[Faith.Hope.Love]'s diary

135927  Link to this entry 
Written about Sunday 2013-11-24
Written: (4017 days ago)

"Love given, but unreturned, leaves a heart badly burned." ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie</i>

<i>#Poetry </i>

"Unreturned Love"


Although my love is real, deep, and very true,
I cannot seem to break down your wall to reach you.
Still reeling from the pain of a previous love gone bad,
The entrance to your heart is closed, leaving me so very sad.
This ache in my heart cuts just like a knife,
As I watch you struggle through your own strife.
Since you cannot strike against the cause of your grief,
Instead, I've become the one being used for your relief.
I'd gladly wipe away all your pain and your sorrow,
In hopes we could then be free to love through each tomorrow.
But here I am standing on the outside looking in,
Trying to make sense of a loss that should've been a win.
To describe how I feel, there are no words to say,
And would it really matter if I said them anyway?
I know you cannot see the pain you're causing me.
Your own inner turmoil holds you captive in pure agony.
So I'm left helpless to watch in dismay,
As you fight the demons day after day.
Love can only live in a heart that receives,
When given by a heart that in love, believes.


<i>Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-11-24 </i>
<i>I wrote this for a very close personal friend who is feeling/going through this right now. There isn't much worse to have to endure emotionally than </i>
<i>falling in love with someone who, because of issues they're battling within themselves, don't return the love, and even worse, will ultimately use the </i>
<i>person in love with them as their personal "grief release". :'(

135926  Link to this entry 
Written about Thursday 2013-11-21
Written: (4020 days ago)

<img:https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/429063_304882546232443_1219850915_n.jpg>

So call me crazy or whatever you like, but at least I have the guts to stand up and fight! Do you?
I have the guts to speak the truth. So tell me, do you?



135925  Link to this entry 
Written about Wednesday 2013-11-20
Written: (4021 days ago)

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth." — William Faulkner

So true!

It's not the truth that causes the damage. It's the lies that do. But yet, people resent the truth and blame it and why? Because it's the truth that exposes the lies. If lies weren't told in the first place, then truth wouldn't be seen as the enemy. If people would just choose to be truthful and not tell lies, then these same people wouldn't see those who choose to tell the truth as an enemy either.

A liar sees a truth teller as a nemesis, when in reality, the real nemesis is the liar themselves because by choosing to lie, they are demeaning their own character. By settling for what is deceptively easier, telling a lie versus telling the truth, THIS engraves in the human psyche the host doing so, is weak, doesn't have the strength to do what's right over what's wrong. Therefore, a person who chooses lying over telling the truth is a weak minded individual. On the other hand, a person who chooses to tell the truth, especially when lying is presenting itself as the favourable way to go, exhibits strength, courage, and tenacity, which are some of the vital components that cultivate and maintain a good sense of self worth, resulting in a person having integrity.

When people lie, they don't feel good about themselves, and guilt sets up shop and guilt has a way of eating at one's self worth and self esteem. When people don't feel good about themselves, they don't want others to feel good about themselves either and will resent others who do. Hence, "misery loves company". When people lie, they then think others do as well, because people judge others in accordance with themselves.

When people who have lied finally decide to tell the truth, they feel liberated and they feel liberated because they free themselves of the guilt that goes hand in hand with lies and lying. Hence, "the truth shall set one free".

..And speaking of the truth, here's some, but "I" was the one accused of lying.

I was told that I was lying when I said I had invited a member to Elftown. Here's the invite email:
<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/ArtsieInvitesHansToElftown2009-02-27.png?x=600&y=0>

So... apparently "I" didn't lie. Here's the member I invited: http://elftown.eu/member.html?membernr=187336
Hans even states this and displays a copy of the invite email in his house. But this isn't all. Right after Hans accepted. I was given credit in my house. The "invited members" button went from "invited 0 members" to "invited 1 members". Then when Hans wrote a comment on my "Love For A Community - Elftown" wiki-page in support of me, my credit of inviting 1 member went back to "invited 0 members" again. (I have the screengrabs that verify this.)

I was told that I was lying when I stated WHO put an additional, little, red heart in my badge slot. The proof about WHO "actually" did is on the this image's corresponding wiki-page:
Badge-n-Heart-From-Hedda

2009-02-15 was MOST DEFINITELY an "Event To Be Remembered"! It isn't 'every' day that the Mayor of Elftown places a heart in a member's badge box ..and on Valentine's Day weekend no less! I mean how sweet and how 'speshul' is this!? It's just such a shame that he won't lay claim to about the most romantic gesture I could ever imagine a man would do! ..And for little ol' nobody me. Of all the stunts he pulled and still does pull stunts, it was this particular one I chose to focus on to bring awareness to my situation and I did so because THIS one would have made him look favourably in the eyes of other members. Well, other members EXCEPT the crew and its ringleader that is. But my concern was not in regards to the crew, considering several members of the crew used every opportunity they could to dog me and said basically, that I wasn't any 'thing' that he could ever possibly be interested in and like how dare I even entertain such a notion because I was nothing more than an ugly piece of crap to them. But I wanted the general community to be behind and support him, with or without the crew's blessing.

I was even told by a crew member that I oughta' come down a few pegs if I thought he would or could ever be interested in me. But this is just it. Even though I was contemplating this could possibly be the reason behind the watching, spying, "I" couldn't believe it to really be true, because I don't think I have the looks to attract someone like Hedda. To know me, one would also know that I don't think I'm anything great to look at. This is why I don't like my picture taken. ..And it's been this way since I was a child. I even tried to get out of going to school on pictures' day.

When I was growing up, I was extremely and severely made fun of, ostracised, and bullied... by the other kids AND by teachers. There was one teacher in particular, Mr. Hughes, who would make it the highlight of his day to single me out and call me all sorts of negative names, like ugly, stupid, retard, misfit, etc.. He would say things like, "I'm surprised your Mother didn't give you up for adoption when you were born, you're so ugly!" and "We should have a contest to see who's the homeliest kid. I bet you'd win!" and "A little retard like you can't be anything but stupid!" This behaviour towards me by him incited the other kids to use it as a green light and it fueled their cruel bullying of me. When a teacher bullies a kid, where and to whom is the kid supposed to feel comfortable with to go to about it?

Then like this wasn't enough, my stepfather gave me pretty much the same at home, along with slapping me almost daily and telling me that I was a waste, I should have died when I was an infant, and that I would never amount to a hill of beans, along with lots of other derogatory slurs towards me. Then add in the fact that my older brother molested me and threatened me that if I told, he would do something bad and blame me so our stepfather would then beat my ass with his belt, as he often did with us kids. So for members of the crew to accuse me of "glorifying myself"... they have no clue as to how wrong they are!

Yes, this happened when I was a kid, but they are very deep scars that never completely go away. Scars from childhood will and do carry through into and affect our adulthood. Just because they are in the past, it doesn't mean they can't rear their ugly heads from time to time, because they do, especially when you are subjected again in a similar way as I was so cruelly treated on Elftown.

So as a result of all the bullying on both fronts, I was an extremely shy and introverted, little kid. I didn't say much. I was too afraid to. But I did choose to seek out what I felt to be a "safe haven" and this safe haven was to go off into the woods and through the fields and such where I found acceptance and peace in nature and animals. This is why I love animals and nature so much. There is no cruel judgment imposed by either. I used to take a pad and pencil always with me because it was in this safe environment I could then release my inner self through poetry and drawing. With nature surrounding me I didn't feel ugly and useless. I just felt like me and "me" was just fine with nature. ..And so it was here I could release my inner self. As a result, I became not just a good artist, but a great one, and some teachers and kids who became aware of my talent would ask me to draw pictures for them and my art teacher especially would praise my work. So THIS gave me a sense that I did have some value or worth. :'( But for people now to say to me that I should just get over having MY work stolen from me?

So no, I don't like my picture taken. In fact I hate it taken. Because I was told I was so grossly ugly, I decided to pursue an avenue in which my looks didn't matter and this was who I was/am inside. I had no control over my looks, but I did have control over who I was as a person, and so, this is what I still choose to focus on to this day and this is why when anyone attacks my character, I will retaliate. I have made it a point in my life to try and be the best person I can be and I am a good person. So when others try to undermine my integrity, especially those who need to spend more time cleaning their own closets, I will not and do not take it lying down. ..And THIS is why I will stand up and defend others who I feel are being ostracised unjustly, for someone who I feel isn't being appreciated the way they should be, and I will always make a point to make sure credit is given when credit is due.

Not only did I decide to focus on being the best me I could, but since I was told continually of how "imperfect" I was, I had to then be as perfect as I could be AND everything I did, got involved with, also had to be as perfect as I could make it. Good was not good enough. It had to be great, awesome, and perfect! ..And so anything I get involved with, I don't do it halfway. I throw my whole self into whatever it is and this included Elftown and Elf12. When I am dedicated to a something and/or a someone, then I am truly dedicated and I will give with everything within my power I have to give. ..And THIS is how I was too with Elftown, Elf12, and because Hedda owns the sites, he became included in my devotion and dedication. This is why I didn't want to believe that he could be spying on me, even though there were/are countless incidents (with data confirmation) that indicate such.

But THIS, my dedication, was seen by members of the crew on Elftown as something I should be ashamed of, because my dedication and devotion was said to be obsessive, while their efforts were said to be "dedication". I was said to be interfering while their actions were said to be "helping". One of the things I've learned in life is that people who feel like they can't measure up to another's capabilities and standards WILL resent that person and fiercely so. It's not because this other person is doing something wrong, but simply because this other person is doing a whole lot right. Because of this, people who feel like they can't measure up, resort to resentment that manifests itself through jealous behaviour. I don't do jealousy because I know and have witnessed many times in my life just how damaging and destructive it can be.

But anyway, yet, "I" am said to be the trouble maker, the liar! Because I tell the truth that disproves the lies AND I provide data that supports and backs up the truth. I'm not a troublemaker. I just choose to deal with the truth and those who resent this, choose to work with the lies. I will NEVER go along with lies and lying when I know there's lying and deceit going on. I will NOT be party to such. I don't do ass kissing and I resent it if others try it with me. I don't lie for people either, even if they are a friend AND a true friend would never ask a friend TO lie for them in the first place.

I'm not one of the crowd of people all going along with an agenda just to feel like they fit in, afraid to step on some toes. I'm like the young peasant kid who instead says right out, "The emperor is naked!" My loyalty does NOT lie with the "crowd", that same crowd that shunned me and treated me as an outcast. At a very young age I had to find an alternative that would work for me and that I could work with. As a result, I am a survivor. Others can beat me down, but they can't KEEP me down. ..And if others don't want to support me, well, it's not like I haven't faced adversity before alone. It's not like being unpopular is foreign to me.

My level of determination is very high and mostly because I know all that I have had to get through and I've beaten the odds to not just survive but come out on the other side in a positive way. I've had to learn to rely on my self and my own merit and I've also learned that others one can't ever totally rely on to do what's right. I've had to learn the hard way that it's best to expect as little as possible of others, to depend as little as possible on others, because you will only open yourself up to more disappointment if you are too reliant or dependent on others. This is why I am so independent. I know what bleak and hopelessness is like and so, I also know how important having hope, perseverance, and determination really is. I ran a successful business for many years that relied heavily on trust from my clientele because they had to know that I would take the best care of their beloved pets when they left them in my care and I did.

I have deeply rooted empathy and I can relate with the woes of others on a much more profound level than many others because I know just how tough life can be at times and how wearisome and downing it can be. This is why I feel agitated when I see others putting themselves down because I don't like it when they do and I like to lift up others and to encourage others.

However, even though I learned to survive and thrive on my own, it doesn't mean that I didn't have residual pangs of wanting to be accepted rather than rejected, because I did, but this gradually diminished over the years, but not to the point of completely dissipating. When I joined Elftown, the site grew on me and the same when I joined Elf12. To say I loved Elftown and Elf12 would be a gross understatement! In fact it was because of my devotion and dedication that Lerune decided to ask me to be Grand Mog of Elf12. I still have her correspondence. I considered this to be a great honour and I didn't accept right away because I had to feel certain I could do the position justice. Then when Hedda told me that I had chased Lerune away from Elf12 and that ALL the crew members, past and present, had gone to him begging him to get rid of me as Grand Mog, I found this very hard to believe. But just for the record, I asked Lerune if this was true. She said it was not true. I still have these messages as well from both Hedda and Lerune.

As far as friendship and knowing first hand how fake and pretentious some can be, I take friendship seriously, not casually or as expendable. I don't pretend in private to be supportive and then when around others, change sides of whom I supported in private. If I support someone in private, I will support them publicly, and just because others may get on my case about this, makes NO difference. It doesn't mean I particularly like ostracising. It just means that my allegiance to the truth takes precedence over how I may be received when I do. Yes, it takes guts to make this choice, but the reward in knowing you did what was right over what was wrong is priceless and the only person who can give you this reward is you, but it all has to do with the choice "you" make and not the choices of others. But THIS wasn't the way I was treated by MANY who "claimed to be" my friend. In private conversations I was told how wrongly I was being treated, but when it came time for the same ones to stand up for me publicly, they switched horses in midstream and then joined in on the ostracisation imposed on me. ..And then would STILL insist that they were my FRIENDS! So instead of being able to obtain the help and support I needed to get my situation resolved, my situation was made worse by these traitors who were posing as my friends. They didn't have the guts to stand up to the plate.

This is one of the main problems in government too or especially. There are people who see wrongdoing, but because they're afraid they'll rock the boat, likely what they perceive as 'their boat to success', they keep silent and so not only does the wrongdoing and corruption continue, but it gets progressively worse and corrupt because it's left unchecked. Any issue that is left unaddressed or ignored is NOT going to get resolved. Problems or issues don't just fix themselves or just go away all on their own. Instead, the problem keeps brewing and brewing, all the while becoming an increasingly volatile and potent monster.

It's not until the corruption has gotten so huge and out of control so it is profoundly noticeable by others on the outside looking in that it finally gets attention, but a huge problem is a huge problem to try and fix. Whereas if it had been brought to the attention of others so as to get it addressed much sooner when it wasn't so big of a deal, it would have been much, much easier to set right, to fix. But when you have people who are more interested in climbing the ladder and locking in their social status so as to serve betterment for themselves, and so choose to look the other way, ignore the ominous situation, THIS lays the ground work for a psychopath to rise to power. Then we wonder "how" it happened. THIS IS how!

If other people who choose to lie, resent me for choosing truth, well it's something they need to address within themselves. If they can't speak the truth, it's not "my" problem. It is "theirs". But trying to place the blame for "their" choices, "their" actions, "their" behaviour, on a person who it's not fitting with, just drives home even more the type of people they "choose" to be. People who "choose to lie" also have the choice to tell the truth, just as I do have the same choice. For others who choose to lie but then also choose to blame others who choose not to lie, THIS is pretty twisted. Oh but it was "I" who was called a mental case. Go figure.

..And when people ostracise me for telling the truth and even label me as a liar for doing so, and for the whole world to see even, THIS tells everything about them and just what kind of people "they" are, especially when "I" have the data that proves that I'm NOT the one who IS lying! If those who accuse me of lying even when there's evidence that proves I'm not, THIS just compounds and reiterates what type of people "they choose" to be. When people have a field day bullying another, grabbing any opportunity they can to twist the victim's words against them, and then when the proof is showed to them supporting what the victim said to be true and then they have nothing to say, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see just what type of demented people they are. Guilty people behave in ways that give them up, but guilty people can't see this, but a person who is telling the truth can spot the tell-tale signs easily.

This proving that I'm not lying is not about revenge or getting back at people who have ostracised me, but it IS about "proving I'm NOT what I'm accused of being". Then when I'm left with having to deal with having my privacy invaded, my name slandered, my work stolen, etc. and all based on false accusations, I have NO choice but to continue to prove that I AM speaking the truth. Being punished wrongly IS WRONG regardless of how it's carried out. ..And then when there are people who think I should just let this go? It's because "they" aren't in "my" situation. If they were, "they" wouldn't simply allow and accept punishment for something they aren't guilty of and "they" KNOW THIS to be true. But yet, these same expect me to just let it go. pfffffft

Then when you have people who KNOW I'm being wrongly accused but "choose" to say nothing in my defense, "they" are "enablers". These enablers don't want to find themselves on the other side, on the outside, so they figure if they say nothing, they will remain in a group's good standing. So they choose to save themselves and serve their own best interests even though they do so at the expense of a person who's being wrongly accused. But WHO are they hurting really? WHO are they saving? WHO are they in essence really short changing? Themselves! What I can't understand is, how can people like this "live with themselves"? How can they think anything good about themselves, knowing they are party to wrongdoing being levied upon another who isn't deserving of it? Allowing another to be wrongly punished when one knows it is wrong, but does nothing, is just about as bad as the one or ones levying the wrongful punishment.

But there's also something else in regards to telling the truth versus telling lies and this is, the only thing that can stop the negative impact lies cause is by telling the truth and either the truth will ultimately reveal the truth and tell it "for" the liar OR the liar will choose to tell the truth themselves. If the liar tells the truth, the liar can then hope to gain back any respect they had previously. But if the truth winds up being the truth teller instead of the liar doing so, any hope for gaining back respect is either lost entirely or extremely difficult to get reinstated. When a liar tells the truth themselves, there's an important lesson the liar learns and this is that telling the truth is the better way to go. If the truth tells the truth, then the lesson is not learned usually. We learn mostly by our mistakes and feeling the impact of them.

Once one finds themselves aboard the lying train, which will continue to gain momentum and require more and more lying to keep it sustained, thus building a greater and greater sense of guilt, which increases the level of stress within the host, the only escape is acknowledging and telling the truth and either done so by the liar or the truth itself. As much as it can be difficult to choose to speak the truth initially, speaking the truth to stop a lying train is WAY more difficult and so, takes many times more the courage to do so. This is why there is a certain amount of respect that is earned, recouped when a person chooses to finally speak the truth after insisting the lies were the truth because it takes a hell of a lot of guts to admit the truth after one has been telling lies.

When you care about someone a lot and you know they are lying, you want 'them' to tell the truth because caring about another is also wanting the best for them.

"Self Worth"

At the end of the day when all is said and done...
When we have to face ourselves, of scrutiny, we're the one,
We have to be able to like ourselves, the person with whom we live,
And we can like who we are by the kindness and caring that we give,
And when we see the wrongs, we must try to set them right,
So when we close our eyes to sleep, we have peace throughout the night.

When we choose the tougher road of right over wrong,
We know within us, we have courage and we're strong,
And although we may be tempted to lie and to deceive,
We have faith within ourselves of which we can believe.

When we believe in ourselves and know our own self worth,
We are released and to a new freedom we give birth.
Our candle within burns clean, brightly and much stronger,
When not dependent on the approval of others any longer.

Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-11-20 20:04:00 (EST)

135923  Link to this entry 
Written about Tuesday 2013-11-19
Written: (4022 days ago)

#Poetry

"Sometimes... Take Time"


Sometimes...
Throughout our busy days
In the chaos and the craze,
While we strive to live like kings,
We forget IMPORTANT things!
      The beauty of a tree...
      Ah, yes, a child's wonder...
      Or of a rose in bloom...
      Do we dare to ponder?
Seemingly insignificant matters like thoughts and prayers and such...
Well, maybe, "We'll do it later... 'cause it doesn't matter much!"

Not only of our time is our sparing small,
But with all our 'gotta' haves', we don't recognize the call
Of someone in need, a stranger or a friend.
Maybe, just a helping hand is all we need to lend.
You see? If it doesn't fit... within our schedule range,
Our accustomed style... we simply cannot change!
      "I'm not going that way..."
      "I don't think I can..."
      "I've got to get my 'this'..."
      "That's not within my plan..."
These are some 'excuses' that we're guilty of each day,
But if we thought a moment... I bet we'd find a way
To make a call or two or help someone in need,
If we did without a little, it would magnify indeed!

If our material possessions were all just stripped away,
Would we be left standing... naked and in dismay?
Could we look inside our soul and be content in what we see
Or would we make some changes and throw away the key?
To the door of 'think of me'... and be sure it's locked up tight,
'Cause a whole new door can open when you're showered with the light!
No longer will you have to worry about your little self,
'Cause the care you give to others will not remain upon a shelf!
You'll be surrounded in ways you can't imagine thus.
You'll feel much more significant and no more like a 'wuss'!
      The rewards in life are plenty.
      They are there for all of us,
      If we do a little caring
      And refocus how we fuss!
So, let us all each day find some time for others.
Share our thoughts and feelings with our sisters and our brothers.
I don't mean just family here, although they're number one,
But also, with the other souls that may not always be as fun!

Let me just say... that I'm guilty of this, too.
That's why I'm sharing thoughts as I think of you,
And if tomorrow I'm not here, 'cause we never know what's next.
I want my family and friends to know and not to feel perplexed.
To say the way I feel... that I love each and every one...
Just doesn't seem adequate or that my task is done!
So, if there's any doubt in your minds as of today,
Remember this I've said and I mean just what I say!
I want to say one more thing, this most of all...
May you each know God's Blessings. May They be showered on you ALL!!!

So, when we get so busy, as we really do,
Let's try to think of others a little bit more, too.
Whether one gives to a stranger or a friend,
It inspires others to spark a warm and caring trend!


Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2005-05-05 </center>
Missing: </center>
135922  Link to this entry 
Written about Tuesday 2013-11-19
Written: (4022 days ago)

#Poetry

"A True Friend"

A True Friend is there for you in every kind of way,
And beside you, both in private AND public they will stay.
A True Friend doesn't whisper support just in the dark
And then simply disappear as daylight does embark.
A True Friend has your back, they won't let you fall.
When you stand accused, they will stand beside you tall.
A True Friend doesn't hesitate to support and to defend,
Because this is what it means to be a TRUE FRIEND!

Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-11-19 12:35:00 (EST)</i>

"A Smiling Face!"


I'd rather turn the corners up,
Than leave them pointing down.
The expression of a smiling face
Is always better than a frown!

<i>
Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2007-06-22 </i>

"My Kitty!"


My Kitty is my friend,
When no one wants to be.
She's tolerant of my quirks,
She's prrr-fect just for me.
She knows sometimes I'm lonely,
But she always does her best,
To lift my spirits up,
As she purrs upon my chest.

When I'm in the need
To talk about the part,
That lies in a secret place
Deep inside my heart,
She rubs her head against me,
As the aching, longing stirs,
But I know my secret's safe,
With her reassuring purrs.

For all the times, when the pain's so great
And I think there's nothing to console it or abate,
She once again comes through, my lack of faith, forgives,
Reminds me in my heart, is where she always lives.

<i>
Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2008-01-06</i>

"Samantha's Wings"


I have been a pal to you
For many, many years,
Through all the cherished moments;
The sad and happy tears.

I've been so honored
To be your loyal friend.
Just because I've had to part,
This journey needn't end.

I am with you always,
As I have been from the start
And you'll always find me
There, just inside your heart.

I have risen, now
To a more important role.
My duty comes with wings
To protect and guard your soul.

My tail is always wagging now
For I can always see;
I can always hear you all
So clear...my beloved family!

<i>
Written by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2005-10-30


135921  Link to this entry 
Written about Tuesday 2013-11-19
Written: (4022 days ago)

“Truth TRUMPS 'trumped up' lies.” ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie


135917  Link to this entry 
Written about Saturday 2013-11-16
Written: (4025 days ago)

#Quotes
“When we see with our eyes, instead of our heart,
We blind ourselves from the most beautiful part.” ~ Artsieladie

“Through our eyes, we have limited vision, but through our hearts, our vision is endless.” ~ Artsieladie

“It is through our greatest pain, we discover our greatest strength.”
...and...
“It is through our most trying and difficult times, we find our truest friends.” ~ Artsieladie

“Sometimes those who we think are the most critical of us, are the ones that care enough to want us to reach our fullest potential.” ~ Artsieladie

~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie

135916  Link to this entry 
Written about Saturday 2013-11-16
Written: (4026 days ago)

"The cost of truth can be high, but the cost of lies can be insurmountable." ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie

I think too often people who choose lying over telling the truth, do so because they lack faith in themselves to speak the truth. The truth isn't always easy to say. But on the other hand, making up a lie seems easier. A person who lacks faith in themselves opens up the door to allow self doubt in and an over inflation of the ego to fill in any missing and/or vacant spaces and will undermine or overshadow any humility present. Along with self doubt comes an array of fears and fears tend to constrain us, control us, and keep us from obtaining our fullest potential because a person will become afraid to try and will ultimately concede and give in to maintaining this "seemingly" but false, safer comfort zone. But with an over inflated ego also present, a person can fool themselves into believing that they have it all together. 

However, once the lying begins, more lies need to be told to protect the previous lies from the truth and lying then starts and continues into that like a "snowball effect". The bigger and bigger the snowball gets and grows, the increasingly harder it is to stop it. As this grows, becomes greater, so does the fear of the truth. ..And as it gains momentum, a person will cling for dear life onto this faster and faster, unstoppable snowball or moving train, way too afraid to jump off and if the person should try and stop it with the truth, where will it stop? Will it stop in a place of accountability? Likely it will. So still not having faith in oneself, the person still fears the truth, and even more so, because the truth has become not only more difficult to face, but now there is shame added to it. Shame injures pride. Pride is fed from ego and an over inflated ego gives the person harbouring it a false-positive reading, making the person believe still they have things in control and all together.

About pride... Pride is fed by our ego, but it is also fed by our self worth "as we perceive it". In other words, if we feel honestly good about ourselves, that we have self worth for real, and have a healthy sense of humility, our ego won't gain the dominant role or the upper hand in our pride. But if we aren't feeling all that good about ourselves, then ego can be used to fill in the gaps, and then in essence, it is our ego that will ultimately lie to us, convincing us we are okay as we are. The human spirit should be constantly evolving into a better and better version of oneself, a progressive "work in progress", not digressive or become stalemated. But if ego is allowed to take over, this evolving, this progression, is hindered, even stalemated, even digressive.

It does take a lot of guts to speak the truth, especially when we are constantly tempted to speak a lie instead. Anything appearing easier is tempting. It requires more strength and effort to follow the path of truth, but it is in this effort where we are then able to find and therefore, achieve self worth. When we have and KNOW we have self worth, we also then have a good self esteem, more self confidence, hence "faith in ourselves", which ultimately gives us greater courage and strength to continue on the pathway of truth, until eventually we become comfortable on this path and so comfortable, it is then our "true" safe zone. But not everyone reaches this place because it isn't easy to reach, especially with all the temptations to derail us along the way.

Once one has reached this arduous but very worthy goal, then they want others to reach the same, especially anyone they happen to care deeply about, because there is a certain, unexplainable freedom one feels by the truth. This is why "The truth will set one free" is the absolute truth, because it really does. But a person who chooses to follow the pathway of lies and lying, can't envision this, because lies blind people from the truth.

It's very difficult to encourage a person to believe in themselves, that they already have what it takes to be worthy or successful, if they don't really believe this to be true. If a person doesn't believe in themselves and that they have capabilities to do or achieve greater possibilities, they will ultimately choose the easiest route rather than try and tackle something that requires more effort, the effort they don't believe they have in them. ..And should they decide TO go for it, inevitable bumps in the road can easily discourage them.

A person who is battling within them a feeling of lacking self worth, therefore harbouring insecurity, will often make use of other traits/behaviours such as arrogance, conceitedness, defiance, apathy, belligerence, etc. as their "wall of armor". By implementing these, they think they are shielding themselves from others being able to detect their insecurity, which to such a person is seen as a weakness and/or vulnerability. What they don't realise however, the best way to resolve any issue is to take steps to eradicate the cause, rather than being satisfied, thus complacent, with "treatment through masking" the symptoms.

Anything that is fake or unreal is not true. If something is untrue then it is false and false sleeps comfortably with lies and lying. Therefore, if we project a false front, one that is untrue, we are then in fact, presenting a lie. If we continually do this, then we expose ourselves to being comfortable with other lies and forms of falsehoods and at some point, the line between the true and the false becomes blurred or blended and can even to the point we can no longer distinguish between the two and this loss of distinguishing ability bleeds out into and then affects other facets of ourselves and our lives. Ultimately, what's true and real becomes lost like that of a needle in a haystack.

But a person who believes in another, even when the other does not believe in themselves, will still be able to see what makes the other person shine. If they see the other person behaving in ways that diminish the other person's shine, it's disconcerting and troubling to the one who cares because a caring person wants to see a person they care about to be able to reach their greatest potential, to continue to shine as brightly as they know the other person can. A concerned person's criticism isn't really meant to demean but rather meant to encourage the other person to see that they are really demeaning themselves and one who cares for another isn't willing to settle for the lesser when they can still see the greater.

135913  Link to this entry 
Written about Friday 2013-11-15
Written: (4026 days ago)

"Happy Birthday - Star"


<img:http://i2.minus.com/iFWRFJE6yAl5D.png>

Today we celebrate a very special day,
The birthday of a Star,
And it can’t go by without saying
How special that you are!
May today shine just as bright,
As brilliant as you do,
And there’s a light shining in my heart,
The shining comes from you!


Art/Design/Poem by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly
©2013-11-14 All rights reserved.

I know you don't come here much anymore, but this greeting will be waiting to greet you when you do.
*HUGS* ♥ ...Always!

135908  Link to this entry 
Written about Thursday 2013-11-14
Written: (4028 days ago)
135907  Link to this entry 
Written about Wednesday 2013-11-13
Written: (4029 days ago)

#TrueFriendsSupport #BeatingBullying
<img:https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482442_327990437341358_1121923900_n.jpg>

"Sometimes in life, you find a special friend.
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop.
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.
This is forever friendship. When you're down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full.
Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times an dthe confused times.
If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows.
If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on.
Your forever friend hold your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay.
And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend, and forever has no end."


Great words, Naomi, straight from the heart. :) Great photo to go with them too. <3

There aren't that many people who are willing to "inconvenience" themselves in another's time of need, but these same will expect others to be there for them when they are in need. If I had a dollar for every time I've been told 'with an attitude': "What do you expect me to do?" or "I don't get involved in the troubles of others." or "There's nothing I can do!" ..I'd have a considerable amount of money. These are generally convenient "cop out" excuses so they can justify their lack of caring and to reassure themselves although falsely, that they are exonerated from involvement.

I'm NOT speaking of here those who support friends and say, "I wish I could do something to help, but I don't know how I can help." There is a huge difference because oftentimes those who truly want to help, just can't, but they will offer their support "by listening without judgment" AND they WILL SUPPORT you "in public". Very often knowing that someone cares and are willing to listen, will have your back WHERE NEEDED, even though they can't actually do something tangible to help, is worth more than words can say.

Then there are those who will listen and show support "in private", but when you need their support in public where the issue is taking place, they become silent, say nothing, OR they will even go so far as to minimise your situation publicly and usually because they are afraid they might step on the toes of the offending party. THIS can AND often does, make the situation WORSE for the person being victimised.

This is how and why people who bully others get away with their assaulting behaviour. When a bully or bullies is/are met with people who refuse to allow them to behave badly towards others, they back down, because bullies are really cowards who pick on the defenseless, on those they know they can and likely they'll get away with it. When challenged, bullies recede, because they really have no guts.

A good example: When a child is bullied at school, the child is virtually 'alone' to deal with the bullies. When the child goes home to their family, they then are supported, but WHERE the child NEEDS the support the most, they are alone and left to defend themselves 'by themselves'. This is why "support groups" are needed "WHERE the offensive behaviour is taking place".

I speak from experience here. People aren't aware of how many people, "supposedly" friends, who have and do tell me "in private" that they know I have been and am being wronged on/by Elftown.com; that they can't believe with the amount of data and evidence I've provided and yet, I'm still being victimised... But when it comes time to stand up and SAY SO PUBLICLY, they are silent! They're afraid they'll step on some toes! ...OFFENDING toes! So because of the silence, the person(s) continues to do as they want to, unchecked, and I am left with having to "LIVE THIS HELL"! ..And then to add insult to injury, my subjugation is labeled as "drama". Oh gee, how considerate! grrrrr

..And another thing I would like to add. For those who like to throw around the term, "drama" because it's not something that's directly affecting them, remember then, anything that does or is adversely affecting your life, IS DRAMA too! So, don't complain! Deal with it! Get over it! ...Just like I've been told to do SO many times!

So definitely, TREASURE those who are "true friends"!

135906  Link to this entry 
Written about Tuesday 2013-11-12
Written: (4029 days ago)

#Poetry

"Words Unsheathed"


Words released, written or said,
Can have an impact or simply fall dead.
Words most powerful, are words that thrive,
Through supporting actions, kept alive.
For words that are spoken but not upheld,
Are words that are empty and so, be-felled.

But words can be used for good or bad,
To make others happy or make them sad.
Words can be used with consideration,
Or they can be used for obliteration.

Words of wisdom can truly inspire,
Others to care, change their desire.
Words of love, compassion, and caring,
Become infectious, contagious for sharing.

Words of hurt pack a powerful punch,
Devouring the innocent for their lunch.
When words as weapons are carelessly used,
Innocent targets are then abused.

We have freedom of speech for words to bequeath,
But we have responsibility BEFORE we unsheathe!
Words can be weapons or they can be tools,
But how they're used, defines wisdom from fools!

~ Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly </i>
<i>©2013-11-12 07:07:00 (EST)

"Of all the Gifts, Love is the best!
Give it freely, without request!"

~ Artsieladie #Quotes #Poetry #PoeticQuotes

"When our hearts are touched by love, magic happens!"

~ Artsieladie #Quotes

"The path of least resistance, is the path of least reward."

~ Artsieladie #Quotes

"Components Of Love"


When we offer kind words, lend a hand,
When we give forgiveness without reprimand,
When we open our hearts to genuine caring,
When we are with our blessings, freely sharing,
When we listen more closely with more than our ears,
When we see what's true beyond our fears,
When we truly accept differences among all others,
When we realise within, we're all sisters and brothers,
When we rid ourselves of hate and resentment,
We then KNOW Love and true contentment.

~ Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly </i>
<i>©2013-11-12 06:20:00 (EST)

"Friends Are Sparkles Shining My Diamond"


Friends like diamonds sparkle and shine,
Every one special of unique design.
Each one touches and warms my heart,
Igniting the passions that inspire my art!

Each friend is a sparkle in a diamond's shine,
And each friend sparkles in this heart of mine!
Without friends to love and for, to care,
There'd be no sparkles and no diamond there.

~ Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-11-05

"Overtired"


My heart is tired, my soul is numb,
There is but one choice left, I must succumb.
There will be no peace until I do
And so it's time to bid adieu!

~ Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-11-10


Inside all of us there is both light and darkness, good and evil and this is an internal battle we all are faced with.
But... who we are ultimately, is who we CHOOSE to be, aspire to either express and/or depress. We EACH have
THIS choice.

So if we CHOOSE love and light to express, we then exude and perpetuate the same and others will see our light
and be inspired we hope, to do likewise and this cultivates a oneness, a unity, a connection unbreakable among us.

If we CHOOSE darkness and resentment, we will also exude and perpetuate the same, but since people are natur-
ally drawn to love, light, and positiveness, instead of inspiring others, we will repel others, therefore instigating and
propagating separatism, disunity, and disconnection among us.

It IS not what we all harbour within, but rather what OF we harbour that we CHOOSE to shine ..OR not. Namasté

135905  Link to this entry 
Written about Monday 2013-11-11
Written: (4030 days ago)

“You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
You can lead a person to knowledge but you can't make them think.
You can lead a person to the truth but you can't make them believe.
You can lead a person to love but you can't make them receive.”
~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie #Quotes #Poetry #PoeticQuotes

135904  Link to this entry 
Written about Monday 2013-11-11
Written: (4031 days ago)

"It is not our mistakes that make us less, but it's when we refuse to acknowledge them and confess!" ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie #Quotes

THIS is an example of what makes a person worthy of respect and definitely worthy of being forgiven, when they are willing to admit their mistakes and make a heart felt apology as well... AND also acknowledged the criticism as constructive made against them that showed the error of their judgment. THIS is an excellent example of INTEGRITY! ..And THIS is why I completely respect the person who made this statement and with no reservation.

"I want to apologise for a post I made the other day regarding the number of gay people on Australian TV. On reflection, I can see why many people felt that I crossed the line... especially after I reread what I wrote and the constructive feedback I got from a few people. I apologise to those people who were insulted by what I wrote. I should have chosen my words more carefully or thought before blurting out a random thought. Sorry!"

This isn't something that is shown much anymore. Instead, when people are called out on their less than appropriate actions/behaviour, they tend to deny the proof of them being wrong, shift the blame onto another or others, lie to cover up the truth, and then choose to add insult to injury by flinging insults at the party or parties who do call them out on their wrongdoing, which the latter, IS EXACTLY what's being done to me. Even though I have FACTUAL DATA that supports my conclusions, that indicates at the very least, wrongdoing being done, that "disproves the lies" being spread about me all across the Internet, I am still EXPECTED to "swallow the lies", go along with them, and then also, get over it when the wrongdoing is STILL going on! As a result, I'm being punished for NOT going along with the pure denial and lies that are made/used to back up the denial.

Well, I say this to the one particularly guilty... punish me if you must, if it makes YOU feel "good about YOURself", ..want a medal? ...BUT... don't expect "me" to go along with "your lies"! If you're waiting for me to do this? Plan on waiting a VERY long time because it will be a "cold day in hell" before I do. ..And remember, it is YOUR behaviour that reflects just WHO YOU ARE and it is MY behaviour that reflects WHO I AM. At the end of the day, I live comfortably with WHO I am. My conscience is clear. Can you say the same and while doing so, be honest with yourself? Sleep well! ..But DO keep one eye open! I sleep with both eyes closed knowing that I try to do what's right, rather than giving in to what's wrong. ..And if you resent me for this? So be it!

135903  Link to this entry 
Written about Sunday 2013-11-10
Written: (4032 days ago)
Next in thread: 135909

Wow! I guess news travels fast and I guess I hit a nerve! INCOMPETENCY!!!

Since when has [Hedda] liked having an official wiki-page "unexported"?

http://elftown.eu/_Halloween%20Art%2013%2c%20Page%201

The wiki-page Halloween Art 13, Page 1 is not exported!


Boy, the TRUTH hurts, doesn't it? ..And nothing like showing it! But stupidity can't be fixed!
135902  Link to this entry 
Written about Saturday 2013-11-09
Written: (4032 days ago)

"Wrongdoings cannot be righted when bathed in silence by bystanders." ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie

135901  Link to this entry 
Written about Saturday 2013-11-09
Written: (4033 days ago)

“Yes, we have freedom of speech, freedom of expression, etc., but along with EVERY right, EVERY freedom, EVERY privilege, there also comes with each of them, RESPONSIBILITY to "respect the right to have been given the freedoms, rights, and privileges". Just because we are entitled to rights and freedoms, it does NOT give us a green light to degrade, insult, bully, etc., others, because when we do, we then no longer deserve the RIGHT to HAVE RIGHTS!” ~ Quotes-By-Artsieladie

135900  Link to this entry 
Written about Saturday 2013-11-09
Written: (4033 days ago)

A great source of entertainment I find Elftown.com to be. ROFLMAO!

The Mainstreet Calendar... whoever is running it, doesn't have a clue as to how it's supposed to be run. I could point out what's being done wrong -or- not being done period, but I won't because then it would become known and after what's been done to me on the site, mostly by some crew members, I'll continue to chuckle at the incompetency.

The Featured art hasn't been changed since 2013-04-28. The poem finally got changed after nearly a month. Featured Member hasn't been changed since 2013-08-07, Featured Member since 2013-08-10 and the Featured Story not since 2013-03-21.

Oh but, not opening a contest until the very last minute, and then taking months to give the results? This "used to be" unacceptable. Why, the Christmas Art Competition is STILL PENDING!!!! No Mainstreet poll for it, but on a page, and it's gone totally unnoticed! ...And how far away is Christmas, 2013? ROFLMAO!

Crew members took turns jumping me, getting on my case when I would always stay on top of just about everything and if something wasn't getting done, I just did it, just to make sure everything was done in a timely fashion. Oh but, I was accused of "interfering"! But... when crew members would deliberately interfere with what I was doing, "they" were said to be "helping". Awww...

Well, so much for competency on Elftown.com! What competency? THERE IS NONE!!!

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