humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Thinking Deeper About - Virtuous Compassion
You’ve seen it before -- maybe you’ve done it yourself. A dog owner dutifully bags their pet’s poop, ties it off, and then… abandons it on the ground. Maybe they mean to come back for it. Maybe they think someone else will pick it up. Maybe they just don’t want to carry it and planned on coming back the same way to retrieve it. Or maybe they think that poop bags are magical. Whatever the reason, the bag sits there.
By PAUL PENCE - THINKING DEEPER3 months ago in Humans
The Tree
At the edge of a small town was a tall, weathered tree that was older than anyone could remember. Its roots dug deep into the ground like they were clinging to something that the rest of the world had already forgotten as its branches spread out like arms. For most people, it was just a tree — a familiar shape on their daily route to work or school. But the tree was more to those who took the time to really look at it. It stood idly by as laughter, sorrow, storms, and summers passed by. Mr. Since he was a young boy, Lewis had been to the tree. He continued to walk there every morning, now in his seventies, carrying a small bag of bird seeds and a cane. The tree, according to him, "listened better than people." That was never contested by anyone. Playing around its roots, students from the nearby school carved initials and dreams into the bark. To temporarily escape the outside world, teenagers sat under its shade. After weddings, couples took photographs there. In that small town, the tree had been a friend to all and sundry at every stage of life. But things started to change as time went on. The city became busier. A new construction plan called for a shopping center that would bring “progress” and “economic growth” to the former park where the tree used to be. At first, no one said much about the notice board. "It's just a tree," a few people murmured. "That's how the world moves forward," said another. But Mr. Lewis thought otherwise. One morning, he walked by the tree and ran his wrinkled hand along its bark. He whispered, "You've outlived generations." "You ought to get better than this," Emma, a young girl, saw him quietly crying under the branches that afternoon. Although she was only nine years old, the tree had always been familiar to her. She inquired, "Mr., why are you sad? Lewis?”
By Noor Ul wahab3 months ago in Humans
The Bench Beneath the Streetlight
In the heart of the city, it was a brisk evening. There was a lot of noise in the streets—cars honking, people speeding by, and phones that were glowing like tiny stars in their hands. No one slowed down or looked up. Under a dim streetlight, there was an old wooden bench on the corner of 7th Avenue. It had been there longer than the majority of the surrounding buildings. An elderly man by the name of Mr. Harris sat there, his worn-out brown coat covering his eyes and his eyes tired. Every day, people looked at him, sometimes with sympathy, sometimes with judgment, but mostly without even noticing him. He wasn't exactly homeless. Just... forgot. The kind of man who got by without being noticed by a world that was too busy to care. A young woman by the name of Lena raced down the street on a rainy night, clutching an umbrella and a grocery bag in her hands. She had just lost her job, and her landlord had put another notice of eviction on her door, making her eyes swollen. Everything seemed heavy and pointless. She saw Mr. as she passed the bench. Under the dim streetlight, Harris was shivering. She took a momentary pause. She barely had enough for rent, food, and survival, but something in her stopped her from leaving. "Are you okay, sir?" She merely inquired. Surprised, the old man raised his head. He forced a smile as he said, "I'm fine, miss." "Just keeping an eye on the world." Lena noticed that his coat was soaked through and his hands were shaking. A loaf of bread and a thermos of soup that she had prepared earlier were taken out when she opened her bag. She gave him the items and pleaded, "Please." "I produced too much." His eyes sparkled as he took a long, focused look at her. He whispered, "You remind me of my daughter." "Hadn't seen her in a long time." On the damp bench, Lena sat next to him and listened to the raindrops in silence. She experienced connection instead of fear for the first time in months. When she got up to go, Mr. She was presented with a small paper crane by Harris as he reached into his pocket. He stated, "My wife used to make these." She thought that everyone had a wish. Perhaps this one is for you. Lena smiled as she carefully held it. She thanked the person. The city awoke the following morning to yet another gray day. Mr., the bench was empty. Harris had vanished. He was replaced by a small folded note supported by a coin. It said: I am grateful that you have shown me that people still care. I got more than food from you. You restored my faith. As Lena read the note, she felt tears well up in her eyes . For the first time in weeks, she looked up as she tucked it into her coat pocket. Even though the world seemed a little less icy, the same people still rushed by and the same noise still filled the air. She stopped at the bench that evening as she walked home from a job interview that she almost missed. She sat down under the streetlight and added a second paper crane to the spot where the old man's note had been. Then a quiet but beautiful event occurred. She was greeted by a stranger who slowed down and smiled. merely a brief, intimate moment, but sufficient to initiate a ripple. Humanity doesn't always roar. In a small act, a shared moment, it whispers, like a paper crane in the rain. Note to the Author: Even when the world appears to be too fast, too cold, or too disconnected, this story is for those who continue to believe in kindness. A simple act of kindness can sometimes restore the warmth we've lost track of.
By Noor Ul wahab3 months ago in Humans
Why Drink Shitty Wine?. Top Story - November 2025. Content Warning.
Why Do We Drink Shitty Wine? Let me set the scene: It’s Friday night. My Teddy Swims playlist is hitting all the right notes. (Despite me giving it my best effort, I am not hitting all the right notes with him), I am writing this while having a glass of wine. And there is no way around it-the wine sucks. I mean really shitty wine. (Truth be told, I am two glasses in-I’ll get to that in a minute.)
By J. Delaney-Howe3 months ago in Humans
11 Killed in Fire at Bosnian Retirement Home. AI-Generated.
Tragedy in Bosnia A devastating fire broke out at a retirement home in Bosnia, killing 11 elderly residents and injuring several others. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, catching many residents and staff by surprise. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, a number of residents were unable to escape the flames.
By Fiaz Ahmed 3 months ago in Humans
The Map of the Woman Who Stepped Out of the Mirror
There are the maps that come printed—color-coded highways, neat borders, tidy symbols. And then there are the ones you don’t realize you’re carrying until something forces you to look down and see the lines beneath your feet. The internal ones. The ones that shift while you’re walking them.
By Nina Pierce3 months ago in Humans
Newly Freed Israeli Hostage Says He Was Sexually Assaulted in Captivity. AI-Generated.
--- A Survivor’s Story Emerges An Israeli hostage recently freed from captivity in Gaza has come forward with a shocking revelation — he was sexually assaulted while being held by Hamas militants. His account, shared with Israeli authorities and international investigators, has shaken the nation and drawn attention from human rights groups across the world.
By Fiaz Ahmed 3 months ago in Humans
Unleashing Your Inner Goddess:
The divine feminine, often associated with intuition, creativity, nurturing, and emotional intelligence, resides within every individual, regardless of gender. It's the receptive, yin energy that complements the active, yang energy of the divine masculine. However, societal conditioning, personal experiences, and inherited traumas can often suppress or wound this powerful force within us. Recognizing when your divine feminine is actively healing is crucial for stepping into your full potential and embracing a more balanced, fulfilling life.
By Wilson Igbasi3 months ago in Humans
Radiating Light:
The journey of divine feminine healing is a deeply personal one, often involving introspection, rediscovering inner strength, and embracing vulnerability. It’s about reconnecting with your intuition, compassion, and inherent power. But what happens when this internal work begins to ripple outwards? How can you tell if your healing journey is inspiring those around you?
By Wilson Igbasi3 months ago in Humans
