#trying to adopt this mindset but its difficult

[loassbarbie]

The science behind "Act as If": it's actually a CBT technique

Although science has yet to prove the 3D manifesting effect of the Law of Assumption, the “act as if” manifestation technique we so very often read about and practice does have some research support as a cognitive-behavioral intervention.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been a cornerstone of modern psychology and psychotherapy, offering individuals practical tools to understand and improve their mental well-being. "Act As If" has emerged as a powerful and transformative intervention technique.

"Act As If" is a behavioral strategy that encourages individuals to consciously adopt the mindset and behaviors of the person they aspire to become, even when faced with self-doubt or challenging circumstances. Whether you're seeking to enhance your self-esteem, overcome obstacles, or simply better understand the inner workings of your mind, the "Act As If" approach can be a valuable addition to your mental health toolkit.

🎀 Why "Act As If" Works (in psychology, anyway)

At its core, the "Act As If" technique is a cognitive-behavioral strategy designed to encourage individuals to adopt the mindset and behaviors of the person they want to be. It is rooted in several core principles that guide its implementation. "Act As If" requires individuals to consciously act as though they have already achieved their goals, even when they may doubt their abilities or face daunting challenges. This helps build self-confidence and creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the mind and body work in tandem to manifest positive change.

The theoretical underpinnings of "Act As If" are deeply intertwined with self-perception theory - people infer their own attitudes, emotions, and abilities by observing their own behaviors. In the context of "Act As If," this means that by consistently engaging in the behaviors associated with their goals, individuals can alter their self-perception, ultimately reinforcing their self-belief.

🎥🎲 The Role of Role-Playing

By immersing oneself in the character of the person they want to become, individuals can better understand and internalize the attitudes and behaviors required for success. Role-playing provides a practical and hands-on approach to "Act As If," allowing individuals to experiment with different mindsets and behaviors and assess their impact on their self-perception and real-life outcomes.

We often engage in "self-sabotage," acting ineffectively despite knowing better ways of handling difficult situations. There are many reasons for this, and one is our dysfunctional, automatic thoughts. Thoughts like "I won't succeed no matter how hard I try" or "I can't do this" can hinder our actual abilities to do something well.

For example: you believe you are too overweight to go to the gym and not feel bad about yourself, or you don't believe you can actually lose the weight you need. When you let these kinds of thoughts influence your behavior, you might find yourself avoiding situations you find intimidating for thinking they're not for someone like you, or believing it's a lost cause. "Acting as if" can help alter these dysfunctional thoughts. Instead of engaging with these thoughts, "acting as if" might have you engaged in all of the activities someone who believed they could succeed would engage in: for instance, making an appointment with a personal trainer, which would result in more accountability, a better ability to perform exercises correctly, and a more rewarding experience overall. If you were out of shape before, "acting as if" can help you get in shape sooner.

The catch in the "act as if" technique is that we can use it even if we are 100% sold on our dysfunctional automatic thoughts. We don't have to wait until our thoughts change to step into the role we'd prefer. We instead step into the role, which can result in our thoughts changing more quickly and more permanently. Better yet, we don't have to wait for the law to kick in before we get what we want.

🧸👩🏻‍🏫Steps for "Acting As If"

💭Step 1: Identify the automatic thought or dysfunctional belief that is getting in your way.

🔄Step 2: Identify all of the things you would do if you believed the exact opposite of that thought to be successful in your goal.

🎭Step 3: Rehearse those behaviors: Act as if. Literally role-play. You can do it talking to yourself when you are alone, you can do it in your head during mindless moments of the day; you can even do it with your eyes closed, laying in bed, and visualize yourself engaging in those behaviors. The point is to be familiar enough with the behaviors that you can use them without thinking about them too much.

🎬Step 4: "Act as if" some more. Rehearse the behaviors some more. Maybe get more creative (start dressing up as the person you want to be, make a journal of all the things that happened on your role playing day, don't feel stupid - no one has to know anyway!)

💁🏻‍♀️Step 5: Engage in the behaviors you rehearsed. Each time a dysfunctional thought comes to mind, smile at it, and continue as planned.

By following this you may, at the very least, come across more confidently. Most people find that in practicing this regularly, they start to disbelieve the self-defeating thoughts. Having several experiences of success is a great way to undo the assumption that you will always fail. And after a while, there's no "acting" necessary. ;)

[prettyboykatsuki-moved]

how surprising ur response doesn’t address the issue at all!!!! i would love for u to go off on me because it’s easy for me to win a disagreement when i know i’m right lmao and also i KNOW 100% for a fact that countless people would agree w me but it’s not reaching the correct audience w a sane mindset cuz all ur followers are 🌽 addicts too thinking the same shit as u and pitying and comforting ur ass in ur replies🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️shits cringe to watch but anyway every normal person knows it’s weird and that’s all the matters i suppose cuz post that shit literally anywhere else and your ass WILL get dragged

maybe let’s try a one month no 🌽 challenge and try again! maybe ur mind will detox and you’ll realize ur fucking weird

i didn't respond to your ask with any dignity because the original premise of your ask was not worthy of being dignified with time nor attention.

ive gotten tens of asks of people who also want to hold moral superiority over me by regurgitating opinions they've adopted from their online internet circles without any real nuance and thus i have no reason to take it seriously. you are not the first person to try to peddle this to me and there is nothing about your ask that warrants any of my thoughtful consideration.

i normally wouldn't bother with correcting this one either, but because im already in a deeply irritable mood - sure, i will give you the response you are asking for, starting with the post you are criticizing.

firstly, you're incorrectly reading my post. you intentionally misrepresent my post with your wording and also the sort of joke i was making by implying "memed about waiting for the age of consent" so i can indulge my porn addiction."

im going to disregard your application of harmful real world rhetoric to what is essentially fiction and go along with the idea that fictional characters are in anyway effected by my posting.

the main issue is fundamentally that you are misreading it. i know you are because i am the original poster and the author of this post - which means i can directly tell you that the point of this post is ironic.

it is poking fun at the people who have accused me of pedophilia for aging up a fictional character for years because he is now, in canon, an adult.

the irony of that is that i was doing what horikoshi was when writing my fics. the people who treated my aging up as invalid simply because horikoshi is the author are no longer able to wield it against me. the author has no confirmed his adulthood, which makes that argument moot.

your argument is that i was in some way making a joking about having waited for izuku to reach adulthood in order to sexualize him. this is blantantly incorrect and a misreading of the post in general. that is not something you can counter because if you've spent any time on my blog at all - it would be very clear i was already aging up and sexualizing characters on my own whims.

both posts for better viewing.

the other thing you spout off about is porn addiction. this is the main reason i didn't find any reason to take your points seriously. if you knew, researched, or understood any of the points you've borrowed from your peers on tiktok - you would know why porn addiction is not a term you can apply to erotica.

in the first place, there is no universally understood diagnostic criteria for porn addiction. there are other forms of research related to how porn interferes with cis-heterosexual partnerships and the quality of sex life and some affiliation with watching porn as a compulsive behavior - but neither of these things qualify as addiction.

pornography is a highly politicized topic because our society is structured upon old school protestant christian beliefs and puritanism. but pornography and sexually explicit materal is a difficult thing to quantify in usage. it is culturally ubiquitous and has several nuances in relation to its use. it is near impossibly to quantify sexual behavior because it is a normal, human urge like hunger or thirst whether or not you choose to believe that.

here are three articles making points about the claims around porn addiction from reliable sources that you're welcome to point out.

one | two | three

as i keep repeating - addiction is a specific line of behavior and being frank, it's rather insulting you think i suffer from a porn addiction given i used to do actual drugs and suffered from real life addictions lmao.

but if you want to use other addiction diagnostic critera in this argument. my posting on silly erotica tumblr does not

interfere with my daily life or relationships

negatively affect my performance in school or at work

cause me to withdraw from social situations

lose interest in my other hobbies and activies that improve quality of life.

none of the above applies to me. but im guessing you don't have any actual concern.

it's very clear to me and everyone else that your peddling of this term has nothing to do with whether or not i actually have the addiction - and everything to do with you attempting to moralize my behavior to an audience and boost up your own points.

if i really did have a porn addiction, implying i had an addiction - you are implying that this is something i should be ashamed of just as you are implying my fellow porn addicts should also be ashamed.

you see addiction as a point of shame and not a disease and don't show any actual empathy which makes you a morally bankrupt human being in my subjective view. you don't have any actual arguments about how this might effect my behavior or character. only that addiction (a thing people can't control) is bad, that i am bad for watching porn and being addicted to it.

neither of these are provable as you do not know me.

instead your attempt to find fault is to arm yourself with puritan talking points and internet tiktok buzzword language and make your clauses have some kind of ground or validity. it is trite and frankly embarrassing watching you come into my inbox with such confidence that you would be able to argue with me critically and meaningfully.

the last thing i will address is your point about this not being a popular opinion.

you are under the impression im not aware of this and that this is not a choice i've made deliberately so i will be kindly blunt.

i, unlike you, have formed these opinions with my own critical understanding of culture, sociology, psychology, and politics by researching and reading from people who study these things with more expertise than me.

these opinions are formed by my own discretion and worldview. they are unpopular opinions.

unlike you, my peers are not decided by my moral parading. rather, im frank and upfront with those world views and have formed a circle that agrees with them.

i do not need your validation nor the validation of people online to confirm whether or not im a good person. the reason people agree with me is not pity, but because they too have formed their own opinions and ours happen to allign.

you think this is pitying behavior because the people you choose to align with would cast you out for showing even a breadth of disagreement or critique. you have not fostered a space for intelligent conversation because you can't see disagreement without accusing someone of this or that.

you are all the same and you are all equally confident in your hivemind opinions. i applaud your audacity and admire your confidence in your own ability to argue something you've barely formed your own conscious thought about.

i dont need to detox anything and i dont care about being weird. i also, really don't care about you or your opinions.

you are unoriginal and boring, a pest of the highest pedigree and i don't find you intimidating. your inability to receive validation from your own moral character will doom you to shame and guilt for as long as you allow and thats much more punishment than i could ever dole out to you

have a good day pookie 🫂🫂

[rin-and-jade]

Copy, and then Paste! : A Post About Introjection

You know it—the title is based off the Ctrl C and Ctrl V function from computers, but did you know we have our own version too?

Introjection is more than just mimicry or replicating something though, it apparently plays a far more important role than you'd initially thought. Want to know the answer? Let's check it out then! (not a clickbait)

Okay google, what is: to introject

Out of 1253 results, here is the recommended definition,

"Introjection occurs when a person internalizes the ideas or voices of other people" from Therapist Development Center

From the related result, here are top 3 examples: - When you internalize the idea of "crying is for the weak" - When you believe that you're not good enough - "I must dress pretty so i am socially accepted"

You can introject many sorts of things such as behaviors, mindsets, beliefs, traits, concepts or even feelings.

Articles on: How introjection happens

Well, it is a very complex process on how introjection happens, or why. But this search engine (me) will try to explain the whole concept to you in a simplified manner!

We have started to introject many things ever since a child, the world is difficult on its own to learn from scratch, which is why taking in qualities and behaviors from what we expose ourselves to the most shapes how we navigate the world.

Call it a framework to work with,, it is used to learn manners, or understand how to respond to a certain situation by observing, then, these values are internalized, importantly shaping us as we grow older. Though, introjection doesn't understand good or bad qualities as they're seen as "the truth" to one's mind, therefore it's possible to introject literally anything.

It can also function as a defense mechanism, where we adopt these values and internalize them in order to cope, or to repeat similar tactics that proved to be successful for the previous person. For example, if you were bullied, bullying back will mitigate the hurt you could receive in the future. This generally represents fictives and persecutors respectively, though varies for each person.

Fictive.. Factive.. What is that, Siri??

There are many kinds of introjects.. they can be based from fictional medias, real people, or even concepts like art or songs. But what the??

Easy now, sure the amount of introject kinds could throw anyone off, but the concept still stands true, though it gets trickier when it comes to other introjected concepts such as OCtives or Songtives, which i will explain too.

Thing is, what will help you understand many different kinds of them existing, is envisioning that introjection operates in a spectrum. Thats right, they are on a scale.

The idea is that introjection exists in a continuum. Just like how alters have varying degrees of development (a shard, or fragment), this scale is not meant to simplify or categorize things in its literal sense, but to help visualize and understand the level of complexities.

The level of complexity of a scale lies at what it/you introjected: Lvl 1: Introjection - the most basic forms can start from traits, ideas, or concepts. Example: Alters that formed off songs, art, thoughts, and even feelings. Lvl 2: Internalization - then getting to more fledged values like behaviors, life views. Example: Persecutors who had internalized negative attitudes from abusers. Lvl 3: Identification - and then lastly, when you identify the qualities of a specific person. Example: General Introjects, Fictives, Factives. (identification varies in intensity)

Sometimes, these introjected qualities are absorbed by multiple alters or by oneself. If it does not get absorbed to a pre-existing part, a new alter will be created to contain these qualities that it has internalized instead.

An introject possessing multiple sources from different aspects is also possible due to this process. (these three terms are originally interchangeable as they are under an umbrella of introjection, but i prefer to use them to represent each levels)

There's no result on the internet..

"What bests explains multiple introjects of the same source? What's with source separation? What about the memories that comes with said source?" Might be the search history in your phone right now, It's okay to stop searching, your answers are right under these fingertips!

Duplication of sources

When it comes to multiple parts of the same or similar source, it can be due to reasons like current hyperfixation or resonating with the qualities of said media. It can as be simple as wanting to have the same qualities from the media, too. Lastly, comorbids like autism and BPD plays a factor on how often you will introject.

Even duplicates will not act the same as the other one, which means each can introject different things from the same source, in different intensity or variation or alternative versions of source.

Additionally, being polyfragmented increases the amount of fragments/alters that could form, thus contributing to higher chances of having duplicates.

Source separating

When one introjected the qualities of a person/media, there might be a chance they identify as person/media due to it. The idea is that when one associates these qualities directly to the person, which then has a feedback loop where because the specific qualities are present, means they are that person.

Continuing from the example of bullying to not get bullied, they might see themselves just like the bully from the past due internalizing its behavior, in general this is equivalent to identification. Any negative or positive qualities can be introjected that later grow to identification.

The notion of needing to source separate is not something that have to be forced upon immediately. As it should be a transient process where one has to detach from the current sense of identity with one that is original.

No one can be 100% free from introjection, so source separation would mean minimizing the intensity of identification while developing a more whole sense of true self.

Being attached to a source in some level can be a positive outcome to implement, especially if it reinforces positive emotions or memories. As long it is not causing harm to anyone, since sometimes the urge to become the source or convincing of being one can be destructive.

Source memories

Remember something that had happened to you, but never happened to the body? It doesn't mean the memory itself is entirely fake, it is more to abstract context like how dreams manifests according to how you feel on a specific situation.

Just like dreams, the whole accident may never have happened in reality, but it is reenacting what had happened in the past with its own version/remake.

This happens when the true event is too much to take in or remember. When you cannot remember what truly happened, the somatic and emotional aspects to the trauma is still intact. Which contributes to why these fake memories aren't entirely fake.

Its good to take note that having a memory of going through an event, that doesn't happen bodily, never means you do understand the true experience of such event. It's only the impressions and assumptions of it.

With that being said, you can understand what your source memories are trying to convey by matching up similarities in your current life, or uncover how you feel or think of the event. Then, you can start healing whatever was left unresolved.

A scroll to the end of the web

Basically to reiterate things, we do copy and paste people's qualities for a living. But, not as a mere function like how computers implemented it.

Don't forget to consider who you will be friends with and how it'll impact you socially, and double-check whether you have adopted someone's essence that doesn't serve a meaningful purpose for you. You do become what you are exposed to, just like how you are what you eat.

Feel free to let us know your introject experiences, it could help validate someone else's experience, too!

- j & chaos

[darkdumbass]

Hi there! This is random, but I really really love the way you do line art! I love how simple, clean, and direct it feels. It has great energy and feels really appealing! I’m trying to improve my own line art right now… I feel like it takes me a long time to choose the “right” lines and end up with clean finish. What to you think has helped you get up to this point with your line art the most? Do you have any suggestions of ways to study and practice? Any favorite artists you look up to for their lines?

I love your work ❤️ thank you

Hello! Thank you for the kind words. I enjoy doing linework a lot, so this is nice to hear :)

These days my line art is more of a "clean drawing" rather than what one usually imagines under traditional line art, which would be opaque lines with varying weight. Right now I like to use a brush that doesn't vary size with pen pressure but varies opacity only. It gives the lines a very soft feeling that I've grown to love.

I browsed through your art, and I was a bit blown away actually, because I think you have a fantastic energy and expression in your drawings, which is something I aspire to have myself. You are very knowledgable about line weight and shapes, so I won't bore you with explaining any of that, haha.

I think good line art comes down to confidence. Obviously, an artist needs a confident hand to avoid shaky lines, to lead them exactly the way they want to, to give them an energy. This sort of mechanical skill is acquired through experience.

But! I've always felt there is a sort of a mental side to this as well, which is best observed during traditional inking. You have to commit to your lines, you have to trust them. You have to sit back and give control to your hand, because with the experience it has, it also has a mind of its own. This sounds pretty out there, but it's about letting go and not overthinking it. I realized this when I looked up to Jim Lee's work as an older teen. There's a lot of videos on YT where you can see his process, which looks utterly effortless. Take this one for example. It's quick, so it's a bit rough, but it does look like his hand is just doing whatever!

I fostered that approach in my art while doing daily drawing from life - straight to inks without sketching. The drawings look wonky a lot of the time, but it gave me confidence where it mattered later. To this day, when I do clean lines in digital too, I adopt this mindset of letting go, which gives the lines more leeway, which also means that if the line doesn't go exactly where it should according to the sketch, I can still trust it. (Although contrary to this, I still put a lot of controlled effort into faces, and this approach comes more easily while drawing bodies and clothes.)

As for suggestions for practice, as I've already mentioned, drawing from life straight to inks (I recommend this over going straight to inks from imagination as that's extremely difficult, at least for me). Have a fast hand, and do long lines even if they come out wobbly. Try to let your hand roleplay Jim Lee here and there - let it do that flick that crosses a line it shouldn't have, let it make a turn with an accidental squiggle, let it pool a bit of ink at the end of the line. Fake it till you make it. At first, I suggest trying this on subjects that aren't your expertise (eg. in my case, draw a bottle instead of a person), so you don't subconsciously compare this to your best work, but make sure you're still having fun :)

Of course, it helps to like doing line art too. I don't know what your relationship to it is, but if it suffers, I suggest busting out the traditional inks with dipping pens, wodden skewers and brushes. It connects me with the process like nothing else.

As for my favorites, I can recommend one of my favorite manga artists - Satoru Noda. Superbly confident and energetic linework. Check out his series Golden Kamuy or Dogsred :)

I hope this will give you a small idea of how I approach my line art. It might be a mess… If you have any more questions as a result of this, or related to anything else, don't hesitate to ask!

[feretra]

my favorite thing about me being classified as a member of the moral police whom I called out for wanting violent misogyny and suchforth tagged?

if they knew anything — like actually anything — about me and the literary world, they would know i grew up and cut my teeth as a wee youngin’ on anne rice, chuck palahniuk, cormac mccarthy, bret easton ellis, and the marquis de sade. that george orwell is my favorite author.

that i read so much truly egregious, and legitimately traumatizing to many, pieces of fiction that it made me uniquely prepared to slosh through the horrendous piles of genocidal narratives that i am capable of feeling nothing. that is not normal, but it is a gift in a career path when literally everything you’re handling has the ability to rend your psyche five ways from hell. because that’s what i was training myself to endure.

sometimes i still have to stop and realize that i am criticizing horror and other works unfairly because the bar was shifted so profoundly when i was young, that if something literally does not traumatize or horrify me permanently, then it did not do its job. it did, i just no longer have a fair ability to judge the standard. this is as unfair to the author and the work as it is to myself, who hurt myself so deeply in my youth trying to find something that reflected my own horrors? that i unconsciously ruined my own enjoyment of fictionalized media through the power of what it can convey to me.

i did not learn my limits, which a very milennial and gen x rite of passage with the rogue internet of the past, but not exactly a safe one. this is why i am such a strong advocate the self-moderation of your own media intake, and have the critique that attempting to always keep putting or seeking to put characters in abject misery and torture does, in fact, drive the dehumanization of others in your mindset. when our media consumption — canon or fandom — begins to reflect that hyperviolence and detachment of empathy towards others, we often unconsciously adopt those behaviours through the memetic mindset of simply mimicking the characters we enjoy. visual propaganda does the same thing without attachment to brand image, usually, but sometimes. and this is particularly problematic for neurodivergent people, who often adopt portions of characters we love as a way of masking. this isn’t inevitably and always a problem, but it can be in situations like these.

so traversing that razor thin margin for your own wellbeing is difficult, but required.

even more than media consumption, i think this is is interesting when posed against my parenting style. most people don’t even realize i did parent. still parent. i raised my cousin’s two children from the ages of five to now, and i never kept anything taboo from them. they came into my care through addiction, they were acutely aware of the reality in which we live.

before i got these kids, the internet had raised them. they were like how i had been, but in elementary school. completely desensitized by their media consumption to the point that it damaged their ability to relate to other people, but especially peers their own age. it took a lot of work to fucking repair that, while adhering to my own guns about trying to not censor the world they grew up in. it took a lot of therapy.

elementary age kids shouldn’t have be placed into in-patient programming because the internet raised them for their formative years and gave them fucking reactive attachment disorder. and yet.

yes. just thoughts.

[drkarenhawk]

 Overcoming Fear of Failure with Dr. Karen Hawk’s Support

Fear of failure is a universal experience that can hold individuals back from reaching their full potential. Whether it’s pursuing a career goal, starting a new project, or taking on personal challenges, the fear of not succeeding can paralyze decision-making and prevent people from even trying. Dr. Karen Hawk, a compassionate psychologist based in Gilbert, AZ, understands the deep emotional and psychological impact that the fear of failure can have on an individual’s life. With her extensive training and empathetic approach, she provides expert guidance and support to help clients confront and overcome their fear of failure, fostering confidence, resilience, and growth.

Understanding the Roots of the Fear of Failure

Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert Arizona begins her work with clients by exploring the root causes of their fear of failure. Fear of failure often stems from a variety of factors, including past experiences, negative self-beliefs, societal pressures, or perfectionism. For some, past failures can create a mental block that prevents them from taking risks in the future. Others may internalize messages from family, peers, or society that failure is something to be avoided at all costs, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or anxiety.

Dr. Hawk takes a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to helping clients understand where their fear originates. She works with individuals to examine past experiences of failure and how those experiences have shaped their current beliefs and fears. By gaining a deeper understanding of the origins of their fear, clients can begin to challenge and reframe the limiting beliefs that have held them back. Dr. Hawk’s approach fosters self-awareness, which is the first step in breaking free from the paralyzing effects of fear.

Reframing Failure as an Opportunity for Growth

One of the most transformative aspects of Dr. Karen Hawk’s therapy is her emphasis on reframing failure. In many cultures, failure is viewed as something negative or shameful, but Dr. Hawk encourages her clients to see failure as an essential part of growth and learning. Through therapy, she helps clients shift their mindset so that failure is no longer feared but embraced as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow stronger.

Dr. Hawk works with clients to redefine their relationship with failure by emphasizing that no one succeeds without encountering setbacks along the way. She encourages individuals to adopt a growth mindset, which views challenges and failures as necessary stepping stones on the path to success. This shift in perspective allows clients to approach new opportunities with curiosity and resilience, rather than fear or avoidance. With Dr. Hawk’s support, clients begin to see that failure is not a reflection of their worth, but an important part of the learning process.

Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

Fear of failure is often tied to low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence. Individuals who doubt their abilities or feel unworthy of success may find it difficult to take risks, fearing that failure will confirm their negative self-beliefs. Dr. Karen Hawk works with clients to build their self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to take action despite their fears.

Through guided exercises, cognitive restructuring, and positive reinforcement, Dr. Hawk helps clients develop a more positive and realistic view of their capabilities. She works with individuals to identify their strengths, celebrate their accomplishments, and recognize the skills they already possess. By building a foundation of self-confidence, Dr. Hawk helps clients become more resilient in the face of challenges, knowing that they are capable of handling whatever comes their way. This newfound confidence makes it easier for individuals to take on new challenges without being overwhelmed by the fear of failure.

Addressing Perfectionism and Its Role in the Fear of Failure

Perfectionism is often a driving force behind the fear of failure. Individuals who strive for perfection may feel that anything less than flawless performance is unacceptable. This unrealistic standard can create immense pressure and anxiety, making it difficult to take risks or even try new things. Dr. Karen Hawk addresses perfectionism in her therapy sessions, helping clients understand how it contributes to their fear of failure and providing strategies for overcoming it.

Dr. Hawk works with clients to recognize the difference between striving for excellence and seeking unattainable perfection. She encourages individuals to set realistic goals and focus on progress rather than perfection. By challenging perfectionistic tendencies and embracing imperfection, clients can release the paralyzing pressure that comes with the fear of failure. Dr. Hawk also helps clients practice self-compassion, teaching them to be kind to themselves when things don’t go as planned, which is an essential part of breaking free from the perfectionism trap.

Developing Healthy Risk-Taking Behaviors

Fear of failure often leads individuals to avoid taking risks altogether, which can limit their opportunities for growth and success. Dr. Karen Hawk helps clients develop healthy risk-taking behaviors by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and face their fears in manageable ways. Through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement, Dr. Hawk guides individuals in taking small, intentional steps toward their goals.

Dr. Hawk also helps clients understand that not all risks will lead to success, but that’s okay. The important part is showing up and trying, regardless of the outcome. By reframing risk-taking as a necessary part of the growth process, Dr. Hawk helps clients develop a sense of agency and empowerment. Each successful step taken, no matter how small, builds confidence and reinforces the idea that failure is not something to fear but a part of the journey toward success.

Creating an Action Plan to Overcome Fear

For clients who struggle with fear of failure, Dr. Karen Hawk emphasizes the importance of creating an action plan. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of a goal or challenge, Dr. Hawk helps clients break down their goals into manageable steps. This approach reduces the feeling of being stuck or paralyzed and creates a sense of direction and purpose.

Dr. Hawk works with clients to identify their goals, outline the steps needed to achieve them, and establish a timeline for progress. She encourages clients to focus on the process, rather than fixating on the outcome. This shift in focus helps alleviate anxiety and builds momentum. Dr. Hawk also helps clients develop coping strategies for dealing with setbacks or obstacles, ensuring that they have the tools to stay resilient and motivated throughout the journey.

Celebrating Progress and Learning from Setbacks

As clients begin to confront their fear of failure and take action toward their goals, Dr. Karen Hawk encourages them to celebrate their progress, no matter how small. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging achievements and milestones along the way, which reinforces the idea that success is a journey, not a destination.

Dr. Hawk also teaches clients to view setbacks as valuable learning experiences, rather than signs of failure. By reframing mistakes or challenges as opportunities for growth, clients can maintain motivation and keep moving forward. Dr. Hawk’s approach fosters a sense of self-compassion, helping individuals recognize that setbacks are a normal part of life and do not define their ability to succeed.

Conclusion

Fear of failure is a natural human experience, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With Dr. Karen Hawk’s expert guidance and compassionate support, individuals can overcome their fear of failure and develop the confidence, resilience, and skills needed to take risks and pursue their goals. Through therapy, Dr. Hawk helps clients reframe their relationship with failure, build self-esteem, address perfectionism, and embrace healthy risk-taking. If you are struggling with fear of failure and are ready to move forward in your personal or professional life, Dr. Karen Hawk’s psychological support in Gilbert, AZ, provides a safe and empowering environment to help you overcome your fears and create a path toward success.

[ramakantthinks]

The Benefits of Reading: How Books Can Improve Your Mind and Well-Being

Reading is more than just a pastime; it has significant benefits for your mental health. Whether you’re reading fiction, nonfiction, or self-help books, the act of reading can reduce stress, improve focus, and stimulate your imagination. In fact, studies have shown that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by over 60%.

Reading also enhances cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and comprehension. The more you read, the sharper your brain becomes, helping you retain and process information more effectively. In addition to improving mental clarity, reading can offer emotional benefits, such as providing comfort, boosting mood, and promoting relaxation.

How Reading Improves Empathy

One of the most profound benefits of reading, especially fiction, is its ability to enhance empathy. When you read stories about diverse characters and experiences, you gain insight into other people's emotions and perspectives. This helps you understand and relate to people in your own life, fostering compassion and emotional intelligence.

Fictional narratives allow you to experience the world through someone else's eyes, encouraging you to step outside of your own reality and gain a broader understanding of human experiences. This increased empathy can lead to stronger relationships and a more harmonious society.

Reading as a Tool for Personal Growth

Books are powerful tools for personal development and self-improvement. Reading self-help books, biographies, and motivational literature can inspire you to grow, learn new skills, and adopt a positive mindset. Many books offer practical advice on how to overcome challenges, build healthy habits, and achieve success in various aspects of life.

Moreover, reading provides an opportunity for lifelong learning. With books, you can expand your knowledge, explore new ideas, and deepen your understanding of the world around you. This commitment to continuous learning contributes to both intellectual and personal growth.

Making Time for Reading in Your Busy Life

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find time for reading. However, by prioritizing reading, you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine. Start by setting aside 15–30 minutes each day for reading, whether it’s during your commute, before bed, or during lunch breaks. You can also listen to audiobooks while multitasking, such as during exercise or household chores.

If you’re not sure where to start, try reading genres that interest you. Whether it’s science fiction, fantasy, biography, or self-help, there’s something for everyone. Building a reading habit can be incredibly rewarding, and over time, you’ll begin to reap the many benefits it offers.

Conclusion: The Lifelong Benefits of Reading

Reading is a simple yet powerful activity that can enhance your mental health, boost your empathy, and promote personal growth. By incorporating reading into your daily routine, you can expand your knowledge, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. Start reading today and discover the countless benefits that books can bring into your life.

[jcmarchi]

How AI is Changing the Way We Tackle Conspiracy Theories

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-ai-is-changing-the-way-we-tackle-conspiracy-theories/

How AI is Changing the Way We Tackle Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories have always been a part of human history, drawing people in with stories of secret plots and hidden truths. But in today’s connected world, these theories are not just harmless gossip; they’ve become a global problem. With social media, false ideas like “9/11 was an inside job” or “vaccines have microchips” can spread across the world in a matter of minutes. These narratives can create distrust, divide communities, and, in some cases, incite violence.

Psychologists have spent years trying to understand why people believe in these theories and how to challenge them. Despite their best efforts, changing these beliefs has proven difficult. Psychological theories suggest that these ideas are deeply tied to emotions and people’s personal identity rather than logic or facts.

However, researchers have recently found that AI might offer a way forward. Unlike traditional methods, AI doesn’t just present facts—it engages in conversations. By listening and responding in ways that feel personal and empathetic, AI has the potential to challenge these deeply held beliefs. In this article, we will explore this newfound capability of AI and how it could change how we address conspiracy theories.

The AI Experiment: A New Approach

Recently, researchers conducted an experiment to explore whether generative AI could deal with the challenge of conspiracy theories. Their study, published in Science, employed OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo, a large language model (LLM), to engage conspiracy believers in personalized, evidence-based conversations. Participants were asked to share a conspiracy theory they believed in and supporting evidence. The AI then engaged them in a structured, three-round dialogue, presenting counterarguments tailored to the specific theory the person believed in.

The results were impressive. After talking to the AI, belief in the conspiracy theory dropped by an average of 20%. This wasn’t just a quick shift; the change stayed for at least two months. Even more surprisingly, people became less likely to believe other conspiracy theories. They also felt more motivated to challenge others who believed in similar ideas.

Why AI Works Where Humans Struggle

There are several reasons why AI stands out in addressing conspiracy theories by doing things that people often find hard to achieve. One of the key strengths of AI is personalization. Instead of using generic fact-checks or broad explanations, AI adopts responses to match each person’s specific beliefs and the evidence they provide. This makes the conversations more relevant and convincing.

Another reason AI works so well is because it can stay calm and neutral. Unlike humans, AI can allow detailed discussions without showing frustration or judgment. This ability allows it to maintain an empathetic and non-judgmental tone, making people less defensive and more open to rethinking their views.

The accuracy of AI is another critical factor. It’s been tested on hundreds of claims, and 99.2% of the time, its responses were accurate. This reliability builds trust and makes people more likely to reconsider their beliefs.

What’s even more impressive is how AI’s impact goes beyond just one conspiracy theory. It helps people rethink their approach to similar ideas, making them less likely to believe other conspiracy theories. Some even feel motivated to challenge misinformation when they see it. By tackling both specific beliefs and the broader mindset, AI shows great potential in how we can fight conspiracy theories effectively.

Implications for Society

The world is struggling with misinformation, and these findings bring a ray of hope. We’ve long been told that conspiracy theories can only be tackled with facts, but this study shows that even deep-rooted beliefs can be changed with the right approach. It’s possible to help people move out of the misinformation cycle by guiding them toward a more grounded view of reality.

AI’s ability to tackle conspiracy theories could have an impact beyond just individual conversations. It could help reduce societal conflicts caused by conspiracy theories—like the fear of vaccines or false election fraud claims- if used correctly. It could also play a role in preventing misinformation from spreading in the first place. AI could tackle false ideas before they gain traction by being part of education, public health campaigns, and even social media platforms.

Ethical Considerations and Risks

AI is powerful, but with that power comes responsibility. The same tools that can help debunk conspiracy theories could also be used for harm. Imagine AI being used to spread false information or manipulate people’s opinions. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure AI is used ethically. There must be clear rules, oversight, and transparency in how AI is applied, especially regarding sensitive topics.

The success of AI also depends on the quality of its training data and algorithms. If the data is biased, it could lead to inaccurate or unfair responses, damaging the AI’s credibility and effectiveness. Regular updates, ongoing research, and independent audits will be critical to identify and correct these issues, ensuring the technology is used responsibly and ethically.

A Broader Shift in AI’s Role

This study highlights an emerging shift in how AI can benefit society. While generative AI is often criticized for amplifying misinformation, this research shows it can also be a powerful tool to counteract it. By demonstrating AI’s ability to address complex issues like conspiracy theories, the study changes the standard narrative, showcasing AI as a solution to some of the challenges it’s often blamed for.

It’s a reminder that technology is neutral— neither good nor bad. Its impact depends entirely on how we decide to use it. By focusing on ethical and responsible applications, we can utilize AI’s potential to drive positive change and tackle some of society’s most pressing problems.

The Bottom Line

AI offers a promising new way to combat conspiracy theories by engaging people in personalized, empathetic conversations that encourage critical thinking and reduce belief in misinformation. Unlike traditional methods, AI’s neutral tone, tailored responses, and high accuracy effectively challenge deep-rooted beliefs and foster a broader resistance to conspiracy thinking. However, its success depends on ethical usage, transparency, and ongoing oversight. This study highlights AI’s potential to counter misinformation and promote societal harmony when applied responsibly.

[animalsandpetscare]

Awaken The “Optimist” in Your Dog

Introduction

Understanding Optimism in Dogs

Definition of optimism

Dog optimism is the natural inclination of these animals to view life positively and expect good things to happen, especially in the face of difficulties.

You can also try this product : Awaken the “Optimist” in Your Dog

How optimism manifests in dogs

Dogs who are optimistic frequently exhibit traits including wagging their tails, easy body posture, and an eagerness to interact with their environment. They are resilient and recover from failures fast.

Benefits of Optimism in Dogs

Improved overall well-being

Comparatively speaking, pessimistic dogs are more likely to be emotionally well and have lower stress levels. Their optimistic outlook adds to their feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

Enhanced resilience

Dogs that are optimistic are better able to cope with pressure and adjust to changes in their surroundings. They show a stronger desire to try new things and take on novel tasks.

Better coping mechanisms

Dogs who are optimistic tend to be better at handling hardship, showing signs of problem-solving and an increased capacity to get beyond barriers. They can stay upbeat even in difficult situations because of their positive mindset.

Factors Influencing a Dog's Optimism

Genetics

A dog's demeanor and perspective on life are influenced by hereditary predispositions. It's possible that some breeds are more naturally hopeful than others.

Early life experiences

Early life events that impact a dog's outlook on the world and degree of optimism include socialization, training, and contact with people and other animals.

Environmental factors

The way a dog is raised—its living circumstances, daily schedule, and exposure to stimuli—can affect how positive and optimistic they are overall.

Signs of Optimism in Dogs

Positive body language

Dogs that are optimistic frequently have open body language, showing off their loose muscles, waving tails, and alert demeanor. They could approach individuals and circumstances with eagerness and curiosity.

Eagerness to explore

Dogs that are optimistic show that they are eager to explore their environment and try new things. They could be curious and adventurous, actively looking for new stimuli.

Quick recovery from setbacks

Dogs who are optimistic tend to be resilient and swiftly recover from failures or unpleasant experiences. Despite difficulties, they exhibit a cheerful disposition and a determination to keep interacting with their surroundings.

Techniques to Foster Optimism in Dogs

Positive reinforcement training

Dogs' positive behaviors can be reinforced by using positive reinforcement strategies like praise and rewards. Through the process of linking pleasant experiences to desirable behaviors, pet owners can help their pets develop a more positive mindset.

Enrichment activities

Giving dogs engaging activities that stimulate their minds, such puzzle toys, interactive games, and outdoor excursions, can encourage curiosity and discovery in them and make them happier.

Consistent routines

Dogs might benefit from a sense of stability and predictability that comes from regular daily routines, such as feeding schedules, exercise routines, and social contacts. This can enhance their general well-being and optimism.

Avoiding Pessimistic Behaviors

Recognizing signs of pessimism

It's critical for dog owners to identify symptoms of pessimism in their animals, including avoidance behaviors, withdrawal, and extreme fear or anxiety.

Addressing underlying causes

Dogs who are experiencing negative emotions can benefit from identifying and addressing underlying causes of pessimism, such as past traumas, health problems, or environmental stressors. This will help the dogs adopt a more optimistic view.

Creating a supportive environment

It is possible to foster confidence and optimism in dogs by providing them with a loving, patient, and understanding environment.

Bonding with an Optimistic Dog

Building trust and rapport

Developing a solid relationship with dogs that is founded on mutual respect and trust is crucial for encouraging optimism. Dogs and their owners can develop a closer relationship through regular training sessions and positive interactions.

Engaging in mutual activities

Playtime, training sessions, and outdoor experiences are examples of things that both the dog and owner enjoy doing together and can strengthen the bond and encourage positive behavior.

Understanding your dog's needs

It is possible to customize interactions and activities to encourage optimism and general well-being by taking the time to get to know your dog's unique requirements, preferences, and personality features.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Optimistic Dogs

Stories showcasing optimistic behavior

Dog owners who want to foster optimism in their own pets may find motivation and wisdom in hearing about the experiences of real-life optimistic canines.

Lessons learned from these cases

Thinking back on the takeaways from these case studies—like the value of resilience, positive reinforcement, and fostering a caring environment—can help dog owners in their endeavors to bring out the best in their pets.

You can also try this product : Awaken the “Optimist” in Your Dog

Conclusion

Recap of key points

Developing optimism in dogs can yield several advantages, such as increased resilience, better coping strategies, and general well-being. Owners can assist their pets in leading happier and more meaningful lives by learning what influences optimism in dogs and putting positive behavior-fostering practices into practice.

Encouragement to nurture optimism in dogs

It is our responsibility as responsible pet owners to provide our dogs affection, support, and encouragement so they can develop a positive attitude on life. By bringing out the optimist in our dogs, we improve our relationship with them and add to their general contentment and wellbeing.

DISCLAIMER

 Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service using the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission.

[arifreko]

About Denny Ja and the Movement for Women's Empowerment in Religious Interpretation

In recent years, attention to the issue of women's empowerment has increased in Indonesia. One of the figures who was active in this movement was Denny JA, an intellectual and social activist who fought for gender equality in religious interpretation. Denny JA has long realized the importance of the role of women in social and spiritual development of the community. He believes that an inclusive and progressive religious interpretation is able to provide greater space for women in contributing and taking an active role in the lives of the people. In the view of Denny JA, the interpretation of religion that is packed patriarchal often limits the role of women in society. This makes women often marginalized and experience discrimination in various aspects of life, including in religious matters. Therefore, Denny Ja tried to build a women's empowerment movement in religious interpretation. One of the first steps taken by Denny Ja was to hold discussions and seminars on women's issues in the context of religion. In this event, Denny Ja invited various religious leaders, academics, and women activists to share their thoughts and experiences. This discussion becomes a useful forum for participants to understand more about the problems faced by women in the context of religion. In addition, Denny Ja also conducts research and writing about women in religious interpretations. He explored the religious literature and gather evidence to support his inclusive and progressive views. The results of this research were then published in the form of articles and essay poetry, so that they could be accessed by the wider community. Denny Ja hopes that the knowledge and understanding obtained from this research can be the basis for formulating religious interpretations that are more inclusive for women. Not only active in the academic world, Denny Ja is also involved in social movements that fight for women's rights. He often became speakers in public events that discussed women's issues, including issues of violence against women and gender equality. Through his participation in this social movement, Denny Ja is trying to increase public awareness of the importance of empowering women in religion and society. Denny Ja also acts as a mentor and coach for female activists involved in this movement. He provides support and guidance to them to continue to fight in fighting for women's rights in religious interpretations. Denny Ja believes that by working together and supporting each other, this movement can be stronger and succeed in achieving its goals. In the course of the women's empowerment movement in religious interpretations, of course there are challenges that must be faced. Patriarchal religious interpretations are still widely adopted by most people, making it difficult to change the mindset that has been embedded in culture. However, Denny Ja was not discouraged and kept trying to overcome these challenges. Denny Ja believes that through education and public awareness, slowly but surely, inclusive and progressive religious interpretations can be accepted by more people. He hopes that in the future, women will have broader access in participating in religious interpretations and can contribute equally in community development. In an effort to achieve these goals, collaboration and support from various parties are very important.

Check more: Denny Ja and Women's Empowerment Movement in Religious Interpretation

[strawberryfight]

Thought provoking indeed! I admit the term “gift economy” is new to me, plus I struggle to hold onto any hope that the majority of mankind is not purely motivated by self interest and immediate gratification. So with that in mind, I can’t help but think that if we (Americans and/or other capitalists) attempted to adopt a gift economy it would prove futile. I imagine most initial attempts would be done in earnest. However, over (a likely short amount of) time, the givers would become accustomed to the praise they received for their selflessness and generosity. Then the giver comes to expect this praise from their peers or onlookers - thus corrupting the system. We live in an age of social media “like and subscribe and tell me how much you love my content!” dopamine addicts. (I am guilty of loving that tiny, short-lived rush too.) I think it’s reasonable to assume that mindset would effortlessly trickle over and taint good intentions. Then there’s the receiver’s end…I think an unhealthy level of competitive nature would arise (a by product of capitalism to some extent) and each time a gift is given, the receiver would then try to “one up” the other in some way. I think the best way to give and truly not expect anything in return is to do so privately, anonymously. I suppose an anonymous exchange would make it difficult to build specific relationships, but in my opinion (for whatever it’s worth), it is the most realistic approach for this day and age and for the people living in it.

I am not anti-capitalist, though I’ve seen some of its negative effects and shuddered. I am not anti-gift economy (now that I have learned the term), though I’m not convinced it is achievable today. I am not against trying to do good or hoping for a better future. I am a Matthew 6:1-4 proponent.

Robin Wall Kimmerer's The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World has been my lullaby the past couple of nights. It's a quick read but left me with a lot of thoughts. I had to write them down.

I have yet to read a work of Robin’s that I did not appreciate. The Serviceberry, however, is a bit more uncomfortable than her previous books. Not uncomfortable in a bad way, per se, but it brings to the surface of our consciousness the many ways we as humans have dug ourselves into disconnection. Culturally, we have become so detached that even a “nature lover” like me finds it difficult to look at the gift economy, which The Serviceberry illustrates, without a degree of cynical skepticism. It has me wondering, is a gift economy even possible? Are people, from those who buy brand new Christmas decorations every year, to those that revert sacred land agreements in the name of economic expansion, really capable of treating a gift economy with the respect it would require to function? With hope, I wonder if those people (and the pieces of myself I see reflected within them) have solely become the way they are as a side effect of the machine we live in. Would they not exist within that mindset if it were not for our systems of disconnection that have long been in place? And if not, how did the system originate? It is hard, as an American, to even imagine what the other side of anthropocentrism would look like on a cultural scale. 

It also trudges up questions of how capitalism feels beneficial to us. Despite knowing the diversion it causes, it seems scary to let go of. To call it comfortable may be a stretch for many, but familiar certainly fits. Capitalism promises us opportunity. In the systems available on a global scale, it is special to be able to create your own profession, especially one that exists on the cultural periphery, even if the promised opportunities for doing so are limited. It also feels special to swing by a coffee shop to pick up an iced coffee with raspberry syrup you can’t find anywhere else. Little treat culture has its hand on my heart. But are little treats an attempt to fill the void of our disconnection? Would we even desire little treats if we were continually recognizing life itself as the greatest gift that can be given? And it is given. Over and over and over again. We owe our whole lives to this fact. 

So how do we heal the rift we’ve created? Kimmerer offers grassroots solutions. Within our own communities, we can recognize the gifts we have to share. When we have more than we need, pass something along. This can exist within capitalism, and in spite of it. Perhaps big problems don’t always need big solutions. If we emulate nature’s economy - gift giving - within our own lives, within our small circles, perhaps the circles will radiate forever outwards, like the ripple created by a pebble dropped in a pond. Perhaps we can find our mirror, as Robin draws the comparison, in rapid growth after ecological disaster - like a wildfire, for example. Scrub trees and other fast growing plants come in to quickly colonize the area, but are later replaced and pushed out by the species designed to stay. In that sense, perhaps we are in a phase of mandatory learning. Perhaps, in Earth’s time, our systems divorced from nature will soon be replaced by something meant to stay.  

[skaldish]

Could you expand upon your ideas around how Venerating a Deity doesn’t mean trying to embody what they represent? I was raised in a church that literally said the word “worship” meant “to try to become like”. So I’m fascinated by how you could worship a deity of a thing and not want to make more of that thing out in the world. I want to learn a new paradigm

Happy to! I love talking about paradigms.

Firstly…

Different religions and denominations conceptualize "worship" differently.

This includes "what you do to worship" but also includes ideas around "what gives worship its value."

"Trying to become like a deity" is something I've seen specifically associated with Evangelism and Fundamentalism (perhaps others, but this is what I know). It's derived from the idea that Christians are warriors of god and that it's their duty to act as his voice and hands on Earth. This is derivative of their doctrinal idea that they need to "save" people by any means necessary. (Teaching people to define who they are through God makes people dependent on God for a core sense of self, which is a huge reason why it's so psychologically awful to leave these denominations. It robs you of everything you are and leaves you with no way of creating yourself anew.

It's one thing to admire a deity and aspire to adopt some of their attributes as a point of personal growth; it's another altogether to teach people that they need to replace their inherent personality with a prescribed ideological construct. I loathe it entirely.)

Now, Catholics don't tend to interpret worship as the act of "trying to be like God." Given what I've observed and what I know of their ideology, worship for them is largely a function of sacrifice. You sacrifice your time, skills, wealth, etc. to God, because giving up things that are difficult to give up is how you show you really mean your devotion.

(I've seen this behavior in Heathens, actually, when they do things like buy top-shelf mead only to pour every last drop of it out on the ground for Odin or similar.)

I also take a lot of issues with this form of worship because I know why it exists: Extortion. The Church learned hundreds of years ago that guilt-tripping people out of their money (in exchange for salvation, an unfalsifiable concept that they neither had to prove nor procure) was an excellent way to get rich and powerful with impunity.

Clearly you caught me on a day I'm feeling extra-spicy towards Christianity. But I bring those two up in detail because I know a lot of my followers come from these backgrounds, and having more points of differentiation is important.

See, the real pitfall here lies in thinking that Christianity represents the "default" for how religions work, when in reality it's the grand exception, given all of human history.

The other religions I know about (with the exception of Judaism) are distinctly polytheistic: Shinto, Hinduism, Buddhism, and various flavors of Paganism. These all have different models of worship because they all have different, culturally-informed philosophies about how divinity works. Religions are inseparable from the cultures that create them for this reason, and why switching religions is a function of adopting a completely new mindset, not just a new set of gods to venerate.

Norse Heathen Worship

Since this is a Heathen blog I'm obligated to talk a bit about this.

How we worship as Norse Heathens is still a matter of debate, but that's because we're still figuring out how to define "worship" within the context of how it operates as a spirituality.

At no point did Norse Heathenry have a governing body, a religious figure, or a holy book to guide practice. Things developed organically, unique to their time-period and location, and stories were (and are) passed down via oral tradition rather than written down.

Many Heathens mistakenly think we're missing religious mandates, hence why they're so bent on trying to find them or devise them. I think this is a mistake.

A religion's architecture derives from the values, worldviews, and agendas of the culture/people behind it. The reason why a Christian's relationship with God looks like a Lord/servant dynamic is because the religion was shaped by lawmakers, and "loyalty towards the law" was a value they wanted to instill in the general population. Christianity was used to shape politics, so politics in turn shaped Christianity.

Norse Heathenry didn't have this function, so rather than reflecting political values, it reflects cultural ones. The stories are allegorical representations of cultural ideas, which themselves are based in the context of animism—the idea that everything operates as an ecosystem, and divinity is inseparable from that ecosystem.

This is all to say that the way Heathens worship is largely a byproduct of how they interface with that ecosystem. How this looks is something we choose based on what we find connection with, as opposed to mandates given to us.

Some people might find this kind of answer unsatisfying because it doesn't lead to any directive on "how to worship," but that might be because we're used to thinking of worship as a "duty," as opposed to what is actually, anthropologically is: A type of enrichment.

How I Worship

The way I go about worship is the same way I go about any kind of social bonding; through collaboration. In my mind, venerating deities is functionally identical to socializing with them, and like any socialization, how that's done varies from deity to deity. Anything I do in my practice—offerings, devotional art, etc—is informed by what I perceive them liking.

(Keep in mind I'm a hard polytheist, and I'm a hard polytheist because it's the only descriptor that could describe how I experience deities; as beings with autonomy divorced from my own will. A soft polytheist would conceptualize this entire thing differently.)

I also personally conceptualize "veneration" "devotion" and "worship" all differently, which is why you'll see me use the word "veneration" to describe what most people call "worship:"

Veneration is the general state of reverence or respect for something we hold spiritually important, such as a spirit, deity, or ancestor.

Devotion is a kind of enthusiastic dedication that emerges from love.

Worship is a ritual activity done as a gift for a god.

But this is just how I understand things for myself. They're not a reflection of how these things are thought of in Norse Heathenry. (In fact, they're mostly a product of the fact I initially learned about worship through observation, rather than experience. But I figured I'd bring it up anyway to provide an additional dimension to your paradigm explorations.)

I'm not sure what else to say so, uh…feel free to follow up with questions in case you want me to dive more into something.

[psychhound]

How to Survive a Haunting now launched on Kickstarter! Running 3/2/23 to 3/31/23!!

ID in Alt

In How to Survive a Haunting, you play as Stranger, an entity plagued by ghosts who try to possess you, and take over your home and your life. Luckily, you have come across a mysterious old journal, written by a man only referred to as The Journalkeeper. He has spent his life studying ghosts, and made it his mission to record everything he knew about how to defend yourself from them, and how to tame them

On the journey to taming your ghosts, you will represent your accomplishments through tokens, keep a magical deck of cards that help you ward off unearthly possessions, and log your adventure in a journal. The Journalkeeper will walk you through each stage of this process, and teach you how to customize the game to fit your specific needs

Haunting is a gamified mental health aid, designed to help people learn more about how their body works, adopt a challenge mindset, and achieve post-traumatic growth. It is designed with a light horror aesthetic (though no actual scares in the game) to meet people in the mental space that they’re at, and not make light of extremely difficult circumstances. It is geared towards the recovery of those with trauma and (c)PTSD

artwork by @prose-n-scripts

Haunting was inspired by my own journey of recovery and exploration with gamification and tabletop roleplaying games as I struggled for years with PTSD, dysphoria, mental health issues, and more. Games were a safe space for me, and allowed me to grow and heal more than almost anything else. With games, I was able to put the power of recover into my own hands, go at my own pace, and focus on what was important to me

I wanted to create Haunting to help all the people who may find traditional therapy unhelpful, intimidating, inaccessible, or unsafe. Or for others who find therapy helpful but need more structure and guidance outside of sessions. Haunting explores many different ways to help your brain and your body, explains the science and psychology behind its advice in cited research, and never breaks character as a helpful old man giving advice on ghosts

It is geared entirely around building self-efficacy, building resilience, and achieving post-traumatic growth

The funding goal is $3500. This original goal funds for consultant Hayley Twyman Brack, a therapist and avid gamer, to go over the game and make sure everything is cited from the latest peer-reviewed research, and make sure all the psychology advice is up to date on the latest therapeutic practices

I am pulling the knowledge in this game both from my own recovery journey, and my last two years as a social worker working with a large variety of clients with disability and mental health challenges

If we can reach a little further than our original goal, the game will be fully illustrated by wonderful artist Vicky @prose-n-scripts

Please check out the Kickstarter page to learn more and spread the word to anyone who may be interested! I believe in the power of the TTRPG community to make this happen! Thank you everyone!!

[reddragon-cowboy]

Stoicism. Bushido. Apathy

Spike doesn’t give too much thought to worry or anxiety. When things turn left or right, things that take a turn for the worst, things that are out of his control, he allows it to run its course as he accepts the reality of the situation with little hint of stress – not allowing the futures uncertainty to influence his attitude in the moment of utter doom. He prefers to portray a calm, easy-going demeanor in those situations, even finding a way to derive pleasure in those last, small moments in the wake of disaster, such as casually smoking a cigarette when he thought he was gonna die. This implies he likes to take a pause and enjoy the simple things, even when things might be falling apart around him. Spike refuses to panic and give in to fear, knowing death is a certainty in an instance he can no longer control his fate, so there’s no point in worrying what’s inevitable.

This influences his view on death where he has no fear of it. Even when he was younger there was no such fear. And as a full adult, he believes he has died once in the past, but this mindset he adopts is based on him faking his death to leave the crime syndicate and elope with his lover to start a new life. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. And her abandonment caused him to think there’s no point in living, in being alive, if he can’t have love – love is the strongest motivator that inspires life to sprout and burst within him. Without it, he feels dead. He never felt truly alive until he met her, and it’s the period where he truly felt he had something to lose – her.

This mindset also falls in line with Bushido, the way of the Samurai: to consider oneself dead so as to not fear death when it comes upon you, allows him to be fearless and accept when the time comes. Which was important to the Samurai because they may be called upon to give their life at any moment – in a life of service or seppuku ( the form of taking ones life in an act of honor). He takes the Samurai spirit during his adolescence while training in the syndicate along with learning Jeet kune do under Mao, until the belief wavers when he meets Julia where he has an actual reason to live, to which the idea of dying scared him for the first time in his life. He then desires to experience true freedom and liberation to live the life he wants while in love – the way of Jeet kune do.

But this stoic mindset he adopts could be misleading to others. Mistaken for being a stoic, he really wears an apathetic countenance due to depression. Not that he’s uncaring about things or people, but he’s lost the will to care about what happens to him. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care for other people, their well-being, and life in general; he’s depressed, and it makes it difficult to find joy in life. And as a realist deep down, he accepts the reality of a situation in a realistic way, whether it can be helped or not. If it can be helped, he’ll jump to action to prevent injury to the best of his ability, if not, he moves on and tries not to dwell on it. Seeming apathetic, he may have little words to say as well, following how a samurai should speak: Seldom and only say what is needed, in which allows the other party to try to decipher the small meanings hidden within his words.

[mariacallous]

The devastating earthquake on Feb. 6 that ravaged south and central Turkey and northwestern Syria, resulting in the loss of more than 46,000 lives, revealed many fault lines beyond those in the earth. It’s been noted that the disaster has exposed the widespread corruption—in the form of the many shoddy construction contracts that were approved by the government despite tightened regulations that had been adopted after the 1999 Izmit earthquake—on which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule of 20 years has been based. But the earthquake has also brought to light a fault line between the country’s scientists and academics and a regime based on contempt and disregard for knowledge and expertise.

Turkey’s scientific community of geologists, engineers, and architects knew and warned that an earthquake might occur sooner rather than later. Turkish Academy of Sciences member Naci Gorur, a professor of geology, warned about active earthquake fault lines three days before disaster hit Kahramanmaras and neighboring provinces in early February. He had told the public and the government that it should soon anticipate another violent trembling of the earth. When I visited the Academy of Sciences in mid-December, this possibility was being openly discussed.

Of course, earthquakes, like tornadoes, are notoriously difficult to predict, but when they do hit, they may be less devastating to life and property if well-established international scientific and technological guidelines have been followed. These include not only construction guidelines but also preparations of large empty spaces in the centers of cities and towns where people can congregate when buildings shake, crack, or start collapsing. Instead, the Erdogan government granted zoning amnesties to contractors that allowed them to ignore safety codes and skirt construction guidelines.

Building on a monumental scale has been the mark of Erdogan’s regime. The new Istanbul Airport—which opened in October 2018 and slowly replaced the old Istanbul Ataturk Airport—has a planned capacity of 200 million passengers per year. Its size of 7,594 hectares (19,000 acres) will make it one of the world’s largest airports, ahead of those in Beijing, Atlanta, and Dubai. The writer Kaya Genc observed: “Many consider the airport and Erdogan’s two other huge infrastructure projects, a new intercontinental bridge in Istanbul and a canal connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, as irrational endeavors.” Even Erdogan has called them “crazy projects.”

The proposed canal connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara has been opposed by scientists, architects, and urbanists for years on account of the ecological damage it could cause to life forms, ancient waterways, and the historic center of Istanbul, which would become an island squeezed between the Bosphorus Strait and the new canal.

Yet Erdogan’s magical thinking does not stop at building projects. His economic logic has been equally remote from scientific assessments. To pay for this frenzied construction, he has kept interest rates low for years, leading to a substantial fall in the value of the Turkish lira. A well-known academic and journalist friend put the matter succinctly: “I try to stand where I am financially, but the ground under my feet shifts me and sends me backward.”

Political theorist Hannah Arendt observed that a certain defiance of reality and remoteness from facts are characteristic of totalitarian thinking. Erdogan is not a totalitarian ruler but an authoritarian one in a country struggling to maintain the institutions of a multiparty democracy. His dismissal of facts as fabrications of his enemies and his contempt for those who point to economic or environmental realities that cannot be bent at will are characteristic of his mindset as well. Having devoted the last decade to a Kulturkampf against the media, universities, academics, and scientists, Erdogan is depriving Turkey of one of its most important assets in the hour of its greatest need.

As Ersin Kalaycioglu, one of the country’s distinguished political scientists and constitutional experts, observed in an email to members of the Turkish Academy of Sciences with regards to the government using the earthquake as an excuse to shift all university education online: “It is a big mistake to burden our young people with all the difficulties of online instruction precisely after two years of the COVID pandemic during which they were not able to receive a proper education.” Whether the government wanted to use university dormitories to accommodate thousands of newly homeless victims or whether, by disbanding students from campuses, it wanted to defuse political organizing and resistance is a moot question. Probably both considerations were involved in the decision reached by Erdogan and the Council of Higher Education.

Oct. 29, 2023, marks the centenary of the Turkish Republic. Turkey rose from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire after a war of independence against European imperial powers that had been dividing the country among its inhabitants—and repressing the memory of the genocide of Ottoman Armenians in 1915. It could have been  a model for post-colonial nations everywhere.

Yet during my visit last December, my colleagues’ and former students’ pride about the anniversary of the republic was tinged by a discouragement and sadness I hadn’t seen before. Two decades of rule by Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party and his Machiavellian authoritarianism had left them demoralized. Many doubted that elections scheduled for June 2023 would actually be held. Some of my aging relatives there, in their 80s, believe that, if Erdogan seems likely to lose, the elections will not be held. With martial law now declared in provinces hit by the earthquake, and with the magnitude of the disaster becoming public in the rest of the country, Erdogan may postpone the elections until the hostility toward his party has subsided and his fortunes appear more secure.

It may seem churlish to view natural disasters through political lenses. Yet the economist Amartya Sen’s study of famine in India showed that open societies, in which knowledge and information flow freely, are better able to cope with catastrophic events than are authoritarian regimes that repress the circulation of solid information and professional assessments.

It is too late now for the 40,000 dead and the millions of others who fear for and mourn their loved ones, their livelihoods, and their homes, but the fault lines bared by this catastrophic quake must be bridged in the future. The 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey is the right occasion.

[o-wyrmlight]

Anons on this site have such brainworms "this real life person expressed an opinion and analysis over something i dont like so im going to go into their inbox and tell them to kill themself, i am so smart and stand for justice"

Grow the fuck up, get off the internet, and realise that your little bubble is actively making you a worse person. Not you Bill, you are delightful <3

Fun fact: The word 'gay' used to mean 'happy or carefree' for centuries before it became re-adopted to refer to homosexual men, and even then, it became a slur.

Nowadays, gay is a reclaimed phrase that now references anyone under the homosexual and homoromantic umbrella. I'd bring it up as being the same pretense as lesbian, but with the whole crimew debacle, it's not what people are focusing on. And like I said--nowadays 'gay' is used as a broader term, even though it's still more associated with men than not.

Words change and shift in definition over time, like it or not. No one definition of a word is ever going to be universal--there are always going to be people who have a different interpretation of the word than you do. The word 'gay' once meant (and still does mean, though not nearly as frequently as it did before) cheerful and jovial. Then it became a slur of hate before being reclaimed by the community it was being used on. Now its definition has broadened, even if the very general definition still speaks by and large to men liking other men.

There's a lot more to it than that, but yeah. While I definitely don't know absolutely everything about LGBT+ history (a lot of the time, I get a bit stressed out about how people in the past were treated), it is something that I will do more research in.

The point is, you can't control how other people identify themselves and how their words are used. All that it does is make it more difficult for people to find words to identify how they identify and makes them much less likely to even try.

Even if you don't understand why they use something like 'bi lesbian', it isn't your role to come up with a narrative about what that person is trying to imply. And it isn't a good mindset to automatically assume that your perspective is more 'right' than them. All that it does is is exacerbate the whole 'us vs. them' mentality, which is terrible because all parties involved are in the same community.

Regardless of your opinion in the matter, your perspective does not deserve demeaning the life and existence of someone else just because they use a word a little bit differently than you. I understand that lesbian is a term that was specifically catered to exclude men, but calling yourself a lesbian does still carry its meaning in strongly implying that you at the very least prefer women over men.

Besides. The people who aren't going to respect lesbians aren't going to care whether people call themselves bi lesbians or not. It's not going to change their mindsets over whether or not they 'deserve' a particular woman, because there will always be people who think that they can 'change the mind' of a self-identifying lesbian, even if she's both homoromantic and homosexual. People are entitled like that. But there are also always going to be people who respect those preferences, as well, because--here's an important thing to remember--not all men are evil and out to get you.

I could go on about this so much more, but frankly, I'm just writing down my thoughts as they come, and if I continue, I'll be here all night. So. Yeah.

I have a lot of thoughts in my mind about this and other tangential issues, but I don't want to ramble on for too long.

I'm going to leave this off by saying that going up to other people, telling them to kill themself, and saying you hope they die in a fiery plane crash will never be helpful to anyone, and it doesn't prove you're right.