiness, flourishing, and well-being seriously. It’s neat to see, since at times in the past, topics such as these, or “psi“, or values and virtues such as meaning, goodness, love, and wisdom were not considered suitable subjects for psychological science to research and investigate. In this blog, I discuss ten keys the GGSC, positive psychology, and I suggest for greater fulfillment, joy, contentment, and success.

Altruism

“Altruism is when we act to promote someone else’s welfare, even at a risk or cost to ourselves. Though some believe that humans are fundamentally self-interested, recent research suggests otherwise: Studies have found that people’s first impulse is to cooperate rather than compete; that toddlers spontaneously help people in need out of a genuine concern for their welfare; and that even non-human primates display altruism,” according to the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC). Altruism is one of the “values of the wise” — values that inspire and attract wise persons (for example, wisdom vs. foolhardiness, and truth vs. wishful thinking). I pair it with kindness and magnanimity, creating a mighty triumvirate of loving instinct.

A few quotations about altruistic behavior, self-sacrifice, love, and goodness:

“If you truly want to live up to the ideals our forefathers had in mind, if you sincerely care to embody the spirit of Jesus, Buddha, or Mohammed, stop hating and start loving. Love even when you don’t really feel it, even when you think you’re faking it. Soon, you won’t be faking it anymore, and you’ll be a better parent, a better friend, a better American, a better person.” ~ Alan Colmes

“Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man’s survival.” ~ Carlos P. Romulo

“There is no greater satisfaction for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that he has devoted his best energies to the service of the good cause.” ~ Albert Einstein

“The lover of mankind strengthens men, for he himself wishes to be strengthened; he helps men toward success, for he himself wishes to achieve success.” ~ Confucius

Awe

“Awe is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, like looking up at millions of stars in the night sky or marveling at the birth of a child. When people feel awe, they may use other words to describe the experience, such as wonder, amazement, surprise, or transcendence.

The most common sources of awe are other people and nature, but awe can be elicited by many other experiences as well, such as music, art or architecture, religious experiences, the supernatural, or even one’s own accomplishments,” the GGSC notes. I think of it as wonder; as vision; as radical creative thinking. Mindfulness and gratitude are aligned with seeing the world with awe. These special experiences fire our synapses and engender a greater sense of well-being.

A few quotations about Awe:

“The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ~ William Butler Yeats

Find the Good Side of Things, People & Changes

Ever heard an old person either say “Kids today!” or “Damn liberals!” or hear a young person absolutely demonize or denigrate an individual with whom they don’t agree (or, as in Dana Carvey’s impression of “grumpy old man“, just be sour and mad at the world)?

As can be gleaned from this Q&A with the engaging researcher Robert Sapolsky, political differences is a major issue nowadays — much more so than in the past. It divides us in homes, in communities, and in the United States. Add money to the mix and it’s political gamesmanship and subterfuge writ large.

But seeing differences between the self and the other is often not healthy. Tribalism, Sapolsky notes, is oh-so-easy. He says: “The easiest symbols that we grab on to in deciding if someone is an “us” or a “them” are visceral ones. Being disgusted by someone’s personal behavior—the way “they” do stuff—is a much easier entrée to hating them than disagreeing with their views on the trade deficit. Primates are hard-wired for us/them dichotomies. Our brains detect them in less than 100 milliseconds. Our views about things are driven by implicit (unconscious) processes.”

Gosh, that leaves one with a negative feeling. As Sapolsky puts it: “It’s depressing as hell.” That it is.

Here are some quotations to increase well-being by seeing commonalities, others’ perspectives, and being forgiving and humble – basically, optimism and positive thinking before judging:

“We spend so much time talking and judging what we think we know. . . We need to ask more questions and spend more time listening. Really listening, not just waiting for our turn to talk or be thinking the whole time how we are right and they are wrong. We also need to shift our mindset and see things from other people’s perspectives. Really appreciate and respect their perspective, not just be thinking how our’s is morally superior. We need to give more than we get in all interactions with others. Live to serve and to help make a difference in other’s lives. In short, leave this life better than we found it.” ~ Robert L. Lloyd

“All too often, visions of virtue or decency have been invoked to brand as immoral and dangerous anyone who is different. Such aggressive moral dogmatism — which, it is worth stressing, can occur on both the political right and left — is one of the greatest enemies of human dignity.” ~ Elizabeth Kiss

“Judging others takes a great deal of energy and, without exception, pulls you away from where you want to be.” ~ Richard Carlson

Mindfulness

The GGSC has this to say about this slightly-elusive value: “Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.”

Once you get your head around it, practices that lead to greater mindfulness — including but not limited to meditation — you can benefit from the positive effects on the human brain. Here is what my old friend Laurent Grenier, an author who found some interesting ways of dealing with his quadrapalegia, counsels:

“If you lead a happy life, of which you may be to some degree unmindful, never let a day pass without reflecting on the life of misery you could be leading instead. Imagine having lost everything and everyone you love. You will be happier for the realization that you are spared this misery.” Hard to do, but good advice. A good movie can help, I think.

Here are some quotes on this fascinating skill that will surely lead to greater relaxation, health, and well-being (and who knows, perhaps happiness and success):

“Practicing mindfulness over time reveals and develops the qualities of wisdom and compassion, the twin virtues of the discipline. Wisdom means seeing clearly into the fundamental nature of reality. Through meditative practice, we can deeply recognize the eternal arising and passing away of all phenomena and see the unsatisfactory quality of ordinary human experience that derives from the illusion of the self as an entity separate from the rest of reality.” ~ Mark W. Muesse

“Each moment of the year has its own beauty, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Research has suggested that in a few short weeks, mindfulness meditation practice can bring about physiological, psychological, and social benefits in our lives. From increases in gray matter in the brain to alleviating physical ailments such as migraines and fibromyalgia, the benefits of mindfulness and meditation practice more generally have been touted for everyone ranging from executives to schoolchildren.” ~ Hooria Jazaieri

Compassion

Next among values and phenomena that can lead to more well-being in the lives of aware individuals is this “suffering together.” Compassion is a deep empathy, a lovingness, a true caring. “While empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, compassion is when those feelings and thoughts include the desire to help. Altruism, in turn, is the kind, selfless behavior often prompted by feelings of compassion, though one can feel compassion without acting on it, and altruism isn’t always motivated by compassion,” the GGSC points out.

As usual, when trying to figure out exactly what a particular value or virtue really means, I look to a wide array of diverse quotations to elucidate the concept. That is what Values of the Wise is all about.

Quotations about compassion:

“With compassion, we see benevolently our own human condition and the condition of our fellow beings. We drop prejudice. We withhold judgment.” ~ Christina Baldwin

“The Good Samaritan story illustrates altruism. Filled with compassion, he is motivated to give a stranger time, energy, and money while expecting neither repayment nor appreciation.” ~ David G. Myers and Jean M. Twenge

“We humans have the capacity to change the world with acts of love and kindness. Let’s start by teaching our children the importance of compassion.” ~ Goldie Hawn

Industriousness

A Buddhist proverb counsels, “If we are facing the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.” You may have also heard the oft-quoted, “Idle hands [or an idle mind] are the devil’s workshop.” If you’ve ever watched/read “Little House on the Prairie,” you know how deeply-ingrained hard work, discipline, industriousness, and persistence are in the American ethos. We work too hard now, considering how much of a cut of the profit workers receive, and considering that famous economist John Kenneth Galbraith predicted in the 1940s or 1950s that by 2000, we should be working less than twenty hours a week due to the awesome increase in technological capacity.

Well, a short workweek may not have come to pass, and America may be one of the hardest-working, most sober/religious of nations, but it still is a virtue — and one that can lead to well-being, contentment, and prosperity. Once one gets to about $75,000, happiness levels out, but up to that point, it is hard to be happy in the modern world if one is deprived, poor, or otherwise harried.

Industry vs. inferiority is a key milestone in human psychological development according to prominent developmental psychologist, Erik Erikson. As Lumenlearning.com points out, “During the elementary school stage (ages 6–12), children face the task of industry vs. inferiority. Children begin to compare themselves with their peers to see how they measure up. They either develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their schoolwork, sports, social activities, and family life, or they feel inferior and inadequate because they feel that they don’t measure up. If children do not learn to get along with others or have negative experiences at home or with peers, an inferiority complex might develop into adolescence and adulthood.”

My sister is exemplary of effort and striving. She is actively a daughter, wife, mother of three, business owner, and reads and shares information passionately. She really gets a charge out of this lifestyle, and productivity is the result. I admire someone who finds one or more avocations and pursues them indefatigably — even in the absence of pay or a mandate. Indeed, as the quintessentially-American proverb has it, “People may get more tired by standing still than going on.”

Here are a few quotations about industriousness, effort, productivity, and dedication:

“Americans have shifted away from an energetic, purpose-driven, higher-order pursuit of value, and are instead moving toward security, insulationism, materialism and minimum-commitment thinking. Rather than building upon our history of sacrificial innovation and difficult labor, regardless of immediate or tangible personal benefits, many Americans are seizing our economic prosperity as an opportunity to slack off and opt for personal leisure, [and] short-sighted consumerism….” ~ Joseph Sunde

“Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.”~ Voltaire

“No ethic is as ethical as the work ethic.” ~ John Kenneth Galbraith

Empathy

Yet another key to well-being is empathy. The GGSC indicates that “[e]mpathy seems to have deep roots in our brains and bodies, and in our evolutionary history. Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats. Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else perform an action in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves.”

Take David Brooks’ advice and don’t confuse empathy with rationality: “People without social emotions like empathy are not objective decision-makers. They are sociopaths who sometimes end up on death row.”

Here are three unique perspectives on empathy from three disparate individuals:

“Don’t judge anyone harshly until you have been through his experiences.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“To separate egoistic distress reduction from empathy-based altruism, Daniel Batson’s research group conducted studies that aroused empathy. Then the researchers noted whether the aroused people would reduce their own distress by escaping the situation or whether they would go out of their way to aid the person. The results were consistent: with their empathy aroused, people usually helped.” ~ David G. Myers and Jean M. Twenge

“Wealthy Christians talk about the poor but have no friends who are poor. So they merely speculate on the reasons for their condition, often placing the blame on the poor themselves.” ~ Jim Wallis

Forgiveness

This beautiful and difficult virtue is one of humanity’s highest levels of achievement. Well-being is inextricably tied to the emotional grudges one holds, I’m afraid (I say that because I feel justice more easily than I feel forgiveness). But, it’s true. It’s tied to psychological well-being, heart health, and optimism. In fact, hostility and it’s ugly little brother cortisol is/are one of the main psychological predictors of heart disease!

Berkeley’s GGSC has this to say: “Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. Just as important as defining what forgiveness is, though, is understanding what forgiveness is not. Experts who study or teach forgiveness make clear that when you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offense against you.”

Alan Scott puts this virtue in this light: “I think there is a human condition where many people assume that if we forgive others for the wrongs they do to us (or those close to us) that we are, in a sense, letting them off the hook when perhaps they should be punished. The offender gets to go on their merry way through life, while we are still suffering because of their actions. I almost felt like if I forgave someone, then I was condoning the wrong that they did! Not so. Forgiveness is a necessity for us, not vengeance. God is the true judge, not us.”

I may not see it as a God thing, but I do see the psychological research point to the benefits of forgiveness when it comes to mental health and a flourishing life.

“You hold too much anger inside. It poisons you. Do you want to carry so much pain into your next life? …You must forgive. You must let go of your pain. You must let go of your anger.” Those are the wise words of the Chinese healer who tries to get Michael Keaton’s knotted-up and angry guy character to relax before his cancer kills him. It’s a fascinating scene in a fascinating movie called My Life.

Here are some quotations about forgiveness as a virtue:

“The greater you are, the more you must practice humility.” ~ Ben Sira

“So many of us hold on to little resentments that may have stemmed from an argument, a misunderstanding, the way we were raised, or some other painful event. Stubbornly, we wait for someone else to reach out to us — believing that this is the only way we can forgive or rekindle a friendship or family relationship.” ~ Richard Carlson

If one by one we counted people out For the least sin, it wouldn’t take us long To get so we had no one left to live with. For to be social is to be forgiving. ~ Robert Frost

Generosity

If there is one important thing my mom has taught me through deed and words, it is generosity. She gives, gives, gives. This doesn’t mean that she is a saint, but it does mean that she gets a great feeling from what she perceives as one of her true callings: to make a positive difference in others, in society, and in the world. She puts her money where her mouth is, as it were. I have seen a very compelling correlation in her between happiness and generosity. It’s a thing:

As Amanda L. Chan points out in this article, “Giving of yourself — whether it be your time, energy or money — isn’t just a boon to those you’re helping. A wealth of research shows that generosity can also have benefits for the giver, ranging from a better outlook at your job, to more years of life.” So give of yourself — your time, your money, your energy, your advice. Mentorship, volunteering, and charity are true ways to greater happiness, well-being, and meaning in life.

Don’t feel bad if you get a charge out of helping others and giving of yourself. That is how the brain evolved — we find certain things rewarding, such as food, sex, competition, and helping behavior. Feel good if you help another person; you deserve it! You could have ignored their need. The warm glow of givingness is something to cherish, not spurn.

Three other succinct quotes about generosity:

“One act of beneficence, one act of real usefulness, is worth all the abstract sentiment in the world.” ~ Ann Radcliffe

“I’ve never known any human being, high or humble, who ever regretted, when nearing life’s end, having done kindly deeds. But I have known more than one millionaire who became haunted by the realization that they had led selfish lives.” ~ B. C. Forbes

“To do good without ulterior motive is a generous and almost divine thing in itself.” ~ Francesco Guicciardini

Social Integration

Last, but certainly not least, social integration. Social interaction, social relatedness, inclusion, relationships – whatever you want to call it. It’s good. I should know; I have been terribly lonely and felt like a bit of an odd bird in some significant periods of my life. For a while there, I was on Prozac, living alone, doing my thesis on suicide, smoking marijuana, and wondering if life was worth living. Needless to say, I saw more of my therapist than I did women on dates. I just wasn’t in the zone, and my mental issues led to my social isolation, and my social isolation fed my mental issues. I sort of felt inferior to others; unliked; and yet superior to most others. It was quite a quandary.

Science is clear on this topic: human beings are social creatures, and though we do need some individuality and alone time, the feeling that we are alone, different, unworthy is only pernicious. It can lead to suicide, substance abuse, studying philosophy (!), and depression. Anomie is a unique version of this that has been described for some time in sociology. Yes, pets are good and helpful!

Yes, I am now married and even recently bit the bullet and started attending the local Unitarian Church! I have pets I am very fond of, I write every day, take classes, and exercise and fish oil!

On this page, Juliana Breines asks whether some social ties are better than others when it comes to contributing to well-being. She writes: “There’s no question that the digital age has changed the way we relate to one another, sometimes to our detriment, as MIT psychologist Sherry Turkle has argued in her book Alone Together. Though many of us can count Facebook friends into the thousands, research suggests that loneliness is rampant in the United States—we have fewer close friends than we did a generation ago—and takes a severe toll on our health.”

Here are some quotes about social connectedness as related to well-being. The Wisdom Archive holds other quotes about social relatedness, integration, affiliation, and connectedness, and is searchable for free.

“To the extent that we can characterize evolution as designing our modern brains, this is what our brains were wired for: reaching out to and interacting with others.” ~ Matthew Lieberman

“Social situations do profoundly influence individuals. But individuals also influence social situations. The two interact. Asking whether external situations or inner dispositions determine behavior is like asking whether length or width determine a room’s area.” ~ David G. Meyers and Jean M. Twenge

“Humans are a profoundly social species; our drive to connect with others is embedded in our biology and evolutionary history. It begins at birth, in our relationship with our caregiver—and the effects of this relationship seem to reverberate throughout our lives. When we’re cared for as children, we’re more likely to have healthy, secure attachments as we get older.” (the Greater Good Science Center)

I wish well-being, peace, and happiness for you. I will leave you with these:

I believe in courtesy, in kindness, in generosity, in good cheer, in friendship and in honest competition. I believe there is something doing somewhere, for every man ready to do it. I believe I’m ready, RIGHT NOW. ~ Elbert Hubbard

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. ~ Mark Twain

Optimism has an important place in some, thought not all, realms of your life. It is not a panacea. But it can protect you against depression; it can raise your level of achievement; it can enhance your physical well-being; it is a far more pleasant mental state to be in. ~ Martin E. P. Seligman

Dave Navarro Puts Mental Health & Suicide in the Spotlight with Benefit Concert

#key to happiness #quotes #well-being #wisdom

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davejordan06 · 7 years

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What my first year in the UST SHS Student Council taught me.

A year has passed and this experience really taught me a lot of things. It also made me learn about many leadership skills that can make a harmonius working environment. The Lord truly gives us challenges that will really mold us into a better person.

Being the director of this committee is one the biggest challenges/ blessing of my life. The Lord truly gives us challenges that will really mold us into a better person. Being the director of this committee is one.

Here are some of the many things that I learned that can help you lead that organization!

1. Everyone is special and has a unique talent. Maximize it!

The first thing that I’ve learned while on this job is to determine everyone’s special talent. In our team, all of us have different strengths and weaknesses. Others excel in motion graphics, some excel in flat icons/ flat designing, while some excel in painting/ brush type of art. With all of our strengths and witnesses, every month I delegate publicity material assignments for everyone to do. If it is a special day, sometimes they collaborate. But most of the time, I let them express their creativity/ strengths in their own respective mediums. Let everyone help each other. If someone excels in a specific task but doesn’t excel in another which happens to be someone in the team’s strength. Let them collaborate. With this, you didn’t just let them make an awesome output, but you made their friendship also grow.

I’ve read this article before from Forbes magazine that says: “Don’t focus on improving your weaknesses. Instead, focus on maximizing your strengths.”

2. Be the last to speak: The art of Listening.

As humans, it is natural for us to feel good whenever we are given the chance to speak or to be listened to. In order for you to make the best decision. You have to listen first to everyone and be the last to speak. Others would say that in order for you to dominate a conversation, you should butt in every time you have something to say with whatever someone is telling.

But no, you shouldn’t do this. When you listen to everyone else before you speak, you get the chance to hear everyone’s ideas first and you have all the time to crowdsource ideas from each and everyone to construct the ultimate idea that everyone would agree with. Listening to everyone’s idea also gives everyone the feeling that they were heard. I’ve learned this in one of Goalcast’s video about being the last to speak. After I’ve watched this video, I remember the feeling of studying all night for a recitation and not being called by the professor. It feels really bad. That’s why I don’t want my team to feel the same whenever we have a meeting.

3. Promote a non-toxic healthy competitive environment.

Many creative offices/ publication organizations would say that having an environment that promotes humiliating or embarrassing someone’s art helps promote a competitive creative environment. I totally disagree with this. Yes, it promotes a competitive environment, but it doesn’t promote healthy competition in a team. It makes everyone feel bad. And it also makes everyone toxic to the point that they’ll bring that toxic attitude in their next job or the next organization that they’ll join at. It will also affect everyone’s attitude towards everyone they encounter. Instead, make a creative environment that praises everyone’s craft but points out in a nice way the things that look bad.

4. Don’t think that you’re higher than them. Consider them like brothers and sisters.

I guess this helps in every working environment that you act normal like being with them while working. Talking to everyone and making everyone laugh. Others would also say that since you’re a leader, you should always have the sense of authority. Yeap, you should have the sense of authority, but you should minimize it to the point that you consider them as brothers and sisters and not as people who are “under you” or just co-workers. With this, even though all of you guys will separate your paths, you still have this relationship with each other that will never fade.

6. Learn to balance work and play. Always set a day where you guys go out or just simply eat somewhere together. (May it be a cheap carenderia or a Ramen restaurant in Maginhawa)

The first time I had this job, this was the first advice I got from most of the people I asked for help. Small trips to the carenderia help establish a united team. Also, learn to balance work and play. Set a date at least once a month that everyone will meet. Maybe eat outside or work together in one room. Or maybe a trip to a far place. As long as everyone is having a good time and have the chance to bond together.

7. Unless you really need a theme or a rule, let them express their own artistic senses.

Unless you really need a specific theme or a rule that is set by your higher ups, let everyone be creative. Let everyone express their artistic preferences. With this, you let them grow in their own fields. This will not only help them grow and improve their craft but also let everyone express themselves and let the team know everyone’s unique talents.

8. “If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” - John Cleese

Unless you really have to release something early, give them enough time or a long deadline to let them find inspiration. This will help everyone in the team to be at their best version while working on something.

9. Don’t let your personal problems ruin the positive energy in the workspace.

While working, set aside your personal drama or your personal problems. If you are feeling bad, don’t let everyone’s mood be ruined because you brought your negative energy to work. Always promote a positive and happy environment which leads us to number 10.

10. Be very happy and excited when it comes to working. (be very bibo)

As a leader, you should be everyone’s source of happiness and motivation while working. It’s okay to talk a lot or crack jokes while working. Be the one who’s really eager to work. Encourage everyone as much as you can and spread positivity to everyone even though things are getting stressful due to deadlines. With this, working will feel as if everyone is just playing/ hanging out with friends.

11. Everything is trial and error.

To summarize this all, everything I’ve written in this blog post is all because of me trying new things and improving if there is something wrong. We tried different ways for us to gain bigger audiences in our social media accounts and I can say that everything we, in the entire team P.R.O (not just the creatives team) did a great job when it comes to info dissemination and brand recognition.

I know that I’m not yet a good leader but that doesn’t stop me to pursue being one. Always choose the road to self-improvement because as John Maxwell said, the road to self-improvement will be the best road you’ll ever take.

I hope that this post of mine helps everyone and I pray that God will bless you to have a harmonious and a happy working environment.

———————

To my creative hoes, matatapos na term natin!! :( I’m still not sure kung tayo parin ang team next year pero I really learned a lot from each and everyone of you guys! Sobrang solid ng taon natin na to. Salamat sa pagkakaibigan and for the love we guys giv each other. Always remember that gud things happen if ur personality is gud and u r talented. I love you all! :(

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