@Novels56 @Tail right? I just do not understand it. What do you get out of being cruel to others? By that logic, they’ll be getting sick next, because that behavior certainly does not warrant praise or reward.

@JeSsA The schadenfreude is real. TOO real.

@Tail I keep setting myself up for disappointment, thinking people will be better, but they never are

@JeSsA I wouldn't be so pessimistic. I used to be .. similar, I guess. I'm a much better person than I used to be but it took a major catalyst for that change and I did a lot of damage to a lot of people along the way. I'd undo what I've done if I could, of course.

But I got better, which is key. Even shitty people deserve room to grow.🙏

@Tail don’t worry, I’m not so pessimistic, I mean I am, but not enough that I will ever give up. That’s why the disappointment keeps coming, because the hope keeps flowing as well, and the optimism that things, and people will, and can, be better. I still believe that, I always will. None of us are perfect, and each of us has the ability to be better! Congrats to you on your journey, that’s incredible. Sometimes it does take a catalyst to make a change, but you did.💘

@JeSsA Thank you.🙏 That's basically my sentiment, if you don't give people chances they can't disappoint you, right? Empathy is key. Lots of peoples' maladaptive behavior imo stems from insecurity and a lack of emotional intelligence. At least it was for me.

There's so much toxicity in the media that perpetuates those kinds of attitudes too. Toxic masculinity, etc. It's a shame.

@Tail empathy is my strength, and weakness. Whatever happened with you, just be these small conversations, seems to have made a huge impact, and the insight you have now, is impressive. To be honest about it, more so.

@JeSsA Yup, that was the hardest part, being honest. Pulled my head out of my ass and 😎 stopped living a lie, I try to let others know that it's okay to do so themselves. That it's safe to. Sometimes they listen.

Also when I started managing a doggy daycare that really helped.

@Tail well, this explains a lot. Dogs are life. They can make ones life so much better. I know they do mine.

@JeSsA Indeed. My parents pretty much just gave me a dog and left me to my own devices. I learned more from the dog than them, and I was fortunate that they never bothered to teach me the things they think they know.

But it did leave me with a lack of any sort of role model to look up to. Now I'm working on unlearning everything. It's not easy but it needs to be done.

"Be the person you want your kids to be".

@Tail or, be the person your dog thinks you are. Life definitely sends us on some journeys, doesn’t it?

@JeSsA It does. Once you stop trying to control the things you can't and just sort of let your nature guide you life gets a lot easier. We all have a calling, I've gone through dozens of what I wanted my callings to be before I just gave in.

I'm really good at dog and that's pretty much it. I'm totally okay with this.😎

@Tail crazy dog lady here. Showed professionally (conformation, showed all breeds, specialty in working and sporting dogs). I love all things dog. You’re in the best job around, if it involves dogs. IMO anyhow

@JeSsA Sadly my doggy daycare got shut down when Covid hit. Couldn't keep up. There's been a void in me ever since.

Hopefully I'll be able to get in volunteering at the animal shelter soon, it's been too long.

@Tail ohh that sucks, I’m sorry to hear. As long as you’ve got your sweet buddy, you’re still in great company. My dogs and dragons keep me going.

@JeSsA Unfortunately I don't have him anymore..

@Tail awwwww I’m so sorry. Mine volunteer their snuggle service any time you need.

@JeSsA It's been a long dark year, suffice to say.

Pretty much every time I see a dog I start bawling. It's been too long.😞

@JeSsA @Tail
But sometimes the children are..

But that means, the parents could be too - if they chose to be better that that, & worked at it.

Damage flows, but it can be interrupted.

@dz Break the cycle or be broken on it.

@JeSsA @Tail
Obviously, posted before reading further in thread.

🙏 respect

@dz @JeSsA No no you're fine, it's an epidemic and there's so much working against it. The little lights we find here and there are what guide us. If others choose to walk in the dark, that's on them.

It's a shame that they'll leave so much damage in their wake.

@stueytheround @JeSsA This is true, and it's so infuriating. Some people are just absolutely disgusting.

@JeSsA @Tail

If you ever hear a "christian" say it, show them this:

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.' "

John 9:1‭-‬3

@stueytheround @JeSsA It's amazing how few of them have actually read the bible and had it stick. There are some good fundamental lessons in there, but they get twisted into something terrible.