Tag: Video Games

Daily OM for July 24 – Chronic Lateness

Chronic Lateness

Unconscious Communication

by Madisyn Taylor

When people are chronically late, they are in essence saying that their time is more important than yours.

Being late for an appointment or a date can seem like a small thing that really doesn’t matter, but it communicates volumes, whether we mean it to or not. Being kept waiting is an experience that almost no one enjoys, because at best, it wastes their time, and at worst, it indicates a lack of regard. It’s as if we’re saying that our time is more important than their time, so we don’t need to honor them by showing up when we said we would. When we are running late, it means a lot if we call and let the person know, especially if it’s going to be more than ten minutes. However, if we are chronically late, it may take more than a phone call to properly address the issue.

If it’s become a habit of ours not to be on time, we may want to look inside ourselves and see what’s going on. It’s easy enough to make excuses about our behavior, or to project responsibility on the other person, perceiving them to be uptight if they are irritated by our tardiness. What’s more difficult, and more meaningful, is looking at ourselves and asking why it is that we always, or often, show up late. Sometimes this happens out of a lack of self-regard, as if we aren’t really important anyway, so why will anyone care if we’re late, or don’t show up at all. Chronic lateness can also stem from being disorganized, or simply trying to do too much in one day. Another possible reason for being late to a particular appointment, or date, is that we don’t really want to be there. We communicate our disinterest or boredom by not showing up on time.

Whatever our reasons, if we raise them to the conscious level, we have an opportunity to live a more conscious life. As we begin to understand the deeper reasons behind our inability to show up on time, we have the option to communicate clearly and consciously about how we really feel, rather than communicating unconsciously by being late.

Create a Supportive Life Story

Create a Supportive Life Story

Empowered Storytelling

by Madisyn Taylor

We all have a story to tell, but sometimes we get stuck in that story and become our story.

We all have our own life story. It is filled with relationships and events that help shape who we are and what we believe to be true about the world. Depending on our perspective and willingness to grow, our experiences can become fodder for negativity and patterns of playing the victim, or they can fuel a life of empowerment and continued self-development. It is the story we tell ourselves about what happens that makes all the difference.

Take a moment to look at the life story you create for yourself on an ongoing basis. If you generally feel peaceful about the past and trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way, then you are framing circumstances in a manner that serves you well. On the other hand, if you retain a lot of guilt or resentment and often feel weighed down by life, you may want to start telling yourself a new version of past and present events. No matter who the characters are in your story or what they have done, you are the only one who can give their actions the meaning they will have for you. You are the only one who can define what role you will play in your own life. By taking responsibility for your story, you are able to learn and grow, forgive and find compassion, and most importantly, move on into a brighter future.

From now on, you can choose a life story that supports you. Let it be proof of your own resilience and creativity. Be kind with the roles you give yourself and generous with how many chances you get to learn what you need to know. When you remember that you are the author of your own story, you are free to create a masterpiece

Daily Motivator for July 21 – Choose to actively live

Choose to actively live

Don’t find an excuse. Find a way.

Don’t figure out how to put it off until later. Use your energy and  intelligence and time to get it done now.

Let go of the urge to complain about how things are. Remind yourself that you  can make things better, and challenge yourself in each moment to do just that.

There’s no need to be dismayed at how hard it will be. Choose instead to be  enthusiastic about how much of a real difference you can make.

What really matters is not what’s pushing against you. What matters is how  authentically committed you are to moving forward.

Connect with that commitment, connect with your positive passion, and choose to actively live life for all it’s worth. You absolutely can if you will, so do.

— Ralph Marston

Daily Motivator for July 19 – Grand adventure

Grand adventure

Life can be astoundingly beautiful and rich. There are possibilities that go  far beyond anything you could imagine.

Today is your opportunity to live the adventure. Right now is when you can  find immense fulfillment in bringing life’s best possibilities into being.

An entire universe, overflowing with abundance, stretches out in all  directions from where you are. You can feel and see and know, you can learn,  adapt and act, and you can fulfill your deep longing to make a real difference.

If you choose to fill your days with doubt, hesitation, self-pity and  resentment, you miss out on the greatest opportunity ever. Choose instead to  push enthusiastically forward every chance you get, and to fully live the  adventure.

If you expect someone else to do it all for you, you’ll end up with a whole  lot of terribly painful regret. Make the commitment to take full, hearty,  ambitious responsibility for making your life the grand adventure you know it  can be.

You’re never too old or too young or too poor or too rich. Each and every  moment brings fresh, new opportunities for you to add to life’s magnificent  substance, including the one right now.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily Motivator for July 9 – Point the way forward

Point the way forward

Don’t let the worst of life get to you. Instead, let the best of life shine  through you.

Let your attitude be based on your most positive vision rather than on what  may or may not happen. When the world threatens to bring you down, choose to  lift the world up.

Set a positive, purposeful agenda for the day and then follow through with  action. Show all of life how beautiful and meaningful it can be by the way you  live it.

There is enough dismay in the world without you adding to it. Do what is  necessary to add to the joy, love, achievement and fulfillment.

Choose to be aggressively, respectfully and authentically positive. Point the  way forward with your attitude and your actions.

Change life for the better by the way you look at it and by the way you live  it. See the best, be your best, and make your world the best it can be.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator 

Wishing You A Fantastic Wednesday! 2 More Days To Friday!

Wednesday Images, Quotes, Comments, Graphics
Good morning, my dearest of friends! How are you today? Me, fantastic!!! I did some astral projecting last night. It was great. I went back to a very happy time in my life. Then I came back, I relaxed and fell asleep in the floor. Then this morning at 6:00 a.m., my son ran in the bedroom. He proceeded to hit me on the foot with a magazine, hollering, “Get up! Get up!” He then ran like hell. He woke up Kiki and she flew off the bed trying to eat him up. He came back and told me, “my damn dog bite him!” I told him not to worry she had all her shots, lol! Then he turns around and goes back to bed. I thought what the heck? So I went down to his bedroom, and told him to get his butt up! He had to get up and go do something at a boarding kennel he works at. The kid has three jobs. But his point of getting me up was something I said yesterday. For supper, I unthawed some pulled pork I had made and we had sandwiches. I told him I had slept to late to put a roast in the crock pot and let it cook. So he got me up this morning were I would have time to fix that roast.  I thought you little poop!

Funny thing, Razzy remembers my son from the dog attack. I went down to his room last night while he ate. There was clothes drug out of plastic garbage bags all over the place. I asked him, if he was looking for something. He said no he figured that one of my cats had been playing. While we are sitting in there, here come Razzy. She is crouched down on the ground, sneaking in the door. The next thing, she has one of his shirt and is off and running. I laughed my rump off. My son chased her till he finally got his shirt. His dear sweet wife packed up all his stuff in garbage sacks and sit them on the porch for him. I haven’t said anything about this to anyone but she is trying to paint him as the villain. He might be my son but he isn’t a villain at all. His wife is two months pregnant and come to find out she has been having an affair.  She would take their two kids to her grandmother’s and then she would be off to meet her man. It gets me, my son working three jobs. He has a brand new house, two new cars, he has given her anything she wants. Then she does him like this. I told my son, very gently, that he might want to consider having a DNA test on this third child. He agreed with me.

My son has changed so much since he has come back out here. It is expected that when he comes home from work that we sit and talk. He said talking to me clears his head. He also apologized for the way he has treated me the last seven years. He told me I was right all along. Between my two children, my son was the one most interested in magick. I asked him last night if he has a moment would he like to help me in operating the Ouija Board. He told me, I was crazy. Then I reminded him what a time we use to have. He then said, yes if he had the time he would like to help me. Then he wanted to know if I still had those Tarot Cards he had gotten me one Christmas. I told him, he was crazy if he thought I would ever throw them away. He told me, he wanted a reading. After last night, my hopes are I am getting my son back. But with children and one on the way, who knows what might happen.

My son told me that her family had run me down and talked about like I was a dog. He told me that he had gotten the point to where he wanted nothing to do with me. Especially since they had started going to church. Then listening to her grandmother yell, “Suffer not a witch to live!” I quietly told him, I knew what was going on. He started crying and saying how sorry he was. Then he asked me, how he could have turned so against me? I told him I didn’t know. Perhaps these past seven years were something he was supposed to experience. Perhaps he just married the little *&$@^ just to spite me. Who knows? All that matters is that you knew no matter what, you could always come home. You knew this was your safe haven. The Goddess’ Love brought him home. Her Love & Grace will open his eyes finally. As for me, I am going to serve them a dish best served cold! Not only for myself but also my son.

Blessed Wednesday To All My Friends! It’s Hump Day, YEAH!”

Wednesday Images, Quotes, Comments, Graphics
Ah, good morning my sweets! I hope your Wednesday is off to a wonderful start. I am so tired, I will probably fall asleep at the keyboard. If you see anything like this, “ssssssssssss” going all the way across the page. Don’t think anything about it. It is just me napping on the job, lol!

In the meantime before I take that nap, how about a beautiful inspirational poem to start our day with

.

We are on a higher journey

We are on a Higher Journey,
Just remember that many need to learn about time’s,
We are on a Journey that is never ending,
Thinking of all my composure,
Just hold on and never give up,

We are on a Higher Journey,
Just remember that,
Iam feeling so secure in all my efforts to please my rights,
Stand up for what is right,
Life is worth even more than death,
Just hold on and on,
Never give up on any struggle’s,
Remember that we came from far,
The journey is a never ending destiny.

Maxim Muyu

Daily Motivator for June 5 – Your time to choose

Your time to choose

You can always live the life you choose. Because you can always choose, in each and every moment, how to be.

Sure, life in this world sends all sorts of seemingly random and often disturbing occurrences your way. Yet the choice of how to think and feel about them, and what to do with them, is yours.

It is through the use of that choice that your life is fashioned. From the perspective you select comes the world you experience, in this hour, this month, this decade, this lifetime.

Whatever comes, will come and go. What you choose to do with it, is what makes your life the way it is.

It is never too late, and you are never too far off track to live the way you wish to live. For in this very next moment, no matter what it may contain, you can choose how, and why, to proceed.

You never have to resign yourself to less than the best. For now is always your time to choose.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Ten-Minute Makeover (Seed Moon)

Ten-Minute Makeover

(Seed Moon)

This spell only take ten minutes to do, but its effects can be felt all the time. The idea is to bring out the best in you.

For this spell, you will need a full-length mirror and your journal.

Dream as you normally would, then stand in front of the mirror. Start to make an objective evaluation of how you appear in the mirror. If you saw yourself for the first time walking down the street, what would you think? Your hair? Your face? Your smile? Your body? Your clothes? How do they all look, both separately and as a whole? The more objective you are in your evaluation, the better the makeover will work for you.

Spend about five minutes looking yourself over before opening to a blank page in your journal and writing down some of your observations of what you saw in the mirror. Now on a separate page write down what qualities you would like to see in the mirror and some of the ways you can make them happen.

The idea is to take ten minutes in the evening in order to work on the “new you.” Take time to look in the mirror, write down any observations you have, and reaffirm your focus and determination. Put up pictures and sayings that give you encouragement and help you feel good about yourself. Each might as you go to sleep, repeat this affirmation:

Every day and every night
I am becoming who I want to be.

Daily Motivator for April 17th – When you are willing

When you are willing

Even when you start with nothing, if you are willing there is a way to reach the goal. Even if you have lost everything, you still have the ability to make a difference, and to create new value.

There is nothing to be gained by filling yourself with despair about what is or what has been. Empower yourself by letting go of the need to pity yourself.

No matter where you have come from or where you are, right now you can take a positive, productive step forward. Right now you can choose to create value instead of excuses.

The best opportunities require effort and commitment and persistence. And the great thing is, you’re absolutely capable of making the commitment, of putting forth the effort, and of persisting for as long as necessary.

You are indeed capable of transforming even the most difficult situation into bright, shining, meaningful richness and joy. The thing you must decide in every moment is, are you willing?

Be willing, and live up to your beautiful, unique potential. Be willing to join forces with your best possibilities and to show life how great it can be.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Helloooo, My Friends! Having A Terrific Tuesday So Far?

Tuesday Images, Pics, Comments, Graphics
I certainly hope you are having a great Tuesday. I have tried to do several new things on the blog. And ain’t a damn thing went right!!! So I pulled some of my hair out and looked at the clock and said, “Oh, Crap!” Since the time got away from me along with my patience, I am going to do things a little different today. Normalcy will return tomorrow (I hope).

Have a fantastic day,

Lady A

Today’s Affirmation, Thought & Meditation for April 5th

Thursday, Thirsty Thursday Images, Pics, Comments, Graphics
Today’s Affirmation for April 5th

Every moment lived consciously is a step toward spiritual maturity. I offer my experience as an example for other making the journey.

 

Today’s Thought for April 5th

Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world.

Nikolai Gumilev (1886 – 1921)

 

Today’s Meditation for April 5th

A Game Of Chess

When faced with difficult choices, view the situation as if it were a game of chess. Imagine those involved as pieces on the chess-board. Assume the role of one of the players and meditate on the current state of play. From this position the dynamics of the situation may become clearer, enabling you see the options open to you and to make a wiser choice.

Good Glorious Tuesday Morning to all my dear Friends!

Good Morning Images, Pics, Comments, Photos, Graphics
Today’s Affirmation for March 13th

No one outside myself can rule me inwardly. Knowing this I become wholly free.

 

Today’s Thought for March 13th

“Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”

Charles Reade (1814-84)

 

Today’s Meditation for March 13th

A Game of Chess

When faced with difficult choices, view the situation as if it was a game of chess. Imagine those involved as pieces on the chess board. Assume the role of one of the players and meditate on the current state of play. From this position the dynamics of the situation may become clearer, enabling you to see the options open to you and to make a wiser choice.

Daily OM for February 18th – Awakening The Inner Warrior

Awakening The Inner Warrior
Stoking The Fire Within

There are certain personality archetypes that we all carry within us, such as the inner child, the lover, and the mother. Some of these archetypes present themselves strongly, while others lay fallow. For example, there is an inner warrior in each one of us, but in some of us this warrior is underdeveloped to the point that we are unable to stand up for ourselves, even when necessary. There can be many reasons for this. We may have grown up with a parent whose warrior aspect was overdeveloped, and we responded by repressing ours completely. On the other hand, we may have grown up with parents in whom this aspect was dormant, so we never learned to awaken it in ourselves.

A warrior is someone with the strength to stand up for what he or she believes; someone who perseveres in the face of challenges and obstacles; someone who speaks and acts in the service of an ideal; someone who protects those who are too weak to fight for themselves. Regardless of the reasons for an underdeveloped inner warrior, you may begin to notice the lack of its fiery, protective presence and wish to awaken it. You may need to stand up for yourself in a certain relationship or situation, or you may have a vision you want to realize, and you know you will need the courage, energy, and strength of a warrior to succeed. Similarly, if you find that you often feel scared, anxious, or powerless, rousing this sleeping ally may be just the antidote you need.

One excellent way to cultivate the presence of your inner warrior is to choose a role model who embodies the qualities of bravery, strength, and vitality. This person could be a character in a myth, movie, or book, or a historical or living person you admire. Simply close your eyes each day and contemplate the quality of energy that attracts you to this person, knowing that the same potential lives within you. Confirm for yourself that you are capable of handling this energy responsibly, and stoke the fire of your own inner courage.

Do You Like You?

Do You Like You?

  • Liz Dawn Donahue

Do I like myself?

Do I like myself in this relationship?

Two very similar questions, but at the same time, very different.

I remember being in relationships and looking in the mirror only to think “who is this person?” I could barely recognize my own reflection because at times my behavior was the anti-thesis of who I am and who I wanted to be. It had gotten to a point in one relationship that I could not believe who I had become. I was this woman putting up with behavior from my partner that I would go screaming into the night if any of my friends would do this in their lives.

I liked myself, but I did not like myself in this relationship. I did not like the person who I had become and most especially that I could not seem to control my reactions to his “bad” behavior.

After hours, actually months, of therapy, I realized that if I was going to come out of this even half alive and the person that I knew myself to be, that I had to figure a way out of this dysfunctional abyss. It was a matter of my mental sanity that I embarked on a vigorous journey of self introspection to understand why I was in a relationship with someone that brought out the worst in me instead of the best in me.

 

Was this concept an impossibility or just a cliche? Can you really be with someone who brings out the best in you or is it your responsibility to always be your best no matter who is in your life? These questions haunted me. I really felt that no matter who was in my life that I should be able to stay centered at all times and be my best. This is wonderful in theory, but not so great in reality when dealing with intimate relationships or dealing with those things that trigger us.

I have heard story after story about people sharing their disappointments about themselves because they would find their lives intertwined with someone who brought out the worst in them. Why?

Here is what I discovered, and this is just one woman’s opinion. We absolutely have to take responsibility for our own actions at all times; however, there are those intimate relationships that trigger old deep-seeded issues inside us that we might have thought we resolved years ago or even issues we never knew we had in the first place. In other words, if I am in a relationship with someone and I am acting out of character, I have to sit and ask myself, what is happening around me that is triggering me into this behavior? Then I need to reflect on what does this remind me of in my past.

More times than often, there is an emotional trigger that has nothing to do with the person in front of you, but has everything to do with past unhealed trauma. The person in front of you is just a reminder that there are areas of your life that need a little work. Having said this, it does NOT mean that you stay with a person who continuously triggers you. If you sit back and take an objective look at their behavior you will probably see that their actions are dysfunctional as well. Their behavior is a perfect match to tap you on the shoulder and not only see unhealed areas of your life, but to also recognize what your relationship red flags are for the future.

I challenge the concept that in order to grow it is good to be in relationship with a partner that challenges your issues. Thank you very much, but I can grow and learn very nicely without the drama of being thrown into all that dysfunction. It is taking a stand and being able to walk away from those relationships that trigger you, a willingness to work in it on your own, and then get into a relationship with someone who does not have the same behavior.

After many years of playing this game and being hit over the head with this lesson I finally got it. I am in a marriage with a man that brings out the best in me, not the worst and I bring out the best in him. It is not just cliche after all.

Gentle thoughts for January 6th

Gentle thoughts for today:

1. Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.
2. There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.
3. The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.
4. If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
5. Don’t assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
6. A penny saved is a government oversight.
7. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
8. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
9. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
10. He who hesitates is probably right.
11. If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.
12. Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words “The” and “IRS” together it spells “THEIRS”?

VJ FEMIA

Oh, My Aging Funny Bone

Daily OM for December 14th – As Good as Your Word

As Good as Your Word
Promises

 

 

We forget how powerful our words are and when make promises it is up to us to make sure we keep our words sacred. 

Ever since human beings could speak to one another, they have been making promises and keeping them or not keeping them. Those who keep their promises are regarded as people of integrity, while those who don’t keep their promises are regarded as people who at best can’t be taken seriously and at worst can’t be trusted. Sometimes we forget how powerful our words are, and we use them haphazardly or unconsciously, creating expectations that are never fulfilled, leaving disappointment and distrust in our wake.

On an even deeper level, there are promises we may have made to ourselves that we don’t remember because they have slipped into our unconscious. An early heartache may have been followed by a promise never to trust love again. Without realizing it, we may be fulfilling that promise and wondering why our love life looks so grim. At an even deeper level, many people who recall past lives become aware that they made a promise lifetimes ago that they are still keeping. For example, a vow of poverty taken in a lifetime as a monk may be holding someone back from fulfilling his earning potential now. Upon realizing that we have made a promise we no longer wish to be beholden to, we can perform a ritual of requesting release from that bond. In doing so, we clear ourselves of outmoded connections and patterns, returning ourselves to a clean slate. Then we can resolve to remember that our word is sacred and to be very conscious of any promises we make to ourselves or to others.

We may ask to be released from any promises made to ourselves or others in our present, past, or future lives, consciously or unconsciously, that are holding us back from fulfilling our greatest good. We may ask that love, light, and healing be sent to any souls who have suffered from our inability to be true to our word, including ourselves. We can ask for the wisdom to do our best and from this point forward to be true to our word, promising only what we truly intend to deliver. The resulting clear conscience and liberated energy will illustrate this truth: We are only as good as our word.

Gentle thoughts for Monday, October 24th

Gentle thoughts for today:

1. Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.
2. There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.
3. The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.
4. If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
5. Don’t assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
6. A penny saved is a government oversight.
7. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
8. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
9. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
10. He who hesitates is probably right.
11. If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.
12. Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words “The” and “IRS” together it spells “THEIRS”?

VJ FEMIA

OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE…

Samhain’s Revels


Samhain’s Revels

Come! Come! Samhain Revels, Summer’s End

Sing! Dance! Celebration For The Dead

Pour! Pour! The Libation For The Dead

Life! Death! Part The Veil, Summer’s End

 

~Magickal Graphics~

I’m a Level 20 Mage Half-Elf. And You Are…?

I’m a Level 20 Mage Half-Elf. And You Are…?

Author: Greymentality

Roll up a character! It’s D and D time! Oh, you prefer Champions? Okay. Or perhaps some Deadlands for some flavor? Yes, I’m talking about gaming, table-top role-playing. If you don’t know what it is, it’s basically pretending to be someone you’re not and imagining a storyline that’s not really happening (save for inside your own mind) . You can fly, fight, and throw fireballs at people. It’s fun, really. But, it’s not reality, or is it?

Depends on what you consider reality. Is imagination reality? Well, who cares about the mind’s eye, hmm? Oh…did you say, we do? Well, this isn’t an article about gaming, but it is about power play.

In gaming though, we have something called the “power gamer” or “munchkin.” They know every tiny detail of every single edition known to man. They brag about it. They pull out the book and quote the paragraph and page number. “No, you can’t be a such-n-such in 2nd ed. It’s in the rules!” Anything to make someone feel down. More importantly, to make them feel superior and get their way.

Why do people do this? People in the magical community do it too.

“I’ve been practicing for 10 years now, how about you?” says the older Witch to the newbie.

I say this because I caught myself saying just this. (I just did it now in the article, but never mind that. It was for the point) I was talking to someone a few weeks ago. We were discussing more in depth about how we worked energy and craftings. I have been somewhat reclusive lately so I was honestly a little overly excited.

I realized I said this exact phrase to someone even though I knew he hadn’t been practicing too long. I wanted him to recognize that I knew what I was saying. I didn’t allow myself to be heard on my own merit, and I really wanted him to listen, so I said it. I knew it’d get his attention. It was pride. It was also manipulation of a sort. It is also a lesson I had to learn.

But, did I say it automatically with no real focus on wanting to feel superior? That’s also possible. Just an innocent comment. What else do you say when you’re trying to explain what you do and how you got to where you are? I seriously don’t know for certain whether I said it just because I wanted to share something I was proud of, whether or not I wanted him to feel on a lower rung, or it could have been just some sort of random bit of information that flew out of my brain onto my hands and into my keyboard where it was sent threw AIM to another person’s attention.

I’ll never know for sure. I can conjecture. I think I wanted attention, and that is a dangerous thing. Pride. Pride and fear. I was afraid that I would be rejected by someone whom I had a chance of being able to Work with. Reaching out is a frightening possibility when you know what it feels like to be discarded by others.

We all know this feeling, have felt it at some point in our lives.

“I’m a 2nd level Gardnerian Wiccan.”

“I’ve been practicing Reiki for 25 years.”

But, I ask you, are you good at it? I say this because what I said to someone made me start thinking. Well, it made me continue thinking on something that I’ve been pondering for a while. Thanks to my friend Jason J., I started contemplating the idea of “Those who know do, and those who can’t, teach.” Or in this case blab.

I’m not a High Priestess of anything. I’m just me. I don’t want to be on a high horse, I don’t like me there. I’ve found that those who know do. So true this. They don’t explain how they do it. They don’t need to. And as Terry Pratchett says, “The natural size of a coven is one.”

I suppose that’s why there are so many solitaries. People want to do what they want to do, just like in everyday society. However, there’s prestige in fancy names. Hence the title of the article. “I’m a Level 20 Half-Elf Mage, And You Are…?” Right smug if I should say so myself.

Now, people in covens aren’t like that. I’m talking about the magical munchkins specifically. Every coven, every Witch, every Practitioner should be rated on themselves. Every Witch is a solitary in the end, because we’re all alone in the end. It’s not sad either. We are social animals. We like being with others, sharing other ideals. That’s why religion is such a big deal. People want to feel supported.

More people to travel with on this journey called life. Or, they want to know that they are right. They want to feel a feeling of “I’m not alone.” Well, it’s nice and all, but it’s not forthright. Not entirely. The reason it’s not a sad thing to be alone is because it is a neutral thing. It is just a fact of life and death. Only you can live your life. Only you can be what you are. If you’re loud and rude about what you’re doing, maybe you’re doing it wrong.

But when to speak up?

Well, that is a question. We’re supposed to keep silent about our ways, even if there are books about it and people eating it up like the next new thing. Still, I think, that you should help those that need help. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Sometimes it’s good to get out there and dig in the trenches.

I made the mistake of saying what I did, because if he needed help he would have asked. Still, people aren’t smart creatures. You know we aren’t. Individuals are at times. So, take it slow. Don’t be all “I know this because…” It’s just talk.

Lead by example. It’s bound to sink in sometime that you know a little somethin’ when it comes to whatever you’re good at. Despite the fact that people want to be straightforward, it doesn’t work that way. We have to use social cues.

Don’t volunteer information so freely, or you’ll look desperate. People are suspicious of free things. Basically, don’t-give-it-up-on-the-first-date type of mentality. Listen. You learn so much more by listening. But now that’s out of the way and you’re not going to go out of your way to explain how much knowledge you have, lets deal with those who do.

Well, you have options, which is good. The magical munchkin likes attention. Take that away and you take away their power. Your absence is their kryptonite. Well, at least it’s a start. Others might not be so aware that what their saying is just for attention and not helpful in any way. Or is it?

I suppose munchkins have their place in this world. If you do want to know something that you just don’t want to look up, you could ask them and they’d most likely know (if you trust them as a good resource of course) . A property of a rock, astrology sign, Horus’ favorite flower, etc. So long as you expect them to try and reel you in with their oh-so-spiffy image as all-knowing, you can nip it in the bud. Short and sweet is how I’d recommend.

Also, don’t let them drag you down. They may be the loudest of the crowd, but there are others out there like you just looking for someone to hang with, discuss technique with, or perhaps perform rites and spellcraft with. So, just remember, we’re all human…but allow yourself to be picky.

But, what about the munchkin in question? Should we leave them in the wind? Alone? I’ve always figured that we are sponges of a sort a great deal of the time. We mirror others. Would you want to mirror someone that was so smug? If you are by chance friends with one, you can only be yourself and hope that some of you comes off on them. Just keep yourself in check.

Now, in gaming, munchkins are laughed at. In the magical community, it is somewhat the same. People are suspicious of free things, remember? But, remember that not everyone is seasoned. Not everyone in the community knows that a magical munchkin is a pariah of sorts.

Yep, I’m talking about those new to the Craft with more naivety than street smarts. They would most likely go toward a person who seems to know the most. That would either be a) the loquacious munchkin lacking practical knowledge or b) the charismatic mystical leader (that is a munchkin in his or her own right only concerning how to ‘handle’ a coven and look cool) . Either way, this isn’t exactly very good.

I know; who are you to choose friends for them? It’s just good to not let their only options be a power-hungry/drama-filled priest/ess or someone that could drain all of their excitement for learning by force-feeding them superiority-filled gloat. They’re new, they don’t know.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you were the normal friend? The reliable friend? Or maybe just add to your reputation as a good guy? Instead of being larger than life…erm… 20th level whatnot, just say, “Hi, my name is _____.”

Compassion, by far my favorite virtue. What? It’s not on the list? Oh well. Still…

Pride isn’t confidence, and to be good at what you do doesn’t need a title to make it true. And prestige is overrated.

Footnotes:
Terry Pratchet “Witches Abroad”