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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 Fivesixer

FORUM

JAFBG

(XGC)
Because real life isn't always roses and sunshine...
#2094931 by Stik to My Own Beat

[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

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.

May 2, 2020 at 7:58am

#982556

Life lessons from fictional characters

Artist: The Cars
Song: Just What I Needed
[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]

"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Prompt: What one fictional character would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?

Day 2. My blogging streak is officially longer than The_Cavity has wisdom teeth!

's.

This is a good question, by the way, Em!

But how can I choose just one? All of the movies I watch, books I read, and video games I play, have left me with a lot of favorite fictional characters. But, I don't really have anything I'd like to ask these characters. I don't even want to meet them because I want them to exist in my mind as they are now where I have control over who they are.

I do have some characters I look up to or quotes I love by them. I'll make a quick list, just for funsies.

Life lessons from fictional characters

Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Yes, they ruined the television series.

But forgetting that for a moment, Tyrion Lannister had some of the best and most memorable lines. My favorite is: "Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour and it can never be used to hurt you."

I love this quote because it's a reminder not to push aside the things that make you "defective" in the hopes of hiding them and appearing "normal." It's never going to work anyway, so you must own who you are and learn to be comfortable with yourself.

Any trekkies?
I actually don’t watch start trek at all, which will explain why I don’t even know which fictional character this next quote comes from, but it’s one of my favorites: ”Survival is insufficient.” Now, I don’t know the context of this quote, but when someone quoted it to me, I fell in love with the saying, and I’ve used it frequently on myself when I’m getting too content.

Simply 'surviving' through life isn't enough. Sometimes it's your only choice for the time being, but whenever possible, you have to aim for something higher. I'm reminded of another quote by one of my favorite poets, Buddy Wakefield, "There is life after survival." My later twenties have been all about learning to actually live my life rather than just survive feral-eyed and out of my mind from one shitty situation to the next. It's a work in progress, but I want to be more than someone who just got through things.

Andy Bernard, The Office
He's kind of an annoying character in the show at times, but he does have some really good moments. My favorite quote of his in the show is, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." This quote reminds me to be present in the moment and appreciative for what I have now. It’s too easy to find yourself wishing your time away, only to look back and realize it would have been a good time in your life if you’d only paid attention.

Calvin & Hobbes
Calvin & Hobbes has some really great quotes. I loved the books as a kid. One of my favorite lines comes from Calvin's mother: "Unfortunately, we're all 'someone else' to someone else" in the context of things that seem like they would happen to someone else, not to you.

I'll leave the entry on this note. You always have to be careful in life. This pandemic is a perfect example of that. You always think someone else is going to be affected by these things... but you are someone else to everyone else in the world. Be careful. Take care of yourself. Take precautionary measures whenever possible. Stay safe.

I guess you're just what I needed

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