humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Dear New Year
In my early thirties, amid a successful stint in corporate America, I set my sights on retirement. Don't misunderstand. I was doing well, whatever that means. I was steadily progressing up the corporate ladder with increasing responsibilities, promotions, honors accolades; however, you describe "doing well," I was achieving it. But for me, success equaled misery. Wait. What? Yes, you read that correctly. Misery. I was miserable, frustrated, angry, disappointed, fatigued, and disillusioned. I knew without a shadow of a doubt. I was not going to remain in that environment until I was sixty-five plus years old. And to be clear, it wasn't the job; it was the environment. It was an endless competition for resources, navigating relationships with toxic people. Fighting the racism of low expectations and shock when you achieved something. ( You are SO articulate!) Throw in some patriarchy and misogyny, and it was a recipe for endless days of trying not to drive off of a cliff.
By Machelle Williams5 years ago in Humans
These are the times
What can I say that would make anyone stop to listen? What could I possibly say that would make another understand? We have all walked through our lives, being told what to think, to believe, to do. We are told what is right and what is wrong and we don't question it, but we do question the urge inside ourselves that tells us to question it all.
By Lee Naylor5 years ago in Humans
The Letter of Latter Reflection
Dear 2021, Listen...ok? Listen! I am very much not interested in repeating 2020!! It had wonderful points that have permanently blessed my life, but the global chaos and financial rollercoaster that ensued...really can leave. No one has time for the foolishness! If 2020 was a man, I'd disrespectfully kick him where the sun doesn't reach, and hit him in the head with this laptop I'm using!
By Jose Wright Jr.5 years ago in Humans
Kindness costs nothing
It has been a couple of years since I met this man. I don’t even remember his name, but what I do remember was having to go to my lawyers office and I was in a pretty bad mood that morning. As I was going through a very messy divorce and feeling very defeated. I was running out of money to pay my lawyer and was on my way to hand him $2,000, that I had worked so hard to get. The man in the picture was standing on the street corner with his sign begging for help. He was a veteran and homeless. All his belongings fitting in one very old army duffel bag. Well I went on to my lawyers office and when I left the man was still there. I parked my car and walked up to the man and asked him if he’d like to eat lunch with me. We were just a few feet from Mission BBQ. We walked in and I remember him looking at me as if he wanted to know what was okay to order. I told him to get whatever he wanted. He did and asked me if he could have a brownie that was sitting by the registered next to some cookies. I told him to grab two and I grabbed a couple of cookies and handed them to him. He quickly tucked them in his bag. We got our food and had a seat. While we were sitting there eating the Mission BBQ staff kept stopping by our table and telling him thank you for his service. It’s just something they do there. After a while the man began to cry telling me thank you for his lunch and that I was the best thing since sliced bread. (His words)Needless to say he had not been shown any kindness in a very long time, which had us both crying. He showed me his metals he had received during his service and he tried to give me one, to show his appreciation. I told him thank you but no I couldn’t take his metal. I remember one was the Purple Heart, one was specifically for the Vietnam War, and I think the other was the metal of valor. He even told me about meeting President Eisenhower, which is nothing like you think it would be. We talked for a while he asked about me. I told him I was going through a divorce and was headed to my lawyers office when I saw him. I explained to him that I had spent my last bit of money on our lunch until I get my next paycheck. He started crying again and telling me thank you. I said it was fine and that I’d be okay, for him not to worry about it, that he had been the best lunch date I had in a while. He just cracked up laughing then. He asked me why I was getting a divorce, to which I told him. His eyes filled with tears as mine did as I talked. He told me my ex was stupid to let me go and asked me if I wanted him to take “care” of him. I laughed and said no it wasn’t worth all that. He explained to me that he had been waiting on Veteran Affairs to help him get a place to stay. He had been staying at the homeless shelter, but had maxed out the amount of days he was allowed to stay there. Finally our lunch came to an end. He hugged my neck, told me thank you and went back to the street corner he was standing on. I don’t advice everyone to do this and honestly I had never done it before. I just felt something pulling at my heart strings when I saw him. I haven’t seen him since, but I often wonder how he’s doing and if he’s okay. I share this picture every year when it shows up on my timeline. Maybe one day our paths will cross again someday. I pray that things worked out for him and that all is well.
By Jordan Harsey5 years ago in Humans
Talking to myself.
I know this time of year is all about setting goals and resolutions, but it's hard to think about personal achievement, when you feel the entire world is on the brink of collapse. Not that I've ever been good at determining the direction of my own life. I have yet to find my purpose or passion. I feel like I just tag alongside the current of life instead of feeling its electricity arc inside of me.
By sylvana lee-jones5 years ago in Humans
