Posts by Hannah Nelson4

Here you go, fellow forum members. This is exactly why Christ died.

Christians physically shielding Muslims during prayer.

wearyowl29 said:

I honestly can't stop thinking about Florine! There’s just something about her that stays with you, isn't there? I was sitting in my kitchen this morning—sipping on some coffee from Starbucks, mind you—just reflecting on how certain people leave such an indelible mark on our lives. It’s funny how that works! You meet someone, and suddenly their energy becomes part of your own internal landscape. Anyway, I digress! My point is, Florine is truly one of a kind. Just a bright, shining light in this big, messy world of ours. kaže:
How do you all approach the whole idea of death? Do you get those pre-emptive jitters about your own end, or are you more the type to sit in quiet mourning when someone passes away? Personally, I tend to drift into deep thought about it quite often! It’s one of those heavy topics that always seems to pop up when you least expect it. I find myself pondering the "big picture" more than I probably should. Sometimes I think about my old grandfather—he was such a stoic man, always focused on the present moment—and I wonder if I'll ever reach that level of peace. Anyway, I’m curious! Is it something that keeps you up at night, or have you found a way to make peace with the inevitable? Let's chat!

Someone else’s passing is always such a heavy reminder that our time here isn't infinite. It hits you right in the chest! But honestly? I’ve been thinking about it lately—what’s inevitable is never truly a loss. We aren't just vanishing into thin air. Death is really just the long way home, bringing us back to exactly where we started. It’s all part of the cycle!

Honestly, we’re just standing here crying and mourning like we’re losing our coastline to the tide—but really, we’re just mourning ourselves.
We really are selfish to the core, aren't we? It’s just one of those things. I was sitting on my porch yesterday, sipping some coffee and watching the neighbors, and it hit me: humans are wired this way. We focus on ourselves more than we care to admit!

I agree with this.
We don't actually mourn the deceased; we mourn the void they leave in our own lives.
Death shouldn't be a tragedy. It's a rebirth, similar to how we transitioned from the womb into this world. We die to one life just to embrace the next.
Personally, I'm almost looking forward to my turn when it comes 😁

wearyowl29 said:

I can't believe I'm actually saying this out loud, but sometimes you just have to lean into the chaos! It’s like that one time I was stuck in traffic on the I-95—just total gridlock, nothing moving, and I realized that if I didn't laugh, I’d probably lose my mind. Life is exactly like that. You try to plan everything out, you try to be so precise, and then *bam*, reality hits you right in the face. It's all about embracing the messiness of it all! Everything feels much more manageable when you stop fighting the current and just start swimming. Just a little thought for your Tuesday! kaže:
Let's get back to my buddy. How on earth does he actually break free from all those temptations?😛

Ha... Rilke!😍 He once said, "I’m terrified of driving away all my demons, just in case I end up driving away the angels, too..." It really makes you think, doesn't it? It's like when I was trying to declutter my garage last summer—I wanted to toss out all the old junk, the broken tools, the rusted scraps, thinking it would finally feel peaceful. But then I realized some of that "junk" actually held the memories of projects I loved! If I had been too aggressive with the cleanup, I might have lost the soul of the hobby itself. There’s a delicate balance between purging the darkness and accidentally tossing out the light. We need a little bit of chaos to stay human, I suppose!

So, honestly? Let them call upon their demons and their angels! Everyone should just go out there and take a stand based on what they believe. Paths open up and shut down right before our eyes—it’s all part of the dance. At the end of the day, life is really just a wild cocktail meant for the brave!

Well put. It’s essentially that parable from the Bible about the wheat and the weeds.
When the crop grows and yields fruit, the weeds show up too. That’s exactly how it plays out when we look at our own lives. We think we’ve planted nothing but wheat, but then we look at the field of our existence and realize it isn't just wheat—there are weeds in there, too.
When they asked if they should start pulling them, Jesus replied: NO, lest in gathering the weeds you uproot the wheat along with them.

If we spend our lives worrying about what is wheat and what is weed, constantly trying to weed everything out, we'll likely miss the whole point. It’s usually just ego masquerading as holiness—trying to force a version of perfection we invented ourselves. That isn't spirituality. It's just a need for control, driven by ego and a thirst for success. And there is nothing more dangerous than "spiritual success," because most of the time, it's just an illusion.

Ryan Wilson2 said:Let me put it this way: if you have an interest in the mob, if you start reaching out to them, if you actually go through the motions of joining the syndicate... after a while, you aren't the one running the game anymore. It’s the other way around. The organization begins to deal with you, and at that point, there is simply no escape.

Speaking from experience? 🤣

It's like standing on the edge of a skyscraper, staring down. At some point, you lose your sense of reality and the ground beneath your feet. You merge with the abyss, lose your balance, and fall...

wearyowl29 said:I’ve got a rabbit's foot and a medallion featuring a Catholic saint.

Now, I don't personally view them as mere fashion accessories—though I know some people might disagree with me there😲—but I truly believe they have a deeper purpose. So, I wanted to ask you all: which one should I carry when I head out the door?

Who or what will provide the best protection and keep any kind of evil from touching me while I'm on my journey?🤷

What is the actual difference in how they work—you know, having a rabbit's foot tucked in your pocket versus wearing a saint's medallion around your neck?

So... thoughts?

There's no difference. They work the same way. They turn you into merchandise.

wearyowl29 said:
It’s time to clear the ground, dig deep, and plant something new.
Clean your tools, roll up your sleeves, and let's get to work.

For those of us hanging around here, how much self-reflection actually happens? What kind of mental framework are we using when we look inward? Do we just take our own humanity for granted?
What does it actually mean to be human—what defines us, and what doesn't?
How much do tradition and heritage shape our perspective?

Who are we, really...are we truly free, or have we just tied ourselves to certain things just to feel the illusion of freedom????🙂

And how exactly do your questions tie back to religion?

I assume you're hinting at religion with that bold text.☕

Jeremy Alvarez5 said:I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.

Religion, in all its dogmatic rigidity, serves as the foundation of faith. It acts as the structural pillar supporting everything that drifts away from raw belief and relies on an individual's subjective experience...

Religion as an escape from one's own conscience and God? A very clever way to justify absolute freedom...

Isn't it a bit clumsy to claim religion is just an attempt to exert control over something more powerful than ourselves? Who exactly would that "more powerful" entity be? God?

How is it even possible to bow before God while simultaneously trying to exert control over Him?

Jeremy Alvarez5 said:I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.

"That man," whatever you choose to call him, was God Himself manifesting just to introduce His own laws...

Jeremy Alvarez5 said:I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.

Boldano, you’re just explaining all your posts here. That’s your right, and that’s your truth. I’ll emphasize that: YOUR truth.

It’s interesting how much you lean on prejudice and generalizations despite those wide-open eyes of yours... are they actually open?

Let’s look at where all these posts spreading at lightning speed are actually coming from. Every single day, there are more of them....
Do these New Age posts have a specific source? Can we pinpoint the exact moment this invasion began?

It feels a bit pretentious to try and tear down dogmas without providing any actual evidence to the contrary...

driftingtiger2 said:I’m not a believer. I respect those who are and can hold my own in a conversation about faith, but it’s just not my thing. So, a spiritual retreat? Not sure how much that would actually do for me.

This isn't about believing in God. It's about believing in yourself and your own strength.😉

But that's your call. Just a suggestion...🙂

driftingtiger2 said:Hey everyone,
I’m just completely drained. Spent the whole night crying without even knowing why... These last two years have absolutely gutted me. For months now, I’ve been dealing with constant migraines, stomach issues, and this sharp pain in my left chest. I have zero motivation. My palms are constantly sweating—I actually have a tissue on my desk right now because I can't stop wiping them.
My mom is seriously ill, my dad lost his job, and my brother is caught up in some legal trouble that has me terrified for him. At work, we're going through a massive reorganization; ten of my closest colleagues were already laid off, and I feel like I'm next in line. On top of that, I recently watched someone I love die from lung cancer. Then my dog of 14 years passed away. Even with my husband, it feels like we're just roommates. We don't talk about anything because he's so closed off, and intimacy is basically non-existent... just a formality once a month.
Lately, I catch myself thinking about how much easier it would be if I just wasn't here. I just don't have any strength left...

Are you a believer?

I'm not here to preach, but some kind of spiritual renewal might actually provide some relief...🤷

Most people in my circle aren't religious, yet they found their solace and answers through faith.

slypuma17 said:You could be the next Einstein for all I care, but once panic sets in, you’re going to react in a way that's anything but brilliant. Honestly, it borders on idiotic. That’s just how human nature works when the pressure hits a boiling point.

Beyond that, if you’ve got this deep-seated need to prove yourself—or worse, a paralyzing fear of failing—it all leads back to the same dead end. It completely shuts you down.

So, my advice? Just step out of that frantic "survival mode" loop. Tell yourself, "So what if I fail again? So what if people think I'm not the smartest person in the room? Who cares what they think?"

Just stay calm, take a breath, and everything will work itself out. 🙂

signature

For me, intelligence fluctuates between complete idiocy and pure brilliance depending on my stress levels, how much sleep I got, or just how my day is going...

Don't worry about it. If you were smart before, you still 😉
are. Intelligence isn't static either; it grows or fades over time based on how much you actually use it.

Bryan Palmer3 said:I honestly can't help but feel like everyone would just have a much easier time if I weren't even around.

God, just thinking about how many times I've felt that way. Honestly, there were more times when I felt fine than when I didn't...

It feels like the whole world is crashing down on you and nobody gives a damn what happens to you under the rubble...

That's just life and growing up. Especially if you're a sensitive soul—you absorb everything around you deeper than most people. In those moments, it sucks. You wish you could just be some detached kid who doesn't care about anything. But later, once you mature, that depth becomes a beautiful thing... feeling the world that deeply... 😉

As for friends... well, if they're real, you won't stay fighting for long. If they aren't, then there's nothing to mourn. Sometimes you have to cut people out for your own sake...

Things will get better. 100%. This sad phase will pass and you'll be smiling again, then eventually a bad phase hits, then smiles again... it goes on forever. It’s just about learning how to handle it... 🤷

steelmason82 said:I did.... and what are these geniuses going to do about it? I sent messages to everyone I was privately chatting with, just so they’re aware... since most people didn't even notice this happened...

I'm about to lose it.🤣

I knew something shady was going on.
Unbelievable. It's crazy what people get up to... 🙄

I had to back you up... so if we have to go down together, so be it. 🙂

There’s a cure. Stop thinking so negatively. Don't dwell on him; instead, think about the friends you'll spend Christmas with, going sledding, hitting the town at night, meeting someone new... they'll smile at you, you'll smile back, and you'll feel those butterflies all over again... ahhh... I just love winter 😍

Ethan Garcia8 said:Does it matter if you have the fruit before or after the snack? It's all the same. Also, you don't really need to drink water right before eating because it can dilute the stomach acid. You should just stay hydrated throughout the day instead of drinking it specifically before or immediately after a meal.

It actually matters. If we're following the rules, fruit is a snack... which means you should have it two or three hours before hitting the meat.

For me, once things start sliding, it’s never just one bad day. It’s usually an entire week of pure misery. Just one disaster after another...

urbanraven16 said:Nah, you're better off just heading down there in person to sign the waiver since they haven't actually started enforcing the service yet.

Once they actually get moving on it—assuming the statute of limitations hasn't kicked in first—you can always just settle the fine at any point to shut the whole thing down...

So you're saying if I'm actually ordered to show up and do the time, paying it off—even a year late—cancels the service? Won't someone just look at me and say, "Sorry honey, you aren't digging ditches today!"?

About a year ago, I got pulled over and slapped with a $167. Got the bill in the mail.
I haven't paid a cent since (and honestly, I can't even find the paperwork anymore), and now I've received a court summons.

It states...
...regarding whether I agree to swap the fine for community service... or face jail time if I don't.

So, what are the odds I can just pay this thing now and avoid the whole "alternative sentencing" headache?
Is it actually worth asking them to resend the invoice...

I was wondering the same thing 🙂

Try holding a plank for as long as possible every day after your run. Since you're supporting your entire body weight on your hands and feet, it builds serious strength in both your core and your back...

Steven Hall2 said:So it's essentially just like coffee then...🙂
how far in advance do you need to take it, and how long does it actually take to kick in?

No clue, maybe half an hour... I usually just grab some when I’m losing my mind because the workload is getting ridiculous. You can find it on Amazon or something, I think it's about $5...