#a tool and a friend in expressing oneself

[starblaster]

October 9th is Psychiatric Survivor Pride Day

“The problems of the ex-patient are more subtle but no less pressing. Many ex-patients try to cope with what has happened to them by pretending that the experience never occurred. However, because the experience of having once been a mental patient teaches you to think of yourself as less than human, this is not a satisfactory solution. People feel emotions. They are justifiably happy or sad, angry, calm, elated, and so forth. As patients, however, we were taught to think of ourselves as permanently crippled, and we tend to react to the normal ups and downs of life as affirmations of our secret deformity. In addition, society imposes penalties upon ex-patients which affect you whether or not you acknowledge your identity. For the rest of your life, you will lie on applications for jobs, schools, and driver's licenses, and worry about being found out. Your friends and acquaintances will be divided into two groups, those who know and those who don't, and it will always be necessary to watch what you say to the latter. Ex-patients are full of anger at what has been done to them, but alone and unorganized this anger is not expressed and is often turned inward against oneself. Our anger is the fuel of our movement, and when we come together, acknowledging our identity to ourselves and to each other, we will have made the first and largest step in striking back at our oppressors.”

— "Mental Patients' Liberation: Why?  How?", originally distributed in the early 1970s by Mental Patients'  Resistance of Brooklyn, New York

[image ID] Seven photographs from antipsychiatry demonstrations. They are described below, in order of appearance: 1. a picture taken at the National Association for Rights Protection & Advocacy (NARPA) Conference on November 10, 2000 in Sacramento, California. Fifty to sixty people stand around a red sign with white text that reads: NO FORCED TREATMENT EVER. 2. a picture taken on October 9th, 1999 in Toronto, Ontario during a march for Psychiatric Survivor Pride Day. Several people march in a line, including one man at the start of the march playing bagpipes. Behind him is a hand-painted sign being held up that reads: Psychiatric Survivor Pride Day. 3. pictures taken at a demonstration outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento on February 28th, 2000. The signs in each of these pictures say: Psychiatric drugs can kill! 4. a picture taken at a demonstration outside the American Psychiatric Association's 156th annual meeting in San Fransisco, California. The activist's sign says: PSYCHIATRY IS NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSION: IT IS A TOOL OF OPPRESSION. 5. a picture taken at a demonstration outside the Jacob Javits Center, hosting the American Psychiatric Association's 167th annual meeting in New York City on May 4th, 2014. The picture features an activist wearing a printed t-shirt and is cropped so as not to feature the face of the wearer. The t-shirt says: TO HELL WITH THEIR PROFITS, STOP FORCED DRUGGING OF PSYCHIATRIC INMATES! 6 and 7. pictures taken at a demonstration outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento on February 28th, 2000. The signs in each of these pictures say: Psychiatric drugs can kill!, STOP expansion of forced treatment, Mental illness is NOT a CRIME, and FORCED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IS INHUMANE. 8. a picture taken at an antipsychiatry demonstration on May 2nd, 1998 in Freedom Plaza, Washington D.C. Two people hold a hand-painted banner-sign that says: BET YOUR ASS WE'RE PARANOID. 9. taken at an antipsychiatry demonstration hosted by the Mental Patients Liberation Alliance during Mad Pride Week in 2000, between July 13th and 16th on the lawn in front of the New York State Capitol Building in Albany. [end of ID]

#antipsychiatry #psychiatric abuse #psychiatric survival #psychiatric survivor pride day #psych abolition

[glorismorningstar]

LIONHEART

Pairings: girlfriend!Lute x f!reader, fatherfigure!Alastor x f!reader, Charlie x overprotective!Vaggie + f!bodyguard!reader, situationship!Carmilla Carmine x f!reader

Summary: Charlie is asked to attend a meeting with Heaven, and Vaggie asks Y/N to keep an eye on her. Begrudgingly, she agrees, but not without taking the necessary precautions. A dreaded yet hoped-for encounter occurs, which triggers unforgettable memories.

Warnings: daddy issues, canon-typical violence, Adam being Adam, brief lesbian smut, fluff, angst, grief, sadness, mentions of sex, WLW

A/N: I'm fully aware that the trailer was a major flop, but this story is purely self indulgent and has been in my head for so long that I need to get it out :)

| Part 0 // Part 1 // Part 2 |

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

77 YEARS LATER…

“So, what do you think?” Alastor asked as he turned off the TV. He had just shown us the commercial he'd made for the hotel, and while Charlie and Vaggie were off-put and disappointed, I had to hold back a snort of laughter.

“That was hysterical,” I laughed, resting my elbows on top of the backrest of the couch. “May I have a copy of that?”

“Y/N!” Vaggie barked.

“Right, right!” I cleared my throat. While this was one of the most entertaining things I'd seen in a long while - since that dipshit Vox was unable to put on anything good in the seven years that Alastor was gone, or even before that - it wasn't oriented to what we wanted to do for sinners, it did not once mention redemption or our ambition to help souls checking out into Heaven.

“I'm sorry, what the fuck was that?” Vaggie snapped.

“Uh, yeah, one note… Alastor…” Charlie hesitated, trying to find the words to criticize the commercial without aggravating Alastor, whose grin hadn't wasted a beat in growing strained. “I mean, first off, thank you so much for making this, seriously amazing! But, um, maybe the tone is a bit off.”

Alastor, tilting his head a little and furrowing his brows in his own fashion of a glare, was visibly offended, expression betraying his ever-present smile. I had always found his grin curious, ever since the day he and Rosie had rescued me, I wondered about his choice to smile permanently. A smile is a powerful tool, he'd say, it keeps your friends inspired, your enemies guessing, and assures that no matter what happens, you're the one in control.

“We want people to want to come here, but this makes it look… um…” she continued, attempting to word her sentence properly. 

“Bad. The word you're looking for is bad.” Vaggie completed. While Sera had taught me to be polite, her brutal honesty was refreshing. 

“Funny, I was going for hilarious!” Alastor said and tilted his head to the side, neck rolling with a crack.

“Agreed, but comedy isn't the purpose of the ad.” I said with a soft tilt of my head.

“It didn't say anything about how we're trying to save demons from the extermination, which is the whole fucking point.” 

“Vaggie is right, Alastor. The commercial is to let sinners know we are trying to help them.” Said Charlie.

“Well, my dear, I haven't been active in Hell for quite some time and everyone remembers me from my radio show - the proper medium to express oneself,” he said, holding his finger up for emphasis, which made me chuckle, then I laced my fingers together and rested my chin on my conjoined hands. “But you insisted on this noisy picture box advertisement! So I had a little fun with it.”

His inability - and unwillingness - to hide his thinly veiled contempt for modern technology never failed to amuse me. I was among the oldest beings in creation, only younger than very few souls, but I had grown accustomed to television, cinema and social media. His insistence on radio broadcasts and their superiority was quite humorous.

“Oh, fun? You had a little fun with it?” Vaggie said, getting up from her seat. She was about to lose her patience, and I couldn't blame her. This was an important thing, for it to work out, it was vital that it was taken seriously by everyone involved. “This is not what we want to represent us! When you showed up here a week ago, you said you would help run this hotel, instead you're mocking us! No one is gonna come to a place that a powerful Overlord like you thinks is a waste of time.”

As if on cue, a pink gloved hand raised from the couch opposite the fireplace. I sighed and tilted my head to look at him, boredly smushing my cheek against my hand. “What?”

“If'n ya filming a commercial, can I suggest you take better advantage of the talented celebrity you have right here?” Angel Dust asked, four fingers pointing at himself.

“I don't know if you can, but you most certainly may not.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in exasperation. His views on sex were the polar opposite of mine. Heavenly standards had always discouraged giving in to such temptations, but that was one among the many ways in which I had rebelled. Nevertheless, for me sex had always been a way to express strong feelings of affection rather than just a simple exchange of bodily fluids. When I lived in Heaven, Lute and I had always made love with the purpose of worshiping and pleasuring each other, while Angel did so simply for the sake of reaching the climax, which I found immature and foolish.

“Angel, you're a porn star.” Vaggie pointed out with visible dismissal of his idea.

“A famous porn star!” He corrected. “I'll have the horniest sinners knocking these walls down to get in.”

“We're not filming a porn as a commercial.” Vaggie spoke, as if it wasn't obvious enough to the effeminate man.

“Why not?”

“Where do I begin? It's disgusting, it's unrealistic, it's immoral, and it makes little to no sense, among other things.” I listed out, counting each point on my fingers while I gazed at him with a grimace.

“No sense? Sex sells, don't it?” He said, rubbing his fingertips together. “I swear, if you film me going at it with Mr. Fancy Talk Creepy Voice here, you'd be rolling in participants willing to stay at this tacky hotel.”

The simple thought made me gag. Alastor's asexuality was to be respected, for his sake and for my own peace of mind. “Ha, ha! Never going to happen!”

“Angel, I appreciate you wanting to use your… special skills to, um… attract folks to the hotel, but I really don't want to exploit you! In that way.” Charlie winced, giving a polite but awkward smile to dismiss such a notion.

“Oh, please, baby, this body was made to be exploited,” he drawled and puffed his chest, making poses to highlight his sexual desirability. “I got the arms, I got the stamina, I got the legs, I got the lung capacity, ha, ha, I got the legs! The gag reflex, the holes, the chest fluff the everyone thinks are tits-” 

His narcissistic rambling was interrupted by Charlie's ringtone, which made me breathe a sigh of relief and stop tugging on my ears. As she excused herself to take the phone call, I zoned out for a minute, tail curling around my hip as the fluffy tip twitched idly. I heard her say “dad”, which drew a soft smile from me. If only Lucifer had been there to support my rebellion then, maybe things might have been a little different. I hadn't seen him in ages. We used to get along fairly well, and when I needed secret meetings to try to make peace, he was my main contact. Despite our friendship, I knew he'd recognize me immediately if he saw me again, so I refrained from reaching out. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Husk once again rejecting Angel's flirting. It really was annoying. 

Husk and I had met through Alastor, as the poor guy was owned by the Overlord. We had more in common than I'd thought, including our feline traits, both physical and characteristic, and a mutual annoyance with Angel Dust. I felt bad for how Alastor treated him, I always believed it was unfair, but his rage was one of the most chilling, terrifying things one could ever witness, and I wasn't stupid enough to allow myself to be the object of his frustrations. It was already a miracle he was the closest thing to a father I'd ever have. 

“Vaggie! Holy shit!”

“Pah!” I yelped, ears pulling back as Charlie's outburst startled me.

“Ah! What?”

“Get over here!”

Their cute relationship made a fond chuckle fall from my lips, watching with a small smile as Vaggie walked over behind the wall to talk to Charlie.

When I heard her mention a meeting with the leader of the exorcist army, my stomach dropped to my knees. Adam.

He was almost my brother-in-law, brought into my social circle by Lute. I didn't admire him like he liked to think everyone did, but I did respect him, for Lute's sake. It was important to her that I got along with her best friend, and I couldn't deny her such a thing. 

- I can do this, somehow I know it

I'll get Heaven behind my plans

- Charlie, hold on

I could hear Charlie singing. She did always have a thing for singing songs at random times, a habit that straddled the line between endearing and entertaining, and annoying and irritating.

- There's just no way I could blow this

Not this once in a lifetime chance

- It's just a meeting

Ah, yes, just a meeting, I thought with a sigh. The poor girl was about to go to her first meeting with Adam of all people. It was like taking her driver's test in a bus.

- To change their minds, to touch their hearts

Or whatever angels have

I frowned a little at the prejudice. Angels do so have hearts. It was the hypocrisy that bugged me.

- This could be bad

- Cheer up, Vaggie

This could be swell

Something tells me that today is gonna be a happy day in Hell

- Okay, but just don't sing to them

Ah, the famous last words. Charlie was already out the door before Vaggie could even finish the sentence, strutting around through Hell as if it were the land of cupcakes and rainbows.

- That bitch is halfway down the street

- Is she-?

- Oh, she's dancing

- Ugh, no

I sighed and leaned against the door frame, tail curling as I watched the princess walking down the street. “Y/N, you should accompany her to the meeting. Say you're the bodyguard or something.”

“Ha, ha, yeah, right.” I laughed with pure sarcasm. The simple idea of being in the same room as someone with divine ordainment after almost eight decades made my head spin with anxiety.

“Fine, then at least keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't run into some weirdass on the way.” Vaggie proposed. While it bordered on stalking, it was true that Charlie could be a bit too carefree, and it was the least I could do to help.

“Fine.” I groaned, pulling on the hood of my cloak, and followed her path down the street, dodging disgusting views and unpleasant sinners on the way. The fact that I'd be hearing Adam's voice after this long was nerve-wracking, to say the least. I wouldn't be speaking to him, obviously, if it were so I would have outright fainted, but being in a one mile radius of any personality from the right side of the pearly gates made my lungs constrict.

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

As I stood in front of the tall golden tower of Heaven's embassy, a flurry of edgy butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I inhaled deeply through my nose and slowly exhaled through my mouth, then hurried inside after Charlie before the door could close, slipping in the shadows to keep her from seeing me.

When she signed the paper and entered the meeting room, I finally relaxed and laid on one of the couches in the deserted lobby, pulling my hood down and sighing as I stared at the ceiling. I could hear Adam's boisterous laugh, muffled by the walls, and my stomach did a backflip. I buried my face in my hands and took a few deep breaths, trying to get my shit together.

“You think I'd come down there? No, I mean, I love the vibe. Totally, love your tunes. Pretty fuckin’ hardcore, don't get me wrong, but it's such a bummer, man. Everything down there is so bleugh, heh… ew.” His shenanigans never failed to make me roll my eyes. I never once agreed with him on anything, barely even on the smallest of dilemmas, like which milkshake flavor was the best. But there was an unspoken agreement between us to put up with each other's shit, motivated by our closeness with Lute.

My gaze then flickered around the room, which hadn't changed in seventy-seven years. I could remember when I'd first been here to meet with Lucifer in secret to attempt to stop the exterminations. It all felt like it was eons ago, when in reality it hadn't even been half a century, a microscopic fraction to my long life as a Seraphim. 

“Adam, sir… Mr. Adam, sir-”

“Call me Dickmaster.”

A ghost of a laugh fell from my lips at the nickname. It had been so long since I'd heard him and his narcissistic ramblings about his sexual prowess. Word in Heaven and outside was that he was just as good as he purported, which I didn't find too hard to believe, as he was neither an unattractive nor an inexperienced man.

“It's the solution to our biggest problem!”

“Herpes! Yeah, that's a bitch.”

“No, our other biggest problem!”

“Oh, um… ugly people? Math? Global warming! No, wait, that's Earth's problem. When you take her out for the fifth time and she still expects you to pay the check, and you're like, hey, I thought you wanted equality!”

“No! Our shared problem of overpopulation in Hell.”

“Oh! Well, that's not a problem! We've got that covered! Lute, how many demons-”

Lute?

Lute was here?

I scrambled to the door and pressed my ear up against it, listening for any sign of her, her voice, her footsteps, her auditory mannerisms. Anything.

“Got a good 275 this year, sir.”

I rested my hand against the door and sniffed, breathing out a shaky, broken sigh as I slumped into a ball on the floor, leaning my ear against the cold surface. Hearing the ethereal sound of her voice after eight decades felt like reaching an oasis after having wandered the desert, a ray of sunlight in a dark tunnel. My eyes flooded with tears as I let out silent sobs, covering my mouth with my hand as I kept listening for her voice, in desperate need of getting whatever glimpse of her I could.

I wondered what she thought of me now, so long after I disappeared with no trace. I could barely even imagine the pain she must have gone through - or was still going through - if she thought I was dead… or worse, if she thought I abandoned her. If she thought I didn't love her and Emily and Sera anymore, and decided I'd live a better life elsewhere. The thought of her hating me made me choke a sob, the hearing range too short for the emotions I wanted to show.

For fuck's sake, she was the love of my life. Why the fuck didn't I go in as the bodyguard? What was going through my head when Charlie said she'd be meeting Adam? You can't have Adam without Lute, how stupid could I have been to not think of that? I missed her face so much… her golden, intelligent eyes, her pretty little nose, her mischievous smirk, her thick, fluttering eyelashes… God, how I loved her face…

“They're not the same. They had their chance, and they earned damnation.”

I didn't even care what she was saying right now, I just needed to hear her.

“...but everyone makes mistakes.”

“Angels don't make mistakes.”

“You really think that?”

“I know that.”

I'd heard that before.

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

With a last harsh suck to her clit, her thighs clamped around my head and she cried out my name, squirming and mewling as my face remained buried in the paradise between her legs. I lifted my head to meet her eyes and licked my lips clean of her sweet juices while her hand lingered on my hair, grip on my locks loosening as her chest heaved with the exertion. Giving her an affectionate smile, I shifted to get up and grab something to clean her, but she stopped me before I could do so. “Stay.”

I smiled at her and leaned my head on her thigh, planting the occasional kiss on her soft skin. “I love the way you taste.”

“You say that every time you go down on me.” She giggled, carding her fingers through my hair.

“And I'll keep saying it over and over, my love.” I smiled, resting my forehead on the soft flesh of her thigh and closing my eyes. 

I heard her let out a quiet chuckle as her hand kept stroking my hair, head falling back against her pillow as she slowly regained her breath. Everything about her mesmerized me. Being with Lute felt more right than being with any man in this universe. The way she tasted, the way she smelled, the way she looked, the noises she made, they all made me fall in love with her more with each encounter. My thoughts wandered to her military training and the extermination. Even putting aside the betrayal of Sera making such a decision, with the way Lute spoke about enrolling in the army, I'd never have peace of mind. Heaven was a lie, indeed. I wanted to stop it so badly, to protect Emily from such knowledge, to find a solution different from violence, to take some weight off Sera's shoulders, to save Lute's life.

I shook such thoughts out of my head and crawled up to lie flat on top of her, giving her a tender kiss on the lips and resting my forehead on hers. She wrapped her legs around my waist, locking her ankles on my lower back, and said, “What's with the frown, princess?”

I sighed and looked at the helmet on her nightstand, then back into her eyes. “Do you think it's possible to make peace with Hell?”

“What?” She asked with something between a scoff and a laugh. “Of course not. They had their chance to be good, and look at what they did instead.”

“And that was a mistake,” I conceded, tenderly brushing the hair out of her eyes. The last thing I wanted to do was make this boil over into an argument, so I kept my tone soft and gentle. “But there's no one that doesn't make mistakes.”

“Angels don't make mistakes, love.” She replied.

“Strongly disagree.” I sighed, looking to the side again with a small frown. To name a few, Sera chose to approve the extermination and put Adam, of all people, in charge. It was true that he was sort of an in-law to me, and the best that could be said of our relationship was that we had mutual respect, but he was self-absorbed, reckless and obnoxious, a testosterone-fueled wind-up soldier that marched wherever his sex-clouded brain told him to. And to think that poor Emily still believed she lived in this perfect, unbiased realm of bliss. 

“Hey,” Lute cooed, taking my chin in between her fingertips and tipping it to meet her eyes. “What Sera did was for your own good. She just wants to protect you, and so do I.” 

She then grabbed my cheeks and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. The gesture made me smile a bit. I knew she wanted my wellbeing, but if only there was a way to do so that wasn't so violent…

“Come on, no more pouting,” she said, nuzzling our noses together. “What do you say we cuddle a bit and tomorrow we go out for ice cream?”

“Hmm… sounds fun. Thank you.” I mumbled and trailed a few soft kisses across her shoulder, then rested my head on her chest and closed my eyes, reveling in her presence.

My gaze once again fell on her exorcist's helmet. Those rotten black horns, striped with white and curled at the tips, the × over the right eye and that ragged smile… I loathed everything about it. The fear of losing her to this was too big. I'd do whatever it took to spare her and my family from this barbarity.

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

The moment Adam opened the door, the color dissipated from my skin.

He was holding Charlie by the wrist - thankfully she had her back to me - and beside him was Lute.

Lute, in that familiar gray uniform and that horrible mask. 

Her eyes met mine for a split second and I felt the wind being knocked out of me when she squinted and her body language shifted ever so slightly, which made me gasp and pull my hood back on, ears pulling back in fear and tail taking cover between my legs, and in the time she simply blinked, I ran away on all fours as fast as my legs could carry me, not stopping until I reached the hotel. My legs felt like they could crumble any second, my lungs screaming for breath and my throat begging for water, but I wouldn't stop until I was far away from the embassy. 

˚₊‧ ꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

As night befell the Pentagram, I laid on my bed and stared out the window in deep thought about the day's events. I opened the drawer in my nightstand and grabbed a picture, gazing at it fondly. It was me and Lute on date night, slow dancing to some cheesy love song we liked. I had an arm around her while my free hand held hers as she looked at me with heart-shaped eyes.

I wondered if she'd still look at me that way now, if she didn't hate me for disappearing without a message or note or any information on where I'd gone beforehand. A part of me didn't want to know the answer.

My phone dinged with a new notification, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Fuck.”

Hey corazón <3

21:14

You coming over tonight? 

21:14

Shit, Carmilla. When my brain registered Lute's presence earlier today, everyone else was dead to me. Thankfully, I was grounded back to reality when I got back to the hotel, but I couldn't just ditch Carmilla for a person I may or may not see ever again. Then again, I couldn't abandon Lute, the woman I loved with all my heart and soul for years on end, for a mere carnal relationship. 

I sighed and texted back my response,

Sorry babe, I'm not in the mood tonight :(

21:17

Good night

21:18

#hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin hotel #alastor x reader #hazbin husk #hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin hotel lute x reader #hazbin alastor #hazbin angel dust #hazbin lute #hazbin vaggie #hazbin charlie #hazbin hotel charlie x reader #charlie morningstar x reader #hazbin hotel carmilla #carmilla carmine #carmilla x reader #carmilla carmine x reader #lute x reader

[infamous-light]

Sacrifice

Lucifer Morningstar x Angel! Gender Neutral Reader

AO3: Sacrifice

Word Count: 1.4K

Summary: There is nothing nobler than offering oneself to the Ruler of Hell to ensure humanity's survival.

Warnings: Non-con touching of the wing

“I want your angel.”

Those few simple words echoed within the walls of your mind, searing into the deep recesses of your memory.

It caused your chest to tighten, as if a pound of bricks rested its weight across where a human heart would have been if you were born a mortal. Each of your fingers trembled despite your hands becoming numb and your breaths came out uneven and shallow.

The mere thought of the Ruler of Hell demanding you in exchange for Dream’s helm brought forth a new wave of terror to wash over you.

“No, I do not agree to the terms of our deal.”

Dream’s deep and imposing voice snapped you back to the present.

Lucifer arched a single, unimpressive eyebrow at the shorter man standing before her.

“Truly?” She drawled out in a slow manner. “Then it appears that this is where your visit will come to an end, Dream Lord.” His title was said with a mixture of derision and ridicule.

Your eyes flickered from the back of Dream’s head to Lucifer’s impassioned gaze. This was a foolish decision, you knew. The restoration of his realm and bringing back balance to The Dreaming was vital. Without it, humanity’s survival will come to a swift end.

Swallowing down your nerves, you took one step forward.

“I agree to the deal, Dream.” You declared aloud.

He turned toward you with a slight furrow to his brow, a questioning look on his face.

“It’s ok. I want to do this.” You paused in your speech as your gaze drifted toward the towering figure standing a few feet away from you. There was a glimmer of interest that shone within those ice-blue eyes of hers. You averted your eyes and focused on Dream’s intense gaze. “I know how important your tools are to you.”

His dark eyes narrowed a fraction.

“I will not trade my closest friend.” He now turned to fully face you. “We will find another way.”

“Dream, please. Let me make my own decision. This is something that needs to be done. You know it.” Your voice trailed off into a gentle whisper as you stared at him, imploring him to reconsider.

His expression morphed into one of repressed pain.

“As you wish.” His tone was solemn as he murmured those words.

Lucifer smiled, a terrible and beautiful thing.

“So, it is done.” She announced.

The loud snap of her fingers rang throughout the dark throne room and a lesser demon appeared with Dream’s helm carried in his arms. The demon handed over the item with reluctance and then sneered as Dream turned his back from the foul creature to face you once more with the helm now held within his own hands.

“I will come back for you.” Dream said in earnest. “I promise.”

You gave him a sad smile in response.

“Now, now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Dream.” Lucifer’s airy tone interrupted with a small tsk. “The terms have been set and they belong to me fully. I will not give them up so easily.” The corner of her lips twisted into a sardonic grin.

“I know.” He stated simply. “Until that day, Lightbringer.”

He turned on his heel and pulled out a small pouch, pouring his sand onto the floor in one concentrated area. A cloud of sand arose around him just then, swirling in all directions. His eyes met your own for a split second and you watched as he began to fade away along with the silt until there was nothing left of him.

There was only silence now as you were finally left alone with the beast of the underworld.

“Stubborn one, isn’t he?” Lucifer said in amusement.

Those glacial eyes bore right through you as you stood in the center of the room. There was a slight tilt of her head as her keen gaze roved over your form, observing your nervous countenance.

“What is your name?”

Your lips were pressed into a thin line for a moment. After a few seconds, you decided to tell her your name with some amount of hesitance.

Every fiber of your body ached in dread as Lucifer began to circle around you, akin to a hungry predator stalking its trapped prey. The skin on the back of your neck prickled in fear as she continued to tail around you.

Lucifer came to a stop in front of you and you tilted your face up to look at her. A sickening churn twisted its way into your gut as you noted how her eyes focused on your wings.

Her gaze was thick with something so noticeable that you couldn’t even deign to ignore it even if you wanted to: desire.

Her right hand reached out and skimmed over the pure, white feathers of one of your wings, letting it trail along the intricate patterns which blended into one another, giving it a smooth appearance. The tips of her fingers caressed the rounded, delicate curvature of your wing, delighting in the softness that graced her skin.

The word beautiful slipped passed her lips and a shiver made its way down your spine.

“Sensitive, are we?” Lucifer chuckled, a hint of cruelty behind it.

You glared up at her.

She smiled down at you. “Oh, come now, don’t give me that look. It rids of you such beauty.”

“I’d rather not have your hands sully my wings.” The pure disgust that laced your tone couldn’t be masked as you continued to scowl at her.

Lucifer’s eyes flashed in warning as her hand darted out to grip your jaw in a vice-like hold.

“My, who knew that a sweet little angel such as yourself could hold such fire within them.”

The pressure on your mandible increased as you tried to yank your head away but the grasp she has on you was unrelenting. The sharp, manicured ends of her nails dug into your cheeks with each movement you made.

“While it is entertaining to watch you struggle, I will not allow such disobedience from you.” She pulled you flush against her front and leaned down, the surface of her lips tickling the curve of your ear. She whispered: “It is time for you to learn your place.”

The next moment was unexpected as a harsh shove forced you down to the ground, causing the side of your head to bounce off the stone floor. Your vision blurred over.

An agonizing fire lit up all your nerve endings just then as the sharp point of her heel pressed down into your upper back, pinning you to the cold floor beneath her. A sharp yelp escaped you as she applied steady pressure between the vulnerable gap where the roots of your wings sprouted from your body.

“Beg for mercy.” Lucifer cooed above you. “Beg for mercy and I will end the pain wrought upon your body.”

Hot, searing pain shot throughout your body and you squeezed your eyes shut, willing the tears away.

She shifted more of her weight onto her foot and the tip of her heel dug in deeper into your abused flesh.

“I know how much this hurts you, my sweet little angel.” Lucifer said with false sympathy.

She pressed down harder.

The cry that tore from your throat was raw in its anguish. Fresh tears traveled down your cheeks in a steady stream. It was too much.

“Please.” You managed to sob out, sounding pathetic to your own ears. “Please, stop.”

The burning pain between your wings immediately disappeared and the pressure lifted away.

Desperate, ragged breaths entered your airway as you lied there in a heap. Still, motionless.

The soft taps of her heels connecting with the floor reverberated around your prone form until a pair of black boots appeared in your field of view. There was a rustling of fabric before Lucifer knelt to be closer to your level.

Her long, slim fingers ran through the strands of your hair in a gentle manner.

“Your agony is exquisite.” She breathed out.

Her hand moved to cup your cheek, the gesture seeming almost reverent in nature. The pad of her thumb brushed away a single, lone tear off your cheek and then brought it up to her mouth, lapping at it with the tip of her tongue. Lucifer let out a satisfied moan at the taste.

“I knew you would be perfect for me.” Her eyes were lidded with lust as she stared down at you. “The moment my gaze laid upon you, I just knew I had to have you all for myself.”

The next words she uttered had your stomach swirling in horror.

“Corrupting you will be the sweetest of all pleasures.” Lucifer purred, her eerily white teeth beaming back at you from behind pink lips.

#lucifer morningstar x reader #lucifer morningstar #the sandman lucifer #the sandman lucifer morningstar x reader #the sandman lucifer x reader #the sandman #the sandman morpheus

[funkymbtifiction]

It feels weird having Fi as a function. More or less a dominant one. Cuz it doesn’t feel like I use it, but at the same time I also do, if that makes sense. Like I’ll care about what others think of me and I still do, but like I can think that’s Fe sometimes...

Being Fi doesn't mean you don't care what people think. Most people care about how they are perceived to some degree, either by people in general or by a handful of people whose approval they want to win, regardless of their type. Fe is about seeing everything through the context of "we/us" rather than "me." Thinking in terms of what's best for us, and putting oneself as secondary to the wishes of others. If not careful, FJs can "live for others" -- repressing what they want out of life because they are busy ensuring their loved ones have a high quality of life. At its best, Fe is all-inclusive because it focuses on what we have in common rather than what separates us and seeks to unite people through bringing that to the forefront; at its worst, it wants to repress individualism for the sake of keeping everyone comfortable (you are not allowed to be different, or have a difference of opinion from ours). Fe isn't what "other people think of me," it's a tool used to get people to work together, by focusing on their needs and adapting your behavior to it. The strongest and healthiest Fe's I know can figure out what each person in their life needs to hear from them and say it, to build them up or give them the push they need to break out of a bad situation. Fe's can temper strong messages with kindness, by asking "what does this person NEED from me?" That's Fe. :)

But there always feels like there is this sort of factor that distinguishes me from having it. Like I express myself better with writing; I can express more of how I actually feel and my thoughts rather in person.

Same. Fi. :)

Sometimes I do wonder if I’m an extrovert, and I did call myself one for a bit of time. I feel like the pandemic kinda made me question more of my identity because I used to call myself an introvert for a long time but now I mean I’m kinda unsure. And I can get pretty loud and stuff at times with friends and I can be energetic and weird and playful, like it seems like people wouldn’t associate those traits with ISFP rather with ESFP or ENFP...

Introverts can be loud and outgoing; extroverts can be shy, reserved, or quiet among a group of people. Your personality type is defined by how you think and process information, not how boisterous you are. The pandemic and enforced isolation has made a lot of people long for company that did not before, because of not being allowed to have their normal socialization. Even introverts need and want to be around people sometimes and to be out of their house doing things. SPs need a steady diet of trying new things and being hands-on. Beyond that, an ESFP would find themselves through participating in situations (as I said earlier today in response to another asker), whereas an ISFP starts from a position of knowing who they are and what they want and feel and moves toward sensory engagement based on those parameters (ESFP - not sure how I feel about this, I'll do it and find out!; ISFP - this is not for me, no way).

Being a 6 brings out natural judgment regardless of being Fi-dom or not; but the fact that you were so firm with a friend that crossed your boundaries and haven't second-guessed it probably supports ISFP, since an ESFP 6 might have second thoughts.

I wish there was more representation for ISFPs, especially for ones who break the stereotype. Yes, I can be quiet, but I can also be loud. No, I will not be a pushover to you all the time. The only person I can relate to who is an ISFP is Riley from Inside Out and maybe Eleven from Stranger Things.

There's a ton of ISFPs in the tags, since ISFPs are one of the most popular characters to use in movies/television (they are the archetypal "hero" trope"). Maybe you'll find more to relate to. :)

#question #isfp #mbti

[eyelinerda3euro]

people used to sing songs for dead people in order not to get crazy about their loss. but one thing i am realising is that they were not really scared about death, indeed they were scared about the loss of themselves, they were afraid of losing their own essence. we now have therapy, tools to overcome a great pain. they did not, they simply had to build their tools. and media, as seen as body expansions, were the primordial tools to navigate experiences and understand those. singing and making sounds were a way to express a kindred version of their inner complex world or rationalised versions of the outside scary world. which is, by all means, the way art started… incredible to think about. and going back to the mourning, there is some bliss in the repetition of these formulas too: everybody can use it, everybody can reproduce it. which is great in my opinion because for me it’s what a real community should do. providing tools and support to emancipate oneself.

which leads me to think that we obviously suffer a lot because of this lack of tools and support. obviously pain is really tied to personal experiences but i guess that personal experiences are political experiences as somebody stated once. i really wish all my friends can find, if not by the political providings, their own tools to narrate their kindred version of the horror, to navigate it, go through it and go into the center of the earth if it is needed, and face it.

[phlve]

Enneagram 2 Trait Structure

Pride

While a number of descriptors might be grouped together as direct manifestations of pride — i.e., the imaginary exaltation of self-worth and attractiveness, “playing the part of the princess,” demanding privileges, boasting, needing to be the center of attention, and so on — there are others which may be understood as psychological “corollaries” of pride, and to them I now turn.

Love Need

The intense love need of ennea-type II individuals may be sometimes obscured by their characteristic independence — particularly when in the presence of frustration and humiliated pride. The proud person can rarely be fulfilled in life without a great love. The excessively romantic orientation of type II toward life can be understood as the result of an early love romantic orientation of type II toward life can be understood as the result of an early love frustration associated with a loss of support in one’s experience of personal value. Just as the need to confirm an inflated sense of worth over)ows into an erotic motivation, pride overflows in the need for love (in turn expressed through physical and emotional intimacy), for the need to regard oneself as special is satis!ed through the love of another. The need for intimacy of ennea-type II makes of the person a “touchy feely” type and at a subtler levelleads to an intolerance of limits and invasiveness. Also, the strong need for love of the proud makes them “over-involved” in relationships and possessive. Theirs is a possessiveness supported in such seductiveness as has inspired the expression “femme fatale” (which suggests that seductiveness serves a destructive power drive).

Hedonism

Hedonism may also be understood as a trait related to the need for love, in that the wish for pleasure can be usually seen as a substitute for pleasure. Indeed these persons typically need to be loved erotically or through delicate expression of tenderness in the measure to which they equate being loved with being pleased, like in Grimm’s fairy tale of “The Princess and the Pea,” whose noble blood is discovered in the fact that she is distressed by the pea under the mattress. The affectionate and tender type II individual can become a fury when not indulged and made to feel loved through pampering such as is characteristic of a spoiled child.

The compulsive pursuit of pleasure of the ennea-type II person naturally supports the gay persona of histrionic people, with its pretended contentedness and animation. It is reflected, also, through a propensity to be frustrated and when not specially pleased (through attention, novelty, stimulation), through a low tolerance to routine, discipline, and other obstacles to an irresponsible, playful life.

Seductiveness

It is understandable that the histrionic individual bent on the pursuit of love and pleasure is also keenly interested in being attractive. Such persons work for it, we might say, and are, above all, seductive. There are traits that we can, in turn, understand as tools of seductiveness — whether erotic or social. Thus the histrionic person is affectionate. Those who are in need of affection, because of being secretly insecure in regard to it, are, in turn, warm, supportive, sensitive, empathic … even though their display of love may have inspired epithets such as “superficial,” “fickle,” “unstable,” and so forth. The support seductively offered by the individual is typically what may be called “emotional” support or perhaps “moral” support in the sense that one is an unconditional friend, yet may be not as helpful a person as may be suggested through the expression of feelings. (Ennea-type III and others can be more helpful when it comes to doing something practical.) Thus their seductiveness entails not only a histrionic love display but also a failure to deliver and, motivationally speaking, a “giving to get” kind of generosity.

Flattery, too, may be valued as a means of seduction exhibited by ennea-type II individuals. It must be pointed out that type II only flatters those seen as worthy enough to be seduced.

Eroticism is thus one of the vehicles of seductiveness. If we look at the erotic inclination of the histrionic individual as something that serves a broader purpose of proving personal significance (rather than in biologistic Freudian terms), we can, I think, understand both eroticism and pride better.

Assertiveness

Along with an intense love need and its derivatives, we may say that dominance is also a characteristic of ennea-type II and constitutes a derivative of pride. Rather than the harsh, tyrannical demandingness of ennea-type VIII and the moralistic dominance of ennea-type I, who exacts his due as an authority, type II gets his or her wishes met through daring assertiveness — chutzpah. It is the assertiveness of one who at the same time is supported in a good self-concept and propelled by a strong, uninhibited drive, which contributes to the aura of vitality of this adventurous character. (As I have remarked already, proud character involves a rare combination of tenderness and pugnacity.) Another descriptor belonging to this category of assertiveness is willfulness, a trait of “having to have one’s own way” even at the expense of an emotional “scene” or broken dishes.

Nurturance and False Abundance

Of great significance to the structure of proud character is the repression of neediness that pride involves. Much as we may be dealing with a zestful individual, who seems to be compulsively pursuing excitement and high drama, the person is typically unaware of the neediness that underlies this compulsion to please and to be xtraordinary. The proud are supposedly OK and better than OK, and to sustain this they must indeed pursue their pleasure in a compensatory manner. Yet nothing would be less OK than to be in need of love — for pride in the course of personality development has been particularly attached to an image of self as a giver rather than as a receiver: one who is filled with satisfaction to the point of generous overflowing.

Repression of neediness is not only supported by hedonism, but also by vicarious identification with the neediness of others, of those towards whom the individual extends sympathy, empathy, and seductive nurturance. Thus we may understand the frequent attraction of ennea-type II to children: they represent not only an unconstrained wildness, but also little ones in need of protection. They sustain the proud in the sense of having much love to offer, as well as covertly satisfying their love need.

Histrionism

I could have written at the head of this trait cluster “histrionic implementation of the idealized self-image,” in reference to what may be abstracted as an over-riding strategy in ennea-type II of which false love and false self-satisfaction are a strong form of expression. The affectionate characteristic, however, can be seen as only one of the facets of the typical ideal image the proud enacts and identifies with. Such image also contains the happy characteristic that we have already encountered in the analysis of seductiveness, an independence that involves the denial of dependency needs, and also a characteristic for which the word “free” might be an approximate term, if we understand it to be not the true freedom of liberation from characterological structures, but the freedom of willfulness, impulsiveness, and wildness. This freedom is an ideal of impulse gratification that exists not only in the service of hedonism, but also as an avoidance of the humiliation of having to submit to somebody else’s power, societal rules and all manner of constraints. Enneatype II is not only too proud to conform to such rules, but is rebellious to authority in general — often in a mischievous and humorous way.

Also “intensity,” which can be considered, along with wit, a means of attracting attention (and which feeds on the pursuit of pleasure), can be understood as an ingredient in a larger than life self-image. It is not only an addiction but also a form of posing and sustaining the illusion of positivity. The histrionic posing of ennea-type II is in contrast to the efforts of type III to implement the idealized self through achievement and performance — just as her histrionic manipulation (through scandalous expression of emotion) is in contrast with type Ill’s explosiveness, which supervenes upon the breakdown of over-control.

Impressionable Emotionality

While ennea-types IV and II are distinctly the most emotional in the enneagram, type II can be regarded a more specifically emotional type, in that ennea-type IV emotionality frequently coexists with intellectual interests, while type II is usually not only a feeling type, but an anti-intellectual one.

Source: Character and Neurosis

#personality theory #personality types #typology #enneagram #naranjo #enneagram 2 #type 2 #2w1 #2w3

[astrowithkaro]

Hi! Love your blog so much. Can you do June 24??

Language Of Birthdays: June 24 - Cancer

The Day Of the Blissful Wizard

Those born on June 24 are often completely taken up with their vocation, art or business concerns. The more highly evolved individuals born on this day devote themselves to creative, positive projects; the less highly evolved contribute their energies to undertakings with a decidedly negative or destructive cast. Both are equally involved, particularly in a technical sense, since June 24 people develop their own particular approach to their activities down to the last detail. Technique for these individuals is not so much an objective study which can be learned by everyone, but rather a highly personal set of tools which allows them to express themselves unhindered and master what they do.

Usually the more highly evolved individuals born on this day are attracted to spiritual pursuits which they see as manifesting Divine Love. Those on their path to this ultimate goal cultivate kindness, awareness, sensitivity, psychic abilities, religious fervor and respect for all living things. Poorly evolved individuals are, of course, headed in the opposite direction, preferring conflict, hurt, pain, struggle and domination. It is unlikely but not impossible that the less evolved can turn their values around in a single lifetime, but since many of us are now granted a lifespan in excess of eighty-four years (one Uranus cycle), in a sense, more than one lifetime can be lived, offering opportunity for tremendous change. This change can come about through study, increased self-awareness, raised consciousness, influential experiences and above all, the basic desire to improve oneself.

June 24 people have what could be described as religious fervor for their principal activity. They strive for self-discipline and are capable of tremendous feats of concentration. They value a flowing, natural, spontaneous, somewhat improvised work method, but one backed by iron-clad technical skills. Even amoral June 24 people come to be aware that their work holds great potential for both good and bad ends. Those born on this day often encounter a severe mid-life crisis in their early forties concerning their ethics.

Above all. June 24 people want to be left alone to do what they love most, and therefore their family and friends must be highly understanding of the strict privacy they need for their work. Occasionally those born on this day venture out to perform on a high level in the world, but usually do their most important work in the confines of their safe, and often secret, home base. Those June 24 people who work in offices or primarily out in society usually value their home life more than their work, and reserve the larger part of their energies for personal interests.

Strengths:

Skillful

Magical

Imaginative

Weaknesses:

Troubled

Destructive

Oblivious

Advice

Because of the mentioned tendency of June 24 people to enter a state of blissful fervor, they tend to lose touch with practical realities, which can have disastrous health consequences. June 24 people often face cardiovascular, respiratory and gastric difficulties. The practice of meditation, which promotes and allows for an emptying of thoughts and emotions, can be helpful in heading off these physical problems. June 24 people respond well to a strict and basic diet, with regular mealtimes. Such a diet not only serves to ground them, but also reduces excess aggression, as does a more limited consumption of meat and sugar. Nicotine and alcohol use should be limited, if not eliminated altogether.

Examine the effects of your work objectively and consider them from an ethical point of view

Keep in touch with society's values, it only to know what they are

Beware of becoming too withdrawn or isolated

#cancer astrology #cancer sign #cancer zodiac #cancer sun #cancer horoscope #cancer aesthetic #cancer reading #cancer tarot reading #cancer tarot #cancer daily horoscope

[dylanmaggiacomo]

How to Carefully Assist Those Who Are Recovering

Keeping up with an addict's recovery is essential if you are concerned about them. However, it would help if you refrained from lecturing, threatening, or passing judgment on them. These emotional pulls can heighten a person's guilt and fuel their want to binge drink or take drugs. Instead, express your love, support, and encouragement to your friend.

Talking to a buddy openly and honestly about their choice is one of the first things to do when attempting to assist them in their recovery. Your pals may better appreciate your decision if you let them know you're giving up drugs. True friends will respect your choice if they are your friends. In addition, you might need to call your relatives for assistance or establish new friends. No matter what kind of assistance you provide, remember that the individual you are helping is not suffering in silence from an addiction.

Offering a 12-step group to someone who has relapsed is another approach to assist them. These groups frequently meet daily and provide a private, accepting setting for people to discuss their emotions. Try to find a 12-step group within the next 24 hours if you're not sure they're right for you.

Giving someone in recovery the time and tools they need to maintain sobriety is another effective way to assist them. In addition, a person will be better able to avoid the triggers that can cause relapse if they have a sober support system and accountability partner. For instance, it's possible that the person used drugs at home, and it's not always simple to avoid being in one's area. Sober living facilities can be helpful for this reason.

Once in recovery, an alcoholic shouldn't have access to alcohol. However, narcotic painkillers shouldn't be given to someone who has recovered from alcoholism because they might trigger a relapse. Doctors may also recommend antidepressants to help patients cope with other typical feelings experienced while regaining. The individual should also follow a healthy diet to aid in physical recovery.

A person in the early stages of rehabilitation should also refrain from overcommitting oneself or putting their loved ones last. Instead, they should participate in recovery-related activities, such as therapy or a support group. In addition, if feasible, they should take up new hobbies and engage in neighborhood events.

Let someone know you're available to aid if they need it and provide recovery support. They won't be ashamed to ask for assistance if they get behind this way. Being supportive and encouraging is crucial and can significantly aid someone's recovery. Additionally, you must warn your loved ones if you fall off the wagon or relapse.

A person in recovery needs support, but they also need to identify any triggers that can lead them to use drugs or alcohol. The key to preventing relapse is avoiding these triggers. For example, a person is likely to feel more desperate and need the substance around drugs or alcohol.

[oliviajames1122]

Seven strategies to use to ease getting out of bed

It can be quite challenging to express how for some people, getting up isn't always complemented by music and smiles when you live in a country that takes pleasure in its "early bird gets the worm" mindset.

Many people with chronic conditions will warn you that getting out of bed every morning is one of their biggest challenges, despite the fact that their symptoms vary widely. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help with energy, routine, and motivation when it all becomes too much. Continue reading for tips on how to mentally and physically be ready so that waking up tomorrow feels a little less difficult many business listings.

1 - Prepare for the following day the night before

Those who struggle to get up and get organised in the mornings due to a chronic disease may benefit greatly from planning beforehand. The night before, "pre-plan" any items you might require for the next day, such as clothing or necessities for the office. Even preparing breakfast the previous night can be beneficial.

If you lay out your plan the night before, you will not have to make a decision in the morning if, depending on your chronic condition, your plan is to get up and go exercise. As soon as you stand up, you dive right in.

2 - Talk to somebody

Even though it may seem like the last thing you want to do, talking to someone in the morning, whether it be online, over the phone, or in person if you can, can affect how you feel about the rest of the day.

Serotonin is produced in our bodies by favourable relationships with other individuals. Engaging groups that provide much-needed morning encouragement on social media doesn't even need getting out of bed, making it a terrific way to motivate you every day. Consider reading the accounts of people who have overcome similar challenges and circumstances for inspiration business listings.

3 - Master the art of present-day living

In particular, if you're managing your pain and experiencing shifting symptoms, worrying about the day ahead or feeling apprehensive about what might occur in the weeks and months to come is inherently draining. The way you feel each morning can also be impacted by this worry.

You can find everyday motivation to get out of bed in the morning through yoga and meditation. With the aid of self-development tools and resources, you may enhance your mind-body connection while also receiving guidance on how to get over challenges and grasp modern living.

4 - Recognise the strength of visualisation and thankfulness

Changing your perspective to maintain the present moment and adopting positive thinking might have an impact on how you feel. Some people even discover that the process of visualising is aided by writing down a few ideas in the morning, such as in a gratitude journal. Numerous studies also support the notion that expressing our gratitude might contribute to enhancing our general wellness.

Try the day-starting visualisation exercise by picturing yourself in the mirror, see who you want to be, and mentally walk into that person, saying, "That's where I'm headed."

Having that objective is very crucial. You become motivated as a result. We rarely live in the present because we spend so much time thinking about how horrible or depressing the future will be or dwelling on the past free business listings.

5 - Discover a reason for each day

Provide oneself a purpose to get out of bed every morning, whether it is returning to a favourite hobby, seeing a friend, or taking a cherished pet for a walk.

A sense of purpose gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning and is essential to our happiness in life as well as how we relate to others and view ourselves.

Numerous studies have indicated that pets may be transforming when it comes to promoting mobility and offering comfort and tranquilly. Pets in particular can make a significant difference in terms of both physical and emotional welfare in persons with chronic diseases. Even if you don't have a pet, watching adorable pet videos in the morning can lift your spirits and sharpen your focus.

6 - Make staying hydrated a top priority

We are well aware. We've all heard about how being hydrated has many advantages, but people who suffer from chronic diseases should be aware of the connections between mild dehydration and problems like urinary tract infections and constipation. Water can lessen inflammation, clean out pollutants, and enhance joint health in people with chronic diseases like asthma. Even better moods and more energy have been linked in several studies to drinking water.

Drinking water before meals, drinking your morning coffee, or even getting out of bed, according to some experts, is the greatest method to ensure that you get enough water each day. To make it simple to access, keep a refillable water bottle on your nightstand.

7 - Start your day off well with the appropriate music

More "melodious" tunes and sounds can help people feel energetic first thing, according to one study, which suggests that the sounds you wake up to can affect how groggy you are in the morning. Serotonin and dopamine, which elevate mood and make you feel good in the morning, can also be released by music, according to research.

It will significantly affect how you handle throughout the day if you begin the day with a really strong flow of neurotransmitters like serotonin as opposed to thinking, "It's going to be dreadful today, I'm going to be in so much pain," which can generate cortisol.

#Many business listings #business listings #free business listings #promote your business

[madsmedia]

Blog Post 11: Virtual VS. Real Identity

I don't see my virtual and "real" identities as separate entities, necessarily, but more as differing versions of myself where certain parts of me are more emphasized or muted based on the context. This isn't something that I see as unique for virtual identity, since this is also a practice that occurs in face-to-face interactions—my employer ideally doesn't meet the side of Maddie that tends to swear like a sailor around friends, for example. That being said, the nature of virtual communication makes it much easier to pick and choose certain aspects of oneself to emphasize or downplay. Communication is more deliberate, and more time and care can be taken before speaking to consider how the listener might react to what you say and how you say it. In-person, it's harder for me to monitor and control my own facial expressions, my tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues, especially if topics are complicated or emotional. That's part of why I can come off as more quiet or withdrawn in a lot of in-person communication, as opposed to my virtual self, where I can be more articulate. (Yes, really, there are a lot of situations where I am more shy. You folks just happened to get stuck with me in a subject that I'm passionate about, haha!) When it comes to identity construction and how you can convey your sense of self to others, I can compare it to drawing a self-portrait. In-person communication is like having to draw it in something like ink, right in front of your audience. You can still adjust your drawing to fit how you see yourself, but if you misstep or a line in your drawing doesn't come out exactly like you planned, it takes more work to adjust it. Virtual communication is more like digital art, where there are more tools available for adjusting as you go. It makes it easier to present a particular version of yourself where you can emphasize or de-emphasize different aspects of your personality (or of your face)!

6/27/2022

[donald-kumar-davis]

Empowering Youth: Holistic Wellness for Lifelong Success

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and ever-increasing demands, the well-being of our youth has become a paramount concern. Beyond the traditional focus on physical health, a holistic approach to wellness recognizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of life, including mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. By nurturing holistic wellness in our youth, we equip them with the tools to thrive in the present and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success and fulfillment. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the multifaceted nature of holistic wellness and unveil strategies for empowering today's youth for a brighter tomorrow.

Physical Wellness: Building Strong Foundations

Physical fitness is the cornerstone of holistic wellness, providing the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle. Regular exercise and participation in sports strengthen muscles and bones, boost cardiovascular health, and enhance overall well-being. Promoting healthy eating habits and mindful nutrition also ensures that youth receive the essential nutrients for growth and development. We instill lifelong habits that promote vitality and longevity by fostering a culture of physical activity and proper nutrition.

Mental Wellness: Nurturing Resilient Minds

In an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, mental wellness is paramount for youth to navigate the challenges they face effectively. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises, offer invaluable tools for managing stress, promoting relaxation, and enhancing mental clarity. Moreover, raising awareness about mental health issues and providing access to counseling services and support networks reduces stigma and encourages early intervention. By prioritizing mental wellness, we empower youth to cultivate resilience, cope with adversity, and thrive in all aspects of life.

Emotional Wellness: Fostering Self-awareness and Empathy

Emotional wellness encompasses recognizing, understanding, and managing one's emotions effectively and empathizing with others. Encouraging self-reflection through journaling, creative expression, and mindfulness activities allows youth to develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Furthermore, promoting empathy and compassion through community service projects, volunteer work, and peer mentoring fosters a sense of connection and belonging. By nurturing emotional wellness, we empower youth to build meaningful relationships, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and contribute positively to their communities.

Social Wellness: Cultivating Supportive Relationships

Social wellness fosters healthy and supportive relationships with family, friends, peers, and mentors. Encouraging open communication, active listening, and conflict resolution skills strengthens interpersonal connections and builds trust and mutual respect. Furthermore, creating opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and shared experiences promotes a sense of belonging and community. By prioritizing social wellness, we provide youth with the support and encouragement they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Spiritual Wellness: Cultivating Meaning and Purpose

Spiritual wellness encompasses the search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. This dimension of wellness is deeply personal and may manifest in various forms, including religious beliefs, values, ethics, and existential questions. Encouraging youth to explore their spirituality through introspection, contemplation, and engagement with diverse perspectives fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Moreover, promoting acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others cultivates a more profound understanding of connection and meaning in life. By honoring the spiritual dimension of wellness, we empower youth to live authentically, with integrity, and in alignment with their values and beliefs.

Empowering Youth for a Brighter Future

Holistic wellness empowers youth to thrive in today's complex and ever-changing world. By addressing wellness's physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, we provide youth with the tools, resources, and support they need to lead healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives. As parents, educators, mentors, and community members, it is our collective responsibility to prioritize holistic wellness and invest in the well-being of our youth. Together, let us empower the next generation to reach their full potential, pursue their passions, and create a brighter future for themselves and the world.

[careakps]

Empowering Parents & Children: Pediatric Counseling Services in Virudhunagar

Every parent wants their child to thrive. Yet, navigating the complexities of childhood can be challenging. From social anxieties to academic struggles, emotional ups and downs are a normal part of growing up. But sometimes, these challenges become overwhelming for both children and parents. This is where pediatric counseling services in Virudhunagar can provide invaluable support.

Care AKPS, a leading healthcare provider in Virudhunagar, offers comprehensive pediatric counseling services delivered by a team of experienced and compassionate professionals. We understand that every child is unique, and our counselors employ a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to address your child's specific needs.

When to Consider Pediatric Counseling Services in Virudhunagar

Pediatric counseling can benefit children facing a wide range of challenges, including:

Behavioral concerns: Difficulty managing emotions, outbursts, aggression, hyperactivity, or defiance.

Anxiety and Depression: Feelings of worry, sadness, or hopelessness that interfere with daily life.

Social difficulties: Shyness, trouble making friends, or bullying.

Academic struggles: Difficulty concentrating, low motivation, or learning disabilities.

Changes and Transitions: Divorce, moving homes, loss of a loved one, or adapting to a new school.

Low self-esteem: Confidence issues, negative self-talk, or difficulty accepting oneself.

Family Conflict: Communication problems, sibling rivalry, or difficulty adjusting to family dynamics.

Coping with Medical Conditions: Adjusting to chronic illnesses or treatment procedures.

The Benefits of Pediatric Counseling Services

Pediatric counseling offers a safe and supportive space for children to express themselves openly and explore their emotions. Through play therapy, art therapy, or individual counseling sessions, children develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve communication skills, and build resilience. Here are some key benefits of pediatric counseling:

Improved emotional regulation: Children learn to manage anger, anxiety, and frustration in a healthy way.

Enhanced communication skills: Children gain the ability to express their needs and feelings effectively.

Increased self-esteem and confidence: Counseling helps children build a positive self-image and develop a sense of self-worth.

Stronger social skills: Children learn to interact with others in a positive and constructive way.

Improved problem-solving skills: Counseling equips children with tools to navigate challenges and find solutions.

Greater resilience: Children develop the ability to cope with adversity and bounce back from setbacks.

How Care AKPS Can Help

At Care AKPS, our team of experienced pediatricians in Virudhunagar can work together with our pediatric counselors to provide a holistic approach to your child's well-being. We recognize the importance of both physical and mental health for optimal development.

Our pediatric counselors collaborate with parents to create a personalized treatment plan designed to meet your child's unique needs. We believe in open communication and work closely with you to ensure you feel supported throughout the counseling process.

Taking the Next Step

If you're concerned about your child's emotional well-being, seeking professional help is a sign of strength and a commitment to their overall health. Here at Care AKPS, we offer a warm and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and safe to express themselves.

Contact Care AKPS today to schedule a consultation with a pediatrician consultant in Virudhunagar and learn more about our pediatric counseling services. We are dedicated to helping your child thrive and reach their full potential.

#PediatriccounselingservicesinVirudhunagar #PediatricianconsultantinVirudhunagar

[olivebranchpsy]

The Benefits of Couples Therapy

One of the primary benefits of couples therapy Singapore is improved communication. Therapists help couples develop effective communication skills, allowing them to express their needs, feelings, and concerns in a healthy and constructive manner.

Resolving Conflict

Couples therapy provides tools and strategies to help couples resolve conflicts in a respectful and productive way. By addressing underlying issues and learning conflict resolution techniques, couples can navigate disagreements without damaging their relationship.

Strengthening Connection

Therapy sessions offer couples an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen their emotional bond. Through activities, exercises, and discussions, couples can rebuild trust, intimacy, and affection in their relationship.

Developing Problem-Solving Skills

Couples therapy equips couples with problem-solving skills to address challenges together. Therapists guide couples in identifying solutions, setting goals, and working collaboratively to overcome obstacles.

Enhancing Self-Awareness

Therapy encourages self-reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to gain insight into their own behavior, emotions, and patterns. Increased self-awareness can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and their partner.

How Couples Therapy Works?

Assessment and Goal Setting

The first step in couples therapy is an initial assessment, where the therapist gathers information about the couple's history, concerns, and goals. Together, the couple and therapist establish objectives for therapy and develop a treatment plan.

Individual and Joint Sessions

Couples therapy typically involves a combination of individual and joint sessions. Individual sessions allow each partner to explore personal issues and perspectives, while joint sessions focus on addressing shared concerns and improving communication.

Techniques and Interventions

Therapists utilize a variety of techniques and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each couple. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness practices, and role-playing exercises.

Homework Assignments

Between sessions, couples may be assigned homework assignments to practice new skills and reinforce learning. These assignments encourage continued growth and progress outside of therapy sessions.

Finding a Couples Therapist in Singapore

Credentials and Experience

When seeking a couples therapist in Singapore, it's essential to consider their credentials and experience. Look for licensed therapists with specialized training in couples therapy and a track record of success in helping couples overcome challenges.

Compatibility

Finding the right therapist is crucial for the success of couples therapy. Consider factors such as personality, communication style, and cultural sensitivity when selecting a therapist who is a good fit for both partners.

Reviews and Recommendations

Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from trusted sources can help you identify reputable couples therapy in Singapore. Personal referrals from friends, family, or healthcare providers can provide valuable insights into the therapist's approach and effectiveness.

Accessibility and Convenience

Choose a therapist whose location, schedule, and fees align with your preferences and logistical considerations. Accessibility and convenience can contribute to the sustainability of therapy and ensure regular attendance.

Conclusion: Investing in Your Relationship

Couples therapy offers a supportive and constructive space for couples to address challenges, improve communication, and strengthen their relationship. By investing in therapy, couples can cultivate a deeper connection, navigate conflicts, and build a fulfilling partnership for the long term.

[matthewdanchakofficial]

Matthew Danchak Perspective On Social Media Effect On Mental Health

In the contemporary digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering connectivity, entertainment, and information at our fingertips. However, as our online presence grows, concerns regarding its effects on mental health have also intensified. Matthew Danchak, a prominent voice in the field of psychology, offers a unique perspective on the complex relationship between social media and mental well-being.

Understanding the Digital Landscape

Matthew Danchak emphasizes the importance of comprehending the multifaceted nature of social media platforms. From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and TikTok, each platform offers its own set of features and dynamics that can influence users' mental health in different ways.

Highlighting the Positive Aspects

Despite the growing concerns, Danchak acknowledges the positive aspects of social media. Platforms like Facebook provide opportunities for social connection, allowing individuals to stay in touch with friends and family regardless of geographical distances. Moreover, social media serves as a platform for self-expression and creativity, empowering users to share their thoughts, ideas, and talents with a global audience.

Addressing the Dark Side

However, Danchak also sheds light on the darker side of social media. The constant exposure to carefully curated content can lead to unrealistic comparisons and feelings of inadequacy among users. The pressure to present an idealized version of oneself online can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Moreover, the pervasive nature of social media can lead to addictive behaviors, with users spending excessive amounts of time scrolling through feeds and seeking validation through likes and comments. This addictive cycle not only detracts from real-world experiences but can also exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Navigating the Impact on Mental Health

In light of these challenges, Matthew Danchak emphasizes the importance of mindful engagement with social media. Rather than succumbing to passive consumption, individuals should strive for a balanced approach, limiting their screen time and prioritizing meaningful interactions.

Matthew Danchak also advocates for digital literacy and critical thinking skills to navigate the online landscape effectively. By understanding the algorithms and incentives driving social media platforms, users can better discern between authentic content and manipulative tactics.

Promoting Digital Well-Being

In addition to individual strategies, Danchak emphasizes the role of collective action in promoting digital well-being. Parents, educators, and policymakers have a responsibility to foster healthy attitudes toward social media and equip individuals with the necessary tools to navigate its complexities safely.

Schools can incorporate media literacy education into their curriculum, teaching students to critically evaluate online content and develop resilience against harmful influences. Likewise, companies can implement design features that prioritize user well-being, such as built-in time management tools and customizable privacy settings.

Conclusion

Matthew Danchak's perspective on social media's effect on mental health offers valuable insights into an increasingly pertinent issue in today's society. By acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects of social media and advocating for mindful engagement, Danchak provides a roadmap for individuals and communities to foster a healthier relationship with technology. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape, it is essential to prioritize mental well-being and strive for a more balanced and responsible approach to social media usage.

#Matthew Danchak #healthcare #mindfulness #healthyliving

[wasabiandwellness]

Exploring Therapy Alternatives: Empowering Self-Healing and Wellness

Therapy is an invaluable resource when life is challenging, and you are seeking a way to navigate it. However, traditional therapy can sometimes be costly and may not always be accessible to everyone. Fortunately, there are alternative approaches that therapists can offer to help their clients achieve personal growth and emotional well-being without the financial burden. We will explore some effective therapy alternatives that not only provide you tools to approach life’s challenges, but also help you understand yourself better. Let’s dive in.

Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is a powerful therapeutic tool that encourages individuals to examine their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through the process you can discover who you really are and why you act the way you do. Therapists can guide their clients in developing self-awareness through journaling, mindfulness practices, or simply encouraging them to take some time each day for introspection. Self-reflection can help individuals identify patterns, triggers, and unresolved issues that may be causing distress. By fostering self-awareness, clients can gain insight into their challenges and work towards healthier coping strategies.

Open-Ended Questions

Therapists can use open-ended questions to empower clients to explore their feelings and thoughts. Instead of providing direct answers, therapists can encourage clients to delve deeper into their emotions and experiences. This technique promotes self-discovery and self-expression, allowing individuals to gain clarity and insight into their concerns.

Radical Self-Honesty

Radical self-honesty is the practice of being brutally honest with oneself about one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Therapists can guide clients in confronting their fears, insecurities, and self-limiting beliefs. By acknowledging and accepting their vulnerabilities, clients can start the journey towards self-acceptance and personal growth.

Graceful Self-Talk

The way we speak to ourselves internally can significantly impact our emotional well-being. Therapists can teach clients the importance of cultivating graceful self-talk, which involves replacing negative self-talk with more compassionate and positive affirmations. Encouraging clients to practice self-compassion and self-love can help boost their self-esteem and overall mental health.

Problem-Solving in Like-Minded Group Settings

Group therapy or support groups can be an excellent alternative to traditional one-on-one therapy. These settings provide a sense of community and shared experiences, making individuals feel less isolated. In a group, participants can share their challenges and receive feedback and support from others who may be facing similar issues. Therapists can facilitate these sessions, creating a safe and empathetic environment for group members to express themselves and learn from one another.

Family and Friend Support

Support from loved ones plays a vital role in an individual’s well-being. Therapists can encourage clients to reach out to their family and friends for emotional support. By fostering healthy communication and relationships, therapists can help clients build a strong support system that enhances their overall mental health.

Wellness Courses

Wellness courses cover a wide range of topics, including stress management, mindfulness, nutrition, and exercise. Specialized personal development courseshelp women discover and implement many of the important alternative therapies we have discussed. The courses are structured safely in a playful group setting. Therapies covered include:

Radical self-honesty

Graceful Self-Talk

Self-Reflection

Effective Problem-Solving

Interpersonal Relationship Healing

Therapists can recommend these courses to complement traditional therapy or as a standalone self-improvement tool. Such courses empower individuals to take charge of their well-being and develop practical skills for maintaining a healthy and balanced life.

Future Considerations

Therapists have a range of alternatives at their disposal to offer clients effective ways to improve their mental health and well-being without the expense of traditional therapy. These alternatives can provide individuals with the tools they need to embrace positive changes into their daily routines and foster personal growth. By incorporating these techniques and resources into their practice, therapists empower their clients to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

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#Empowering #Self-Healing #Therapy #Wellness