humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
The Death of the Human Experience
Robin Williams, felt this way. Kurt Cobain felt this way. At 15 years old, I felt this way, and it almost cost me a life that I have since enjoyed. Last night, feeling the pressure of holidays, the stress of the business and uncertainty, and that feeling of screaming in a crowded room yet invisible...., My thoughts tried to take me there again. But then I quickly thought about all the countless articles claiming that it was such a shock that nobody could predict the "unfortunate" death of Robin Williams, and all the posts that have been shared saying the same cliché things about suicide, and it dawned on me. This bumper sticker meme society doesn't know what it means in the shallow cookie cutter statements it says, or even understand what it claims to advocate for or against. And if I should fall victim to my own irrational fatalist and weary frustrations, it would do nothing to change anything, yet it would give one more name to be uttered from the mouths of a society no longer directed by convictions or some purpose, but a society that instead is easily led by trends and rhetoric. A society so a washed in its own self preservation and self validation, that the only thing it seems to believe in or agree upon collectively, is that it is made up of individuals who are just looking out for themselves, at all costs. The most vile will be held in reverence, the downtrodden will be vilified, and the system will be divided against itself. More and more, the rich have our attention while we ignore the poor, the politicians and the successful, or the glamorous, have our loyalties, while our families have our alienation and distance. This is why police officers often become alcoholics, or comedians mask the pain with jokes. Why even when at the top of fame or success, some spiral into depression. Why the poor often find crime. Because no one wants to hear a cops fears or heartache, no one wants to hear a comedian's sadness, a rich musicians woes, or a poor man's excuses. Because that's how you lose friends, fans, and respect. Because no one wants to hear excuses as they are called. If it doesn't fit nice neatly and quickly into one's framework of reality, then it's irrelevant. Only after it is too late, will the same BS be spewed out about the unfortunate nature and circumstances of those who took their lives or gave up. Those lives that had been trying to just keep up the image that would somehow keep them from being invisible when in fact it only exasperates the problem. But what do you expect from a society that creates his own problem, goes at each other's throat to defend the people who caused the problems, and then get busy making memes that joke about that enemy called the year 2020, as if the year itself created all the problems! I, for one, refuse to be an image for the sake of anyone, or to be misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or misinterpreted after the fact. I damn sure refuse to leave this earth only to see society pick apart that image and say, "How did we miss that?" The same way we go to funerals and say "We have to stop meeting this way" ....., but we never do. Someone once said to me "You talk to hear yourself talk." I'll grant them that because not everything I say is worth saying. But at least I can admit that. But in this individual's case they only said it because they were uncomfortable hearing what I was saying as it was the truth. And far too many people have said less for bigger audiences. I'm not speaking to gain audiences, I am merely speaking to enlighten whoever cares to be enlightened and that audience is much smaller these days. But tough s***, I wouldn't plunge off into an abyss of darkness out of despair of loneliness in a world whose population is quickly becoming filled with people kept company by their own egos and reflection. I'm not always right, I'm never popular, and I don't mind being the minority vote or unpopular consensus. I follow my heart, I judge myself, and I live with purpose. And if anything that I believe in requires me to alienate others or to disregard them then I don't believe in it. It hasn't been easy, and it has gotten me harassed, threatened, unfriended, and ostracized.
By John Everett5 years ago in Humans
Giving to A Small Town
I have lived in my community for 35 years and have always been actively involved in many activities. I was a part of what was called the FLASK committee for several years, which was a group responsible for fundraising, planning and organizing and running our town's annual Fourth of July festival. During the 10 years I was a part of this committee, we went from just a few small events and a tiny fireworks display to being one of the largest festivals in our area and people came from all around the surrounding area to attend our events, which included things like a petting zoo, bounce houses, craft shows and flea markets, a huge parade and one of the best fireworks displays in the state. Our core group of 10 volunteers made the entire thing happen and, sadly, we began to get tired. The group fell apart with the passing of the leader and fireworks expert and it took several years to get new people to pick things back up.
By Jennifer Sharp5 years ago in Humans
A Strange Sense of Togetherness
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has put stress on all of us in different ways. We are seeing different parts of our communities crumble under this huge weight. We are having to say goodbye to loved ones and friends who have taken their last breath and we are unable to see them which has been traumatizing to say the least. There have been so many positive messages circling simply to make us feel better as humans. I mean, how many times can we hear “we’re all in this together?” Although it is a good sentiment, I believe that many of us, including myself, have found it harder to believe that statement in this current climate. Many things have continued to keep us divided, but more importantly we should think about the ways that the coronavirus pandemic has brought us closer together.
By Jillian Alexandra5 years ago in Humans
The Worlds Gone Crazy
The moral decline of the population is at hand. I believe the American population is fast approaching a total lack of empathy and an inability to relate to other people. Roads are filled with road raging idiots who cannot control themselves or phone junkies who do not care enough to put down their phones. People at stores have been having out burst and are treating employees horribly.
By Casey Ann Patterson5 years ago in Humans
How to Change Someone’s Mind
People are passionate about issues that are important to them. And they want everyone with an opposing view to change their mind. So when they talk to someone on the other side of the issue who have equally strong beliefs, they both get frustrated, angry, and sometimes violent.
By Dayton Parks5 years ago in Humans
Why You Should Always Call out Disloyalty When You See It!
As I sit here wonder if I'm good enough? Did I do something? Is it my looks? Was I too pushy? You might ask yourself these questions after a partner has cheated on you or when a friend talks behind your back might even tear down the self-confidence that you have left. Truth is, none of those questions will get you a frank answer. Disloyalty is mostly an act of selfishness or being loyal to someone else which usually is a cause of one manipulating or another act of selfishness in the process. What in this universe makes that ok or acceptable? Why would some of us still be a friend or spouse to one who does that action? Why would we settle with someone who is disloyal?
By David Combs5 years ago in Humans
New Purpose
At a young age I had tons of stuffed animals, probably like most kids. Although would argue that my collection was pretty big. They were of every animal and size. All of them together easily took up the whole bed which was a queen. One Valentine's Day even got like about twenty stuffed animals at once. On that day I woke up and saw them all on the couch, of course being a kid that made me happy. Then as time went on some were let go and some still are with me. Getting rid of them were so hard being a little kid. To the point were my mom did kind of have to force me. Did not help that also had a walk-in closet which made me want to keep them even more. Ar0und the young teenage years still had like a small amount from before. A few were some big teddy bears. One was like this long stuffed weenie dog with hearts. In my room there was a spot which they were like on a chest. Those I guess were my favorite due to the size. They were close to my inner child which still is with me.
By Meagan Castaneda5 years ago in Humans
The Angel In The Dumpster
I can still remember as if it were yesterday, that cold and bitter Alaskan December morning I woke up to discover a homeless man frozen to death on my front porch. I could see plainly, his tears frozen to his cheeks and I remember being very distraught thinking to myself, 'if only he had just knocked on my door, he would've found a warm meal, hot shower, and comfy bed and he would've survived with a new outlook on how his life still meant something to someone...'
By Cole Spooner5 years ago in Humans
Why do we need things?
I walked around my house the other day and decided to take note of things I actually used and needed. I went into each room, looking into the cupboards, shelves, and everything in between. What I realised is that, there’s just an abundance of things that didn’t have a significant purpose within my home.
By kitta brand5 years ago in Humans
Aim To Be A Tzadik
As I walk through the services of today I often hear, "don't aim to be a Tzadik, you'll never reach it," and "just try to do what you can. Its too much pressure for anyone and unrealistic." One Rabbi who would want to remain anonymous even told me, "we are so far from the Torah today that we couldn't begin to understand its meanings." My heart genuinely ached in that moment and I wondered who hurt him so deeply? I later replied in text message, because that's what we do these days we text the Rabbi, "The Torah is eternal as is It's truths." It is not the individual who is not capable of understanding the Torah and with the tradition of controlling the individual through societal norms and shaming ending; now is the perfect time to aim to be a Tzadik.
By Helena Schwartz5 years ago in Humans
