Stream of Consciousness

The Bridge Beneath the Moonlight
In the heart of a city where the skyscrapers kissed the clouds and subways groaned like overworked stagehands, there existed a small, unassuming café called Moonlight Bridge. It wasn’t in the glossy parts of town, but tucked away where the cobblestones threatened your ankles and graffiti artists held secret exhibitions at 3 a.m.
By The Kind Quillabout a year ago in Humans
A hidden power . AI-Generated.
The flickering fluorescent lights of Mrs. Henderson's third-grade classroom buzzed overhead, casting long, skeletal shadows across the worn linoleum floor. Eight-year-old Lily sat mesmerized, watching a fat bumblebee struggle against the pane of glass, its wings a blur of desperate motion. Suddenly, the window shattered. Lily jumped, her heart pounding. Mrs. Henderson gasped, clutching her pearls. The bee, disoriented, tumbled to the floor, its antennae twitching. Lily, however, felt strangely calm. It was as if she had willed the glass to break. As if she had… controlled it. Over the next few weeks, similar incidents occurred. A stray baseball shattered against the garage door. A teacup, precariously balanced on the edge of the counter, inexplicably exploded into a thousand shards. Lily, initially terrified, soon discovered a strange thrill in her newfound power. She learned to control its intensity. A gentle thought could make a pencil roll off a desk. A more focused intention could shatter a water balloon with a satisfying pop. But with power came responsibility. Lily realized she couldn't just use her ability for mischief. One day, while walking home from school, she saw a small boy trapped under a fallen tree branch. Panic surged through her. With a deep breath, she focused her will. The branch, surprisingly heavy, groaned and splintered, lifting itself off the terrified boy. He scrambled out, eyes wide with fear and amazement. Lily, her heart pounding, slipped away unnoticed. News of the incident spread through town like wildfire. Whispers of a "miracle" circulated. The grateful parents of the rescued boy offered rewards, but Lily, terrified of being discovered, refused. She knew her power was a secret, a dangerous secret. As she grew older, Lily learned to control her abilities with greater precision. She helped her elderly neighbor with her groceries, levitating heavy bags effortlessly. She repaired broken toys for the children at the orphanage, mending them with invisible hands. She also learned to conceal her power. She wore gloves to avoid accidental breakage. She learned to suppress her emotions, to prevent unintended outbursts. But the fear of discovery never truly subsided. The weight of her secret pressed down on her, a constant reminder of the extraordinary burden she carried. One day, while visiting a local museum, Lily stood before a magnificent, ancient vase, its delicate patterns a testament to human artistry. Suddenly, a careless tourist, jostled by the crowd, bumped into a display case. The vase, teetering precariously, was about to crash to the marble floor. Instinctively, Lily reacted. She reached out, not with her hands, but with her mind. The vase, suspended in mid-air, remained motionless. The museum, thrown into chaos, was quickly evacuated. Security cameras rolled, capturing the impossible: the vase hovering in thin air, seemingly defying gravity. Lily, her face pale, knew her secret was no longer safe. The following day, she was contacted by a mysterious organization. They offered her a place in their ranks, a chance to learn to control and utilize her abilities for the greater good. Lily hesitated. Freedom was precious, but so was the responsibility that came with her power. As she stood at the crossroads, a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her life, once ordinary, had forever been altered by the shattering of a window pane and the awakening of a hidden, extraordinary power.
By D Jiseroabout a year ago in Humans
Nobody Gets You? Maybe That’s Fine
Let me ask you something: how many times have you felt unheard, unseen, or maybe just... misplaced? That sinking feeling when you’ve explained your heart out, only to be met with blank stares, dismissive nods, or even worse—well-meaning but completely off-the-mark advice. It’s isolating. It’s frustrating. It makes you wonder if you’re speaking a different language altogether.
By Seymour Sozaabout a year ago in Humans
Friendship and the Tangle of Money: The True Value of Trust
Friendship and the Tangle of Money: The True Value of Trust In life, there are moments when we truly understand the worth of things. The most precious of these are the people in our lives—our friends, our families, and most importantly, the trust we build with them. These intangible treasures hold the greatest value. However, amidst these precious bonds, there exists one element that can sometimes shake the very foundation of friendship – the exchange of money.
By Dipak Pawarabout a year ago in Humans
A Pondside Postcard From Me to You. Top Story - January 2025.
Good morning Vocal community and welcome to the second edition of my Monday Morning Huddle. If you are stopping by for the first time, this little project of mine is a 2025 weekly nature-inspired read to kick off the new work week. A short post featuring personal photography taken from my phone and little tidbits of info ( depending on what inspires me) including little-known facts, folklore, spiritual parallels, mantras, meditations, and more.
By Marilyn Gloverabout a year ago in Humans
Breaking Down Gender Norms in Caregiving: Lessons from L&T
A contentious discussion about work-life balance has been triggered by L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan's proposal of a 90-hour workweek that requires Sunday work. A hilarious meme fest has been triggered by the controversial comment, with celebrities, business executives, and content producers all joining forces to mock the notion. His comments rekindled the discussion about work-life balance, which had been sparked by Narayana Murthy, a co-founder of Infosys, proposing a 70-hour workweek.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in Humans
Why Motivation Isn't Garbage and Why Skills Aren’t Everything
Let me start by saying this: no dream is too big, no goal is too high. Yet, there’s a saying making rounds that dismisses motivation as “complete garbage,” claiming that success is only about skills. Let’s stop for a moment and think about that. Is it really fair to reduce the energy and passion that fuels ambition to trash? I really don’t think so. It’s not only an incomplete picture; it’s an unkind one. Let’s break this down together and explore why this mantra won’t serve you on your journey.
By Seymour Sozaabout a year ago in Humans
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz is one of the most popular and beloved actresses in Hollywood. Known for her beauty, talent, and cheerful personality, she has appeared in some of the biggest movies of the last few decades. Cameron’s journey from a model to a Hollywood superstar is inspiring and has made her a favorite for audiences around the world.
By Farhan Sayedabout a year ago in Humans
Unlock a Better You, Experts Reveal the Power of Meditation
I remember walking home one day and was suddenly hit with severe anxiety. I felt pain in my stomach and heart palpitations. It was my flight or flight system in overdrive. This wasn't unfamiliar to me. And there wasn't anything alarming to provoke this attack.
By Kathy Lumabout a year ago in Humans
Set Yourself as Your Own Role Model
Set Yourself as Your Own Role Model Life is a journey filled with struggles, lessons, and growth. Along the way, there comes a time when we find ourselves questioning the purpose of our efforts. “Why am I doing this? Is my life heading in the right direction?” These questions often lead us to seek guidance, and more often than not, we look up to someone as a role model—a beacon of hope who can illuminate our path.
By Dipak Pawarabout a year ago in Humans
Liana Shanti on Spirituality in the Quantum Realm
Liana Shanti—a visionary shaman, spiritual guide, and quantum thinker—is no stranger to the mystical fabric of existence that connects every soul, every star, and every moment in time.
By Shawn Waltonabout a year ago in Humans
The FDA’s Ban on Red Dye 3: What You Need to Know
The FDA's new choice to boycott Red Colour 3 (Erythrosine) marks a huge move towards focusing on shopper well-being by tending to the dangers related to counterfeit food colourings. This manufactured colour, generally used to bestow dynamic red or pink shades to food, has for quite some time been under a magnifying glass for its potential wellbeing gambles, especially its connection to disease in research facility creatures. By disallowing its utilization in food items, the FDA has found a proactive way to safeguard general well-being while at the same time flagging a shift towards stricter guidelines on fake added substances.
By MahaShanker Mandalabout a year ago in Humans