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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.

September 11, 2019 at 12:11am

#965986

I should live in salt

Artist: The National
Song: I Should Live in Salt
[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]

Prompt from tah20 via "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" : Write about someone who truly moves/touches/inspires you. Do you know them personally, or admire them from afar? What do they do that makes them special?

This is a difficult one for me. It's a good prompt. It's just that I have a difficult time genuinely admiring people. I can easily appreciate or respect aspects of someone's personality or skill set, but "admire" feels like a strong word.

I feel like everyone has good and bad in them. You know, good people do bad things and bad people do good things all the time. I try to not be a jaded person, but I definitely find myself questioning others. Like, you're doing a good thing, but are you really just a bad person who's doing something good in between doing bad shit?

Go look up your favorite artist, writer, actor, musician, whatever...

How are we supposed to say that we admire someone or that someone is special when they're a terrible person? It's so hard to find someone who creates moving, touching things that isn't a complete tool at the very least. Let me just attack my own favorites for funsies. I love a lot of the classic rock musicians. I think they created such amazing, timeless music. But at the same time, lots

of them

were sleeping with 13-15 year olds when they were full grown adults. And I'm being nice by saying "sleeping with" instead of calling it what we all know it is.

I don't care what year it is. It's fucking weird to want to hook up with a 14 year old when you're almost 30.

You don't have to look very far to see the true nature of humans. I think looking at people who have money or hold some kind of power tells us everything we need to know.

It's true that you have to separate the art from the artist, but that doesn't mean that it makes it easy to admire these people. The best I can say is that I like so-and-so's music or books or movies. I don't admire them as humans. And I don't admire anyone else either because I know how people are when they get money and power. So when I see someone who's a "good" person, in reality, I'm just thinking they're someone who hasn't had the opportunity to exercise power over others yet. But, ya know, if they could. . .

Yes, I hear myself being negative af.

It's honestly just how I feel though. Even people I know in real life aren't all good or all bad. They're hopefully more good than bad, but ya know, not always.

I have people in my life who have a fair amount of money/power and they treat me like an actual trash can. Because they're not that good of people. And I allow them to do that because I'm not that good of a person either.

The short answer (which is what I should have written in the first place, but it's too late now), is that there are a few people who truly move me:

People who still put a smile on and move forward when all their shit is flipped upside down. I admire their ability to do that, because I'm not that strong. When someone is going through hell and you can't even tell? That's inspiring.

People who do good shit without broadcasting it to anyone. Like, it's super cool that you helped out someone in need, but the fact that you took 15 pictures for social media and accidentally told me about it twice in a 72 hour period takes away from it slightly. You could've just done something good because it's the right thing to do.

People who overcome a lot of shit to be basic, productive members of society. Yeah, they're gonna do bad shit too, but if someone can for the most part take care of themselves, pay their taxes, stay out of prison, and not be a danger to society after going through extreme adversity, I'm definitely moved by that and I respect it.

I should leave it alone, but you're not right.

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