my father is a deacon in the Catholic church. i can say with authority and extreme research: abortion is not murder in the scripture. it has the same significance as "only fish on fridays during lent" - it is an invention of man and tradition.

if they cared about children, marrying a 13 year old would be illegal in every state. it is not illegal in every state. if they cared about children, about lives lost, about the value of life: they would have worked to make that life have value. where is the church, the religion - where is that, when it is time for anything else? when they close their eyes to their own priests? when they close their eyes to domestic violence? to marital rape?

if it was about life, prevention would be key. proper sex ed would be in every school. options for birth control would be in every hallway. we know these things work. we have known for a while. hiding from the problem never diminishes the problem. we are not seeking to actually-prevent unwanted pregnancies - so therefore an unwanted pregnancy must work as punishment for a behavior that is otherwise uncontrolled.

this is not about when and where life begins. there is already a discussion of bodily autonomy that exists, and it is legally bound to us. if i have died, even if my body could save one million children - i am not legally bound to give that body to those children. in death, where there is no debate; that the human soul or life or essence has passed from me - i still retain autonomy, and owe those children nothing.

jesus said, specifically, that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of god. it is a thesis restated many times in the bible; textual and specific evidence. and yet the church has not lobbied for wealth redistribution on the grounds that billionaires are going to hell, only prayed for the spirit of charity to flow amongst us. the american christian population is not disturbed and ashamed of their wealth. instead they see their wealth as a gift from god. there are not entire churches dedicated to picketing the estates of billionaires (unfortunately). it cannot be about the biblical evidence or jesus's word, then.

here is a carrd for the crisis happening right now in Yemen

here is a carrd for Hong Kong

here is a carrd for Palestine.

here is a carrd for trans rights 

here is a carrd for the terror bill in Philippines. 

here is a carrd with various donation links (for Syria, BLM etc)

here is a carrd for LGBT+ rights

don’t build them up in your head and idolize them as more than another human being. take off the rose colored glasses.

talk to new people and be open to being vulnerable again.

slowly learn to enjoy the time you spend with yourself.

write down things you want to say to them but can’t and just keep them for yourself to go over later.

go places you used to go to with them by make new memories.

be patient with yourself.

Are you hydrated? 

If not, have a glass of water. Dehydration can mimic or increase feelings associated with anxiety and a well hydrated brain functions optimally. Avoid excess caffeine. 

Have you eaten in the past three hours? 

Don’t be a victim of hanger! Get some food–something with protein, not just simple carbs or high-fat. Nuts, hummus, and veggies are great options to feed your studying brain. Keep healthy snacks within reach to avoid mindlessly chowing down on sweets. 

Have you stretched your legs in the past day? 

If not, do so right now. If you don’t have the energy or time for a run or a trip to the gym, just walk around the block or building. Even minimal exercise preps the mind for learning so that you can focus better and recall things easier, plus it’s good to get a change of scenery. 

Have you said something nice to someone in the past day? 

Do so, whether online or in person. Make it genuine! We bet your study partner would appreciate a compliment. 

Have you moved your body to music in the past day?

If not, jog for the length of a song at your favorite tempo, or just dance around your bedroom for the length of an upbeat song (singing along is a bonus) 

Have you cuddled a living being in the past two days?

If not, do so. Don’t be afraid to ask for hugs from friends of friends’ pets. Most of them will enjoy the cuddles too; you’re not imposing. 

Have you started or changed any medications in the past couple of weeks, including skipped doses or a change in generic prescription brand? 

That may be screwing with your head. Give things a few days, then talk to your doctor if it doesn’t settle down. 

If daytime: are you dressed? 

If no, put on clean clothes that aren’t PJs. Give yourself permission to wear something special, whether it’s a funny t-shirt or a pretty dress. 

If nighttime: are you sleepy and fatigued but resisting going to sleep? 

Put on PJs, make yourself cozy in bed with a teddy bear and the sound of falling rain, and close your eyes for fifteen minutes while focusing on breathing deeper with every breath- no electronic screens allowed! Adequate sleep is a necessity for stress management. 

Do you feel ineffective? 

Pause right now and get something small completed, whether it’s responding to an email, loading the dishwasher, or tidying up your room. Good job!

Do you feel unattractive? 

Take a darn selfie. Your friends will remind you how great you look. You are always insta-worthy. 

Do you feel paralyzed by indecision?

Give yourself ten minutes to sit back and figure out a game plan for the day. If a particular decision or problem is still being a roadblock, simply set it aside for now, and pick something else that seems doable. Right now, the important part is to break through that stasis, even if it means doing something trivial. 

Have you over-exerted yourself lately–physically, emotionally, socially, or intellectually? 

That can take a toll that lingers for days. Give yourself a break in that area, whether it’s physical rest, taking some time alone, or relaxing with some silly entertainment for a little. Time spent refreshing yourself is never time “wasted!” 

Have you waited a week? 

Sometimes or perception of life is skewed, and we can’t even tell that we’re not thinking clearly, and there’s no obvious external cause. It happens. Keep yourself going for a full week, whatever it takes, and see if you still feel the same way then.