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themonstrousmenagerie · 5 months

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*✧.The Starwalker of the steppes part 2 *✧.

Borealis begins his show

CW: dehumanization

The crowd was overwhelmingly loud. If Borealis had his hands free, he would have clasped them on his ears to try and quieten the cacophony of all those people. But those were secured behind his back, and the one-eyed trainer was leading him to the center of the circus’ arena. He could not see any exit for the tent, not even an opening in the fence to lead to the sitting rows of shadowed figures, laughing and waiting for him to entertain them.

“Welcome everyone, to the second show of tonight! A new trainee you asked for and a new trainee you get! This beautiful stallion of the fell breed came to us from a respectable group of centaur hunters, caught from his natural land, wild and untamed! I have the honor to train him now, and I am more than glad to show you how I do it!” They snapped their fingers, and one of the human associates brought them two items. A whip and a long rope.

“If our pretty boy doesn’t want to feel pain he will go calmly around the ring now. If he wants to keep being stubborn, well, he made me do it by not listening” The elf made a preparatory strike, hitting close behind Borealis’ back legs. He couldn’t control how he jumped forward, the bit in his mouth painfully embedding into the corners of his mouth, pulling his head backward. The pressure didn’t lessen until he backed away to his first position. No matter how hard he pulled, the pieces of leather and metal made his strength work against him, the trainer not even pulling. To mock him even more, they brushed his front legs with a riding crop, as if he was a dumb horse that didn’t know what they wanted him to do. He huffed, his nostrils flared open, ears pulled back. He couldn’t do anything but listen, as long as they held the reins.

The next time they struck the ground with their whip, Borealis started to walk forward more carefully, keeping his step even and slow. While the elf talked about the qualities of centaurs, their strength in combination with intelligence, he eyed the fence surrounding the arena. Every meter or so had a few shapes painted on it, each stroke identical. He did not know this kingdom’s writing, but it was not many shapes put on each other, but more simple ones next to one another. They had to be important somehow…

After a few circles around the arena, the trainer called him back to themselves. They were wary, probably because Beralis wasn’t fighting as much as during their training hours. He might have overdone trying to ease them. But there was no backing from the plan now.

“I hope you’ve all noticed how smoothly this one here walks. Those steps beg for dressage if I say so myself” The elf giggled, petting his lower shoulders, causing a twitch on the skin that their gloved hand made contact with. “But he’s also mighty strong, able to pull carriages and sleighs. Those are often required to have more than one puller, and that means the need to buy more than one. I do have two centaurs that work perfectly together! I’m more than able to show you just how much they both can pull.

“I’ve also heard that many mighty warriors are attending the show today. Warhorses are always in demand, and what creature would be better than the one that can fight alongside you? For that, it needs to be fearless.”

Taglist: @whumpsday @firapolemos05 @sodascribbles @why-not-ask-me-a-better-question @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night @crypticidentity @mothmxwhump @enigmawriteswhump @bees-among-the-okami @delicateprincepaper @struggling-bloody-artist

#whump #monster whump #inhuman whumpee #whump art #monster whumpee #the monstrous menagerie #centaur whump

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yail13 · 3 months

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Guys I think we found a Pattern!

Two records plus 1 new Album

Fearlese TV

Red TV

Midnights

Speak Now TV

1989 TV

The Tortured Poets Department

Reputation TV?

Debut TV?

🤔

#taylor swift #taylor #1989 tv #1989 taylor's version #taylor swift 1989 #1989taylorswift #reputation taylor’s version #taylor swift debut #The Tortured Poets Departmnet

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bealeonoxford · 1 year

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The Rigth Stuff - Book Review - 11/22

7/10

Turns out the line between fearlesness and carelessness doesn't exist for a pilot with the right stuff. Being careless is just an exuse to execute a more impressive manuever to evade the grips of death with ease and gusto.

Being privy to this knowledge is called "the right stuff" the ascendance of a hypothetical pyramid where the top triangle out ranks god himself, as a pilot that corrects himself on the top justifies saavy, confident, and arrogance to face death every single day and deny death the right to take his life. In fact, he may even laugh at the lack of ability death posses to snatch him.

Mach 2, Mach 5, all speeds elucidating something no mere mortal can hit and isn't advertised to pedestrians.

This is a book about speed, unnerving steel veins, and the expedition to become cosmonauts.

The Cold War at it's crescendo and Russia is kicking our asses. All the US is good at by the time Project Mercury is assembled is blowing up rockets.

From here, we learn the story of the first pilots who transitioned into astronauts and took their journey to climb the pantheons of men reached the stars.

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akeley · 5 years

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Si ha bisogno di scappare. Di non pensare. Si ha bisogno di incidere sulla pelle chi sei. Insieme a tutti i tuoi dolori. Ma come il lupo, andremo avanti, portando addosso ogni cicatrice.

#Tattoo #tattoos #Wolf #Double wolf #spiritguide #Strength #Intelligence #Darkness #Honor #Mystery #Power #Valor #Fearlesness #hati #Máni #Ragnarok #Fenrir #Moon #Goodevil

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ashtangini · 5 years

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Healing requires awareness of our relationships. Fear, guilt and manipulation are designed to keep dramas going. Waking up means speaking truth and taking the consequences. In the path of awakening, brutal honesty with yourself is required. You can be practicing every day and still caught up in the lower vibration of someone’s patterns. Yoga is the path to free your mind.~#shine #freedom #fearlesness #boldness #courage #advancedyoga https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFXwvHgyjS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=167wne9eaodqo

#shine #freedom #fearlesness #boldness #courage #advancedyoga

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shamaste · 2 years

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If 1% tells you what to think, by those who live in fear, and is scared of your fearlesness, then they should be.

#life #inspiration #spirituality #life quotes #shaman #inspiring quotes #quotes #spiritualawakening #spiritualism #tumbler

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the-very-first-night · 5 years

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But guys, am i ever not watching Journey To Fearless

#taylor swift #taylornation #journey to fearless #fearlese #ybwm

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tishinada · 4 years

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H, U, N for fanfic writer ask! (HAHA, HUN!)

lol! Thanks (I think :D )

H: How would you describe your writing style?

Err, psychological, maybe? As in I spend a lot of time exploring why people do the things they do, what shaped them? Which I enjoy, though its weakness is that sometimes that leads to monologues, lol. I depend a lot more on external and internal dialogues than I do on detailed descriptions of physical environment, for instance. I do include the physical environment and things like clothing when they support some important part of the story (the heat on Tatooine, the cold on Hoth, how some place is furnished because it says something important about the people who live or work there.) I include more details about people, but I also often leave that vague. Probably much vaguer than I should, lol, but that’s a weakness that I’ve been working on.

U: Is there a pairing you would like to write, but haven’t tried yet.

Oh, lots. I’ve touched on Tramini and Felix Iresso in a couple of microfics, but I’d like to actually write their story. A JC and Nadia reunion. A smuggler/Darmas Pollaran story (including an eventual reunion.) An SI/Arcann story (socially from the opposite extremes, but so much in common.) A trooper/Balkar (possible OT3) story (though I dabbled a little with that already, but as a deadend.) A JK and Scourge (naturally!) F!SW/Jaesa. And I have non-canon pairings I’d love to experiment with. Iresso/Trooper. Iresso/smuggler. Malavai Quinn/Trooper :D. Quinn/smuggler (I have my moments of mild sadism, and putting THOSE opposites together just delights my soul :D) Revel/trooper (disillusioned). Revel/smuggler. Smuggler/Jedi Consular OR Sith Inquisitor (don’t ask me why, but I think either would be hilarious.) Vette/smuggler. F!smuggler/Akaavi, and a f!bounty hunter/Mako (after the Mako/Akaavi reunion, I have no doubts those should have been an option, lol.) Vector/JC. A OT3 with an agent, Vector, and Lana. A OT3 with a SW, Jaesa, and Kira Carsen (yeah, I’m nuts.) A OT3 with an SI/Revel/Major Anri. A OT3 with a JK, a SW and Scourge… OK, I have an active imagination :D

N: Any fic ideas brewing that you’d care to share?

Most of the above, lol? The one I’ve already begun fleshing out is Tri/Iresso, and would explore his journey from seeing her as the symbol of Good to understanding her humanity (so to speak) and how the events at the end of Act I and since have left her questioning everything she’s been told (and how sometimes, there are no good choices.) Relationship built on helping each other through shit (support, trust, the kind of themes I enjoy.)

The others that I’m dabbling with (just building OCs and plots so far):

Revel/smuggler just seems to have a wide scope for my comic writing.

A few short stories with Quinn/smuggler for same reason.

F!SW/Jaesa. Not really sure where I want to go with this one yet.

SI/Revel/Major Anri. I think they would understand Anri, but for different reasons, and vice versa. Somehow, her cocky fearlesness just seems like a great match for both, too.

Thanks! Of course, I make no promises that any of these will materialize for years, lol. I have so far to go on Dance…

#swtor #fanfic #writing

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msterrybrown · 5 years

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Let me introduce you to “When I listen 2 this song I think of @therealmariskahargitay because” ... And the 1st song is “This Is Me” Because, Mariska, you thought me to learn never apologize for who I am; that the bruises I carry, the scars that mark me, are glorious signs of what I am made of; that my voice is to be heard; that I am worthy as I am. Thank you. This is Me. Im learning. I’ll be who I am meant to be #WhenIListenToThisSongIThinkOfMariskaBecause #MariskaHargitay #ThisIsMe #KealaSettle #WeAreGlorious #Fieceness #Fearlesness #Worthyness #FierceMariska https://www.instagram.com/p/Brn6phsHxbj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15ak08genka4k

#whenilistentothissongithinkofmariskabecause #mariskahargitay #thisisme #kealasettle #weareglorious #fieceness #fearlesness #worthyness #fiercemariska

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amaterasu-mayu · 3 years

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The King of Valandi Chapter 2

Gustaf turned and went back towards his large gold and red chair near the back of the room. Kyoto looked at Kitakyushu. And Kitakyushu at Asahikawa. "Okay, whether it's one of us or not, somebody needs to keep him under a radar." Kitakyushu said. "Kyoto, you have the best access to his court, right?" Kyoto noded. "Yeah. When I held his hand after his parent's funeral, I suppose he began to trust me enough to confide in me. I'll likely be the one to serve as regent. Or he'd at least try to appoint me." "Also depends if he has an heir by then." "Mhm. I know. Well, also depends on their age." "True." Asahikawa glanced and Gustaf. He was happily nibbling at a piece of cake. Perhaps he was satisfied with what he did to his poor staff. "Asahikawa, what position you think you could end up with?" "Oh um, I grew up with Lady Mizukashi, perhaps swordswoman one day. Well, if I hadn't aged to much by then." She chuckled. The others did the same. "Ya know, I feel kinda bad for Gustaf." They all looked down at the ground. Almost sorrowfully. "He did have a bit of a rough childhood." "Poor kid, his parents are monsters." Lady Trieu suddenly approached the three. "Hey, Asahikawa," "Hm?" "Where are the guards?" "Just outside that door, why?" "I need to speak with their captain." "The Samurai?" "Yes." Asahikawa pointed towards the exit. Lady Trieu looked towards where she was pointing. Before saying 'Thank you' and walking towards than out it. She shut the doors and looked around the dark corridor before spotting her target. He was speaking to a young woman who resembled him, whilst sipping a cup of red wine. "Hey, Samurai Byzantine." The man and woman faced her. Byzantine was Samurai Byzantine of Kazakh. A city near the capitol. His real name was Franz von de Guescline. The woman in front of him was his daughter. Atlanta von de Guescline. She was a swordswoman for the King. And was hired shortly after his father's death to protect Gustaf. He was technically a general, but in this Kingdom generals were often referred to and titled as "Samurai". Anyway back to the story. "Lady Trieu? How are you this evening?" He asks with a light smile. He had a light blush across his face because of what he was drinking. Lady Trieu was always flattered by kindness towards his allies, and fearlesness towards his enemies. Or "Yuuki" as he would call it. "I'm alright Samurai. I just came to ask something." Franz took another sip. "What's that?" "You and the previous King." Franz and Atlanta raised an eyebrow. "What about him?" "What do you think of him." Franz stood in a thinking position. He stood like that for a bit, clearly focused on what he was thinking about. It was almost as if he was unsure of his oppionion. Luckily he managed to retrieve it from his mind. "I don't like him. Especially after he killed your friend." "That was Mizukashi's friend." "Right..."

"Your Highness, someone would like to see you?" "Ah, who may that be?" Gustaf asked Kyoto, stepping off his throne. Kyoto looked towards the doors, where the guest was waiting. "She wants to be your servant." "My servant? I don't even know this person? How will I know if they worthy of even being in my prescence?!" Gustaf spoke, swinging his arm, causing his train to fling to the side. Kyoto grinned at him. "You'll see. Trust me. Shall I let her in?" "Fine." "Am I dismissed when she gets in?" "Eh? Why do you need to leave so sudden?" "No reason, I just think you'd appreciate alone time with them once you figure out who it is." Gustaf sat back down on his throne and rested his head on his arm. "Whatever, get her in here." Kyoto noded, then opened the doors. The woman Gustaf saw looked familiar, but he couldn't tell who precisely it was. As she stepped closer and closer, some memories began to come back to him.

"Gustaf!"

"Audiena!"

Why does she remind me of that?

The woman stopped in front of him and curtsied. "Your highness, it's a pleasure to meet you." That sounds kinda like... "I've also come with a few requests..." Is that? She smiled up Gustaf. "You are the King of the country, I am the maid of your's. I will do my very best to protect you from everything that hurts, and I'll do as you say, even the evil way." She said softly. Gustaf's eyes widened greatly. He slowly got up and stepped towards the woman. Once he was less than foot away from her, he lifted her face with his finger, so she was looking into his eyes. Her face... That's when it him. That was Audiena. His lost twin sister. He lowered his hands to her soldiers. "Audiena...?" he whined. His voice softening, tears forming in eyes. Audiena wanted nothing more than to hug him at that very moment. "It's me Gustaf." As if on cue, Gustaf lunged at, and tackled her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and sobbed into her shoulder. "Audiena I've missed you much!" Auidena hugged him back. "I've missed you as well brother." Kyoto, who was still at the doorway, felt her heart light up. She almost thought she'd cry. "Aw, how cute. I knew it'd work."

"Audiena, Audiena!" "Huh?! What is it?!" the maid came runing in. "THE KING'S BALL BEGINS SOON! YOU NEED TO HELP!" "AHH!" "AHHH!" Audiena and the maid, quickly and frantically ran to the the ball room. "Now, be sure to have everything ready, I don't want to lose my head!" "Okay!" The two than split up, and began their work with the other maids. During the preparation, Kyoto barged in and startled Audiena. "Audiena, the King wishes to see you." She said as she curtsied. Audiena became a bit annoyed. "Can it wait?" "Do you want to be sent to the gallows?" "Fine, I'll go." defeated, she walked with Kyoto. They went down the hall and up a flight of stairs to Gustaf's room. Where he was unsurprisingly waiting. Audiena walked in and shut the door. She went over to the bed where Gustaf was seated. "What is it Gustaf?" Gustaf removed his stern look, and replaced it with a light, sweet one. He held up a glass bottle in front of her. "Can I tell you a secret." "Of course, of course!" Audiena quickly got close to him. Gustaf whispered in her ear, "Write your wish on paper, and fold it in half, in a little glass bottle, it goes. Give it to the sea, and one day you will see, your dreams will bloom like a rose." Audiena looked as if she were startled. "Wait really?" "Yeah! It's a secret I learned a long time ago. But I still learned it."

There were only 4 hours until the ball. The sun was beginning to go down. Gustaf had a look around his palace, and outside it. Once he had made sure the area wasn't littered with guards, he opened his bedroom window, and climbed down the balcony. Then quickly snuck off castle grounds after taking a horse. Which he rode out to sea.

"EVERYONE! ATTENTION!" Kyoto yelled as she ran in. The swordswomen, and maids of honor did as she requested. "What's wrong?" Asahikawa asked in a tone she used to try to calm Kyoto down. "THE KING IS MISSING!" "HUH?!" Everyone, even those who weren't listened jumped. Asahikawa and Lady Trieu were quick to give orders. "Quick, maids," They gave her their attention, "Search all the kitchens and dinning halls, servants check the bathrooms!" The two groups of bowed and left the room. The 5 remaining people split up to tell the rest of the staff, and to find Gustaf.

Gustaf stood there next to his horse and watched the waves. While ever so slightly listening to the peaceful sounds they made. The sight combined with the sunset was beautiful. As much as he worried it would, the horse didn't run or walk off. It stayed by his side. Even while not in his grasp. While watching the waves, he pet his horse, "You quite like me don't you?" He asked the animal with a sincere look. The horse wagged it's tail a little. Which made Gustaf lightly chuckle. "At least you understand me. Even if others don't." He looked up the orange and yellow sky. "Why do people hate me so much? What do I ever do wrong?" He asks himself, tears welling in his eyes. But not too long after, he couldn't hold it, and began to sob. "Why does my life have to be this way...?" He mutters while sitting there on his knees. "I care about you Gustaf." Gustaf shot his eyes open and turned around. His beloved sister was standing in front of him. However she didn't recieve the warm welcome she expected. Gustaf made an angry and irritated expression. "Ugh! Did you have to come and find me?!" Audiena curtsied. "I'm sorry Your Highness, you just dissapeared and I was worried something happened to you." "Hmph!" Gustaf pouted and looked up at the sunset. "Is everyone happy I'm gone?" "No, the staff is worried sick." Gustaf raised an eyebrow and glanced at her again. "What are you driving at?" "Nothing. They want you to be safe as well." Gustaf sighs and gets onto his horse. "Whatever, take me back." Audiena nods, and pulls the horse towards the nearby town.

They eventually arrive at the palace where a worried staff, and guests were waiting. "GUSTAF!" "THE KING IS BACK!" Everyone that had been worried came and danced around him. "Oh, Your Majesty! Your safe!" "I'm so glad your alright!" "Oh thank goodness we were so worried!" "KING HAAKON!" The happy and escatatic voices were interupted with an irritated one. One that belonged to Atlanta. "Your Majesty, what were you thinking?! I was so scared you were lost, or hurt somewhere!" Gustaf felt tears begin to well up in his eyes. He was so touched that they cared so much about him. He had thought everybody hated him. However, though, he was taught from a young age that, 'boys don't cry or show weakness'. So he held it in. Afraid that they were recognizing his gratitude, he instantly made his tone prideful and stern. Unfortunately for Atlanta, she would be the center of it all. "Actually this is all your fault!" "Huh?!" "You let me escape you imbecile! Your supposed to protect me! Me, King Haakon XI of Valandi. Now," He raised his arms. "Bow to me!" The guests quickly abided. On behalfs of their heads. They would not like to lose them. Once Gustaf felt satisfied, he gestured for the music to start and walked towards his throne. Once the music did start, the guests quickly began to dance. His maids of honor wanted to influence him in a way that'll make him more hesitant to take a human life when he has the power to. So they settled for standing together by the table of snacks, and watching Gustaf. To their surprise the first place he went wasn't his throne. It was towards a maid holding a bag. He waited over there at her side for a bit, before Audiena came and ran up to him. She seemed to say something like, 'Sorry I was late'. Gustaf signaled something to the maid and she removed a fancy yellow dress from the bag. Gustaf took it from the maid and gave it to Audiena. Who seemed hesitant to accept the dress. But did upon Gustaf's insistance. Audiena left with the dress and came back wearing it. After probably saying 'Thank You' to Gustaf, she took some tea and began to relax. When it appeared she was comftorable, Gustaf sat on his throne and nibbled on a piece of cake. His behavior seemed odd to his maids of honor. Usually first chance he'd get, he'd make a woman he liked to dance with him. As long as they were pretty to him, he didn't care who they were. Married or single. Teenager or adult. Wealthy or poor- actually just wealthy. Anyway, whilst this was happening, a few people had some other business to attend to. "Woah! You really got to work on that Genevieve." Genevieve got up from the discomforting position she was thrown in. She and Franz were practicing. And Franz had won the fight. One of the nearby guards helped her up. The other patted her back. "You'll get the hang of it Genevieve." Genevieve glanced at Franz. At who she smiled. "You know, I get you adopted me," Franz looked at her. "but you feel like a real father to me." Franz rested his hand on her shoulder. "It's nothing Genevieve. I love you." Though Gustaf stayed on his throne most of the ball, towards the end he abruptly got up and left the room. And went to his nearby hall of mirrors. Once the ball was over, a guard approached Atlanta. "Madame, the King requests your prescence, he says he found urgent news." Atlanta put her cup down. "Oh, I'll go there at once!" She followed the guard to the hall of mirrors. Where Gustaf was waiting with a glass of wine. "Your here." "Yes, um, I don't want the alcohol, I'm not a fan of drinking." Gustaf raised an eyebrow. "That's...unusual, but fine whatever." He set the cup down. "What did you want to tell me?" "It's about your mother." Atlanta's expression became surprise and worry. "What about her?" "It's news from You know how your father said she died when you and Genevieve were young?" "Yeah?" "Well, he failed to provide the full truth." Afraid of what he'd say, Atlanta became tense. "What is that?" "Genevieve killed her." Atlanta became cold. Her face became pale as well. She almost resembled Gustaf's gloves. "No..." "I'm

sorry. I'm sorry you were lied to."

I'm sorry you were lied too.

The words repeatedly played in Atlanta's head as the realizing came. Gustaf had been observing her behavior. He frowned and watched her reaction. All Atlanta could do was stare at the ground in shock. Gustaf decided to leave her alone, until she was feeling better.

Later that evening, at Franz's manor, Genevieve and Atlanta had recieved permission to go home for the night. Franz wanted to finish finalizing descisions with the guards before returning home. Shortly after walking in, Genevieve flopped onto the couch. "What a day." She said. Then Atlanta came in. Sword in hand. Genevieve got a gut feeling and stood up. "What are you doing?" "AH!" Atlanta quickly lunged at her with her sword. "W-wait?! Atlantla!" Atlanta swung at her again. And luckily missed twice. Though slightly hesitant, Genevieve took out her sword. When Atlanta charged her again, she swung back. Causing their swords to clash. Atlanta swung again and again. Attempting to slash Genevieve. After a series of blocks, Genevieve's decided to ask again. "What are you doing?! Why?" Atlanta swung at her thigh. Genevieve kicked it, but was put in pain as a result. "You killed my mother you wretch!" "What?!" Atlanta hit her sword against Atlanta's again. The rattling gave Genevieve a hard time holding it up, and the forced crashed on her all at once. Causing her to almost fall. When Atlanta swung once more, she didn't miss thanks to Genevieve's stunned state. She slashed her stomach deeply. Causing Genevieve to fall to the ground and drop her sword. "Who knew...This is how it would go down." Atlanta slowly began to walk towards her. Instead of terrified, Genevieve felt relieved. "Hurry up and end it all for me. The pain is too much. My blood won't spill fast enough." She mumbled before Atlanta swung, and Genevieve's head came right off her shoulders. Once her head hit the ground, Atlanta put her sword back. "Your debt is paid." Unfortunately for Franz. He came face to face with the body when he got back. "W-what...? No! GENEVIEVE! GENEVIEVE! GENEVIEVE! GENEVIEVE! GENEVIEVE! WHO DID THIS?! THIS ISN'T FUNNY! GENEVIEVE!" "Franz, please stop crying." His geisha, Mei said. She hugged his weist. "Please...I'm sorry, but she's gone..." Franz took a blanket off of the sofa and covered her body and face with it. He hiccuped, still sobbing. "Mei..." "Huh?" "Why...?" Mei began to feel tears in her eyes. "I don't know. I wish I did though. Despite not knowing her well, I did really like her. She was truly your daughter." She said as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect her Franz, I" "This isn't your fault Mei..." Mei looked up at him. Still sobbing, he patted her head. "It's obvious. She was murdered..." Franz stood up straight and pulled out his axe. "Don't worry dear, I will slay whoever did this..."

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frawed · 4 years

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Leap of faith

Today, I was thinking about the notion of a leap of faith. That expression that we have all heard - what does it really mean? So, I guess we can give some credit to a Danish philosopher for this one. Søren Kierkegaard made famous the concept of a leap of faith - precipitated by a situation in which a person is presented with a scenario in which one has 2 opposing elements, a decision is required but one cannot rationally bridge the gap between the 2 elements. In order to proceed, or perhaps in order to be true to one’s self, one has to “leap” the gap. Kierkegaard may even have said that one “leaps into” faith. This posits that the faith may not have been present before the action of the leap, a very interesting notion, indeed.

Although I took some philosophy courses in college, I hadn’t heard or read much about Kierkegaard. I was very “pulled into” philosophic conversations involving ethics in college, coming from the very rigid definition of ethics that I did. I found the conversation stimulating and philosophy is, to an extent, a conversation and mulling of belief and faith. Though I had probably heard it before, today I learned that Kierkegaard is credited as the first existentialist philosopher. This piqued my interest in him since, while I believe society certainly plays a huge role in our opportunity and situation in life, that we are ultimately responsible for what we choose to do with our situation. How we react - what we choose - can make all the difference in terms of our perception of the world. Our being at peace - despite uncontrollable actions by others (regimes, dictators/tyrants, unkind fellow citizens, etc.). Maybe it’s wishful thinking but I like to think that choosing our present moment is possible for each of us - as bizarre and even cruel as that can sound in a world filled with harsh injustices, genocide, rape and more. And that this can make a valuable impact on the quality of each and every one of our lives. How many of us have experienced (for however long) periods of time where we just “subsist” or “survive”? Although we have competing desires and are taught to live our lives with caution and concern for our future, I remember Maya Angelou’s wise words, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style." Maya wasn’t exactly born into opportunity. She was a black child in Arkansas born during a time period when Jim Crow laws and segregation were very much still in effect. She was raped at age 8. But Maya persisted - in her mission to not just survive, but to thrive. She left behind a huge legacy - of fearlesness and literature which still inspires millions.

I’m also inspired by a great Chicago architect’s quote, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood” ~Daniel Hudson Burnham. You can include your own blood in this one.

All of us have a life path. For some (and I include myself in this) it may seem more winding than a direct, obvious path. We often judge ourselves quite harshly. While existentialism may seem to be judgemental on its face, it’s actually more a concept of ability to change something that only belongs to you - your mindset and outlook and worldview. And this can be incredibly freeing.

I also had Chinese for lunch and there was a fortune that said something along the lines of “Believe in Miracles”. I do. But I don’t believe they will just happen to me. I have to, like Gandhi said, “be the change” I want to see in the world - and in my own life. When I take a hard look, if my life is not what or where I want it to be, I am the one - the end all, be all - of where that change must come from. Does this mean I do it alone? Of course not. But no one can choose my life for me. This can be a hard concept to grasp - not because it’s difficult to wrap our minds around it but because we have mental resistance to it. There can’t really be much growth where there is resistance. When we learn to relax and let ourselves observe (ourselves, the world and others) - truly observe, without judgement, this allows things to be brought into clarity but it also allows ourselves and others just to BE. Without resistance. Some cling to resistance, believing it’s the only way to bring about change. I would say this is basically cognitive dissonance, which is a powerful stressor and sometimes change is brought about by stress and seemingly untenable situations. But if we can learn to just OBSERVE - without judgement - how powerful that is! We can allow ourselves to realize - I DESIRE change AND I have the ability to bring it about - without all the stress that the mental resistance brings.

#leapoffaith #kierkegaard #philosophers #exitentalism #maya angelou #philosophy

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