#self-image

[90s-kid-sad-adult]

it's the rest of the world that's ugly

[quotelr]

You were born an original work of art. Stay original.

Suzy Kassem

[spiritualseeker777]

[the-healing-mindset]

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PLEASE remember this, beloved. There are people out there who will do nothing but try to tear you down and damage you just because they are damaged and broken. You don't have to accept everyone's critique and feedback. If you sense that they are trying to mess with your sense of self, cut them off.

[moltenglory-writes]

I'm Also Bad At Titles

I'm not a shrinking violet.

I'm not shy or retiring.

I'm a wallflower because I can't dance,

but I'm fun to sit next to on the wall.

I'm a gossip, but I try to be kind.

Or let's talk philosophy, I'm game.

Maybe avoid politics unless you've got game.

I'm not shy, remember?

I will hurt your feelings, tugging heartstrings,

and I earnestly will people into Leftism.

Let's talk hobbies, or history, or trade lives.

I'll go as deep as you'll let me;

I'm a student of the human condition.

My empathy hurts with you.

I'll carry your grudges too, share please.

Cantankerous, deeply disappointed optimist,

any number of names I wear.

Idealist? Sure, but pragmatically so.

I'm not a "great gets in the way of good" girl.

I do what I can, with what I have, when I can.

Fight with me, carry MY grudges,

and I'm more loyal than a swan.

I want to feel comfortable and safe.

I can smell narcissism & hear sociopathy.

I'll never be fooled again, my anxiety said no.

I'll carry your burdens, your burro.

Of course I'll help you move.

I'll break myself to give back my gratitude.

Let me share my love & devotion working.

My advice is to suggest percussive maintenance. First.

Oh I failed? Outside I'm all "try, try again".

Inside, I'm losing the battle vs. self-hatred.

Why do we abbreviate versus?

I bet the Catholic Church is involved.

Not conspiracy. Just Canon law history.

ADHD, clearly. Any fool (except Mom) can see.

I wasn't supposed to be the weird kid.

Oops. Medieval hobbyist & armoured fighter.

Sorry, Mom. I'm too neurodivergent not to.

Special interest, of course. Since childhood.

Self-love is not so out-of-reach.

Healing is a journey, growing is a battle.

Everything's a battle worth fighting.

But remember, I'm not a shrinking violet.

I'm loudest when yelling at myself.

Self-indulgent, whiny, anxious.

A mouthy, chubby housecat.

Or a mean, bratty succubus.

Lustily, I roll along, a menace.

My vices up in smoke.

Creativity, leadership, kindness, I guess.

And I'm modest too (ha).

But I am, and I will cheerlead you...

until it's obnoxious, frankly.

You'll love me anyways, if you're my people.

Found family, blood of the covenant.

There's that loyalty again, respect too,

where it's earned & due, anyways.

Don't betray me, or lie. I'll know.

But don't let truth get in the way of a good story.

Let me love you for who you are.

I like you relaxed and open.

I love you unmasked and weird.

Cringe is dead, bitches. Live your life.

The blunter, the better, I say. Oops. I'm sorry.

I'll figure it out, eventually.

Just like I'll eventually figure out this poem,

and how to just fucking end it

because I'm always too wordy.

But brevity has never been my thing.

.

.

[shadowsofcontrol]

Narcissistic abusers carefully craft and project an image of perfection, competence, and respectability to the outside world, meticulously controlling how others perceive them. 🎭 They go to great lengths to appear flawless, confident, and in control, masking any signs of insecurity or inadequacy. This facade is maintained through manipulation and charm, allowing them to dominate their environment while hiding their vulnerabilities and fears. By promoting this idealized image, they not only deceive others but also reinforce their own distorted self-perception, ensuring that their weaknesses remain hidden.

[momentsbeforemass]

Change

Change is hard.

Changing you? That’s the hardest.

If you’ve ever tried to make a significant change in your life – whether it’s something physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual – you know this all too well.

We can throw up so many roadblocks to our own success. Often unwittingly. That we really have to focus on us, on what we’re doing in order to make any headway at all.

It’s critical to have that focus.

But it’s easy to get so focused on the work that we’re doing, that we don’t see the effect that the change in us is having on other people.

It’s a classic problem for people who are in recovery from an addiction. Or trying to get out of a life of crime. You can predict with horrible accuracy the success or failure of someone’s efforts by the response of the people around them.

The thing is, that dynamic isn’t just limited to obvious situations. That same dynamic – the impact of the people around you –applies to all types of positive change. Even the less obvious ones.

Why?

Because your attempt to change, your attempt to do better, to be better, to be healthy, to live up to the potential that God has given you? Will be a threat to some people.

There are people in your life right now (some of whom are surprisingly close to you) that define themselves in relation to you. And not in a good way. Not in the sense of “I’m so glad I know her.” Or “he’s such a good friend.”

But in the (often unspoken) sense of being in some way better than you. Part of their self-image is tied up in something they look down on you for. They make themselves feel better by laughing at some perceived fault or weakness in you.

And when you change that? You disrupt their entire world.

So don’t expect them to let that go without a fight.

BTW, that is exactly what Jesus is dealing with in today’s Gospel.

Jesus has started His public ministry. He’s preaching a message that rings true. He’s healing people.

You’d expect people to be really impressed, really excited. And some of them are.

But not everybody. Not the people who have defined themselves by looking down on Him as “the carpenter’s son.” As the stepbrother of James and the other sons of Joseph.

These are the people in Jesus’ life whose self-image is tied up in something they look down on Him for. In seeing themselves as better than Him.

When Jesus changes that? He’s disrupting their entire world. And they’re not letting that go without a fight.

What’s important for you and me? To see is how Jesus responds.

First, by what Jesus says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place, and in his own house.” Which means?

Their negative reaction doesn’t negate what He’s doing.

Jesus is doing what God has called Him to do. And people whose self-image isn’t based on an unhealthy view of Jesus are (rightly) amazed to see the transformative power of God in action.

What Jesus is doing is valid. Their lack of approval doesn’t change that.

This is their problem. Not His.

And second, by what Jesus does. Jesus doesn’t argue with them. Jesus doesn’t try to convince them. And Jesus doesn’t stop what He’s doing so they can go back to being comfortable in their prejudices.

Jesus does not waste His time with them. Jesus does not engage.

Jesus goes right back to doing what God has called Him to do.

This is their problem. Not His.

Jesus keeps His focus on God. And on what God has called Him to do.

That is how it’s done.

In case you ever wondered how to handle the haters in your life.

Today’s Readings

[90s-kid-sad-adult]

[stoicmike]

You will never see a photograph of yourself that looks like the self you imagine yourself to be. -- Michael Lipsey

[quotelr]

You carry God, hence you have a worth.

Sunday Adelaja, Create Your Own Net Worth

[essseateatarot]

Have you ever gazed at a tarot deck and wondered if it held the key to unlocking self-love, body acceptance, and that unyielding confidence you’ve been searching for? It’s a curiosity that often dwells within us, hidden beneath layers of self-doubt and longing. We’re about to embark on an extraordinary journey that will defy your expectations of what tarot can reveal.

Join me as we delve deep into the profound connection between these ancient cards and the raw, human emotions that shroud our body image, insecurities, and self-esteem.

It’s a journey of vulnerability, empathy, and unearthing the truths we often keep locked within.

[gennsoup]

"It's a matter of fact that there's no way to avoid feeding vanity, no matter what line of work you're in."

Helen Oyeyemi, Boy, Snow, Bird

[the-healing-mindset]

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[anxovert]

[onenakedfarmer]

EDMUND WHITE City Boy: My Life in New York in the 1960s and 70s

There was something stubborn in me that didn't want to lose weight to attract a man. If the right man came along, he'd be able to see my virtues magically. Once he kissed me, the frog would turn into a prince. I had become a trick question, a heavy disguise, but behind the disobliging exterior was the welcoming child I would always be. Of course, what I'd forgotten was that he was not Parsifal and I was not the Grail; the medievalism of my imagination was not sufficiently up-to-date to recognize that the lover was a shopper and I a product.

[thatdamnokie]

all i have to do, to give myself a reality check, is to go onto facebook or whatever and find a photo or content made by a creator with a body that looks like mine or a face that looks like mine and read all the comments about how people think she’s ugly, unlovable, disgusting, etc.

it’s a reminder of how i’m seen by the world.

i wish i was dead. i never asked to be here. i never asked for any of this.