Latest Posts by randomthoughts2658 - Page 3

Fire tornado soap bubble

It feels like another time✨

AMERICAN PRIDE

JFK’S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60’s when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded, “Does that include those who are buried here?”

DeGaulle did not respond. You could have heard a pin drop.

When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of ‘empire building’ by George Bush.

He answered by saying, “Over the years, the United States has sent many of Its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for In return is enough to bury those that did not

return.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, One of the French engineers came back into the room saying, “Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?” A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: “Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to

shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships. How many does France have?”

You Could have heard a pin drop.

A U.S. Navy admiral was attending a naval conference that included admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French

navies at a cocktail reception. He found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks when a

French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, “Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than

speaking French?” Without hesitating, the American admiral replied, “Maybe it’s because the Brit’s, Canadians, Aussie’s and Americans arranged it so you wouldn’t have to speak German.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE…

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. “You have been to France before, monsieur?” the customs officer asked

sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. “Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.” The American said, “The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show it.” “Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !” The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, “Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

If You are proud to be an American, pass this on! I am proud to be an American!

Debbie Parker 2022

'Queen of Winter' by Marjorie Miller, 1933

'Queen of Winter' by Marjorie Miller, 1933

lighthouse of Tevennec, located off the Pointe du Raz in Brittany, France.

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Recently, I have been reflecting a lot about myself and my personal growth from the past year. This year was tough for me, academically and personally. And many, many, many things have not gone my way. So, I uh, I have kind of failed a lot this year? I think I have failed more in this past year than in the previous nineteen years of my life. I failed at my new job, I almost failed calculus, my grades have struggled all year long, I had to withdraw from my summer class, etc. As hard as this year has been, I definitely think I am a better person now that I am on the other side of it. I am so much stronger than I was June 29th of last year. I have had to grown up a lot, and learned some “big girl” lessons. So here are my thoughts on dealing with failure, in school and just in life in general,  and how to tackle all the messy emotions that come along with it. 

1.) Remember: college is a tough environment. 

Most of my friends and acquaintances are all tirelessly working towards some impressive end goal (graduating, getting into med school, getting an internship). Many of my friends are also in hard programs, and must be at top performance at all times. I attend a competitive university, and so it really does seem like EVERYONE has their life together. Everyone I know has big dreams/goals/plans. We are all trying SO damn hard to succeed at our respective fields, and it can be hard to always be around successful, overachieving friends. Most of the time it is great– I have a great support system and I love to see all the great things my friends are doing…but

It can be so hard to not compare. It’s hard when everyone seems to have everything working out for them, and I don’t. Especially when I feel as though I put in an equal amount of effort. It is important to remember that first of all, it is impressive that you are even in college. You would not have gotten accepted into your university if you could not have handled the work. It is important to remember in school, that everyone goes through their struggles. Some struggles are just more apparent than others. 

2.) It’s okay to not be perfect. 

I know this can sound cheesy, but it is true. I struggle with perfectionism. I always feel like I need to be in top performance mode for school, but somedays, I just can’t be. I get tired, or sad, discouraged and stressed, just the same as everyone does. You aren’t a robot, and you can’t just go-go-go without stopping. Sometimes to you need to stop and take a break. It is okay to rest. Resting is not quitting. It is not failure. 

3.) Reflect and learn from what happened…then MOVE ON. 

I honestly think this is the most important point. It’s very important to look back on your past mistakes and think “What could I have done differently?”…Could I have studied more effectively? Could I have started planning earlier? Could I have been a better friend? Use your failures to your advantage– learn something from them. This is how you better yourself. 

However, after wallowing in self-pity, and dwelling on whatever happened, move on. It is now in the past. It is done. It is hard to not be hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect. No one should expect you to be perfect, and you should not expect that of others. 

4.) Failure is necessary.

Failure is the scary part about “putting yourself out there,” in every aspect of life. But, it does make you a tougher person. I have failed a lot in my life, but I can say with confidence that I have more grit than pretty much anyone else I know. I throw myself at my goals, but only get the desired results half the time. That is life. Life is not fair. I have such a steadfast grasp on what I want to do with my life, and I refuse to let any obstacle overcome that. My failures have made me realize how badly I want to achieve my dreams. If you are not comfortable with failing, then you are going to miss out on a lot of life experiences. It’s going to happen to you, no one is immune. 

Well, I hope anything I said comforts at least one person. If anyone else out there isn’t having the best time, remember: it’s okay. You are doing enough just by trying. Go do great things, friends. 

50 Things that Top Students Do

Listen to everything they’re taught, not just hearing

Take notes

Listen to opinions they don’t like

Be open to having their minds changed

Don’t listen to music with words when studying

Practise

Commit

Keep a regimen of self-discipline even in the face of a lack of motivation

Take breaks

Sleep regularly and more than expected

Work very hard during the day

Exercise

Plan in advance

Get small tasks done when there isn’t time to do bigger ones

Engage

Take failures as a learning curve

Think positively

Do their best work at the start of the year so they get more slack later

Talk to those who teach them

Debate

Do a little every day instead of all at once

Ask for help

Help others

Drink water

Work hard but work smart

Know what study setup is their most productive

Hold themselves accountable

Figure out which work is a priority

Don’t waste time re-reading as a form of studying

Find out things they don’t understand

Test themselves frequently

Work backwards through things to understand why something works

Learn more than they need

Have more interests and hobbies than just academics

Find out the most important concepts in a course

Learn the most important 20% of the course to get 80% of the grade

Don’t complain

Tailor their courses to focus on what interests them the most

Play hard after working hard

Read in advance

Know how to say no but don’t say no unless they have to

Take every opportunity they can

Eat well

Defend their personal beliefs

Don’t use other people’s successes/failures as an excuse for anything they do

Don’t let studying become the main part of their life

Understand that everything is temporary

Set goals, short- and long-term

Put their phones away/on silent when studying

Don’t expect any results immediately

Simple tips for kids parenting skills.

Jenna Ortega

How I have grown.. ~

Stones Meanings & Trees

Amazonite: Confidence, Self-love, Creative Expression

Amethyst: Intuition, Balance, Higher Wisdom

Apatite: Energetic Clearing, Psychic Attunement, Authenticity

Aventurine: Prosperity, Well being, Good Luck

Angelite: Divine Love, Gentleness, Healing

Black Tourmaline: Protection, Banishing, Security

Black Onyx: Blocking Negativity, Patience, Determination

Blue Goldstone: Inspiration, Optimism, Dreaming

Blue Aventurine: Hope, Clear Speech, Empathy

Blue Calcite: Serenity, Restoration, Releasing Stress

Carnelian: Passion, Sexual energy, Creativity

Citrine: Brightness, Positive Energy, Clearing, Prosperity, Success

Clear Quartz: Awareness, Amplifying Energy, Clarity

Dalmatian Stone: Loyalty, Family Bonds, Connection to Animals

Fluorite: Renewal, Harmony, Energizing

Garnet: Self-Esteem, Victory, Eternal Love

Hematite: Courage, Inner Strength, Grounding

Howlite: Calming, Compromise, Sleep

Lapis Lazuli: Psychic Vision, Celestial Energy, Nobility

Labradorite: Awakening Joy, Interdimensional Travel, Innovation

Lepidolite: Emotional Balance, Stress Relief, Spiritual Growth

Leopardskin Jasper: Adaptability, Shamanic Journeys, Animal magick

Malachite: Wealth, Beauty, Individuality

Mahogany Obsidian: Earth Energy, Personal Power, Integrity

Moss Agate: Contentment, Connection with nature, Abundance

Moonstone: Intuition, Sensuality, Safe Travel

Prehnite: Shielding, Self-Care, Discernment

Pyrite: Shielding, Success, Money Magick

Red Goldstone: Happiness, Ingenuity, Boldness

Red Jasper: Strength, Honesty, Stability

Rhodonite: Forgiveness, Relationships, Overcoming

Rose Quartz: Unconditional Love, Emotional Healing, Compassion

Ruby Fuchsite: Integration, Friendship, Trust

Selenite: Purification, Peace, Enlightenment

Sodalite: Communication, Self expression, Truth

Serpentine: Hidden Mysteries, Observation, Instinct

Snowflake Obsidian: Spiritual Protection, Transmutation, Acceptance

Sunstone: Leadership, Generosity, Blessings

Tiger's Eye: Willpower, Warrior's spirit, Self-Motivation

Unakite: Attraction, Resolve Conflict, Healing the Past

Almond:  Prosperity, wisdom

Apple: Love, healing

Ash: Protection, healing, prosperity

Aspen: Protection from thieves

Avocado: Love, lust, beauty

Banyan: Luck, knowledge

Beech: Creativity, tolerance

Birch: Rebirth, purification, protection of children, Moon matter

Bodhi: Meditation, wisdom, fertility, protection

Buckthorn: Exorcism, protection, legal matters

Cedar: Healing, purification, protection, prosperity

Cherry: Love, divination, healing

Cypress: Immortality- longevity, protection, strength, death, protection, wishes

Elder: Defends against evil and negative energy. Protection, health, spirituality, banishment

Elm: Protection, love

Fig: Fertility, balance, safety

Hawthorne: Protects against damage from storms, encourages happiness. Fertility and purification.

Hazel: Wisdom, abundance, protection, luck, divination, inspiration

Hickory: Legal matters

Holly: Protection, luck, dream magick, consecration, prosperity

Larch: Protection, anti-fire

Licorice: Love, fidelity

Lilac: Defends against harmful spirits, exorcism, love

Linden: Protection, luck, immortality, love

Magnolia: Fidelity

Maple: Love, prosperity, longevity, unification, divining rod

Mesquite: Healing, magical fires

Mimosa: Protection, dreams, love, purification

Mulberry: Protection, strength

Myrtle: Fertility, youth, love, peace, prosperity

Oak: Protection, health, luck, power, strength

Peach:  Longevity, protection, fertility, divination, happiness

Pear: Lust, love

Pecan: Employment

Pepper tree: Purification, healing, protection

Pine: Protection, longevity, healing, fidelity, purification

Plum: Protection, the wild

Pomegranate: Wealth, money-attraction

Poplar: The Crone, astral projection, divination, rebirth

Rose: Love

Rowan: Protects health, healing, divination

Sandalwood: Protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality

Sassafras: Defends against evil and negative spirits, health, and propsperity

Walnut: Healing, mental powers, protection

Willow: Moon magick, protection, healing, divination, love

Witch Hazel: Protection, divination

Yew: Death, immortality, protection

Incense Meanings

Acacia: Burned with sandalwood to stimulate the psychic powers.

African Violet: Protection and to promote spirituality within the home.

Allspice: Attract both good luck and money.

Aloes: Attract good fortune, love, spiritual vibrations, and strength.

Althea: Protection and to stimulate the psychic powers.

Amber: Love, comfort, happiness and healing

Ambergris: Burn for dreams and aphrodisiac

Angelica: Protection, harmony, integration, insight and understanding, stability and meditation

Anise seeds: Meditation and emotional balance incense.

Basil: exorcise and protect against evil entities such as demons and unfriendly ghosts, and to attract fidelity, love, good luck, sympathy, and wealth. This is also an excellent incense to use when performing love divinations.  Also burn for concentration, assertiveness, decisiveness, trust, integrity, enthusiasm, mental clarity, cheerfulness, confidence and courage

Bay: Facilitate the psychic powers, and to induce prophetic dream-visions.

Bayberry: Attract money and also burned for protection, happiness and control

Benzoin: Purification, astral projection, clears negative energy, emotional balance, eases sadness, depression, weariness, grief, anger, anxiety and to attract prosperity

Bergamot: Money, prosperity, uplifting of spirits, joy, protection, concentration, alertness, confidence, balance, strength, courage, motivation and assertiveness

Bistort: Burned often with frankincense as a powerful incense to aid divination.

Bracken: Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain.

Cardamom: Mental clarity, concentration, confidence, courage, enthusiasm and motivation

Carnation: protection, strength, healing, love and lust

Cedar: Purification, to stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, attract love, prevent nightmares, and heal various ailments, including head colds.

Cedarwood: Healing, purification, protection, money, balance, grounding, clarity, insight and wisdom

Chamomile: Harmony, peace, calm, spiritual and inner peace

Cinnamon: Protection and to attract money, wealth, prosperity, business success, stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, and aid in healing.  Also burned for stimulation, strength and lust

Citron: Burned in rituals to aid healing and also to strengthen the psychic powers.

Citronella: Cleansing, warding off, healing and exorcism

Clove: Dispel negativity, purify sacred and magickal spaces, attract money, and stop or prevent the spread of gossip. Also burn for pain relief, intellectual stimulation, business success, wealth, prosperity, divination, exorcism, protection, eases fears, improves memory and focus

Coconut: Protection

Copal: Purification, uplifting spirits, protection, exorcism, spirituality and to attract love.

Cypress: Strength, comfort, healing, eases anxiety, stress, self-assurance, confidence, physical vitality, willpower and concentration

Damiana: Facilitate psychic visions.

Dittany of Crete: Conjure spirits and to aid in divination, astral projection, especially when mixed with equal parts of benzoin, sandalwood, and vanilla.

Dragon's Blood: Dispel negativity, exorcise evil supernatural entities, courage, purification, attract love, and restore male potency. Many Witches also burn dragon's blood for protection when spell casting and invoking. When added to other incenses, dragon's blood makes their magickal powers all the stronger.

Elecampane: Strengthen the clairvoyant powers and scrying abilities-divination by gazing.

Eucalyptus: Healing, purification and protection

Fern: Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain. Also used to exorcise evil supernatural entities.

Frankincense: Dispel negativity, spirituality, purify magickal spaces, consecration, protect against evil, exorcism, aid meditation, astral strength, induce psychic visions, courage, protection, attract good luck, and honor Pagan deities.

Fumitory: Exorcise demons, poltergeists, and evil supernatural entities.

Galangal: Break the curses cast by sorcerers.

Gardenia: Peace, love and healing

Ginger: Wealth, lust, love and magical power

Ginseng root: keep wicked spirits at bay, and for protection against all forms of evil.

Gotu Kola: Burned to aid meditation.

Heather: Conjure beneficial spirits, and to magickally produce rain.

Hibiscus Flowers: Attract love, lust and also for divination.

Honey Suckle: Attract money, happiness, friendship and healing

Horehound: Burned as an offertory incense to the ancient Egyptian god Horus.

Hyacinth: Happiness and protection

Jasmine: Attract love and money, and also to induce dreams of a prophectic nature, purification, wisdom and astral projection

Juniper: stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and also to break curses, exorcism and hexes cast by evil sorcerers. It is also burned for calming, protection and healing.

Lavender: Induce rest and sleep, and to attract love-especially of a man. Also burned for cleansing, healing, happiness and relaxation

Lemon: Healing, love and purification

Lemongrass: Mental clarity

Lilac: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract harmony into ones life.

Lotus: Elevate mood, protection, spirituality, healing and meditation

Mace: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers.

Mastic: Conjure beneficial spirits, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and intensify sexual desires. The magickal powers of other incenses are greatly increased when a bit of mastic is added.

Mesquite: Magickal powers of all healing incenses are greatly increased when mesquite is added

Mint: Increase sexual desire, exorcise evil supernatural entities, conjure beneficial spirits, and attract money. Mint incense also possesses strong healing vibrations and protective powers.

Musk: Aphrodisiac, prosperity, courage

Myrrh: Burned (often with frankincense) for purification, consecration, healing, exorcism, and banishing evil. Myrrh is also aids meditation rituals, and was commonly burned on alters in ancient Egypt as an offering to deities Isis and Ra.

Nutmeg: Aid meditation, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract prosperity.

Oakmoss: Money and attraction

Orange: Divination, love, luck and money

Patchouli: Attract money, love, growth, mastery, sensuality and also to promote fertility.

Peppermint: Energy, mental stimulant, exorcism and healing

Pine: Purification, and to banish negative energies, exorcise evil supernatural entities, and attract money, as well as to break hexes and return them to their senders. Also burned for grounding, strength, cleansing and healing

Poppy seeds: Promote female fertility, and to attract love, good luck, and money.

Rose: Increase courage, induce prophetic dreams, house blessing, fertility, healing and attract love. Rose incense is used in all forms of love enchantment and possesses the strongest love vibration of any magickal incense.

Rose Geranium: Courage and protection

Rosemary: Purify, aid in healing, prevent nightmares, preserve youthfulness, dispel depression, attract fairy folk, and promote restful sleep and pleasant dreams.

Rue: Help restore health.

Sage: Protection against all forms of evil. It is also burned to purify sacred spaces and ritual tools. Plus it is great for promoting wisdom, clarity, attract money, and aid in the healing the body, mind, and soul.

Sage Brush: Aid healing, and to banish negative energies and evil supernatural entities.

Sandalwood: Exorcise demons and evil ghosts, conjure beneficial spirits, and promote spiritual awareness. Sandalwood incense is also used by many Witches for protection, astral projection, healing rituals and in wish-magick.

Solomon's Seal: Mainly as an offertory incense to ancient Pagan deities

Star Anise Seeds: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers

Strawberry: Attract love and for luck.

Sweetgrass: Conjure beneficial spirits prior to spell casting.

Sweet pea: Friendship, love and courage

Thyme: Purification of magickal spaces prior to rituals, to aid in healing, and to attract good health.

Vanilla: Attract love, increase sexual desire, and improve the powers of the mind.

Vervain: Exorcise evil supernatural entities.

Vetivert: Break curses, exorcism, for protection against black magick and thieves, money, peace and love.

Violet: Break curses, exorcism, for protection against black magick and thieves, money, peace and love.

Willow: Avert evil, attract love, and promote healing. It is also used by many Witches as an offertory incense for Pagan lunar deities.

Wisteria: Protection against all forms of evil.

Wormwood: Protection against all forms of evil.

Yarrow: Courage, exorcism

Ylang Ylang: Love, harmony and euphoria