#jaydove rambles

[jaydove-writes]

Faith is a complicated subject for me as an atheist. I don't believe in God or gods but I know I have some kind of faith. Faith in myself, my family, my friends. Faith that I can do good things and make people happy. So many people equate faith with religion but they're not the same thing.

If you asked me 10 years ago what my opinion on faith was, I would have told you that it's stupid and pointless. Now, knowing it's more than just a religious term, I can say it's one of the most important things an individual can possess.

You need to have faith in yourself, your passions, and the people you love. You need to decide what faith means to you, rather than going along with whatever definition the people in power try to push on you.

Faith is an important topic in Starbourne and I'm trying to come up with some good quotes about faith for my story.

[jaydove-writes]

Jaydove rambles

Talent times practice equals skill. You have a knack for something the first time you do it? GREAT! Keep at it and you might become the best in the world in that field. But it's OK if you don't. You can always become a better version of you than you were yesterday (unless you're like, physically and emotionally exhausted) and that's one of the many things I love about life.

That being said, kindness is a skill. Anyone can learn it, though some start out better at it than others. It helps to have been raised by a loving family, but that is by no means a requirement. In fact, some of the kindest people I know were raised by assholes.

It's also important to be kind to yourself (in ways that aren't harmful to others whenever possible) As we go into 2025, I want you to think about all the times you have been kind to others. Now think about all the times they have been kind to you. And finally, think about all the times you have been kind to yourself.

Whatever the future holds, just know it will be better with you in it. (You can thank Dana Terrace, creator of The Owl House, for that line)

Just know that throughout all of 2024, after everything the universe threw at you, you survived. Despite everything, it's still you. (Toby Fox, creator of Undertale)

Now, as 2025 approaches, I want you to breathe. It doesn't matter whether it's through your nose or mouth, (I hate that mouth breather is an insult) just breathe deeply. Use whatever breathing exercise you may know. 2025 will be a good year, but you'll have to make it one.