If anyone seeing this posting has been on the receiving end of Facebook’s “bogus bannings and/or warnings”, might find this article an interesting read.

In lieu of all the ways I’ve been insulted and accused wrongly by Facebook, particularly accused of making spam comments even if I just said “Congratulations!”, and also several others I know of being subjected to the same, most recently one, because Facebook said she was liking “too fast, too often” and another for just “making friends” and a slew of others for various other bogus reasons, I can certainly see and understand why MANY are leaving Facebook. :o

We live in a world infected with hate, crime, greed, etc.. So the entertainment we choose should reflect a “release” from this, not just more of the same IMO. This story is wholesome and touching and therefore the making of this film, is deserving of support.:)

I heard about this site on the Katie Couric Show. It’s quite interesting.. to say the least. If you copy and paste an example of someone’s text, preferably with at least 500 words, and submit, the site uses algorithms to detect whether it was written by a male or a female. I tried several examples of various people’s text, and the results were.. well, “interesting”, especially when supposedly “male” writers came up in the results as “female”, instead, and vice versa.

Oh please, tell me again that those who make our laws do so in the “best interests of The People”! If this isn’t designed in the “best interests of the big communications’ corporations”, then I’ll eat my hat!

Oh but wait! “WE, the People” are “supposed to trust” our government, our law makers, and just “hand over our guns” to these slippery slimes, who are ONLY looking out for themselves and the big corporations!? NOT!!! :(

“My Hero” - Art/Design/Poem by Artsieladie Donnelly, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2013-01-18 All rights reserved.

“My Hero”

My dearest, sweet Mother,
Like you, there’s no other.
A true lady personified,
Always humble, dignified.
With tenacity, embraced,
Every challenge you faced,
With dedication immense,
Determination intense.
With courage abounding
And strength astounding,
Your values remained,
Integrity sustained.

The life you forged was one of giving,
The joy of others was your joy of living.
You asked for little, but gave so much,
You sought no praise, yet, did so touch,
The lives of many, close or not,
Your legacy of valor shan’t be forgot.
You are My Hero. You always will be
And forever you live inside of me.
My tribute to you is to live and aspire,
To be as honourable as you, I seek and desire.

This combined piece of art, design, and poetry, I created in loving memory and honour to my beloved Mother. ♥

To view the better quality PNG version: http://i2.minus.com/ipVhkuTlUGi7q.png

By Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2012-12-31

WARNING: A short novel is about to ensue!

It seems because I’m a person who likes to be as informed as I can from as many varied and reliable sources as possible, about the goings on in the world outside my own “bubble world”, ..and then because I choose to share what I learn and hear about with others, so they too, can be aware, I am seen by the “assumption” of others, as one who thinks I’m the only one who knows anything. Because I then speak about that which I know about through my own thirst for knowledge and information, as well as through my own first hand, real life experiences and witnessing, it’s “assumed” that I think I know it all.

Also, then because not only do I share with others what I’ve learned, I also provide back up with where I’ve learned about what I’m sharing whenever possible for the purpose of offering to others the chance to increase their own knowledge base, it’s “assumed” by others some more, that I think I know everything and that others know nothing.

Well, I’d like to set the record a little straighter for those who are making “assumptions” that they know more about me than I do, that they know better than “I” what “my” thoughts, feelings, experiences, and perceptions are, and therefore, instead of reading what I actually write, listen to what I actually say, they then “assume” what I write or say and so then, also “assume” what I mean and based on NOT what I actually said or wrote, but on their own “perceptions, therefore, assumptions of” and then proceed to inform me what I’m thinking, feeling, and so forth AND expect ME to accept that they know “better than I” about myself and what I write or say. If I said the sky is blue and you insist by assumption that I “meant to say” the sky is pink, who exactly is in error?

Example: If I say, “no offense taken”, then it means exactly this, “no offense taken”. But if you come back at me and tell me that I AM offended, you are “assuming” that I am, even though I “said” I’m not, and when in actuality, I am NOT. But.. if you insist I am in spite of my saying I am not, I am bound then to BECOME offended! Suggestion: Don’t interject into “my” words, YOUR OWN “assumption(s)”.

Then in your need to disprove what I actually said to replace it with what you are “assuming” what I said and therefore putting YOUR spin on MY words, you begin to pull out other bullshit to throw at me as well and again based on your own “assumptions”, don’t blame me because this is YOUR agenda. Don’t use “my” words to hide behind and don’t use “my” words to say what you really think about me to make it all seem like it’s “my” fault. Say your own words and be accountable for your own words and actions and I will be accountable for mine.

I would also ask, when you judge me, please don’t make your conclusions based on your own “assumptions” of me that are based on your own perceptions of me, but especially, don’t judge me in accordance with yourself. You ARE you and I AM I, but you are NOT I and I am NOT you. Elementary.

Please don’t resent my pluses and especially please don’t invert them into minuses because you lack the initiative or the insight about yourself to aspire for the same. My pluses didn’t just happen. I’ve worked hard within myself to achieve them. Therefore, I’ve earned them. When you EARN something, anything, you also learn to appreciate and defend that which you’ve earned.

When I see pluses in others, I don’t try to rob them of theirs or even try to minimise them. Instead, I acknowledge and admire the pluses and I then look to myself to see if I can’t also work towards that which I admire in another or others to better myself with, so in essence, another’s pluses I see as an opportunity to inspire myself to make myself a better me. If I were to resent the pluses of another and try to rob them of theirs, this would not, does not better myself. It would lessen myself. Therefore, I would ultimately be harming myself and denying myself the opportunity to better myself.

By the same token, when I see minuses in others, I then use these opportunities to take a closer look at myself to see if I’m not harbouring the same and not for the purpose of expelling them onto another or others should I find the same, but to acknowledge them first and then look to myself to try and make the necessary changes for betterment of myself.

The pluses within ourselves aren’t character builders that can be just taken from another and then “painted onto” ourselves. It doesn’t work this way. Each person has to work on themselves, within themselves, to better themselves, but this also requires a desire within thyself to want such. Cheating the system, especially in this scenario, is cheating oneself.

I have said this a number of times, but at the risk of being redundant, I’ll say it again. I see myself as a “work in progress” of which I work at continually to try and improve upon. I am NOT perfect nor do I perceive myself to be, not even close. If I did, I wouldn’t then BE a “work in progress” any longer. I think we should aim high when trying to better ourselves, but also accept the undeniable fact that we cannot possibly reach the absolute stage of perfection. In the process we retain humility in regards to ourselves, but we also know we are capable of making ourselves better if we desire to do so.

I think the best thing that anyone can do for themselves is to “learn” themselves, but most importantly, “learn themselves HONESTLY” and therefore be honest and true to and with thyself. When you learn yourself, you learn both your assets and your drawbacks. Once you know your assets, you work to keep them polished and shining so they continually represent the best part of you. But you also must learn your drawbacks, the areas within yourself that you need to work at to try and improve upon. We all have pluses and minuses, but it’s how we work with and what we do with both that ultimately carves out and molds us as to “who” we are.

Sometimes, we have traits that we perhaps wish we didn’t, but they’re just a part of who we are. But then, we can utilise our assets to help offset or lessen these, the minuses and one cannot do any of this IF one doesn’t learn to “learn themselves”.

When we “learn” ourselves, honestly, we also learn our limitations. This may “sound” negative at first thought, but with a little more thought, one shouldn’t use their limitations to “limit” themselves and waste their energy fretting about and focusing on them, but rather, use the energy to pursue avenues that will take one “around and past” one’s limitations. Bottom line: Know your limitations to “delimit” yourself.

When it comes to the lessers in ourselves, casting them out onto another or others (projection), is not a sensible solution nor is it a workable one. Just because you cast upon others that which you don’t like within yourself, this doesn’t automatically relieve you of that which you’re casting. All this achieves is promoting self denial and in essence, lying to and cheating yourself and in the process you are using justification for doing so, instead of accepting the accountability. Justification is deceptive and tempts us to take the easy way out; accountability, though more difficult, is the path to the real and the truth, not with others, but with and about ourselves.

..And the “learning ourselves” is not a one time, done, thing. It goes hand in hand with the “work in progress” theme. As we continually work to better ourselves, there are more lessons to learn, more obstacles to face, and hence, more tests of our character, strength, and courage to learn from. If one makes a conscious effort to work at accepting the challenges one faces as stepping stones, then each stepping stone reached and owned by oneself becomes another achievement the host of can then use to build their self esteem and confidence, which begets more confidence and encouragement to keep moving forward. 

I have learned myself AND I am still learning myself. I know who I am and I know who I am not. I am comfortable with my own company, because I like myself and I like myself because I know I work at trying to be good a person, a better person and NOT because I think I’m better than anyone or everyone else, but because I KNOW I’m working continually to better myself. I KNOW I’m not perfect, but I KNOW I am on the right track and this is all “likeable”.

One must be comfortable with and like “who” they are, because if one is unable to like themselves, it stands to reason that others won’t find them likeable, either. If one finds themselves unlikeable to themselves, it is up to them to look inside themselves to make adjustments about themselves, not expect others to make adjustments to like them. One must also keep in mind that not everyone is going to like them, even if they are a good person, but as long as one likes themselves, because they know they are a good person, then for those who don’t like them for whatever the reason(s), this matters not.

All of this is what builds both self esteem and self confidence. So if I seem confident in myself? It’s because I am. But it doesn’t and didn’t just magically happen. I’ve had to work at it and I know I must continually work at it to “maintain” it. ..And I also KNOW what it takes most profoundly to reach this level and so, I will also vehemently protect it as well, if another chooses to challenge my earned integrity. Don’t try to rob me of mine. Instead, try building and creating your own.

Just because I have self confidence however, it does not mean even remotely so, that I think of myself as above others. Anyone who perceives this, is doing so based on their own misconceived assumptions, possibly because they see themselves lacking in this way and so, begrudge me for mine, whether consciously or subconsciously.

I do not seek the approval of others, because meeting “my” approval “of myself” is way more critical and harder to achieve by far than any approval of others could ever be. Besides, I have learned through much first hand experience that if I don’t seem to meet the approval of another or others, it’s not usually because of something or things wrong I did or have done, but rather, because of something or things I did and am doing “right” or doing “too well”. People who lack self discipline, self initiative, have a tendency to resent someone who does cultivate these and this resentment can be displayed and acted upon in very ugly ways with very destructive results. What these type of people fail to realise however, is the one they are really causing the most damage to, is their own self, because they aren’t portraying the one they’re trying to bring down. Instead, they are portraying the lesser within themselves.

I am also humble. Self confidence doesn’t erode humility, unless the host allows this to come to fruition. I KNOW I have made mistakes, I KNOW I make mistakes, AND I KNOW I will definitely make many more. It is the mistakes we make after all, that teach us the most. We seldom learn from things we do right, but instead learn from things we do wrong, but in order to learn from our mistakes, first we must recognise them, acknowledge them, accept accountability for them, and then look to ourselves to either correct them if we can and/or make adjustments in ourselves to try and not repeat the same in the future. When we do do things right, these are reinforcements supporting that which is good within us, hence showing us we are good, we have goodness, and so, inspires and encourages us to continue the trend.

I am not awesome. I am me, just me. I am not jealous or envious because I’ve found such to be wasted, unfruitful, and negative energy and therefore, can only beget the same. I am not selfish nor unforgiving. I embrace opportunities to not only help others, but also to uplift others, because I know that when I do either, I in turn, uplift and better myself, which is also an automatic given.

I am forgiving and understanding, if given the opportunity to do so. If one denies me the chance to understand, however, then one should not criticise me if I don’t just automatically understand. I’m more than willing to listen, but in order for me to listen, then the person I’m willing to listen to, has to speak. I am not a “mind reader”. I am forgiving, because since I make mistakes and have made mistakes and I’ve also been shown forgiveness, I therefore believe, I should show the same courtesy towards others, pass it forward. But one can’t expect my forgiveness if they continually keep repeating that which they want and/or expect my forgiveness for.

I try to look for the good in others, for I believe that everyone has good within them or at least has the potential. I do not throw out the whole bushel because of one bad apple. Example: I’ve had some bad experiences with men, but this doesn’t mean that all men are therefore bad news and so, I do not assume this. Another example: Just because someone has a flaw or two or have made a mistake or two, this doesn’t mean such cancels out all the rest about them that is good.

Good is good; bad is bad and they must be kept separated. Otherwise, the bad will infiltrate and take over the good until the good becomes either non-existent and/or significantly insignificant. I say this with a specific situation in mind. In relationships we hold within us admiration and respect for each other. As long as everything is going along swimmingly between the two, the pluses and positives, the good, shines brilliantly, while any minuses or negatives remain at bay, in the shadows.

However, sooner or later, the smooth sailing runs into some stormy and rougher seas. It’s inevitable. When this happens, it becomes more important to keep the positives shining, because the bad and the ugly will try to assume command, and should the bad and ugly succeed, then this inevitably will destroy the good and so, ultimately, the relationship, whether it be a friendship, a family related relationship, a romantic relationship, or most any kind of relationship. When we lose sight of the good, then we lose the sustaining force and allow erosion of the foundation on which it’s built, to take place.

This seems to be especially true in very close friendships and with romantic relationships. Too many times I have witnessed this, where hurt and anger instigate bitter resentment, which is natural, because we as humans have “individual” feelings and emotions, but when such takes over and shuts out what “made” the relationship start and then what “makes” it work, then the relationship enters the dangerous zone of meltdown. Left unchecked, the resentment consumes the relationship and continues doing so until the relationship is totally destroyed and no repair is possible.

I won’t say that it is easy to hold onto and keep within one’s sight that which you admire about another when your own emotions and feelings are in turmoil, exposed and raw, because I KNOW it is NOT an easy task. But if a relationship with another holds a lot of value and worth to you, it is then worth the efforts needed to protect and save it. Often in life that which we hold dearest and most precious and close to/in our hearts, are also often the same we are tested over and over again to prove our worthiness of the blessing. If a relationship can not only just survive, but also live and thrive through and in spite of stormy weather, then it is truly a very special blessing to be treasured and held in the highest regard.

As many are aware and can attest to, and with “this” writing as one example, I do often have a lot to say on a variety of topics. But I speak about that which I know and know about. If I don’t know, I say so, but I do not pretend to know more than I actually do. If I seem to know a lot, it’s because I have chosen for myself to learn as much as I can and because I’ve had and been through many trials and tribulations thus far in my life and not unlike many others I’m sure. I choose to pay attention and to be aware of what is happening around me, to me, and beyond the limits of my own little world and what affects or can affect both others and myself. What others choose to do, learn, or not, it’s their choice, but for anyone to put me down because of my choice to stay informed, to be always open to increase my knowledge base, perhaps these individuals need to make some adjustments within themselves, rather than resent me and the fact that I DO take the initiative.

Because I then share what I know and have learned with others so that they too may benefit and not just myself, don’t knock me down, accuse me of being selfish or rude, when my only goal I have in mind is to help and benefit others with that which I know and have learned. If I were to keep what I learn to myself, THIS would be selfish of me.

Don’t expect me to do or put up with that which you would never do or put up with yourself. Don’t attack my integrity or try to rob me of it and then expect yours truly to not defend my integrity and myself. Don’t resent me for bringing out the facts I’ve documented when I stand accused of something I am not guilty of and my facts then prove you to be wrong. Don’t ever presume to know “me” in any way, shape, or form, BETTER than I KNOW myself.

If you’re guilty of something, own up to it, so you can learn from it, not for others or myself, but FOR YOURSELF, to build your own character for the purpose of bettering yourself. Don’t even try to make me own “your guilt”, or try to point out my faults, especially the non-existent ones in an attempt to place your guilt onto me, because the harder and more you try to, the more I WILL reveal WHO the rightful owner is of said guilt. It is my responsibility to be accountable for my wrongdoings. It is your responsibility to be accountable for yours.

MAN - L’homme (by oneamoroful)

I’m certainly sharing this and NOT just on Facebook. The giant mounds of garbage are not just from what humans have created, trashed, mutilated, etc., but are also made of the waste that so many human beings ARE themselves. Sadly, it’s an excellent portrayal of what the human race has become, which for the rest of the humans who are decent and do see the disaster the human race is, it makes a good human ashamed to admit they are human. ~ Artsieladie

Get the real scoop about “supposedly” self destructive photo and video apps!

Happy Holidays, Everyone! From/by Artsieladie, aka Sharon Donnelly ©2012 All rights reserved.

I so AGREE! I am never bored. I think if someone “wants” to do something, they WILL DO something. To me, saying “I’m bored” is just another way of one saying, “I lack self initiative”.

(Source: didyouevernotice)