Children at risk.
Good tidings, all.
I am Gregory and 'tis a pleasure to be here with you. I have followed this forum from its conception and though I had strong misgivings at first, I have come to believe that it is serving the better good of all. I am Warlock; a master of my Kind. I am a member of the Council of Alliances which serves the needs of all Kinds but our main function is the protection of mankind; most particularly those innocents who, for one reason or another, become targets of dangerous individuals outside their realm of knowledge. As the world grows and changes we find it necessary to utilize every means at our disposal to try and prevent such occurrences .
Today, modern technology is a blessing in that it affords any and all the ability to immediately access a wealth of knowledge, enjoy entertainment, do business, touch base with friends and family from afar, and so forth. But it also has its downside; a curse, if you will. The worldwide web is such that dangerous individuals have a plethora of means at their fingertips with which to lure to them and do harm to the unsuspecting and the naive. Among those dangerous individuals we have all been warned about are those of other Kinds, and they are whom I will address here this day.
If one believes in other Kinds it requires no stretch of the imagination to figure out that the use of man's technology is the easiest and most convenient way to get to whomever one wishes to. If one does not believe in other Kinds other than mortal criminals then one is at a decided risk, for non-believers are the easiest to prey upon. Add to that lack of belief the extraordinary intelligence of predators with extraordinary abilities and the scales are already weighted in those predators' favor. I urge all who visit here, believers and non-believers alike, to heed my warning.
While I work in the interest of all, I spend my efforts more for the protection of children and teenagers, for they are the innocents most at risk. Not a day passes that someone, somewhere, does not issue a warning to parents to look out for their children's safety by monitoring where they are, what they are doing, and whom they are with. And not a day passes without some child meeting an untimely death or being maimed, tortured, or drawn to the dark path of self-destruction; worse lured into a dangerous world from which they cannot escape.
It greatly grieves me that adults get so caught up in the business of life that they spend little or no time teaching children and teens about dangerous risks. It is not enough to tell them once or twice, and expect them to understand and comply. It is not acceptable to ignore the risks children face simply due to the fact that you do not want to think about frightening horrors that can befall your child. And it will never be enough when, for whatever reason you failed your child, you face the personal reckoning for the loss of the beautiful gift of that young life or mind. Parenting is a grave responsibility for which the task to protect your child cannot be foisted upon another person or an institution. I make no apology if I sound as though I am preaching. If that is what it takes...
No longer do certain predators depend solely upon their otherworldly abilities to stalk their prey, for like the rest of us they are all too eager to sit down to a computer and avail themselves of the technology that can hand them exactly what they want without wasting any effort. Too, it is an easier method of keeping in touch with their followers and directing their vile activities. It also lends itself to their secret activities and here is where they are light years ahead of mankind: they have the knowledge of decades, even centuries behind them; have ways of accessing newer technology before it even hits the market, and in some cases some are inventing the new technology. What all of that equates to is that the most brilliant hacker, or cyber cop, is not even in their league and thus cannot ferret out their location or identity. I would hope that would grab your attention.
There are both good and evil beings among Vampyres, Werewolves, Witches, Humans, and all other Kinds and the predators have the upper hand. While the Human predators represent familiar dangers, predators of other Kinds represent dangers that have long gone unapproached because the savagery and carnage they leave behind simply boggles the minds of those without knowledge of their sort. I cannot tell you how many crimes have been swept under the carpet, or pinned on the wrong individual, by law enforcement officials whose fear prevents them from facing the truth. While the source of their fear is understandable, how they deal with that fear is unacceptable.
There is available help to deal with crimes of that nature and it has been made known to the authorities but mortals prefer to turn a blind eye and continue to believe it is impossible for otherworldly beings, or worldly beings with extraordinary abilities, to exist. They exist and they walk among you and no amount of running from the truth is going to change that.
The Alliance does all it can do to prevent those predators preying upon mankind but the task is monumental when we are but a few in a vast world. We have Outsiders who work with us but we can hardly go public to recruit. Surely you can imagine how ludicrous that would be, for we would be inundated with offers from lunatics, hounded by the media, and branded as charlatans. Our families would come under attack and our lives threatened, not to mention that the very predators we hunt would prey upon us. It is a vicious circle without beginning or end. But hurdles can be overcome if parents begin parenting.
You see commercials on television that warn you to know where your child is, who they are with, and so on. Apply that to every aspect of your child's life; not just when it comes to substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. Know what they are doing on the computer, monitor the chat rooms they can get into, know what clubs they go to and what goes on there. It takes time and work but nothing is more important in this life than the safety of your children. Resurrect family life in your home, teach instead of preaching, listen instead of talking, offer information instead of ramming it down your child's throat.
Outsiders are not the only population with problems with their children. As Witches, we take those concerns very seriously with our own children. They are no different from yours when it comes to curiosity and rebellion but we, as parents, are different from many of you. We prize family life and togetherness. We are our children's first line of defense against all the unsavory business and the dangers that might befall them. We pray together, play together, and many is the time we cry together and, rarely, will you find Pagan practicioners of White Majic who are lax in caring for their children. We have the added benefit of being a tight-knit community where all the members look out for each other's offspring. Like you, many of us have careers but we never allow those to take precedent over our family life.
I am not intimating that we are perfect parents and 100% successful. There is no such thing as perfection but there is what is known as balance. We find that balance in many ways, some of those so simple. An example: If it requires that both parents work to provide what is not necessary; expensive toys, extra vehicles, the latest in stereo and video equipment, fancy boats, upscale homes, and the like then we forgo such extras in order for one parent to remain at home with the children. How outlandish and down right stupid is it when an adult states that without the latest, best quality things their child will suffer for being the only one without what their peers have? I have to say I have heard that one too often and it boggles my mind that such garbage is spouted. What it generally boils down to is that mom and dad need the prestige of providing an image much more than the child needs what is conferred upon him.
We find other avenues so that we do not have to abandon our children to day care, to being latch-key kids, or left to run the roads without supervision. Modern technology allows for some parents to work from home and there are many home-based businesses that can provide extra income. Problem is, many people are too lazy to put in the effort to start a business at home. Some use the excuse that money is not available to start their own business yet they think nothing of financing huge mortgages, two or three vehicles, boats, OTV's... You name it and they will buy it and then they complain and moan that both parents have to work just to make ends meet. How intelligent is that?
I am blessed with wealth but my children were never in possession of their own vehicle at a too early age, and certainly not one unsuited to them; a key so they could come and go as they please at any age, as long as they dwelled under my roof; or every latest, greatest toy that hit the market. They were not allowed to visit homes of friends without their mother or me having met the parents, and children were not allowed to come to our home if their parents made no effort to meet us. Our rules were simple and consistently applied so that our children knew they had to earn their own way; at home and outside the home. They were not handed a fist-full of money and if they dared to hold themselves above others simply because they had more and better things they were disciplined for such behavior. They did not bully others, though they were taught to defend themselves if there was no other recourse, and if they did mistreat another child they were reprimanded and their punishment suited the situation.
We have friends from every level of financial background and all are welcome in our home. 'Tis always been our stand that people are what recommend themselves and not what they have, or what their level of schooling is, or what neighborhood they live in. We do not feel the need to flaunt our wealth, or rub elbows only with the wealthy class. Wealth is merely a means and not a standard that rules our lives. Class is a distinction I abhor for its bearing upon how people are looked upon. The way I see it, the majority of the wealthy class have nothing more than money and finery to recommend them. That is not what life is about.
Before you judge me unable to understand your situation let me tell you that I was not born to wealth, nor did I achieve it because I was some whiz kid who got all the breaks. I was not born in poverty but of the middle class. I was an only child of an alcoholic, abusive father and a mother who walked out on me when I was a toddler and never looked back. My mother was a true Witch; the daughter of a Warlock who ruled his home and family with an iron fist. She ran away and married an Outsider to spite her father and he left her to it. He never acknowledged me as his grandson and never allowed the rest of his family to meet me. I left home at sixteen with a promise to myself that I would never be like any of my family, and I was taken in by a family of my Kind who were good and decent enough to care about a young boy on his own. It was in their home that I learned values and morals and what the path of the male Witch was. With their love and support I finished high school, worked my way through University, and began my chosen career.
My first marriage failed but of that came the blessing of a son and then the
Fates blessed me with another opportunity to get things right. I have a beautiful wife and between us we have seven grown children; all of whom we are proud of, for the people they are. What I am saying to you is that it matters not what your station in life is. Success can be found if one is willing to work for it, keep things in perspective, and refuse to let life rule you rather than the other way around. You can, if you are willing, be the parent your child needs. You can protect that child to the best of your ability or you can fail that child.
I would encourage you to take a moment and look deeply into the eyes of each of your children then ask yourself what you see reflected back at you; a parent, or a shirker? Only you can answer that question and it is you who must live with the outcome of your efforts.
Blessed May You Be, Gregory.
I am Gregory and 'tis a pleasure to be here with you. I have followed this forum from its conception and though I had strong misgivings at first, I have come to believe that it is serving the better good of all. I am Warlock; a master of my Kind. I am a member of the Council of Alliances which serves the needs of all Kinds but our main function is the protection of mankind; most particularly those innocents who, for one reason or another, become targets of dangerous individuals outside their realm of knowledge. As the world grows and changes we find it necessary to utilize every means at our disposal to try and prevent such occurrences .
Today, modern technology is a blessing in that it affords any and all the ability to immediately access a wealth of knowledge, enjoy entertainment, do business, touch base with friends and family from afar, and so forth. But it also has its downside; a curse, if you will. The worldwide web is such that dangerous individuals have a plethora of means at their fingertips with which to lure to them and do harm to the unsuspecting and the naive. Among those dangerous individuals we have all been warned about are those of other Kinds, and they are whom I will address here this day.
If one believes in other Kinds it requires no stretch of the imagination to figure out that the use of man's technology is the easiest and most convenient way to get to whomever one wishes to. If one does not believe in other Kinds other than mortal criminals then one is at a decided risk, for non-believers are the easiest to prey upon. Add to that lack of belief the extraordinary intelligence of predators with extraordinary abilities and the scales are already weighted in those predators' favor. I urge all who visit here, believers and non-believers alike, to heed my warning.
While I work in the interest of all, I spend my efforts more for the protection of children and teenagers, for they are the innocents most at risk. Not a day passes that someone, somewhere, does not issue a warning to parents to look out for their children's safety by monitoring where they are, what they are doing, and whom they are with. And not a day passes without some child meeting an untimely death or being maimed, tortured, or drawn to the dark path of self-destruction; worse lured into a dangerous world from which they cannot escape.
It greatly grieves me that adults get so caught up in the business of life that they spend little or no time teaching children and teens about dangerous risks. It is not enough to tell them once or twice, and expect them to understand and comply. It is not acceptable to ignore the risks children face simply due to the fact that you do not want to think about frightening horrors that can befall your child. And it will never be enough when, for whatever reason you failed your child, you face the personal reckoning for the loss of the beautiful gift of that young life or mind. Parenting is a grave responsibility for which the task to protect your child cannot be foisted upon another person or an institution. I make no apology if I sound as though I am preaching. If that is what it takes...
No longer do certain predators depend solely upon their otherworldly abilities to stalk their prey, for like the rest of us they are all too eager to sit down to a computer and avail themselves of the technology that can hand them exactly what they want without wasting any effort. Too, it is an easier method of keeping in touch with their followers and directing their vile activities. It also lends itself to their secret activities and here is where they are light years ahead of mankind: they have the knowledge of decades, even centuries behind them; have ways of accessing newer technology before it even hits the market, and in some cases some are inventing the new technology. What all of that equates to is that the most brilliant hacker, or cyber cop, is not even in their league and thus cannot ferret out their location or identity. I would hope that would grab your attention.
There are both good and evil beings among Vampyres, Werewolves, Witches, Humans, and all other Kinds and the predators have the upper hand. While the Human predators represent familiar dangers, predators of other Kinds represent dangers that have long gone unapproached because the savagery and carnage they leave behind simply boggles the minds of those without knowledge of their sort. I cannot tell you how many crimes have been swept under the carpet, or pinned on the wrong individual, by law enforcement officials whose fear prevents them from facing the truth. While the source of their fear is understandable, how they deal with that fear is unacceptable.
There is available help to deal with crimes of that nature and it has been made known to the authorities but mortals prefer to turn a blind eye and continue to believe it is impossible for otherworldly beings, or worldly beings with extraordinary abilities, to exist. They exist and they walk among you and no amount of running from the truth is going to change that.
The Alliance does all it can do to prevent those predators preying upon mankind but the task is monumental when we are but a few in a vast world. We have Outsiders who work with us but we can hardly go public to recruit. Surely you can imagine how ludicrous that would be, for we would be inundated with offers from lunatics, hounded by the media, and branded as charlatans. Our families would come under attack and our lives threatened, not to mention that the very predators we hunt would prey upon us. It is a vicious circle without beginning or end. But hurdles can be overcome if parents begin parenting.
You see commercials on television that warn you to know where your child is, who they are with, and so on. Apply that to every aspect of your child's life; not just when it comes to substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. Know what they are doing on the computer, monitor the chat rooms they can get into, know what clubs they go to and what goes on there. It takes time and work but nothing is more important in this life than the safety of your children. Resurrect family life in your home, teach instead of preaching, listen instead of talking, offer information instead of ramming it down your child's throat.
Outsiders are not the only population with problems with their children. As Witches, we take those concerns very seriously with our own children. They are no different from yours when it comes to curiosity and rebellion but we, as parents, are different from many of you. We prize family life and togetherness. We are our children's first line of defense against all the unsavory business and the dangers that might befall them. We pray together, play together, and many is the time we cry together and, rarely, will you find Pagan practicioners of White Majic who are lax in caring for their children. We have the added benefit of being a tight-knit community where all the members look out for each other's offspring. Like you, many of us have careers but we never allow those to take precedent over our family life.
I am not intimating that we are perfect parents and 100% successful. There is no such thing as perfection but there is what is known as balance. We find that balance in many ways, some of those so simple. An example: If it requires that both parents work to provide what is not necessary; expensive toys, extra vehicles, the latest in stereo and video equipment, fancy boats, upscale homes, and the like then we forgo such extras in order for one parent to remain at home with the children. How outlandish and down right stupid is it when an adult states that without the latest, best quality things their child will suffer for being the only one without what their peers have? I have to say I have heard that one too often and it boggles my mind that such garbage is spouted. What it generally boils down to is that mom and dad need the prestige of providing an image much more than the child needs what is conferred upon him.
We find other avenues so that we do not have to abandon our children to day care, to being latch-key kids, or left to run the roads without supervision. Modern technology allows for some parents to work from home and there are many home-based businesses that can provide extra income. Problem is, many people are too lazy to put in the effort to start a business at home. Some use the excuse that money is not available to start their own business yet they think nothing of financing huge mortgages, two or three vehicles, boats, OTV's... You name it and they will buy it and then they complain and moan that both parents have to work just to make ends meet. How intelligent is that?
I am blessed with wealth but my children were never in possession of their own vehicle at a too early age, and certainly not one unsuited to them; a key so they could come and go as they please at any age, as long as they dwelled under my roof; or every latest, greatest toy that hit the market. They were not allowed to visit homes of friends without their mother or me having met the parents, and children were not allowed to come to our home if their parents made no effort to meet us. Our rules were simple and consistently applied so that our children knew they had to earn their own way; at home and outside the home. They were not handed a fist-full of money and if they dared to hold themselves above others simply because they had more and better things they were disciplined for such behavior. They did not bully others, though they were taught to defend themselves if there was no other recourse, and if they did mistreat another child they were reprimanded and their punishment suited the situation.
We have friends from every level of financial background and all are welcome in our home. 'Tis always been our stand that people are what recommend themselves and not what they have, or what their level of schooling is, or what neighborhood they live in. We do not feel the need to flaunt our wealth, or rub elbows only with the wealthy class. Wealth is merely a means and not a standard that rules our lives. Class is a distinction I abhor for its bearing upon how people are looked upon. The way I see it, the majority of the wealthy class have nothing more than money and finery to recommend them. That is not what life is about.
Before you judge me unable to understand your situation let me tell you that I was not born to wealth, nor did I achieve it because I was some whiz kid who got all the breaks. I was not born in poverty but of the middle class. I was an only child of an alcoholic, abusive father and a mother who walked out on me when I was a toddler and never looked back. My mother was a true Witch; the daughter of a Warlock who ruled his home and family with an iron fist. She ran away and married an Outsider to spite her father and he left her to it. He never acknowledged me as his grandson and never allowed the rest of his family to meet me. I left home at sixteen with a promise to myself that I would never be like any of my family, and I was taken in by a family of my Kind who were good and decent enough to care about a young boy on his own. It was in their home that I learned values and morals and what the path of the male Witch was. With their love and support I finished high school, worked my way through University, and began my chosen career.
My first marriage failed but of that came the blessing of a son and then the
Fates blessed me with another opportunity to get things right. I have a beautiful wife and between us we have seven grown children; all of whom we are proud of, for the people they are. What I am saying to you is that it matters not what your station in life is. Success can be found if one is willing to work for it, keep things in perspective, and refuse to let life rule you rather than the other way around. You can, if you are willing, be the parent your child needs. You can protect that child to the best of your ability or you can fail that child.
I would encourage you to take a moment and look deeply into the eyes of each of your children then ask yourself what you see reflected back at you; a parent, or a shirker? Only you can answer that question and it is you who must live with the outcome of your efforts.
Blessed May You Be, Gregory.
posted by Dreamteller at
5:26 AM
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