humanity

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

30,000 Feet & Climbing; Thoughts from Above
323 MPH and somewhere between 32,000 feet and landing, I let my mind wander. I allow myself to reflect on my experience over the past two weeks (I have been away from home opening a new location for the company I work for). I can look back and know I killed myself for this. I went above and beyond. I took my skill and knowledge to another level. I jumped through hoops and fought battles that weren’t mine. I gave my all, yet I can still feel the lack of appreciation, even so high above the clouds. Are my expectations too high? Unrealistic? Perhaps I am the issue here? What’s the appropriate way to say “Thanks for saving my ass, over and over again?” Could it be the brief, two-sentence email sent haphazardly from an iPad? Maybe expecting too much has always been my issue. I expect from others, as much as I always give. So in reflection, the question becomes... Where do I start to draw the line, lower my expectations and therefore give less? When is it time for a change? How to you know? Are there neon signs, signals, divine intervention? I don’t know the answer to that; I do know that when you (I) start asking yourself (myself) these questions, it’s time to start weighing options, pushing boundaries, exploring different avenues and always operating with eyes wide open.
By Dyan Hull7 years ago in Humans
A Letter to My Ex...
"Grief is like an ocean; it comes in waves, embedding and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it's overwhelming. All we can do is learn how to swim." -Vicki Harrison
By Kayla Triplett7 years ago in Humans
Conversations With Ka
I’d been curious about what had happened to him for quite awhile. Ka finally decided to answer my questions, in English, in his own words.
By Genevieve Hawkins7 years ago in Humans
I'm Ugly, I'm Handsome, I'm... Troubled
I don't watch TV at all, but, you know, the media is all around us in this century, and it gets to you, and hard. I've been told that I'm attractive. I was born in December, therefore in Astrology I'm a Capricorn (do not conceive around May, as this cold sign can drive you to insanity if circumstances aren't in your favor). Capricorns (December to January) are ruled by Saturn, having saturnine characteristics, and by such terminology I mean that we're mostly slim, mousy-like; Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Lord of the Rings' Orlando Bloom, singer and songwriter Zayn Malik, and others. Not all Capricorns are like that, of course, but it's an idea. But disregarding that now, let's move on.
By Victor Vaz7 years ago in Humans
Identity and Expression
Expression takes on many forms, through colours and fabrics we choose our outward reflection based on inward introspection. We look within to our core, a kaleidoscope of feelings, thoughts, and dreams to see ourselves. From our hearts to our hands and down to our feet, we are born to move, to express who we are and claim that expression.
By John Ames Birch7 years ago in Humans
Night Skies (Chapter 2)
After days of hiking through our unexpected destination, we were unable to find any more survivors. Those days dragged on longer than normal. We had finally given up on searching and found a clearing near the choppy water. The first order of business was food. I was positive that the sounds radiating from beasts inside our stomachs could be heard from across the world. We were able to discover a small cove that contrasted the terrific open ocean we had seen before us. The abundance of fish became our food supply. Next, was shelter. The canopy of tree branches served as our protection during our search for more survivors, but now we were brutally exposed to whatever mother nature wanted to throw at us.
By dizzy187 years ago in Humans
Let Yourself Be Saved
There is strength in vulnerability. This is a statement not many people can make confidently, especially pertaining to themselves. The way we have been raised, it is a default to embody the lone warrior role in difficult situations.
By Jonathan The Wanderer7 years ago in Humans
We Are Lost
I sit here on the beach, watching the sunset and the people sitting, and waiting for the fireworks to began to celebrate yet another holiday that most don’t know the root of what it represents.
By Pam Hansen7 years ago in Humans
Night Skies
My eyes flickered open to an unfamiliar sight. My mind matched the foggy atmosphere I had woken up to. Last I knew I was on the flight home from the best vacation I had ever had. My crisp tan lines marking my delightful stay remained on my sunkissed body. Slowly, coherence crept back and I came to the realization that I was alone. My mind jumped to many the horrific possibilities: what would become of a sixteen-year-old girl in an unknown place, deserted and confused? I could already imagine the chilling headlines. The adrenaline of this realization kept me awake and moving, but it was also the root of my anxiety. The only logical thing for me to do was scour for more signs of life.
By dizzy187 years ago in Humans
We Can't Judge
Judging by Appearance We, as people, so often judge others. We look at people at work, at school, walking down the street, and just by their appearance, we judge who they are. If someone is wearing a certain style of clothing, or is listening to a certain genre of music, we automatically assume that they are a certain type of person. And you know, sometimes you're right, but more often than not, you're gonna be wrong. A lot of the time we avoid these types of people, because we assume they are bad people, or that their personality isn't a fit with ours—but in the end, we never know. We don't fully understand people, and we certainly never will if we only assume who they are by judgement of their appearance.
By Shandon Pendleton7 years ago in Humans
A Call to Action
In nearly every city in the US, homelessness is an issue. If you're homeless, you may feel forgotten, shunned, neglected, and even perceived as the scourge of the city. On the other hand, if you're the tax paying citizen whose neighborhoods they overtake and swarm, how are you supposed to feel. No one wants to come off as insensitive for not wanting to address the situation.
By Curtis Heggs7 years ago in Humans
We Are Alive: The Intricacies of Existence
Life, it surrounds us, lives within us and sustains us. Many people are alive, but most never get to live. Have you ever stopped to think about the miracles that surround us. Each day we walk on this planet teeming with life, yet we fail to see it’s wonders. That life takes on many forms but all share an evolutionary history of struggle.
By John Ames Birch7 years ago in Humans