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mostlysignssomeportents · 6 months

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Amazon's bestselling "bitter lemon" energy drink was bottled delivery driver piss

Today (Oct 20), I'm in Charleston, WV at Charleston's Taylor Books from 12h-14h.

For a brief time this year, the bestselling "bitter lemon drink" on Amazon was "Release Energy," which consisted of the harvested urine of Amazon delivery drivers, rebottled for sale by Catfish UK prankster Oobah Butler in a stunt for a new Channel 4 doc, "The Great Amazon Heist":

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-amazon-heist

Collecting driver piss is surprisingly easy. Amazon, you see, puts its drivers on a quota that makes it impossible for them to drive safely, park conscientiously, or, indeed, fulfill their basic human biological needs. Amazon has long waged war on its employees' kidneys, marking down warehouse workers for "time off task" when they visit the toilets.

As tales of drivers pissing – and shitting! – in their vans multiplied, Amazon took decisive action. The company enacted a strict zero tolerance policy for drivers returning to the depot with bottles of piss in their vans.

That's where Butler comes in: the roads leading to Amazon delivery depots are lined with bottles of piss thrown out of delivery vans by drivers who don't want to lose their jobs, which made harvesting the raw material for "Release Energy" a straightforward matter.

Butler was worried that he wouldn't be able to list his product on Amazon because he didn't have the requisite "food and drinks licensing" certificates, so he listed his drink in Amazon's refillable pump dispenser category. But Amazon's systems detected the mismatch and automatically shifted the product into the drinks section.

Butler enlisted some confederates to place orders for his drink, and it quickly rocketed to the top of Amazon's listings for the category, which led to Amazon's recommendation engine pushing the item on people who weren't in on the gag. When these orders came in, Butler pulled the plug, but not before an Amazon rep telephoned him to pitch him turning packaging, shipping and fulfillment over to Amazon:

https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-let-its-drivers-urine-be-sold-as-an-energy-drink/

The Release Energy prank was just one stunt Butler pulled for his doc; he also went undercover at an Amazon warehouse, during a period when Amazon hired an extra 1,000 workers for its warehouses in Coventry, UK, in a successful bid to dilute pro-union sentiment in his workforce in advance of a key union vote:

https://jacobin.com/2023/10/the-great-amazon-heist-oobah-butler-review

Butler's stint as an Amazon warehouse worker only lasted a couple of days, ending when Amazon recognized him and fired him.

The contrast between Amazon's ability to detect an undercover reporter and its inability to spot bottles of piss being marketed as bitter lemon energy drink says it all, really. Corporations like Amazon hire vast armies of "threat intelligence" creeps who LARP at being CIA superspies, subjecting employees and activists to intense and often illegal surveillance.

But while Amazon's defensive might is laser-focused on the threat of labor organizers and documentarians, the company can't figure out that one of its bestselling products is bottles of its tormented drivers' own urine.

In the USA, the FTC is suing Amazon for its monopolistic tactics, arguing that the company has found ways to raise prices and reduce quality by trapping manufacturers and sellers with its logistics operation, taking $0.45-$0.51 out of every dollar they earn and forcing them to raise prices at all retailers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

The Release Energy stunt shows where Amazon's priorities are. Not only did Release Energy get listed on Amazon without any quality checks, the company actually nudged it into a category where it was more likely to be consumed by a person. The only notice the company took of Release Energy was in its logistics and manufacturing department – the part of the business that extracts the monopoly rents at issue in the FTC case – which tracked Butler down in order to sell him these services.

The drivers whose piss Butler collected don't work directly for Amazon, they work for a Delivery Service Partner. These DSPs are victims of a pyramid scheme that Amazon set up. DSP operators lease vans and pay to have them skinned in Amazon livery and studded with Amazon sensors. They take out long-term leases on depots, and hire drivers who dress in Amazon uniforms. Their drivers are minutely monitored by Amazon, down to the movements of their eyeballs.

But none of this is "Amazon" – it's all run by an "entrepreneur," whom Amazon can cut loose without notice, leaving them with unfairly terminated employees, outstanding workers' comp claims, a fleet of Amazon-skinned vehicles and unbreakable facilities leases:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/17/revenge-of-the-chickenized-reverse-centaurs/

Speaking to Wired, Amazon denied that it forces its drivers to piss in bottles, but Butler clearly catches a DSP dispatcher telling drivers "If you pee in a bottle and leave it [in the vehicle], you will get a point for that" – that is, the part you get punished for isn't the peeing, it's the leaving.

Amazon's defense against the FTC is that it spares no effort to keep its marketplace safe. As Amazon spokesperson James Drummond says, they use "industry-leading tools to prevent genuinely unsafe products being listed." But the only industry-leading tools in evidence are tools to bust unions and screw suppliers.

In her landmark Yale Law Review paper, "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," FTC Chair Lina Khan makes a brilliant argument that Amazon's alleged benefits to "consumers" are temporary at best, illusory at worst:

https://www.yalelawjournal.org/note/amazons-antitrust-paradox

In Butler's documentary, Khan's hypothesis is thoroughly validated: here's a company extracting hundreds of billions from merchants who raise prices to compensate, and those monopoly rents are "invested" in union-busting and countermeasures against investigative journalists, while the tools to keep you from accidentally getting a bottle of piss in the mail are laughably primitive.

Truly, Amazon is the apex predator of the platform era:

https://pluralistic.net/ApexPredator

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/20/release-energy/#the-bitterest-lemon

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

#pluralistic #release energy #channel 4 #amazon #corporate intelligence #labor #unions #amazon labor union #the great Amazon heist #catfish uk #oobah butler #delivery service partner

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inspirational-blogs4u · 10 months

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Mastering Consistency: 8 Tips for a Thriving Journey 🚀

Hey Tumblr fam! 🌟

Consistency is the secret sauce to achieving your dreams and reaching new heights. Here are 8 bite-sized tips to help you stay on track and rock your goals:

Set Crystal-Clear Goals: Define what you want and break it down into achievable milestones. Clarity is your compass to success!

Routines Rule: Create a daily routine that aligns with your objectives. A structured schedule will keep you in the game.

Motivation Matters: Find your inner cheerleader! Celebrate your small victories and use them to fuel your drive.

Learn from the Lows: We all stumble, but it's how we rise that counts. Embrace setbacks, learn from them, and bounce back stronger.

Accountability Crew: Share your journey with like-minded pals. A supportive community keeps you going when the going gets tough.

Mindful Progress: Stay present and focused. Each step you take matters, so savor the journey and relish your growth.

Adapt & Evolve: Life is unpredictable, but you're adaptable! Embrace change and adjust your sails as needed.

Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Remember, you're not perfect, and that's perfectly okay. Treat yourself with love and understanding.

You've got this! 💪 Embrace these tips, sprinkle in your magic, and watch yourself shine. Stay consistent, and the world will be at your feet. 🌈

Lastly take some time and read our dedicated article on consistency and learn the top 8 ways in detail.

ConsistencyIsKey #DreamBig #KeepGoing

#consistency is key #personal growth #self improvement tips #effort #motivation #Success

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libnood · 10 months

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zylerkade · 1 year

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Progress, Not Perfection: Get 37 Times Better with Only 1% of Work

When it comes to your goals and dreams, They can often seem so far out of reach that it intimidates and discourages you to the point of never starting in the first place. Here's how to change that:

You may have heard it before: “Progress, not perfection.” But what does it mean? There’s a famous saying that goes: “Every marathon begins with a single step.” When it comes to your goals and dreams, They can often seem so far out of reach that it intimidates and discourages you to the point of never starting in the first place. Whether you’re trying to create passive income streams, build a…

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charliemwrites · 19 days

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There are men across the street.

The house (and you use the term generously) that slumps there has been vacant for some time now. Ever since you moved in a couple years ago, actually. It’s an eyesore for sure. Graffiti on the walls, boards on the windows, a basketball-sized hole in the roof. The porch is the worst of it. Sagging in the middle and crumbling on the ends, stripped and moss-encrusted wood.

But today there are men there, stomping up and down the groaning steps in big, steel-toed boots.

You watch for a bit from the safety of your kitchen window, sipping coffee and batting your cat off the counter. They don’t look like a normal construction crew - wearing all black and not so much as a hammer on their belts. Three of them that you can see, one about average height, one tall, and one very tall. The tall one tags after the shortest of them often, gets pushed and shoved and snapped at it seems like.

You lose interest when the coffee runs out and your phone chimes, shooing you off to the grocery store. All three have disappeared inside by the time you saunter out, keys jingling and reusable bags in hand.

Margot says they’re renovating - likely some rich man’s retirement project. The same thing happened just down the street six months before you moved in, and now Joe has solar panels.

She postulates over the situation across the street while taking delicate bites of the cheesecake she brought over. (A test recipe for her niece’s baby shower in a few weeks. You don’t tell her that it’s too sweet and just sip your tea between bites.) She hypothesizes that one of them is this hypothetical rich man’s son, bringing some handy friends around for extra hands to work.

It sounds about as plausible as Agatha’s mutterings that they’re drug lords, so you nod along and watch your calico sneak up on your tuxedo behind her.

The garden is your own little retirement project. (You’re not actually retired, no matter what your sister snipes. But some smart money moves and a successful writing career is virtually the same with no kids and no spouse.) It’s going about as well as the renovations across the street - which is say, better and quicker than expected.

You planted clover in the yard, and are working on wildflowers in the boxes. The clover is already blooming, little flower tufts springing up for bumblebees to perch on. The wildflowers are mixed success so far, but nothing is dead yet.

You mostly just tootle around to be outside - allotted sunshine lest you become the shut in Bertram accused you of your first couple months.

The cats watch you pick at weeds from the window. Or two of them do. The other one is glaring from the fridge, angry that you tossed her back inside when she tried to slip past your ankles. (With any luck, you’ll have another sibling for them soon, but the handsome orange thing that keeps coming by at dawn and dusk is too stupid to be caught.) All three of them shift to look at something over your shoulder.

“Excuse.”

You don’t startle, thankfully. The voice may be unfamiliar, but neighbors stop by consistently enough that you’re not surprised to have your solitude interrupted.

What you are surprised by is the tall (very, very tall) man standing at the edge of your front yard. One of the renovators.

“Hi,” you say, straightening.

He points a gloved finger at you - no, not at you. Past you. At your cats.

“May I see them?” He asks in a thick German accent.

You blink, surprised and confused.

He’s a big man. Not just unusually tall, but broad as well. Muscle tugs at the fabric of his shirt, cargo pants clinging to his thighs. He also hasn’t bothered to take off the heavy duty dust mask, black sunglasses, or jacket hood obscuring his features. Looks like he’s about to rob you, honestly.

But Agatha’s uncharitable muttering about delinquent men rings like a warning toll. You’re at risk of sinking into the judgmental sea of upper-middle class suburbia, and that’s not water you want to tread.

“Sure!” You reply, ignoring his lack of introduction. “One sec.”

The cats see you dart from view and hurry to meet you at the door, meowing and yowling. You crack it open only wide enough to snatch up your precious firstborn, his leggies sticking out in abject bafflement at being airborne. You make guilty eye contact with your other two fiends before swiftly wedging the door shut again.

Then adjust your son, his little paws resting on your shoulder as you turn. Your visitor is standing right where you left him, perks up when he sees the cat bundled in your arms.

“This is Guy.”

You step closer, ignoring that shred of nervousness that being close to any man (especially one so physically intimidating) brings. To his credit, he only shuffles just enough to offer his hand for inspection.

“Guy?” he asks.

“I wasn’t going to adopt him at first, so I just called him Little Guy for so long that he thought that was his name. And then I did adopt him and now he won’t answer to anything else.”

You come by the rambling honestly - an obligate introvert until you moved to this neighborhood. There are few things you ever want to talk about with strangers, but your cats are one of them.

“He is a little guy,” the man muses.

Guy has no reservations about rubbing his fat face on the stranger’s glove, a purr kicking up in his chest. You relax as the man keeps his touch gentle and slow, that little bit of paranoid tension trickling into the soil beneath your feet.

“The other two aren’t as well behaved, I don’t trust them without harnesses on,” you add, nodding at the window.

The man glances up at them. Doesn’t seem to realize that his demise (and yours) is imminent from their glares.

“What are their names?”

You flush. “Rasputin and Shithead. I tell everyone else her name is Susan though.”

A sharp bark of laughter splits the air like a falling ax, cracks right down the middle. It makes you jump a bit - Guy is expectedly unbothered - but still you find yourself gratified. Laughing is good, it means you’re doing things right.

“Sorry,” he says, “but my friend would like that name.”

You gesture at the house across the street. “One of them?”

“Yes, the short one.”

You only just manage not to snort in amusement, but it doesn’t stop him from noticing. The mask moves, you think he might be grinning underneath.

“Does he know you call him that?”

“Not if you don’t tell him.”

You doubt you’ll have the opportunity even if you wanted to.

Someone’s at the door.

You’re only half-dressed, waist deep in laundry you have no excuse for putting off so long. Aren’t expecting company either - it’s Sunday morning, everyone should be at their various churches or visiting relatives. Can’t remember the last time someone knocked before noon on a Sunday.

Still, it was a big solid knock. The kind that makes you think it’s not the usual neighbor come by to impose on your space.

You glance down at the hem of your sweatshirt, determine it’s far enough down your thighs to be acceptable, and pad to the door.

You open it to another of the renovators. The “short” one - though you readjust that measurement quickly. He’s still taller than you, it’s just that most anyone seems diminutive compared to his friend.

“Morning,” you chime.

“We need your driveway.” His voice is low and rough, blunt. A sledgehammer to concrete. Also German-accented, you note.

“Oh,” you reply, “what for?”

He grunts. “Work.”

And you, a longtime observer of politely shaking people down for information by this point, smile without teeth.

“Oh, a work truck? It won’t make a mess will it?”

“No.”

You hum, glance at your stupid little sedan parked in the middle of the driveway.

“Okay, I’ll move — Shithead!”

You scramble to grab at the black and white blur of evil, sweeping her up in your arms as she meows in complaint. One of her back feet catches in the hem of your sweatshirt and starts to pull it up as she kicks. You curl an arm under her butt for support, but mostly she just takes the opportunity to chomp down on the meat of your thumb.

You glance at the man. “Shithead is very interested in the renovations.”

He stares. “So that is actually its name. I thought you were being rude and Konig didn’t realize.”

Ah, so that’s his name. You never did get that introduction.

“No, yeah, this is Shithead, I’m sure you can see why.”

The corner of his mouth twitches as she unlatches from your thumb, only to bite down on your wrist.

“So! The truck - when will it be here?”

“Noon.”

“Great! See you around!” You shut the door in his face without getting a name.

You threaten, not for the first time, to turn her into a pair of mittens. She responds by attacking your foot until Rasputin tackles her. Guy cries at the door, probably missing a man he met for all of two minutes.

The work truck stays through the night. Your cats spend all afternoon watching the men cross the street and back. Every once in a while, Guy puts his little feet up on the glass - Konig must be passing by.

You glance out the kitchen window only once and make hard eye contact with the third of their trio. He’s somehow even more covered up than Konig, and yet you get the distinct impression that your gaze is not welcome.

You blink and abandon the dishes for later.

The next morning, they’re already at it when you shuffle outside for the mail. Konig raises a slow hand in greeting, but visibly brightens when you smile sleepily and wave back.

You pass the work truck - the back panel is already open for them to unload wood beams and heavy-looking buckets. Construction stuff, as expected - and not messy, as promised.

You spot a red and white flag decal on the rear window. Austria, isn’t it?

“Did you just wake up?” a flat voice asks.

You squint a little through the morning sun at the man from the day before. The rude one.

You yawn. “Mhmm.”

He frowns at you, disapproval plain. Agatha will like him, you muse, shoving a hand in your mailbox. They both seem to have strong opinions about your sleep schedule.

“It is late.”

“It’s only 8.” You tug out a sheaf of envelopes and begin idly flipping through them.

“The sun is up.”

“So what?”

He clicks his tongue disdainfully. You absently click back. Then jump as a big body lands right in front of you. The third man, two wooden beams balanced on his shoulder. He makes brief eye contact with you again, then strides across the street.

“Shoo,” the rude one says. “Men at work, yes?”

You grumble. “See if I bring you cookies.”

Konig glances up from the truck bed, eyes shining. “Cookies?”

Well shit.

Rasputin keeps you company while you cook. He’s the only one allowed on the counter for any length of time. Shithead steals anything and everything, or bats at your hands while you work. Guy has the equal parts endearing and infuriating habit of touching everything with his paws.

Rasputin is the only one who will sit quietly to observe, leaning in for the occasional kiss. Today, he’s watching you bake cookies and assemble sandwiches. A dual-purpose welcome and peace offering to the three men across the street.

Is it too much? Maybe. But you’ve got nothing better to do and kindness won’t break your bank, so. Cookies and sandwiches.

You change clothes while the cookies cool on the pan - a sundress for the warm, late-spring weather. They’ve seen you in your pajamas far too much already.

At the door, you hesitate. This house doesn’t feel inhabited yet, but it also doesn’t feel right to just open the door. It’s quiet inside, so no power tools to drown you out. Making a face, you settle for a firm knock. It takes a minute or two - you think you might hear distant shouting. Then the door swings in fast and hard, nearly startling you.

It’s the third of their trio, the one you’ve yet to speak to. He’s covered head to toe, fabric around his head and face, leaving only sharp blue eyes to glare out.

“Hi,” you begin, hands thankfully too full to fidget. “I brought food.”

His eyes flick to the foil-covered platter in your hands. Then he swings the door wide and pivots on his heel.

“The cat comes too.”

Cat?

You glance down. Sure enough, Rasputin is standing by your legs, his remaining half a tail swishing. You sputter at him - didn’t even realize he snuck out - but all you get is his characteristic raspy “mah” noise. Right then.

He politely trots by your side as you enter, not even shy about your curiosity. The place is gutted, stripped walls and scuffed floors. It smells like dust and plaster and shaved wood. All the lights have been ripped out of the ceiling, exposing wires like nerve-endings.

There are two empty rooms to either side upon entry, a den and a dining room probably. The den even seems to be split into two, with one half sunk lower, accessible by a couple steps.

You follow your unexpected host through the “dining room,” which seems to be more of a satellite staging zone at the moment. There are piles of tools, stacks of materials, a little island of canvas bags. As you pass through, you notice a staircase, and even from the ground floor, you can see that it crosses over to the den on the other side.

The kitchen is stationed towards the back of the house. You try not to wince at the state of the counters. Pockmarked, blistered, scratched, burned, cracked laminate.

The floor has already been pried up to reveal smooth concrete. You scan it quickly for anything that could hurt Rasputin’s feet before entering.

Your neighbor gestures for you to set the platter down on an empty patch of counter, so you do, peeling back the foil.

“Cookies and sandwiches,” you explain just to have something to say.

“Why?” he asks.

You shrug. “To be nice.”

He stares. You blink back.

“I mean, you don’t have to eat them,” you add. “It would just be a waste.”

Rasputin chooses that moment to leap onto the counter, taking a moment to steady himself once he’s landed. With only one eye and a crooked leg, he’s not the most acrobatic or graceful of your babies, but he makes do.

To your shock, though, once he’s gained his bearings, he makes like he’s going to eat one of the sandwiches.

“Ras,” you gasp, surprised. “Absolutely not!”

The little shit doesn’t even resist when you nudge him away, just settles on his haunches, staring at your neighbor. And, to your confusion, your neighbor grunts.

“Konig! Krueger!” he barks.

That must be the rude one’s name. Krueger. You file that tidbit away.

“What’s your name?” You ask. “No one’s told me.”

He eyes you - dare you say suspiciously - letting the silence stretch.

“Nikto,” he rasps finally.

You finish introducing yourself just as the other two enter. Konig’s down to just the dust mask today, while Krueger seems to have donned one for himself.

“You,” Krueger says.

You arch your eyebrows back. “Me.”

“What brings you here?” Konig interjects, much friendlier.

“Well, you really seemed to want cookies yesterday, so I thought I’d bring some with lunch as a welcome to the neighborhood.”

He practically shoves Krueger to get to the kitchen. You politely get out of the way so he can indulge in your offering without getting trampled.

“Danke schön,” he says, scooping up a sandwich.

“No problem,” you answer, smiling.

Krueger deigns to sidle closer, inspecting the platter with a keen eye. Still, you think you see a bit of appreciation in them before he snatches up one of the sandwiches. For some (concerning) reason, you’re gratified by that. (You’ll just blame it on your habit of feeding ferals and strays.)

“I also wanted to give you three a little warning…” Three pairs of eyes pin you in place. You try not to grimace. “Everyone on this block is nosy as hell. They will literally peak in your yard and check your mail.”

“The mail?” Konig asks, appalled.

“Yeah, I started using a PO Box,” you sigh. You’ve only got so much sanity before you start taking sniper shots with a water gun.

“We will handle it,” Krueger says.

“I’m sure,” you demure. “Anyway, that was all. You can drop the platter off later - or I can come get it. It’s not like you’re far.”

You start looking for Rasputin, only to find him perched on Nikto’s broad shoulder. The man doesn’t even seem bothered by the claws digging through his shirt, scratching a finger at the calico’s cheek.

“Huh,” you say, surprised.

Nikto glances at you, pauses. “What?”

You snort at the bluntness, but grin. “Usually I’m the only one allowed to pet him.”

That’s three for three. Well, two and a half. Shithead could have been trying or escape or go for the ankles for all you know. But Krueger seemed to like her, so that counts for something.

“C’mon my little tank, let’s go,” you coo, approaching.

Rasputin nuzzles his face against Nikto’s once, gives him a parting mraw, then leaps into your waiting arms.

“Bye, guys!” You call, waving over your shoulder as you head for the door.

Konig is the only one to respond with a polite, “see you!” But you don’t take it to heart.

#cod #thoughts™️#my writing #fanfiction #reader fic #dark fic #konig #konig x you #konig x reader #nikto x reader #sebastian krueger #krueger x reader #cod nikto #konig cod #neighbor!reader

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byeolgirl · 2 months

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How to stay disciplined while studying for an exam:

“I would rather suffer in studying than rather suffer in grades i don’t like.” -jang wonyoung .!

Studying for an exam can be challenging, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can achieve great results.

Here are some tips to help you stay disciplined and motivated:

1.Set specific goals: Break down your study material into manageable chunks and set specific goals for each study session. This will help you stay focused and track your progress.

2.Create a study schedule: Plan out your study sessions in advance and stick to a consistent schedule. This will help you build a routine and make studying a habit.

3.Eliminate distractions: Find a quiet and well-lit study space where you can focus without interruptions. Turn off your phone and other distractions to stay fully engaged in your study sessions.

4.Take breaks: It's important to give yourself regular breaks to rest and recharge. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break) to stay productive.

5.Stay positive: Keep a positive mindset and believe in your ability to succeed. Use positive affirmations to boost your confidence and stay motivated throughout your study sessions.

6.Reward yourself: Set up a reward system for reaching study milestones or completing challenging tasks.Treat yourself to something you enjoy after a successful study session to stay motivated.

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to studying. Stay disciplined, stay focused, and keep pushing yourself towards your goal. You've got what it takes to succeed! 143 !

#becoming that girl #glow up #wonyoungism #wonyoung #dream life #it girl #creator of my reality #divine feminine #it girl affirmations #love affirmations #study blog #study motivation

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motivationaladdaa · 1 year

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Consistency is The Key To Success 5 Important Points

How to Stay Consistent:- Staying Consistent is one of the most powerful factors for our success, but we face lots of problems while staying consistent. Getting bored after some time, start giving excuses during your work, but you forget about Consistency is the key to success. Edit with canva Consistency is the Key to success summary When you see in your life, there are a lot of examples of…

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#5 best way to stay consistent #5 golden rules to stay consistent #5 rule to stay consistent #How consistency help us to get success #How to stay consistent #Short speech about consistency is the key to success

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schraubd · 11 months

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In the Image of God

A recent study found that Jews are the demographic group most accepting of trans individuals in the United States.

When certain Christians assert a religious freedom right to discriminate against trans individuals -- particularly, a right to misgender them -- their argument typically proceeds something along these lines:

1. They believe every individual is created in the image of God.

2. Part of that image is the person's sex (and by extension, gender).

3. In particular, a person's sex/gender is inalterably assigned by God from conception.

4. They are forbidden from lying or falsifying God's choice.

Therefore, they say, they are religiously obligated to refer to people by their chromosomal sex, regardless of how they identify or publicly present. This religious duty, in turn, is used to press against rules and policies which require respectful treatment of trans individuals (including refraining from deliberately misgendering them, deadnaming them, and so on).

What's interesting about this framework is that a lot of it actually resonates with how I view the relationship of my Jewish faith and trans individuals -- with some crucial alterations. To wit:

1. I believe every individual is create in the image of God.

2. Part of that image is the person's sex (and by extension, gender).

4. I am forbidden from lying or falsifying God's choice.

The major distinction, of course, comes in prong 3:

3. A person's sex/gender is not necessarily or inalterably assigned by God from conception, but rather can be part of a person's own process of discovering who they are. Where such self-discovery leads to a person to conclude they are trans, non-binary, or any other identity that departs from the sex they were assigned at birth, they are not deviating from God's plan. They are uncovering their authentic self as God has created them.

The result of this process is part of God's image. Those who refuse to accept it are not cleaving to God's image, they are rejecting it.

God's process of creation is not, in my understanding of Judaism, a set-and-forget sort of deal. It is not a matter of passively being puppeteered by a divine hand. It something we do together -- we are partners in creation. To deny the results of that partnership is, for me, a denial of God's plan and practice just as much as it is for adherents of other religious views who adhere to a more static and calcified notion of the role of the divine.

And so for me, and I suspect for many Jews, the religious freedom obligation pushes in the other direction. Many conservative states have, or are considering, laws which require (at least in certain contexts) non-recognition of trans identity. For Jews (and others) who share my religious precepts, these laws would force me to deny -- to bear false witness to -- a key attribute of how God created some of my peers. I do not believe -- and this is a deep, fundamental commitment -- that God's "image" of trans persons was for them to be locked in a body or sex or gender identity that clearly is not authentically theirs. When they find their full self, they are equally finding God's image of themselves.

Consistent with my lengthily expressed feelings on the subject, I suspect that what's good for the goose will not be good for the gander. Despite the clear parallel, liberal Jews who assert religious liberty rights to be exempted from laws seeking to enforce by state mandate a transphobic agenda will not meet with the same success enjoyed by their Christian peers.

Nonetheless, there is value in promoting this sort of framework, and in unashamedly asserting Jewish independence from hegemonic conservative Christian notions of true religiosity. It is not woven into "religion" that God's image requires rejection of trans individuals' full selves. That is a choice, an interpretation of some religions or of some who call themselves religious. Other religions, other religious persons, have a different interpretation of how to respect and dignify the facet of God that is in every one of us.

via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/vlsH4T2

#Judaism #religious liberty #transgender

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pinkchrissysposts · 2 months

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🐳Stay consistent and persist don't let the 3D fool you🐳

Why some of us "fail" to manifest is because we are slave to the 3d and negative thoughts no seriously. And waiting for external validation is useless because it's giving the answer you want so why keep asking the 3d if you can manifest a car,money again and again,when we already have it in our true reality that is the 4d. We should not get overpowered by this 3d holographic circumstances and this illusionary thoughts which YOU chose to dwell on.

From my own experience law of assumption is a journey where YOU have to satisfy yourSELF not the 3d, everyone is different,everyone have their own personal favourite way to manifest like states,affirming,visualization or whatever you prefer. In my opinion you can start of with affirming,don't directly try to use states(it's not a method) if you are finding it difficult to embody state,just affirm,persist and saturate consistently,NOT to get in 3D but to satisfy your SELF internally.

Be consistent,discipline and persistent these are the KEY to satisfy your SELF, no matter what method you choose,embodying state or affirming,don't let the negative thoughts lead you back to your old self,be strict like an asian parents,and just how they bring you fruit after that yelling at you to study,your desires will also come in your 3d without causing any problem. Be your own parent during your manifestation journey,treat your negative thoughts like those bad influence kids, and when you start looking for movements and wondering how your desires gonna show up treat them like the judgement strangers who question you for everything you do or you have. Don't procrastinate that is when we usually start get doubts just because we aren't doing anything,activate the asian parent in you and scold yourself,and start to affirm and remind yourself who the boss is.

Also DONOT label any of your desires a "big" or "small" desire,they are all same,under you,YOU are on the pedestal not the desire,if you didn't thought about your desire they wouldn't even exist. So why even worry about them. Manifesting seeing a "butterfly" or seeing a "car" with certain "colour" is equivalent to manifest $2000 dollar out of nowhere,dating your celeb sp,having that hourglass body and waking up in your dream life.

When it comes to how you manifest it doesn't matter whether you affirm or embody state or being,SATS,what matter is your consistency because once you continue to persist you'll notice a shift also don't feel bad if you're someone who affirm for hours to saturate your mind but remember it's to remind yourself that you already have your desire in 4D, if you still feel like affirm and persistent will not take you anywhere go see Taylor Tookes insta and twitter post she is a living proof,most manifestation account from where I see success stories are usually affirm and persist girlies and boys like Taylor, Viper and BigDon three of my favourites on Twitter who share they're success story.

Bonus: Do not worry about your self concept,it's good to have one,but as someone who USED to have a good SC yet still couldn't manifest,I guarantee you it's not needed,but you can work on it if you believe it will help you manifest.

My rules are simple💙

☆.BE YOUR OWN DAMN ASIAN PARENT WHEN IT COMES TO MANIFESTING.

☆AFFIRM AND SATURATE TO SATISFY SELF(4D).

☆.YOUR ARE THE ON THE PEDESTAL NOT THE DESIRES.

☆.YOUR THOUGHTS ARE THE BAD INFLUENCE KIDS TRYI G TO GET YOU BACK IN YOUR OLD STATE AND JUDGEMENT STRANGERS MAKING FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DOING WRONG.

☆.MANIFESTING BUTTERFLY=MANIFESTING CELEB SP IS SAME NOTHING IS BIG OR SMALL EVERY DESIRE IS EQUAL.

#affirmations #affirm and saturate #affirm and persist #law of assumption #neville goddard #placebo effect #manifesting #manifestation #desired reality #self concept #SoundCloud

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divinegrapes · 8 months

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FEEL THE LAW!

a challenge.

Are you tired of affirming and persisting? Are tired of consistent spiraling? Are you so focused on your circumstances you feel hopeless? STOP right there. @aphrodieties and I GOT YOU.

The law of assumption governs the universe and no one is exempt from this phenomena. Understanding the law is truly a privilege however feeling the law is priceless and the key to a fruitful existence.

The goal of the next 7 days is to consistently identify with your true self, Your godliness.

"I ask you: are you really keeping the faith? Do you always turn to your imagination and, no matter what happens, do you remain faithful to the state imagined? If you do, you have passed the test." - Neville (this quote here is your BIBLE).

Rules.

1) Stop asking questions and start doing. (no running to blogs for reassurance, reassure yourself, God is capable of reassuring,he reassures the world)

2) STICK TO THE BASICS! No void, vain repetition, and following the newest community trend.

The basics : Accept it and Sustain it.

3) Don’t question yourself and do what feels correct.

The whole purpose of this challenge is to identify with your inner man, your eternal being. Your eternal being has no questions for it is ALL KNOWING. You are all knowing.

4) Ask yourself in times of doubt . “Would God be worrying about this? Should I be worried about this?” YOUR I is GOD. It is EVERYTHING and Nothing at the same time. You are not your body, personality,thoughts and emotions. That’s not who you truly are, It’s who you CHOOSE to be. Ultimately you are nothingness.

5) Do this mediation, EVERYDAY. Feel the law and feel that you are God.

youtube

It is in no one’s best interest to say that reality is fake but I will say that your reality is what you make it.

Lectures to listen to this week (not mandatory for the challenge but highly recommended.)

Be angry and not sin - Edward Art

Law and Liberty - Neville Goddard

Fulfillment of God’s Promise- Neville Goddard

The pearl of great price - Neville Goddard.

Try to internalize these in the best way you know how , whether that be : to listen on repeat, journal your thoughts and/or meditate on the message. Just internalize the information and feel it to be true.

By the end of this challenge your self concept should be rock solid and you shall view your outer man in your desired light because your inner man has been fully embraced. All your “desires” will be realized.

Please update @aphrodieties and I !! we’ll love to hear about your successes, your new found faith and unshakable confidence.

#Youtube #law of assumption #void state #states #neville goddard

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ezukll · 1 month

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⠀⠀⠀⠀How to Gain Success ⠀⠀𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

⠀⠀⠀⠀

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 ♈︎

The key to succeeding with a Fortune in Aries is to tap into the energy of ambition, courage, and enthusiasm. With Aries being the first sign of the zodiac, it represents the beginning of action and creation. In order to maximize the potential of Fortune in Aries, you should aim to adopt a fearless attitude to challenges and opportunities, with a keen desire to push boundaries and pursue success. Embrace your inner spark of excitement, passion, and energy during your pursuits and you will naturally attract opportunities for success.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘂𝗿𝘂𝘀 ♉︎

To gain success with Fortune in Taurus, the key is to leverage the energy of stability, patience, and dedication. Taurus is all about creating consistency and longevity in all areas of the self. With the influence of Fortune in Taurus, you will likely have good luck and opportunities in matters involving financial security, material comfort, and practical values. To maximize the potential, it is important to focus on creating foundations of safety and stability instead of aiming for quick success and instant gratification. This can lead to steady, steady growth and opportunities for prosperity and success.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶 ♊︎

To gain success with Fortune in Gemini, it is important to channel your energy and communicate your ideas and intelligence effectively. Gemini represents the twin and their communication and intelligence can be their best ally. With the influence of Fortune in Gemini, it can help you create success and recognition through your ability to network, express yourself, and communicate your thoughts clearly and powerfully. The dynamic communication energy of Fortune in Gemini can lead to the creation of new opportunities, connections, and ventures, which can lead down new paths to success.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 ♋︎

To gain success with Fortune in Cancer, the key is to tap into the energy of emotional connection and intuition. Cancer is all about nurturing and supporting others, and this energy can be applied to success as well. With the presence of Fortune in Cancer, you are likely to have good luck and opportunities in matters involving empathy, compassion, and the emotional connection to others. To maximize the potential, you should aim to embrace the compassionate and nurturing energy of Cancer to create success through helping and supporting others. In doing so, you may naturally draw new opportunities and success into your life.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗼 ♌︎

To gain success with Fortune in Leo, the key is to harness the energy of confidence and passion. Leo is all about self-expression and pride, and this energy can be channeled into success as well. With the influence of Fortune in Leo, it can bring opportunities for success and recognition through the expression of self and creative pursuits. To maximize the potential, take advantage of the confidence and pride of the Leo energy to approach ventures with enthusiasm and gusto. By owning whatever it is you do and proudly doing it with passion, success and recognition will naturally come your way.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗼 ♍︎

To gain success with Fortune in Virgo, the key is to tap into the energy of discipline, precision, and hard work. Virgo is the meticulous sign of the zodiac, known for its attention to detail and careful focus. Fortune in Virgo brings the strength of intention and discipline together with opportunities and good luck. To maximize the potential of Fortune in Virgo, you should aim to approach your projects with careful precision and a strong work ethic. By harnessing the perfectionist aspect of Virgo, the opportunities for success and recognition will naturally seek you out.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮 ♎︎

To gain success with Fortune in Libra, the key is to tap into the energy of diplomacy and balance. Libra is the sign of harmony and diplomacy, and their approach to life can be highly transformative. Fortune in Libra highlights the dynamic energy of balance and negotiation. There is a strong sense of partnership and mutual creation associated with the sign of Libra, which can bring success in matters involving relationships, interactions, and communication. Approach your endeavors with an emphasis on fairness and balance, and look for opportunities that allow you to work with others.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗼 ♏︎

To gain success with Fortune in Scorpio, the key is to tap into the energy of transformation and intensity. Scorpio is the sign associated with the depths of the psychological self, and its dark and intense energy can be harnessed for success. Fortune in Scorpio represents good luck in matters relating to the unseen, hidden, and the unknown. Approach your endeavors with an mind and a desire to dig deep into the hidden truths and the unknown. Look for opportunities to gain a greater insight and bring hidden potential to life. Use your intense energy and focus to take on difficult challenges and succeed.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 ♐︎

To gain success with Fortune in Sagittarius, the key is to tap into the energy of optimism and adventure. Sagittarius is the sign of expansion and positivity, and Fortune in Sagittarius highlights the opportunities for growth and progress that can come from maintaining an expansive and optimistic attitude. Approach your endeavors with a sense of open-mindedness and a hunger for knowledge and learning. You will naturally gravitate towards opportunities that offer you the chance to grow and learn, and the possibilities for success and recognition will come to your doorstep. Lean into the spirit of freedom and curiosity, and success will follow.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 ♑︎

To gain success with Fortune in Capricorn, the key is to tap into the energy of ambition and responsibility. Capricorn is a very pragmatic and practical sign, and Fortune in Capricorn can provide luck and opportunities where your focus and determination play a key role. Approach your endeavors with a strong responsibility and the understanding that hard work and discipline will lead to success. Take the lead and approach obstacles with confidence and determination, and find a sense of purpose in your journey. Your ambition and drive will naturally lead to success and recognition within your chosen field.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 ♒︎

To gain success with Fortune in Aquarius, the key is to tap into the energy of ingenuity and innovation. Aquarius is the sign of the future and the unconventional, and Fortune in Aquarius can bring opportunities for success in areas that are outside of the box. Approach your endeavors with a fresh and unique approach, aiming to do things differently from the expected. Think outside of the box and bring a sense of ingenuity to your ventures, and you can naturally attract opportunities and possibilities for success. Be open to new ideas and solutions, and embrace change and innovation in your pursuits.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝘀 ♓︎

To gain success with Fortune in Pisces, the key is to tap into the energy of compassion and empathy. Pisces is the sign of the soul, spirituality, and artistic expression. Fortune in Pisces highlights the potential for success in matters relating to these areas. Approach your endeavors with an open and compassionate heart and seek opportunities where you can give back or help others. By tapping into empathy, compassion, and the soulful quality of Pisces, you can attract opportunities that are rooted in emotional connection and service. Use your gift for intuition to take on different ventures and opportunities, and success will come to you.

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#astrology #zodiac #zodiac signs #astrology observations #fortune sign #fortune #fortune astrology #fortune in aries #fortune in taurus #fortune in gemini #fortune in cancer #fortune in leo #fortune in virgo #fortune in libra #fortune in scorpio #fortune in sagittarius #fortune in capricorn #fortune in aquarius #fortune in pisces

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