A F F L E C T I O N

Want to hear a secret? Powerful people have preyed on me, and I am so afraid that the cycle will continue with me. I fight it every day.

CONCERN TROLL // Urban Dictionary explains: In an argument (usually a political debate), a concern troll is someone who is on one side of the discussion, but pretends to be a supporter of the other side with "concerns". The idea behind this is that your opponents will take your arguments more seriously if they think you're an ally. // Read: people who want you to do things their way and know how to manipulate you into thinking you came up with the idea to do so yourself. Ever walked out of a meeting wondering how you caved so easily? // Just the latest in a series of things I'm learning in my thirties. So don't offer miracle cures, or helpful diet tips, or how-to-raise-your-child tips to people. Listen. Listen. Learn to empathise. Yes, life is tough. We all know that. And we all hear you cynics when you say millennials are over-entitled brats who constantly feel oppressed. That the world is going to shit because everyone's whinging about how tough life is and - oh no, governments are legislating for a more inclusive society - overreactive and troublesome in practice. Yes, there's trouble when change is implemented. What's NEW? It's what you do about it. Do you want to connect to other humans and learn to give and receive support? Or do you want your opinions to be louder than your ability to be constructive? The latter is attractive in short debates. The former is imperative for survival. You choose.

I told my love I couldn’t find the beauty in life anymore. And he told me that I was the beauty. 

I love the sound my rings make Against my tea cup As my face sinks into its brim  And the rain washes away the morning The light is dim  And I forgive  Myself for existing so jarringly The only joy left in my life Is your laughter My journaling And as many cups of tea As I can bear to  Share With someone like Me