Is Business to Blame for Social Negative Reinforcement?

English: Don Mueang Airport domestic terminal, near Bangkok, Thailand – Thai Airways customer service counters. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A dear friend of mine I met through SecondLife and I were sharing a conversation yesterday about our experiences in Retail. Especially those terribly “negative” experiences we have had in the retail environment. For those unfamiliar with the Retail market, it can be pretty cut-throat, unforgiving, unfair and sometimes – very unrewarding (especially sometimes with how the CUSTOMERS treat you). Course, it depends on the type of Retailer you are.

I tend to find Small Retail Businesses (Mom and Pop Stores) are better, friendlier, care about their employees (more often than not), appreciate them, believe in what they are selling and more. Course this isn’t true for EVERYONE I’m sure, but that’s been my experience.

However, during the conversation it sparked the idea for a possible Psychological aspect of Retail that goes unconsidered. Big Retailers often do specific things with their inventory (ex: Move sh*t around on you) that may annoy or irritate you, but the ploy that they are aiming for is to get you to spend more time than you’d like and tempt you to buy more than what you actually NEED. Some of you are probably going, “Well Duh!“, humor me – for those who don’t know. Thank you.

As I was saying, now while they have Psychological ploys like this to boost sales, my question is – are they thinking about some of the “Negative Reinforcement” they are helping to promote when it comes to society/their customer base?

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones – But Words Can STILL Be Hurtful

We all heard this rhyme when we were children, “Sticks and Stone may break my bones but words can never hurt me,” but what people don’t realize is that some words, when we are beaten day in and day out with them on a routine basis, can eventually take on the weight of those “Sticks and Stones” in a metaphorical sense. And these wounds can hurt for years and leave deep lasting marks far worse than any broken bone or scratch that may eventually become a scar. Recently a video was shared with me by a friend on this very thing. It says what I, essentially, wanted to rant about better than I feel I could to do it proper justice of how it affects others.

I was a victim of bullying myself from the time I was 6 till I was a Freshmen in High School. I also dealt with heavy and serious suicidal depression (don’t worry, wasn’t so bad I made attempts on my life or anything but I felt like I wanted to die, that was it) from 6-1/2 to 12 years of age and even after – the healing process was a continuous thing to mend the damage done especially by others who didn’t understand me, my home life situation or what had happened to me. Each of us have our own stories, scars, memories and other things we share. We don’t always have the same experiences but for each one of us out there our experiences affect us far differently than it will for someone else on the outside looking in.

So here it is, the video. I’m not going to lie – I almost cried watching this. I wanted to – but the tears wouldn’t come. This video deserves the well deserved tears of truth on all the points it hits home with. It’s worth your time and watching. When you finish watching, please share it with others you know who will appreciate it and may find some comfort in its truthfulness. I feel everyone should see this and this should even be on the Jumbotron in Time Square, but only if we were so lucky. Thank you.

Bullies Called Him Pork Chop

Thank you for reading and watching the video. Until next time, be well and lots of love!

~Light and Dark Blessings – Namaste~

Related articles

• Sticks & Stones – To This Day Project (mattslid.wordpress.com)
• Sticks and stones may break my bones….. (imconfident.wordpress.com)
• “sticks and stones may break my bones but, names will never hurt me” (harriettconnolly.wordpress.com)

Are You or Are You Not? That is the Question – Priest/ess

English: Priestess of the Egyptian goddess Isis, holding a situla (a bronze jug). Roman statue of the 2nd century AD, on display at the Museo Archaeologico Regionale, Palermo, Sicily. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A true musing of my mind for you today folks. If you get “scared” grab a Plushie to hold, squeeze and cuddle (or a pet). If you get confused, which may or may not happen because I’m going to try my best to be pretty clear and not jump around too much, please ask me to clarify my meaning in comments. Thank you.
This is dedicated to all the Priests, Priestesses and others of that nature of all paths, orders, traditions, faiths or whatever and wherever you may be.

As primarily a Solitary Priestess on her path it has not always been easy, as I am sure it has been much the same for others like myself. People don’t often understand the trials, struggles and tribulations we experiences. The hardships and ridicule we endure. We’ve done nothing wrong except be ourselves and pursue a path that “fits”, “makes sense”, a part of who we are we cannot fight that brings us great joy and happiness in following that path. Conversely, there is also much sadness, sorrow, worries, doubts and fears too.

In modern society most people expect that anything you can/could do in the world can be proven with a single piece of paper that supposedly “claims” you’ve done some kind of official study with someone, somewhere to achieve this new level of understanding or learning. This too goes the same for Priests and Priestesses. I can’t tell you how many times, because honestly I don’t remember, I’ve told someone, “I’m self-studied” or “I’m self-taught/trained” and immediately they’ve ceased all contact with me or they’ve completely mocked, berated, belittled and ridiculed me.

It hurts, it sucks but there isn’t much you can do about it, except have faith in yourself and that you are following the right path for YOU.

Too many people, as I hear, get discouraged by these sorts of things, but again – it’s like what I’ve heard many a good Christian say, “It’s a test of your Faith. A test of your Dedication. A test of your Endurance, perseverance and personal strength.” I actually and honestly believe that, to a fair degree. See, when you follow a path that is considered, “Reconstructionist” to me, in a way, anything goes or your Path, can be whatever it needs to be or wants to be so long as it runs in the same vein of what your initially trying to pursue as your actual path.

Gun Control, Gun Control, GUN CONTROL! Your Favorite thing!

Caches of Tabuk 7.62 mm short assault rifles, Tabuk 7.62 mm assault rifles, and other rifles inventoried at the Iraqi Civil Defense (ICDC) armory in Al Shahabi, , during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Location: AL SHAHABI, AL ANBAR IRAQ (IRQ) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For those whose heads I went over, the title is sarcasm. Remember it’s just one of the many other services I offer.

I said I wasn’t going to do another story until I was up for it. Well apparently after watching Ferris Buellers Day Off (which I hadn’t seen until this morning) and eating some good food with Hot Chocolate, my mind was feeling pretty good. Good enough to try to coherently write something. Yay! Now I already wrote something some months back when the Aurora, CO Theater shooting happened. Now we’ve had another tragic incident and I can’t help but feel that perhaps the shooter of the Connecticut shooting got some ideas from the Shooter from the Aurora, CO shooting that helped to set some wheels in motion. I won’t say he’s the sole reason – but I wouldn’t be surprised if he helped to influence.

Some people are calling for stricter gun control laws. Some of course want Guns banned altogether. There are some good points such as – the people who are severely at risk for doing something stupid or are having some severe emotional disconnection or issues and have to take medication or see a doctor regularly should not be in control of assault rifles or any other kind of firearm. Why Assault Rifles are legal to buy – um – I don’t know about you but I’m confused on that point. Unless you are starting your own militia or arming yourself for the Zombie Apocalypse there is no reason for an Assault Rifle.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Malay Wikipedia for the 1st week, 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know one of my readers (you know who you are) reported to me that 2012 has been one of the most profitable years despite the obvious Depression the United States and quite possibly the World has been under. I know there are still people out there desperate for jobs, food, a helpful and hopeful answer to the many questions that they may have regarding their fears, doubts and worries in these economic times. Those of you who remember your American History, if you remember anything about “The Great Depression“, probably remember sitting through movies or Documentaries depicting folks during “The Great Depression” in hovels (“Hoovervilles“), maybe in boarding home situations or other living conditions.

The American people, many of them, banded together to help one another out. Even if they didn’t like their living conditions or want things to be that way, they did what was necessary and humanely just for their fellow-man and it helped them to survive and get by. They shared their meals and what little they had with one another. Granted, there may have still been some crime during this time but I don’t remember hearing much about it. No; instead I heard stories of camaraderie and how the people demonstrated their distaste with President Herbert Hoover for not keeping to his word after making so many promises to the American People.

Give Me That Ole Time Religion

Detail from The School of Athens by Raffaello Sanzio, maybe an illustration of Hypatia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey everybody! Gwen here again from beautiful Vancouver BC (Really is too, wish the weather was nice enough for pictures) with another fun and informal posting. Yesterday or the day before my “Man-friend” (like “lady-friend”) had me listen to one of his Podcasts called “British History”. He had me listening to a very special one and it inspired me to write this blog. Sorry for any spelling mistakes and the like typing, I’m typing with an iPads touch screen (keyboard wasn’t charged, typing one-handed, limited unfortunately on typing options).

If by the end of this you can figure out which podcast it was – kudos and brownie points for you, because I’m not telling.

Today’s blog is obviously about “Reconstruction of old religions“. I am willing to tell you I am one of those people doing the same based on study of history, culture, lore & intuition (allowing my ancestors, heart, & soul to guide me). Now I’ve spoken with other Reconstructionists and unfortunately my experiences thus far have all been less than pleasant. In fact I have been insulted spiritually and the few I have met had this rather “Sexist” mentality.

Holiday Cheer – The Downsides of Commercialization of Holidays

christmas 2007 (Photo credit: paparutzi)

I know I’m not the only one who has noticed but it seems our favorite holidays start earlier and earlier. Sometimes that is grand!  Other times, to be quite frank, it’s getting on my nerves. Seriously. I remember when October rolled around they were already setting up Thanksgiving decorations, which is fine and understandable; they were also doing this the month prior, September, which is ALSO fine and gearing up for Christmas by clearing out the inventory in the Garden Center of the local Wal-mart. Toward around the end, Fall and Christmas were dominating the Halloween scene.

Which vex’ me a bit, but still not a big deal since I knew Thanksgiving was just around the corner and the fall stuff works with Halloween because it’s during our time for final Harvest.

No; my beef is when they play Christmas music in November and it’s before Thanksgiving. I don’t mind AFTER Thanksgiving but you play my holiday cheer music before Thanksgiving, all I want to do is find the Manager and tell them to turn it off and play the radio. I am so SICK and tired of my holidays not having much of a chance to say, “Hi! Hello! It’s me again. How are- HEY!” *holiday 1 gets shoved out by next holiday coming up* “Hello again! Remember me? I’m here too! What have-” *gets shoved out by holiday 3* “How you doin?! Long time no see!”, in short – this is exactly how it feels.

P.A.U. 7 – End of…Heroes?

City Of Heroes: Delta Arietis (Photo credit: Psycho Al)

Hello to all my readers! Sorry you’ve experienced some serious “break-ups” between my posts. I seem terrible about trying to keep up with a weekly posting instead of a daily posting. I apologize for that. I wish I felt much more motivated to do my musings as of late, but ah me – that’s life.

There’s been much weighing on my heart and mind as of late and those take priority, sadly. You will be happy to know I’ve done some reading. I’m currently enjoying the rest of the Circle Trilogy (Morrigan’s Cross, The Dance, The Valley of Silence) by Nora Roberts. I have to say, I don’t think she’s a terrible author, but I haven’t been jivingon her style. It seems straight forward and normal enough, but I don’t know if someone edited these books before they went to publishing. I felt that at times I couldn’t tell who was talking as far as dialogue goes (had to re-read certain passages at times over again) at times and sometimes the writer’s voice was a touch choppy here and there and not understandable.

YE-HA! Giddy-up! On the Campaign Trail!

English: Ballot Box showing preferential voting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As some of you may know it is preliminary voting season where we weed out the contenders from those who don’t stand a CHANCE against the rest of the competition. Normally I don’t LIKE getting involved with politics. I usually don’t want to talk about it unless there’s a good 10 foot POLE separating ME from IT. But this is a rather important thing to discuss, not so much the preliminary themselves but the candidates on the ballots.

Now this will be a reminder to some but to others this might be the wake-up call you need. I know it can FEEL overwhelming looking at all those names on the ballot. Some of the candidates on the ballot you will have seen, most likely, commercials for others you won’t have a CLUE as to WHO they are much less what views they have or what agenda they have.

Remembering Aurora

Evil Dead: Hail to the King (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Admittedly, originally for the title I wanted to put, “Guns don’t kill people…-I- DO!” (Warcraft III; Dwarven Rifleman Unit) BUT given the topic I was ABOUT to discuss and in light of the Aurora, CO shooting, out of respect, I decided to go with THIS instead. Not an original quote from Warcraft 3 like the other since BOTH were taken from something else, but that is where those quotes stick out in my mind the most…next to the Evil Dead series. Very well, getting on topic before I DE-rail myself again…

James Holmes (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

If you watch the International News or National News, you may have heard about the shooting in Aurora, CO in a packed movie theater that was to be the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Sadly, some crazed DIPSTICK ruined the fun evening out by whipping out some smoke grenades and/or Tear gas and then open fired on the audience. This was a very sad and tragic event. The young man arrested, James Holmes, claimed he felt he was The Joker, that is what I heard, as if it justified his actions. We know he had no previous criminal record. This just goes to show, that even if people are not emotionally well, they can hide their symptoms WELL up to a POINT before they go “Critical Mass” and explode, possibly harming more than just themselves, such is the case.