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lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers · 3 years

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A rather tongue in cheek look at the British class system.

This post started life as an answer to an ask “how do you know which class you are?”- which is an interesting ask to receive, as I always thought most people in the UK had a strong sense of the class system and their place within it.

In the UK, class extends beyond economic factors and each social class tends to have their own, identifiable culture. This culture is, or can be inherited, and it means that people can sometimes identify as a class that doesn't match up with their current apparent economic circumstances.

Apart from the fact I find this personally very interesting, I do think it’s important to examine the class system in the UK. Classism is a very real phenomenon, which exists, for starters. class definitions are difficult and vary with culture and historical moment, but I'll attempt to lay out some key characteristics from my cultural perspective.

The aim of this analysis is not to offend (although it is, at times, to amuse), nor to present one class as “better” than the others.

Lower- Working class: Your family have traditionally working in non-professional jobs, such as manufacturing, service/hospitality roles, other “unskilled” jobs. Work was likely insecure (especially post Thatcher) and there were periods of being out of work and relying on benefits. Historically, working class people would have lived in council houses or “tied accommodation” but increasingly, they live in insecure rentals. At times, outgoings will have exceeded the money coming in, and there may have been periods where your family needed to rely reselling goods or unconventional sources of credit in order to make ends meet. Increasingly, even in work families are sometimes relying on foodbanks. You/ your family are less likely to drive and own a car. When you were young, it’s likely that you were informally cared for by relatives, or your parents worked opposite shifts to cover childcare.

You speak with a regional accent- it might be pretty strong and you use regional dialect. You eat “tea” in the evening and “dinner” at around midday. A lot of the men in your family follow a local football team, and likely attend games. They might have a bet on the horses, but are unlikely to actually go to the races. Growing up, you might have gone to the park for a kick about with your mates, but you are less likely to have been part of an official team or organised hobby.

You may well care about your appearance, but you’re likely to do things like dye your hair at home, rather than go to a salon. Your clothes are sometimes second hand, but this isn’t through choice. It’s likely you have some clothes or outfits you consider “best”. You may have piercings or tattoos and care less about appearing “conventional”. When you go out, you probably go to a local pub which some people might consider “rough”, but you also sometimes go out clubbing.

You might be close to your family, and the community you grew up in, but it’s also very possible that these relationships are somewhat strained for various reasons. Celebrations such as Christmas (if you celebrate it) and birthdays were important to your family and your parents might have gone a bit overboard with this, even (especially) if they couldn’t afford it.

At some point in your life, you’ve used the word “scab” as an insult- even if you didn’t know what it meant.

Upper-Working class: Your family have traditionally worked in skilled trades, or regular “non-professional” employment such as manufacturing. You might also have relatives in the army or in the police force. These days, they might be self employed, but they would be less likely to employ someone else. There are varying degrees of financial comfort, and these days, your family may own their own home but you’re not “wealthy”. It’s unlikely your family have assets or investments beyond one property and cars. If you’re younger than about 35, you or your siblings might have gone to university, but no-one in your parents’ generation has. Your parents probably have a degree of debt beyond a mortgage (if they have one). You probably spent time in childcare when you were young because your parents had to work. If your parents have a mortgage, they are potentially overstretched by it and concerned about how they will pay it off before retirement.

You probably speak with a regional accent and use dialect words. You also use words like serviette, dessert, pardon etc. Someone in your family is really into football but they are more likely to support a team in the premiership and watch games on TV rather than going to matches- if they are into rugby then it’s rugby league unless you’re from Wales or Cornwall. You probably learned to ride a bike as a child, and it may have been your main mode of transport as a teenager. You’re more likely to do a hobby as part of some kind of formal group or club, but it’s unlikely to be one that requires a lot of expensive equipment.

You/your female relatives are probably quite house-proud and take a lot of care over their appearances. There’s probably time spent fake tanning and getting nails done. You’ve probably got a feature wall somewhere in your house. You might have your own distinct sense of style and belong to a “sub-culture” but if you have tattoos, they’re likely to be well planned and/or relatively easily hidden. When you go out, you probably go out clubbing, but you probably have a “local” too.

Family and community are important to you- it’s likely you haven’t moved that far from where you grew up (unless you were really desperate for work). It’s possible the area where you grew up is pretty deprived, although it may be increasingly a victim of gentrification, depending on where you are from.

You know someone who bought their house via “right-to-buy” and thinks this makes them middle class.

Your parents owned their own home, and are/will be mortgage free by the time they retire. You probably had regular foreign holidays growing up. Your parents are likely to save up for big ticket items, rather than get into debt. You’re not the first generation in your family where people went to university. It’s very likely you had a stay at home parent for part of your childhood.

If you speak with a regional accent, it’s probably not very strong, and it’s likely you don’t use a lot of regional dialect words. You call your midday meal lunch, and your evening meal dinner. If you go to the pub to watch a sports match, it’s more likely to be the six nations than a football game. But it’s equally likely you aren’t into sport at all. Your parents probably made you get swimming and music lessons growing up, and you may well have a hobby- possibly one that requires a bit of financial investment on your part.

You like to think you have a sense of style, but you don’t like to look like you are “trying too hard”. You might be especially into a certain genre of music or films. You may make a nod to subculture in the way you dress, but if you’re older than a teenager, you probably dress in a relatively “conventional” way. You go out to bars, or chain/mid-priced restaurants, although you might also go to a pub for a meal or if there was music on.

Your family probably don’t all live in the same place, and you may only see them relatively rarely. It’s likely your parents have friends from uni or NCT classes who to some extent take the place of family in your life. You may not have a strong sense of community and it’s very possible that if your parents live rurally, you might have moved to the city for work. You’re probably not very religious.

At some point in your life, you have sneered at someone for being a “chav”.

Upper-middle Class: Your parents are pretty wealthy and almost definitely went to university. You went to a well known university. They likely went to private school and you probably did too (although not a super famous one). If you didn’t go to private school, you went to a grammar school, church school or the most sought after “comp” in the county (your parents probably moved house to get you in). Someone in your extended family owns a second home, or at least a really nice house in the country. You/your parents almost definitely have inherited wealth and assets, as well. You/your parents may just work in a well paid job, but they may also own a medium to large size company. You probably had multiple holidays abroad each year (and it’s very likely you went skiing). If one of your parents’ cars broke down, it would have been very easy for them to replace it, without needing to save up or get into debt, but you don’t have any fear of debt, either. It’s very likely you can get a job through “connections”. It’s likely they employed a cleaner and possibly a gardener, and maybe au-pair or nanny as well.

You speak with an RP accent, and you might have “pudding” after your “supper”. It’s very likely you play a team sport of some kind, probably rugby, cricket, hockey or maybe lacrosse. You might row, or ride horses, or sail. You’ve always been able to do whatever expensive hobby you like, and money has never been a barrier to progressing. You may well shop in charity shops, and brag about the bargains you find there. You may drive an “old” car, but it’s probably a 4x4, genuinely vintage, or quirky in some other way. You have inherited jewellery and possibly some home furnishings. If you’re talented in some way, (sport or artistic) you were probably given every opportunity to persue this.

Networking is important to you and you feel part of a community. You’re probably quite socially confident. It’s likely you know some of the people you work with socially as well. You probably expect to live a reasonably traditional lifestyle, and you’re less likely to be part of a “sub-culture” (unless you’re making a career as an actor or a musician). You probably observe religious festivals, but you don’t go regularly to a place of worship. You avoid chain restaurants, but you like to go to the village pub.

On some level, you probably think “poor” people bring it on themselves through poor decision making.

Upper Class: Historically, your family were rich enough not to have to work for a living, and someone in your extended family owns a very large amount of land. You’re related to someone with a title. You went to a well known private school and you may have boarded. It’s likely your family own multiple properties- some are rented out and some you live in. Some or all of these were inherited, rather than bought. You may have a “private income” of some kind. Your family may have had to “diversify” in recent years, and you may actually be working more than your ancestors did. You might have gone to a well known university, or you might have gone to somewhere like RAU. Your family own multiple cars, and one of them is probably a 4x4. It’s likely your family employed “staff”. At some point since the second world war, your family may well have had to sell off property etc- but your money worries are “how do we avoid selling off land” not “how do we afford to replace the washing machine”.

You talk like you are from the 1940s, and everyone you know has a stupid sounding nickname. You use your own form of impenetrable slang- probably specific to whatever school you went to. You’ve probably been hunting and you know someone who plays polo. You go to events like Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta, the Boat Race and Goodwood etc. You ski. You’ve been on multiple long haul holidays, and you probably went on a “Gap Yah”.

Everyone you know knows everyone else you know and you’re suspicious of people who you don’t have acquaintances in common with. You’ll get married, in a church (you are CofE and white) and having children is fairly important to you. You’re probably involved with some kind of charity work.

You pride yourself on not being a snob, because you got on well with the people you met in Africa, but you’ve never actually spoken to someone who grew up in a council house.

#uk politics #the class system #uk culture #british culture #working class #middle class #upper class #class analysis #please don't take this too seriously

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ts1989fanatic · 4 years

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Taylor Swift is the millennial Bruce Springsteen.

If there were any doubts about this, they should have been dispelled by her latest release: the haunting Folklore, which filters the exact kinds of story-songs Springsteen excels at through Swift’s modern, orchestral-pop aesthetic. The album has been one of the best-received of her career, but then, the response to essentially everything she’s produced since her 2010 album Speak Now has involved critics grudgingly being dragged toward having respect for her skills.

The overlaps between millennial Swift (30 and born in 1989) and baby boomer Springsteen (70 and born in 1949) — both of whom are among the best songwriters alive right now — are considerable beyond their songwriting prowess. But comparisons, by necessity, must start there.

Both musicians love songs about a kind of white Americana that’s never really existed but that the central characters of which feel compelled to chase anyway. They use those songs to tell stories about those people and the places they live. They’re terrifically good at wordplay. Both are fascinated by the ways that adolescence and memories of adolescence continue to have incredible power for adults. Both are amazing at crafting bridges that take already good songs to another level. And both write songs featuring fictional people whose lives are sketched in via tiny, intimate details that stand in for their whole selves.

For example: The opening lines to Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” (“The screen door slams / Mary’s dress waves / Like a vision she dances across the porch / as the radio plays”) tell you everything about that woman and the man observing her.

Similarly, the opening lines of Swift’s “All Too Well” (“I walked through the door with you, the air was cold / but something ‘bout it felt like home somehow and I / left my scarf there at your sister’s house / and you still got it in your drawer even now”) tell you everything about this doomed relationship and the nostalgia both people involved in it still feel, compressed into a tiny little stanza.

Springsteen released “Thunder Road” when he was 25; Swift released “All Too Well” when she was 22. Both songs continue to stand as touchstones for who the artists were at that point in their lives.

But leave this comparison aside for a moment. What’s most interesting about drawing this connection are the ways in which the overlap between Springsteen and Swift’s styles can tell us about how our culture treats art made by men versus art made by women — and art made by baby boomers versus art made by millennials.

Springsteen and Swift each entered the music industry as young wunderkinds with lots to prove. Springsteen’s first album — the loose and rambling Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. — was released when he was just 23. He had been playing in bands all around New Jersey for most of his teens, and signed a record deal with Columbia Records at 22.

He was expected to become an acoustic folk singer in the vein of Bob Dylan, at a time when the music industry was uniquely preoccupied with finding the “next” Bob Dylan. Springsteen quickly flaunted those expectations, assembling a group of musicians who would go on to be known as the E Street Band, in the name of creating a sound that captured a massive, orchestral blast of rock. Springsteen would finally perfect this sound on his third album, 1975’s Born to Run, and he’s been a global superstar ever since, even decades after reaching his pinnacle with 1984’s Born in the USA.

Swift’s rise was slightly more meteoric. She released her debut album, Taylor Swift, when she was just 16, and it featured songs that she had written as a freshman in high school. Swift broke into the industry via country music, and her country-ish second album, 2008’s Fearless, won her the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Just as Springsteen shirked folk in the name of rock, Swift’s sound quickly shifted away from the girl-with-a-guitar country archetype and more toward pop. By her fourth album, 2012’s Red, she had largely left country music behind.

(A fun game: If you line up Swift and Springsteen’s album releases roughly by how old they were when they recorded them, you’ll find surprisingly similar career trajectories. For instance, Born to Run and Swift’s 2014 album 1989 were released when their respective artists were 25. Both broke the artists through to even wider acclaim than they had before.)

Yet the two artists’ backgrounds are quite different, which may explain the different ways in which they’ve understood American political divides. Springsteen grew up in a blue-collar family in New Jersey, while Swift is the daughter of a former Merrill Lynch stockbroker who could afford to move the entire family to Nashville, Tennessee, when his daughter showed a talent for songwriting.

Springsteen’s songs have always reflected growing up in a world where poverty is just a lost paycheck away, even as he’s become incredibly rich. Swift has no such perspective. Her songs take place largely in a wistful world where money is rarely an object. And the artists came of age in very different political climates, too.

But the political divide has narrowed in recent years. Swift has taken a recent turn toward more political topics — particularly social justice issues involving the mistreatment of women and LGBTQ rights. That turn stems from her struggles to differentiate herself as an artist in an industry that routinely turns young, beautiful women into disposable products, wringing out of them a few years of hit singles and then tossing them aside. Her embrace of the ways her growing sense of (extremely white) feminism helped her attain more artistic control over her image has slowly but surely led to a greater understanding of the yawning disparities inherent to the US. She is more tapped into the ways that power is unequally distributed throughout American society and increasingly speaks out to that effect. (She’s still pretty lousy at confronting class issues, though.)

But even with all of their similarities as songwriters and increasing similarities as explicitly political artists — and even with all of the awards they have won and records they have sold — there’s still a knee-jerk insistence that Swift is either too self-obsessed or too much a creation of the music industry, while Springsteen went from being rock’s heir apparent to an elder statesman with only a few bumps along the way. And the reasons for that disparity go well beyond any artistic differences or similarities they might possess.

The most obvious difference between the reception of Springsteen and Swift is also the most obvious difference between the two of them as people: He is a man, and she is a woman.

Swift didn’t exactly discourage listeners from constantly parsing her lyrics to figure out which of her famous exes she was singing about early in her career; she even hid hints in her liner notes to help fans decode her clues. But the degree to which she was written off, for years, as a fundamentally unserious and self-involved artist reflects the ways in which domestic and romantic concerns are written off as unimportant when women talk about them.

By comparison, Springsteen has so many songs about teenage boys crushing on teenage girls, but few people try to figure out who he’s talking about when he mentions the almost mythical “Mary” in songs throughout his career. Perhaps it’s because he wasn’t dating famous people as a teenager, and perhaps because it’s sadly still too common to think a man singing about an adolescent crush has more artistic merit than a woman doing the same thing.

Even in the wake of Folklore’s release, many corners of the music-discussing internet insist upon talking about the album more in terms of Swift’s male collaborators — namely Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon (a.k.a. Bon Iver), both indie-rock royalty — than in terms of her own talents, even when, say, Dessner does a whole interview with Pitchfork talking extensively about Swift’s preternatural songwriting talents. The idea that Taylor Swift has somehow been “created” by someone is one that seems to persist, regardless of how much control she has over her own image.

But the ways in which people doubt Swift’s talent, or her control over her image, reflect larger questions about how baby boomers remade pop culture in their image versus how millennials continue to do.

Baby boomers were born into the era of radio’s dominance over American airwaves, and television entered their lives during their childhoods. The presence of these mass media influenced how much pop culture boomers could be exposed to, pushing into hyperdrive the artistic loop of influence becoming creation. American popular art exploded and proliferated as a result.

Whether that explosion led to the rise of rock and pop music or the invention of the cinematic blockbuster, baby boomers took the popular forms their parents adored and accelerated them toward something more raucous and purely entertaining.

The dominant new medium of millennials’ lives was the internet, which arrived when we were still very young. And a major element of internet culture is remix culture. From the earliest days of the “information superhighway,” jokes that mashed up disparate elements of pop culture — now we’d call them memes — were incredibly common, because the central idea of the internet has always been many people iterating on an idea rather than one person releasing that idea into the world.

Inherent to this kind of remixing is the idea of transforming something, often something disreputable, into something else. Thus, many of the greatest millennial artists work in forms that have previously been written off as unworthy — like, say, pop music — because the gatekeepers in those areas weren’t as likely to be aging baby boomers whose taste was ossifying. (This progression is not all that dissimilar from what the boomers did to the popular culture they were born into.)

Millennial artists grew up amid the splintering of the monoculture and, therefore, feel less of an obligation toward it than older generations might. When all you’ve known are niches, it’s better to try to find a niche that appeals to you and explore it as much as possible, then hope enough people come along for the ride.

Swift’s eagerness to collaborate with other artists who really excite her isn’t a uniquely millennial trait: Artists have been doing this since artists have existed. That she is only too happy to spread that credit around (even as her increasingly well-known “voice memos” that show her coming up with the central ideas behind her songs center her authorship first and foremost) is a testament to how millennial artists feel comfortable with both celebrating their influences and revealing how their art gets built, brick by brick, often thanks to the work of other people.

This is not to say that all baby boomer or millennial artists operate exactly the same way as Springsteen or Swift. Both artists write music that is equal parts heartbreaking and fun, evocative, and ephemeral. They’re constantly searching for their version of an America that does not exist, while not forgetting to make sure that we all have some fun in the one that does.

The impulse they share to tell stories about average Americans searching for meaning amid a crumbling world is a natural one for artists in the US. Yet Springsteen has so often been celebrated for doing just that, his rugged vision of a fading nation and talent for making national crises deeply personal treated as authentic and brilliant.

By comparison, Swift is often derided for how she digs into the ways personal apocalypses visit themselves onto the rest of reality, making her something like Springsteen’s inverse. The struggles she faces are deeply rooted in biases against women, the genre of music she operates in, and her generation. It’s worth reexamining the notions that drive this disparity in the two artists’ reception, if nothing else.

Perhaps we take Springsteen more seriously than Swift because he’s a man, or because all the great rockers of his generation have been venerated by time and nostalgia, or because his influences were men like Chuck Berry and Woody Guthrie instead of Shania Twain, Patsy Cline, and a litany of contemporary collaborators. But one of art’s great pleasures is finding the ways in which artists of different generations talk about the same topics across the span of years.

Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift craft their impeccable story-songs utilizing the tropes of very different musical genres. But they’re equally good at crafting songs built to both sing loudly on the freeway and accompany a flood of tears in the wake of some new heartache. Different as they might be, Springsteen and Swift are always talking about the same thing — all of the ways that every new day, no matter how promising, carries within it the potential to bring about the end of the world all over again. Until then, though, let’s sing about it.

ts1989fanatic all of that just to Tell us something swifties have known for years, the music industry is sexist and misogynistic DUH!!!

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puawarriors-production · 4 years

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Week 17 – Alex – I Told You I’d See You Later

My previous post was a little anti-climactic if you ask me, and I didn’t get to recap what I did so here we gooo.

----------------------FIRST, MAJOR DISCLAIMER---------------

As you can see, this post is pretty dang long, so I’m just gonna put evaluation stuff for the class here first, and if you feel like reading on afterward that’s cool, but it’s just personal reflections and final send-off stuff.

So, shockingly, I was one of the main contributors to the rough animation which you can see in the animatic, and can track the progress of throughout this blog’s history. I finished 15 roughed shots in total. I also have 8 shots concurrently blocked (in other words, partial progress,) and 2 shots unstarted. I also made the 3D environment models used for reference in making the backgrounds, as well as handling the editing side (video composition, timing, and sound edits) for the animatic up to this point.

Next, I worked closely with Sophia and our sound mixer Tim to get the voice actresses recorded, their clips edited, and finally integrated into the film. And also, while this hasn’t made it into the animatic yet, I have been creating some original sound design elements as well. Here’s a sample of some:

youtube

I’m focusing mostly on the characters’ Pua powers and transformations right now, and some sludge sounds. And in hand with that, I also did the voice clips/sound effects for the Sludge Monster. Aaand that’s pretty much it from me this semester! Super excited to keep up the work in the weeks to come! If you’re not sticking till the end of the post, then thanks for an awesome class, and awesome semester!

------------------ The Feels Side of the Post -----------------

The Pua Warriors Experience

When I first heard about Pua Warriors, I thought the idea sounded awesome: Magical girls set in Hawai'i using flower powers and sparkles to save the day? Yeah I’m down for that. It felt… familiar to me, I suppose. But at the time I still knew relatively little about the characters, the story, and only had a vague idea of their designs.

As time went on and the Capstone application deadline was approaching, I felt like I was a bit stuck, with the exhaustion of working on Midnight Showing holding me on one side, and having only a vague outline of a plot for my own film idea on the other. And with no crew to speak of, the decision not to make a Capstone of my own was … difficult… one of the most difficult in my time at ACM. Cause in my mind (at the time at least,) not making “your own” Capstone project felt like a failure somehow. But this whole Pua Warriors thing was sounding pretty nice, and I already knew everyone working on it. So I decided life’s better together, and far be it from me to not work on a project of some kind. So I hopped on-board for a little trip into the unknown. And well, here we are, still in the unknown. But that doesn’t mean we’re lost. Not yet.

I have to say, Pua Warriors has grown on me. At a certain point it stopped feeling like a student film, and started feeling more like a potential series: a world with its own storyline, and indeed one that’s worth telling – yes, I would make a distinction between the two. Working on the project has just been the sweetest, most wonderful, enlightening, mild existential crisis inducing, and bizarrely friendly thing I’ve had the privilege of working on, all at once. It didn’t just change how I approach character design, animation, or working on a team – I feel it changed me for the better as a person, and at times I feel almost unworthy to be on this project.

One thing I’ll never forget is the time we spent hanging out in the Keller lab, going to group meetings, and recording at MELE. What silly fun times those were. I admit, not being able to hang out with my friends after the virus shut the world down has truly been one of the most difficult parts of my whole “college era” of my life experience. To feel like something great was forming, only to be ripped away by something so crazy and completely over-the-top as this virus – words just can’t capture the feeling of melancholy. But even when we’re spread hundreds or thousands of miles apart, at times I can still feel near, even if it is only through a screen. And personally, I don’t want that to change just because the semester’s ending. That’s why, in a way, I’m sort of glad we have time to work on into the summer.

Reflections on Life

Some lessons this semester taught me: First is on fitting in. It’s never blending in for the sake of blending in, nor standing out for the sake of standing out. It’s being comfortably unique in your own talents and skills, strengths and weaknesses, styles and tastes - while being happy to share those things with others. Indeed, it’s not about being “good enough” to belong, but rather belonging, in order that may do good for others. Second is on wanting to help. For a long time I remained kind of a loner in ACM, sitting in “my” corner with “my” ideas. It wasn’t until last semester and especially during this semester I realized just how powerful, or perhaps rather how much more powerful the drive to help and serve others can be. That’s true not just for creative endeavors, but all areas of life. The Third lesson: doing things for the right reasons. We do things for a lot of different reasons, and often times we aren’t cognizant of why we act or feel the way we do. Having an understanding of who you truly are and what you really want is critical in exercising self-control, and you may come to realize your desires aren’t always what you think they are. And the Fourth lesson is on being assertive. We all want and feel things, and one of the greatest feelings is being in control. You may doubt yourself when you don’t know where your feelings and desires come from. You may think your mind is playing tricks on you. But the truth is, we’ll never go places in life if we don’t speak up and acknowledge our ideas. We may not always come to the right conclusions, but that doesn’t mean we’re wrong for trying. So try, try, and try again. It’s okay to fail, as long as you pick up something with you as you get up. Take risks, and understand that doubt is often our greatest enemy, so fight it!

So now, at the end, I don’t really know what I feel: I don’t know if this is sadness or happiness? Courage or fear? Maybe it’s none of those things, but something I haven’t quite felt before. Until recently, I didn’t realize there’s an emotion that can make you feel so weak, yet feel strong at the same time. One thing’s for sure, I’m going to miss the project, the crew, and all of Hawai'i. To us, the future is a blank slate: nothing is written on it, yet it holds an infinite number of possibilities.

Honoring my Maker

Now before I wrap up, I have a specific topic I’d like to address.

While I usually avoid discussing my religious life openly in a scholastic context, I will say here and now that God has been my greatest help throughout these past couple years. For the longest time, even before coming to Hawai'i, I struggled with feelings of not fitting in, of low self-esteem, and of self-doubt. There were a lot of recurring battles at my home growing up, and many of the wounds followed me into adulthood. And if nothing else, this semester has brought many of those to the forefront.

As a child back in Washington, I would often just go with the flow of my friends at the time, because it was easier, and allowed me to avoid conflict. Yet I would be lead into instances where I would not speak up or act, even though I felt what we were doing, thinking, or saying was wrong. My family wasn’t particularly religious, or at least they certainly didn’t act like it. And for a while I think I didn’t believe in God. Maybe there was some higher power... maybe, perhaps, but not God. Yet still I felt a crushing weight on my conscience, for both the things I had done, and the things I had failed to do. So I watched TV shows and movies to help me feel safe, to distract myself, and indeed to feel as if I had more power than I actually did.

There came a time in middle school when a big storm came through my life, and when I was living in fear, I turned to God, and He helped me through it. And again in high school, God helped me. And in college, many times more. Through it all, God answered my prayers, and showed me there is a better way. And I came to understand that He gave me a way to life through His Son, long before I was even born. And because of that, I could find comfort and rest by trusting in Him through the afflictions I faced. So the way I see it, God has lead my life in a way neither I, nor any human being could. I have found that He has a purpose for all things, and truly that nothing comes by accident. I may not say it aloud, but I observe it every day in the places He sets me in, and the people with whom He places me. Yes, even in the midst of this virus. So while family and friends may not always be there to support me, and while institutions may crumble and fall, and while I may move away and feel isolated from all I’ve known, my God was, is, and always will be with me. There is nothing more empowering or reassuring than that. And without coming off too preachy, my hope is that people might perhaps look at that reflected in my life - to see the work God has done, and to consider their own relationship with Him.

Roll Call

Next, I have a few shout-outs I’d like to mention.

First, to my wonderful film Director Sophia: What can I say? This project has been simply amazing to work on with you. I think back to the moment I first overheard you talking about Pua Warriors. You were so thrilled to do it, and that’s when I realized I might want to jump onboard as well. Since then, the only adjective that comes to mind describing this experience is “vibrant.” I know there have been a lot of ups and downs, but that’s part of what makes the experience worth remembering. And there may very well be more hills and valleys to go through, but I actually look forward to them every day with you, as we continue to make this film happen. You shine like a star with a brilliant, positive energy I’ve never seen before. And I think you have a much greater potential than perhaps even you yourself realize. Of course, everyone has room to grow, but that doesn’t reflect poorly on you at all. It’s the fact that you’ve been so supportive of your team, and that you didn’t give up on your vision, and indeed, you’ve made massive efforts to grow this semester – that’s what makes you a good director in my eyes. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have anybody else direct the film – certainly at least not this “episode” anyway. It’s been a lasting experience, and I hope you’ll take what you’ve learned from it with you. You have a bright future ahead of you Sophia – all you need to do is reach out to it!

Next, to the Art Director and my good friend Gavin, wow what a ride this has been. Your artistic vision, your stamina, and your work ethic are so very remarkable. It’s been awesome these last few years getting to know you and work with you through all the late nights and long class periods. And especially through Midnight Showing and Pua Warriors. You basically set the standard that I and most other animation students aspire to, and you have such a unique way of looking at things too. Even when you’re feeling drained from all the work, your passion clearly shows, and you know how to communicate both very clearly, AND very, uh, sassily, which makes hanging around you hilarious. You’re also one of the only people on Earth that could get me to watch Clone Wars, and I don’t regret it. You give exceptional feedback in each critique, and though it can be tough to incorporate sometimes, you make listening to you a worthwhile endeavor. ACM simply would not be what it is without you, and I know you have many great things you’ll do with your skills moving forward.

To our excellent Animation Supervisor Chandelle, this semester’s been a tough one, but even in the darkest times, the sun still rises! You’ve always been an awesome animator, an incredibly hard worker, and an exceptionally friendly and helpful member of the group. And what’s more, you never sought to put the spotlight on yourself for it. You do things simply because you care, and you do them with such a level of discipline and professionalism that few in the ACM department could match it. I’m sure I speak for the whole group when I say, we care about you so much, and we’re just thankful you’ve been with us on the project. Never sell yourself short Chandelle! You’ve conquered some major obstacles in the past, and I know you have it in you to overcome this one as well.The light will shine again someday, so hang in there, and thanks for all the help you’ve given!

To my fellow animation friend Jared, man, have I got a lot of respect for you. You really know what it’s like to get down and dirty for the team, or feel stuck in a rut in the middle of a project. This last year has probably tested you the most, and yet you never fell apart. Sure, cracks may have formed at times, but you held together and pulled on through to the end. That proves you’ve got guts, and a great capacity for patience and accommodation especially in times of crisis. And that’s exactly what we need - that kind of boldness and passion, to be able to outlast our worries, especially when there are so many unknowns. I remember back to Midnight Showing; boy, that felt like a big time of unknowns too. We had no idea what was coming. And yet you outmatched it, and sure enough, things worked out in the end. And because you’ve been so humble and willing to improve yourself, I’ve seen you get so much better over these last few years, and frankly, it’s astonishing! You’re a great friend, and a hard worker Jared. Keep it up! You’ve got this!

I’d also like mention my fellow animation friend Kalilinoe! Even though we’re not in the same team this semester, you’re still an awesome and inspiring animator to have in class! Working together on Midnight Showing last semester was a lot of work, but also so much fun! And I love your style of animation using rotoscoping. And I gotta say, the animation in Pua Ka Uahi looks sooo smooth and beautiful. Watching your progress on the film this semester has been super inspiring, and definitely keeps the other teams on their toes! I can’t wait to see the finished film!

I’ll also make a brief mention of Jayme and Bobby from our 320/420 classes! You guys rock, and made the year all the better! I hope we’ll get to hang out again sometime!

PLUS, A big thanks to the whole Capstone class! Stay creative, and best wishes to you all!

And finally, one last big shout-out to Lisette for making all of this possible! You’ve been an awesome teacher not just for this course, but for the last few years in general! You always bring such wisdom and expert film knowledge to us younglings. And you’re so willing to make yourself available to your students; always helpful and encouraging to everyone, and even more so now during this time. That’s just the kind of support we need! I’ll be missing your classes greatly! Thanks so much for all your care and help!

A New Chapter Begins

Well, that pretty much wraps up my blog (for the school-production time anyway) of Pua Warriors. I’d like to once again thank each and every one of you for making the ACM experience so incredible. I think I like posting, so I’ll probably try to keep up with the blogs for the future, or at least make an update every once in a while. Thanks for reading through this epic conclusion of a post.

Until next time my friends! This is Alex(is) Nelson, Ganitine, the Undercover Animator, uncovered! See you next time!

#Pua Warriors #This is the end #Thank You #Capstone #coffeepower #sentimental #The Pakala Kids #Pua Ka Uahi #See you later #Pua Laulima

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1wngdngl · 4 years

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Pokemon Shield playthrough

I’ve been playing this game a lot since last night, and I still haven’t gotten on the train yet ;) I like to take games slowly to make sure I notice and experience everything along the way. It looks like the best way to share my game progress is through screenshots, so that’s what I’ll do. Cut for length and spoilers - I’ve been trying to avoid spoilers and leaks for the past couple weeks, so if you want to be able to experience the games fresh yourself, now might be a good time to click away. [This post covers up thru getting the Dynamax band]

I went ahead with the “standard” female character, but you can bet I’ll be customizing her as soon as I can. What’s with that knock-kneed stance, anyway? Pokemon trainers should stand strong and confident!

Chairman Rose greets us. Everyone online was guessing he’ll turn out to be evil or something. He certainly looks suspicious, doesn’t he?

And here comes the first surprise of the LP - a brand-new Pokemon, not even seen in trailers! (except for that fuzzy 1-frame image from a while back.) Its trunk looks kinda like a soup ladle. Maybe it’s a play on a teacup/teapot elephant? I wonder if it evolves...

Here’s Leon fighting an unknown trainer - maybe a Gym leader?

I really like the art style of the map - it’s so whimsical :)

The map also shows current weather for all locations. Look at all the different stuff going on in the Wild Area at the same time! I’ve been to the real England, and I don’t remember it having such extreme weather...

The map also has a few useful features, like displaying your next objective, and showing the facilities in a town (but only once you’ve been there yourself). The towns and such all have really interesting names that emulate that old English sound.

First thing I do when I gain control in a new Pokemon game? Change the battle style to “Set”. It seems more fair, plus it helps make the game just a bit more challenging.

I’m a little sad that the old option to change menu/text box borders seems to be forever abandoned, though... >.>

My house. It’s a pretty decent-sized place. We have a pet Munchlax and a few Budew outside. My character practices her whistling.

My mom. Or “mum” as the game calls her. The dialog is noticeably slanted toward a more British dialect - I wonder how they handled the accent in other languages?

Speaking of my mom, she seems rather big compared to me, doesn’t she? Quite a bit taller. I’m guessing my character is around 12 - when I was that age, I was the same height as my mom and done growing. Maybe they think people won’t believe this character is the mom’s child if she’s too tall?

Also, my dream is to one day have a /dad/ in a Pokemon game. Seriously, why does every other house I visit have a husband and wife, and my character is always stuck being the only child of a single parent? What if in one of these games, my dad was the champion or the evil team leader - how fun would that be?

My bedroom. The pink clock on the wall reminds me of one from a previous Pokemon game - was it ORAS that had those round clocks on the wall that you could set?

My first step on my journey. Looks like my mom spends every minute gardening - I guess the Budew help her?

Ah yes, every Pokemon game needs a “power of science” guy :)

Here’s another surprise - how many Pokemon games give you a fishing rod right at the start?! Usually you have to track down three different fisherman to get the three versions of the fishing rod. I’m also happy to see that Pokeballs have their own pocket again :)

The handy map tells us where to go next, with even a little picture of our destination.

The champion of Galar, of course, has a huge house.

Wow, a Purrloin! I forgot that they stood on two legs. I like its little bed.

Also, Leon’s family decorate their house mainly in trophies.

I guess this is Hop’s room - I like his artwork. I know Leon has a Charizard - does he have these other two Pokemon too, and that’s why Hop has posters of them?

Leon’s room is mostly a shrine to hats.

Speaking of Leon, he really knows how to play to the crowd ;)

So, some people are wondering if /Leon/ will turn out to be evil in the story. I didn’t really get that vibe from him. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, but he does seem like he has some worries on his mind, like his cheer is sometimes forced?

Maybe he actually hates the limelight and gets uncomfortable with attention? Maybe he’s secretly terminally ill? Maybe there’s some massive threat about to attack the Galar region? He seems really concerned with making sure that Galar has lots of strong trainers. Maybe he knows something about the legendaries?

Alternately, some people were saying that maybe Leon isn’t actually a great champion, and his fights are rigged in his favor by the chairman. /If/ that were the case, I bet that Leon is actually unhappy with that situation and wants to make the tournament more fair.

Or maybe everything in the game is exactly as it seems ;)

Nothing important here, I just like this screenshot. I wonder if Fletchling are native to Galar too?

My first Pokemon! (in this game, at least...) I picked Sobble because he’s the most endearing.

My first battle! I like how the interface is laid out, and how detailed the background is beyond the fighters - you can even see Leon standing there.

My Pokemon's details. I don’t play competitively so I don’t know if it’s a particular “good” Sobble. It seems like this species is a fast special-attacker, so I’ll have to keep that in mind.

The Slumbering Weald (my spellchecker doesn’t even recognize that word :) ) It’s very spooky and seclusive - and it’s right next to the starter town too! You’d think if it was really that dangerous, people would put up more than a flimsy wooden gate to keep trespassers out...Hop, of course, is an idiot and runs right into it; and I, the spineless protagonist, have no option to say no. >.>

My first wild encounter! This starts the trend I noticed all during the opening hours of this game - most of the wild Pokemon are brand-new, totally-unrevealed species. Like this squirrel thing. (Although some people guessed we would get a new squirrel based on that shirt design). I wonder if it evolves?

This part was actually pretty scary, with the Pokemon (I can’t remember its name...) suddenly appearing out of the fog. The Pokemon acted almost like a hologram in battle though - my attacks couldn’t touch it.

What if the twist is that the legendary wolf Pokemon are just illusions, perhaps even man-made ones created to keep intruders from discovering some secret in the forest?

Anyway, we escape from the situation perfectly fine, because of course we do ;)

I noticed that this particular generation gives you quite of a bit of money at the start, but I guess that’s because you encounter the first boutique so early. There’s a fair number of affordable options too. Some of these Pokemon shirts I wish were /real/ shirts.

My new look :) Mostly I just ditched the dress for jeans. This looks like a comfortable outfit, although that knapsack is a bit unwieldy.

We visit the professor’s lab. She has a lot of books, plants, and a tea set. I wonder if she ever has problems with Polteageist?

The new Pokemon center design. I love that the move deleter/relearner and nickname functions are all in one place - I always hated flying around the map trying to remember where they were.

That Pokemon behind the counter is another totally new one. Could this be a Galarian Audino?

Using mystery gift, I was able to get this “Gigantamax” Meowth. However, due to my rule of only using Gen 8 Pokemon, it’s just gonna chill out in the box >.>

Leon is very generous with Pokeballs. Even the items you find on the ground are generous, often containing 2 or 3 “copies” of an item when you check it out. Is that a new thing for Pokemon?

Here I battle my first trainer that isn’t named Hop. He has that squirrel shirt and is a total pushover.

Just chilling by the professor’s house. It looks like maybe you can only fish in fishing spots (those darker circles on the water), but at least you get your fishing pole right away.

Also, I discovered that while I could not sit on beds or chairs inside, I am able to sit on this bench :)

The way the Pokemon mill about in the tall grass is very interesting. Some will try to avoid you, others like this Yamper will chase after you. It makes the routes feel a lot more populated.

I guess this is Sonia’s room. It’s very pink. I wonder if she even /wants/ to do Pokemon research, or if she’d rather be a fashion designer or something.

The in-game time of day doesn’t seem to match up with the Switch system clock, at least not from what I’ve seen so far. For example, suddenly it is sunset and I catch a falling star. (look how the reflection in the water changes :) )

I haven’t decided yet if I want to buy the Switch online service, but in the meantime I decided to at least pick my profile picture. The icons you can choose from actually reveal quite a lot about the trainer classes and gyms that are in the game. For the first time ever, we have a Dark-type gym! Their logo is a sideways version of Team Yell’s logo - does that mean that Team Yell or Marnie is the Dark gym leader?

I spent a while catching Pokemon around the professor’s house. I can’t tell if I got every possible species without looking online, but I did build up a good roster.

I found it really cool how many new, surprising Pokemon showed up this early in the game. There’s the fox one (which is a Dark type and reminds me of Zoroark), the turtle one (which has got to be a pre-evolution of Dreadnaw, probably the 1st of 3 stages), the bird one (based on the “Rook” in its name and the fact that it learns Dark-type moves early, I’m guessing it’s a pre-evolution of Corviknight), and the bug one (can’t wait to see what its final stage looks like).

I went through the party to find the best Pokemon that fit my self-imposed rules (only new, Gen 8 Pokemon, no overlap of types). I know that this means I won’t be able to use Galarian forms or Gigantamaxes of old Pokemon, but just because I’m not using them in my main playthrough doesn’t mean I can’t catch them :)

Next time: I step onto the train and leave my home behind.

#pokemon #pokemon shield #pokemon gen 8 #let's play #lps

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lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers · 3 years

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how do you know what class you're in?

Your social class in the UK?

I think it’s really hard to define, and I honestly think most people in the UK “just know”- although I also sort of know that’s a stupid thing to say.

There are economic factors and there are cultural factors, and it’s also down to your family history. And there are classes within classes too- you can be upper middle class, or upper working class, for example.

The following is semi-serious, semi tongue in cheek, and I’d love my followers to chip in too!

Working class: Your family have traditionally worked in non-professional jobs. These might be skilled trades, service/hospitality jobs, “unskilled” jobs or casual work. These days, they might be self employed, but they would be unlikely to employ someone else. There are varying degrees of financial comfort, and these days, your family may own their own home but you’re not “wealthy”. It’s unlikely your family have assets or investments beyond one property and cars (if they are doing well). If you’re younger than about 35, you or your siblings might have gone to university, but no-one in your parents’ generation has. Your parents probably have a degree of debt beyond a mortgage (if they have one). You probably spent time in childcare when you were young because your parents had to work.

You probably speak with a regional accent and use dialect words. You also use words like serviette, desert, pardon etc. Someone in your family is really into football and supports a team that isn’t in the premiership- if they are into rugby then it’s rugby league unless you’re from Wales or Cornwall. Your female relatives are probably quite house-proud and take a lot of care over their appearances. You probably have a hobby, but it’s probably not one that requires a lot of expensive equipment.

If you celebrate Christmas, this was probably really important to your family and your parents might have gone a bit overboard with this, even (especially) if they couldn’t afford it.

At some point in your life, you’ve used the word “scab” as an insult- even if you didn’t know what it meant.

Middle Class: Your family have traditionally worked in more professional jobs. These may not require a degree (especially historically), but we are talking things like accountant, lawyer, doctor, teacher, civil servant etc. They earned a salary rather than being paid by the hour. Some degree of their assets were probably inherited, and they may have some investments e.g. shares or a buy to let property, but this isn’t the whole of their income (unless they are retired and have a decent pension too). Your parents owned their own home, and are/will be mortgage free by the time they retire. You probably had regular foreign holidays growing up. Your parents are likely to save up for big ticket items, rather than get into debt. You’re not the first generation in your family where people went to university. It’s very likely you had a stay at home parent for part of your childhood.

If you speak with a regional accent, it’s probably pretty soft, and it’s likely you don’t use a lot of regional dialect words. You call your midday meal lunch, and your evening meal dinner. If you go to the pub to watch a sports match, it’s more likely to be the six nations than a football game. But it’s equally likely you aren’t into sport at all. Your parents probably made you get swimming and music lessons growing up, and you may well have a hobby- possibly one that requires a bit of financial investment on your part. You like to think you have a sense of style, but you don’t like to look like you are “trying too hard”.

At some point in your life, you have sneered at someone for being a “chav”. It’s likely you’re quite insecure and there’s lots of things you don’t think of as “classy” and try to avoid.

Upper-middle Class: Your parents are pretty wealthy and almost definitely went to university. You went to a well known university. They likely went to private school and you probably did too (although not a super famous one). If you didn’t go to private school, you went to a grammar school, church school or the most sought after “comp” in the county (your parents probably moved house to get you in). Someone in your extended family or friendship circle owns a second home, or at least a really nice house in the country. You/your parents almost definitely have inherited wealth and assets, as well. You/your parents may just work in a well paid job, but they may also own a medium to large size company. You probably had multiple holidays abroad each year (and it’s very likely you went skiing). If one of your parents’ cars broke down, it would have been very easy for them to replace it, without needing to save up or get into debt, but you don’t have any fear of debt, either. It’s very likely you can get a job through “connections”. It’s likely they employed a cleaner and possibly a gardener, and maybe au-pair or nanny as well.

On some level, you probably think “poor” people bring it on themselves through poor decision making.

You pride yourself on not being a snob, because you got on well with the people you met in Africa, but you’ve never actually spoken to someone who grew up in a council house.

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ballbrandon94 · 4 years

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Reiki Energy Feet Unbelievable Useful Tips

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Youtube How To Learn Reiki Healing

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meditationadvise · 7 years

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Can We Talk?

You gaze in stunned disbelief. "Did she truly just claim that? Just what the h * ll's incorrect with her? Didn't she hear what I simply said? I'm never getting through to this person."

All of an abrupt, your high-stakes discussion has actually simply taken a sharp left turn. Your great purposes and also well-laid plans have actually flown out the window.

You begin to feel off balance. Warm rises the rear of your neck. Taking a breath ends up being much heavier. Palms sweat. Mouth dries out. Believing shuffles. Focus tightens. Escape or eyelash out?

Now isn't exactly the time to excuse on your own so you can drop the hall as well as practice meditation for 20 minutes. Instead, you'll should accumulate on your own in the minute to practice mindfulness in action.

* * *

Whether you are what I call "mindful-curious," new to mindfulness, or a seasoned expert, opportunities are that you have actually heard a lot regarding seclusion, tranquility, and also silence. Without a doubt, numerous solo techniques that call for these conditions are vital for training on your own to end up being more independent in a non-judgmental way.

Yet to exercise being conscious in social interactions, you cannot be alone, still, or peaceful. By meaning, you need to be with others, you need to act, as well as you need to interact. Exactly what's a well-meaning practitioner to do?

To carry out at our finest in important conversations, marrying conscious intents with conscious actions aids to make certain that you can make great on your great intentions.

Your capacity to be simultaneously interested and also grounded is a lot more most likely to interact that you are mature and self-possessed, and that you are ready to listen as well as act with goodwill towards your target market, all of which adds to your reputation and a constructive conversation.

While practicing mindfulness in action is a comprehensive and also lifelong quest, you could get started with a few straightforward practices for planting grace in vital conversations. Start by exercising the adhering to exercises solo one by one, then finish to placing them with each other in conversations with others.

Solo technique could take the type of envisioning prior to a discussion or showing after. Maintain your psychological wedding rehearsals innovative and also adaptable, checking out different techniques that will aid you improvisate fluidly in the moment. Maintain representations constructive by focusing on exactly what you could learn and apply in the future. Avoid getting on pondering on the wrongs you've experienced or warranting your righteous actions. I have actually found envisioning and reflecting in journal composing to be particularly effective.

When you are ready, include lessons learned in solo practice into live in-the-moment discussions. You might start with lower-stakes and after that proceed to higher-stakes method. Lower-stakes situations usually have a lower emotional charge and less riding on them, such as small talk over coffee or leading a routine conference. Higher-stakes situations generally carry a lot more prospective for psychological sensitivity and also might have a whole lot riding on them - as an example, coaching a person to up his performance, working out a fragile bargain, or taking care of dispute masterfully throughout a tense exchange.

1) Fully Arrive

Like several yoga and meditation educators, I typically begin my once a week recreation center yoga courses by asking trainees to take a moment to "totally arrive." As it transforms out, this is an actually useful technique for all sort of circumstances off the yoga floor covering too. So I additionally ask faculty and staff to "completely show up" in mindfulness-at-work sessions, as well as I ask trainees to "completely show up" to plan for giving a discussion or role-playing a difficult conversation. You can adopt this technique as well as a start and interlude in critical conversations.

Of program, there's constantly a little bit of paradox in the instructions to "completely show up." Checking in with ourselves, we could smile quietly when we acknowledge that although we could be right here in body, we're not yet right here in spirit. We may observe that we're still gnashing our teeth over that slow-moving driver who stole our vehicle parking area 10 minutes ago. Or maybe we're having a hard time releasing concern over an overruning email inbox. Or maybe we're sidetracked by really feeling worn or slow from low morale or burnout. In discussion, we often have a record with others that casts a light or shadow over the communication before it even begins, impacting the way we reveal up and also perform.

Just as in yoga exercise class, "totally arriving" for conversation suggests making some small postural changes to sustain transitioning into your own present-moment awareness. In conversation, "fully arriving" by symbolizing an alert-yet-relaxed stance has the included advantage of communicating to others listening as well as respect. By doing this, you can utilize your "fully showing up" method to do double duty as internal job that helps you and external job that helps you connect.

So exactly how do you symbolize "alert-yet-relaxed"? If you are in a crucial discussion, you possibly typically aren't resting cross-legged on a yoga exercise mat or reflection pillow, so try practicing a naturalistic version of Hill Pose, either standing or sittinged in a chair. Instead of exercising in an overstated, inflexible style, see if you could experiment an air of poise that is flexible sufficient to relocate any direction as the scenario asks for and also the discussion unfolds.

[Technique] Alert-Yet-Relaxed Posture

Whether standing or resting, place the soles of your feet on the flooring at concerning hip's distance apart.

If standing, distribute your weight uniformly in between both feet. Lift vigorously with the arcs of the feet, gently waking up the muscle mass in your legs and toning via the reduced and top abdomen.

If resting, wiggle your fanny means back in the chair and also rest upright on your sitz bones. Maintain your feet flat on the flooring and also knees according to the hip bones to avoid clinching in between the inner thighs.

In both cases, keep your pelvis neutral and also elongate your back by lifting through the sides of your torso. Relax the tops of your shoulders while extending through the rear of the neck. Image the head resting lightly on the top of the back. Arms could be held gently at your sides.

Gaze in advance softly, while maintaining an open as well as receptive eyebrow and face. Start to remember this alert-yet-relaxed countenance so you could re-center and also return to it at any type of time.

Practicing the alert-yet-relaxed posture solo can aid you develop muscle memory so that you can quicker shift into an useful position throughout conversation. In a low-stakes discussion, you may come to be aware that you've slipped into slumping laterally in your chair. On the inside you may feel tired and also simply want to get comfy, yet on the outside you understand that this posture dangers connecting uninterest. Changing subtly into an alert-yet-relaxed stance once more will not only aid you clean away psychological cobwebs, yet could also help you connect that you remain in reality thinking about the various other person and also your conversation.

Your alert-yet-relaxed method could be a lot more beneficial in high-stakes conversations. Expect in the warm of the moment you catch your neck firm, your forearms tensing, and also your body beginning to lean onward strongly. Your solo technique could help you recognize just how much you've drifted from your useful home-base position. You may recognize that your high-tension stance reflects however likewise feeds your growing internal stress. Considering that you remain in a social communication, you come to be mindful that although this pose remains in one sense authentic, it isn't visiting serve you very well due to the fact that it is likely to escalate an interpersonal dispute as the various other individual chooses up on your progressively hostile body movement. Your low-stakes technique after that could assist you subtly change back right into a many more useful alert-yet-relaxed position that could cool your inner fire and also restrain the danger of conflict.

2) Take in Inquisitiveness, Breathe Out Stability

As part of your solo technique, once you have arranged on your own in an alert-yet-relaxed posture, you could bring your interest to your breathing. At very first you may just observe your breath without changing anything, utilizing it as a type of dispassionate details, much as you would certainly in a mindfulness reflection workout. Sometimes simply observing your breath by doing this leads it to night out as well as growing much more still as well as silent, which could have a calming effect. Showing up all blissed out, nonetheless, might not be an optimal state for carrying out well in a discussion, particularly in a high-stakes one. As you most likely recognize from feel as well as research study has revealed, individuals have a tendency to do finest at moderate levels of arousal, neither also reduced neither too high. So for the purposes of a crucial conversation, you will certainly desire to learn the best ways to readjust your breathing to fit the efficiency demands of the moment.

Yoga breathing techniques, called pranayama, instruct that adjusting the breath particularly ways can modify the method you really feel. Breathing in inspires oxygen right into the body, which can be a lot more energizing, while breathing out removes carbon dioxide, which can be more purifying and relaxing. To feel more energetic, you might take in more deeply, to feel a lot more unwinded, you could breathe out even more deeply.

Actors take this kind of exercise to another level by combining breathing with imagery and purposes that will help them perform at their finest. For example, vibrant tummy breathing before or throughout an efficiency brings energy right into the body, focuses the mind, as well as prepares both for relocating right into activity. Visualizing a personality's core inspirations helps the actor move into action with objective and also enthusiasm. If any time the star ends up being rattled, she or he could re-direct stage shock and clambering thoughts to the stabilizing impacts of "feeling your feet."

[Method] Grounded Interest Breathing

While in your alert-yet-relaxed pose, start to pay focus to your breathing. In the beginning, just observe your breathing for ideas that help you find information regarding your internal state. After a few rounds of breathing, begin to shift your focus from merely observing your breath right into investing your breathing with intents that will certainly aid you execute at your best.

As you take a breath in, really feel the effects of breathing in as if celebration motivation from your surroundings. As you do this, envision being interested not just regarding your very own encounter, yet the feel of the person you are consulting with and the opportunities that could emerge as your conversation unfolds.

As you breathe out, really feel grounded in this alert-yet-relaxed posture, giving attention to the stability of your feet as well as core body, and also if seated, your connection with the chair. Picture that while the currents of the discussions could change, you can stay based and also stable.

Continue to take a breath: breathing in sensation interested, taking a breath out feeling grounded.

Grounded interest breathing could can be found in useful in discussion. For instance, during a low-stakes discussion, after signing in with your breathing, you could see your power dragging because you have actually currently heard exactly what is being said several times in the past. In that minute, you may delicately shift into your alert-yet-relaxed pose and afterwards quietly start to inhale more deeply for a couple of rounds of breath. As you hear the various other person, reinforce the effects of these physical micro-adjustments by advising on your own of your purpose to be interested regarding the opportunities that are unraveling. Possibly you'll stand up to the impulse to disrupt with an inquiry and discover that provided some area, the other individual volunteers the response or moves right into a new instructions without you having to ask. Consequently, you've handled yourself, as well as the various other person really feels heard.

Perhaps you'll withstand the desire to disrupt with an inquiry and also discover that offered some space, the other person volunteers the solution or relocates right into a new instructions without you having to ask.

In a high-stakes conversation, energy levels could run greater. Some modest energy in a high-stakes conversations is not all bad considering that it can enhance performance. Often the high quality of your breathing - maybe also fast or holding your breath - may tell you that you that your power is getting too high and approaching a point of lessening returns. In this case, you might gently move into your alert-yet-relaxed posture, and also quietly begin to breathe out many more gradually or deeply for a couple of rounds of breath. To accentuate this micro-move, remind yourself to "feel your feet" as a method to obtain out of your head and also back right into your body, while reminding yourself that you could feel grounded and secure in your alert-yet-relaxed posture. Therefore, you release up your inner resources to make much better in-the-moment choices regarding exactly how you respond.

Learning to detect as well as customize your very own energised degree during discussion not just advantages you, however may discreetly influence the individual you are talking with. As you design the ability to self-regulate, you implicitly welcome the other individual to do the exact same. This mirroring or coordinating result could be especially strong if others already see you as a leader and are taking their signs from you. Your capacity to be at the same time curious as well as grounded is more probable to interact that you are fully grown and self-possessed, and that you want to pay attention and also show goodwill towards your target market, all of which adds to your credibility and a positive conversation.

While these micro-moves could seem like a great deal to think of and do during a conversation, the charm of practicing them is that they come to be more easier and more all-natural with time. Just like discovering how to ride a bicycle means learning how to stabilize on the bike as you peddle ahead, learning how to balance your energy as a conversation unravels starts to obtain much easier the much more you do it as well as find out to trust on your own and also your capability to ride conversational ups and downs.

3) Connect to the Generous Interpretation

Your alert-yet-relaxed pose as well as based interest breathing techniques will certainly help you poise for the unpredictability of having a conversation. Relying on the situation, this uncertainty may be a pleasurable source of creative thinking or a worrisome source of anxiety. Occasionally it's a blend of both.

When all is going well, linking via discussion comes easily and is its own benefit. A difficulty develops though when a conversation transforms midway from positive to adversarial, perhaps intimidating to become destructive. Exactly how do you remain connected-- to your very own intentions, the other individual, and the unraveling moment?

Often these minutes begin with an uh-oh pinch of some kind. The pinch can come from inside you: "I truly do not feel like having this conversation right now." The pinch could originate from the various other individual: She states something that massages you the upside-down. Or the pinch can originate from the circumstance: Time is running out.

Having shifted as well as re-collected yourself, you are much better outfitted to reroute your interest away from a tension reaction and also your constricting focus towards a many more generous analysis of what is happening.

No issue the resource, when conference resistance, a typical tension reaction is for our focus to narrow. Naturally, this belongs to our body's prep work for fight-or-flight. Our deep reactions begin to take control of. At very high levels of anxiety, we might wish to either hastily resort or bulldoze ahead with our own agenda and close down any type of opposing sights. Also at modest levels of stress, although we stay physically there, we begin to tune out or shut down, or begin to stonewall or stab back. Succumbing to any of these lures swiftly shuts down the opportunity of making more competent choices.

Instead, if you could catch on your own starting to respond to resistance, start by going back to your alert-yet-relaxed stance and also returning to your based curiosity breathing. Having actually moved and also re-collected on your own, you are nicer geared up to redirect your attention far from a stress feedback and also your narrowing focus towards a many more generous interpretation of what is occurring. Making this action increases the odds of transitioning from fight-or-flight into mindful useful action.

The action toward a generous analysis can be fairly hard due to the fact that it is so counterintuitive to the method we are feeling in the moment. This is specifically why making this move needs technique. Initially you might be better off exercising the charitable interpretation during representation on a previous tough conversation. Your representation can take the type of a silent reflection, a journal access, or a conversation with an encouraging close friend. You might likewise exercise it as a visualization in expectancy of a hard discussion. Certainly practice run it in a low-stakes discussion before attempting in a high-stakes one.

[Practice] Generous Interpretation

Notice an uh-oh pinch somewhere in your body. Commonly it seems like a tightening, a flinch, or a recoiling. Notice that your recognition is relocating intensely toward dealing with your own demands or defeating the various other individual's requirements in some method. Acknowledge that the conversation itself has started to seem like a tit-for-tat exchange.

Move right into an alert-yet-relaxed position. Focus on your exhalations for a few rounds of breath. Breathe out feeling based. Feel your feet. Feel your mind and body start to gain back equilibrium.

Visualize drawing a circle you as well as the other person to symbolize the unfolding tale that you are both during co-creating, even if the exchange has actually ended up being adversarial.

Soften your upper body with the intention of prolonging generosity toward yourself, towards the various other individual, and towards the unraveling moment.

See if you can think of a generous analysis of what is occurring in this minute that will permit the conversation to move back into a more useful track. Begin to react as if that charitable interpretation held true and also see if that begins to boost the quality of your conversation.

This method has actually been vital for me as I have worked difficult to boost a distressed relationship with among my colleagues. She and I had had several disagreeable interactions over the years. Fact be told, my disapproval as well as pain with her had been going on so long that I had trouble keeping in mind exactly why I felt through this. I had actually also worked my means into staying clear of call with her whenever I could. This blew my mind, due to the fact that after all, I'm a teacher of interaction, so I ought to have the ability to figure this out, right?

One day an additional associate and I were discussing this distressed partnership. Fairly off-handedly he said to me, "You know exactly what I hear is two people vehemently agreeing with each various other."

His remark gave me stop. His generous interpretation had actually re-framed for me the nature of our pattern of conversation. I began to consider exactly what was affordable regarding her opinions. I began to consider her as a person who could instruct me points I had to understand.

I imagined her when I practiced lovingkindness meditation. Initially, wishing that she "might be secure from harm, risk-free from inner and outer danger, and also secure and pleased" really did not come effortlessly. Yet in time, I was able to really feel that sentiment many more truly. I assumed regarding her troubles, thats she had been widowed, had actually suffered some major wellness setbacks, as well as anxious concerning her financial protection. I realized just how crucial being respected for her ranking as well as competence was to her.

In time, I began putting the generous interpretation practice right into action during our discussions. As I did, I discovered we had more alike than I had offered her credit rating for. I started to soften my outlook and also began to act as if my brand-new charitable interpretation held true, also when we still had our distinctions. In time, I'm happy to state that making this relocation has changed our connection right into one that is many more polite, participating, and constructive.

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With technique, your capacity to equate your good purposes right into conscious activity in critical conversations will come to be more second-natured. Like learning any skill, you may have to devote a specific amount of initiative to discovering how to fully arrive by taking on an alert-yet-relaxed posture, to practicing based inquisitiveness breathing, and also to attaching with an unraveling minute of discussion by conjuring up a charitable analysis. For simpleness, commit these relocate to memory with A, B as well as C-- arrive, take a breath, attach-- as well as see whether you don't appear and also carry out much better than ever before before.

#deepak chopra meditation #meditation #pranayama #yoga #yoga and meditation #yoga breathing

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