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Sunday, May. 19, 2024

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Are You Listening???

by Charlie ~

Rated: GC · Book · Emotional · #2181458

A journey of self-improvement - or not.

Sup? I'm Char.
You may know me from timeless classics such as

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and

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I blog for things like

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FORUM

30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS

(13+)
WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

FORUM

JAFBG

(XGC)
Because real life isn't always roses and sunshine...
#2094931 by Elisa the Bunny Stik

[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]
Believin' all the lies that they're tellin' ya
Buyin' all the products that they're sellin' ya
They say jump and ya say "how high?"
Ya braindead, ya got a fuckin' bullet in ya head

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

intuey

Jul 22, 2023 at 8:05am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Hey Char, It's been a while since I've touched base with you. I'm so sorry for your loss. The last thing people should say is everyone loses their grandparents eventually, or it will get better with time. It's the last thing you want to hear when you're hurting. Death sucks, long-lasting illness sucks! Having to decide to let the person go to keep them from suffering REALLY SUCKS! I think the only ones who can understand truly just how much are those who have had to make that decision. My heart breaks for you.

I'm not religious, but I do have a strong faith in God. I call myself spiritual because I don't agree with all the rules and regulations of religion. I do know I will see my family and friends again, and this is a great comfort. I can only imagine how much more painful the death of loved ones is without this belief. But you're right, it can't be faked. But it is a beautiful thing.

Having mental health issues during times like this makes it even harder to go through. I know what you mean about seeing things that aren't there. I'd walk into a room, and say, "Where's Star?" and she would be sitting right in front of me. When I looked, I swear I saw an empty chair. The mind is crazy. It gives new meaning to a mind of its own

Some time has passed since you wrote this. I don't know when you'll see this but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sending good energy your way. I hope you're doing better. I look forward to hearing from you.

Aiva Raine

Mar 28, 2023 at 9:40pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'm sorry for your loss. I know they are shitty sounding words that don't even attempt to fill or fix, but they're meant in sincerity.

Having lost several people the best advice I was ever given was when life gets too hard- take it at your own pace. If a day is too much- cope with an hour at a time. If that's too much, take it ten minutes at a time. If that's too much- then you deal with one minute at a time. Work through life and grief at your pace. And don't ever feel guilty because you feel sad. And if you can- find one positive in each chunk of time- even if it's something as little as the beauty of sunlight on a leaf or the softness of your shirt. And ask for help if you need it.

Elle - on hiatus

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:29pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Aw, Charlie, I'm so sorry. It's a shit thing to go through whether it's sudden or not. And just because everyone goes through it, doesn't make it easier. It also doesn't take into account that you were closer to them than your parents. Nobody says 'Oh, everyone loses their parents eventually' do they? Surely not. And that's what's happened here really. I'm actually glad you've got an appointment with a professional tomorrow, because they might be able to help you with getting through that initial devastation.

When my dad lost his mother, he really struggled with his own lack of religion. As you say, there is some comfort in believing they've gone to a better place, been reunited with loved ones, that you'll see them again, and so on. For most of my life, Dad would say 'Religion is a crutch for the weak', but I definitely saw him struggle with the finality of it when he lost his mother, the person he was probably closest to.

My thoughts are with you.

1 Like

~Minja~

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:21pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Crazy stuff, grief. If you want to talk about it, message me always.

1 Like

QPdoll

Mar 7, 2023 at 6:21am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I understand what you mean about wanting to tell your grandmother something. I did the same thing after my grandmother passed. I was at home and the first thing I thought was to call grandma. I picked up the phone and realized that she wouldn't answer. It's so tough losing your grandparents, especially as close as you were. I don't have any magic words, but take care of yourself. It's what they would want.

1 Like

Robert Waltz

Mar 6, 2023 at 10:31pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

1 Like

Anni Pon

Mar 6, 2023 at 9:06pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I know it doesn't help any, but I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine much worse than losing a parent or parental figure. They represent stability and safety, you grew up with them, and you've relied on them for most, if not all, of your life. You're right, the initial devastation will fade and things won't feel so fresh. But, as you know, grief never really goes away. It just becomes a permanent part of you.

It's horrible that you only got a couple days worth of bereavement! That's not even long enough for the shock to wear off enough to START grieving. I hope you have the support of someone else in your life to help you through this dark time. Take it easy on yourself in the mean time, that's all you really can do. Taking care of your physical self, eating and sleeping, is critical. Sleep deprivation and hunger will make things feel a million times worse than they actually are (which, for the record, is already pretty bad).

1 Like

Harlow Flick, Right Fielder

Mar 6, 2023 at 8:56pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

This is such a very human thing, isn't it.

“I think there is nearly an overwhelming sadness to the human predicament.” - Skinny Boy Hill

BOOM! This ain’t no whipped cream pie I’m tossing.

1 Like

Cinn

Feb 20, 2023 at 9:34pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I actually pretty much love this one. Nice, man...

Cinn

Feb 19, 2023 at 11:07am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'd say that more freedom for participants would attract more people. One obvious example that I've never understood is fiction vs poetry. If it's an activity, not a contest, why not allow people to explore whatever the theme of your activity is with whatever type of writing that want to do?

I've actually written for countless contests/activities over the years but never entered... because they inspired me, but I don't fit within the guidelines. Max rating too low, items required (book entries only over here), no poetry accepted, etc.

I know well why people restrict writers' freedom, but they're also restricting the number of participants they'll get. I still just take the inspiration where I can get it.

November 22, 2020 at 12:11am

#998871

Move over

"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Prompt: Write about a moving performance you’ve witnessed. Consider musicals, theatre performances, dances, operas, orchestras, etc. Why did it have an impact on you?

Just a couple drinks in tonight so I might have to actually edit this entry before posting it, which is something I almost never do. But i feel some typos coming on.

I slept on and off all day today. Eventually, Kira came into the bedroom and confronted me about what was causing me to sleep so much. I went under the blankets and fell back asleep.

I somehow still don't feel rested, but I imagine I'll be up most of the night after sleeping all day.

I've gotta be totally honest on this prompt. I don't think I've ever been to an opera, orchestra, or anything like that. I did see the plays in school, which were mostly funny because I knew the people in real life and their fake accents were something to behold. As far as musicals or theatre performances... I very vaguely remember seeing a show once.

There was a pamphlet with the acts on it when you walked into the theatre. There was intermission and all that. I can sort of see some of the costumes, wigs, and makeup that the performers were wearing. There was a big set on stage with a house at one point.

You can tell that I was incredibly moved by this show based on the fact that I can barely remember it.

Despite how emotional I am, I'm not easily moved or impressed by things. I don't often connect to things that aren't real, so like a movie won't really make me cry. I think a few books have made me cry. A Little Life

totally wrecked my brain. I couldn't even see the words on the page through my tears.

I think some TED Talks are total bullshit, but I think there are some really good ones. One of the most memorable ones was this 7 1/2 minute talk about a guy who almost became a school shooter:

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I’m so moved by this one because it's a reminder that it's never a waste of your time to be kind and reach out to people. If they don't need you in that moment, no harm no foul. But if you're a kind and thoughtful person who regularly makes an effort to check in on people, you have no idea how much you've positively impacted the world. This is the exact reason that I'm always the first person to invite someone to come have lunch at my table when they're sitting alone at a work function or to bring someone into the group conversation when they're standing alone nearby looking uncomfortable.

These aren't heroic efforts. They're baseline acts of human decency that cost you literally nothing.

You have no idea what people are going through at any given time. Your simple gesture of kindness could mean everything to them.

In addition to that, this video makes an excellent point about gray areas. You have someone who's abused at home and can't even escape that abuse at school because they're bullied there too. Society pushes and pushes these people and it creates evil acts. The difference between this guy and any number of demonized school shooters is that he did not have easy access to guns and he found a couple people along the way that were willing to show human decency.

No one anywhere ever will convince me that Americans need access to the guns they have access to. And before any constitution warriors show up, the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, over 150 years before the AK-47 was founded. This is not in the spirit of what our forefathers envisioned. Easy access to weapons like this create opportunities for people who are in gray areas to slip into horrific acts.

It's not just mental health treatment. It's not just meeting people with kindness. It's not just gun control. It's a combination of all of the above.

But "thoughts and prayers" feels more comfy. I get it.

Anyway, I always liked this insight into a different perspective. I'd never even fathom hurting people like this, despite whatever. But we live in a world with all different personalities and types of people who react differently to traumatic and abusive situations. I hope that his story reaches those who are in dark places and helps them see some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.

Stoic Thought of the Day: "Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart." -Seneca

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