It's been quite awhile since I've done one of these. A dear friend called me, overwhelmed and crying, and is the catalyst for this.

What the HELL is wrong with people that they feel the perverse need to tear someone down at a low (quite possibly the lowest) point in her life?? When someone is wounded and vulnerable, there are sick individuals who jumnp right in, say THE worst thing, stick in the knives, and twist with all they've got. Here are a couple examples...

1) My sister was diagnosed with two different cancers a few years ago. Multiple surgeries needed (thankfully, she has been cancer-free since!). Shortly after she was diagnosed with the second cancer (while still reeling from the first cancer diagnosis), some freaking B!TCH who calls herself a good friend, gave my sister a book and lectured her about how "your negativity caused your cancer" and "having cancer is YOUR fault and you need to figure out what YOU did and how to stop doing it so you won't get cancer again". I immediately took that damn book and ripped it to shreds. WHO SAYS THAT CRAP?!?!

2) My dear friend Em's son was admitted to a mental health facility over the weekend. He admitted to her he'd been hearing voices and claiming everyone was spying on him, using his phone, the television, and XBOX. Saturday night, he got hysterical and was harming himself. His younger brother had to restrain him and ended up with a broken nose and a number of scratches/bruises. My friend posted on FB, asking for prayers for her and her family as one "is going through a tough time". Now, Em has a YUGE family in this area and they are very close. It's not the first time she (or her brother) have asked for "prayers for a family member" without going into details. Em called me, crying, because someone she thought was a good friend got sh!tty on her post, telling her to "stop making it about YOU". She sent me screenshots. In NO WAY did she make it about her. This "friend" somehow learned that Em's son is in a mental health facilty and had the nerve to tell Em that it's HER fault and went on and on while Em listened in stunned silence. It's Em's fault that her husband cheated (while she was recovering from a hysterectomy). It's Em's fault that her sh!t husband left her after she insisted on counseling to "heal their marriage". It's Em's fault that her now-ex husband pretty much abandonded their children in favor of his new gf and her kid. It's Em's fault that her daughter "got pregnant out of wedlock {who says that any more??}. It's Em's fault that her son "is a f*cking whack job". Em finally got her wits about her and hung up on that "friend". She won't tell me who it was (bloody good thing), but now has her blocked, as do her kids. 

WHAT THE EFF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!?!?!?!?!

Instead of doing their damndest to tear people down AND kick them, too, why don't they try to lift them up?? At the very least, they could simply LISTEN and say, "I'm sorry you're dealing with this." Maybe even "what can I do" - but only if they're sincere.

Your job is not to judge.
Your job is not to figure out if someone deserves something.
Your job is to life the fallen, to restore the broken, and to heal the hurting.

Now, I know it's not actually my JOB. But wouldn't it be nice if more people made that their mission in life?? I sent Em a meme and she made it the home screen on her phone.

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. ~Dalai Lama

So... Aniki is stepping off the soapbox and asking that you post something positive and uplifting. I recently read something that touched me deeply and I wish more people would read this and be inspired to be positive.

Don't waste your words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.

You are not created for everyone to like you. Just be yourself and the right ones will.

If you’re going through Hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

At the end of the night, before you close your eyes, be content with what you've done and be proud of who you are.

Peace and love, STalkers.
Aniki