whistle-blower

After hearing a message about the topic of affirmation, I was inspired to make an infographic to hopefully express that feeling as well.

This is one part of that message: The Sandwich Approach

Don’t be like Squidward, where in one episode in Spongebob Squarepants cartoon series, was too afraid to even taste the burger (sandwich), be courageous and project that positivity not only towards the people whom you love but to all the rest as well.

Agony Aunt's Reply: Eccentric Is The New Sexy

Dear Cathrine,

I am glad you reached out to me and had chosen to send me this particular message, that only shows that you trust me as a person who is capable of giving you words in hopes of helping you from your current, distant thoughts and problems.

You know, there are certain moods that us, people acquire at a certain kind of time; may be chirpy at something that they had fun doing, happy when they're just having a great day, and grumpy for something that might've upset or just not having that great day.

Some have differentiating attitude, taste in music, type of living, kind of aesthetics so on and so forth.

In your case, you would like to have and be a part of a circle of friends, but at the same time you like being alone. I think you're that kind of person who can work about something anywhere... in a quiet room, any places in your home, but you choose to do it in school, because you don't actually want to be alone, even though you had grown into solitude... one can still be alone but still will be wanting of the company.

People don't just have any type of person in their group, there's no way to guarantee you can join any specific group, if you're not naturally compatible with a group's members and its mini-culture, no amount of savvy or technique is going to let you join it, short of you, masterfully pretending to be someone you're not, and if you'd need to do that you should look into your motivations for wanting to join it in the first place.

You might ask right away, as you mentioned that if this is done in personal, you shalt not be able to tackle such things, then again I assume a question will be asked by you as why would you even sit by yourself... well maybe, you feel like you don't deserve the company, learning that the people in that then group you were willing to join has intimidated at the idea of trying or worry about getting rejected because the group seems so tight and closed-off.

You also mentioned regaining reading and became your coping and defense mechanism to some things that may be used to avert your attention from the "noises" of the world, sound waves that intend you not to spend your curiosity to and in means of keeping yourself away from the negative forces that come with it. There's no bad thing at reading, it's actually good at reducing stress levels by 68 percent besides preserving brain health and lowering risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia. You might not have such bad mental illness, but won't it hurt as much if you remember and will still be thinking about the fun you could've done in life with friends you actually made effort in making through the passing of time?

All that would have been awful, but good thing you included that reading was one of the activities that you had to sacrifice in order to get friends.

Speaking of friends, it's also good to know that you have your loyal friends that ever have proven themselves to be understanding and despite not being countless, I'm sure they are ever so glad to listen and help you in any way they could.

In the end, I know you can do such thing as pulling things together despite having some bump on the road to friendship, but groups do not define you whether you are good or a bad person to be friends with, being alone is not an indication that you would rather be companionless, and mainly, you doing things for them does not tell that you are weak, submissive even because you're only showing that what you want is harmony, meaning no discording aura present, but albeit standing to accept the circumstances haven't been the best of your advantages, you managed to take the high road and leave the bumps to the side because you have some friends to do some moving on and living with.

I trust you know these things already, but what you said in the end of your message truly touched me, "Being unique and eccentric is never and will never be a bad thing." I mean, who would've thought that eccentric is the new sexy, but in all seriousness though... I'm proud and grateful you understand, relying on yourself, a once reject but now, you've become someone that'd learned from your past. Never be those people who defile the living just because of being out of the ordinary... do not condone for there will not be someone to be there anytime you'll be needing them, value the friendship you have and in utter earnest, be your own strength.

From your sincerest,

Agony Aunt

"Dear Agony Aunt: A Lot in Common"

Disclaimer: The character, "Lucy Morningstar" will be representing me, the writer of this prompt, assuming that the noun, "agony aunt", meaning a person who writes an agony column, is my aunt in the story.

*start of prompt

sometime in the '10s

Dear Agony Aunt,

    I hear you've been quite a talk in Upprite City (the city where repented people go) spending your time in counseling, helping them heal out of agony and alleviate their worries through therapy sessions; things here have drastically changed, since you left Sin City, but before you ask me about anything, I want to tell you something Auntie A, something about my... concerns... and agony.

                                                                                    From your one and only,

                                                                                    Lucy Morningstar 😈👧

2 days after date of sent letter of pleasantry

Dear Agony Aunt,

Thank you for replying back to my letter.

    I know I'm not someone to worry about things, I mean, I'm Lucy Morningstar, "the" devil's daughter. But this time it's different, I remember walking rampantly through the halls of our school towards the lunch area, because Ms. Smith had done it yet again, the overtime she's so fond of, and my stomach is "not" having a good day.

As I was on my way, I think I got hit by a hefty, quite a debonairly man and somehow knocked me off to sleep...

    The deepest, darkest thoughts have corrupted my entire siesta that somehow told me of my current sitches, one is whomever this man that have taken me down from my uprightness and mission to quench my tummy's hunger, I'll make sure he'll know that he had interfered with the lightbringer's daughter and if not only the people around me with their feet not lengthier than Filipino foot size, 9-10 are in my way to reach my destination.

    But really, some things occurred in my head like it was real... first and foremost is my relation to my father, that because he's the one to blame for human's immorality, I am being called out as one too, now I understand why father is so problematic about it; another thing is that some human named Dianna Enchano... err, wait, Ecahno? Oh no, oh! Echano. Sorry, people who often write and read her last name is rather vexing, I mean, it's not even that hard to read. Anyway, she had embarked a part in my existence and mind, that she and I had a lot in common, for instance is that we're both being body-shamed for having such slim forms, people might not be insinuating it, but she knows what they truly mean behind their, "just joking" one-liners.

   Another is living up to people's/my world’s expectations, Dianna and I just got our grades on the same day, and we are in grieving right now for we know we had done it all, gave our best and actually did what we had in our energy but that's just not enough for people who, I think doesn't even know how to do these things we'd done for them and of course to my parent's prospect, for me to be fulfilling my vile existence in the world, because come hell or high water, emphasis on hell, as the only child will be the next ruler of the underworld.

   Avoid saying things out loud that are rather offensive, this I'm sure, shows my regretful attitude not only because I said it but also for hurting people even if it's not intended to hurt them; and I've watched Dianna, blunt and honest as always, fail a friendship just because of being like it (straightforward), that's really painful, she's cried herself to sleep, since then, she was being vilified sub rosa. I mean, those things had just slipped out from our lips because we intend to let them know of our non-sugarcoated insights thinking it might help them realize something far more valuable than leaving a good thing.

    I've come to an end, conceiving that the insecurities, pleasing souls/people, and harsh blunting are screaming out of concern, and you guessed it... agony.

    I had just woken up this morning Auntie A, and I hope you'll help me understand and teach me on how to make me a better daughter, I want to make Dad proud, also I want you to reach out for Dianna, albeit I want to be able to go to her, I don't have the capability that'll be needing Dad's consent first to let me do so, I want you instead, to be an instrument to alleviate the pain.

    By the way, the man who bumped into me was Uncle Torturo, who just came back from earth after some kind of assignment Dad sent him to do; after the very moment I woke up, I know he made sure to be there, because he was in impeccable attendance when I did wake up, he told me that he was actually looking for you, blabbering about you non-stop and something about not replying to his letters. He was practically frantic every time he talks about something that has relevance with you... really Auntie A, what is it that Uncle's so worried about?

                                                                                  From your one and only,

                                                                                  Lucy Morningstar 😈👧

*end of prompt

"Change is Coming!"

Duterte along with his famous catch phrase, "Change is coming" won May, 2016 elections largely because of a vow to kill tens of thousands of drug dealers, also promising on the campaign trail to close a loophole in the juvenile justice system that he said allowed traffickers to use minors as narcotic couriers.

Because of this, that campaign trail based on our national issues and "silent economy killers", a campaign offered to society, specifically to the most important assets of the nation, which are the children, in need of nurturing and commendable undergoing of counseling and rehabilitation after committing of crimes an adult offender would've done.

Here enters Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center or IJISC, a special facility within the youth care facility or 'Bahay Pag- Asa', functions as a detention center for people under age of majority or under the age of eighteen (18) to which they have been sentenced and committed for a certain period.

Children who've committed serious crimes are actually provided of here, and treated in different stages that will be determined by the court's initial period of placement meaning that they will be treated in a fairly consulting manner, a rehabilitation practice which will only be attained of the implementors given the situation of the children is a relief, that they are in good hands, remembering that the system is planned of being funded, under the budget of the Department of Justice.

Some might argue, that this punishment is too severe and creepily planned; if you take away a child's innate exploration, you take away it's joy of doing so.

However, children have their own differentiating perspective and mindset, and certain ones have gone into the wrong path to be explored in; committing crimes, murders and illegal drugs.

Such things that parents nor those in their inner circle can help restrain, but only the facility that the government can help with the capability of the sufficient budget be allocated, and a holistic program be employed to promote the welfare of the children and enhance their opportunities in life.

Children are the principal citizens of the country... would we just let them wander around committing crimes and have them grow up in the society they rob from and start chaos in? This republic act didn't exist in the past and look at what's happening to the country, full of corrupt and deceitful grown-up people that can only change by the future, starting on nurturing the children and counseling them in a place where future can also be shaped, then and only then the true change will come.

"Major Major" Purpose

After her title reinstatement, Raj placed as the fourth runner-up in 59th Miss Universe pageant where she popularized her fumbled answer "Major Major".

Raj is the youngest of the five children and was born in Doha, Qatar to an Indian father and a Filipino mother later migrated to the Philippines where Raj's birth certificates were perjured by her aunt, claiming that she is a Philippine-born child and grew up in a farming land in her mother's custody along with her half-siblings.

In the early years of her life, Raj had been joining in pageants and later on won major contests and prizes.

With her winnings aside, Venus actually thought that life was normal... normal for her mom and her siblings to have different fathers, it's normal that she and her siblings does too, and as she grew older, the kind of life she was living caused her to think that satisfaction can be found in life partners, love can only be found in a man and poverty can end if one finds their knight in shining armor.

In hopes for love, protection and for father figure, she had a relationship in an early age of 16, and got engaged in immoral relationships, a practice that continued from high school to college, even after she graduated.

Looking for love, protection and a father figure in the wrong places led her to another thought on how to satiate it: give it all and whatever it takes even if the person is just a lover and you'd give everything including the body.

Continued unhealthy relationships, is a common mistake of those in wanting of love... a different kind of love where faithlessness is present, thinking that different relationships could satisfy that vacuum in the heart, would give the security, but before you know, it can end in one fell swoop.

In 2008, she joined Miss Phippines Earth, and a woman from Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) shared the gospel to her, and claimed in her testimonial youtube video, that during the prayer time, she cried upon saying that she accept Jesus in her heart, but nothing happened after that, as she said that she might not understand it at that time, like there was no transformation in her life.

Venus then represented Philippines in Miss Universe 2010, and won fourth runner-up in the said pageant.

After Miss Universe, Raj's cousin introduced her to his friends from CCF and brought her to church.

And on that day, she heard the gospel again and finally understood. In the testimonial video, she said that God allowed her to see on that day how much He loves and cares even if she'd gone astray despite of living a sinful life.

And with that, He, being a good father still accepts everyone in His family with arms wide open.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

That day, Raj repented, asked for forgiveness and surrendered her life to Jesus.

Innate it is of us, humans to commit to Christ, and be afraid to fully commit our lives to Him, because we think that we might lose the things that we have, whatever it is; money, business, friends, family even our whole life... scared we are to give it all up to the Lord.

(Venus Raj) "But God's word in John 10:10, became so true to me, it says,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10

By God's grace alone, He slowly but surely removed things that are not pleasing to Him from Venus'... like immoral relationships, selfish ambitions, fear, insecurities and many more, and replaced it with love and peace that comes only from the Lord.

Upon learning her story on how she grew up longing for protection, being unfamiliar to a healthy relationship and surrendering her life to Jesus, had impacted me that maybe she haven't done a mistake, "Major Major", instead replaced it with a significant major purpose, to live and serve in life in prosperity, that only can be given by God himself and disciple people in the name of Jesus.

One of life's greatest blessings.

The people you live for, laugh with and love.

Where life begins and love never ends.

WORTHst Family Ever

This is a tell-all of my family as a fair and square story, from daily dishes that are left off uncleaned, how our home was messy to beyond reproach overnight, and to being a lecturer in desperate need of lecturing.

Mentioned cases above have been marked as problems, a crisis even, and traditions themselves, that has been carried since the establishing of our family in our own stable home and a stable life.

The Oozing LAVAtory

In our family lives the misunderstanding of each one's level of strength and stress, so whenever a member will wash the dishes themselves willingly, it means that they have a lot of free time in their hands.

My brother, four years fresh Radiologic Technology grad and until now... having a hard time applying to hospitals just because he's ADHD. One we all call, "Bear", based off by his size and his atittude of being spontaneous, he would do something whenever and Bear always maximize his time helping, ONLY when he's asked to do so, sometimes even do it against his will.

Next off is my sister, close to getting her diploma in IT Engineering with media arts on the side, our "Maw" (a name from an anime) who I'm sure has THE time to do the dishes, and all of a sudden just starts complaining why no one ever notices her whenever she does the dishes and every other chore she finishes off.

And the last people who are likely to do them, is my parents, both foundation and light to our family, sometimes they'd be scolding out the laziness out of us, because clearly no one wants to clean the dishes and with that, the lavatory never often had a day without piled up dishes.

The House's Pretend Day

Every now and then, the house is visited by our relatives, especially on family reunions, to which we host and prepare for.

Thing is, this dysfunctional mannerism we have of keeping things that aren't of use anymore and leaving the house in mess is out of hand, but all of it seems to disappear the night before that day starts... quite shady to me, besides the fact that we show off that the house would seem clean, but in the back of the cupboard are stacked goods hiding behind the wines and fine kitchen appliances, and yes, this day's one of those often days the lavatory, kept from unclean dishes.

Audacity's Nerve

Finally, I get to talk about my mom in post about her correcting someone and doing the same mistake she's correcting of.

Sometimes I get real astounded whenever Mom has the nerve to be eating freshly cooked noodles while telling us not to because it's poison, not approving us of going out with the opposite sex but she gets to go out with her best guy and gal friends even to a bar, and one of the most vexing is her, telling not to be disobedient to the law, but then speeds off the road like there's no traffic light and enforcer... I don't even know how she gets away with it actually.

Not that pleasing, for I can't just talk to her and say, "Why do you always say it's a bad thing, and do it otherwise," which is sounding like she's that incorrigible, but despite of this atittude that all of us in the family possess, which is not likely to be in the same level of hers, I like it that we have to be correcting each other by our opinions because it means that we care about each other and just looking out for ourselves, for when the time comes, all the preachment comes in handy.

If Only The 'Fall of Man' Had Been Forestalled

A bitter end it is to the world full of self-absorbed and discorded individuals, which is true... starting from the day all evil broke loose after Adam and Eve have eaten of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Nothing like chaos would be prominent and normal to us, if naught like it had happened, I imagine the world to be pure, the world like a pinch of ash as I find it the purest thing in the world. It's permanent, nothing is fake about it and it doesn't change.

...

In a sense of no intention of disobeying God.

If only it's possible for us to be selfless, which I know, will never be enough and not that it will be in strong effect, but I envision *dream of* it as us, people to be in control of the surroundings and actually taking care of the creation by being selfless and doing of the common good .

In pointing to a benefit, people will be better versions of themselves, but no... deep inside we are hard-hearted and there is one thing in keeping us on being open; that one biggest lie threatening this generation is one that says that truth means the freedom to do whatever feels right to you.

Oh, only half of it means as a benefit. And I think the line, "whatever feels right to you" also means full-on benefit to one with an irrational mind, because clearly they only think about themselves... why is it that people are always so full of their own?

I guarantee majority wakes up thinking about themselves, but as I am reasoning it in my mind, I think what us, people want is joy and fulfillment, and the secret of having joy and to satiate it is to get off selfie mode and actually look at someone better than yourself.