I see a lot of posts discussing the darker sides of the gods, places where they’re harsh and demanding and somewhat terrifying. And, honestly, it makes me a little sad. I get that those sides are there, that they are very present facets, but that doesn’t meant that it’s all they are. Perhaps we all see what we need or want to see, but I find that there is a forgiving and accepting side to them as well. Our gods are not without fault – why would they not accept fault in us? I take comfort in the perspective I have of the gods.
To me, Frigg is the warmth of hearth and home and family. She can be stern, but it stems from love. Skadi is the one who is pushing you to be more, be stronger, stay true to yourself and test your own limits. Idunn is warmth and sunlight and laughter. She expects you to work hard, but she’s also about apple pie and country kitchens when you’re sad. She’ll give you a hug, and then tell you the dishes won’t wash themselves. Sigyn is that strong, quiet voice that tells you that you can make it through the next day, who will listen to your sorrows but not let you wallow in them. Bragi is the burst of inspiration when you need it, the well-meant voice telling you not to continually make excuses. He’s a well-timed joke or reference just when you need reminding of how much more there is around you than your small woes. I always find that devotion of time and energy and work seems to suit my interaction with the gods best. I can’t think of things they would better appreciate (except occasional home-made cider).
Of course I know they have their harsher sides, and their disinterested sides, and everything in between. But I think sometimes we need to be reminded of their softer sides as well.
…although even their softer sides can be a bit interesting. I will always maintain that it was Loki and Idunn who thought that an amusing wakeup call for me would be to literally drop a bunch of apples on my head and watch me fall out of the tree. If nothing else, I sat in the mud and had a good laugh when I had not laughed in some time.
Category: Uncategorized
One of my best friends recently told me that if I died he would kill himself. And I know he meant well and that he tought he was just being a good friend but now I just feel scared. I am not a safe person to make that promise to. I am so scared that I might do something and that he will end up dead because of me. I don’t want to bring that kind of pain to his family or friends. I am so worried for him if anything happens
TW: Suicidal ideation
Hi Anon,
Right now, I am more worried about you. The way you are talking about yourself worries me because you say you’re “not a safe person” and you’re “scared [you] might do something.” If you are going through difficult things right now, I would urge you to reach out to someone who can help: a friend, loved one, relative, doctor, teacher, counselor, etc. If you can’t promise your friend that you can stay safe, then actions need to be taken to help you feel better and get back on your feet. Your well-being is just as important as your friend’s. Both of you cannot help each other until you have helped yourselves.
Suicide Prevention
- Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
- Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
- Volunteers of America Learn information about suicide, understanding suicide, and handling suicidal threats.
- Feeling Suicidal? Please take a moment to read this post on how to cope with suicidal thoughts.
- Want to help someone who is feeling suicidal? This post on suicide prevention might help.
- The international association for suicide prevention is dedicated to preventing suicidal behavior and alleviating it’s effects. It also has links to forums.
Helping a friend
- Want to help a friend with a mental illness or disorder? This post provides some great tips.
- Want to help a friend or loved one with Social Anxiety? This post provides some great tips.
- How to help a friend experiencing an anxiety or panic attack.
- Helping a friend who has an eating disorder.
- Living with & Loving Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder
- NAMI guide on helping a struggling friend
- Helping a friend or family member
- 9 things not to say to someone with mental illness
- ActiveMinds guide to helping a friend you’re worried
- More tips on helping a friend
Getting & talking to a therapist
- This post on picking a therapist has some great tips.
- This is a step by step on getting a therapist.
- Psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or counsellor?
- 50 Signs of Good Therapy
- Having issues with therapy? Here are 50 Warning Signs of Questionable Therapy
- 21 Tips for getting the most out of each therapy session
- 6 Ways to open up to your therapist
- What should happen in a session
- 5 Tips on how to talk about yourself in therapy
I hope this helps you.
Best,
Lena
Gentle Goddess,
teach me to play.
I’ve seen the joy You take
in the smallest thing of beauty.
Teach me gentleness,
the sweetness of Your song.
I want to sing, as You sing
when You know Loki is listening.
I wish to be among those nurtured
by Your tender hands,
a bright flower
pruned by Your gentle fingers.
Teach me to love,
as You love:
without condition.(x)
Mental Health Awareness Week from October 5-11
Even mermaids can have a mental illness, for a mermaid has no tears and therefore suffers so much more.
I’m that one person out of every five who has an invisible illness. I’m a suicide survivor. These are two reasons why I chose to per-sue Counseling Psychology in college. It’s also why I wanted to become a mermaid; not just to make myself happy, but to make others happy as well. Help raise awareness for mental illness by sharing this post.
Know that you are not alone.
The irony to me about that situation that we all chronically live in is the harder you try to protect the people around you from being uncomfortable with the fact that you are sick, the more invisible it becomes.
Amberlin Wu, patient advocate (via flares-of-fibro)
Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and the deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment.
Not the best pics, but this was an impromptu shoot after the fitting of my custom corset mock-up. It’s an Electra Designs rounded long over bust style corset. The finished corset is going to be grey – very plain but perfect for any occasion. I’m purchasing it for daily wear to ease my fibromyalgia symptoms. The lovely squeeze from a corset actually detracts from my chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia. Not everyone is the same when it comes to fibro so a corset may not work for you. Off the rack corsets can be very comfortable, but for my purposes I went custom. I’m very fortunate to have snagged a spot from the designer. Her work and customer service is top notch.
I’m fairly new to the corset community. Any of you corset?
Oh my god, yes absolutely, when I can’t sit up because I’m exhausted or my back is aching my corsets are a godsend. The downside is that occasionally I get costochondritis, and I have to watch that the corset doesn’t bring on a spell o’ that.
That corset looks like it’s going to be GORGEOUS.
What is Emotional Detachment
1. This is an inability to connect with others in a deep and meaningful way.
2. Thus, although the person may be physically present, they are not emotionally present in the relationship.
3. In fact, sometimes the person will dissociate, or experience emotional numbing.
4. Emotional detachment…
✧ Tropes vs. Sigyn [1/?]Neutral Good [x]
- Will usually comply with laws if doing so benefits the greater good, but rebel against those they consider unjust or which conflict with the greater good. They value freedom and will do what they can to protect the freedom of others, as long as it’s not used to do harm.
Good is Not Soft [x]
- A genuinely friendly, sociable, caring person who is always looking out for their friends and family and trying to do the right thing—but that niceness doesn’t extend to giving free passes to the truly vile and horrific among their enemies.
Badass Pacifist [x]
- A person who, without doing anything violent, is much more awesome than many of us will ever be. They command respect even though they never go on the offensive, especially those who prove capable of defeating an enemy without using any violence whatsoever.
Holding the Bowl 