Cleared For A Little Chaos
Pep Talk from Tariq (Certified Chaos Magnet, Reluctant Hero, Reaper-in-Recovery)
Okay. Whoa. You’re freaking out. That’s fair.
You’re standing knee-deep in doom soup, the sky’s doing that weird flickery thing again, and you probably just found out your name popped up on Lady Death’s list. I get it. I've been there. Twice before breakfast. I am a reaper after all.
But hey—breathe. You’re not toast yet.
You know what I’ve learned since being a reaper? Life—and afterlife—is basically one long group project where the universe forgets to tell you what you're supposed to be doing. And somehow, you still get graded. I mostly get Cs.
But here’s the thing: the fact that you’re still trying—even when the rules make no sense, even when the reapers are watching, even when your scythe is probably held together with nothing more than chewing gum and pure spite—that’s what makes you dangerous in the most awesome way.
You ain’t got to have to have it all figured out. I sure don’t. Half the time I’m just winging it and hoping Lady Death doesn’t notice. (Spoiler: she notices. Everything.)
But I keep showing up and swinging my scythe through all of life’s nonsense. I keep saving the souls who don’t deserve to be at the top of the death list. I keep asking why we don’t help more souls—even when it gets me in trouble. Especially when it gets me in trouble with Lady Death.
So here’s your mission: Be bold in the best way. Be loud in a way that takes up space. Be annoyingly, stubbornly alive. Even in a place that’s built for silence.
And if you don’t get it right, and you mess up? That’s cool. Just mess up forward. Trust me, it’s better than falling backwards.
Now, get your scythe (or whatever it is they give mortals) and get out there. Break the rules. Save a soul. And if anyone gets in your way and gives you grief?
Tell them Tariq said you’re cleared to cause just a little chaos. (But don’t tell my dad I said that).
Your Friend,
Tariq a Grim Reaper in Training (G.R.I.T.)
(Certified Chaos Magnet, Reluctant Hero, Reaper-in-Recovery)
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