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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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#2030442 by Not Available.

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 FivetricksterTreats

FORUM

JAFBG

(XGC)
Because real life isn't always roses and sunshine...
#2094931 by Elisa, Stik-or-Treat

[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:

👀intu the Darkness

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

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

Waltz in the Lonesome October

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

Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

1 Like

Anni Pumpkin

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

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.

Elisa, Stik-or-Treat

Feb 19, 2023 at 10:26am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I've had decent participation with Journalistic Intentions (even though I know my prompts are sometimes considered "difficult"). I do think that there's been a bit of a shift in regards to contests and activities, where people have been more open to admitting they find some setups too restricting or that they feel intimidated by contests. I would love to be in discussions to address those issues, but so far I haven't been invited.

November 6, 2019 at 12:10am

#969086

Chief Friendship Officers???

Artist: Chapterhouse
Song: Mesmerise
[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]

Prompt via "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" : Generational Differences Chart

What parts of the chart did you find to be accurate and which did you find issue with? Anything you related strongly to? Is a chart like this useful, or does it rely too heavily on stereotypes?

I don't want to be negative, but this chart is one of the silliest things I've seen this week.

Not only is it super outdated (Millennials are age 8-27?), but it's also so biased that I had to go find the origin of the chart.

"The West Midland Family Center (WMFC) is an organization that is empowering families to grow together in a positive and enriching environment."

Bear with me because I have a migraine.

I'm trying to figure out what it is they actually do. It would appear that they have a pool, so, there's that. It looks like they have a preschool as well. It seems like they have a group of volunteers who do community outreach to help families that are in crisis. They have family support programs and it seems that they offer a place for families to convene and try to work through issues.

That's a good mission. I mean, I respect that.

But this generation chart is just... sad. I guess we'll see how the other generations feel, but from the Millennials' perspective, a lot of it is just stereotypes that I've never actually seen in action before.

"Eager to spend money" Schrodinger's Millennial somehow killing entire industries by not spending money, not buying houses, not having families... but also very eager to spend money!

"Came of age in a period of economic expansion" This simply cannot be historically accurate for all Millennials. I turned 17 at the end of 2008, so I should know.

"Greatly indulged by fun loving parents" "Heroism -Consider parents their heroes" LMAO.

I have to show this to my friends. PS. if this were true, why would your family center have any use to the 8-27 year old Millennials?

"Coddled kids (they got a trophy for coming in 8th place)" This is something I've honestly heard about but never actually seen in action. I grew up in in a small town, but we were never given trophies for getting 8th place in anything. For example, the science fair had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. That's it. No participation ribbon or trophy or anything like that.

The only thing I've seen even possibly related to this is parents of kids throwing a fit because their kid didn't win something. The kids were too busy messing around and having fun. They don't care about a piece of plastic.

I could go on all night, but this one really sums it up for me:
"Communications media: Picture phones" What in the seventh circle of hell is a picture phone? It sounds like something my 90 year old great grandmother would have said. "Get off your picture phone and come give me a hug!"

I am way too entertained by that.

Let's see though, there has to be something here I agree with...

"Influenced by 9/11 Terrorist Attacks"

I'd say this is true for a lot of Millennials because they were somewhere between 7 and early 20s when 9/11 happened.

"Not only balance with work and life, but balance with work, life and community involvement and self development. Flex time, job sharing, and sabbaticals will be requested more by this generation."

I think this one is probably true. A lot of my friends my age are very into the concept of lifelong learning and community outreach on top of having a balanced work life.

Honestly, a lot of the work ones are true. Millennials typically do expect to be paid well, have a work-life balance, receive respect regardless of their age/seniority at a company, have high expectations, etc. I think those are all pretty reasonable things.

So there, I found something positive in the chart without being coddled by my parents. Shocking, I know.

Now give me my trophy.

Your scarlet hour
Is here even now
Holding my mind
With your second sign
Mesmerise

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