humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Snowmen
I live in a small town, one that until last year had an operating power station from the mining days. It's a part of our history but with the smoke and the heat, it eliminated a lot of chances for snow unless it was around minus 10. The kind of temperature where it was too cold to enjoy it. However, the first time that the coal plant was closed on boxing day none less, we had our first real snow. The first snow deeper than an inch, nearest Christmas and one I could share with someone who enjoys it. My dad was getting older, my mom doesn't like the cold, and my brother thinks that snow is for little kids and enjoys his online friends more than his family it seems. But my boyfriend of nearly a year was sleeping next to me when I shook him and opened the blinds to a blinding white glow. He was not impressed, to say the least.
By Jess Bennett5 years ago in Humans
A girl vs the Pandemic
As a young girl growing up in my small Ghanaian town, Techiman, I often found myself questioning what more there were beyond the borders of my small town. From my nine-year-old imagination of seeing the big world one day to using my passion to initiate changes in underserved communities like mine, my life has been filled with action-oriented initiatives ever since moving to the states. My passion to help others consistently urges me to take action. The urge to consistently help others stem from an experience I had when I was nine years old. It all began in Techiman, Ghana on Wednesday May,11,2011. Sɛdea na me sa yaw?” or “How do I heal suffering?” were the exact native Akan words coming out of my nine year old mouth. We were at our small family house, where my grandmother or nanabasia laid on her favorite clothed Ghanaian Kente bed. In the Ghanaian tradition, when the head of the house is ill, family members gather around he or she to comfort them. On that Wednesday night, my nanabasia children, grandchildren, and great great grandchildren gathered around her like chicks surrounding their hens. The clouds were dark, filled with the cries of birds or “anumaa”. The air was thick with the heaviness placed on my chest. Questions enveloped my thoughts, wrapping uncertainty around me like a blanket. That Wednesday was the closest I’ve ever come to seeing death. My “Nanabasia” tears were non-existent but I saw the pain that crept her cheeks. Those memories captivated my heart to wanting to help people.
By Mary Yeboah5 years ago in Humans
Change
Throughout existence change has been all around us, not only around us but in us. We’ve changed and continue to change. It may be in personality, opinion, looks, and even feelings. Change can be anything and caused by anything. Change can be caused by your roles, what you are ready to accept, how people treat you, or even your responsibilities. I know that over the past couple of years my roles, what I have accepted, how people treated me, and my responsibilities have changed me and possibly for the greater good.
By Beka Winkler5 years ago in Humans
10 cents
When I was 15, my mom sent me into the grocery store with my younger sister to buy some items off of a short grocery list. They were typical things; milk, bread, eggs, etc. My mom gave me a $10 bill and said that it should be fine. I did the math, and I figured, sure, it would be fine too. When I got to the checkout however, I realized not everything on the list was gonna make it.
By Kara Kreeni5 years ago in Humans
My Journey through 2020
2020 was a year of enlightenment and growth. I ended a 4 year marriage with someone I loved but I knew love wasn’t enough to get us through. 2020 held a lot of self love and maintenance. Ella Mai, Jhene Aiko and Monica, to name a few, got me through this year. My number one song is Naked by Ella mai! Omg the lyrics to this song speak to my heart. This year I attended therapy for the first time in a very long time. I feel like I had to strip naked my emotions, traumas, past hurts, and even my current hurts!
By Dshay Michelene5 years ago in Humans
My journey My 2020
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHupfAhSwo9iOtlangyx3vZft82kWwQKA 2020 was a year of enlightenment and growth. I ended a 4 year marriage with someone I loved but I knew love wasn’t enough to get us through. 2020 held a lot of self love and maintenance. Ella Mai, Jhene Aiko and Monica, to name a few, got me through this year. My number one song is Naked by Ella mai! Omg the lyrics to this song speak to my heart. This year I attended therapy for the first time in a very long time. I feel like I had to strip naked my emotions, traumas, past hurts, and even my current hurts!
By Dshay Michelene5 years ago in Humans
The year of enlightenment
This year has been unexplainable. I entered it believing I could do better but I just made the same mistakes, my playlist is evidence of that. I took a trip down heartbreak lane where I managed to convince myself I was unjust for hurting. I would smile, smile, smile to the world but cry, cry, cry behind closed doors. No one knew. I did not have anyone to go to but the one who hurt me so dearly. He had his family to open to but I did not. My silent existence is what caused me to not be able to open up to no body. I needed a soul but all I had was my own soul. I felt stupid but whilst I was there I felt loved and at home; I’ve always been selfless so I would never hold my ground which allowed violations. This selflessness is what made me become bait to those who do not know how to tend to an individual. I was tricked by my own thoughts thinking he was a good man and that he would take care of my heart. I did not know that it was my job to look after my heart. I feel for him. I mean I fell for him. But me falling made me fumble and as I fumbled I was most definitely humbled. I just wanted to be happy. Now I know it is only me who can bring happiness, I can not depend on others or rely on them to make me happy. I wanted to give all I had and I did. But at my most vulnerable I was exploited so badly I don’t think I can do it again. I’m too emotional.
By Timileyin Ayanbanjo5 years ago in Humans
New Year resolutions
Every year we do it! We make promises to ourselves and people around to change a bad habit or something for the new year. We promise to better ourselves and improve who we are and for what? 3 weeks? 2 or maybe 4 months? We all heard this phrase before: "This year it's going to be My year" or "New year, new me!" it should be more, "new year same me". All the time we get the same resolutions from friends, family and colleagues, "I'll loose weight" "I'll quit smoking" "I'll start a diet" and the list goes on.
By F.K. Aldon5 years ago in Humans
Thoughts of Self and COVID-19
What does it mean to be African American? To me it means remembering my roots, my ancestors, where they came from. But I have a problem – my ancestors are not just from Africa, some are from Scotland or Ireland, some from Germany and some are Native American, in short, I am all mixed up. So, to simply call myself African American is to deny the rest of my roots! I can’t say I’m African German Scottish Native American American, that would take too long, which is why I simply call myself ‘American’.
By Merrie Jackson5 years ago in Humans
A Generous Denouement
I kept walking. The desert reached the horizon caressing the sky there where my longing for freshness ended. I never would have thought I'd go this far just to be so willing to give up. Any sign, and my determination, weak as each step sinking in the sand, would crumble taking me to the land of eternal dreams.
By Alberto Romero5 years ago in Humans
