Family
Reflections of a Walk. Top Story - September 2025.
When I was 15 years old, my mom decided to take me for a walk to have a deep talk with me. We went for a ride, down the country road we lived on and to the little store that also had a makeshift post office. Essentially, this was all that made up that little town called 'Culleoka,' (which means Sweet Water in Choctaw) where we lived for about a year in total. It was just before Fall, and she ended up stopping at this little cemetery called Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.
By Sai Marie Johnson5 months ago in Confessions
My Wedding
By Samiullah The morning of my wedding felt unlike any other. The world outside seemed ordinary—sunlight spilling over rooftops, birds singing their usual melodies—but inside my heart, nothing felt the same. I had dreamt about this day for months, imagined every detail, and yet, when it finally arrived, it felt surreal, almost like walking into a story where I was both the narrator and the character.
By Samiullah5 months ago in Confessions
The Authenticity Revolution: Why Being Real Beats Being Perfect in Today’s World
Introduction: A World Obsessed with Perfection We live in an era where perfection is everywhere—or at least it seems that way. Social media feeds overflow with flawless selfies, meticulously curated travel photos, and highlight reels of accomplishments. Ads constantly remind us that we could be thinner, smarter, richer, or more successful if we only tried harder. In such a climate, it’s easy to believe that perfection is the ultimate goal.
By Aiman Shahid5 months ago in Confessions
Sanctuary of Light
The old mosque stood quietly at the edge of the bustling city, its green dome glowing softly against the glass towers that reached toward the sky. Inside, the faint recitation of the Qur’an floated through the hall like a lullaby, mingling with the warm fragrance of sandalwood.
By Shehzad Anjum5 months ago in Confessions
Letters From the Past
The antique wooden box sat on the highest shelf of the dusty attic, an artifact of a life before his own. Liam had inherited it from his great-aunt Margaret, a reclusive woman whose memory was as hazy as the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams. She had left him a sprawling, old house filled with decades of collected memories, and a cryptic note that read: "The past has a story to tell, if you are brave enough to listen." He had ignored the note for months, until a sudden, unseasonal storm trapped him inside, forcing him to confront the ghosts of his family's history.
By Express Lane5 months ago in Confessions
When Love Turns Blind
Every morning, the door of a narrow, dusty alley in Pakistan creaks open to reveal Razia Begum—a mother whose eyes no longer dream; they only wait. Her son, Faisal, was once her pride, the jewel among eight daughters. But love without guidance turned him into someone she barely recognizes today.
By Shehzad Anjum5 months ago in Confessions
The Shoes I Couldn’t Throw Away
They sat in the corner of my closet, tucked behind a row of boots and dress shoes I never wore. Old sneakers, frayed at the edges, laces gray instead of white, and soles so thin they could barely hold together. Every time I tried to throw them out, I froze. My hand would linger on the torn fabric, my chest tightening as if I was about to give away more than just a pair of shoes.
By arsalan ahmad5 months ago in Confessions
Confessions of a Former Alcoholic Part 20
I do not take pleasure in the fact that I am an alcoholic; yet, drinking alcohol has the effect of taking one back in time and causing one to behave in an abnormal manner. After abstaining from a drug for a period of twelve days, I decided to experiment with it and make the following observations. Addictive behaviors are, in fact, addictive.
By TheNaeth5 months ago in Confessions
I Will Not Dull Her Shine. Content Warning.
“Baby girl, let’s stay out of people’s way, please!” The waiting room for her Occupational Therapist was too small for my Autistic toddler. She didn’t want to sit still, what toddler does? Add several days of overstimulation and routine disruption, and us arriving far too early…she wasn’t sitting still.
By Catherine Carter5 months ago in Confessions
The Success Paradox: Why Chasing Achievement Doesn’t Always Lead to Fulfillment
Introduction: The Hidden Cost of Success Success is one of the most celebrated ideals in modern society. From an early age, we’re taught to strive for high grades, secure prestigious jobs, earn financial wealth, and collect achievements that symbolize progress. The message is clear: success equals happiness. Yet, as countless high achievers have discovered, the pursuit of success doesn’t always guarantee the deep sense of fulfillment we crave. This phenomenon—the success paradox—highlights how chasing external milestones can sometimes leave us emptier than before.
By Aiman Shahid5 months ago in Confessions
