humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Love is Blind
It was the night of October 31,2012, I just started at new job as a server at a kosher restaurant. I met him that night and little did I know my life would never be the same. I finished late that night and was so tired, he was waiting outside and I just walked right by him. I had a boyfriend and I wasn’t interested in talking to anyone. At the time, I was working two jobs and the restaurant was my second job. It wasn’t until I started working full time at the restaurant that I really noticed him. By this time, my boyfriend and I were in the middle of a break up after five years together. He was my escape and he was so cute. I felt free when I was around him. He made me feel good about myself and I knew that I needed a friend.
By Ashlee Grant8 years ago in Humans
People Watching in a Coffee Shop
Coffee shops are one of the most calming places I find myself in these days, second only to used bookstores. Not the chain stores like Starbucks or Carribou, though my Barry Road Starbucks is still a place I frequent often. I’m talking one of a kind coffee places, where you never find the same decor in another place. Places that welcome visitors with one of a kind experiences and flavors to try. Places that are crowded with people from all walks of life, whether hipsters, business men, college students or old couples enjoying the afternoon together. Places that you can plop down in a nice leather chair, sit back with a house cup, and enjoy the atmosphere.
By Abby Wolff8 years ago in Humans
Ego
I'm thinking a lot right now about the way people interact with others; specifically about kindness and hate. Sometimes it takes something drastic for someone to show kindness and support. If you think about achieving world peace, all we really need is to understand each other. I know its a LOT easier said than done, everyone is different, people disagree on things. But, most people agree that they don't want to be sad; or if they are in need he/she would appreciate help, even if it's from a stranger. I strongly believe in the saying, "treat others the way you want to be treated," so why cant people understand each other? The problem is ego. I think it's weird how it's pretty much human nature to be selfish. Yes, I understand wanting to survive and doing whatever is necessary to survive, so in that sense you put yourself before others. But I don't understand people with a big ego, people who truly believe that they are better than everyone else. If you think about it, that's why there is so much hate. But then, if something drastic happens, (most of the time) people will react with kindness. For example, say a boy in high school is unpopular, bullied, doesn't have many friends, etc. Every normal day people ignore him, treat him badly, make him feel worthless, but one day his mom dies. The whole school will react with kindness and support right? Announcements will be made asking for donations for him and his family. People who once bullied him will see him in the hallway and say "I'm so sorry for your loss." Why is it that it took a death in this boy's family to grant him some kindness and respect? It's sad to think that we live in a world where kindness is only shown in times of need rather than as an aspect of everyday life. Another example: in my high school there is a club called Best Buddies; it's a club dedicated to ending the isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At this club high school, students pretty much hang out with their peers with disabilities. Its purpose is to make them feel less isolated and gain equality between those students who are in special education classes and those who are not. To me, it seems so strange however, that the students in that club are showing so much kindness to their peers with intellectual disabilities, but not to their own peers? Why is it that some people who are bullies in the hallways can act so caring and sweet after school in Best Buddies? I think it's for the look. People post all over social media about how they had such a great time with their friend from best buddies! They get so many likes and comments about how they are so sweet and if you think about it, it builds that person's ego. Kindness today is just about the look; just about inflaming your ego to make yourself feel better, kindness isn't genuine these days. People are only kind when they need to be, and that is so sad. I also don't understand how people can be so mean to strangers, people they don't even know! It astonishes me how someone can truly believe he or she is better than someone they don't even know. Ego can tie into so many things. This is the reason we are fighting for so much equality. We protest for women's rights, racial equality, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, etc. To me, these issues have one problem in common: ego. You fight for women's rights because they are seen as inferior to men. You fight for racial equality because some races believe they are better than others. People with different sexualities, genders, even religions, all disagree with each other because they have a big ego; they believe they are the best. It's sad, it's disappointing, and I want to put an end to that. Everyone deserves kindness, don't let your ego get in the way of that.
By Elissa Castro8 years ago in Humans
A Fresh Start
And here I am again. Writing words that I need to release. This is my very first time writing in another language that is not Spanish. I can express myself better in Spanish, but let’s give a try on something new. There’s something that my heart wants to say aloud that my brain won't let. It’s good to have a balance between your brain and your heart always. That way you can’t get hurt. You can’t let anything or anyone hurt you. But me… I’m a different person. I always say I am not from this world. I’m from another planet, but I think a planet is way too small compared to a galaxy. Let’s say that I came from another galaxy… or am I the galaxy? Where my brain and my heart work differently from other people. In this case… my brain has too many tabs open and my heart is made of sugar. As you can see, I have lots of stuff in my mind. Dreams, people, beautiful moments, places where I’ve been, and also stuff I haven’t have done yet: travel the word, become a professional, find the right person to have by my side. I also have negative thoughts that sometimes I cannot hold, but I always look beyond the negativity and look for positivity. I’ve been sick worrying about nothing, worrying for meaningless things. About my heart made of sugar? I’m way too good to people. I will always look for your good and your happiness because that makes me happy. Making someone happy is something that comes naturally from me, and I will never stop till I see a smile in their faces, but not everyone deserves it. At this point, I need to be careful to whom I’m going to open my heart, whether it’s friendship, a partner, even to your own family. You’ll never know their intentions. Someone said: love unconditionally. What is the meaning of unconditional love? True love. Exactly. True love is hard to find. Hard to get. Unconditional love is caring about the happiness of another person without any thought for what we might get for ourselves. Trust, support, understanding, patience… lots of patience and so much more. I want to start form zero. I desired a fresh start on this planet where no one knows who I am. A new me. A new beginning. Find the right people to have by my side. I want to give all I have, all my love, help them understand and be understood. No judgements.
By Michelle Padilla Bchara8 years ago in Humans
Tales from The F Train
Five forty five, Tuesday, November 7th, 2017 waiting for the F train in the 34th Street station. Its been a day yet it feels as if it were three. But! I have my kindle in my pocket and “Look Homeward, Angel,” waiting to be read. The world of Liza, Gant, Eugene and the people of Altamont.
By Freddy Zalta8 years ago in Humans
Loneliness
Loneliness: Can a relationship really cure it? Everyone feels lonely sometimes—it’s just a normal relationship just like love, happiness, and sadness. However, what does it take to truly feel lonely. Some are alone for a day or a week, but others it can last months and maybe even years, like an illness without a cure. Loneliness is actually quite an underrated emotion, leaving people feeling depressed and even adding to anxieties that may already have existed. Sometimes when a person has been so long it’s hard to find a cure or to try and fix it, and on the flip side of loneliness is relationships and being with someone that you really like and maybe even love. Does jumping to the other end of the spectrum really cure the loneliness that someone felt before? Well, Alain de Botton once said that it’s only when we value companionship at that level that we can choose a person for their merits instead of simply because we think that being in a relationship is going to cure us of some loneliness in our current state. Meaning that relationships may be a quick fix to helping with the short term state of loneliness but in the long run will it help?
By Lou Campbell8 years ago in Humans
Dear Me
Dear Me, They're not going to welcome you with open arms. They're not going to look at you the same. You're not the same people singing in the car a few months ago. Those quotes you read were right; your ride or dies become strangers. It hurts but you'll stop feeling the pain eventually.
By Brittany •8 years ago in Humans
