humanity

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

The Jester
All I ever wanted is to be wanted. By anyone and everyone. After my younger brother was born when I was 3 and a half, the world no-longer seemed to revolve around me. Why don't you love me as much now, Mum and Dad?
By Agapē NowHere5 years ago in Humans
In The Middle
Social things are hard for me. I never knew where I belonged in when I am not myself. I am comfortable being the person everyone expects me to me. In my family, I split my identity between black and white. In school, I split my identity between kind and cruel. Online, I split my identity between whom I wanted to be, and who I was not. It but a monster, and hated the thing I'd become. It was difficult to maintain the weave of deception, and in that tirade of self-hatred afforded me no real friends. I was alone. I had been alone for so long.
By J.D5 years ago in Humans
Who am I, who are We?
A frail woman places her hand in mine - it is almost weightless. Her skin is translucent and I can see the blue spiderweb of veins, each one tenderly weaving and beautiful, like the rivers of Blue Willow pattern on our family vases. "Tell me a story" She whispers and I oblige.
By Salomé Saffiri5 years ago in Humans
Wallflower, Wallflower
I regretted it the moment I agreed. I knew how the night would end for me but I was desperate to evade the feeling of loneliness from the relationship I was in at the time. I figured anything must be better than going back to my apartment on a Saturday night to wallow in my sorrows. So when my friend asked if I wanted to go to a birthday party after our dinner plans, I reluctantly agreed.
By Xian 5 years ago in Humans
Cassie and the Heart Shaped Locket
Cassie walked along the deserted beach as she thought of her mom’s passing that week. Most of the activity seemed a blur as she went over the discovery of her mom’s body and subsequent funeral preparations. She regretted not keeping in better touch with her mom but distance and job requirements always seemed to take precedence. She welcomed the calm of the ocean and the serenity of the beach as she watched the shorebirds being chased by the foamy surf. A sudden glint from a nearby rock caught her eye. Even as the sun was going down there seemed to be a reflection from something partially buried in the sand by the rock. As she watched the sun hover just above the horizon, she got closer to the glinting object. As she knelt down, she brushed the sand from around the rock. A heart-shaped outline began to take form. As she picked up the silver heart-shaped locket she looked around to see if there was anyone else around. She also wondered why the silver hadn’t affected the smooth finish of the locket. Surely between the sand and the saltwater there should have been some abrasion on this piece of jewelry. Even the chain was intact. Cassie walked down to the water’s edge and washed off the remaining stubborn sand. She tried to open the locket but the clasp seemed to be stuck.
By R.S. Haspiel5 years ago in Humans
I am not a Cheetah
I read a story, not long ago, about a woman who compared herself to a cheetah in a zoo. She felt trapped, trying to break the cycle of addiction that sadness and lifestyle acceptance had brought upon her. She found herself feeling empathy towards this cheetah. Just like her, this cheetah wanted to be free. This cheetah was supposed to be wild, untamed, and happy. Everything she wanted to be. So she decided to be like a wild cheetah.
By The Storyteller5 years ago in Humans
Does anyone have it figured out?
I'm 33, I'm 33, I'm 33 and I thought by this age I would have this thing called life completely figured out. When I saw this challenge I automatically felt triggered because the truth is there are still days that I feel like a misfit, a fish out of water. It’s funny how a simple question can force you to reflect in ways that you were able to avoid before. Some days I visualize myself broadcasting the details of my life from an old radio system that's barely reaching any audience. Sending out a SOS hoping for a response from someone that reflects me. Some days I feel so out of place it hurts to watch the movies where the odd kids find each other and discover love. I find myself watching the credits thinking "God must have forgotten to create someone for me."
By AvalonWrites5 years ago in Humans
Ashes of My Life
Ashes of My Life When I was in high school, a classmate’s house burned to the ground. In our small rural school, we rarely had friends who suffered the loss of their home, so we hardly knew how to respond to the news. I had a weekend to grapple with how to greet our friend when she returned to school the next school. Should I offer condolences or, to spare her feelings, pretend that I didn’t know about her loss? I was surprised to note that she was wearing a pair of green rain boots when she walked into our shared homeroom on Monday morning. She proudly announced that she had always hated the boots, but when she sorted though the ashes of her possessions, she knew that the boots would have survived the fire because they were the ugliest, most hated article of clothing she owned. Their “survival” gave her the courage to look forward to a brighter tomorrow. I was confused by her comment, but in awe of her courage, in the face of the horrible loss she had experienced. I occasionally thought of her odd, brave response to her personal disaster as I completed my schooling with my graduating class.
By Linda Massa5 years ago in Humans
Becoming: My Pandemic Journey from a Caterpillar to Almost a Butterfly
History fascinates me. When a worldwide pandemic struck, I was excited. My little family would get to experience a major historical event! We hunkered down and made a plan:
By Maria Calderoni5 years ago in Humans
Fighting Hunger
What fulfils me? I don’t even have to think when I am asked this question. I want to help stop hunger across the world. I know it sounds ridiculous but it’s my passion. When I can finally earn well for myself , I want to travel to different countries and help feed the hungry. Hunger is a sensitive topic for me because I know what it’s like to be really hungry. You don’t care about what you get as long as you survive the day. Eradicating hunger and malnutrition is one of the great challenges of our time. I think society is the cause of the increase of hunger. I think that if women farmers had the same resources as men, the number of the hungry would reduce. My dream is to create a food donation site where they give out food to the hungry every week for free. I know a lot of people are finding new ways to make money but I think we all keep forgetting the most important thing.
By Violet Blues5 years ago in Humans
The Malleability of Modernity
The pillars of our civilization are crumbling. They’re fast becoming piles of gesticulation and pontifical sanctimony made more cynically sinister by a world gone online. Where anonymity and empty emotional gratification are the drives.
By Joseph Ovwemuvwose5 years ago in Humans
Two Conversations
Two Conversations: We missed each other John W. Gilmore It is my turn to speak at Sunday Meeting. It's always interesting, but I am sure I can find something better to do on such a beautiful day. As a volunteer I lead Dharma talks once a month at the temple and am labeled a Dharma Master, which is interesting. All I do, however, is just meditate and speak. It all seems to flow. Today we will have a mixture of members and expats who are thinking of making their new home in Panama. You never know who to expect there. I begin to speak by telling my story.
By Om Prakash John Gilmore5 years ago in Humans