humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
The Little Things
It's June 2003. I'm walking through the crowded outskirts of Paris. It is not glamourous. We'd spent so long on a dingy coach to reach France, that I'd actually hallucinated. My schoolmates had bought lighters at a service station and every time I nodded off on during our journey, I kept hearing the click of a lighter, as though someone was trying to set my hair on fire.
By Alexandra Jade5 years ago in Humans
Nightmares, Fears, & Miracles
So many things can happen in such a short amount of time. What comes from these sudden tragic events? July 24th, 2020 is a day that will always be in my memories. It was just like any other Friday; my friend Rebecca and I were cleaning our homes in preparation for Sabbath and planning our weekend meals. Our husbands were both at work and because I don't have a car, we would take her car to town to get our weekly grocery shopping done. Grocery shopping was always less stressful for both of us when we did it together. We loved each others company and helped each other with our kids. That day, we had my 3 kids (ages 4.5, 2.5, and 6 months old) and her youngest child who was 7 years old. Our kids are all so close that they are practically cousins.
By The Hebrew Homemaker5 years ago in Humans
Just Because I'm Homeless...
In 2018 I worked for a gas station called, Zip In Zip Out. I was hired to keep the whole property clean. This meant that I did not only clean the inside of the gas station, I also went outside a lot to make sure it was clean as well. One day I noticed a person laying down on the side of the building by the dumpster. She was wearing thick sweatpants, and a sweatshirt in the summer sun. I remember thinking to myself this is a bad neighborhood full of gangs, Mexican construction workers, and African American dope dealers. Where did this older looking Caucasian lady come from? As I continued to work that day inside of the building, I just so happen to see her came in to use the bathroom. She to me appeared to be severely dehydrated. As she was walking out the door to return to the box on the side of the building. I noticed that all the other employees were looking at her. This included the owners of the gas station who happened to be there at the time giving out paychecks for the week. I asked my boss if she wanted to donate something to eat and drink to the lady. She gave me a puzzled look, thought about it for a minute, and then brought me a chicken leg from behind the Krispy Krunchy Chicken counter. After that she told me I had her permission to get a bottle of water. I thanked my boss, and took the chicken and water outside. When I approached the lady, I greeted her politely, told her my name, asked what her name was, and handed her the stuff in my hand. Ms. Linda began to really talk to me. I told her that I really felt bad that this was all I could do for her right now because I was at work. I further explained that I would be getting off work in about three hours and at that time I would see what else I could do for her. As I continued to work I could not stop thinking, my thoughts eventually started to become judgmental. It bothered me that all my coworkers did not have a problem with talking about Ms. Linda, but none of them talked to her, or wanted to help her. My boss even had me tell Ms. Linda to leave the premises after she was finished eating and drinking. Just because she was worried that Ms. Linda would make the side of the building her new home, and be begging customers for money. In my mind I hated watching the people around me that day treating Ms. Linda as if she was less than human because she was homeless at the time. After all my boss and her husband owned five gas stations. They could afford to help Ms. Linda more than just a leg of chicken, and a bottle of water. So what if there gets to the point where more people in need start showing up for help. Help those you can and tell the others you will pray for them. Whatever you do at least treat them like humans.
By Greer Collins5 years ago in Humans
Figures
Have you ever fallen so deep for someone that you'd give your all to them? Then there are always those who don't reciprocate the same energy that you give. I was so in love with someone that I didn't see all of the signs that they were as toxic as black mold. They would say sorry every time they hurt me and think that was enough to keep me around. I hated love so much because the one that I loved was killing me instead of making me grow. I would go all out so that he would see how I felt and it was always a dead attempt for a dead lover. Eventually I began to change and the changes were not positive. I begin to retreat more to myself. I noticed that I was being mean to my friends. I would yell more when I used to be quiet, and lash out when I didn't mean it all because my heart was broken. I didn't see that I had become bitter and broken, and it was rubbing off on my kids and that's something I never wanted. When I heard figures, it made me realize that what he was doing was ultimately killing me. Making me lose friendships that I never wanted to lose. I begin to play this and slowly gain my confidence back. I begin to slowly get back to the regular me. The me, that was killed as a flower dries in the sun. I slowly started getting back the friendships to the bridges that I burned. I let go of the guy who didn't love me, and that seemed to be one of the hardest things I've ever done but it was very needed. I asked forgiveness of the ones who I hurt, and I asked my little ones to forgive me for not being a good example to them. It's crazy how one song can completely open your eyes. If it wasn't for this song I will still be stuck in a dead relationship that was poisoning my heart. I completely started over with myself and taught myself how to guard not only my heart, but to guard my peace. I allowed him to disrupt my peace for so long that I forgot what peace even felt like, and childddddd did it feel good. My hair started growing back, my health got better, opportunities started pouring like floods to a river. This goes to say that music is very important. When an artist writes a song that comes from their heart, people who have experienced similar pain can actually get help and find relief from what they are going through. I myself write music in my spare time and will be releasing it on YouTube to help people who have gone through things that I have gone through. I am a single mom who has survived homelessness, domestic violence, my ex breaking in and setting my home on fire, my finding out I have an autoimmune disease and losing my car. I have survived so much, and if Jessie Reyez's song can completely change me for the good, that's what I want to do for others. Its too many cases with people, especially the younger generation, commiting suicide and ending others lives. If I can make a difference, even if it's to save one life, I want to do it. Figures have been a big inspiration. The impact from that song has helped me gain my strength so that I can be a better mother as well as a better person. I encourage anyone who feels stuck in a toxic relationship to listen to that song.
By Lola Williams5 years ago in Humans
Ladies around the world
A man showing anger and persistence to get you back isn’t proof of love, it’s a knee jerk reaction. A man kissing your ass and making flaccid attempts to be nicer for two weeks isn’t proof that he’s trying, it’s proof that he knows how to defuse your dumb ass long enough to hook you once again. Now me using the word dumb ass towards women is not used in a bad way here. I am only explaining the actions that we do when we have been sucked back in the sack with men. I am not male bashing here I am only raising mental awareness to our women no matter what color your are. You are still and will always be a women first. Take away a toy, a little nigga cries, take away a relationship on convenience, a big nigga cries. Just because he cries doesn’t mean you give him what he wants. Grow some balls! You’re not soulmates because you like the same shit and have become comfortable enough to role play during sex. Show me something deeper that pet names and zodiac signs. A lot of you girls don’t know what it’s like to be loved by a real man. You know lust, you know joy, you know passion, and you know fear of abandonment. You’ve put all you faith in this promise that prince charming will come for all women, but now that you’re getting older you realize that you’ve never truly been loved. Stop chasing your idea of what love should be and recognize what love is. Love isn’t promising to act right after he fucks up; love is him acting right from the start so he wont fuck up. Love isn’t telling a grown man to change so he can keep you, love is a grown man changing on his own because he can’t imaging life without you.
By Theresa Evans5 years ago in Humans
Was This a Personality Mismatch or Something Much Darker?- Part 4
“But you have paid for a month. Are you going to ask for a refund? Those things get messy.” I guess I have to decide between money and my happiness. This place feels like the haunted house of Bly Manor!” Amy, aren’t you exaggerating? Anyway, you aren’t happy, that needs to be fixed.” “I’ll figure it out.” With that, the call ended.
By Nkeonye Judith IZUKA5 years ago in Humans
A Gentle Earthquake
It was a long awaited weekend. Sometimes I long for the simplicity of an early morning on a day off, and think to myself that for this moment, I have arrived. Nothing is drawing me out of bed. The family I dream of growing is not yet here. I am laying in bed under warm sheets, moving my legs across soft flannel comfortably weighted under down while the rain gently falls and nourishes the Earth within and around us. No longing, no anxiety or urgency, just pleasure from what is. Bed offers me a momentary sabbath.
By Melody Overstreet5 years ago in Humans
Abuse No More
Have you ever wished you can redo your life? I mean have thought about it so many times that I wish I can redo everything. I was 19 years old when I met him , so young and just not as smart and he knew this. I don't regret my kids and I never will just wish they had a different father.
By Selena Samuel5 years ago in Humans
Please don't be a premonition of 2021...
This year began with an anti- climax as I spent the evening in bed with the Flu , browsing my bank accounts in search of some way to feed myself. I realized with a heavy weakness that I would not be getting a proper meal on my own and began to ask friends for money for delivery as I couldn't leave the house till it was confirmed I did not have Covid-19. A friend helped graciously and I was able to fill my stomach while writhing in pain, watching Star Trek, and hoping I'd be well in time to start my new job.
By L.D. Malachite 5 years ago in Humans
SECOND BEST LIFE
SECOND BEST LIFE I grew up poor; I’m not ashamed of that, however it is only with the wisdom of age that I can now see how diligently I was hardwired to expect second best in life. The two phrases “It’s good enough” and “It’s just as good as the real thing” permeated just about every aspect of my life, from where I shopped for clothes, what brands of food I bought, even to my first husband. “It’s just as good.” Story of my life.
By Kylie Lowe5 years ago in Humans
