Laura O'Brien
@white-stone85.bsky.social
Queer 🏳️🌈 Neurodiverse 🧠 Christian ✝️ Pilgrim 🥾 Books all the Books 📚 Occasional Writer 📝
https://intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/
https://intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/
Pinned
The Sacrament of Answers
Drifting imperceptibly upwardsSoft bubbles, borne,On the wind of the searching.They rise.Gently brushing the edge of the liminal Floating gently near, summoned,By a map of courageous questions dari…
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com
I’ve been realising that I’d like to get back into writing more regularly and so I thought the first step might be to share some of what I’ve already written (because that’s an easier first step than trying to begin something new!) 😊 ✝️
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
What a wonderful moment in #Synod .The terrible "Issues in Human Sexuality" document has been consigned to the recycling bin with huge support across the Synod, in all Houses and constituencies. Glimmers of hope.
July 15, 2025 at 11:08 AM
What a wonderful moment in #Synod .The terrible "Issues in Human Sexuality" document has been consigned to the recycling bin with huge support across the Synod, in all Houses and constituencies. Glimmers of hope.
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Miya Wilkes, 33, from Walton, fantasises about having her lifelong struggles affirmed by a woman hiding behind a desktop computer who met her all of eight minutes ago.
Romanticist? This autistic woman just applied for disability benefits
An autistic woman who applied for a government disability benefit is trying not to think about the fact the very idea is just a stab in the dark, reports have confirmed. Miya Wilkes, 33, from Walton, ...
thedailytism.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Miya Wilkes, 33, from Walton, fantasises about having her lifelong struggles affirmed by a woman hiding behind a desktop computer who met her all of eight minutes ago.
I’ve been realising that I’d like to get back into writing more regularly and so I thought the first step might be to share some of what I’ve already written (because that’s an easier first step than trying to begin something new!) 😊 ✝️
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
The Sacrament of Answers
Drifting imperceptibly upwardsSoft bubbles, borne,On the wind of the searching.They rise.Gently brushing the edge of the liminal Floating gently near, summoned,By a map of courageous questions dari…
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com
June 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I’ve been realising that I’d like to get back into writing more regularly and so I thought the first step might be to share some of what I’ve already written (because that’s an easier first step than trying to begin something new!) 😊 ✝️
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
intothepoustinia.wordpress.com/2023/12/02/t...
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
I have a long read this week, looking back at Justin Welby's time as Archbishop of Canterbury. Quite hard to summarise an eventful 12 years. I'm sure others would have different emphases or readings
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Justin Welby: his time as Archbishop of Canterbury
Madeleine Davies looks back over the Welby years
www.churchtimes.co.uk
January 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I have a long read this week, looking back at Justin Welby's time as Archbishop of Canterbury. Quite hard to summarise an eventful 12 years. I'm sure others would have different emphases or readings
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Fact-checking is not censorship.
Requesting evidence is not censorship.
Refuting falsehoods is not censorship.
Stopping a lie from travelling halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on is not censorship.
But Zuckerberg's grovelling to Trump will sure as hell lead to censorship.
Requesting evidence is not censorship.
Refuting falsehoods is not censorship.
Stopping a lie from travelling halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on is not censorship.
But Zuckerberg's grovelling to Trump will sure as hell lead to censorship.
January 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Fact-checking is not censorship.
Requesting evidence is not censorship.
Refuting falsehoods is not censorship.
Stopping a lie from travelling halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on is not censorship.
But Zuckerberg's grovelling to Trump will sure as hell lead to censorship.
Requesting evidence is not censorship.
Refuting falsehoods is not censorship.
Stopping a lie from travelling halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on is not censorship.
But Zuckerberg's grovelling to Trump will sure as hell lead to censorship.
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come.
‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.
Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.
‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.
Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.
December 31, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come.
‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.
Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.
‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.
Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
The last thing I want to go on about is being trans. I just want to serve God (& be me!), but …
Things are just awful for trans people right now.
And they will get worse.
We are such a minority.
Though we will keep going,
non-trans friends: please find ways to stand up with us and for us.
Things are just awful for trans people right now.
And they will get worse.
We are such a minority.
Though we will keep going,
non-trans friends: please find ways to stand up with us and for us.
December 11, 2024 at 2:37 PM
The last thing I want to go on about is being trans. I just want to serve God (& be me!), but …
Things are just awful for trans people right now.
And they will get worse.
We are such a minority.
Though we will keep going,
non-trans friends: please find ways to stand up with us and for us.
Things are just awful for trans people right now.
And they will get worse.
We are such a minority.
Though we will keep going,
non-trans friends: please find ways to stand up with us and for us.
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Your new password must contain:
A lower case letter
A special character
A number
A lock of a mermaid’s hair
A Shakespearean sonnet
3 hieroglyphics
Your first born child’s soul
7 emojis
6 drops of unicorn blood
An eagle’s talon
The secret to eternal youth
A capital letter
A lower case letter
A special character
A number
A lock of a mermaid’s hair
A Shakespearean sonnet
3 hieroglyphics
Your first born child’s soul
7 emojis
6 drops of unicorn blood
An eagle’s talon
The secret to eternal youth
A capital letter
December 11, 2024 at 7:38 PM
Your new password must contain:
A lower case letter
A special character
A number
A lock of a mermaid’s hair
A Shakespearean sonnet
3 hieroglyphics
Your first born child’s soul
7 emojis
6 drops of unicorn blood
An eagle’s talon
The secret to eternal youth
A capital letter
A lower case letter
A special character
A number
A lock of a mermaid’s hair
A Shakespearean sonnet
3 hieroglyphics
Your first born child’s soul
7 emojis
6 drops of unicorn blood
An eagle’s talon
The secret to eternal youth
A capital letter
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
I’ve reported on homelessness for years and met many, many people who have found themselves in awful situations
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
December 11, 2024 at 8:29 AM
I’ve reported on homelessness for years and met many, many people who have found themselves in awful situations
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Like him, I am an atheist.
But I witness daily the avoidable suffering endured by patients not receiving the palliative care they need.
And I think it is unconscionable to offer citizens a choice to die if we fail to offer them the care that can make life worth living.
#AssistedDying
But I witness daily the avoidable suffering endured by patients not receiving the palliative care they need.
And I think it is unconscionable to offer citizens a choice to die if we fail to offer them the care that can make life worth living.
#AssistedDying
November 25, 2024 at 6:04 PM
Like him, I am an atheist.
But I witness daily the avoidable suffering endured by patients not receiving the palliative care they need.
And I think it is unconscionable to offer citizens a choice to die if we fail to offer them the care that can make life worth living.
#AssistedDying
But I witness daily the avoidable suffering endured by patients not receiving the palliative care they need.
And I think it is unconscionable to offer citizens a choice to die if we fail to offer them the care that can make life worth living.
#AssistedDying
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Have a good White Friday!
November 29, 2024 at 9:48 AM
Have a good White Friday!
Annnd operation ‘avoid all social media and news websites until I’ve caught up on the bake off final’ begins now…
November 26, 2024 at 11:57 PM
Annnd operation ‘avoid all social media and news websites until I’ve caught up on the bake off final’ begins now…
How about a new working headline: “Britain has made work inaccessible for 1.5 million people”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer says Britain ‘isn’t working’ as he announces jobs push
The government plans include overhauling job centres, but reforms to benefits are delayed until next year.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2024 at 2:45 PM
How about a new working headline: “Britain has made work inaccessible for 1.5 million people”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Universal Credit is just £91 a week.
Payments are so low people are having to turn to food banks to survive.
And many people receiving Universal Credit are in work - but just aren't earning enough to afford life's essentials.
Payments are so low people are having to turn to food banks to survive.
And many people receiving Universal Credit are in work - but just aren't earning enough to afford life's essentials.
November 25, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Universal Credit is just £91 a week.
Payments are so low people are having to turn to food banks to survive.
And many people receiving Universal Credit are in work - but just aren't earning enough to afford life's essentials.
Payments are so low people are having to turn to food banks to survive.
And many people receiving Universal Credit are in work - but just aren't earning enough to afford life's essentials.
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
On the streets of Liverpool, there is a humanitarian crisis
A perfect storm of problems means more and more people are finding themselves homeless & sleeping rough & it’s getting worse - it’s a situation playing out across the country
A difficult 🧵 on what I’ve found reporting on this situation
A perfect storm of problems means more and more people are finding themselves homeless & sleeping rough & it’s getting worse - it’s a situation playing out across the country
A difficult 🧵 on what I’ve found reporting on this situation
November 23, 2024 at 6:29 AM
On the streets of Liverpool, there is a humanitarian crisis
A perfect storm of problems means more and more people are finding themselves homeless & sleeping rough & it’s getting worse - it’s a situation playing out across the country
A difficult 🧵 on what I’ve found reporting on this situation
A perfect storm of problems means more and more people are finding themselves homeless & sleeping rough & it’s getting worse - it’s a situation playing out across the country
A difficult 🧵 on what I’ve found reporting on this situation
So, dear humans, I have a practical question that I’ve always been too afraid to ask. Is the idea that we all just follow strangers and then comment on their posts to make friends? Like, can I just dive in and say things? Do I say hi first? Any help for this neurodiverse brain very much appreciated!
November 22, 2024 at 12:40 PM
So, dear humans, I have a practical question that I’ve always been too afraid to ask. Is the idea that we all just follow strangers and then comment on their posts to make friends? Like, can I just dive in and say things? Do I say hi first? Any help for this neurodiverse brain very much appreciated!
*looks shifty*… but also, I would argue, equal rights for minutiae!
Word of the day is ‘quiddler’ (19th century): one who pays great attention to trivial matters as a way of avoiding the important ones.
November 21, 2024 at 12:48 PM
*looks shifty*… but also, I would argue, equal rights for minutiae!
Stop everything! Richard Coles is on I’m a celebrity…. I may need to start watching it again.
Ok guys - need to mobilise massive support for Rev Richard Coles in the I’m A Celebrity Jungle!
November 20, 2024 at 11:29 PM
Stop everything! Richard Coles is on I’m a celebrity…. I may need to start watching it again.
Sad to miss out on all the snow fun! Even north London got some but not east… only rainy rain here ☔️
November 19, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Sad to miss out on all the snow fun! Even north London got some but not east… only rainy rain here ☔️
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
We at the Anglican Religious Life Project are hosting an enquirers evening on Zoom for all those thinking about a possible vocation to Anglican Religious Life! Come and speak to monks & nuns and learn more about their lives in community. 19th November 7:30pm. Email monknunanglican@gmail.com for link
November 15, 2024 at 10:58 AM
We at the Anglican Religious Life Project are hosting an enquirers evening on Zoom for all those thinking about a possible vocation to Anglican Religious Life! Come and speak to monks & nuns and learn more about their lives in community. 19th November 7:30pm. Email monknunanglican@gmail.com for link
Reposted by Laura O'Brien
Politicians may think waiting for an #autism #assessment is fine, it’s non-urgent, benign.
Not so.
Damage is done.
Opportunities are lost.
Misunderstanding and mistreatment can drive us to despair.
People get destroyed while they wait.
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
Not so.
Damage is done.
Opportunities are lost.
Misunderstanding and mistreatment can drive us to despair.
People get destroyed while they wait.
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
Autism Statistics, October 2022 to September 2023 - NHS England Digital
Autism statistics; waiting times; autism diagnosis; autism referral; diagnostic pathways; autism; Wait between referral and first care contact for patients with suspected autism; Wait betwee...
digital.nhs.uk
November 15, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Politicians may think waiting for an #autism #assessment is fine, it’s non-urgent, benign.
Not so.
Damage is done.
Opportunities are lost.
Misunderstanding and mistreatment can drive us to despair.
People get destroyed while they wait.
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
Not so.
Damage is done.
Opportunities are lost.
Misunderstanding and mistreatment can drive us to despair.
People get destroyed while they wait.
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
In other news…. I have an invalid handle. Apparently. 🤷🏻♀️
November 14, 2024 at 11:54 PM
In other news…. I have an invalid handle. Apparently. 🤷🏻♀️
Very excited to be off on a little retreat tomorrow so I can spend the next few days frolicking in fields, writing poetry and being only occasionally social 🥳
November 14, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Very excited to be off on a little retreat tomorrow so I can spend the next few days frolicking in fields, writing poetry and being only occasionally social 🥳