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DarkEclectic

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I've been a batman fan since the 90's when I used to watch Batman the Animated Series as a little kid. I would love to see more batman inspired art and I think it would be neat if there was more about Batwoman aka. Barbera Gordon the commissioner's daughter.
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Language is Art

1 min read
We use language to express thoughts and feelings that, form pictures or ideas in the minds of others so that we can understand one another. If you are interested in a culture language is a gateway to better understanding of peoples beliefs and customs. Some languages have evolved over the years one example is the difference between Ancient Greek and Modern Greek and another is the modern use of slang, but before you understand the slang of other languages it helps to learn the grammar of proper or polite versions. I already have some Japanese in a folder on this page. Today I'm going to add Latin and hopefully later there will be others.    
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How To Ask For What You Want

What Gets in the Way of Your Articulating What You Want?

Listed below are seven key factors that can keep you silent:

1. You don't know what you want

A large majority of people don't feel comfortable asking for what they want because they live with an embarrassing secret – they actually don't know what they want. Sure, they may have some vague ideas about the end-state they want to achieve – for example, "I want to be happy, less stressed, financially independent, respected, etc." – but they can't seem to fill in the details sufficiently to identify concrete things they might be able to ask for.

2. You have a limited perspective on what is possible

What you think to ask for will be constrained by what you view as possible or probable. If you can't envision viable options to investigate or pursue there are no opportunities to ask for help or support in making them a reality.

3. You are afraid of how others will react to what you want to ask for

Most of us are great at imagining the probable outcomes of our actions. Thus, if we contemplate asking for something we want we automatically rehearse the impending conversation in our head and role play both sides of the interchange. We mentally construct the content of the presumed response we will get, the tone with which it will be delivered, the emotional reaction of the other person, and the short and long-term implications on our relationship with the person asked. The problem is that we are often wrong in our predictions of the future because we imagine both sides of the conversation blinded by a single set of filters and assumptions – our own. We all too often prevent ourselves from asking for what we want because we incorrectly convince ourselves we won't get it.

4. You subconsciously believe: "I shouldn't have to ask"

Many people believe it is demeaning to have to ask for certain things (e.g., a raise or promotion at work; help with the housework or the kids at home) and cling to the conviction that these things should simply be offered by the other person. They further believe, "If you have to ask, then the response you get has no value." People who hold to these assumptions simply won't ask for many of the critical things they need.

5. You are an indirect communicator

Those who practice the direct style of communication come right out and ask for what they want in a straightforward way. For example, if they are cold they say, "Please turn up the heat." Indirect communicators, on the other hand, believe it is somehow impolite to phrase things directly as requests or instructions and prefer to allow others the opportunity to "volunteer" their help. Thus a cold indirect communicator might simply comment, "It sure is cold in here," hoping that the other person will "cooperate" by turning up the heat. Unfortunately such indirect requests are often not truly heard by the intended recipient so while indirect communicators might think they are "asking" they are, in effect, not.

6. You believe that asking for what you want is selfish

Many people believe that their own needs or desires are somehow inferior to, or less important than, the needs of others. They don't ask for what they need for fear of appearing self-centered.

7. You don't know how to ask successfully

There are lots of people who have an unfortunate history of receiving bad reactions from others when they ask for what they want. They know at some level that they lack the communication skills to be able to ask for things in a way that does not alienate or infuriate others so they find it easier to keep quiet.

How to Become a Better Asker

Here are five tools and techniques to increase your asking acumen:

1. Write down what you want

Here is one technique that can help in situations where you are not clear about what you want. While several other techniques also exist for gaining clarity, many require enlisting the perspective of another objective individual who can guide you through the discovery process, whereas this is a technique you can try all on your own. I have personally witnessed its power many times as I observed the following unusual phenomenon in my coaching practice: When I first have a complimentary introductory phone call with a perspective client and I ask them what they want to accomplish through coaching they verbally describe one set of objectives. If they subsequently sign up as a coaching client I email them a "Welcome Package" that asks them to write down the three short-term and three long-term objectives they want to achieve in our coaching - and what I frequently get back is a significantly different list! This happens not 10% or 20% of the time; it happens over 80% of the time. There is something profound that happens when people take the time and energy to think things through enough to commit them to writing – and the level of clarity is greatly enhanced. So next time you find yourself feeling vague about what you want to ask for, try writing it down first. Even if you subsequently decide to "say it in words" the very process of addressing it first in writing will likely lead to greater specificity and ease in your communications.

2. Get an outside perspective

I you are being held back by your own limited perspective of what you see as possible or of how others will react to you, then seek out someone who can help you see things from another viewpoint, brainstorm options, and role play possible interactions.

3. Stop hoping for "mind readers"

If you believe "You shouldn't have to ask," or if your requests are "indirect" and overly subtle, then realize that what you are doing is putting your future in the hands of "mind readers." You are acting as if those around you can figure out what you want and then supply an appropriate response. By taking such an approach you relinquish your ability to control your own destiny and significantly lessen your chances of getting what you really want.

4. Re-think the concept of "respect"

Believing that asking for what you want is "selfish" is a reasoning distortion often born of a lack of respect for yourself and others. It seems fairly obvious that a lack of self respect can make you feel unworthy or less important than others and cause you to subordinate your own needs and "not ask." What is less obvious is that not being comfortable asking for what you want can also arise from a lack of respect for others. More specifically, not asking can occur when you don't respect others enough to share your honest thoughts and desires with them, or you don't respect their ability to say "No" to you when they want to, or stick up for themselves in the situation. Rather than setting yourself up as the ultimate authority over who's needs are the most important, or who can handle what in an interchange, try adopting the perspective that each person has the right and responsibly to honesty and straightforwardly express their needs and desires and negotiate an equitable solution.

5. Learn the skills for asking in a way that others can hear non-defensively

If you find yourself fearing how others will respond to what you ask for, or accumulating a history of receiving bad reactions to your requests, then most likely you are missing some key phrasing skills that will allow you to ask questions in a way that doesn't push other people's buttons. The good news is that these skills are learnable. For example, a simple but effective way to ask someone to do what you want in a neutral non-offensive way even in a potentially controversial area (e.g., to stop smoking or drinking in your presence or to stop making hurtful comments about your weight) is to simply say, "I ask that you…" - followed by what you want to ask for. Find an "effective communication" class, book or coach to help you grow your communication toolkit and your ability to ask for what you want will expand enormously.

The Bottom Line

Being able to ask for what you want, and to ask in an effective way that increases the chances you will get it, is a crucial life skill. It requires that you know what you want, are comfortable articulating what you want, and have the communication skills necessary to do so. If you don't take control to say what you want you will be left at the mercy of others who will likely be more than happy to tell you what you need and what is best for you.

www.witi.com/wire/articles/95/…
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Playing Card Meanings

If you need a quick answer to your question, you simply need to draw one card. A single card can give an overall impression about your problem. If necessary, you can draw an additional card to clarify the first card.

In addition, this method is suitable for finding out how your day is going to go. For example, drawing a Hearts card means that issues to do with emotions and the home are going to be important that day, drawing a Diamonds card means that issues to do with hard work and affairs outside the home will be important, drawing a Clubs card means that issues to do with business and money will important, and drawing a Spades card indicates problems and difficulties will be important.

Naturally of course, spreads which include more cards give a a far more detailed reading.
Spreads
Meanings
Interpretations from Shuffling and Cutting
The Spreads

Three Card Spread: This spread gives a quick answer/overview to a single question/issue. Lay out three cards in a row from left to right.

                                         1    2    3

The cards represent past (card 1), present (card 2) and future (card 3).

This spread can also be extended to a Nine Card Spread using three cards for the past (top row), three cards for the present (middle row) and three cards for the future (bottom row).

                                         1    2    3

                                         4    5    6

                                         7    8    9

The Horseshoe Spread: This spread gives a more general overview of your life and uses 21 cards. Lay down seven groups of three cards in the shape of a horseshoe or arch. Each group covers a category.
The seven categories are:
1 The past situation.
2 The present situation.
3 Developments in the near future.
4 What you don't expect.
5 People around you.
6 Obstacles and opposition.
7 The outcome.



The Gypsy Spread: From left to right, lay three rows of seven cards. The top row of seven cards represents the past. The middle row the present and the bottom row of seven cards the future. This 21 card spread demands great skill and is not to be attempted until you are very confident with the meanings of the cards and combining them into a meaningful narrative.


The Meanings of the Cards

Hearts

Ace: The home, love, friendship, joy the start of a romance. A love letter.
Two: Success and prosperity. An engagement or partnership.
Three: You need to be cautious. Don't say something you'll regret.
Four: A change, a journey or a move of house/business. A late marriage.
Five: Jealous people around you. Take your time to make any decisions.
Six: Unexpected good luck. Someone helping you out.
Seven: An unfaithful or unreliable person. Broken promises.
Eight: Visits and visitors. Invitations out or attending a party.
Nine: The wish card. Dreams come true.
Ten: Good luck and happiness.
Jack: A close friend or a good-natured, fair-haired youth.
Queen: A kindly fair-haired woman.
King: A good-natured, fair-haired man. Good advice.

Diamonds

Ace: A ring or present of jewellery. News about money. A letter.
Two: A love affair attracting disapproval from others. A business partnership.
Three: Legal problems, domestic arguments. A legal letter.
Four: An inheritance. Improvements in finances.
Five: Success in business. Happy family.
Six: Problems in a second marriage.
Seven: Surprise news or a gift. Problems and losses at work.
Eight: A marriage and travel late in life. Financial ups and downs.
Nine: Surprise with money. New business opportunities. Restlessness.
Ten: Money and travel highlighted. Fortunate changes.
Jack: A relative. A very fair-haired youth. Watch out for dishonesty or unreliability.
Queen: A woman who loves to party and to gossip. A flirt. A very fair-haired woman.
King: A stubborn and influential man. A very fair-haired man.

Clubs

Ace: Wealth, health, love and happiness. A letter concerning money.
Two: Gossip. Disappointments and opposition.
Three: Marriage to a wealthy partner. Money coming from the partner.
Four: Changes for the worse. Lies and betrayal.
Five: New friends and a successful marriage. Help from friends.
Six: Business success. Getting financial help.
Seven: Prosperity and success. Be careful of trouble coming from a person of the opposite sex.
Eight: Trouble in relationships, business and personal. Jealousy and greed.
Nine: Achievements. A new lover or admirer. Don't be stubborn.
Ten: Unexpected money coming in. Good luck. Travel abroad.
Jack: A reliable friend. A dark-haired youth.
Queen: An attractive, self-confident woman. A dark-haired woman.
King: An honest, generous and affectionate man. A dark-haired man.

Spades

Ace: Emotional conflict, obsession, death. Things coming to a head.
Two: Separation, gossip and deceit. Difficult changes.
Three: Unfaithfulness and partings. Be wary in partnerships.
Four: Illness. Business and money worries. Broken promises.
Five: Happy home but interference from other people. Reversals and opposition but eventual success.
Six: Small improvements.
Seven: Loss of friendship or loss of a friend. An unexpected burden. A warning against losses and sorrow.
Eight: Trouble and disappointment. Plans go awry. Friends let you down. Cancellations.
Nine: Bad luck in all things. Depression and low energy. Destruction, deaths. Extreme anxiety.
Ten: Misfortune and worry. Imprisonment. Unwelcome news.
Jack: A well-meaning but immature and unreliable youth. A very dark-haired youth.
Queen: A widow. An unscrupulous woman. A very dark-haired woman.
King: An ambitious and authoritative man. A very dark-haired man.

Joker: (optional) New developments, fresh starts, taking a risk.

You can also experiment with adding your own meanings to the cards. This is perfectly acceptable. Experience will show you new meanings along the way. The key to successful divination is to believe in your own meanings and remain consistent.


Interpretations from Shuffling and Cutting

Who would have thought that a reading can begin from the cards even before that first card is laid out. Look carefully and note how the cards are shuffled and cut. Every person is different and has their own style, but this can even differ between readings. Thank you to Andreia "Shana" Gaita for sharing insights on shuffling and cutting which appear below.

When a person shuffles only the bare minimum number of times, this of course shows how eager they are to get straight to the point.
When cards one or a few cards fall out during shuffling, take note of what they are because they are important to the reading.
When a lot of cards fall out, the querent is either not used shuffling cards, or they are reluctant or ambivalent about the reading.
When a person cuts only the top few cards from the deck, or leaves a tiny little pile, then they are reluctant to do the reading. This shows they do not really want to reveal too much or find out the true answer.
When cards fall from the deck as a person cuts the cards, this also shows a certain ambivalence or reluctance about the reading.
Shy and impressionable people cut the deck with their face virtually inches from the cards. They also tend to take any interpretations extremely literally despite their avowed scepticism.
Troubled querents also cut the deck with their faces inches from the deck and may take some time to do it. I also find these people tend to cut the deck dead centre if they can manage it and are most concerned to be doing it "right". These people tend to demand exact predictions and interpretations but this is because they are so troubled by their question.
Complex people tend to cut into multiple piles. These people cannot decide if they want to take the cards seriously or not.
Querents who are confident of the answer they think they will receive cut with their arm fully extended, often with a smile on their face.
There are people who barely glance at the cards when cutting them and expect you to shuffle and replace the cards in one pile. These people do not expect anything from the cards and are majorly sceptical or simply do not really want a reading.
When querents sit right back in their chairs and cross their arms you know they are feeling defensive. When the cards get right to the heart of the issue, you notice them lean forward and the arms are uncrossed. This simple body language reveals so much, and can be useful when the querent is determined to say only the bare minimum.

The next time you do a reading for yourself, notice how you cut the cards. Often you can pick up from the cut if you are secretly reluctant to know the answer (usually because your intuition/subconscious already knows the answer won't be what you want to hear).

www.serenapowers.com/playingca…
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