To write the real, you have to show all the rawness, which has its harsh beauty and this is my platform to do just that. Not shying away from any subject matter or theme. Blog entries, Poetry (Free verse, Haiku, Narrative poetry), Black History,Photography, and a full course of wisdom quotes. Peace, TheRhymeRula
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Leave a like if you’ve enjoyed this post and hit that follow so you can stay up to date with my future posts. It’s free. As always peace and keep it real. Ubuntu.
It is understandable for one to feel envious when seeing someone’s life as “perfect” compared to theirs, and this feeling when left unchecked can become destructive. With that said, envy can often lead to damaged self-esteem and create resentment towards the person whose life we perceive as perfect. As a result, this gives way for an individual to constantly compare themselves to someone who has something that is bereft in their life, and in extreme cases want to sabotage it so satisfaction can be achieved, and with that, they create their intended level playing field. Moreover, once envy becomes destructive it prevents us from looking at our own lives in a positive light and instead allows the proverbial devil on the shoulder to take over our thoughts.
Artwork credit – Rafi Perez
Social media has become a sort of vacuum and echo chamber for people to post, project, and propagate what they consider to be trendy or the ideal image of success. Therefore, these platforms facilitate data that is accessible for comparisons to be made by all users. It went from being a microcosm (pre-social media comparisons of those close to you) to a global assessment contest (strangers evaluating each other). In addition, if one doesn’t fit that criterion then they’re seen as doing something wrong and it gets exacerbated with a bombardment of imagery that erodes self-esteem. Furthermore, envy manifests itself as dissociation from the self. Not to mention, an individual will get frustrated after pondering on why they’re not involved in situations they’re missing out on (FoMO, Fear of missing out. Once this feeling of FoMO compounds one might begin vicariously living through the ones they envy and envisioning satisfaction. However, once reality sets in, a feeling of inauthenticity takes over.
We carry around envy amplification devices and push buttons on fabricated images and stories. We internalize and rationalize them to the point where it becomes masochistic. In other words, when one voyeuristically scrolls (passive) they are shown stimuli that they lack in their lives. This in turn will elicit “comparisonitis”. In regards to that, this fixation becomes ingrained into the psyche to the point where it could lead to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome, resentment, and comparisonitis are symptoms of envy but resentment comes last. The reason is, a person has to process what they have to do, and understand they’re as capable as the person experiencing what they desire, but they’re filled with doubt and fail to make a move. Moreover, if the feeling of envy isn’t confronted and rectified it can lead to depression and a sense of incompetence. An article that is the inspiration for this post (link included at the top of post) stated that envy is innate and I agree for the most part but I also think it can also be a learned behavior. For example, we have two brothers, and their parents get the younger brother better toys than his older brother. Not only that, the younger brother has to share them with him. From there the older brother gets frustrated that not only does he get subpar toys compared to his younger brother but has to share the better toys, which is something he wants (older brother) for himself. Hopefully, this example makes sense, because the point being made here is that even if you have something that will keep you satisfied, it’s never enough, and when you see someone you admire or is close to you receiving something that you’re deprived of, you can get consumed with resentment.
In summary, envy can be a destructive emotion that harms both the individual feeling it as well as those around them. It is important to understand why one feels envious and learn how to address those emotions without succumbing to the negativity of envy. If not, one will continue to meander through life as a malcontent individual who is not driven to find solutions. Once this point is reached it becomes insidious and habitual. Lastly, no matter how basic or lavish, everyone has something to be grateful for and strives to find the best for a positive life, and focusing on those reasons for living a life of gratitude and contentment will help to avoid the enviable trap.
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After reading this small summary on this topic, check out my poem below.
Baby bones are rare in most places, even those that produce lots of dinosaur egg fossils like the southern regions of Canada, Mongolia and the U.S.A.,” says University of Calgary paleontologist Darla Zelenitsky.
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Did you know that Dinosaurs used to roam and nest in the High Arctic? Well, they did and tiny fossils were discovered suggesting that the reptiles stayed there year long without migrating. Paleontologists have slowly gathered young dinosaur bones and not just one species, but many. Moreover, finding these bones from young dinosaurs is a reason for Paleontologists to be elated because those bones are rare. The reason is, young baby Dinosaur bones were rarely preserved due to their size and susceptibility to being victims to carnivorous predators. University of Alaska paleontologist Pat Druckenmiller and his colleagues found the fragile remains of baby hadrosaurs, horned dinosaurs, raptors, and tyrannosaurs. “The discovery of these tiny bones and teeth was no small accomplishment,” Druckenmiller says. Whenever we see depictions of Dinosaurs in the media it usually shows them living in a stone age that was desolate or verdant, but never ones that lived in cold climates. In regards to that, Polar Dinosaurs acclimated to the harsh environment and didn’t find the need to migrate to a warmer region or hibernate. In closing, for more information on this topic please check out the link for this article below.
Frigid plains of the Arctic,
Where Dinosaurs roamed and ruled,
Exploring with vigilance,
‘Cause predators were not far
Massive and proud with their spiked tails,
Strong and agile they moved through the ice caps,
They were the lords of the cold north,
Forever remembered by their legacy,
Snow blanketed the land,
A pure white coating across the ground,
A powerful pack of prehistoric giants,
Each one a force to be reckoned with, profound
How does this sound?
These days baby Dino bones can still be found in the ground
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This poem was inspired by an article I read about the endangerment of incense in myrrh cultivation and trade in Northern Somalia. As a Somali American, I’ve always been fascinated with the history of incense and myrrh in the country and how significant it is not only to Somalis but the rest of the world. Furthermore, the country is the largest exporter of incense to regions such as the Middle East and the Western world. Not to mention, is it believed that the three kings of the biblical nativity carried three precious gifts to commemorate the birth of Jesus, and from then on this region of Somalia (it’s Somaliland but from my perspective and the UN it’s always going to be Somalia) has been the epicenter of cultivation and distribution of Incense and Myrrh for the world to enjoy.
A sweet and smoky aroma to share
The billowing smoke dances in the air
A pleasant and calming trance.
Let the fragrance envelop the room,
It’s an elixir of comfort and bloom
Bringing delight to those who are near
But the motherland’s horn is in fear of losing what is dear
The validation only comes from the people who dare,
The same feelings of being broken and unseen,
Until one day, you are all that you should be
Leave a like if you’ve enjoyed what you read, and hit the like button so you can stay up to date with my future posts. As always, peace and keep it real.
Welcome readers, leave a like if you’ve enjoyed what you read and hit that follow button so you can stay up to date with my future posts. As always, peace and keep it real.