Humanity

Dream Journal Entry #6: Ancient Creatures and Piles of Alligators
After feeding the cats, feeding my sourdough starter, doing some yoga, and writing some emails, I've decided to attempt to remember the dream I had last night. There are only a couple of parts that I remember because, well, I waited too long to get to this piece.
By Andrea Lawrence4 years ago in Confessions
To My Hero's
Dear Hero's, Thank-you. I don’t know how else to say it, though the words may be simple I promise you there is so much contained in them that it would take forever to get through it all. Behind that thank-you is all the love, admiration, and awe that I feel every time that I think of any of you. You are my hero’s and completely oblivious to the amount of impact you have had on my life. People are lucky to have a single hero in their regular lives let alone six of them. In the six of you there is so much compassion, love, strength, intelligence, determination, and humbleness that it makes me want to be the best of the best as a human being.
By C.T. COLE4 years ago in Confessions
Rest Looks Different When You're Homeless
All my life, I've had a difficult relationship with rest. As a kid, I would stay up until I could see the sun peaking over the horizon because I had an intense fear of the dark. As a teenager, my fear of the dark went away, but it was replaced by severe insomnia linked to anxiety. Now as an adult, I've mostly overcome my night-related fears and have learned some tactics to alleviate my insomnia, but I still struggle to get a good night's sleep. Only now, it's not because my brain won't let me.
By C.R. Hughes4 years ago in Confessions
To the Man Who Approaches Random Women
Friday night I was hanging out with some of my friends in a parking lot. Yes, we were sitting outside at 8pm on the concrete ground of a parking lot of a restaurant in front of our cars. We were sitting criss crossed talking about life (with a few drinks in us I may add) when a middle aged man came up to us. He told us he couldn't find his way to his car when he saw my friends Texas Tech sweater and saw his car a little ways behind her. He swayed back and forth and proceeded to talk to us about how all the girls at the bar inside wanted to only hook up, but we 3 sitting outside in sweaters and jeans were a sight to see. Not knowing what to say or do, we sat and let it happen. He squinted his eyes as he told us his life story about Texas Tech and his son living somewhere in Dallas, though he didn't know where exactly. He openly shared that he lived a great life and was wealthy... before we slowly gave him hints to leave.
By Caroline4 years ago in Confessions
Happy 2022!
My New Years resolution for 2022? Get more sleep! I, just like so many others, would always tell myself that I was going to lose weight every January 1st. Of course, that never stuck. I would end up eating junk food and not working out. My New Years resolution would always come undone. I’d give up before I even really got started. But this year is different. This year, I’m realizing how important it is to take care of myself and that starts with getting a good night’s sleep. Currently, my sleep habits are not so great. I’m up late, scrolling on my phone. I toss and turn a lot. I don’t feel refreshed when I wake up in the morning. It’s hard for me to get started on anything. So, I decided that this needed to change. I was going to get in bed earlier and stay off my phone. No screen time. No tv. Lights out. I’d wear my coziest pajamas and wrap up in my warmest blanket and go to sleep. This is a New Years resolution I could stick to. More rest. Better rest. And naps too. I decided to nap more. If I find an extra 20 or 30 minutes in my day, I would nap. Making sure I am always well rested is now a top priority for me. No more barely getting through each day. No more exhaustion. I’m going to sleep when I’m tired and rest when I need to take a break. I’m going to take my sleep more seriously. And maybe with a well rested body and mind, I’d have more energy to do the other things I’d like to do. Like working out. Maybe the reason I’d never been successful when it comes to past resolutions is because I was just too tired and beat up. Maybe if I rest more, I actually could get more done when I’m awake. If I stick to this resolution, I could take on so much more. So that’s what I’ll do. Hold myself accountable in 2022. In bed by 9, in dreamland before 10. Wrapped up in my blanket with the warm glow of fairy lights and some soft music playing in the background. The thought makes me want to go to sleep right now. And maybe I will. Snuggled up in my bed, surrounded by fluffy pillows and warm blankets. Feeling nice and relaxed. A sleep resolution for 2022. That’s something I can get behind. No more groggy mornings or going through the motions during the day, just waiting for it all to be over so I can finally get in bed. I’ll get all the rest I need so that I can be full of energy and actually be able to take on each day. And I’ll look forward to bedtime. Not just because I’m exhausted, but because my routine will be better and easier to stick to. I won’t sit up on my phone. I won’t watch tv. I won’t look for 5 billion pointless things to do when I should be getting ready for sleep instead. I’ll listen to my body and I’ll rest. I’ll close my eyes and try not to overthink or worry about a million different things at once. I will just sleep. And my body will thank me. Sleep at night when I’m tired and nap during the day if I’m able. I’m looking forward to this. A good night’s sleep and a brand new day to get things done. I believe that this will be a New Years resolution that I can stick to.
By Amber Marie Cardona4 years ago in Confessions
Resolve to Rest.
I don’t know about you, but the job of making a list of New Year’s Resolutions retired for me in 2018. Since then it became more about setting fresh intentions each year: intending to be healthy and happy vs. resolving to lose 20 pounds and get lean like Halle Berry. The only resolution I made that year was to build trust in myself. Trust that as long as my intention and attention were focused and heartfelt that all else would fall into place. Trust that I would no longer need to accomplish specific resolutions to allow myself to feel happy. Trust that I could allow myself to take inspired action and be led to my innate joy, no excessive pressure or stress necessary. Trust in my heart, my desires, and my own unique path forward.
By Jamie Lee | STELLA BROWN4 years ago in Confessions
Resolutions
Resolutions; They Must And Will Continue To Happen I will continue to take Alphabarker for runs. He is so eager for them. And in a way I am too. It doesn’t matter that I’m tired when I get home from work in the late afternoon. We live in the semi-countryside and the smells in the fields and perhaps even along the dirt roads are so entrancing to him. Watching his frenzy, I can almost forget the troubles in the world. And afterwards, sometimes, relaxing at home after a shower and food in my stomach, it’s as if the foliage and the colors and the sky all smile at me. I would say the crows do as well, except maybe that’s a stretch.
By Dan Gollub4 years ago in Confessions
Walk in this journey.
I must confess that least of my priorities last year was myself, Sound's sad must admit it is. I could list several repercussions I met as my days began to feel longer and more excruciating. My pain measured through tears, negative thoughts, and restless nights. But with optimism in my gut, I turned within to know myself more. My inner child cried and laughed with me for hours at a time in an empty public park as I wrote down all the goals I wanted to achieve in 2022. My ego resented my decision to be cliche to write my goals down as if I was a kid again. But my higher self pushed me to exceed any expectation I had before. I felt my ego making the practice more difficult for me, convincing me to overthink what should be on the paper. "You need realistic goals this time." I thought to myself. But I realized that my goals are only as realistic as I make them this year. I am not expecting to win a grammy this year, so all is possible! I began to list my paper with many categories, Family, Travel, Health, Wealth, Self. I then wrote many things that I desired to achieve within these categories. I wrote thing's like, "Spend more time with family.", "Meditate every rising.", "Make new connections.", "Sign up for pole class" "Appreciate life more than last year." "Purchase your first apartment." and"Share your stories." Simple things that I neglected that I knew meant the world to me in a single moment, but went without as a sacrifice for others or to save me time, money, or energy things I wasted anyways, Done playing myself small, time to conquer the small things to become great, to become closer and more knowledgable about myself and my true potential which I assume is more than other or even I can imagine for myself. I took myself to the park as my first stepping stone towards my self-love journey in itself. Taking myself on a date full of peace and serenity to clarify what this year should look like for me, I was able to hear myself give actual good advice. My body chilled in goosebumps as I wrote, My body wants me to focus on my nutrition and health, months of losing myself because of my recent plaque psoriasis flares. I knew that since the pandemic working at home caused my sun deficiency, my lack of nutrition caused my immune system to decline. My body needed more rest after going to sleep so late at night I asked myself did I stop valuing nap time? But then I thought about how free, joyful, and energized I used to be as a kid in kindergarten and desired nothing more but that feeling. So I also wrote these things down and visualized myself doing them. I could only feel my vibration elevate as I became overwhelmed in gratitude. After my practice, I began to read my goals back to myself as I cried in joy and a sense of anxiety as I had just vowed to myself that I would fully commit to myself and my goals. How would I look at myself again if I did not do my best to achieve these goals? Achieving them isn't everything to me, but doing my best with everything I want for myself. I trust myself in this journey, planning to enjoy everything. Looking back, I sensed that my plans had something missing, I was not quite sure at first what it was missing, but then it came to me FEAR, fear was missing, I couldn't be fearful of anything I put on the paper that brought me joy. Anyone who struggles with committing to yourself you will be successful, believe it for yourself. Everything you need is within you & it is never the destination it is the journey!
By Amourè Deezyy4 years ago in Confessions
Slumber Please!
My dad had a saying before taking a nap, he would say," Let me catch-up on that sleep I started last week." At 33 years old, I finally understand what he was saying. The lack of sleep can "make you" or "break you". It is a vital part of our existence as mammals. Being stuck in "fight or flight" mode has an unfortunate effects on your brain chemistry. However, our ancestor found a way to sleep, despite danger in their environment. We now have the privilege of sleep in a safe environment and we are still having trouble. Somebody invented the bed, mattress, pillows, and covers. There are all types of products on the market to aid us with sleep. Think of sleep as a mini vacation in a soft, warm, safe place. Sleep is just as important as a healthy diet, finance, shelter, success, and sex. If don't believe me, try having a conversation with someone who hasn't slept in twenty-four hours and let me know how it goes. The truth is, we need to make sleep a priority, just like we set goals for ourselves. I've had an on going battle with sleep for many years for varies reasons. Let's revisit the last fours years of my sleeping habits. In 2018, I fell upon hard times and was homeless living my car, working an overnight shift. What kind of car did I have? An 2003 Volkswagen beetle! That rights, imagine trying to "catch some shut-eye" in the smallest car ever made! Continue to 2019, My car broke down, I was still working overnight. So I had to find odd places to sleep in the daytime. Maybe the library in the corner or ride the longest bus route for two hours each way, while the summer heat in Florida was at its' hottest. Vulnerability to the elements of outside are a breeding ground for sleep deprivation. Next time you see a homeless person sleep on the street, think about the hardship of having the find a safe place to sleep. Sleeping while seating up cause my legs to swell drastically. Don't worry I have seen a doctor and my health is "A-ok". I stayed at shelter for two months, sharing a small room with five very loud ladies. Which gave me a safe place to sleep but it was far from peaceful. Next stop, 2020, I find an apartment to live in and still working overnight, then "boom" the pandemic hit. Thank god I found housing before the world shut down. Now forward to the end of 2021, I finally found my dream daytime job (yes, a 9 to 5). The "vampire work-life" was taking its toll on my health. Did you know, overnight workers are at a greater risk for health issues like, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The combination of sleep deprivation, working overnight, and homelessness made my life a living hell. This year, 2022, the most important goal is to get better sleep! Therefore, I have come up with a ritual of self-help. The following step are my part of my sleep campaign for 2022:
By Deja Marie Falcon4 years ago in Confessions
Resolutions
Resolutions; They Must And Will Continue To Happen I will continue to take Alphabarker for runs. He is so eager for them. And in a way I am too. It doesn’t matter that I’m tired when I get home from work in the late afternoon. We live in the semi-countryside and the smells in the fields and perhaps even along the dirt roads are so entrancing to him. Watching his frenzy, I can almost forget the troubles in the world. And afterwards, sometimes, relaxing at home after a shower and food in my stomach, it’s as if the foliage and the colors and the sky all smile at me. I would say the crows do as well, except maybe that’s a stretch.
By Dan Gollub4 years ago in Confessions
The Wild Crafted Wife
”Even if it cannot be Day…it cannot Always be Night” 2022. It is a new year. I have been fundamentally changed in every way from the year past. My life has been ripped apart and put back together with half truths, darkness and a Grace that only seems to find me periodically.
By Jaclyn Z.4 years ago in Confessions
How I learned to enjoy reading
I don’t think we give enough if not any appreciation to the ability to be able to read, the title of this article actually sounds funny to myself, but this is a very important topic. If there is something which can be considered as one of the cornerstones of civilization and development of mankind, that will be communication. As opposed to other creatures out there who receive just the basic information from their parents and go on to discover the world by themselves, mankind has been able to carry itself to the top of the food chain by taking advantage of information, we are not only able to learn from our parents but even from other humans who have lived millions of years ago, we used this information and built up on it to evolve into something even greater.
By real Jema4 years ago in Confessions