what’s the appeal?

When youโ€™re a kid, everything you learn is black and white. Youโ€™ll learn the shades later. So the stories we grow up with, whether through storytelling, reading, or cartoons, are always pretty simple. You know who the good person is – because theyโ€™re explicitly called out as such – and whoโ€™s bad – because theyโ€™re deemed ugly and wear black.

And then a shift happened a few years back. The stories we grew up with were reimagined with a more forgiving approach to what you would call a villain.

I remember seeing Maleficent in the movies for the first time. It was a ladiesโ€™ night special offer, but I wonโ€™t pretend I didnโ€™t go there to enjoy the movie. A woman can enjoy an occasional fairy tale if she so pleases. Anyway, that movie was for me, the shift in how I saw villains. Or the first time I noticed the change in narrative so explicitly.

A villain is someone you mightโ€ฆ maybeโ€ฆ want to root for? Or at least, try to understand.

I didnโ€™t grow up with the Disney movies, but I was familiar with the general story of Sleeping Beauty. Actually, I remember reading these stories in their more original form, which were not so fairy-tale, child-friendly. But thatโ€™s the beauty of growing up in the Balkans.

Anyway, smudging the line between characters is a groundbreaking new step in telling these stories, and a natural continuation of our understanding of the world. You know, as we become older and the stories more serious.

But I had my personal story with a real-life villain. I spent years of my life trying to understand them, trying to find out what made them the way that they are. I was so sure – hand to fire – that people would never choose evil just because. There had to be something.

Sometimes, it really is just a choice. So, while I deeply enjoy reading about the villains and their backstories and reasoning, and seeing if there is a way to blur the line, Iโ€™d like to keep that enjoyment in the world of books.

In real life, you canโ€™t romanticize things, or add a sob story, or glaze over the ugly parts. The harm these โ€œvillainsโ€ do is real, deep, hurtful, and traumatizing. I donโ€™t even want to use the word โ€œvillainโ€ for fear it might trivialize the harm this person did/does. Most importantly, I donโ€™t want to give them space.

So, instead, letโ€™s enjoy this peaceful scenery and imagine that evil doesnโ€™t exist and canโ€™t hurt us.


A tranquil stream with clear water reflecting sunlight, surrounded by lush green grass and trees.
ลฝrnovnica
A black dog is drinking water from a serene, green-tinted lake, surrounded by trees and foliage.
Boni says hi!
A tranquil river scene with calm water reflecting trees and clear blue sky, surrounded by bare branches and green grass along the bank.


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A blog about books, thoughts and travel

27 thoughts on “what’s the appeal?

  1. POWERFUL THINGS TO SAY TO YOURSELF EVERY MORNING..
    โ€œI Will Remind My Soul Who I Am in Godโ€
    Key Scripture: Psalm 118:24 โ€” โ€œThis is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.โ€
    Every morning is a new opportunity to align your mind with God’s Word. Before the world tells you who you are, remind yourself who God says you are. Before fear speaks, let faith speak. Before yesterday’s failures define you, let God’s grace give you a fresh beginning.
    Your morning words matter because what you repeatedly speak can shape what you repeatedly believe. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue.

    1. โ€œI AM ALIVE, AND GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME.โ€
    I woke up because there is still purpose attached to my life.
    Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
    You may not have reached where you want to be, but you are not where you used to be. Don’t despise another morning. Your story is still being written.
    Say: โ€œGod is not finished with me. There is still purpose in my life.โ€

    2. โ€œI AM LOVED BY GOD.โ€
    Your worth is not determined by people’s acceptance, applause, rejection, or opinions.
    Romans 8:38โ€“39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
    People may misunderstand you, overlook you, or walk away from you, but God’s love remains.
    Say: โ€œI am deeply loved by God. My identity is rooted in Him.โ€

    3. โ€œI WILL NOT ALLOW FEAR TO CONTROL MY DAY.โ€
    Fear may knock on your mind in the morning, but you don’t have to invite it inside.
    2 Timothy 1:7 says God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
    You may have challenges today, but you don’t have to face them with a fearful heart.
    Say: โ€œI will walk in faith today. Fear will not dictate my decisions.โ€

    4. โ€œGOD WILL GIVE ME WISDOM FOR TODAY.โ€
    You don’t need to know everything about tomorrow to obey God today.
    James 1:5 says that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God.
    Before you enter conversations, decisions, business, ministry, relationships, or challenges, ask God for wisdom.
    Say: โ€œFather, give me wisdom today. Guide my thoughts, words, decisions, and steps.โ€

    5. โ€œI WILL NOT BE DEFINED BY MY PAST.โ€
    Yesterday may contain mistakes, disappointments, failures, and painful memories, but yesterday does not have the final word over your life.
    Isaiah 43:18โ€“19 tells us not to dwell on former things because God can do a new thing.
    Learn from your past, but don’t live there.
    Say: โ€œMy past is part of my story, but it is not the prison of my future. By God’s grace, I am moving forward.โ€

    6. โ€œI HAVE THE GRACE TO FACE TODAY.โ€
    You don’t have to manufacture strength that God has already promised to supply.
    2 Corinthians 12:9 says, โ€œMy grace is sufficient for thee.โ€
    There will be moments when you feel weak, but weakness does not mean God has abandoned you. His grace can sustain you where your own strength cannot.
    Say: โ€œGod’s grace is sufficient for me today. I have grace for this assignment.โ€

    7. โ€œI WILL GUARD MY MIND AND MY HEART.โ€
    Not every thought deserves your agreement.
    Romans 12:2 teaches us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
    If you wake up thinking, โ€œNothing will ever change,โ€ challenge that thought with God’s Word. If you think, โ€œI cannot,โ€ remember Philippians 4:13.
    Guard what enters your heart because your thoughts influence your actions.
    Say: โ€œI choose thoughts that agree with God’s truth. I will not feed fear, bitterness, or hopelessness.โ€

    8. โ€œI WILL DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO.โ€
    You were not created merely to exist. You were created with purpose.
    Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created for good works that He prepared beforehand.
    Don’t spend your entire life comparing your assignment with somebody else’s.
    Say: โ€œI will focus on my assignment. I will use what God has placed in my hands.โ€

    9. โ€œI WILL NOT GIVE UP BECAUSE OF DELAY.โ€
    Delay is not automatically denial.
    Joseph had a dream, but there was a process before the palace. David was anointed king, but he still had a wilderness journey. Abraham received a promise, but he had to wait.
    Galatians 6:9 says not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season we will reap if we do not give up.
    Say: โ€œI will remain faithful. I will keep building, praying, serving, believing, and moving forward.โ€

    10. โ€œTODAY, I CHOOSE FAITH, PURPOSE, AND OBEDIENCE.โ€
    You cannot control everything that will happen today, but you can choose how you respond.
    Joshua declared, โ€œAs for me and my house, we will serve the LORDโ€ (Joshua 24:15).
    Every morning, make a decision: Today I will walk with God. Today I will choose obedience. Today I will choose forgiveness. Today I will choose courage. Today I will choose purpose.

    MORNING DECLARATION.
    Father, thank You for giving me another day. I declare that I am alive by Your grace and that You are not finished with me. I am loved, chosen, and valuable in Your sight. I refuse to be controlled by fear. Give me wisdom for every decision I will make today. I refuse to be imprisoned by my past. Your grace is sufficient for me. Renew my mind and guard my heart. Help me walk faithfully in my assignment. Give me strength to keep going even when the process is difficult.
    Today, I choose faith over fear, purpose over distraction, obedience over compromise, and perseverance over quitting. I will not allow yesterday to steal today’s opportunity. I will not allow people’s opinions to determine my identity. I will walk in the grace of God, trust His timing, and do what He has placed in my hands.
    This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in it. I will walk in God’s wisdom. I will walk in God’s grace. I will walk in God’s purpose. I will keep moving forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

    Good morning dear friends and family ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™

    @Praise Maty Destiny

    Always remember to remain gold and stay blessed forever

    #followformore
    #JesusLovesYouAll POWERFUL THINGS TO SAY TO YOURSELF EVERY MORNING..
    โ€œI Will Remind My Soul Who I Am in Godโ€
    Key Scripture: Psalm 118:24 โ€” โ€œThis is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.โ€
    Every morning is a new opportunity to align your mind with God’s Word. Before the world tells you who you are, remind yourself who God says you are. Before fear speaks, let faith speak. Before yesterday’s failures define you, let God’s grace give you a fresh beginning.
    Your morning words matter because what you repeatedly speak can shape what you repeatedly believe. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue.

    1. โ€œI AM ALIVE, AND GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME.โ€
    I woke up because there is still purpose attached to my life.
    Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
    You may not have reached where you want to be, but you are not where you used to be. Don’t despise another morning. Your story is still being written.
    Say: โ€œGod is not finished with me. There is still purpose in my life.โ€

    2. โ€œI AM LOVED BY GOD.โ€
    Your worth is not determined by people’s acceptance, applause, rejection, or opinions.
    Romans 8:38โ€“39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
    People may misunderstand you, overlook you, or walk away from you, but God’s love remains.
    Say: โ€œI am deeply loved by God. My identity is rooted in Him.โ€

    3. โ€œI WILL NOT ALLOW FEAR TO CONTROL MY DAY.โ€
    Fear may knock on your mind in the morning, but you don’t have to invite it inside.
    2 Timothy 1:7 says God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
    You may have challenges today, but you don’t have to face them with a fearful heart.
    Say: โ€œI will walk in faith today. Fear will not dictate my decisions.โ€

    4. โ€œGOD WILL GIVE ME WISDOM FOR TODAY.โ€
    You don’t need to know everything about tomorrow to obey God today.
    James 1:5 says that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God.
    Before you enter conversations, decisions, business, ministry, relationships, or challenges, ask God for wisdom.
    Say: โ€œFather, give me wisdom today. Guide my thoughts, words, decisions, and steps.โ€

    5. โ€œI WILL NOT BE DEFINED BY MY PAST.โ€
    Yesterday may contain mistakes, disappointments, failures, and painful memories, but yesterday does not have the final word over your life.
    Isaiah 43:18โ€“19 tells us not to dwell on former things because God can do a new thing.
    Learn from your past, but don’t live there.
    Say: โ€œMy past is part of my story, but it is not the prison of my future. By God’s grace, I am moving forward.โ€

    6. โ€œI HAVE THE GRACE TO FACE TODAY.โ€
    You don’t have to manufacture strength that God has already promised to supply.
    2 Corinthians 12:9 says, โ€œMy grace is sufficient for thee.โ€
    There will be moments when you feel weak, but weakness does not mean God has abandoned you. His grace can sustain you where your own strength cannot.
    Say: โ€œGod’s grace is sufficient for me today. I have grace for this assignment.โ€

    7. โ€œI WILL GUARD MY MIND AND MY HEART.โ€
    Not every thought deserves your agreement.
    Romans 12:2 teaches us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
    If you wake up thinking, โ€œNothing will ever change,โ€ challenge that thought with God’s Word. If you think, โ€œI cannot,โ€ remember Philippians 4:13.
    Guard what enters your heart because your thoughts influence your actions.
    Say: โ€œI choose thoughts that agree with God’s truth. I will not feed fear, bitterness, or hopelessness.โ€

    8. โ€œI WILL DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO.โ€
    You were not created merely to exist. You were created with purpose.
    Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created for good works that He prepared beforehand.
    Don’t spend your entire life comparing your assignment with somebody else’s.
    Say: โ€œI will focus on my assignment. I will use what God has placed in my hands.โ€

    9. โ€œI WILL NOT GIVE UP BECAUSE OF DELAY.โ€
    Delay is not automatically denial.
    Joseph had a dream, but there was a process before the palace. David was anointed king, but he still had a wilderness journey. Abraham received a promise, but he had to wait.
    Galatians 6:9 says not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season we will reap if we do not give up.
    Say: โ€œI will remain faithful. I will keep building, praying, serving, believing, and moving forward.โ€

    10. โ€œTODAY, I CHOOSE FAITH, PURPOSE, AND OBEDIENCE.โ€
    You cannot control everything that will happen today, but you can choose how you respond.
    Joshua declared, โ€œAs for me and my house, we will serve the LORDโ€ (Joshua 24:15).
    Every morning, make a decision: Today I will walk with God. Today I will choose obedience. Today I will choose forgiveness. Today I will choose courage. Today I will choose purpose.

    MORNING DECLARATION.
    Father, thank You for giving me another day. I declare that I am alive by Your grace and that You are not finished with me. I am loved, chosen, and valuable in Your sight. I refuse to be controlled by fear. Give me wisdom for every decision I will make today. I refuse to be imprisoned by my past. Your grace is sufficient for me. Renew my mind and guard my heart. Help me walk faithfully in my assignment. Give me strength to keep going even when the process is difficult.
    Today, I choose faith over fear, purpose over distraction, obedience over compromise, and perseverance over quitting. I will not allow yesterday to steal today’s opportunity. I will not allow people’s opinions to determine my identity. I will walk in the grace of God, trust His timing, and do what He has placed in my hands.
    This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in it. I will walk in God’s wisdom. I will walk in God’s grace. I will walk in God’s purpose. I will keep moving forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

    Good morning dear friends and family

    @Praise Maty Destiny

    Always remember to remain gold and stay blessed forever

    #followformore
    #JesusLovesYouAll
    #WalkingInPurpose
    #DaughterOfTheMostHighGod
    #princesmatyyheworshipper
    #WalkingInPurpose
    #DaughterOfTheMostHighGod
    #princesmatyyheworshipperhttps://www.facebook.com/Ogechination

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Beautifully and thoughtfully expressed. ๐Ÿค I love the distinction you make between understanding a villain in fiction and excusing real-life harm. Some stories are worth exploring, but some real-life doors are better left firmly closed. ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿฆ‹โœจ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! ๐Ÿ’™ While we can enjoy a good story with everything it entails, we can’t lose our compass and diminish the real-life circumstances that are always more complex than a story with its limited format. โœจ

      Like

    1. No, he’s actually scared of water ๐Ÿ˜… and also, this water is VERY cold. He had zoomies, and ran all over the primroses that grow there ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…
      Thank you! It’s a very peaceful place, we love to go there.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. So, pretty much – twins ๐Ÿ˜… We’re very blessed to have this clean (drinkable, too) river running through my village! Thank god!
        Zoomies is like for cats or dogs when they start running really fast, like a sudden burst of energy, and it’s really funny and cute ๐Ÿ˜„

        Liked by 1 person

      2. What drinkable river? Amazing! We have some drinkable streams here only in the mountains where the water first came out.

        Ah, got it. Blacky and whitey always do running excitedly when we are having our walks. Do you have a cat?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yeah, I mean, the water from that river (that spans further than just my village) is used in the household water systems. My country is really rich with freshwater resources, being such a small country especially.
        Yep, that’s the zoomies! ๐Ÿ˜† I don’t! But I sooo want one!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. That’s awesome. Ours is used for the irrigation system for ricefields.

        My friend just got a cat from the streets who followed her. He’s super cute and white. Maybe you could have one like that. Saving one life.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. That’s cool! Different terrains demand different things.
        That’s cat distribution system ๐Ÿ˜… I’ve done that so many times, finding kittens around my house ๐Ÿ˜„ now I only have my neighbor’s cat around ๐Ÿ˜

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Yeah..my neighbors decided to leave their house in the village here and left their cat. He is roaming in my sister’s house to which I sneak to helo him fed secretly coz my second eldest sister doesn’t like cats. She’s angry when she sees him, shooing

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Oh, that’s so sad and it happens so often. Luckily he has you now ๐Ÿ˜Š Why doesn’t she like them? They’re so cute

        Like

  3. Such a powerful and grounding distinction! ๐Ÿค Exploring villain backstories in books is fascinating, but you’re so right that real-life harm shouldn’t be romanticized or trivialized with ‘sob stories.’ Keeping those doors firmly closed to protect your peace is so important!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Thoughtful answer, and one I sincerely relate to. The empathetic will exhaust themselves to understand and come to terms, looking for hidden aspects of personality and/or reasons for damaging behaviors. We do the due diligence, but then must let that go in order to live fully.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m sorry you relate! It’s hard and exhausting. We’ll pull our last strength to try to make sense of things, and make excuses for people, but it gets to a point where you just can’t keep going like that.

      Like

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