humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

The Unrealized Leader Within
Most of my life I have done things my way and it shows up good and bad in every facet of my life. I have learned so much. I have only regret for actions and choices that I have made that have hurt others. I consider all else a learning experience and deeply understand the consequence is merely the cost of the lesson; outcome good or bad, it’s a lesson nonetheless. I have seen life through many lenses. I’ve seen life as an addict; I have seen life in redemption from addiction. I have been homeless and broke sleeping in a train station. I have stayed in the presidential suites of the finest establishments in the country; I have had much and I have had little. I have experienced incarceration and lived as a criminal, with no regard for the law or the consequence of that level of disrespect to my community and fellow Man or Woman. I now experience life through the eyes of one who respects the law and tries to obey it; understanding that my lack of respect and care for others is a reflection of my inner feelings about me. I have experienced life through the lens of suicidal depression since I was a little boy. I have attempted to take my life on enumerated occasions when the shame of my choices and self hatred was too much to endure . I now live in freedom from that level of self hatred, choosing to forgive myself no matter how shameful the act. I have been an abuser and I have been the abused; I choose now to be a protector, cherishing what has been put in my care or sphere of influence. I have experienced life as a married man and then as a single shell of a man. Then experienced life again as a married man. I am so grateful for my wife. She not only saw past all my UGLY, but she then chose to TREAT ME AS WHO SHE KNEW I WAS, even when I was a PIG, not a husband. She showed me something of great value (The Real Me), but it cost her everything at certain points. I was a drunk, yet she called me a Good man. I was Harsh, but she treated me gently; I was selfish she was selfless. My Wife’s unyielding, unrelenting deep belief in me and her Savior, Jesus Christ, even as I tried to break her both unintentionally and sometimes purposefully, spoke louder than any words I had heard. Her choices and actions forced me to consider something...... she could be Right, but if she is right, all of me, all of this identity and persona, this fortified defense mechanism I have been assembling since childhood would instantly fall and leave me vulnerable. My next immediate thought was: What is my exposure in this state of vulnerability ? I had no idea, I had the heartbreaking realization in that moment, that by my own choice I have been surrounded all my life by people, yet totally isolated and Alone for a really long time. I assumed everyone would hurt me or I would hurt them, but I was wrong. This realization, this paradigm shifting revelation, has forced me to discover life through a lens that I could have never even fathomed before. I now see through a clear lens, a lens that allows me to see that another’s need is more important than my desires or agenda and that it’s not only okay for me to take a blow for another, but exciting to absorb all I can for them in hopes that I might be a part of their realization of this. We are not limited to who we choose to be, to protect ourselves from that first moment of severe hurt. We are not our worst lesson or moment, we are simply a part of it. When we begin assembling defensive measures we choose to stay in that moment of hurt. Unfortunately, as we encounter more pain, we try to build more defense, never realizing we are building the walls that will do EXACTLY as they are intended to do, KEEP YOU ALONE, IMPRISONED WITH YOUR PAIN — AN UNRELENTING TASKMASTER THATS SOLE PURPOSE is to keep you from your best gift..... YOU
By WizDom4 years ago in Humans
Freedom
What is freedom? Are we free, do we control our own lives? All good question right? I’ll explain my thoughts and we will see if you agree.
By Gabriel Estrada4 years ago in Humans
Don't Be Judgemental — A Song Dedicated To My Dear Past Self
We all judge. We are predisposed to this natural tendency; it is part of human nature. ~ The Times of India ‘Though we judge for many reasons, we often do it when:
By Life Lesson4 years ago in Humans
Do You Remember Me?
I walked into the shop with my husband. You served us and you looked familiar to me. You asked me many questions, and you gave me that 'I know you from somewhere' look. I recognized you, though I didn't want to say who I was or ask who you were.
By Carol Ann Townend4 years ago in Humans
The Undeniable Truth.
I Hate it. It hurts to think. I want to sleep. Never wake up. Words that I've said and thought of many times, Words that I wish I could say out loud.. And it's not just these but many others that I cannot say to their faces and it hurts more because of that. The truth is.. I feel like dying but at the same time, I want to live. Thrive. Become successful, and Happy with the love of my life and maybe a child.
By NaturePotato4 years ago in Humans
Why I think I'm Evolving Into A Tree-Hugging Hippie, In My Middle Age
As a child of the '70s, I was too young to see much of the hippie culture up close and personal. Sure, we watched reruns of shows like All in the Family, where Rob Reiner's character was constantly berated by the conservative racist and bigoted Archie Bunker.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer4 years ago in Humans
Helping Refugees and Immigrants
Millions of people have been displaced from their homes over the past decade due to war, poverty, and persecution. Refugees often arrive in a new country with very little in the way of possessions or connections. People all over the world want to help immigrants find their place and feel comfortable in their new homes; however, it can often be difficult to discern what someone needs most, or what the best way to help is. Here are some suggestions for ways to help immigrants and refugees who are relocating to your community.
By Francesca Rome-Marie4 years ago in Humans
Me, My Mother, and the Blacktop Between Us
The leaving comes back to me easier—always hovering on the edges of my peripheral, like a stray dog that follows my taillights home in the dark. Mangey and probably floating in flees, but blinking wide, wet eyes up at me. I’ve never had the heart to turn it away with any sort of finality.
By Catherine Rose4 years ago in Humans
Thought-provoking "Law of the Crow": the real drag you down, is the victim mentality
In the forest, a crow said goodbye to his friend, the dove, and said he had to move. The dove wondered, "Why do you have to move away?"
By Dylan M Parkin4 years ago in Humans
Traveling on holidays.
An outing experience easily makes you happier by bringing you out of your daily grind. The researchers found that even just one short-term vacation (~3 days in length) “independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being.” Furthermore, the beneficial effects last quite a while after you return home.
By Adan4 years ago in Humans
Breaking the Pattern: White Profit from Black Trauma
--- Before we go any further, I want to make something abundantly clear. Black history absolutely should be recognized, acknowledged, and discussed by other races. As should the history of any race of people. This story is not about gatekeeping Black tragedy. It's about the insensitivity of profiting from it. That's all.
By Kelsea4 years ago in Humans
United by Division
I have two eyes, two ears, a nose, skin, muscles, veins, hair, teeth, a nervous system, various organs, bones, and a highly developed brain. I have fears, joys, habits, emotions, and feelings. I have the innate ability to learn from my mistakes, but I don't have to. I can literally, physically, and directly impact the environment that I live in, though I often choose to turn a blind eye. I am a monster. I am a healer. I am a force of nature. I am fragile. I am human.
By Tom kerins4 years ago in Humans