humanity

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

How Did It Come To This?
The bones of Saint Nicholas sit sopping wet somewhere in a chapel in Italy. You have no idea how this happened, and frankly, you don’t think any amount of money would be enough to get you to drink Saint Nick’s Bone Juice. You also have no idea how this happened, but as you sit in a primary school classroom in Oparany, someplace in Southern Bohemia, you hear the cacophonous tolling of a choir of handbells. You stare out the classroom door into the hallway just in time to watch a parade of preteen boys, faces caked in black makeup, horns sprouting from their scalps, meander past the classroom to the rooms where the younger students learn. Honzik peers into your classroom, calls out your name, comes sprinting up. He marks your forehead with the same black paint that’s on his face, says something to the tune of, “You’re one of us, now” in his thick Czech accent, and rejoins his hellspawn comrades as they terrorize the shitlings of their school.
By Steven Christopher McKnight2 months ago in Humans
Warmth, rituals, and quiet Winter magic
I sit here, metaphorical pen in hand, hovering over metaphorical paper, but actually, hunched over the keyboard, with fingers itching to write of glorious winter rituals.
By Antoni De'Leon2 months ago in Humans
What To Do With Bad Habits
What Is a Habit? A habit is something that is done repeatedly without you even thinking about it. A habit is the frequent repetition of something said or done. It is a usual practice or pattern. A habit is something that you do routinely without much thought or effort. Sometimes people do things without even realizing they are doing them because they have become so routine.
By Margaret Minnicks2 months ago in Humans
The Ritual of Returning to Myself At Dusk . AI-Generated.
Winter arrives quietly where I live. The light begins to leave earlier each afternoon, slipping away while the day still feels unfinished. At first, I used to resist it. I would turn on lamps and keep going, pushing against the dark as if effort alone could hold the daylight in place.
By Dainty Lava 2 months ago in Humans
Virgo Woman & Sagittarius Man Compatibility Score. AI-Generated.
When a Virgo woman and a Sagittarius man come together, the connection is anything but boring. This pairing brings together two very different worldviews: Virgo’s grounded, detail-oriented approach to life meets Sagittarius’ optimistic, freedom-loving spirit. Their relationship can feel like a constant lesson in balance—between planning and spontaneity, realism and idealism. While attraction and curiosity often spark quickly, long-term harmony requires patience, understanding, and mutual respect for each other’s differences.
By Inspire and Fun2 months ago in Humans
7 Reasons Doctors Recommend Eating Dark Chocolate Every Day
Almost everyone loves chocolate. However, many people don't eat it as often as they would like because they have been misinformed. They focus on the danger of eating it rather than on the benefits dark chocolate offers.
By Margaret Minnicks2 months ago in Humans
Why We Have a Responsibility to Help the Palestinian People
Across history, moments of prolonged human suffering have challenged the world’s sense of empathy and responsibility. The situation facing the Palestinian people is one such moment. It is not only a political issue or a regional conflict—it is, at its core, a humanitarian crisis that affects everyday lives in profound ways.
By charliesamuel2 months ago in Humans
The Bridge of Whispers
THE STORY The river Seren ran calmly between two villages: Willowbrook on the left bank and Mapleford on the right. Once, the villages had been one community. Children played together, merchants traded freely, and festivals were celebrated on the banks of the river. But a quarrel over land ownership decades ago had split the town in two.
By M.Farooq2 months ago in Humans
The Lighthouse of Hope
THE STORY The town of Rafiya Bay stretched along a jagged coastline, where the ocean met the cliffs in foamy waves. Generations of families had fished these waters, navigating storms, tides, and hidden rocks. And for generations, the lighthouse at the edge of the cliff had guided them home safely.
By M.Farooq2 months ago in Humans
The Garden of Silent Hearts
THE STORY The town of Saharabad had once been famous for its gardens. Every home had a little patch of greenery, a few flowers, or a small vegetable patch. But the largest garden, in the center of town, had been abandoned for years.
By M.Farooq2 months ago in Humans
The Sound of the Bell
THE STORY The town of Almarah was once known for one thing above all else — its bell. Every morning at sunrise, the old bell in the town square rang softly, echoing through narrow streets and open windows. It marked the beginning of the day, calling shopkeepers to open their doors, children to hurry to school, and elders to sit outside with their tea.
By M.Farooq2 months ago in Humans
Depressed? Drink Water
Depression is a mood disorder that stems from the brain. Because the brain is 85 percent water, when you are depressed, you also become dehydrated. Dehydration is bad for the brain.
By Margaret Minnicks2 months ago in Humans