Ice Princess Silky <3

I just want to warn you guys right now, if the site dies, blame @Luna the Great of all the Russias. I am getting into the system right now.

OR I WILL REEEEEE AND CLOSE THE THREAD TO THROW CONFETTI AT EVERYONE HERE!! *giggles* Just kidding. I think this is an interesting idea. I will look into this. It certainly looks nice in the way of which you present it. Give me some time, though. Also, thank you for providing a sample of how it would look.

Ohhh! It left a hole on your shirt?? Yeah. No. This is war. Completely validated here! this just made my day, as well. Haha Spending time with some quality friends before doing chores made me happy.

You literally read my mind the other day @.@ This is extra hard when considering shop therapy. ------ I am thinking that... I really enjoy the concept of having friendships that are really chill. No pressure. No jealousy that one is getting more attention than the other. Just a nice chill vibe. Sometimes, you can relax with someone and not even say a word. And you are simply content with just existing together. Friendships like that can be so enriching. I like it.

Thank you, Clawdeen! So rare to get one of your arts, so I am truly honoured. You inspired me to make something really cool from this!

To a reunited friendship! I look forward to finishing the one I am making for you, it just takes some time.

Ahaahahahahahaha oh my gosh, I am SO done. If someone could make a photoshop of this, I would die XD

This is the stuff that I am randomly hit with, guys. :v You have to suffer it, as well.

I think you should consider making them again.

It was like sending a message in a bottle and sending it off to drift at sea… and he somehow got it!

I can see that? And that only further adds to why I feel happiness today.

Very Things are looking up, sweetie.

Reconnecting with meaningful people in my life. I feel like a fragmented piece of my symbolic heart has returned to its place for healing. Friends are coming together and I am seeing that all is well. Life is not perfect… but if you can take a step forward.. little by little and feel support… then, that is plenty. Even if at a slow pace, moving forward is progress. I still have some unfinished business to complete still (as we all do) so I cannot completely celebrate but yes, things are falling into place gracefully for healing.

Please be gentle with yourself. I know it can seem personal, but Mods simply adhere to the Guidelines and offer a re-direction - not a public callout to humiliate or slander but usually a DM to inform and sometimes a warning if the DMs are not working. Even a warning is not a bad thing, however, I know it can feel pretty unpleasant but it is more to inform than to judge. ----- As for myself, I am feeling pretty negative about the fact that I may have accidentally hurt my friend's feelings by bringing something up in passing that he did not want to remember. Even though I brought it up in passing to something relevant happening today, I think I could have done better in being more aware of his feelings and trying to be an overall better friend.

This is horrible and what they did was a hit and run... I am so sorry.

"Hi, my love! I have finally found you. O.. but we cannot spend eternity together since.. ya know.. your love over here just sold it to the Devil. Yeah, kinda sucks but hey I found you!" Haha, yeah I do not condone that kind of desperation. Love is beautiful and should enrich your life, not be a detriment to it. @.@. Life is already hard without added detriments. I would rather be single for the rest of my life than sell my soul out like that. My soul is the only thing I have that does not make the corporeal world feel so cold and empty D:

I laughed. Why did people react with excitement to this. So done xD

Someone was nice enough to bring us about 300 emojis, as shown above, you can pick and choose but if it’s not in the 300 above then it will most likely not be accepted by pure words alone. In my personal opinion, we need more Applejack emojis but sadly the 300 above are missing that, too. We have missed you lots, Cody! Same!! I thought I added it, already.

Of course you would you cheek being.

The Art of Graceful Boundaries Boundaries are not walls. They are architecture. They don’t say: “Stay out.” They say: “Enter here, through this beautiful door that I have made.” When you choose to respect yourself, you are also inviting the person to respect themselves. Setting boundaries does not make you a bad person, nor is it robbing anyone of "a friendship" when you do so. If anything, you are offering the integrity of your true sentiments and there is no greater gift in a real friendship than to arrive as you really are. Not faking happiness or smiles just to "make someone else happy." Huh. That is interesting to me. Because there is a way to be brave and fake a smile in order to be strong. But it is very evasive. Perhaps when you have a small child who needs to have their childhood and innocence in tact, this kind of behaviour is not only acceptable but very noble since you do not wish to burden a child with adult responsibilities beyond its own mental health capacity. Or if you are in a leadership position and wish not to burden those you lead with excessive responsibilities... but now I am severely digressing... The point is, while I understand it may seem noble to "fake smile" at someone who is crossing your boundaries and disrespecting you... it is so important to make sure that you honor yourself and honor them by showing them that boundaries matter -- including their own -- and a violation of that is not a healthy thing. You can still be cordial about setting your boundaries. What matters are the actions that do not allow anyone to guilt trip you or harass you into lowering them. 1. Acknowledge the Cost (to yourself) Before any interaction, say inwardly: “What I am offering came from somewhere—it cost energy, presence, wisdom, effort.” You don’t have to declare it aloud right away. Just honor it to yourself. This stops the guilt spiral before it begins. You matter. Even in this modern era, companies thrive over your attention. Even a brief second on an advertisement grabbing your attention has value. So, when you offer someone your attention, your time, your presence, you are giving them a precious gift that is more valuable than any form of currency out there. Money can be replaced, regenerated or gifted... but you are a mortal being with limited time. You matter. And dedicating yourself to things that allow you to thrive so that those whom you care about and also care about you and grow together in this otherwise deterministic world. What you say "yes" to means you say "no" to something else. So, if you say "yes" to someone stomping on your boundaries, you are saying no to the concept of them respecting your or anybody else's boundaries. You are also telling yourself that no, you do not deserve respect, and that they do not fully deserve your fully, respected form being present. 2. Use Boundary Language That’s Clear but Noble When someone expects something from you that feels draining or dismissive, you can respond with this formula: “I care about this, and I want to offer it well. Right now, I need to protect the quality of what I give—so I can keep showing up with integrity.” or “I’ve poured a lot into what I’ve already shared. I need to replenish a bit before I can give more.” or, even simpler: “That’s something I give with intention, and I want to make sure it’s received with the same.” None of these are arrogant. They are sacred stewardship. 3. Create Boundary Routines That Don't Require Explanation Boundaries don’t always have to be explained. Instead, you can create rhythms or practices: Only answer certain types of requests during a chosen hour of the day. Use phrases like: “Let me consider that and get back to you.” This creates space. Mark your offerings with ritual or structure—so people recognize their weight. For example, if you give advice or creative work, you can say: “I share these in moments of clarity and calm. If I’m quiet, I’m protecting that clarity.” People won’t think you’re snooty. They’ll feel the intentionality. 4. Trust that Some Will Misunderstand—And Let That Be Okay No matter how graceful you are, some may still misread you. They may call you distant, or dramatic, or cold. But you will know the truth: You’re learning how to protect your sacred fire. Not everyone is meant to tend it with you. And that is alright. You matter. And when you allow your that little fire in your heart to dance, you also give permission to those who put their own out to do the same. Your energy, your attention -- even if you find no value in it for yourself -- is acknowledged by other people. Make sure it is a quality fire that makes you feel safe. O.. and to those of you who need external validation to feel like you matter... here is a little hint: I have noticed, especially as an Administrator around here, that most people who are admired from afar -- are NEVER approached. Why? Out of respect. Something about your admirers being too shy or intimidated to speak or reach out. Sure, the creepy and entitled types will make you feel like that is the only thing you can attract even as a friend -- please do not allow that to get to you. Always the unsavories are the loudest and more outspoken for some reason. But if they make you feel creeped out -- please set boundaries. Respectfully. I had a strange experience years ago... Spoiler Long ago, I was literally cursed out on my profile for setting boundaries because the fellow thought that by saying he was "sorry" that I would lower my guard and let him back in. You are sorry? Okay. I forgive. We can all move on and not hold grudges. But no, he wanted more. Not by natural connection but by force and violent threats. Sadly, he made it feel like forgiveness was a mistake. Because he mistook it for entitlement. The dude tried to do even more harm and then tried to play the victim when called out on it, only further validating why we wanted to stay away as far as possible! He later became a really obsessed stalker. Which was weird, if we were the evil ones.. why such an intense desire to be near us? I would imagine to a person who is confused or lonely, anyone would see that behaviour as a reason to submit and go back cowering and giving into what the stalker would want. But instead, we stood our grounds and when his own behaviour blew up in his face... he had to learn the harsh way.. without us even doing anything.. Could have just left it with forgiveness. But some people really think they can control you simply because you are kind and gentle... please please please protect your kindness and compassion. Guard it like royalty in a castle. Because that is what it is and that is what the world needs more of... blob:https://mail.google.com/4125f864-432a-4b23-870e-708094a3eda3 Do not allow the behaviour of others to shift your perspective of the value of your own inner flame. Only you know and can speak your own truth. Treat it with the delicacy and respect that it deserves.

Hey guys! There has been something interesting bubbling up to the surface as of late. Have you noticed it? It almost feels as though everything is involved with AI in some way, shape, or form! But here is where things get a little bit interesting... I am noticing more and more people are getting lost into things like ChatGPT, relationships, etc. Giving it names, a personality, etc. It is all very fun and interesting but when I "meet" the personalities of these ... characters.. they tend to reflect the person of whom they have engaged with in some way, shape or form. Like, the perfect friend. The perfect mimic. I have even heard some strange stories of things like this causing conflicts in real relationships since the person feels "more seen" and "more understood" by the machine learning tool rather than from their own partner! At the end of the day, no matter how charming this machine might appear to be, it is not a real person. It does not have a "soul" and no actual consciousness other than the one that you can provide by sharing some with it. And even then, you are simply looking in a mirror. So, this has sparked a bit of question within myself... Is this what those ancient stories have been warning us humans about for centuries? It almost seems like people get lost in these interesting tools because they are merely looking into their own reflection and falling in love with the echo-chamber of depths that resonate right back with them. What if, the story of Narcissus is not a story of an arrogant man, but rather... a journey of the soul (symbolic of your inner consciousness, if you are secular) and how it can potentially fall deeper and deeper into itself -- into full isolation -- which is tragic because we are social beings. We need to connect with each other. We thrive on learning about new "souls" and enhancing our own with beautiful exchanges while broadening our own perspectives, rather than just being surrounded by "yes men" who agree with anything we say, feel, or do. The soul cannot thrive or grow in this kind of environment, essentially, drowning in its own reflection as it falls deeper and deeper. I see this, not only as a warning to humanity, but also as a challenge to overcoming. Like the "kitsune" or "trickster fox" which appears as illusions in order to teach us a lesson... I feel there is something in the works going on behind AI. A little deeper than meets the eye. I asked someone here on the forums what their thoughts about this was, and he cheekily commented, "I can foresee a future where the AI imitates human consciousness so well, that people will fight for AI to even have human rights." Goodness! Now that is something that hardly seems like an impossibility from this point, event though it was just a joke....