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Miss New York Has Gone TikTok Viral by Helping People Cope With Loss As "Heaven's Receptionist" and It's Beautiful (and Funny)
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Miss New York Has Gone TikTok Viral by Helping People Cope With Loss As "Heaven's Receptionist" and It's Beautiful (and Funny)

Humor is often a powerful way to navigate difficult truths. One popular beauty pageant winner has taken a unique approach to social media to help people cope with one of the most difficult parts of the human experience -- death. In 2022, Taryn Delanie Smith was crowned Miss New York. But these days she is recognized around her native city for a different reason. Since then, she began posting sketches on TikTok where she plays a receptionist for heaven, whimsical videos such as the one below in which the character asks people what they would like their 'ghost outfit' to be."Heaven's Receptionist": The Genuine Videos That Are Taking Over TikTok The videos were a massive hit, and people immediately wanted more. She used these comments to continue posting the receptionist character, playing off people's thoughts. Soon, however, the comments took a different turn. One user left the note: " I don't know what made me bust out crying but your videos are perfect. I wish I could see you do one greeting my mom." This random comment prompted a new direction for Taryn's character, much to the joy of many of her TikTok fans. In the first of these videos (shared above), Taryn still nails the subtle mannerisms of a classic New York receptionist, only this time welcomes the commenter's mother-- "Gerry"-- to heaven. The genius of these short videos lies in Taryn's ability to mix believable observational comedy with empathy. While in character as a gum-chewing receptionist, she adds lines such as "you are so loved, I am already getting prayer mail for you"-- referring to the fan's deceased mother. She knows precisely who her audience is, and produces her content with subtlety, and high emotional intelligence. Unsurprisingly, her fan base is incredibly moved by these personalized videos, and rapidly growing as a result. She now takes requests for deceased loved ones, tailoring "heaven greetings" for them by adding unique details such as nicknames.For example, in a more recent clip shared below, Taryn received email correspondence from a fan about the deceased loved one in question, admitting that "it took me a while to record this one without getting teary." In the video, Taryn deftly navigates her fan's grief with wit and genuine compassion. Keenly aware of the gravity of her content, she brings viewers into the fantasy of her character, acknowledging the whimsy while weaving moments of genuine, and emotionally intense, consolation. Not everyone could make such impactful content. On an app where new stars seem to be minted every day, Taryn is carving out a space few could. She strikes an impressive balance between playfulness and seriousness, knowing just when to switch gears while remaining thoughtful. For viewers, the clips offer some serious healing. Imagination is a powerful tool, often used for therapeutic work, and in this case as an avenue for closure. The humor Taryn employs is also crucial in creating the space for imagination, creating a comfortable space to deal with such an overwhelming, and abstract, concept as death. Humans have long used tools such as myth, and storytelling to process the unknown, and in this way, Taryn's content is part of a serious lineage. While many might dismiss content on social media as 'empty calories' or a problem for younger generations, her videos make the case for these platforms' capacity to bring us closer together. Look no further than the comment section to see how her videos resonate. “This just made me cry sitting in my car in a drive-thru. That was so sweet of you to make this video,” one person commented.“This is a moment of genuine humanity. The love you’ve shown to someone I assume you have never known and take the time to help a soul heal. Beautiful,” added another.Hopefully, Taryn continues to find innovative ways to offer emotional support, as she clearly has a gift for it!Be sure to check out more of "heaven's receptionist" on her TikTok, right here.

Smarty Pants: 28 Fun, Interesting, and Random Facts About Everything
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Smarty Pants: 28 Fun, Interesting, and Random Facts About Everything

Why do human beings love trivia so much? According to experts, trivia can literally make us feel good. “Playing trivia games can provide a dopamine rush much like gambling, without the negative effects, says Healthline writer Lori Roniger, adding: “It can be quite satisfying and doesn't have many downsides. That's how psychologists describe the mental health benefits of trivia.”RELATED: 5 Interesting Facts Everyone Should Know – These Can Lead to Great ConversationsThere’s also a degree of social capital involved in knowing lots of fun facts.When you have a lot of interesting facts ready for quick recall, it can make for more interesting conversations that can make you more enjoyable to be around, and not just on trivia night, but on any day of the week. And then there is the fun of it all. Fun facts are just a pleasure to learn and share and heck, you might even learn a thing or two.From facts about animals to famous people to planet earth and beyond, we’ve got you covered with these 28 random facts that will fill your brain with interest. And dopamine.Fun Facts About Human Beings and Other AnimalsLet’s start off with fun facts about the human body and the bodies of our animal friends, because biology is pretty amazing. (And sometimes gross.)The Skin of Polar Bears Is BlackUnsplash/Hans Jurgen MagerSure, we think of these giant, fierce mammals as being all white save for those eyes and noses, but under their fur, these bears have dark black skin.Blue Whales Can Communicate with Each Other Across Hundreds of MilesUnsplash/Venti ViewsA blue whale’s “song” can be as loud as 188 decibels — louder than a jet engine — and can travel for hundreds of miles through the water.Sea Lions Can Go Deeper Than Any Scuba DiverUnsplash/Maura MikhailSea lions can dive down to depths of 450 feet, which is more than a hundred feet deeper than even the best-trained divers are supposed to reach.You Have More Bones in Your Hands and Feet Than in the Rest of Your BodyUnsplash/Owen BeardThe bones in your hands and feet add up to 106 bones in total, which means more than half of the bones in the entire adult skeletal system are in these extremities.Your Taste Buds Are “Refreshed” WeeklyUnsplash/Nicole ElliottHumans have an average of 4,000 taste buds on their tongues, and the receptor cells on taste buds are replaced about every seven to 10 days.The Elephant Is the Only Mammal That Cannot JumpUnsplash/Nam AnhThey can run pretty fast at 25 MPH, they can perform deft feats with their trunks, and of course, they never forget, but elephants cannot jump — at least one foot always remains on the ground.The Female Human Nose Is More Powerful Than a Male’sUnsplash/Engin AkyurtThe part of the brain that processes smell is, on average, 50% larger in women than it is in men.The Only Animal That Does Not Require Oxygen Is a Fish ParasiteUnsplash/Karyna PanchenkoAn eight-millimeter parasite called the Henneguya salminicola that infects certain types of salmon is the only known creature that requires no oxygen to live.A Shrimp's Heart Is in Its HeadUnsplash/Elle HughesThe heart of the shrimp is located in the head, evidently having evolved to be located as such due to the thickness of the protective exoskeleton around that body part.An Ostrich's Eye Is Bigger Than Its BrainUnsplash/Simon InfangerThe ostrich eye, which is five times large than a human eyeball, is larger than its brain, which is in fact considered underdeveloped.The Average Person Spends About 122 Days Asleep Each YearUnsplash/ShaneAssuming you get an average of eight hours of sleep each night, that’s 2,920 hours in a year, which is just under 122 days.Interesting Facts About Our WorldOur planet is a pretty amazing place, especially with all the amazing things we have built on certain parts of it through the ages.The Tallest Building on Earth is the Burj KhalifaUnsplash/Kuriakose JohnThere Have Been Over 130 Pyramids Found in Ancient EgyptBuilt in Dubai between 2004 and 2010, this true skyscraper is an astonishing 2,717 feet high, meaning it is just over half a mile in height.Unsplash/Osama ElsayedWe may think only of the impressive trio of pyramids at Giza, but in fact, at least 130 Egyptian pyramids are known, surely representing but a fraction of the totalThe Pacific Ocean Covers an Area of More Than 63 Million Square MilesUnsplash/Thomas VimareThe entire surface of the planet is about 197 million square miles, and the Pacific is responsible for the largest amount of that coverage by a large margin.The Eiffel Tower Was Supposed to Be Built in BarcelonaUnsplash/Denys NevozhaiThe eponymous designer of the famed Parisian landmark, Gustave Eiffel, first proposed building his tower in Barcelona, but the city rejected it as a likely eyesore.Those Iconic Stone Heads Have BodiesUnsplash/Thomas GriggsThe otherworldly dark stone heads for which Easter Island is famous are in fact perched atop huge bodies that have simply been covered up with soil over the years.The Empire State Building Was Erected in Less Than Two YearsUnsplash/Kit SumanIn fact, this iconic skyscraper, which was finished in 1931 and was the world’s tallest building until 1971, took just 20 months to build.Saint Lucia Is the Only Country in the World Named After a WomanUnsplash/Omar Eagle ClarkeThere are plenty of nations named after men, but at present only Saint Lucia is named for a woman, namely Saint Lucy of Syracuse.Delaware Is the Only US State Without Commercial Air ServiceUnsplash/Ivan ShimkoIf you want to visit the First State, you’ll need to drive, bike, walk, or hop on a train, because no commercial airlines fly there at present.There Are Now More Than Eight Billion People AliveUnsplash/Aleksandr PopovThe population of living humans is estimated to have surpassed eight billion in the closing weeks of the year 2022.Totally Random Facts Just for KicksSometimes, you just want a lot of fun trivia, categorization is not necessary. Let’s close out with these fun facts.One Man Has Set More Than 600 World RecordsUnsplash/Giorgio TrovatoThe record of all records. Ashrita Furman has set more than 600 official Guinness Records, thus holding the Guinness world record for the most Guinness world records.George Washington Was the Only President Not to Live in the White HouseUnsplash/Library of CongressThe executive mansion was not completed until near the end of Washington’s second term, thus he lived at his manor to the south, Mount Vernon.Twice as Many Civilians Died During World War II Than SoldiersUnsplash/Free Walking Tour SalzburgHardly a fun fact, but a real one — of the estimated 60 million deaths caused by the war, the majority of those who died were not combatants.The First Person to Have Reached 120 Years of Age Was Jeanna CalmentUnsplash/Danie FrancoShe lived from 1875 until 1997, reaching 122 years of age and she may well be the oldest person to have ever lived.There Is Only One Letter That Does Not Appear in Any State NameAnd that letter is Q. Even J and X and other more obscure letters are used.Unsplash/Mackenzie CruzOnly One Person Has Earned Two Unshared Nobel Prizes in Different CategoriesUnsplash/Anastacia DviLinus Pauling earned a Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1954 and then earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.It Is Physically Impossible to Lick Your Own ElbowUnsplash/Lucaxx FreireOK, actually some people can do it, but we hope it was worth a laugh either way if you just tried.

24 Relatable Relationship Memes to Make You Fall In Love (Again) With Your Significant Other
Motivation

24 Relatable Relationship Memes to Make You Fall In Love (Again) With Your Significant Other

Romantic relationships are one of the greatest joys a person can experience in life. Having someone you love and who truly loves you back unconditionally is a gift, and a feeling that is hard to even put into words. RELATED: 22 Utterly Wholesome Memes to Restore Your Faith in HumanityEven if you're flying solo right now, these dating and marriage memes will still feel relatable and/or give you inspiration. Save them on your phone to send to your crush -- you never know what might happen! Of course, all relationships require work and can be very hard at times, especially if both people aren't sharing the load, but when you find that special person who loves you for you, something truly magical happens.The Others Don't Matter If You've Already Found 'The One'via BoredPandaSome Things Stay Special - No Matter How Often They Happenvia eBaum's WorldArguments Are Temporary - Love and Respect Are Forevervia KnowYourMemeFind Someone Who Cheers You on - No Matter Whatvia ImgurThe Best Feeling in the World Is Knowing How Loved You Arevia BoredPandaSharing Your Partner's Interests Can Help You Bond via MemeBaseWords on the Screen Can Fill Your Hearth with Warm and Joyvia BuzzfeedA Meme for Your Girlfriend on National Pi Day (3/14)via InstagramAbsence Makes the Heart Grow Strongervia BoredPandaSometimes You Gotta Let Them Know... Hands off!via RedditBeauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder and You Look Like a Snackvia @sgtjuju776A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words...via CheezcakeThe Evolution of a Relationship in One Honest Memevia BuzzfeedWhen You Find a Best Friend and Partner Who Just... Gets Youvia /r/WholesomememesCompromise Is Key to Making a Relationship Workvia MissamysantiagoKnowing Your Partner Cares Is All the Help You Needvia FandomSpotRemember the Importance of Your Relationship Origin Story via boredpandaThere are Moments In Life Where All You Need Is Your Partnervia PinterestNever Forget, They Chose You for a Reasonvia MematicThe Perfect Date Night Can Be a Bed, a Cuddle and a Showvia FunnyJunkLong Distance Relationships Can Be Tough - But Specialvia BoredPandaKeeping the Humor in a Relationship Keeps It Funvia ParksAndRecMemesActions Speak Louder Than Words in Relationshipsvia UpworthyThe Strongest Relationships Survive Despite Divisionsvia SomeEcardsKEEP READING:14 Celebrity Encounters That Will Change the Way You See Your Favorite Stars

The Sexy and Twisted Story of the Color Puce
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The Sexy and Twisted Story of the Color Puce

This is the story of a color named for fleas. That’s right, parasitic, blood-sucking fleas. See, puce is the French word for flea. Literally. In English, however, the color puce is as difficult to describe as it is to understand its origin. We’ll cover both before we’re done.RELATED: Aura Colors & Their Meanings: A Comprehensive GuidePuce, which rhymes with “goose," is essentially a shade of purple, or dark red, tinted with brown. (If you want to be technical, its hex code is #CC8899; its HTML color code is #7F5A58.) Yes, it’s a lovely… purplish-brown. At least most of the time. Depending upon where you're from, you may use "puce" to describe a color akin to pea soup. We're not talking about that color, though. We definitely mean the purple-brown one.OK, so maybe puce isn’t one of the aura colors. Maybe it’s not a great choice for entryway wallpaper, nor is it a favorite crayon shade. But briefly, about 250 years ago, it was wildly popular.Let’s talk about the history of the color first, before discussing its actual, well, color, as it’s a fascinating (and slightly disconcerting) history indeed.How Puce Became the High-Society 'It' Color of 1775Today, when a celebrity pops up wearing this or that pair of jeans, a specific brand of sunglasses, or a chic dress, it’s a sure bet that sales will get a bump. Two and a half centuries ago, in French high society, the leading “celebrities” of the day were royalty. And no one was a bigger influencer, so to speak, than the young queen, the ill-fated Marie Antoinette.RELATED: The Simpsons’ Popularity In China And Egypt Is A Shockingly Deep Lesson In Global UnityKnown for her outlandish hairstyles, huge, multi-layered dresses, lavish jewelry, and her grandiose sense of self, Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, could and did set the fashion world of her day into a frenzy. Such it was with the color puce.Blame Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI for the Puce Color and NameAccording to The Awl, one day in early-summer 1775, the young queen donned a new dress made for her in a decidedly unusual color; indeed it was a color so new it didn’t even have a name. The name would come care of King Louis himself, who, upon seeing his fashion-forward wife in her new gown, exclaimed: “C’est puce!” So, Louis effectively said ... “Looks like a flea!”Now, if you have the stomach for it, go ahead and do an image search of a flea. Look specifically at the belly of one of the little parasites engorged from a meal. That meal, of course, will have been a mammal’s blood, and thus the belly will be a purplish-brown hue owing to the blood showing through the small flightless insect’s body. That unique hue is what Louis XVI referenced. (Flea-human interactions were much more common in the 18th century, even for royalty.)For the record, the king wasn't trying to insult his wife. In fact, calling someone “mapuce,” or “my flea” is a term of endearment in French. It's rather like calling someone a “honey bee” or “love bug” in English. And far from denigrating her new dress, the king praised it. Soon, court nobles had caught sight of the new shade, and within a matter of weeks the color puce had become one of the most popular shades in France. (Well, anywhere people had money to buy brand-new dyed clothing, at least.)Why Puce Was So Popular in the Summer of 1775Puce may have gotten its start because of Marie Antoinette (and her husband), but its popularityamong ladies in French society goes beyond that. It’s also explained by the fact that, in its “purest” form, puce is a dark, rich color. That meant it hid stains well. Thus, puce clothing required less-frequent laundering, looked newer and fresher longer, and would need replacing less often thangarments in other colors.Puce Fell Out of Fashion, But Not Out of CultureAnd while puce was initially associated with the highest order of royalty, it was, in fact, a less-expensive color to produce than many other shades, which was also welcome news to women oflesser means.Despite how popular puce became that summer of 1775, it also lost popularity as fast asparachute pants in the 1990s. By the autumn of 1775, it was out of style. But, as it happened, puce would never be gone from the collective vocabulary, the color now having been born.So, What Color Is Puce, Anyway?If you’re willing, go ahead and find an image of an engorged flea, because that brownish-purple color you’ll see in its belly really is a perfect shade of puce. Overall, it’s difficult to nail down this color, because people tend to play pretty loose with it.RELATED: Awaken the Fire Within: 5 Ways to Connect to Your Spiritual FlameOne brand may display a color much closer to pink and call it puce. Another will lean decidedly more purple. Some will have a more grayish undertone, be it pinkish or purplish, while others will have a browner coloration along with the purple. Or pink.We can never know for certain what Marie Antoinette’s dress looked like that summer of 1775given that color photography was still about 90 years away. But it’s safe to assume it was indeed a mix of purple and brown.What we do know is that, even in 1775, there was more than one shade going aroundcalled puce,. There was a deep, rich “ventre de puce” namedfor a flea’s sanguine belly. There was “cuisse de puce,” or flea thigh, which was more towardbrown. And there was “vielle puce,” or old flea, which referred to a slightly more faded puce.Now, flea belly, flea thigh and old flea may hardly seem strong selling points today, but theyworked 250 years ago, if only for a few months.KEEP READING:Is Google Sentient, Do Chatbots Have Souls – And Why Does Any of This Matter?

22 Utterly Wholesome Memes to Restore Your Faith in Humanity
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22 Utterly Wholesome Memes to Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Our world is a truly amazing place filled with all kinds of caring, compassionate, and inspiring people. Sometimes, however, the constant cycle of doom, gloom, tragedy and despair can make even the happiest of people lose their positive perspective and love for their fellow human beings. After all, it's not good for any of us to be constantly exposed to negativity, and we could all use a nice break from the normal chaos of life.To help you escape the darkness of the world, we wanted to bring you some positive stories and wholesome memes. So, we rounded up an extra large serving of positivity and feel-good stories to add some light to your day and remind you there is still good in the world.Doggo Meets the Newest Family Member and It's 100% Adorablevia imgurA Father-of-the-Bride Who Passed Away But Still Made His Daughter's Weddingvia ebaumsworldThe Happiest, Cutest Little Lamb - Just BecauseA Teacher Goes the Extra Mile for a Single-Mom Student in NeedRescued Elephants in India Get Snazzy Outfits from Local Villagersvia cheezburgerMike Tyson Gets 'Knocked Out' by a Little Mac CosplayerA Sweet Gift from a Former Middle Schooler to a Caring Stepdad via imgurHappy Rescue Dogs Who Love to Save Lives and Show It11-Year-Old Saves His Friend's Life and Proves Heroes Come in All Sizesvia GoodNewsDogHubby Fills a Treasure Chest with Love Notes for His Wife on Valentine's Dayvia eBaumsWorldHow an Unsung Hero Continues to Save Sea Turtlesvia Found36Homer Simpson's Message about Maggie Will Inspire All Dadsvia The SimpsonsSometimes a Small Gesture Can Mean Absolutely EverythingHenry Cavill Proves He's a Superman IRLHow a Tragic Motorcycle Accident Proved One Thing: Forgiveness is HealingBob Ross Was a Light in the Darkness for Many of UsHow a Disabled Man Became the Definition of Selflessnessvia SWNSWords of Wisdom to Make Your Relationship LastA Thankful Husband Expresses Gratitude with a Heartfelt Signvia boredpandaThere is Nothing Quite Like an "I Love You" From Your KidWise Words from a Tibetan Proverb that Still Resonate Todayvia Lessons Learned in LifeWhy Stan Lee, Mister Rogers, and Others Are Still Our Heroesvia Jacob OdomKEEP READING:Motivational Memes: Know Your Memes and Get Inspired, Too

All Night Long: Is Tantric Sex Right for You?
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All Night Long: Is Tantric Sex Right for You?

No matter how good your sex life is, you might wonder if it can get even better. The answer to that question is likely yes—and tantric sex can help you get there. This ancient spiritual and sexual practice is all about sensuality, intimacy, physical connection and awareness, and a deepening of pleasure. Even if you regularly have enjoyable sex, there are invariably ways to heighten pleasure, new things to discover, and levels of connection with yourself and your partner that you never dreamed of. This is the goal of practicing tantric sex. But is it for real? And can anyone do it?The good news is that the promise of tantric sex is accessible and available to all who wish to explore it—and that includes you. Trying tantric sex can sound intimidating, but once you try it, you’ll likely be hooked. Even better, tantric sex techniques can be practiced alone and with a partner. So, if you’re single or your significant other isn’t excited about pursuing tantric sexuality or you just want to explore a bit before sharing tantric sex with your special someone, you can try this sexual practice on your own. RELATED: These First Date Tips Will Pretty Much Guarantee a Second DateSo, don’t wait to practice tantric sex. In this comprehensive guide, learn what tantric sex is, what it is not, how to practice it, and tips for beginners. Then, have fun practicing the exciting, fulfilling spiritual and sensual art.Sex is a journey. It’s about the destination, sure, but also the adventure along the way that gets you there. Essentially, orgasms and straight-up sexual intercourse are great, obviously, but there is so much more to discover. This is where tantric sex comes in.What is Tantric Sex? (Getty)Tantric sex, which is also called spiritual yoga, is an ancient Eastern spiritual practice with roots in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Instructions for this sensual art were recorded in sacred texts known as the Tantras as far back as the sixth century. Tantric sex books are famous for including drawings of a seemingly limitless array of sexual positions, but this approach to sexual intimacy is about so much more.RELATED: 7 Dating Tips for IntrovertsTantra literally means woven together. And the true emphasis is just that—achieving heightened sexual pleasure and intimacy with your partner. Devotees of tantric sex often enjoy hours of enhanced sensuality, but also deepen their physical and spiritual awareness and relationship at the same time.There is also the practice of solo tantric sex, a way to become more intimate with your own body, in a way that allows you to better translate a healthy sensual relationship to intimate moments with a partner.Myths About Tantric Sex(Getty)It’s helpful to dispel some myths about tantric sex. First off, tantric sex is not just about having amazing orgasms, although you very likely will. Instead, many tantric traditions promote slowing down, getting in the moment, and fully experiencing the sensual and spiritual dynamic of each tantric sex session. In fact, orgasms aren’t the goal, just a potential by-product of spiritual yoga. Often people aim to go to the edge of orgasm and then back off in order to prolong sex and continue enjoying the experience.RELATED: 25+ Fun Date Ideas for Every RelationshipAnother myth about tantric sexuality is that you need to be a super flexible or athletic yogi or spiritual guru in order to engage in this erotic practice. Not true. All bodies, all minds, and all couples can explore tantric sex. Sure, some super bendy, toned bodies can get into complex or physically challenging tantric sex poses that most of us can’t even imagine attempting, but acrobatics and lasting all night aren’t essential—or even necessarily desired.The Benefits of Enjoying Tantric Sex With Your Partner(Getty)While the wow of the sexual part of a tantric sex practice is what gets most of the attention and allure, spiritual yoga is about so much more. Tantric techniques help you harness your sexual chemistry and develop a deeper connection to your partner and to yourself. This practice helps you use your sexual energy to explore pleasure as well as intimacy, sensuality, your bodies (yours and your partner’s), and your spirituality.RELATED: 100+ Questions to Ask a Girl You Have a Crush OnEssentially, enjoying tantric sex with your partner helps bring you closer as a couple as it improves your sex life—and it teaches you about yourself and each other, too. You can both discover more about your true desires, your physical bodies, your hearts, and your spirits. You’ll enhance your physical control and ability to experience (and surrender) to your feelings as you explore the depths, edges, limits, power, and beauty of your bodies, hearts, minds, and orgasms. Sounds amazing, right? Here’s how to get started.How to Start Exploring Tantric Sexuality With Exercises(Getty)Like yoga, tantric sex is a practice that you can access whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. And you can continually learn from and deepen your experience and ability. There is always more to discover, a greater connection to find with yourself and your partner, and heightened levels of intimacy, spiritual awareness, and pleasure to achieve.So, grab your partner’s hand (or your own) and begin exploring tantric sex. A new chapter in your erotic and spiritual life starts now. While tantric sex can be experienced in many different ways, if you’re a beginner it’s ideal to start with the basics. As you develop your practice, it may lead you to more complex tantric sex exercises, poses, and techniques.Set the Environment for PresenceTo begin, you’ll want to choose a private, comfortable space where you and your partner feel safe, relaxed, and uninhibited. You may want to set the tone with soft lighting and romantic music (but ideally something that won’t be distracting). Be sure to set aside an hour or more as tantric sex is intended to be a slow, meditative unfolding. You don’t want to feel rushed. Now, it’s time to begin exploring. There are a number of ways to enter into tantric sexuality, but the keys are going slow, following what feels good, focusing on sensation and your partner, and letting go of preconceptions or any kind of agenda or end result. Your job is simply to feel and connect, to give and receive. And move your bodies in ways (and positions) that feel good.RELATED: How to Flirt With A Girl: Impress Without Being CreepyYou can begin clothed or naked. Tune into your breath and that of your partner. There’s no right or wrong way to touch but aim to disrupt your normal sex routine by trying something different, something less hurried, less geared toward orgasm or sexual intercourse. Instead, try sitting opposite each other and simply looking in your partner’s eyes. Then, slowly begin to touch each other’s bodies. Or give each other massages or pick body parts to focus on and touch each other simultaneously—or take turns. Sit on each other’s laps or get into any other position that allows you to experiment with touch, motion, breath, and connection.Let Go of JudgementsTantric sex is meditative, which essentially means to be in the present moment. So, banish thoughts of what you’ll be doing later or worries you have about this or that. Banish any judgment of what you like or don’t or how your body looks or feels. Instead, think about what your body wants and feels. Notice how different touches make you feel and be responsive to your partner's reactions, too.Go SlowExperiment with using synchronized breathing as you look at each other and/or touch each other’s bodies. Use a variety of touches, such as long, slow strokes, gentle taps, squeezes, or holds, varying the pressure, speed, and motions you use. Aim to start away from the sex organs. Touch the whole body before slowly making your way to the genital areas. You can incorporate kissing, oral sex, and/or sexual intercourse whenever you like. However, again, keep things moving slowly with a focus on being mindful and present, which can heighten your pleasure and connection to your partner. Aim to continue eye contact and rhythmic breathing as much as possible. Your session ends when you both feel ready to stop, which might be after 30 minutes or after a few hours. It’s all up to you and what feels right.Have a Wind-Down RoutineThe cliche of sex being over, and both people immediately switching on the next thing (or smoking a cigarette) is an indication of the transactional nature of conventional, friction-based sex. However, tantric sex is all about deep connection, and sensuality. That's why it's crucial to not jump straight from the experience, into the next thing. Instead, create a wind-down routine with your partner.How that looks will be up to you; maybe you'll cuddle for a while in bed, slowly caressing each other with tantric massage, or maintaining eye contact. Maybe you'll have plans to cook a meal together, and watch one of your favorite shows. What matters more than the what is the how — the key is maintaining intimacy and connection outside of the bedroom.Tips for BeginnersIt can help to talk with your tantric sex partner ahead of time about what you’d like to explore together. Discuss your acceptance of each other's bodies and desires, as well as the assurance that saying no to anything that doesn’t feel good is just as welcomed as saying yes to something new. A tantric practice is all about the mind-body connection, so setting the right conditions is key.To get your ideas flowing (and maybe help you get in the mood), consider reading sex quotes or sex poems together and/or listening to music you find sexy. And talk about your desires, past sexual encounters, feelings for each other, and what you hope doing tantric sex together may bring to your relationship.Enjoy the PlayRemember, you may feel awkward at first as you begin exploring spiritual yoga. Know that with practice, you will enhance your tantric sex skills as well as your awareness of your sexual energy and spirituality. Let yourself laugh, play, and take pleasure. Aim to let go of any negative feelings and/or share them with your partner. Take the opportunity to dive into honesty and exploration together and with yourself. Relish in the sensations your body is capable of and in the loving embrace of your lover. The goal of tantric sex is goal-less, so enjoy the fun, and be curious to the potential of sensory pleasure.KEEP READING:Is Envy Harming Your Relationship? It’s Time to Understand the Three Dimensions of Jealousy

The Best Cat Quotes on the Internet – And Why They're Good for Your Mental Health
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The Best Cat Quotes on the Internet – And Why They're Good for Your Mental Health

Since ancient times, cats have been charming, amusing, and yes, at times annoying people. We see cats prominently displayed in hieroglyphs, in funerary artwork, on temple walls, and on obelisks. Apparently, the Prophet Muhammad so loved cats that he once sliced a sleeve off of his shirt to leave the piece of fabric behind so as to not disturb a cat that had fallen asleep atop it. And cats are often featured in medieval artwork, though their renderings are often comically terrible.RELATED: Ed Sheeran’s Most Inspiring Quotes and Lyrics to Live a Happier LifeLong story short, cats have long been a part of human culture, and they are more prominently part of everyday life for many today than ever before. Even when not actively petting or feeding or cleaning up after our cats, many of us enjoy reading funny cat quotes. Why are cat quotes so compelling? Because they make us feel good, and feeling good is healthy for the soul. Why Do Cat Quotes (And Memes) Make Us Happy?(Photo by Kate Stone Matheson on Unsplash)A funny cat quote – ideally paired with a great cat picture in the form of a cat meme – can have an immediate effect on your mental and emotional state, triggering a release of serotonin, dopamine, and/or oxytocin, these being the so-called “happiness hormone,” “feel-good hormone,” and “cuddle hormone,” respectively. And not only can a cat quote amuse and move us in the moment, but it can also call up a memory we may treasure from the past or call to mind a characteristic of one of our own beloved pets. The release of these hormones and the touchstone to memory a cat quote can be can also reduce sensations of stress and anxiety, only making the moment that much better.RELATED: Euphoria Quotes: The Show’s Most Biting and Powerful Quotes – And What They Say about YouFurther, reading a cat quote from another person – especially one that resonates with us – can make us feel more connected to other people, and that sense of connection is critical for all human beings. So, ironically, reading quotes about these unique members of the animal world can make a person feel more connected to other human beings, especially if said humans are fellow cat lovers.Now let’s take a look at some of the best cat quotes the internet has to offer, a number of which may just see you enjoying not only a moment of levity, but an increase of happy, feel-good, or cuddly hormones that genuinely enhance your mood and your sense of wellbeing.21 Cat Quotes That Will Make You Feel Better About Everything(Photo by Japheth Mast on Unsplash) 1. "A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not." — Writer Ernest Hemingway2. "As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat.” — Journalist Ellen Perry Berkeley3. “A happy arrangement: many people prefer cats to other people, and many cats prefer people to other cats.” — Aphorist Mason Cooley4. “I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.” — Writer Neil Gaiman5. "In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this." — Novelist Terry Pratchett6. "There are no ordinary cats." — French novelist Colette7. "Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later." — Professor Mary Bly8. "If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much." — Writer Mark Twain9. “There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.” — Literary editor Tay Hohoff10. “I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.” – Author Jules Verne11. "Never try to out-stubborn a cat." — Science fiction writer Robert A. HeinleinRELATED: 50 Inspirational Quotes to Uplift and Motivate12. "Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience." — Poet Pam Brown13. “Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.” – Cartoonist Jim Davis14. "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose." – Writer and radio host Garrison Keillor15. “The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an axe murderer.” — Comedian Paula Poundstone16. “When Rome burned, the emperor's cats still expected to be fed on time.” – Author Seanan Maguire17. “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” – Theologian Albert Scheitzer18. “What greater gift than the love of a cat.” – Author Charles Dickens19. "Time spent with cats is never wasted." – Psychologist Sigmund Freud20. "Like all pure creatures, cats are practical." – Writer William S. Burroughs21. "The smallest feline is a masterpiece." – Polymath Leonardo da VinciAre Dog Quotes Also Popular?(Photo by Andrew S on Unsplash)And yes, for the record, let us be clear: reading quotes about dogs can also provide all the same benefits cat quotes can for those who love dogs and lots of people love dog quotes. As to whether cat quotes are better than dog quotes, or if cats are better than dogs, we’re staying well away from that area.As for the popularity of dogs vs. cats, did you know that worldwide cats are the more popular pets? Cats are more popular in 91 countries surveyed, while dogs were more popular in 76 countries – data was not available for every nation on the planet. However, in America, dogs are more popular than cats, according to the same findings. The reason more Americans like dogs than cats is because canines are more compliant and obedient than felines, and Americans by in large like to have their pets follow the rules and fall in line. However, that same independent streak that is a turnoff to many in the U.S. may be the exact quality so many cat owners cherish. Looking back through some of the quotes collected there, that certainly seems to be possible.KEEP READING:13 Self Worth Quotes to Help Build Your Confidence & Self Esteem

What Happened to the Original Blippi And Is His Show Dangerous or Healthy for Kids?
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What Happened to the Original Blippi And Is His Show Dangerous or Healthy for Kids?

Blippi is the title character of a children’s educational show on YouTube. Blippi’s curious and energetic persona has become one of the world’s most popular preschool entertainers. Blippi takes his friends on field trips and has guests visit his treehouse, and talks a lot about trucks, automobiles, dinosaurs, colors, and letters.RELATED: Positive Thinking for Kids: Positive Affirmations and Boosting Self EsteemBut the loveable Blippi has come under fire from some parents who think that the show lacks any educational value and promotes dangerous and unhealthy values (such as running alongside a bus, making a mess and not cleaning it up, and the use of power tools). Who Is Blippi?Created and played by Stevin John, Blippi’s first episode was posted on Blippi’s YouTube channel on January 27, 2014. Since then, Blippi was purchased alongside other children’s programming in 2020 by Moonbug Entertainment. Based in Los Angeles, California, the TV show for children ages 2-7 is available on other social media platforms. Blippi is now dubbed in Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Hebrew, Arabic, Swedish, and Polish for children worldwide. RELATED: These Disney ‘Failures’ Prove Your Idea of Success May Be WrongNew episodes air every two days or so, and there are several channels to organize themes such as full Kids TV Shows, Kid’s Songs, Sign Language for Kids, Blippi Toys, Blippi Wonders, and dubbed versions. While Blippi is available on a range of social media platforms, Blippi’s Treehouse is a spin-off series only available on Amazon Kids+.Has Stevin John Been Replaced As Blippi?Blippi started out as a one-man venture on YouTube aimed at creating high quality pre-school children’s programming. Stevin John noticed his nephew was watching videos for children on YouTube, but the quality was low. John created the character, made the videos, and did his own filming and editing. He was inspired by growing up in a small town with tractors, trucks, and cars, and his mother made Blippy’s costume! RELATED: You May Destroy Your Child’s Future and Not Even Know It if You Fall into This TrapThe show was a success and has since grown into a full production team, expanding platforms, the introduction of live shows, and introduction of new characters like Meekah. The show has expanded beyond the creator, and so has the title character.Why was Clayton Grimm chosen to be the new Blippi?With the creation of a live show and musical tour of the Blippi show, stage performer Clayton Grimm was cast to play Blippi during the tour while the original Blippi continued production on YouTube. This new Blippi was met with some backlash from fans, who were caught off-guard by the change and criticized John for a “bait and switch” move.RELATED: 30 Inspirational Quotes for Kids to Prepare Them for SuccessClayton Grimm has played Blippi in the live show version since 2019. Starting May 8, 2021, Grimm also began performing as an alternative Blippi on Blippi's YouTube channel. Fans have been frustrated at the transition, criticizing Grimm as “the imposter” or the new Blippi.The spin-off series, Blippi’s Treehouse, announced a new character on October 9, 2021. The new character was introduced as Meekah, Blippi’s best friend, played by Kaitlin Becker.Is Blippi Dangerous For Kids?Reviews of the show are mixed. Like with Blue's Clues, some parents worry that Blippi being an adult but acting like a child is grooming behavior. While some parents worry that he throws things around and smashes things up, which might promote violence, others find value in his ability to get down to kids' level and act silly, sing, dance, and have fun while teaching something new. One parent found his energy too overstimulating for their child. RELATED: Young Avengers: 6 Kids Who Risked Their Lives to Become Inspiring Everyday HeroesHowever, it is a children's show meant for pre-schoolers and was designed to meet a need for children's YouTube videos. Blippi isn't dangerous, just goofier than an older kid's show. It's worth listening to your child's interests to determine if the show is appropriate for them.Does the original Blippi plan to return to the show?Also in October 2021, 34-year old Stevin John announced that he and his fiancee, Alyssa Ingham, were expecting their first child. The soon to be dad posted the announcement on Instagram. On March 9, 2022, Lochlan David John was born. Welcome, baby Blippi! RELATED: Sesame Street Wrestled with a Dark History to Create a Brighter Future for ALL KidsSo what happened to Blippi? Good news, actually! Blippi simply got a lot bigger than its creator! To help manage the expansion of the show, Clayton Grimm was recruited to help Stevin John portray the title character. The character is the same person, and the original Blippi has not left the show, but fans may be seeing more of Grimm’s new Blippi for the next little while. We’ll still get to see more Blippi!KEEP READING: Walt Disney’s Life Story: A Mouse, Eternal Life, and a Stolen Rabbit

These Disney 'Failures' Prove Your Idea of Success May Be Wrong
Pop Culture

These Disney 'Failures' Prove Your Idea of Success May Be Wrong

If there is one name associated with success in both the entertainment industry and society at large, it's Disney. Rarely has a single name become synonymous with not just a person or fictional character, but an entire brand. Disney is one of the most successful studios in American filmmaking, ever since the early days of the Golden Age of Hollywood. With all the properties owned by Disney, in addition to the company’s history of messing with copyright laws for its own benefit, one might think commercial and even critical failure is an impossibility for Disney, but that simply isn't true.RELATED: She-Hulk’s Sexual Liberation Is Crucial for Marvel and Disney+Since the 1920s, Disney has been susceptible to bankruptcy, a status the company only saved itself from in the last decade. Although the name Walt Disney Animation Studios carries plenty of prestige, the studio itself never had a stable history. It may be the branch most often credited with Disney’s rise to fame but it has also encountered numerous failures. Surprisingly, some of these failures include animated classics that are considered to be among the all-time greatest.Why Some of Disney's Most Beloved Movies Initially FailedWhile the “Walt Era” of Disney films is generally considered to consist of the first 19 movies made by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the ones produced while Walt Disney himself was still alive, the definition of Disney’s “golden age” is much narrower. Only the first five features made by the studio, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Bambi, are considered to be part of its golden age. This adds even more irony when only Dumbo and Snow White were successful enough to bring the studio some encouragement and profits.RELATED: Inspirational Quotes from Walt Disney About Life and Following Your DreamsPinocchio's untimely release date caused it to flop at the box office, but the releases that occurred shortly after World War II ended proved Pinocchio did not disrupt the expectations of the time. It was released at a time when most people did not care enough for cinema to attend a movie screening. Unlike Pinocchio, Fantasia was not constructed around a narrative, but as a cinematic novelty. The segmented nature of the film, in addition to the focus on classical music, deviated from the standard moviegoing experience, alienating a potential audience that fancies more straightforward entertainment. Whether it was the extra costs of a ticket brought by the Fantasound system, or the nightmarish bits in sequences such as “Night on Bald Mountain," general audiences were unprepared for a film, let alone an animated one, of Fantasia’s caliber. Classical musicians and enthusiasts of the genre were equally ambushed by the movie’s rearrangements of the songs, which led to other kinds of criticism. It certainly got the acclaim it deserves, but Fantasia’s current legacy was only cemented years, if not decades after cinema and audiences’ relationship to it have evolved. The movie’s “artsy” front became a much more accepted and desired form of storytelling and artistic expression.RELATED: Walt Disney’s Life Story: A Mouse, Eternal Life, and a Stolen RabbitBambi similarly clashed with the public perception of both animal stories and animated films of the 1930s and 1940s. While currently an embodiment of both the Disney company’s cutesy image and the pathos these ubiquitous family films can provoke, Bambi was an innovative work and the recognition it gets nowadays is mostly retroactive. Having the film focus on these down-to-earth creatures provided new testing grounds for both Disney and audiences. Bambi’s initial mixed reception reflects the reaction to these new ideas. Watching animated animals in a fairly realistic and melancholic setting contradicts Disney’s image and usual style of cartooning. At the time, even if people appreciated the craft of the artists, such a storyline was unthinkable. Like its contemporaries, Bambi would fare better with both rereleases and the evolution of its medium, which demonstrated various angles of the potential of animal characters in a naturalistic setting.Other Initial Failures Among the Disney Classics While all of Disney’s 1950s features are iconic and celebrated works of animation, not all of them fared well at the beginning. In fact, one in particular, had to rely on a subculture, not too dissimilar to Fantasia’s own history, to get the appreciation it lacked in 1951.Alice in Wonderland was a long time coming. Unfortunately, not only did any sort of attachment to the project vanish during production, showing the dangers of overworking an idea for too long, but the public itself was not too keen on the film at the time. It was likely the first Disney film to be truly lambasted on all ends. Many people, including Disney himself, felt the titular heroine lacked heart, and the cartoonish recreations of John Tenniel’s famous illustrations did not captivate the anglophiles and literary critics in the audience. American audiences wanted to escape from the recent war with clear-cut plots and morals in family films, all of which were absent in Alice in Wonderland. The lack of understanding that the film could be carried by its character acting rather than its source material’s creative wordplay played a significant role in the initial flops. Only on the small screen would Alice in Wonderland develop a following on the small screen, especially, thanks to the “stoner” subculture that saw the merits of its psychedelic animation. RELATED: Disney World Staffer’s Gut Reaction Saves Endangered Woman From Abusive PartnerOn the other hand, if Sleeping Beauty were greenlit out of a calculated, money-driven guess, the logic would not have been as faulty. The most critically and commercially successful Disney features at the time were all fairy tale romps, particularly based on stories about royalty. Nevertheless, the last installment of the original Disney Princess trifecta did not captivate as much as expected and encountered more money problems.Sleeping Beauty was another overly ambitious Disney project that initially cost the company dearly. The scope of its aspect ratio and precise artistic direction made it the most expensive Disney film at the time, and the princess setting failed to entrance people the way Snow White did two decades earlier. Sleeping Beauty’s story came out too late, and its visuals could have been financially feasible in a more forgiving time. It is hard to see these movies as anything but famous success stories, but monetary and cultural issues gave Disney the short end of the stick. Snow White was fresh in people’s minds and was the paragon of animated films. Maturity, darker themes, and realism in animation, especially with animals, was unthought of beyond the comedy already offered by the existing studios. In the case of Alice in Wonderland, it simply had not found the right people for it yet. While the current impact of Disney as a company on cinema is a steamy topic, the animation studio went through genuine cultural and artistic struggles that make their work all the easier to appreciate. Current cultures do not put the original Alice drawings on a pedestal, nor are serious and darker films about animals considered farfetched. Disney defied past ideas, but now, it defines them. KEEP READING:Gabrielle Union, Disney and the Vital Importance of Speaking Truth to Power

15 Amazing Female Anime Characters and What Your Favorite Says About You
Pop Culture

15 Amazing Female Anime Characters and What Your Favorite Says About You

Female characters in anime are often overshadowed by the Shonen-style male protagonists and regulated to sidekick or girlfriend status. But the stories wouldn’t be the same without them, and fans love these characters for being beautiful, smart, funny, bad-ass, or any combination of these. RELATED: 120 of the Best Anime Quotes of All TimeWe’ve got girls with swords, girls with string-based super powers, girls with snark, girls with hope, and girls with trauma. We’ve got superheroes and assassins and school girls who hate mornings just as much as you do. These are some of our favorite female anime characters and what we love about them, did your waifu make the list?Assassin Women With Swords: Akame in Akame Ga KillAkame, aka Akame of the Demon Sword Murasame, is the main title character in Akame Ga Kill. Akame Ga Kill is an anime from 2014 based on a manga authored by Takahiro and Tashiro Tetsuya. The story follows a young villager who travels to the Capital to raise money for his home, joins the assassin group known as Night Raid, and fights against the corrupt Empire.RELATED: 105 Strong Women Quotes to Celebrate Feminine PowerAkame has long black hair and red eyes and wears a dark sleeveless top with a white collar and red tie. Her character was sold to the Empire along with her sister to be trained in swordsmanship as an assassin. Akame becomes a master swordsman, defects to the rebels, and becomes one of the strongest members of Night Raid, wielding her Teigu Murasame sword with ease. She appears to be a serious and coldhearted person except when it comes to food, but she’s actually just socially awkward. The Baddest Female in Anime: Mikasa Ackerman in Attack on Titan Mikasa consistently makes the lists of most popular and most bad-ass female anime characters. Attack on Titan is an intense show set in a world where humanity is forced to live in cities surrounded by enormous walls to protect them against giant man-eating Titans. The story follows the main character Eren Yeager and his friends, including Mikasa. RELATED: How Dance Moms Star JoJo Siwa Overcame Hate to Become a Powerful LGBTQ+ IconMikasa’s calm and stoic demeanor never breaks, and she’s regarded as the best soldier among the 104 Training Corps. She has shoulder-length dark hair and rarely speaks, but is absolutely ferocious and precise with her swordsmanship. Her primary characteristics are kicking ass and swooning over Eren. You have to love a powerful and passionate lady!The Best Researcher and Military Leader: Hanji Zoë in Attack on Titan Hanji/Hange Zoë is an inquisitive, empathic, and energetic genius type. The bespectacled leader served as squad leader and resident Titan expert. As a Titan researcher, she was also in charge of the Fourth Squad. RELATED:5 Genius Business Ideas to Inspire You to Become Your Own BossShe worked closely with Eren and Mikasa and, unlike her peers, she showed great compassion for the Titan test subjects. As the story goes on she becomes more serious and eventually advances to become the 14th Commander of the Survey Corps.The Fighter With Grace: Clare in ClaymoreClaymore is an anime series following half-human half-Yoma warriors of The Organization. Humans call them “Claymore” or “silver-eyed witches/slayers”. All current Claymores are female, so lots of female representation in this show. They wield heavy claymore swords with grace.RELATED: The Harry Potter Stars Open Up And Get Vulnerable About Their Time In The FranchiseClare is unusual because she took the flesh and blood of a fellow Claymore rather than that of a Yoma, so she is more human than her counterparts. She has silver eyes and light blonde hair and carries a big sword. She was considered weak for a Claymore but trained intensely to attain a significant level of power and became one of the first partially Awakened Beings. She looks composed on the surface but her emotions break out very easily. She’s extremely determined and passionate and may not always follow orders!The Quick-witted Anime Girl: Faye Valentine in Cowboy BebopFaye Valentine is a member of the bounty hunting crew of space cowboys on the Bebop. Faye appears 23 years old but was cryogenically frozen for 54 years. Despite looking younger, she is actually 77 years old. She has chin-length purple hair, green eyes, and she’s tall and slender.RELATED: Who Is The Rock’s Daughter Simone – And Why Is She Getting Hate Online?Faye has one of those personalities where you either love her or hate her. She’s snarky and abrasive, vain, arrogant, and lazy. She uses flirting and seduction to further her goals, but she avoids romance and doesn’t seem to trust anyone. But she also shows concern for her friends (eventually) and cares for them when they’re injured. If you like your mavericks with a sarcastic sense of humor, Faye’s your girl space cowboy.The Gritty Anime Girl With a Big Heart: Nikaido in DorohedoroDorohedoro follows Caiman, a guy with an alligator head for some reason, and Nikaido is Caiman’s companion. They both hunt Magic Users, and she’s the owner of a restaurant called the Hungry Bug which specializes in Caiman’s favorite food: gyozas with shiso. She has shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes, wears coveralls and combat boots, and when she’s hunting, she wears the Devil-Made mask.RELATED: Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Has Powerful Words Against Sexualizing Her – And Hollywood Needs to ListenNikaido is delightfully easy-going and friendly, and down-to-earth. She tends to keep her worries and anxieties to herself. She’s confident in her physical abilities and not easily frightened.The Magical Girly Girl: Erza Scarlet in Fairy TailFairy Tail is the name of a wizard guild where runaway Lucy finds herself and her friends, including Erza. Erza is a wizard with “requip” magic, which allows her to switch armor and weapons at any moment. Erza is a member of Team Natsu within the Fairy Tail Guild. RELATED: 14 The Wizard of Oz Quotes That Hold Priceless LessonsErza has long scarlet hair and brown eyes. She uses her magic to change her attire at any given time. She’s impatient, reliable, and has a great sense of justice, but she can also be really girly. She likes cute clothes and sweet things as much as she likes armor. She’s very confident about her body and has a secret fondness for smut and erotic novels.The Nurturer: Winry Rockbell in Full Metal AlchemistWinry is a teenage mechanic who specializes in the repair of prostheses called automail. She’s a childhood friend of the main characters, Edward and Alphonse Elric. She’s kind, optimistic, and sincere, and grew up with her grandmother, who was also a famous automail engineer. RELATED: What is an Empath? A Guide To Thriving as a Highly Sensitive PersonShe’s sweet and awkward and prone to caring for people when they’re wounded regardless of how she feels about them.The Wrongfully Accused Prison Babe: Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo’s Bizarre AdventureFans of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure will already be familiar with Araki’s wild universe of superpowers, vampires, and fashion design. The manga started back in 1989 and was recently animated and released in 2012. It follows members of the Joestar family and their friends as they fight against vampires and develop powerful and unique superpowers named after bands and songs called “Stands”.RELATED: VSCO Girls: The Rise and Fall of a Controversial Teenage TrendIn Part 6: Stone Ocean, we meet Jolyne Cujoh, daughter of Jotaro Kujo from Part 3: Stardust Crusaders. Jolyne is framed for murder in 2011 and sent to Green Dolphin State Prison in Florida. She obtains her Stand, Stone Free, which gives her super hearing and allows her to extend a string from out of her body across long distances. Much like her father, Jolyne is very serious, loyal, and quick on her feet. She seems to anticipate all her enemies’ moves and it’s fascinating to see how she gets her and her friends out of truly sticky situations. Also, it rains poison frogs for some reason.The Physically Powerful Antagonist: Satsuki Kiryūin in Kill la Kill Kill la Kill follows vagrant schoolgirl Ryuko Matoi in her search for her father’s killer. Ryuko enrolls in Honnouji Academy and meets the iron-willed Satsuki Kiryuin, president of the student council at Honnouji Academy. Ryuko has a scissor-shaped longsword that can cut Goku Uniforms. RELATED: 20 Powerful and Inspirational Ruth Bader Ginsburg QuotesCharacters obtain martial arts superpowers from their clothes, and higher-ranked students are allowed to obtain more powerful Goku Uniforms. The director has stated that much of the plot is based on wordplay between the Japanese words for fascism/fashion, school uniform/conquest, and kill/cut/wear. Satsuki is the main antagonist in the first half of the series and becomes a deuteragonist in the second half of the series. She is extremely intelligent and scheming, physically powerful, and a pragmatic and natural leader. She is tall, and thin, usually frowning with thick eyebrows and an angular face. She has long dark-blue hair with bangs, blue eyes, and thick eyebrows. She is prideful and accompanied by a dazzling glowing light. She opens up in later episodes of the series.The Painfully Shy: Hinata Uzumaki in NarutoNaruto follows a ninja training school, and Hinata is the title character’s love interest and fellow ninja student. Hinata is raised as the heiress to Hyuga clan’s main household but disowned after her father doubted her ability to lead. She is painfully shy and has unusual eyes. She falls for Naruto after he defends her from bullies, and nearly dies fighting her cousin. She is determined to become stronger and goes on to aid collaborative missions.RELATED: Ikigai: The Powerful Japanese Philosophy That Will Add Purpose To Your LifeHinata faces failure over and over again, but she’s a determined character that overcomes her shyness and anxiety and gets to be happy in the end. Goals.The Most Beautiful Anime Girl: Boa Hancock in One PieceOne Piece is about pirates competing to obtain the “One Piece.” Boa Hancock is a Gorgon, the most beautiful woman in the world, and the captain of the Kuja Pirates. She’s known as the “Pirate Empress” and the “Snake Princess,” and is the main antagonist of the Amazon Lily arc. Her weapon is a Snake Weapon (yes, a snake that is somehow also a weapon) called Salome.The Most Popular Anime Girl: Sailor Moon in Usagi TsukinoSailor Moon is a classic magical girl/secret identity anime complete with shiny transformation scenes. It’s also one of the few anime with a female-dominated cast. Usagi and her friends turn into Sailor Scouts (or Sailor Senshi) and fight enemies and save the world! And then go back to school, because they’re still high schoolers. Their tech support is provided by Luna and Minerva, who are talking cats. The show has themes of astrology, friendship, and reincarnation, and the creator, Naoko Takeuchi, created the series and based many characters on her family. The Scouts are based on friends she wished she had in high school, and the characters are all delightful - it’s hard to pick a favorite Scout.RELATED: Billie Eilish Revealed a Secret, ‘Really Weird’ Condition – And How It Makes Her StrongerUsagi’s secret identity is the titular protagonist, Sailor Moon. She is a sweetheart who loves deeply and quickly, and she has two modes: ADHD crybaby, and powerful leader and defender of Earth. Usagi’s full name translates to “Rabbit of the Moon”, relating to the Asian folk tale. She is reluctant to fight and frequently surprised by her own power. She relies on her friends for motivation. As Sailor Moon, her powers have moonlight, love, healing, and purification attributes.The Proud Anime Girl: Yuuki Asuna in Sword Art OnlineYuuki Asuna is one of the main characters in Sword Art Online. In this anime, 10,000 players get trapped in an online fantasy role-playing game on November 6, 2022. Asuna is one of those players. She has long auburn hair and hazel eyes, and she’s a kind, proud, and helpful young woman who can’t abandon someone who’s in trouble. RELATED: ‘Extreme Ironing’ Is the Weirdest Sport in the World – Can It Help Smooth Out Your Life?When she first arrives in the game, she believes that death is inevitable, and risks her life to level up quickly. She is the sub-leader of the Knights of the Blood (KoB) guild, and she’s skilled with the rapier. As the story progresses she makes bets and challenges people to duels, and eventually, she resolves to keep moving forward, no matter what happens. Asuna is no stranger to change, and her avatar changes appearance and stats depending on the story arc.The Sad and Tragic Anime Character: Violet Evergarden in Violet EvergardenBased on a novel series written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase, Violet Evergarden follows the tragic title character through a post-war steampunk-aesthetic world, beautifully rendered in animation. The title character, Violet, is a former child soldier reintegrating into society after losing her hero, Major Gilbert. She learns to type on a typewriter and finds work as an Auto Memory Doll, or ghostwriter, for people who cannot write or are looking for help expressing their emotions in letters. RELATED: Is Google Sentient, Do Chatbots Have Souls – And Why Does Any of This Matter?Violet is tall, beautiful, and mysterious. She looks very delicate, but she may possess superhuman strength. In wartime, she was an absolute tank, and as a child, she killed several soldiers for an attempted rape before her training as a “weapon”. Her most prized possession is an emerald brooch the same color as Gilbert’s eyes. Post-war, she’s dealing with grief, and trauma, and trying to understand what love is. Her story is told through flashbacks and through experiencing other people’s stories as a ghostwriter. Folks dealing with depression and/or PTSD will want to tune into this one, but keeping tissues nearby is strongly recommended.KEEP READING: Gabrielle Union, Disney and the Vital Importance of Speaking Truth to Power