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We’ve all heard it: “Just trust in a higher power!” It’s the mantra of twelve-step programs, religious leaders, and anyone who thinks that a vague sense of divine intervention will magically solve your problems. But what if this whole idea of a “higher power” is just one big conspiracy theory, carefully crafted to keep us in line? Now, before you get your pitchforks and holy water, hear me out. Conspiracy theories are built on the idea that there’s a hidden force pulling the strings, controlling everything from behind the scenes. Sound familiar? A higher power is the ultimate puppet master,...

It was a moment born out of gratitude. I had been illustrating for a church, and in return for their kindness, I decided to give something back: a painting of Christ, rendered in oil, for their congregation and church hall. It was late one night, as I began the under-sketching, that something remarkable occurred. Jeff Buckley’s haunting rendition of Hallelujah played softly in the background, and as I focused on the task at hand, I briefly saw tears coming from Christ’s eyes. Here’s the strange part—I hadn’t drawn any tears. The vision felt real, though I know now it was...

Being raised Catholic, there were a lot of things we simply didn’t talk about, and sex? Yeah, that was pretty much a "don’t even think about it" topic. You might say I got more of an education about guilt than anything else. I remember this one bad experience with a church school teacher that left me feeling completely lost. Looking back now, I realize they were trying to explain something about sex, but at the time, I didn’t get it at all. There was no context, no explanation—just vague comments about sin and purity, which, if I’m being honest, did...

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), run by those who abuse their power, has become more concerned with censorship than with addressing the real issues their patients face. They seem obsessed with controlling speech, clothing, and self-expression, all under the guise of avoiding "triggers." But who are they really protecting? It’s the patients who "keep in line," the ones who conform to their system, while the rest of us are left out in the cold. NAMI tries to tell us that a beer ad or a rebellious music poster is somehow going to send us into a spiral. But...

“The case workers blamed me for not getting along, but it’s working in the crisis center with people who aren’t convicts.”This simple line speaks volumes about my experience with Telecare. A place meant to help has instead turned into a breeding ground for hostility and disrespect. When you're housed with convicts and meth addicts, but not getting along is somehow your fault—how does that make any sense? Telecare's handling of my situation has been disastrous. My art series, valued at over $100 per piece, was abandoned at Brenda’s room and board, likely never to be recovered. Along with several of...