E.T PHONE HOME

[flyboy_fox]

I decided not to make a filter for fic'kin (otakukin) related posts. No one on my friends list seemed to object to me posting that stuff here, and I figure that if anyone doesn't wanna read, then they can just... not read :P I'll give fair warning for any 'kin related posts.

Such as this one.

I've kinda stayed out of 'kin communities for a while, but recently I returned to one just to see what was happening. It's pretty dead, but I looked back through the archives at all the posts that had been made while I was gone. 'Kin really are a diverse bunch who experience their kin-ness in very unique and individual ways. They're certainly an idiosyncratic lot, that's for sure! But there's a recurrent theme that seems to come up all the time in the way that fic'kin talk about their former/other lives, and it makes me kinda sad.

Home. The other life is always 'Home'. There's always a longing, an urge, a 'pull' to return there and leave this life. This life which is inevitably described as cold, empty, lonely. It doesn't matter how long they've lived here or how terrible their former 'life' was... this one can never compare. This life is never a life in its own right. It's always an interim. A means to an end. A purgatory or prison. Just passing through. Many of them would leave the friends and family they have here in a heartbeat if a magical portal opened up and let them become whoever they believe they were and go back to that other life.

Sometimes I feel like I'm one of the only 'kin out there who actually loves this life for what it is, and doesn't see it as secondary to any other life I might or might not have had anywhere else. I've lived a lifetime here. I've learned, laughed and loved as a normal human being in a normal human world. I'm not an alien or an outsider, at least not as long as I don't allow myself to be. I'm the same as any other person, and what I might believe about lives and souls and (re)incarnation... it doesn't have any bearing on how I appreciate this life and how I want to live it to the max and do all I can!

After all, what if it is all just in my head? What if there was no other life? This is all I have and it could be all I am. If I define myself by what was, then what would be left of me if what was... well... wasn't?

This world is beautiful. It's also hateful in many ways. But it's not defined by hate. There's so much potential. To hell if I'm gonna throw this life aside because it's not 'that other life'! This is my life now, same as any other human being on the planet. That doesn't mean I can't miss people and places and dream about going there one day. I'd love to go back to various places I've been in this life too. I can treasure memories, and perhaps if I ever did find some sort of 'purpose' that I needed to fulfil I'd do it... but... I'm gonna love this life just as much along the way.

I'm not special. I'm not different. I may have a few bats in the belfry, but having lived my life here for 24 years, I'm as human and mundane as anyone else. This is my life now. And I LOVE it.

Comments

[ziggyshadowdust.livejournal.com]

I didn't object to any fic'kin posts, because I didn't actually know what you meant by it, although reading this post gives me some idea and I have to say it's rather interesting to say the least that such a thing exists.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Thank you for bestowing such an awesome Antoine icon upon me XD And cool, hopefully I haven't scared you off. I'm really quite normal :P

[way-past-cool.livejournal.com]

::claps:: Hear hear! I agree 100%!

There's so much complicated beauty in this world... so much to see and experience. Nature itself is a huge indicator that it would be SO messed up if this life was just a pitstop to a way cool next life or past life or whatever.

It's sad when people take it all for granted... every moment being alive is an adventure, and no life is perfect. No way I'm gonna take a backseat in living this life waiting for the next x.x what a waste that would be!

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I've heard some 'kin say they feel 'powerless' here because they can't influence anything and they're insignificant. BULL SHIT. Sometimes I think certain 'kin are just in love with the idea of being heroes. We can do so much in this world... This world needs everyday heroes, trufax! Wanna help me go plant a tree? ^_~

[hoyvinglavin64.livejournal.com]

I like this life as well. I think a lot of people today actually feel kind of blah about this life, only they simply respond with apathy rather than longing. Me, I think you need to make life interesting for yourself and get involved with what interests you. Like Haruhi Suzumiya!

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Life is what you make it! ^_^ Don't like this life, then find ways to make it better! If we're gonna 'go back' at any time (wouldn't count on it, but you never know), it'll happen when it's ready to happen. I'd hate to waste my life here wanting for something else that I couldn't get to even if I tried!

[ziggyshadowdust.livejournal.com]

I have no reason to think of you as abnormal. :)

[violettsukino.livejournal.com]

Hiya. Still on vacation, but thought I'd pop in for a bit since I found the time.

I personally feel that "Home" to me is a state of mind, rather than a physical place. A kind of nirvana I'm searching for, I guess. I figure all I can do for the time being is live each life I live as well as I can.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Home is where you hang your hat! ^^

(A slightly belated) Happy Birthday, by the way!

[violettsukino.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thanks Jai.^_^ I had a lot of fun yesterday, so I hope to post about that, soon.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to hearing about it, fire-kitty! :)

[violettsukino.livejournal.com]

Kitty aims to please.^_~

[psychicninja.livejournal.com]

...now, see-- this post? Has figured out what I see... oh... sixty percent of all people I meet blatantly ignore.

You know? I'm of the persuasion that people should believe what they want to, as sheer belief has never hurt themselves or anyone else. And the whole fic'kin thing is so unique that I can't help but take an interest and an immediate liking to the idea.

And it's not just them, assuredly, that long for something past. To be honest... it's one of my big pet peeves. ;; I tend to think that life is so cool that - dreaming, I can understand. But comparing the life you have to one you have had or might've had seems... terrible.

So... so this turned into a speck of a rant but fjdslk ALL I ACTUALLY WANTED TO SAY? Was that this post made me happy-wiggle. And that I'm glad you've figured out that life here, now, should be held verydear. It takes some people lifetimes to figure that out. :< <3

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Aww, Chasey <3 Your enthusiasm makes me happy-wiggle too ^^ I've always admired your bouncy happy outlook on life and your posts are often just so uplifting! It means so much to me that you commented on this ♥

[psychicninja.livejournal.com]

...o-oh hon. :< Go and make me wibble whydoncha-- x< *ruffles your hair and gives you Tails!bangs, darnit*

I-I'm glad I can be generally bouncy and uplifting? Fffff and darnit, I actually meant to comment on the last post you did about fic'kin to be all BUT IT'S INTERESTING at you b-but... but better late than never? ; And I'm happy that it means somethin', dearie. x3 *snuggles upon*

[hoyvinglavin64.livejournal.com]

So you wonder what your part is
When you're homeless and depressed
But home is where the heart is
So your real home's in your CHEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!!!

[bottlemilk.livejournal.com]

"... I'm glad you've figured out that life here, now, should be held verydear. It takes some people lifetimes to figure that out. :< <3"

Hehe, yep, gonna have to second Chasey here. Regardless of anything else, it's imperative that we try and enjoy ourselves in the here and now, taking the good and the bad and appreciating them both as a natural part of life. It's something I'm trying to figure out at the moment myself, even! ♥

[violettsukino.livejournal.com]

Heh, cute, and rather fitting.^_^

[twitchytwitch.livejournal.com]

Bats in the belfry?

They're your beliefs and I don't see any reason for you to have to censor them from the eyes of the masses. SAYS THE GIRL WHO HESITATES TO SAY ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY RELIGIOUS IN MOST OF HER POSTS. /fearofbacklashappliesonlytoself

Surely, others' beliefs are not so weak as to be swayed or horribly curropted by reading yours. Or, if they're disturbed, I must say they're a rare breed on the 'net. There's stranger things out there.

[twitchytwitch.livejournal.com]

As for my own beliefs, despite the fact that I firmly believe this life is only a trial as is ordained in my religion and our main purpose in it is worship, it is also taught, from tradition of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that:

Once three persons came to inquire from the household of the Prophet about his prayer. One of them said: “I shall continuously fast without interruption.” Another said: “I shall, in future, spend the whole night in praying.” And the third one said: “I shall abstain from women and shall never marry.” Later, the Prophet came and asked them about what they had said. He then replied:

Listen, I fear Allah more than all of you do, and l am more conscious of my duties to Him than all of you are. I observe a fast, but then I break it. I offer prayers at night, but sleep as well, and I marry women. This is my way of living. One who turns away from my practice (Sunnah) does not belong to me. (Bukhari, 5063)

Apologies for the long hadeeth/tradition, but your little talk on life reminded me of it and I felt it quite suitable. ^^;

If this bothers you, I will surely remove it at your request! I do not mean to shove my religion in anyone's face. ^^;;

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥ I appreciate the comment! Life is precious, yes. It may be the only one we've got, and even if it isn't, that's no reason to treat it with any less respect :C

(frozen)

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

It doesn't bother me at all, Lamees! I love to hear about your religion and culture... I wish you'd talk more about it because it's very interesting and I feel very educated learning about my friends' traditions and beliefs. It's good for me! :)

I think that little anecdote is very wise. Sometimes people think they have to choose between devoting themselves to something or living a full rich life. But there's no reason why we can't enjoy life and remain dedicated to what we believe in. The riches of the earth are here to be appreciated and enjoyed, after all ^^

[(Anonymous)]

Well, Mohammad did marry a 6 year old and fuck her when she was 9 so it's not surprising she's interested

[twitchytwitch.livejournal.com]

Way to reiterate the same tired old argument and completely ignore how Europeans did the exact same thing less than a hundred years ago, plus it was actually common for them to marry at 11. Trying to apply this very recent concept to someone who lived fourteen thousand years ago?

Bravo.

And all of this with anonymous comments? If you're so convinced, why not use your journal? Don't have one, why are you so interested in this discussion, then? Are you planning to join LJ, or did you wander over her from SA to laugh like the poor, bored idiot that you are at my friend's beliefs and found a Muslim on your way, thought to yourself you'll hit two birds with one stone?

Scoot. I've wasted enough time responding to you, silly anon buttmunch.

[chocomookielove.livejournal.com]

ID REALLY RATHER GO BACK TO MISSOULA OVER MALKUTH.
AND THERES A HELL OF A LOT MORE CHANCE OF GOING TO MISSOULA.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing from the caps rage that it's SERIOUS BUSINESS? XD *Grin*

[kalium-kx.livejournal.com]

This world is beautiful. It's also hateful in many ways. But it's not defined by hate. There's so much potential. To hell if I'm gonna throw this life aside because it's not 'that other life'! This is my life now, same as any other human being on the planet. That doesn't mean I can't miss people and places and dream about going there one day. I'd love to go back to various places I've been in this life too. I can treasure memories, and perhaps if I ever did find some sort of 'purpose' that I needed to fulfil I'd do it... but... I'm gonna love this life just as much along the way.

I was speaking about this in my last comment if i recall..i don't think i was wrong at all then either..

[rainsingingwolf.livejournal.com]

A lot of 'kin in general use the excuse of 'home' to avoid personal responsibilities with the "well, back in my home". Yes, it was utopia, we know. But you're here now. It's one of the reasons I left the communities. It's good to keep those good memories close, but they shouldn't interfere with the now.

[chocomookielove.livejournal.com]

No just felt like caps haha

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it made me not wanna be around those communities either. It was starting to get depressing!

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Not at all :)

[capncloudchaser.livejournal.com]

I understand the wanting to go 'home' thing. I feel that a lot, but not in relation to fictionkin stuff, but just in general, like my 'real' home is somewhere else. But I think those that have suffered with depression before, or are may be suffering it now, tend to have similar feelings more than others. It's like our idealism of what life should be is completely at odds with what we see in reality.

I think one of the ways to understand and enjoy this world is to try and understand other people, why they do the things they do, and give each other a break ^^

[harmonic-lunacy.livejournal.com]

Oo, yes, fictionkin can be ~~broody~~ things, can't they? I'm fictionkin, myself, and even I've got to roll my eyes at it once in awhile!! 8D Then again, that's usually what I do if someone's being overly negative, anyway. pff.

YOU DON'T KNOW ME, BUT I HAD TO COMMENT WHEN I SAW THIS, because I was going to make a post about this somewhere along the line and I forgot~! 8'D I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS. Because I don't long for home, really--I feel out of place here sometimes, but it usually just makes me laugh! Why wouldn't it??

This life, if anything, is an ~~adventure~~!! I've done things in this life that I hadn't gotten to do in the others. I have the opportunity to experience some things again, certain tastes and textures and ETC. ETC.

How can people believe this isn't escapism if we all RANT and RAVE about escaping? jeez.

...OKAY, THAT WILL BE ALL ;D ;D ;D

I'M SORRY TO HAVE BOTHERED YOU. *TIPS HAT*

[jameythehedgy.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you were so bothered by it. I know it's probably too late now, but I'm sorry.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Hello! Sorry for taking so long to reply... ^^; I've been out of the country and insanely busy and stuff but I kept intending to reply and then forgetting and argh. Well. Thanks for commenting! Always good to meet like-minded kin :) So please don't apologise!