Contributed by "Rachel Elizabeth" - What Have You Developed As An Understanding of Your Life? And Mine...

Whatever happens to you between birth and age 12 becomes a blueprint how you love, truth, attach, and protect yourself as an adult.

Not because you remember it consciously, but because your nervous system does...

Here's the psychology behind it...

 Inner Child Healing* (I have added two books mentioned by this FB group...)

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Here’s the psychology behind it:

0 to 2 years: The foundation of your attachment system

This is the most critical window of development.

At this age, your brain is learning:

• “Is the world safe?”

• “Do people come when I cry?”

• “Is love predictable or unpredictable?”

• “Are my emotions soothed or ignored?”

And the answers don’t come from words, they come from experience:

• a caregiver’s tone of voice

• facial expressions

• how quickly they respond

• whether they comfort or dismiss

• whether they’re consistent or unpredictable

Your nervous system forms its first blueprint here. And it follows you into adulthood.

2 to 7 years: The subconscious absorbs EVERYTHING

A child in this stage lives in theta brainwave state, meaning they don’t question experiences… they absorb them as truth.

This is where patterns form around:

• how emotions are handled

• how conflict is handled

• whether needs are allowed

• whether vulnerability is safe

• what love “looks like”

Psychology shows that patterns like:

• people-pleasing

• fawning

• shutting down

• perfectionism

• emotional avoidance

• anxious or avoidant attachment

…all begin here.

Not because the child chose them but because these patterns helped them survive.

7 to 12 years: Identity and core beliefs take shape

Now children begin forming meaning:

• “Who am I?”

• “How should I be in relationships?”

• “Is it safe to express myself?”

• “Do people care how I feel?”

This is where deep beliefs are internalized, such as:

• “I’m too much.”

• “I have to be strong.”

• “No one listens to me.”

• “My feelings don’t matter.”

• “Love feels like anxiety.”

• “Needing someone makes me unsafe.”

These beliefs don’t disappear.

They become adult patterns, until someone consciously heals them. If you’ve ever wondered why you attract certain people…

why you shut down…

why you fear abandonment…

or why chaos feels like home…

This is why.

Your childhood wrote the script your adulthood is still acting out.

The good news?

What was learned can be unlearned.

What was wired can be rewired.

And healing is absolutely possible.

If this speaks to you and you want to understand your patterns on a deeper level,

you can explore more resources here: https://linktr.ee/traumatorecovery

~~~~

When I pulled up the announcement of this post, it immediately pulled several things together for me... Yeah, I'm gonna say it... It was, I think, a God Incident...

You see, I woke up with the song first shown above in my head and I couldn't get it out! That doesn't happen often because most songs that come to mind are from my own choice... But this song made no sense... What in the world was I dreaming about? After all, "You Don't Own Me?" certainly didn't fit for this particular time of my life--or did it?

I read the post, simply because Rachel is my friend. I noticed, however, that some of the ages listed re the psychology had changed from my understanding... So I was catching up with the latest stats... You see, when I first started working way back when and I had a little money of my own to spare, I always bought books: Two genres Christian and Self-Help. By that time, around 18 and I'd started to work, I knew that my life had been...different... But it was not something I had anybody to talk to about, until I found my BFE--yes, I changed it to match my feelings--Best Friend Ever... And at my age, that was saying something! Sure I'd had friends on the way in my life, but I had never found one with whom I was immediately Sympatico...

We had even said the word, together, when we recognized each other...

Anyway, self-awareness was an issue for me for a number of reasons, one of which was my weight at that time. An aunt and uncle babysat me early life, as my mother was always working. One of the things they did was pass every plate on to me, saying, "Clean that up, we don't want to waste it..." Well, I did. I know they thought I might not be getting enough to eat as the youngest of 4 children. They were wrong. Mom worked so hard so that she provided a home and food as the most important part of her job as a mother... We kids knew that. But it was kinda nice to have extra attention at that age... Unfortunately that help lead to a life of weight problems due to the type of foods we could afford to eat...

I found, however, that I had an interest in understanding why and how people got to be who they are. I'd read and studied I'm Ok, You're Ok by Thomas Harris... Probably the most beneficial book on the subject I've ever read... It was an easy study that was a layman's terms of understanding about, simply, asking yourself whether you are OK--or Not? There have been many other info packets such as the one above which Rachel had shared. Like I said, ages were the primary updates for my base of knowledge.

But, did that answer why I had woke with the song, "You Don't Own Me?" Perhaps. It might have brought together many of my thoughts lately, especially those about hate, violence, rights of freedom, etc., you know what I mean, about today's political environment...

But there was another possibility that I had to consider. You see, I'm now reading a new book by Ted Dekker--Heaven's Wager--and just now the title made sense for me... In any event, I was not reading this easily...in fact, it was questioningly...

You see, Dekker has been known for many fiction books related to the supernatural activities of God. Given what has happened with the "real" split-off of Christian Nationalism and its inclusion of violence, I've been struggling with my faith in "life as we now know it"... This book was pulling me into those doubts... And my understanding of my life... And the connection of science, such as psychology based upon learning... and faith based upon the Bible... Are you just as confused as I am? Well, I hope you keep in touch and, maybe, share your thoughts a little more, as I explore A Christian Woman in Today's Violent

World... Watch for more on this book soon...

God Bless Us All

Gabby

Harold Michael Harvey, Ongoing Contributor, Shares No Justice; No Peace And Share Your Words!

Why Justice Rather Than Force Defines a Healthy Democracy...

In moments of political turmoil, when passions flare and frustrations boil over, the temptation to seek solutions in radical action can be powerful. Recent years have reminded us, sometimes painfully, that the line between peaceful dissent and violence is thin—and crossing it brings consequences not only for perpetrators but for the very fabric of our democracy. Yet, history and principle both warn that political violence is not the answer. Instead, the path to enduring justice and national healing runs through our legal institutions, none more paramount than a Supreme Court that is lawful, independent, and respected.

From the ancient struggles of Rome to the revolutions that reshaped continents, political violence has been a recurring specter in human society. In the modern era, we have witnessed its devastating effects in countries divided by ideology, race, or religion. The result is invariably carnage, bitterness, and the erosion of liberty.

Political violence is not just a breakdown of order—it is a profound failure of imagination and hope. It denies the possibility that laws, reason, and institutions can mediate our differences and deliver justice. Each act of violence undermines faith in the system, suggesting that only force, rather than persuasion or due process, can bring change.

Violence, by its nature, is indiscriminate and destructive. It silences voices rather than amplifying them. It threatens the vulnerable, punishes the innocent, and pushes grievances into the shadows. In democracies, where the promise is of equality and participation, violence is a betrayal—a shortcut that bypasses the hard work of dialogue and compromise.

There is, too, a practical argument: violence rarely achieves its aims. Movements built on force frequently lose the moral high ground, alienate potential allies, and provoke harsh retaliation. The cycle is self-perpetuating, ultimately leading to even deeper wounds.

Consider the lessons of civil rights movements worldwide. The most durable victories for liberty—whether in India, South Africa, or the United States—were won not through violence but through nonviolent resistance, legal advocacy, and the moral weight of peaceful protest. Leaders from Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr. understood that the legitimacy of a cause grows when it is pursued within the bounds of law, not outside it.

By contrast, revolutions that descend into violence typically breed new forms of tyranny, as the means corrupt the end. The French Revolution, for instance, gave way to the Reign of Terror. In countless cases, the promise of liberation was swallowed by chaos and authoritarianism.

If political violence is a dead end, where then do we turn for progress? The answer lies in the robust functioning of our legal system, and at its apex, a Supreme Court committed to upholding the law and maintaining impartiality.

A lawful Supreme Court is not merely a tribunal of last resort—it is the guardian of constitutional integrity. Its judgments interpret and shape the foundational framework of our society. It affirms the rights of individuals, balances the powers of government, and ensures that no person or institution stands above the law.

When the Supreme Court rules, it sets precedents that ripple outward, affecting not only the parties before it but the nation as a whole. In controversial moments, its decisions can soothe inflamed passions or clarify the path forward. The Court’s legitimacy stems from its adherence to procedure, its respect for precedent, and its grounding in the text and spirit of the Constitution.

In times of crisis, the Supreme Court’s fidelity to law serves as a bulwark against the temptations of expedience and violence. When citizens believe in the court’s impartiality and respect its rulings, they are less likely to seek justice through force. The Court does not resolve every dispute to everyone’s satisfaction, but it provides a forum where voices can be heard, arguments weighed, and decisions justified.

This lawful process is the antithesis of violence. It presumes disagreement and honors it with procedure. It transforms passion into principle, and principle into policy. It is slow, sometimes frustratingly so, but its deliberateness is its strength. It allows for reflection, dissent, and revision.

Of course, the Supreme Court is not immune to criticism. Its decisions may be unpopular, its members subject to intense scrutiny. Yet, the answer to judicial disappointment is not violence, but reform.

Legal scholars and advocates propose a range of reforms to ensure the Court remains lawful and accountable. These include greater transparency in its proceedings, clearer ethical standards for its members, and, in some countries, revisions to its jurisdiction or appointment process. These debates are healthy; they show that the Court is an institution belonging to the people, not standing above them.

Crucially, such reforms must themselves be pursued lawfully, through legislative or constitutional means. Protest, advocacy, and even civil disobedience have roles to play—but violence never does.

A Supreme Court that is lawful and respected sets the tone for the entire legal system. Its example radiates outward, fostering trust not only in itself but in lower courts, legislatures, and executive officials. When the Court is independent, principled, and open to scrutiny, it anchors the republic. When it falters, the temptation to seek justice outside the law grows.

Ultimately, the contradictions and conflicts inherent in a diverse society will never entirely disappear. Politics, by nature, is contentious. Yet, the difference between a healthy democracy and a failed state is the willingness to resolve disputes peacefully, according to laws, rather than violently, according to whim.

The Supreme Court, at its best, is an emblem of that willingness. Its existence is a daily rebuke to the idea that violence is necessary, or even productive. It states, for example, that justice is possible within the system and that change can be lawful, principled, and lasting.

As we reflect on the challenges facing our democracy, let us remember that the tools for renewal and reform are at hand. Violence is a confession of despair; lawfulness is an expression of hope. A Supreme Court that is lawful and legitimate does not guarantee perfect justice, but it gives us the means to pursue it. The answer to our most profound political questions is not found in the street, but in the courtroom. To choose law over violence is to choose democracy itself.

Let us advocate for a Supreme Court that remains worthy of its charge, even as we challenge it, reform it, and demand the best of it. Our future will be determined not by those who break the law, but by those who keep faith with it—and, in so doing, keep faith with each other.

~~~

 In the shifting sands of 21st-century media, a quiet exodus is underway. Not from the news itself—but from the institutions that once claimed to deliver it. Fired, silenced, or fed up, a growing number of high-profile journalists are leaving legacy networks and moving toward something more intimate, direct, and free: Substack.

They didn’t just leave. They launched.

Don Lemon. Tiffany Cross. Joy Reid. Matthew Dowd. Each of them has turned dismissal into declaration—transforming their platforms into sanctuaries of truth-telling, cultural critique, and political clarity. They join a chorus of voices—Bari Weiss, Matt Taibbi, Glenn Greenwald, Mehdi Hasan, Dan Rather—who’ve chosen authorship over access, stewardship over spin.

Substack isn’t just a publishing tool. It’s a reclamation device.

• Editorial Autonomy: No producers trimming segments. No executives softening language. Just the journalist and their truth.

• Direct Audience Engagement: Readers become collaborators, not consumers. Dialogue replaces ratings.

• Economic Agency: Subscription models enable journalists to be supported by their communities, rather than relying on advertisers.

In this new terrain, the journalist is no longer a cog in a corporate machine. They are a steward of public memory, a curator of dissent, a builder of counter-archives.

• The Rise of the Counter-Archive: These platforms preserve voices that mainstream media often erases. They become living archives of resistance, nuance, and cultural testimony.

• A Return to Authorship: Journalism becomes personal again—not in the sense of bias, but in the sense of responsibility. The journalist is accountable to their readers, not their shareholders.

• The Democratization of News: Readers choose their sources, fund their voices, and shape the conversation. It’s messy, yes, but it’s also more honest.

This movement mirrors the work I’ve long championed: documenting the unsung, amplifying the overlooked, and weaving rhythm and memory into public testimony. Whether through Unsung Innings, civic activation guides, or the upcoming 50th anniversary of Black leadership in Macon, I’ve seen firsthand how storytelling can mobilize communities and reshape history.

Substack is not perfect. But it is a space where legacy can be built—not just reported.

And increasingly, that storyteller is you.

If you believe journalism should be authored—not managed—then this moment is yours, too.

Subscribe to independent voices who speak truth without filters. An eight-dollar monthly subscription empowers a courageous journalist to continue bringing you the unadulterated truth.
Share this post with someone tired of corporate spin and hungry for clarity.
Comment below: Which journalist’s Substack has reshaped how you see the world?
Support storytellers who archive the unsung, challenge the status quo, and build legacy from the margins.

And if you’re ready to tell your own story—whether through rhythm, memory, or resistance—know this:

You don’t need permission.
You need purpose.

Let’s build the counter-archive together.

~~~

Thinking about the News...

You know, Folks, violence continues, School Shootings, and so much more... Stop and think where the violence, the rhetoric comes from... Speak out and let people know how you think! Start Today - Michael Shows How!

And remember, that the campaign against DEI - movements against non-white individuals comes from only one party...

No Man is Above the Law...

I had never heard of Charlie Kirk

Don't know whether that means something or not

I did recognize that much more news coverage

was made than for the school shootings, and all the other violent actions that have occurred during the last months...

I grew up fatherless also, so what?

I'm still trying to figure out the WHY? re this Man

Comments welcomed...

God Bless

Gabby

Many Thanks to Harold Michael Harvey for His Support

Found on Substack, LinkedIn and other sites!

My Ghosts and Me - Poetry by Guest Autumn Rayne, With Just A "Bit" of Humor... For Her Important Words...

My Ghosts and Me

Don’t go chasing ghosts

People say

They are gone for a reason

Memories swept away in the wind

Ephemeral mirrors of who you could’ve been

The would’ves the could’ves the should’ves

They are all gone and buried

Don’t bring dull shovels to sun-baked earth

To go and dig up past hurts

Unearthing the grave of your maladies

Won’t cure 'em

Let 'em lie

Ashes to ashes

Dust to dust

Who are they to tell me what’s worth forgetting?

Which ghosts should stay buried?

This isn’t your haunted soul

These shadows don’t darken your door

Don’t tell me which bones should stay untouched

Pieces of my history lay buried in these sands

Without them I’m a bare bones biography

Looking for meaning in the hollow places

Rifling through folds of brain matter

Searching

For just a fragment of my history

I’m a mosaic of missing pieces

Stitched together with guesswork and mystery

Absence makes it home in me

I’m a form created by negative space

Identity made of dreams

My features reflected back at me

My name etched in skin

My blood beside me

Dreams I’ve held so tight I feel their roots in me

Tell me how do I let it stay buried?

How do I forget the ghost? The specter in my bloodstream?

Half of me is sealed behind a face just out of reach

The tenor of a voice lost to the sea

A name spoken like a wound

Or never spoken at all

Forgotten like he isn’t half of me

Twenty-three chromosomes of my legacy

What did he leave behind, besides my eyes?

What did he leave inside of me?

What is him? What is me?

How much of my mother’s hatred is caused by pressing on a wound

Rather than a fresh bruise

Would he have protected me?

Don’t go digging up ghosts they say

But if I let them lie

I’ll die swallowed up whole by the emptiness of me

My lack of symmetry

One side of me abandoned

A haunted houses, my ghosts and me

So I will dig

Even when my arms shake

When the hot sun evaporates the hope from me

I’ll perform seances in the dirt

Scream into graves and brace myself for what echoes back to me

If the truth is jagged, I’ll bleed with my eyes open

If I find nothing, well at least I’ll know I searched

Sought for something

Rather than settled for nothing

Maybe no good will come from it

My ghosts volatile and malignant

Misty figures of history

Maybe I won’t find peace

Just questions with sharper teeth

But the bite doesn’t scare me

These ghosts are mine

And I’ll carry them with me

~~~

When I read this poem, I knew for sure, that this writer has much to share and I believe it is important that she does... No matter our situation, there are parts of each of us that are hidden, but, often, yearning to be shared and talked about... This poem reminded me of my father who I never knew. But, for me, at least I had his family as part of my life... On the other hand, I know very little about he as a person, as my father... How cruel people can be when they tell somebody to "get over it..." or something similar... In my opinion, they don't have the right to do that. Each of us must be able to seek a caring response... Autumn presents her thoughts, now, in an aggressive manner--she is clearly disturbed with being told to ignore some part of her life that is or was important to her. Do any of us have the right to disagree? I don't think so... Unless it could be done in a loving conversation... I'm having that type of talks with my BFF and it is amazing to be able to share openly, freely and receive a response. I hope Autumn finds that friend some day, or finds that part of her that is missing and still unknown... 

My only thought is that, Autumn, you might find help from a Man who once lived and is not a ghost, but a friend called Jesus...He has always been there for me when there was nobody else and, really, always... Just a thought...

Personally, I normally don't think of it as prayer, rather as conversation... At this age in my life, I'm confident that He listens...but, remember, you need to decide to open your heart to hear... And, you know, He will never say, "Get over it..."

God Bless

Gabby