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trainer-blue · 6 months

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there are three terms i see being thrown around in a ton of posts "supporting" palestinians that don't actually apply. if you're someone who calls israel an apartheid colonial state committing genocide and you either actually believe it or have seen those terms often enough to copy them yourself, i encourage you to think a little more deeply about what these words mean:

apartheid:

this term isn't one that you use for just any form or extent of racial discrimination. i have never seen anyone use this term in reference to the united states, and i think everyone reading this can acknowledge that racism is extremely prevalent and systemic here. in fact, i've only ever seen this term used in regards to south africa and israel. if you use it about israel, think about what policies are in place that make it an apartheid state in your view, and then think about whether any other country in the world has comparable ones. if so, why is israel considered apartheid when others aren't? here is some information about the term and why it does not apply. why israel isn't an apartheid state arab political parties and participation in israeli government

colonial state:

to most people, colonization involves taking land from indigenous peoples so that people who are not indigenous to the area / have no ancestral ties to that area can control it instead. colonial settlers could, in theory, return to a country of ancestral origin in which they would be a cultural majority or be safe and not expect to be subject to hate crimes because they are of majority status. one can acknowledge that palestinians have been displaced without it being colonialism. jewish people are indigenous. yes, even the white ones. no, not all jews are white. if any of these claims seem far-fetched to you, or you don't understand how jewish people can be indigenous to israel, i recommend reading these posts: jewish indigeneity from an archeological perspective history of jewish presence in israel

genocide:

"the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group." if israelis-- even the israeli government, which even "zionists" consider right-wing, fucked, and nonrepresentative of their values-- wanted to wipe out palestinians, we would have seen very different actions from them throughout history. one can acknowledge and mourn the loss of innocent palestinian life during wartime without framing it as something it's not. growth of palestinian population rates

"why does it matter what terms we use? isn't it GOOD to exaggerate or use buzzwords to catch people's attention? how else can we make people understand the true plight of palestinians?"

there is no reason to use terms that don't apply, actually. when so many people parrot these terms without understanding whether or not they're accurate:

1. this actual situation gets muddled, leading to people who have done no research of their own jumping to pick sides because they think they’re rallying against "the new nazis." These people may then support Hamas as “freedom fighters,” attack Jewish people around the world, and celebrate the rape, torture, and death of Israeli women and children because they’re “complicit in colonial apartheid genocide” and no longer considered human.

2. you imply that it is impossible to care about or support civilians affected by war if they’re NOT victims of genocide, colonialism, or apartheid states. Why do you need to rely on these terms to feel empathy for palestinians? If you acknowledged that they’ve been displaced by other indigenous people and are being killed in and affected by war, would your fervor for their cause die out? if so, is that a reasonable response to the realization that the real world isn't cut and dry, and not every conflict has a completely evil side and a side that is completely innocent?

3. ACTUAL instances of genocide, apartheid, and colonialism get watered down. I’ve seen people compare this to the Holocaust, calling Jewish people Nazis. Look back at the resource I linked to above. When you compare steady growth of Palestinian populations with the brutal erasure of ⅔ of the jewish population in europe, you are not only overexaggerating current events, but you’re also saying that the holocaust wasn’t all that bad, actually. To weaponize a people’s own genocide against them is. Gross. Especially when recent events have been catalyzed by Hamas beheading and burning babies–rather reminiscent of the Holocaust–and when people continue to deny that the 10/7 attack even took place. Also. rather. Reminiscent of non-jewish refusal to believe accounts of concentration camps.

similarly, when you water down terms like “apartheid” to mean any form of inequality for racial minorities, you deny the realities of apartheid south africa and imply that that’s “pretty much the same” as racism experienced in other countries around the world

hamas calling for jewish (NOT ISRAELI) death

perspective on equating israel to apartheid south africa

thank you for reading. this is not a call to abandon support for palestinians. this is a call to think about the terms you use and the misinformation you've seen.

#jumblr #i/p #tw genocide #tw holocaust #tw current events #tw rape #tw child harm #tw child death

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away-ward · 9 months

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Hello, I was unsatisifed with a lot of background things happening in DN and the way PD wrote them, and here are the two main things i wanna share with you: pregnancies and worldbuilding (?).

Tbh, i was a bit sad, angry and pissed off with the way PD handled pregnancies in the DN series. For a series that's so "forward", "not following the crowd", and "make rules for themselves", these characters are all always so stuck in the past even when they shouldve already moved past THAT past. EVERY DAMN COUPLE had to have children, and somehow, outsiders' opinions of their relationships, even after getting together, still mattered a LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH. Understandable that some opinions could affect them because how could they not, no matter how much they wanna say they wanna do whatever they want, they still live in a society, and that society is the highly judgemental, political, and corrupted town, Thunder Bay. Considering that they still have feelings and could be affected by hate comments etc., they just cannot always act like it didnt affect them, like the way rika thought michael would leave her because she couldnt get pregnant and how that also relates to her "worth" as a woman, especially in a heavily judgemental society like TB, where even when a lot of them wre "progressive", a big part of the community were still holding up to traditional values of what women are, should be, should do etc. They're not living in some wonderland or some shit like that, ok fine, BUT what i dont understand is how these opinions wouldve affected them so much even after getting together for YEARS, and even worse, they just never really communicate about them, butthen they fight, fuck, and just got over it as if every thing is fine all over again. So whats the point of that dramatic infertility announcement in conclave then? Stupidity!

Every time we got something good for the characters' progression, PD always had to ruin it by regressing the progress of their characters, and worse, these characters don't even talk about what they want or expect from each other in their relationship. Not one, even KaiBanks, the seemingly "most mature" couple in thes series. The immaturity of these couple were on another level! This was one of the aspects of DN that unsatisfied me the most. I HATED how reductive PD made pregnancies and child planning look in DamonWinter's story. Like they have a litter of children, while being emotionally, mentally and financially irresponsible adult themselves, and ijust couldnt enjoy any kind of child-related things in this series honestly. Not even WillEmmy! Why cant we just have couple who take their times to get to know each, settle down everything first, then be fucking mature adults and plan their future together? This "reckless live to the fullest" sounds so bonkers, because it doesnt involve the horsemens and their wives anymore, theyre bringing their kinds, who are INNOCENTS (!) into this world and lifestyle without thinking about it further. The only person who had put a thought (even a little bit) towards this issue was Will and that says a lot because he wasnt even always sober before Nightfall! It was clear even when he wanted Emmy in his life, and his implied thought rpocess of taking revenge on her, that he couldnt just force her to live his lifestyle, or even bear his kids, because it's not just gonna be Willemmy anymore, it's now WillEmmy + their kids + their nephews and nieces + the others now. Everyone's live couldve been on danger and some innocent couldve suffered. Because of this, I feel like DamonWinter are just so immature and selfish as a couple and parents because its always about what THEY want, but not what the CHILD needed (before winter got pregnant), like they never really thought things through in a longer run, and feeling everything and having fun, is all they cared about at the moment. Damon never really thought about building skills and get a job like a mature responsible adult and partner until Winter reminded him, and im just so done! I love that that Damon's hater ask pointed out his incompetency because i so agree with them, and i think this is one of the aspect of his (and others') incompetency. They just think like children, and they do not have the maturity of a grown adult who has to work with others around them, it's insufferable! On the other hand, i also think thats why each of them were writter so diffrent yet similar with one another because they needed this balance. Not evryone has to be the same, as an individual, they had their weaknesses, but as a family, theyre perfect for each other.

As for my other own personal in depth unsatisfying feeling about the pregnancy aspect of this series, i just cannot stand to read rika's big ass meltdown about her infertility in conclave, and this does not come from a place of lack empathy about her situation, rather it's because of the way PD wrote it. In fact, i was FUCKING LIVID with the way PD was so quick to just label Rika as the one who was infertile, when there were no medical checkups done on Michael, as if the responsibility or for a lack of a better term, "fault" for infertilities all lies on the shoulder of the women-here, and it's Rika. Sure, her period cycle was fucked yada yada yada, but from the start, i always read it with an implication that it's rika who had to deal with all that pain and shame, and this is definitely a heavy blame on the writer because PD couldve literally balance it out with michael's possibility of being the one who was infertile instead, or made rika said something to michael about doing body checks or checkups as a married couple, but PD. NEVER. DID. God! This was why that whole infertile thing was so infuriating to me. Also, If PD already knew that rika was already handling with so much responsibilities with people around her, why on earth would they put more stress on rika's shoulder? Rika was in college (probably full time and on her last year, yeah), so she probably had a lot of things to prepare for, then she had the fane empire business to take care of, the mayor election campaign, being an NBA's star's partner making time in her pact schedule for michael (she's probably gonna have to be dealing with a lot of press not just for her main job, but also for this NBA thingy too), travelling from one place to another for college and business, oh and she's a fencer, works at the dojo, a local town campaigner, a sister who checks up on everyone etc. so why the hell would preganancy at the age of 22, mind you, would be so important when she already had so much on her plate, and she hasnt even reached her mid-twenties yet? It's FOMO, but the way PD wrote it made it felt so weird to me, and it shows rika's immaturity (understandably so) of dealing with sensitive issues that a lot of women around the world had to go through, instead of a woman who we could sympathise or empathise with for going through all of this at 22. And that's the thing, Rika was already dealing with a lot, didnt even really talk to michael because she was worried for his career (but she could talk to KAI OF ALL PEOPLE and damon? Huh?), and now PD just had to put some unnecesaary implied cheating drama and stupid plot about infertility here? For what? For the drama? The infertility conversation didnt get solved with sensitivity or further couple planning, it just went over their head, and suddenly, OF FUCKING COURSE RIKA HAD A MIRACLE BABY BEFORE SHE TURN 33, OMG SHOCKING!!! I'm so tired reading these books with suden pregnancy tropes, because a lot of authors just cant write this trope very well, so it always comes off immature, romanticised and insensitive to others. Some people dont even enjoy reading this trope for whatever reason that is, so this plotline just ruins their story further. I just can't stand the silly logistics of it all. Like Miss Girl, you're 22, sit down! Rika couldve used that time to built her skills to be a good aunt, a competent political debater, a businesswoman AND a politician so that she could be an amazing women figure in their family for herself and others, and then run the Fane empire and the mayor thing slowly so we can see her like Banks' short scene in nightfall's epilogues dealing with some political stuff, but noooo, it all just happen at once and we're supposed to but that? Like she doesnt even have the BASIC SKILLS to run a town, why dont PD start from there first? I think if she was given more trainings and drills, she can make a great politician in the future, but unfortunately, we never got to see that.

And that's the thing, even if rika IS the town's sweetheart, what kind of town, with the majority of people there being people with high profiles, political connections and corruptions, would just listen to this 22 year old girl preaching about "kindness" when all she did, was just being family to a bunch of similarly privileged new adult pranksters with a history of crimes and "not fitting in" with the rest of the crowd? Do they not understand how political agenda or advertising work? Thats not how politics and organised systems work! If i was a resident in Thunder Bay, rich as fuck i couldve bought almost anything in this world like (Gabriel Torrance), i would not even pay a single mind to rika or the horsemen, in fact, i would usurp her position and gang up with some other locals in town, just for fun, to piss the them off. Like What happens to voting systems? It just doesnt make sense. They treated the town's safety and mechanisms like it's a child's play and not some serious and dangerous political business that requires working with so many people from so many different industries so that a town could work fine. Every time rika opened her mouth to talk to her workers or people in conclave, i swear i throwed up a bit in my mouth because of how cringy it was. That Ninja comment by Damon was even cringier. If PD wanted to convince us with this IT Thunder Bay couple of the successful Michael, the NBA player and the own sweetheart Rika, the TB Mayor + business owners couple bullshit, they gotta make it make sense you know. I GAGGED when they threw that engagement party in kill switch, then damon dissed them thinking "what the fuck is this all" because that was the first time ever that i agreed with damon lmao! It's really not on rika at this point, i noticed, PD was just always shit at writing logistics, because they're a very idealist writer. As long their idea works, nothing else matter and that's why, all these important logistics seem to fly out the window in their every. damn. book. in this series. And somehow they always got their redemption arcs and turned out to be Mary Sues and Gary Stus by PD, even Damon! Oh, please! Anyway, I just know by now that if i wanna enjoy PD's books (aside from birthday girl), i gotta turn off my thinking hat so that it wouldnt ruin my fun of reading their books. (Don't even get me started with Alex's jobs because aside from MichaelRika, Alex's was the most unbelievable among them all, but one thing i liked about her story was that she was childless, like YESSS GIVE US SOME RICH SUCCESSFUL AUNT CHARACTERS yk). PD did a great job at the fall away series, the hellbent series, and birthday girl's worldbuildings though, so maybe they should just stick to writing about middle class suburban characters who just mind their own business, and not high profile people who's about to rule the world.

What do you think about this? Or have this part of DN series never really interest you much?

Hellllloooo! I’m laughing because you said “background things” so I was expecting things that happened in the background plots but then you listed worldbuilding, which to me is pretty significant. I don’t know why, but that got a chuckle.

I mean, to start with, I think I agree with you on most of your points. For me personally, this is not a series that’s meant to be dissected and analyzed to the degree at which we’re doing it. Once you start pulling at strings, it all comes crashing down. Our MCs are all “morally gray” but for the “right reasons”. They always get what they want and always come out on top. When I go into their world, I try to turn off my head and just have fun. I find that’s when I enjoy it the most.

But yeah. I’ve thought out it in terms of “what in the world is this. This wouldn’t work.” and I've ranted about it plenty too.

Re: the pregnancy the issues you brought up - I also didn’t like that everyone had kids at the end. I didn’t take issue with the lack of planning, but that could just be me. I also didn’t mind that none of them chose to remain childless. I feel that most people grow up knowing they’re going to be parents, or at least get to that point in early adulthood. It’s not so much a question of if, but more of when and who with? And I think the latter is the most important question to answer. I’m happier knowing that these people had already committed to each other before having children.

I was upset because CC introduced the idea that Rika and Michael couldn’t have children of their own. I was intrigued with the idea that this couple, the first couple we followed, wasn’t going to get everything they wanted. So much as worked out for them, but this big thing…that’s being withheld? I was intrigued with where this was going to go. I would have been super happy if M&R had committed to the idea of being childless and focused on other aspects of their very full lives (as you brought out) and then Aaron came along. I would have even been happy if, after Rika voiced her concern, Michael calmed the situation down and reassured her in some way. His immediate reaction seemed to confirm the reasons why she didn’t tell him in the first place, not to mention his reaction to her confiding in Kai (are you not all family? Doesn’t she get to have as strong a bond with him, as with any of the others? Why does he get all your suspicion? It’s hardly fair.). But if he said he didn’t care about any of that, he just wanted her and their lives, whatever came at them without going to the other extreme first, then I could have dealt with them adopting. I didn’t like how Athos came into their lives though; just so perfectly plopped into their laps.

Basically, I wanted to see Rika and Michael struggle. Or know that they struggled and got through it together, before getting everything they wanted. But it was all handed to them and that made me mad. It also upset me that it felt like the message was “a child will fix a marriage” or “children are needed for a happy family”. There didn’t seem to be any creative thought for what a family could look like.

I personally didn’t have a problem with Damon having a big family. Honestly, that makes the most sense to me. Though at the end, with Emmy, it did feel like a rush to fit all of the couples having at least one child, but then that also kind of makes sense. Will was 27 by the time Indie was born. He’s not a young parent by any means, and all his friends already had children. If he wanted his kids to grow up with them, then he didn’t have time to wait. I also think when you consider the age gaps with Kai and Banks kid’s (11 and 5) and Will and Emmy’s kids (9, 5, and a mystery but still young), then they probably did some planning. And they probably didn’t have to do as much planning as you’d think. They’re financially secure and own their company. Money isn’t an issue for them. They live in a small town and their kids will go to private school, so picking a good neighborhood isn’t necessary. They live around extended family and have hired help, so who’s going to watch the kids in case of an emergency is settled. The only thing they’d really have to think about is raising children, knowing the kind of enemies they’re going to have, but there’s always risks to anything involving children, so it’s either do or don’t. What I liked was that they were committed to being parents. It didn’t just happen and now they have a kid they didn’t want or an unexpected, unhappy accident. That would have been sad.

I mean, I agree that they should have thought it through before becoming parents – it seemed for the narrative that Banks and Winter were sort of…surprised to be pregnant? Like they didn’t think it could happen or was going to? (And wasn’t Winter also on birth control when she became pregnant with their second? Or am I making things up again??) But who knows, maybe they did discuss it and we didn’t get that part of the story.

None of the guys thought about getting jobs; privilege gives you that kind of freedom. Michael only wanted to be a pro-athlete. The others didn’t even know what they wanted to go to school for. Kai figured it out in prison when he had no choice, Damon thought he was going to inherit his father’s empire, and Will probably thought he was going to work for his grandfather in some capacity. Or travel until he couldn’t anymore. All of them were immature.

I thought Rika said she went to the doctors, but I could be wrong. Not picking up CC for that. Anyway, I didn’t pick up on Rika accepting the blame of infertility. I think society places a lot of responsibility on the woman to bear children, so it didn’t strike me as odd that she would assume she was the problem. This is probably something a lot of women go through and might have felt relatable to some readers. And I have no desire to be a parent, so the level at which she was distraught over telling Michael didn’t hit with me, but I assume for someone who does want to be a parent, Rika’s reaction and handling of the situation might also be relatable. No idea. And when people are so wrapped up in their emotions, their reactions to things aren’t always right. I just know how I would have liked the situation to be responded to when emotions calm down, and I didn’t get that. So ...

Rika and Michael’s communication and trust issues, especially around Kai, are one of the issues I brought out in another ask. They really need to get those sorted out; it was getting ridiculous.

Overall, the first time I read CC, I got the impression that the infertility issues might have been something PD brought in from their real-life experiences. Maybe not them personally, but someone they knew, served as the inspiration (But that is just a guess and I have no way of knowing. I could be completely off). And then at the end, they wanted Rika to have a child, so we got Athos. Later, it all works out for them and Rika gets to experience pregnancy, so we get Aaron.

It’s one of those things that yeah… it can happen in real life. But should it happen in this story? Does it add or take away something? I felt this plot point took away something from the story.

As far as Rika becoming mayor, this point had me scratching my head and laughing because yeah…she was still in college, or recently graduated, and she has all those other responsibilities on her plate. I mean, I don’t really care about her age. I’d look to Parks and Recreation, because wasn’t Ben mayor of his town at like…18 or somethin? But then he was bad at it because of inexperience. So yeah, Rika becoming mayor and then being good at it felt like overkill, for reasons you said: other members of community, more mature and experienced members, would be going that position of power, and also, she would be inexperienced in that sort of leadership role.

Which is why I always assumed she got the position through intimidation. Specifically through the Torrance’s name. Say what you’d like about Damon, I wouldn’t want him breaking into my house to “earn” my vote for Ms Fane. And let’s not get started on Bank’s taking control of Gabriel’s empire. Banks and Damon totally got anyone who challenged Rika to back down, and then pushed her into position so that they could all control the town and do what they wanted.

So Rika standing there and gaslighting herself “we’re not really criminals” is hilarious to me. Yes. Yes, you are. You are a criminal. You will be a corrupt mayor. Just because it’s “for the good of the town” and not just yourself doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t shady and corrupt. But sure, keep lying to yourself.

I don’t remember the Ninja comment but I’m sure it was cringe and I’m choosing to forget it.

But like I said, this series was just supposed to be fun. We’re not meant to think deeply and make sense of it. Just turn off your brain and enjoy the ride. Anything more than that, and starts to fall apart.

#asked and answered #devil's night series stuff #michaelrika #the horsemen of devil's night #character analysis #analysis and critique #rika fane #michael crist #no hate #asked and answered 52

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weakforarwen · 2 years

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What Gwen has so special in her? She doesn't fit with Arthur like she fits with Lancelot. Even Morgana has more a complex deep who fit with Arthur.

??? What's so special about Gwen? What's so special about Arthur? Or Lancelot? Or Morgana?

If two men like the same woman, she must be "special", is that it? Can't two men just like the same woman? Does she need to be a certain way to "deserve" the attention of multiple men? Do you like people because they're "special"?

And what's so special about Gwen? How about, everything. She's incredibly brave, outspoken, kind, compassionate, resourceful, intelligent, loyal, selfless, cute, lovable, graceful.

She was just a servant (and a woman), yet she defied Arthur, the prince, and made him see that women had the right to fight for their own lives just as much as men, and did not deserve to be treated like children. She also told Arthur - who was, again, the prince - to appreciate the food that was offered to him, since food is precious to most people.

Later, she berated Arthur - still the prince - for being ungrateful and behaving as if he owned her place, and reminded him to say "thank you" and "please". She also reminded him that he wasn't a child who needed to be told right from wrong - she held him accountable. Gwen's candidness is a quality Arthur deeply values and depends on.

Do you know how brave one needs to be to speak that way to a prince? Even if she knew Arthur wasn't arrogant and cruel like his father, she still took a risk speaking her mind.

Furthermore, she even told cruel, elitist, Uther that "someone like him" wouldn't understand love, and accused him of executing a "good and innocent" man - her father.

She also stood up to Agravaine, another pompous asshole, and argued for the lives of the poor citizens of Camelot who he would leave to die. She was smart in how she did it too. Not only is Gwen outspoken, she's also well-spoken, and knows how to work people.

Other examples of her being brave and selfless:

She risked her life getting fresh water for the sick when the dragon was wrecking havoc on Camelot. She threw herself at Arthur to save him. She faced Lumia to save Merlin. She risked her life lying to Morgana and conspiring against her to release Sir Leon from prison - she used what she learned from her father to make a copy of the key to the prison cells; said key was being kept in Morgause's room. Even though she's not a fighter, she fearlessly joined Arthur and Merlin on many life-threatening adventures. She survived, alone, her banishment from Camelot. She nursed Uther - the man who killed her father - because he was Arthur's father. In the face of her execution, she only asked that Merlin looked after Arthur.

Clearly, Gwen is as compassionate and forgiving as she is brave and strong.

Gwen is very special. But you don't have to be special to deserve being loved unconditionally.

And why do you think she fits with Lancelot? They had two episodes together and Lancelot ran off both times because he was insecure. They didn't have a relationship, and Gwen deserved better than someone who liked her but always left her alone because he didn't believe in himself - no offense to Lancelot.

Gwen and Arthur are very compatible. They both love Camelot more than anything, and would sacrifice anything for its people; they would do anything for their loved ones, and they love unconditionally. Above anything, they're loyal.

They're brave too, and not just for facing anything that comes their way. They're brave enough to follow their hearts and reject ridiculous customs (ie. a servant isn't just a servant, everyone's equal; people should be able to marry for love; a King needs to choose his own path and not follow in someone else's footsteps, etc.).

They're forgiving and merciful (Gwen with Uther, Arthur with Gwen).

A very important trait they share is that, at heart, they're both hopeful and optimistic people (unlike Lancelot, who was always very serious and self-defeating). No matter what happened, Gwen and Arthur were never down for long. They both lost their parents - and, eventually, their remaining family - and were betrayed by those closest to them (Morgana, for example), yet, they never once grew bitter and resentful, or stopped believing in people. They just kept going and fighting for the people of Camelot. They're eternally optimistic and resilient.

They're also responsible people who take pride in performing their jobs well, but still know how to be playful and easy-going.

They are so alike, and maybe you don't see it because you haven't been paying enough attention, or because you don't know the whole story yet.

Also, Morgana is "complex" in what way? Surely not after season 2. And you really don't want her anywhere near Arthur.

#ask #bbc merlin #bbc arwen #bbc gwen #bbc arthur #arwen #arthur pendragon #gwen

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clockworkbee · 2 years

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What I don't get about so many people is “why are they acting like God?”

I mean, there are so many religions, so many people who have faith in some higher power or tradition or a way of worship and so many who simply don't. For those who are part of a religion, let their GOD decide what to do with them, how to punish them or reward them and for those who don't believe in anyone or anything, let them live their life and deal with what comes their way.

YES, spreading good (which is part of all religions) is good! Share your religious stories and the miracles you've heard about, share what lessons are there in those stories or your Holy books but don't think you have the right to judge them or pass judgement about them. We took judging people so lightly that the judgemental ones in power and authority started imposing laws and punishments thinking they're doing God's work on this planet and saving the world from bad influence.

I ask you: WHY DON'T YOU GET IT? some things just cannot imposed. You can make an atheist living in a Muslim country cover his/her hair but it won't suddenly make them a Muslim or make them have faith in your rules and laws. You can stop a religious person from covering themselves or doing what it is they do but it won't make them respect you or lose their religion and faith.

Yes, you can do everything in your power to prevent evil from spreading but don't forget that you're not God. You didn't give anyone their life and don't have the right to take it.

Idk if my point here is being delivered or not but of course, I started typing all this thinking of what is happening in Iran. Like yes, I get that showing hair for a Muslim woman is a sin (or something almost like it) but if she wants to show her hair, WHO ARE YOU to decide that she should be beaten for it or punished or killed? Firstly, you're no God. Secondly, you're not even her father, brother, husband or son.

You're running a country alright, and you can't afford for something like "women keeping heads uncovered" to happen because it might slowly lead to more things that are against religion but again, I ask you, those who are so close to their religion and values and have such strong faith, how can any worldly thing simply impact or influence them? It shouldn't affect their life. If they're so religious, they can stay away from such things and keep continuing their practices. And then comes the point of "but children are innocent and they easily get influenced" well then, you know how the world is. Give them attention and give them your time, pass on your religious teachings and values to them in a way that no matter what, they become strong enough to NOT be affected.

Yes, all humans at one point or another get influenced. They get played, used, manipulated, etc. But that's the world. You live here and you fucking learn.

#like wtf #i simply dont get #and i just start #babbling #mahsa amini #iran protests

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phoenyx-rising · 3 months

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I’m wary of anyone who calls for the sympathy and humane treatment of literal rapists/pedophiles… people who are actually inhumane in their actions… this is the hill we want to die on?? Defending criminals??? Defending RAPISTS AND PEDOPHILES?!??

Either you didn't read the post that was on and just cherry-picked for shock value to make yourself feel better, or you are a troll. If you respond to this and continue the trend of not reading, I won't continue. Sorry to anyone who follows me for the wall of text that's about to occur. That being said, let's try to un-cherry pick your grievance, and I'll start with the TL:DR sic-semper-hominibus kindly put in the actual post: "your disgust-based violent politics are not less reactionary than any run-of-the-mill homophobe or racist's disgust-based violent politics". This is important to remember whenever you start demonizing any group, regardless of their crimes, because it allows for Literally Any group to be demonized. When the flamboyant gays are targeted first and people look the other way cuz they're strange, it shouldn't come as a shock when other queers are attacked next. It's to protect children from pedophiles, don't you know? And well, Florida is registering trans people as sex offenders now, and sex offenders aren't human. (Points 3.a and 3.c in case you really did not read the post you are commenting on... again, a little silly if you ask me, but referring to people as sub-human because they committed a crime is a slippery slope to allow groups to target people they don't like.) That is obviously terrible, and should be seen as terrible from any group, regardless of their politics. Now, regarding Actual sex offenders, pedophiles, murderers, billionaires, etc? Yea, they also deserve a fair trial and to be treated humanely. Part of that is because it is - once again - easy to point fingers and claim someone is a rapist and if we just immediately go welp, gotta kill them now? Well, that's happened. As was stated in the original post (point 3.b, if you want to look back and rethink your horror) it was really easy for white women to point at a black man - man used loosely here, as teenagers were also accused - and have them lynched. But the other part that you might disagree with and I will wholeheartedly defend, yes, is that even if we put them through a fair trial and it's proven without a shadow of a doubt that they did indeed commit the crime, then at the end of the day they are still human, and deserve to be treated as such. They broke the laws of society and a just response as decided by that society needs to happen, but there is a reason so many countries have abolished the death penalty. There's a reason why so many US states have abolished or placed a moratorium on it. There's a reason why many people condemn countries that haven't and continue to execute their citizens in painful ways. It's because current methods of execution are painful and inhumane, and the criminals are still Human. (It's also cuz capital punishment is more expensive than life imprisonment, and because the racism, sexism, ableism, etc etc etc in our Not perfect justice system means that innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit, which brings me back to the beginning where just cuz someone is Accused of committing a heinous crime does not mean we get to treat them as sub-human. Vicious cycles and all that which only ends up hurting innocent people). Anyways, now that I have reiterated the original post that was more clearly written - which I hope you read and just didn't understand, and that's why you're here, not cuz you're a troll - maybe now you will better understand why human beings - even criminals - should be treated as human? Like, it is basic empathy levels, but it's also just humanity. So yea, go re-read that post that I left TAGS on, and the responses on it, and have a good day :)

#anon ask #the Original original point of the first post is also valid and is why this is often a college level course subject #It's too complicated to fully dissect in a tumblr post but the humanity of criminals should never be questioned #as that is an extremely slippery slope

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solasan · 2 years

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🧱💍🌱👗 for jessamine?

headcanon prompts:

jessamine mayweather:

[ 🧱 ] how would you describe your muses’ morality? what are their core values?:

jessamine's morality isn't as cut-and-dry as your regular person's might be, but i figure she's in good company in the van der linde gang on that front shdjkds. her biggest no-no is hurting innocents, especially children, and she's much less likely to fight a woman than she is a man, if only because she's got some pretty heavily man-hating views dhsdjk. she's pretty selfish when it comes to money etc but if she sees, say, a starving kid begging for food, or a woman who looks to be working in the s*x industry like she used to and seems to be struggling— yeah, she'll probably give them something, if she can. she has her own code of honour that way; i'd say she's probably more chaotic neutral than anything else, because she hates authority and delights in fucking over powerful people, but it's not like she has no laws that she holds to herself. they're just usually self-determined?

she's definitely kinder than she seems. very protective of the women in camp. willing to throw down with micah over his treatment of them, but also willing to throw down with racists for similar reasons; she hates to see a person punching down. she's kind of like if sera dragonage was like... a bit more put-together, a bit angrier, and a lot colder. at first glance she seems pretty chaotic, but once you've figured out how she thinks, she's pretty predictable. her goodness has charles very 🥺, and i think he's probably one of the first people in the camp to really take note of it.

[ 💍 ] does your muse have a “type” of people that they prefer to enter relationships with? is their type generally compatible with them, or does the dynamic tend to be toxic?

i think if you asked her this question, she'd say no. when it comes to 'relationships', she hadn't really had one before charles, because she doesn't consider her clients to be relationships. but i'd say that yes she does have a type, and that type is just... gentleness. kindness. charles and her are very well suited to each other in that way; he's the first truly kind man she's ever been involved with, and one of the few that she's even met, and though things are... bumpy when they get together, because she doesn't trust that kindness, it's really the only kind of relationship she could ever allow herself to have. she's had such a shit time of it lmao she needs... she needs comfort, and that's bred by gentleness and goodness, to her mind.

[ 🌱 ] what themes are relevant to your muse?

hm. i'd say jessamine's biggest theme is love, but not necessarily romantic love? moreso learning to let herself love, whether that be loving the world, loving her friends, or loving charles. i think justice fits into her arc quite neatly, too; i was initially thinking vengeance more than justice, but as i think about it more, i'm not sure that's true. maybe the move from vengeance to justice? she's very angry about what happened to her, and during the course of the game's events does come face-to-face with the client that almost killed her. he... doesn't leave that encounter alive, but that's because he's literally beating the shit out of some other poor woman at the time, and jessa refuses to let that happen to someone else on her watch. i think the transformation from vengeance to justice throughout her arc is one of her bigger themes, too.

[ 👗 ] what is your muse’s fashion sense like? are they able to dress the way they want to? what would they wear in an ideal world?

BLUE BLUE BLUE!!! faded blues and creams and whites, kind of dusty shades. a surprising amount of lace for how little money she has, but i'd say most of her clothes are either old or stolen shdsj. around camp she wears a lot of long blue skirts and white / cream blouses, but while out riding or on a job she'll wear trousers. probably brown ones, with blue blouses tucked into them and a lot of belts looped around her hips and waist. in an ideal world (i.e. the nice retirement her and charles eventually get in canada) the fabrics would probably be nicer, and there'd be fewer holes and patches on her clothes, but for the most part she wears whatever she wants, because who's gonna stop her, yknow?

#thank u for asking abt my baby sophie u are a darling <33 #ch: jessamine mayweather #answered #shadowglens

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bisluthq · 2 years

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I wish society would stop thinking of the words "slut" or "slutty" as insults. Some ppl are sluts and it's super okay, while some ppl are prudes and it's also super okay. I agree with Nat that there shouldn't be any moral value attached to how slutty or not a person is; it's neither a good thing nor a bad thing, it's just a way of being that you choose bc you're happy/comfortable with it. Like, the point is to make ALL women (and just ppl in general tbh) feel empowered, whether they're slutty or prudish or maternal or work-driven or religious or ambitious or business oriented or whatever right, feminism advocates for women's right to choose whatever of those things they want to be and not be told what they have to be, and any of those things are okay, they're not good or bad. Bad is someone who murders and abuses people, or hurts innocent children, or is corrupt and uses their power to do wrong. Not someone who sells their body or likes to walk around with not much clothing on (like Rihanna these days go off Queen) idk

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

KEEPING YOUR CLOTHES ON IS NOT A MORAL VIRTUE. TAKING YOUR CLOTHES OFF IS NOT A FEMINIST ACT.

Like these things just… happen.

Hot celebs sell their looks and bodies. It’s not that confusing.

It doesn’t make them bad people.

I always bring up Eddie and Hannah because Eddie… does sex scenes, poses shirtless, and does like sell shit with costars. Hannah is a financial publicist who has never had her tits out on main and really dresses conservatively for Eddie’s events.

And so? Is either one better? Nope 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️💀💀

#nat talks celebs idk

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imo-chan-imagines · 4 years

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『 Haikyuu!! Week 2020 | Day 3 』

· Sept. 27th → Irresistible Force ·

Characters: Karasuno team

Prompts: A. favourite team + B. crossover/AU

Tags/warnings: Haikyuu!! (anime), PG, fluff, crack, a teensy bit of angst (because who doesn't love a sad superhero backstory), headcanons, AU, superheroes, HaikyuuWeek2020

A/N: Again, I love all the teams and didn't want to pick, but life is cruel, so here I am. This is headcanons about my fav team (Karasuno) in an AU (superheroes). I was thinking of a Hero Association, kind of like in 'The Boys'? But less corrupt... Maybe more like in 'One Punch'? I think you get me.

All of my Haikyuu Week 2020 posts will be SFW, but I have NFSW content on my blog if that butters your biscuit. Feel free to check it out! Thanks for reading! Please enjoy ♡ Imo~

Karasuno / Superhero Association AU

☆ Sawamura Daichi ☆

Powers: nigh invulnerability, super strength, enhanced healing

If he's not the ordinary cop that somehow befriends the heroes I was tempted then he's definitely the leader of the superhero group

Kind of like Superman in the old-school Justice League, just not as OP lol

Looks damn good is spandex those thighs *sweats*

Cape!! so ✨majestic✨

Probably wears dark-ish, neutral colours with a dash of blue

A bit serious. Not the kind of hero to go around making quips all the time, but will make light of his own suffering like Captain America

Takes younger heroes under his wing like the true Dadchi he is

Strong moral compass. Unbreakable

Won't hesitate to lay down his life for others

Who am I kidding. He's basically Captain America with a cape

Poster-boy for the Hero Association

☆ Sugawara Koushi ☆

Powers: telekinesis

A soft, pearly aesthetic with his suit, hair and skin. Lots of white and silver

A favourite among the ladies he's just too pretty, damm it T T

Very plucky and adorable

People in the vicinity will literally faint when he goes all serious to concentrate and use his powers

Has a duo move with Daichi where he literally throws him like a missle YEET

Has the most followers on Twitter and TikTok and his fans can be pretty nuts

Has a perfume line named after him and models for the adverts

Will smile like an angel right before bringing a building down on top of you fuck, I find this one really funny

☆ Azumane Asahi ☆

Powers: regeneration, enhanced stength

Kind of like Wolverine or Deapool but, like, much, much softer on the inside uwu

Wears green and black

Messed up big time back in the day and dropped off the grid out of guilt some people died :(

Was convinced to come back when his old teammates finally found him again because they needed his help in a crisis

Literally shed tears of relief when heroes and citizens alike welcomed him back instead of hating him mah heart *sniffs*

Can withstand seemingly anything and fully heal within a matter of days

Doesn't know the full extent of his powers himself. How exactly do one test it? 🤔

Still has to psych himself up for a fight, though big softy, really

☆ Shimizu Kiyoko ☆

Powers: electrokinesis, flight

Powers like Storm from X-Men, and kicks ass like Wonder Woman

Refuses to wear a revealing suit, but looks bomb af anyway

Kiyoko = absolute queen

One of the most powerful heroes, but doesn't throw her weight around unless she's kicking bady-guy booty

Stella gynamast, and has mastered several martial arts

Can literally throw a guy three times her size, all without any strength powers Tanaka: 👁👄👁

Somehow has perfect hair all the time secret superpower??

Is active on the political stage as a human rights activist, headlining women's rights yes, yes yes

Will strike you with lightning for sexual harassment

Comes up with really good mission plans

Is a soothing balm for Tanaka when he loses it

Black and gold aesthetic✨

Asymmetrical cape! super fashionable

Poster-girl for the Hero Association

☆ Tanaka Ryuunosuke ☆

Powers: fire generation and manipulation

Tanaka brings the heat literally

A bit of a chaotic-good, but what's new there?

Can get out of control if he loses his focus, so his friends have to keep him grounded Kiyoko is a literal angel when that happens

Kiyoko: Sun's getting real low...

Bonus points if you get the reference

Is terrified of hurting innocents if he gets out of control

It rarely happens, but if he loses his self confidence, his powers don't seem to work

Shouts cringy lines at the villains before roasting their asses lmfao

Wears a black and orange flame-retardant suit, and actually looks pretty fine in it 😌👌

Literally head over heels for Kiyoko just imagine it. Biggest hype man

☆ Nishinoya Yuu ☆

Powers: animal metamorphosis, enhanced speed

Think Beast Boy from 'Teen Titans', but less green he's more likely to be yellow or orange, lmao

Handy in lots of different situations. Very versatile

Incredibly cheeky and joins in with Tanaka's cheesy jokes and one-liners

Absolute maniac, but the people love him, especially schoolkids lmao

Has his own energy drink flavour, and he's STOKED about it

Yellow and black suit, kind of like his hair

Has a surprisingly large following of fans

Laps up the attention, but it doesn't really go to his head

Quiet and serious when he's on a mission/fighting

☆ Hinata Shouyou ☆

Powers: self replication, super speed, levitation

His powers took a while to properly manifest, which left him feeling isolated as a teen

Was pretty lost until Ukai helped train him

Got into a fight with Kageyama in an alleyway when he first met him MET HIM IN THE STREET, LMAO

Argues with Kageyama a lot at headquarters, but they work together like a dream when taking down bad guys

Has a heart of literal gold precious baby

Is contantly amazed when he helps significantly

Was inspired to become a hero by his idol, the Little Giant and it's his dream to inspire someone else 😭😭

Uses his replication ability to confuse the bad guys ULTIMATE DECOY

Levitates around the room when he's excited like Aang from ATLA, hahaha

Wears an orange, white and yellow suit with little wings on his heels cuuuute

☆ Kageyama Tobio ☆

Powers: water/ice generation and manipulation, breathing underwater, superhuman reflexes

I was tempted to give him fire/ice powers like Todoroki, but I didn't want to detract from Tanaka

Has problems focusing his powers, and can be quite turbulent in the heat of battle

Finds it hard to work well with others initially, but really makes an effort

Has hurt people close to him by accident before and never wants to do it again it would tear him apart

Becomes a power duo with Hinata when Ukai helps train them, even though they don't seem to get on well at first

Broody boi on the surface, but a cinnamon roll deep down

Wears a dark blue and deep purple suit that has fins to assist in underwater escapades which are his forte

Freezes Hinata's feet to the floor when he pisses him off or anybody's feet, tbh

Can dodge almost anything because of his reflexes don't ever try to punch him. You'll look stupid

Is surprised by the number of people in his fan club especially the number of women asking to marry him??

☆ Tsukishima Kei ☆

Powers: telepathy, superhuman intellect, mind control on weak-willed individuals

Prefers to outwit his enemies rather than getting into a brawl

But his self-designed gadgets and tech help him out if he has to a bit like Tony Stark, wink wonk

Sometimes makes you question if he's really a hero or not Tsukki, please

Doesn't take orders well

Baits villains by insulting them and getting the better of them with his words it's hilarious

Comes up with good plans, but improvises well with whatever he's got

Probably wears suits over his spandex most of the time fancy shmancy

Is prepared to die to protect Yamaguchi waahhh

☆ Yamaguchi Tadashi ☆

Powers: invisibility, force fields, teleportation

Susan Storm with added teleportation, lol

Often finds it hard to value his powers because they're not as visually strong and impressive as other people's

Rather than squaring up to a battle, he often has to 'hide' from it by literally going invisible

But he gradually becomes aware of how vital his powers can be, and learns to control them and make them as advantageous as possible

Is a highly important and valued member of the team

Soft bean that gets nervous and throws up before a fight

But he's hella determined and won't back down

Honestly, just wants to protect Tsukki and make him proud PROTECT HIM

☆ Yachi Hitoka ☆

Powers: size manipulation

She can shrink and enlarge herself and objects she touches at will, including other people

Sometimes shrinks really small to avoid social situations she doesn't want to be in samez, honey

The clumsiest and least experienced on the team

But she tries her best, gradually getting to grips with her powers

Sometimes uses her powers by accident, like when she's nervous

Once touched a watermelon slice on the refreshment table and accidentally blew it up to the size of a car Hinata, Kageyama and Noya fully dug in with their faces 😭😭

Nearly passed out when Daichi, the literal god of the Hero Association, told her she had great potential

Don't worry, Yams teleported and caught her

☆ Ukai Keishin ☆

Powers: laser vision, metal mimicry

The has-been hero who lost his enthusiasm for hero-ing and retired some years ago

Was really cool back in his hayday. Big hot-shot with a fan club

Has been working as a convenience store attendant to pay the bills and is bored out of his mind but refuses to admit it

Was convinced to get back in the game when he found Hinata and Kageyama fighting, both struggling with their abilities. He broke up the fight and agreed to coach them

Doesn't do much of the flashy hero stuff anymore, but will occasionally get stuck in when he's needed must protecc his children

Is only, like, ten years older than the other heroes, but they treat him like some fossilised sensei out of Natuto, or some shit

Tbf, he has the back problems of one 😭😭

☆ Takeda Ittetsu ☆

Powers: power absorption

Transferred from being a hero to hero management after having having issues with the effects of his powers he has a conscience :(

He felt guilty and responsible for permanently taking the powers of others, even if they were criminals

It was like removing a piece of their souls it kind of broke him

These days, he makes sure nobody knows about his powers, so it can't be used against him

He helps in any other way possible

He would only use his powers again in dire circumstances he knows he'll eventually have to

Is generally chipper and good natured, though

If he was ever captured by a villain, they'd probably send him back because he talks too much omg, hahaha

Helps gather info for the team and direct them on missions and in fights

Gives bomb inspirational speeches ✊

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billion-heartbeats · 3 years

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Money Matters and Love cares! M- Momentarily O – Owned N- Not E- Eternally Y- Yours Love and money are two extremely complex subjects in their own right. When they're mixed haphazardly, it could be a recipe for disaster. Money and love, is the glue that keeps lives together. Money symbolizes security and happiness. Without love, everything you do seems meaningless. Without love, you will live empty inside. Without love, you will feel like you are incomplete. More importantly, there will be no one to celebrate with you even if you are rich and have all the money in the world. Does this make love the more important than money? Money is important, but not the most important, because it is tangible. At heart we always crave for the intangibles - God, Grace, Devotion, Blessings, love, satisfaction, praise, liberation, pleasure, fragrance, oxygen etc. Things desired but difficult to get are precious. That which is ultimately sought after, yet remains beyond reach, beyond actual touch, that which could only be felt is invaluable. E.g. - Oxygen! Money- what it can and what it cannot! Money can buy you medicine and not Health. Money can buy you amusement but not happiness! Money can buy you books but not wisdom. Money can buy you a bed but not sleep. Money can buy you food but not the Appetite. Money can buy you a companion but not a friend. Money can buy you a house but not a home. Money can buy adulation but not respect. Money can buy services, but not loyalty. Money can buy flattery, but not self-esteem. Money can buy designer clothes but not the inner beauty. Money can buy an expensive watch and not the Time! Money can buy jokes but not a sense of Humor. Bottom line: It is good to have money and the things that it can buy, but it’s good too, to check up once in a while and make sure you haven’t lost out on the things money can’t buy. Money talks The adage-Money makes the world go round is more than true. When you have Money with you, you forget who you are! When you do not have money, others forget who you are! Money Is the Megaphone to Identity! Money gives you power, dignity and honor. Money by itself is neither good nor bad. Usage of money makes it good or bad. Choice is yours; Money is just a tool. Eighty percent of the world’s money is with twenty percent of the population, while the rest 20 percent of the world’s money is with eighty percent of the population. In the pursuit of money many of us lose our values and ethics. Having money for the greed is criminal but earning money in the right way is spiritual and is your right. Steve Jobs once said: I don’t care to be the richest corpse in the cemetery! We lose our health to make money and then lose money to restore the health. We live as if we will never die and die as if we never lived. The want for more never ends. Everyone dies, but almost no one really lives. Money can never be the ‘be all and end all of life’. So is everything else! Life is more important! Having lots of money can be like being high on drugs. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It makes you feel invincible. Money makes us feel that we’re better and more important than we really are. Money fattens our ago! It has power to bring people together and also tear them apart. You can’t escape money - the more you chase the more you get it! The more you get the more you want! Money is rightly said- is an Aphrodisiac! Money is not acknowledged and appreciated the way it should be. Human lives are a tragic enclave of contrasts. There seems to be a statistical disconnect between money and happiness. If you are able to enjoy what matters- love, relationship, compassion and empathy, which is what money can't buy, Money is secondary! Once we escape the trap of poverty, levels of wealth have an extremely modest impact on levels of happiness. The central assumption of modern society is- more money equals more pleasure. We've been led to believe that dollar is a delight and the currency rules! To go after money is greed. To have money and flaunt it is vulgar! To spend it is reckless! But giving it to others in need is dharma and takes you straight to god! In practice there is grudging but overwhelming admiration for those who make lot of money. Society envies you! if you have In addition, good qualities it adores you. Love cares Love gives us the assurance that we are not alone in the world. You are not rich until you have something that money cannot buy! Love is when the want is more than the need! A simple question! Who has changed the world more- Bill Gates or Mother Teresa or Borlaug? My vote is for Bill gates and Borlaug! I agree it is not how much one gives, but how much love we put in that act of giving is what matters. Bill Gates used the power of money to change the world and Mother Teresa used the power of love to change the world. Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution used agricultural science to reduce world’s hunger, has been credited with saving a billion lives, more than anyone else in history. All three are great in their own spheres. You decide who is more powerful! Healthy, wealthy and may be- wise! This is no package! Wealth is an enabler, a catalyst and even validates of your wisdom. The beauty of the wisdom is that it belongs to you forever. Look around you: There is abundance of ignorance! The very notion of ultimate wealth is fallacious and misconceived. • When you are battling poverty, money is the ultimate wealth. • When you are sick, immunity and health is the ultimate wealth. • If you are lonely, love is the wealth you need. There’s something inherently disturbing about thinking of wealth as obscene. For, such a perspective not only limits our understanding of one of the most important and powerful criteria of human progress. We need to rekindle the law of love within us, and within our children. Let me tell you a conversation I was witness to. My grandson, my son and I were relaxing at home. A neighborhood boy came home and was playing with my grandson. The boy had “I too want that toy looks”. My son told my grandson to give him one of his toys. After some pleas, he finally agreed to give. He picks up a toy - his least favorite toy!" My son told him, No dear, not that toy, Give him your favorite toy. At this point, grandson instinctively protested, but then looking at his father's stern-yet-compassionate look, he grudgingly goes to the door to give away his favorite toy. Naturally, I figured that my son will have to console his son when he returns; lo and behold, much to his surprise, the grandson returns with a hop in his step. With an innocence befitting to an 8-year-old, he looks his Father in the eyes and says, "Dad that was amazing. Can I do it again? This is the law of love, and may we all keep doing it again and again and again. Indeed Love cares. Money and Love A lot of women prefer to marry rich men. They prefer a husband who earns more than they can spend. Ever heard of The World’s Most Loving Couple? No. How about the World's Richest? Bet you have. Would you rather cry in a Porsche or on a bicycle? Choice is yours! Dr N prabhu dev Former VC Bangalore University Former- Director Jayadeva institute of cardiology. [email protected]

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thisunfoldinglife · 4 years

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Gratitude Over Guilt (or How I Ended Up in the Doghouse)

Winter is hard in England. It goads the complaints out of us recklessly. Our sun, that golden sphere of warmth and hope, has disappeared in a shroud of cloud. The land is soggy and pulls us down before it holds us up, and the illusory promise of a brighter tomorrow teases but doesn’t deliver. Life’s monotonous routines feel more draining than ever in these greyer shades of day. And though I may be more optimistic than some, I’m not immune to the heaviness of the season. It’s a restless time, a time that raises internal questions that erupt erratically from within me. And this is how I ended up in the doghouse, when I declared to my husband: “I’m going to move into the woods or become a monk!”

We had just finished watching a film about famine in Malawi, an African country we had both travelled to a decade ago. The shocking reminder of such poverty sat painfully within me. How dare I complain about the absence of wine and chocolate in the kitchen, or how badly our bathroom needs renovation—I had just watched a barren African village nearly starve to death from drought! I hadn't yet worked out how I would look after my young children in the forest, or if I was even allowed to be a monk, particularly a married one, but my impromptu proclamation was, in hindsight, a cry for perspective. My sweet husband doesn't often take my spontaneous assertions seriously, but I could tell from his face that I'd offended him. “Don’t you enjoy this life that you’ve created with us?” I assured him that I do, but my discomfort was inflamed. Surely, I can't live peacefully when there are suffering people everywhere?

And there is suffering everywhere. People just like us are victims of starvation, war, drugs, poverty, disease, homelessness, and suicide. And others are chained to their fears, money, greed, sadness and anger. These realities only touch me on a small scale in my tiny village in rural England. My experience is largely the life I've actively worked to nurture—a life blessed with a beautiful family, a steady job, and a comfortable home. Yet how can I go about my little life with all this struggle in the world?

My thoughts return to 2011, when my husband and I backpacked (in our pre-children days) across Africa through Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. It was a trip we had each craved well before our paths aligned. Africa dug its fists into our chests and ripped out whatever foolish illusions we had of the world. We witnessed entire families living out of straw huts, scarcity of food and water, and kids fighting for their education, walking several miles to a school with rudimentary facilities. We had a relatively simple life back home in The States, sharing a small one-bedroom apartment without cars, mobile phones or expensive possessions, but in Africa we were the utterly wealthy.

Along our travels, we took a ferry to Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania. The ferry was filled with local commuters, stuffed together in a heady swirl of heat. They carried nervous chickens and livestock, fresh fish and goods back and forth to the island. The women hauled large bundles upon their heads and the men dragged heavy carts loaded high above their sweat drenched faces. We hired a guide there named Rama to take us snorkelling. Rama was lovely. He was a true islander—a muscled mid-forties seaman in flip-flops and shorts. I remember innocently asking him: “Have you ever travelled outside of Tanzania?” He shook his head firmly, “No, of course not”. His answer jolted me. Of course not. I was immediately embarrassed by my question. Indeed, travel itself is a luxury. What disposable income might he have for travel. How could he justify such a selfish undertaking when his wages surely were needed for family, home and food.

Rama was part fish and dove straight down fifty feet to the bottom of the ocean without mask or fins to return moments later to report on the creatures beneath. At one point, he emerged from the water with a massive shell the size of a bowling ball. A slimy sea creature glistened from inside its intricate folds. He proudly presented it to us—a gift. We didn’t quite know what to do with it and declined, saying he could keep it himself. Rama beamed. “Thank you”, he said, holding the shell up with two hands, “tonight I make this into soup”.

Africa pulled from deep within us our guilt, fear, awe and gratitude, leaving us humbled and awake. We thought we’d never forget its lessons. Yet, like many Westerners amid our surroundings, it’s dangerously easy to become blissfully ignorant. Many of us are granted freedom from worry over the quality and abundance of our water, the nutritional value and variety of our food, and the safety of our homes. Our thoughts can rest more pleasantly on dinner plans for Saturday night, or our upcoming holiday. And though guilt can find us in these realisations, perhaps gratitude is a more effective emotion.

And so, Gratitude finds me now. And, as if I were the reverent monk, I repeat a little chant: “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all this before me”. And when I go upstairs tonight, to kiss my sleeping children, I'll thank God that they're resting safe and warm in a prosperous country. And I'll look into my dear husband's eyes and share our hopes for the future, knowing we have the ability to dream bigger than simple food and shelter. And I'll tell him that I'm not going anywhere, except further into gratitude.

#gratitude #africa #countyourblessings #abundance

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