humanity

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

Be The Change You Want To See
I believe that we are all selfish at birth. From the second we come into this world, we seem to have an inherent, urgent need to look out for numero uno above all else. As a matter of fact, that need we have to put ourselves first could be the very reason that the human race has lasted as long as it has.
By Francesca Crespo aka The Industry Momma5 years ago in Humans
Imprint
Imprint Kindness has its own way of coming out. We all became so busy in life that most of us have forgotten to appreciate the smallest acts that warm our hearts. Though I have done volunteer work in shelters and prepared food for the homeless, today, I decided that I will tell a story of the smallest act done for me that has been engraved in my soul from that very day.
By Worn Edges5 years ago in Humans
The £10 man
I do not know who that man was or where he came from, but I will remember this encounter until the end of days. You see, kindness has been becoming rare in this modern world. Like it is something nasty, no one wants to touch and feels disgusted by it.
By Jess S5 years ago in Humans
Paying it Forward
Growing up, I was taught to tithe. My church taught the 10% tithe. It sounds reasonable. But the reality of my life was that I could rarely afford to give any money to any one. In fact, I found myself frequently reaching out to friends or family to help me. I have been blessed with wonderful people who were willing and able to help me through some of my toughest financial difficulties. While mostly, it was my family who helped there were two instances where friends either loaned or gave me money. They helped keep me housed and to keep the electricity on. I could never forget that. It took me years to get to the point where I could not only pay all my bills, but I could give to charity as I was taught to do. I chose some charities that had missions that I felt were important to give to.
By Donya 5 years ago in Humans
It is in giving that you truly receive.
It was almost Christmas Day, everyone was getting exited for the awaited celebrations and most of all, the gifts that would come with this special holiday. Everyone, except for me, was feeling the spirit and counting down the days, singing along to the Christmas music playing on the radio, watching the snow fall outside the busy restaurant windows. It was four days until Christmas, and as the store manager, I asked my most valued employee, Rosa, if she was ready for Christmas. She told me in her beautiful Spanish accent, No I am not ready, I have no gifts for my childrens, and payday is not for one more week, and she looked at me with the sadness that any single mother of 4 would understand. That did not get me any closer to feeling the spirit that I was seeking. Being a spiritual but not religious person living in America can certainly have its challenges around the holidays. But all I really wanted that year, was to embrace the magic of the Christmas spirit. I watched Rosa work throughout the rest of the day, she was the most hard working woman I knew, she had integrity and took great pride in her work, she was the dough master at my Pizza Hut and every dough patty she formed was made into a perfect little work of art. When she was done with the dough for the day, she never wasted a minute of her time on the clock. She would scrub down and clean her entire area, everything sparkled before she was done with her shift. I paid her more than the other employees, I paid her the maximum allowable wage of $7.00 an hour, the same wage as a shift manager, because I knew she deserved more than minimum wage, and was doing everything she could do to take care of her family. When I got home that night, and walked in the door to see my Christmas tree, all lit up with beautifully wrapped gifts stacked under the tree, I couldn’t help but feel the Christmas spirit I was seeking, getting even further away from me. I was grateful to have my shopping done and everything my son asked for sitting under the tree, but is that really the spirit of Christmas?! All I could think of was Rosa and her family waking up on Christmas Day, as if it was any other day, no gifts or toys to open, no holiday feast to eat, and I decided that was not acceptable. I started making phone calls to friends and family to ask for donations and help in making This Christmas Special for Rosa. I asked the other employees to donate what they could and I would match all the donations given, both from my stores budget, and myself personally. As the help and donations came pouring in, so did my Christmas Spirit. As I made plans to surprise Rosa with all the things on her kids lists, I began to embrace the true meaning of having the Christmas Spirit. For me, It was in helping someone else in need, that I got everything that I wanted that year. With every gift I bought, my Light shined brighter. On Christmas morning I loaded the car with the groceries, gifts, clothes, toys and gift cards for Rosa and her family. I had never seen her look so happy and relieved. She thanked me for the Christmas Miracle, but it was I that truly received the Christmas Miracle. I finally understood that the Christmas Spirit, was in how I could be of service to others in my community, not in the gifts that I would receive. It was one of the greatest lessons I had learned in my 25 years, and something I strive to do everyday since. It is in Giving, that we truly Recieve.
By Chrissy Johnson5 years ago in Humans
Deeds of the Heart
Volunteers Do Not Necessarily Have The Time; They Just Have The Heart -Elizabeth Andrew- As I sit here and write this, all sorts of ideas are swarming through my head. I’ve thought about how to start this article off with a catchy sentence, or some funny picture. Instead, I decided on that quote you see there at the top. You’re probably wondering why out of all the quotes I could have chosen, I settled on this one. Well, it’s really simple. The quote actually speaks for itself. We carry on in our everyday lives, not really giving much thought to anything else. Most of us are routine schedules, and dare not let anything detour you from it. We are so engulfed in our own problems and lifestyles, that we don’t understand that things could be much worse. I’m pretty sure most of us have heard that several times over. Well, you know what? Get used to it. It’s the truth, plain and simple.
By Denecia Andrews5 years ago in Humans
A Bus Ride on a Rainy Day
As a young, aspiring writer, I spend a lot of time catching a bus to the city, sitting at a café, and reflect on my life, and how small moments can affect the way we see our bigger reality.
By Justinian Tabucanon5 years ago in Humans
Their Favorite Teacher, Daughter and Friend
Many people have a difficult time patting themselves on the back. I have always had self-confidence and the Capricorn in me lets me know that I am worthy to be praised. I have done many good deeds throughout my life. However, these last fews years I have been in good deeds overdrive. I am elated by helping others and I find pleasure in being rewarded with love for what I do for others.
By Mecca C Eaves-Glass5 years ago in Humans
a single slice
In July, I was suicidal. I had been sinking into the hole of depression for years, and the pandemic had expedited my descent. Abilities fell away like the layers of an onion; first, I stopped eating, then I stopped replying to texts, then I stopped talking, then I stopped interacting with others altogether. Each new dawn was the biggest betrayal. How dare the sun come up when I was unable to move? How dare the world keep spinning when mine had come to a screeching halt?
By Ali Hart5 years ago in Humans
Those who have nothing, still have something to give.
I met Augustus this morning. He was sitting at a friends cafe enjoying an affogatto and croissant, wearing his blue suede shoes. Approaching him with curious interest, I couldn't help but notice his extravagant sense of style. It was 7am and Augustus was dressed in a grey pinstriped suit, heavily patterned scarf and a rather fetching burgundy felt hat finished with a feathery flourish. Not too unorthodox for a Wednesday rush hour, but slightly odd given the 35 degree and climbing temperature outside. Taking a seat at the table next to him I ordered my usual full cream flat white. I for one was never really too fussed with the fanfare of fancy coffee and such pompous choices as an affogato. Quietly we sat in each others line of sight in silence save for the tired and forced morning nod of acknowledgement, drinking our respective caffeine of choice and flicking through the morning paper. Also not too unorthodox for a Wednesday rush hour, but slightly odd as it seemed that neither Augustus or I were in a rush.
By Jade Ferguson5 years ago in Humans
Words of Encouragement
Sometimes the smallest gesture really resonates with someone. Years ago I met a person by the name of Nathan. I'll never forget him for as long as I live. He truly changed my life.
By Lindsay5 years ago in Humans
Essential Workers
We will always remember the year "2020" as it showed us both sides of Humanity due to Covid. We have seen countless acts of generosity and heroic efforts of Front line and Essential workers, on the other side we saw greed in people hoarding the essential supplies and selling them at higher prices.
By Hari Prasad Bairaju5 years ago in Humans