Thank you so much for creating these Timot! I feel lucky to have happened across your art just a week ago, these do help^^

So kind! I'm so pleased to hear it helps you in some way. It's not easy out there but we can do it Darling! <3

This is so prescient for me at the moment. Though I am a stoic Stallion and not given to public displays, I must admit that this past year after the divorce has been full of ups and downs.

But I feel so much better now.

The sources of anger, the fighting over money, the constant sneering attitude and not just a lack of respect, but actively trying to drag me down in any way she could... It is all gone now.

Take some advice from a man who dedicated two decades to trying to love a broken person back to health.

You can't. This Stallion is living proof. Never marry thinking, "I will change him\her." Or, "If I just love them enough, I should be able to fix them."

That's a fundamental truth but I'm loving myself back into health. I'm sorry that you had to go through that and I'm glad you're in a better place Darling 🌸

Thank you for being so brave as to post this. Admitting sorrow or weakness or really anything but what people want to hear these days is most difficult. I like what the Bible has to say upon this same subject. Why I can't say I am an active Christian, this story sounds much like your post.

A hated man wen to the temple to pray, but stayed far in the back. He had not the daring to come forth. This man had "sold out to the man" bigtime and was collecting taxes for the Romans- and skimming off the top. He was essentially pimping his own people.

A self righteous man appeared and walked directly up to the temple, assured by himself he was clean as the freshly fallen snow. He did not kneel or show any semblance of grief at his own actions. He had no need to humble himself before God- he was clean. He prayed, "Thank you God for not making me like that walking pile of refuse at the door."

Yet the teller of the story said that the hated man in the back walked away forgiven.

For his value was not in the virtuous acts of the self righteous man, though they were truly many. No the evil man's value was in correctly assessing himself and knowing he was far away from God. He had messed up royally and needed a God to forgive him- so he could start over.

Each person in the story was a reflection of God. An imperfect reflection, to be sure, but a reflection nonetheless. The self rigorous man cannot be saved however because he fells he did no wrong. But if he realized that the evil man is still a reflection of God, why did he not pray, "God give me the guts to ask that man if I can help. If he needs light, far be it from me to tell him where to find it. But if you will reflect your light upon me so I may shine just a bit upon him, perhaps I can lead this lost brother back to your arms. I am just as evil as this man, just as dirty- I only appear clean. Forgive me first so I may shine light upon him as I leave."

I understand your struggle Timot. We all fail. We all need forgiveness. We don't win God's approval by virtuous acts. We do them because we wish to help a brother or sister out. We are like moons. We have no light of our own- we only reflect the light of a much greater sun.

Lastly, never bother trying to win approval of another human. My God that's the biggest trap of all. And when we try to win approval of others, we make that person our god. And I think we all know how effective humans are as god....

You are a most wise woman Timot. I assume you are female in nature? Forgive me if I got that wrong,

That's an interesting story. I'm not religious myself but in the end only by making myself the best self I can be am I able to be with others in a positive and healthy way.

I am female, thank you for checking.

Indeed.

The story was meant to check the idea that somehow, if we simply dot our i and cross our t, we are acceptable to God- and therefore able to sneer at those that are "less righteous or not righteous at all."

Coming out of 20 plus years of marriage, I was driven from the church, told I could not participate and "banished" from any "Holy Sacraments." My Sin? Why it was two fold.

First, I refused to agree that God only offers salvation to those he wants to save. (If he does not want to save you, then he created you for punishment- go to hell. How can a God that does such things turn and say he is righteous and loving?)

Second, I had missed three Sundays in a row- due to business appointments I had to attend to.

I was not asked what happened, was never given a chance to explain, nor was there any person or persons I could appeal to. This was the great and mighty "Pope Pastor," lol, passing judgement upon an obvious sinner.

To add insult, my wife kept going to this church- she loved the attention she got as a living martyr. "So tragic about your husband... boo hoo hoo."

I thought perhaps you had been through something similar. Wanted to offer some support and commiserate I suppose. You can't stop a bird from judging you, but you don't have to tolerate one making a nest in your hair!

Finally divorced a year ago, I am coming out the other side ecstatically happy, lol. For the first time in over two decades, I am actually happy. Like really happy. And for the first time, quite hopeful.

When I saw your part on "Virtues," I thought perhaps someone had judged you and hurt you. (The Bible has much to say about that, but funny how that seems to get glossed over....)

And your statement that it is ok to have problems, I sort of "vibed" with that, actually more than just sort of, lol. I have my temptations and I am human. But I would not ever want to be like the self righteous man...

Your answer about needing time and space was so on the nose. Having gone through what I have, your thoughts sounded a LOT like mine.

And when you said that "You are doing well and the sun will feel warm again darling," that was a statement from the heart. I very much felt that.

Should you wish to be friends and ever just want to talk, please do look me up. I am a most understanding Equine, Miss Timot.

A good day to you and to yours Miss Timot.

Lastly, I enjoy your art and its sometimes erotic nature. Most well done. You will see me pop round now and then, as you add art.

You're very kind <3 thank you. I hope all is good with you now!

I find myself happy for the first time in 30 years. I have a future now where peace is my highest treasure.

I wish the same for you Miss Timot.

🌸🌸🌸