humanity

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

For the Love of Roleplay
Dramatic. I have been called that many a time over the last thirty-six years. I am one of many late diagnosed autistic adults who identify strongly with Pathological Demand Avoidance. PDA is growing in recognition of late and is characterised by a set of avoidant behaviours that prevent us engaging in everyday situations. This can have a detrimental impact on education, employment, and mental health unless the PDAer is supported in a way which meets their needs.
By Kyra Chambers5 years ago in Humans
Kolam and the Art of Loving One's Home
Crossing ten time zones in a day can really do a number on a kid. Madurai, India was 10.5 hours ahead of my home in Maryland, and after 26 straight hours of travel by planes, trains, and automobiles, my eight year old circadian rhythm had no real placement of space or time. My mother, father and I were just three travelers, flitting indefinitely through clouds, terminals and paper napkins, with only the airplane's old Hallmark movies to comfort us. Then just as I came to the bitter acceptance that this eternal state of transience was our life now, we stepped out of a white taxi car in front of my grandparents' house. "Welcome home!" they said. I was back in India after 4 long years and was presently regaled with promises of how many wonderful experiences I would have there. So many things to see and taste! So many people to remember and love! And of course I remember all those things, and love all those people, but one of my most enduring memories came accidentally. It was granted to me by that great disrupter of circadian rhythm--jetlag. As strange as it may sound, jetlag was, and remains to this day, one of my favorite things about visiting India. It allowed me to nap through the hottest part of the afternoon, sleep around 1am, and wake up again just before dawn.
By Deborah Rajendran5 years ago in Humans
Youth
Chaos is inevitable in our ever so growing world. The question is, how do we prevent chaos from disturbing our inner peace? When our world has been tipped upside down and shaken like a snow globe, how do we make time for ourselves? When was the last time your world fell silent? A time where you stepped outside this chaotic realm and truly, focused on yourself. When it seems like the world is screaming at you, take the time to heal and rejuvenate.
By Casey Smith5 years ago in Humans
A Deadly Dance
Lines get so blurry. Beauty or battering, discipline or destruction. They can go hand in hand. In high stakes, humans see another as meat, as a stone to be stepped on. Since the dawn of time, conquerors have wished to grind their foot on the throat of all who oppose and even the ones that don’t. It is such an innate desire to hold the throne, no matter how many bones you use to construct your triumphant cathedral. Wars are often fought with weapons, a means of cutting the feet off whatever rival stands ahead. Why do we fight? Power. We wish to own land, riches, and an economy prosperous enough for our survival and that of our loved ones. To ascertain a statement, plain and clear, day or night. I am the baddest man on the planet. Pressure, control. No space, no room to breathe. The goal is to clamp your lungs, clip your wings. Make you feel like every single turn you take you’re met with knuckles to the ribs, a shin to the jaw. On the ground, up against the cage, you’re met with suffocation. A steel blanket to wrap around your every inch.
By Rayne Lalonde5 years ago in Humans
Life-Changing
I never really like the beach, the sand is hot on your feet and gets stuck between your toes there is nothing fun about it to me. I still feel humbled standing on the beach looking out to the vast ocean that lies in front of me. Seeing the sun just coming out of the water like a beautiful majestic being slowly coming out of the water to touch all that sees her. I feel as she slowly starts to touch my face a sense of serenity that I have been looking for, the reason that I came to the beach. It had nothing to do with the water and the heat. I needed a restart, a place that will help me recenter myself and focus on the next steps I will be taking in life. When I look down the beach I see a large great object right on the edge where the waves are lapping over it but it is not moving.
By Myra Rife5 years ago in Humans
Eating Marigolds
The scent of marigolds sent me instantly back to a bittersweet time. It was a beautiful summer day. I climbed into the backseat of my mom’s old Cutlass with my older brother riding shotgun and my mom driving. Seatbelts weren’t a thing back then, in my childhood. I’ve spent many miles crawling around a moving car or switching seats with my brother at the worst times. I thought this drive was going to be like many others- to the store or library, maybe to the lake to swim. I always wore my swimsuit in summer just in case there was a chance to swim. Every once in a while we would go to see family. Sometimes we went to my mom’s favorite sister’s house which was mostly fun. Other times, rarely, we went to my mom’s least favorite sister’s dreadful house (she had four sisters). This was to be one of the dreadful days.
By Tina Bruce5 years ago in Humans
Storms
When the wind started gaining momentum and crashed like a wave over the surf of trees, inspiration rushed through her veins. A light rumble in the distance. The smell of water lilies in the breeze. Rain pattered the roof, mimicking the rhythm of the electricity surging through her brain. She adored a good gloomy morning. Moody skies were arguably the most vibrant to be witnessed. Storms restored her, closing in like sanctuaries of inspiration. Creativity personified was lightning striking the wind-thrown, rain-rippled ocean.
By Chels Raegen Knapp5 years ago in Humans
SEND LOVE AND WARM-WISHES DESGUISED AS RAKHI GIFT TO YOUR SIBLINGS
Raksha Bandhan has always been an enchanted moment in every sibling’s life as it strengthens their relationship in a special way. Rakhi is not merely a thread; it is a divine shield that protects a brother in every situation likewise providing him success and well-being. Tying a beautiful Rakhi on brother’s wrist is a symbol of unmatched bond of love, care and respect. In return, the brother pledges a lifelong defence to his sister and gives exciting gifts in return. This in turn makes this bond stronger and eternal. This 22nd August you can surprise your loving sibling by sending them thoughtful Rakhi gifts online. These gifts can be selected from a huge assortment. You can conveniently rely on various online portals for delivery of your Rakhi and gifts online to astound your brother.
By Mohit Kumar5 years ago in Humans
Deciphering the Mind Codex
The young girl, no older than ten or twelve, is running through the thick, damp, forest with the heedless abandon of one chased by nightmares. The thick bed of fallen leaves help to muffle her footfalls, but also hinders her momentum. She can’t run as fast on the soft ground, plus I know in an omniscient sense, the freshly rain on the leaves could betray her feet, and send her tumbling to the ground. I watch the frightening scene below me with rapt attention, but I’m unable to help, call out, or give direction of any kind. I am but a formless, silent observer hovering above, unnoticed, invisible.
By Aaron Thompson5 years ago in Humans
Cat’s-Eye
I oil the door's hinges at night because they've been squeaking all year, and when I open it in the morning, they're silent. The rest is identical. Nobody is awoken by me. I'm followed into the bathroom by my cat. He jumps upon my half-fleece, half-skin lap after I've sat down. Each paw lands at a slightly different time, as cold as a child's nose. He circles for a few beats before pressing his paws into the tops of my thighs, a motion that both awakens and relaxes me. His paws are toasty in seconds. They take me in quickly. We have a set schedule.
By kings5 years ago in Humans
Finding Yourself Amongst the Untraveled Road
“You are only free when you realise you belong no place—you belong every place—no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.” Maya Angelou
By Fatima Elmusbahi5 years ago in Humans
To Each His Own
To Each His Own Everyone has need of a quiet place. Whether figurative or real, there comes a time when enough little things pile on that one needs a quiet place that allows those accumulated small burdens to sort themselves out, get organized, prioritized, diminished and mostly discarded.
By Cleve Taylor 5 years ago in Humans