Humanity
The Loneliness Paradox: How Connection Made Us More Alone
Feeling alone was simple once: an unfilled area, a phone without activity, a quiet night without anybody to contact. We live today in a universe where loneliness has moved onto the virtual world. Though we are surrounded by screens, flooded with notifications, linked to several people, an increasing number of people describe themselves as lonely.
By Shahjahan Kabir Khanabout a year ago in Confessions
Not Everything. Top Story - June 2024.
Do you ever feel like you can't run from yourself fast enough? Like every decision you’ve ever made is eternal, but that knowledge alone is not enough to keep you from acting on your idiotic impulses and the thoughts of your bad heart?
By Mezmurabout a year ago in Confessions
Secret Letter
I never told anyone but Mark, an alter and Spiritual ground, what happened to me those first two years after brain surgery between 1998 and 2000. In the gentle year of the Rabbit (1999), a year after the surgery, I came in contact with the natural and kind demon known to Catholism as Michael. What had happend was small and uninteresting to the surface, but for the inside of my head, it was a war ready to be layered over and at the soft age of seven, forgotten about.
By Parsley Rose about a year ago in Confessions
so i started the world's worst cult
i really did start the world's least lucrative cult. i gave the real secret techniques away on my patreon already. there are three practical exercises: the playlist augury technique, the three mantras, the twelve principles. the "that chick is crazy crazy" techno-psycho-babble bits are optional extras, and only one of them costs anything to read. the secret recipes to fine-tune your psyche with your favorite music, without having to change religions or start one if you are a non-believer? they're coming to patreon this weekend for $1/each (of three).
By Maia Gadwall the metAlchemistabout a year ago in Confessions
I Grew Up Screaming Misogynistic Lyrics — And Now I’m a Feminist Who Still Knows Every Word
When I was fourteen, my favourite song started with a beat that made me feel unstoppable. It was California by Hollywood Undead — loud, aggressive, confident, and so dripping in misogyny that it practically left a stain.
By No One’s Daughterabout a year ago in Confessions
The Two Breads That Saved a Soul
The Bread of Faith: The Story of Abu Nasr Al-Iyad BY ubaid Once upon a time, there lived a man named Abu Nasr Al-Iyad. He was a poor man who struggled each day to provide for his wife and two young children. Poverty had wrapped its chains around him so tightly that hope seemed to fade with every passing day. One morning, his children lay weak and crying from hunger. His wife, pale and helpless, tried to comfort them, but her own stomach had long been empty. Unable to bear the sight of his family’s suffering, Abu Nasr left his home, his heart heavy with sorrow and despair. As he wandered aimlessly, he came across a wise and kind scholar named Sheikh Ahmad bin Miskeen. Seeing the pain etched on Abu Nasr’s face, the Sheikh gently asked, “My son, why do you look so burdened?” Abu Nasr replied with tears in his eyes, “O Sheikh, I am crushed under the weight of poverty. My family starves, and I can do nothing.” The scholar smiled kindly and said, “Come with me, and I will show you something that may change your fate.” They walked together until they reached the seashore. There, the Sheikh handed Abu Nasr a fishing net and said, “Perform two units of prayer, call upon the name of Allah, and then cast this net into the sea.” Abu Nasr did as he was told. To his amazement, when he pulled the net out of the water, a large fish was caught in it. The Sheikh instructed him, “Go to the market, sell this fish, and buy food for your family. Allah has provided for you.” Grateful and filled with hope, Abu Nasr hurried to the market, sold the fish, and with the money bought two stuffed flatbreads—one savory and one sweet. Remembering the kindness of the Sheikh, he returned to him and said, “O Sheikh, please accept one of these breads as a token of my gratitude.” But the wise man smiled and said, “My son, I helped you for Allah’s sake, not for a reward. These breads are your family’s right—go and feed them.” Touched by his words, Abu Nasr turned back toward home. But on his way, he came across a poor woman sitting by the roadside, weeping. Beside her sat a frail child, his face pale and his eyes sunken from hunger. Abu Nasr looked at the two breads in his hands, then at the woman and her child. He whispered to himself, “My wife and children are hungry... but so are they. Is their pain any less than ours?” Tears welled in his eyes. At last, he stepped forward and handed both breads to the woman. “Take these,” he said softly. “Eat, and feed your son.” The woman’s face lit up with gratitude, and her child smiled for the first time in days. Abu Nasr felt a strange peace in his heart, though he knew he was returning home empty-handed. As he walked through the streets, lost in thought, he heard a man calling out, “Is there anyone who knows Abu Nasr Al-Iyad? I must find him!” People pointed toward him and said, “There he is!” The caller hurried over and said, “Twenty years ago, your father entrusted me with thirty thousand dirhams. I have searched for you ever since. Today, by the will of Allah, I have found you. Take what is rightfully yours.” Stunned and overjoyed, Abu Nasr accepted the money. Overnight, his life changed. He built homes, expanded his trade, and became one of the city’s wealthy men. But unlike before, his heart remained humble. He gave generously in charity, sometimes donating a thousand dirhams at once, always remembering his days of hunger. Years later, Abu Nasr had a dream—a dream so vivid that it felt more real than life itself. He saw himself standing on the Day of Judgment, before a grand scale of justice. His deeds were being weighed—good on one side, sins on the other. To his horror, the side of sins was heavier. He cried out, “What about my charity? The gold and silver I gave for Allah’s sake?” But the angels replied, “Those deeds were tainted with pride and the desire to be seen. They hold little weight today.” Tears streamed down his face. “Then how will I be saved?” he asked. Suddenly, a voice said, “There are still two small deeds left uncounted.” Then, the two breads he had once given to the hungry woman were brought forth and placed on the scale of good deeds. The balance began to tip—but only slightly. Next, the woman’s tears of gratitude were added to the scale, and the side of goodness grew heavier. Finally, the child’s innocent smile—born of those two simple breads—was placed upon the scale. The weight of that pure, selfless moment overpowered all his sins. A voice declared, “This man is saved!” When Abu Nasr awoke from the dream, his eyes were wet with tears. He whispered to himself, “O Abu Nasr, it was not your gold or wealth that saved you—it was those two small breads you gave for Allah’s sake.” --- Moral of the Story Never look down upon a small act of kindness. Even the simplest deed done with sincerity can outweigh years of grand but hollow gestures. True charity lies not in wealth or display, but in the quiet goodness that expects no reward—only the pleasure of the Almighty.
By Ubaid about a year ago in Confessions
Chuck Schumer and the Government Shutdown: What’s Happening and Why It Matters
The United States is once again facing a government shutdown caused by a political standoff over federal funding and spending priorities. The shutdown has stretched into several weeks, with no clear resolution in sight. Federal employees are going unpaid, government services are disrupted, and frustration among citizens is growing as Congress struggles to agree on a plan to reopen the government. At the center of the political battle stands Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. As the top Democrat in the Senate, Schumer plays a critical role in shaping his party’s strategy and negotiating with Republican leaders and the White House. His leadership decisions have made him a key figure in determining how long the shutdown will last and what kind of deal might eventually bring it to an end. Schumer’s approach to the crisis combines firm resistance and strategic negotiation. He and his Democratic colleagues argue that certain Republican funding bills contain unacceptable policy changes or spending cuts that would harm essential programs. Schumer has blocked several GOP proposals in the Senate, insisting that any plan to reopen the government must be fair, balanced, and protect American workers and families. His critics, however, accuse him of using the shutdown as political leverage and preventing the passage of bills that could quickly restore government operations. Behind the scenes, Schumer’s team has been working tirelessly to coordinate Democratic votes and craft proposals that can win bipartisan support. His office has served as a command center for legislative strategy, with daily meetings focused on messaging, negotiations, and public communication. The challenge lies in balancing political pressure from within his party with the urgent need to find common ground that can pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The situation is further complicated by the White House’s stance. The President has made it clear that certain policy demands must be met before agreeing to reopen the government, which has limited the space for negotiation. This has left Schumer and other congressional leaders caught between intense political divisions and the practical need to keep government functioning. Public frustration continues to grow as the shutdown’s effects spread. Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or forced to work without pay, airports and national parks have experienced staffing shortages, and vital programs have slowed down. The longer the impasse continues, the greater the impact on the economy and public trust in government institutions. ### Common Questions People Are Asking **Why is Chuck Schumer blocking bills to reopen the government?** Schumer believes that some Republican proposals would set harmful precedents or include spending priorities that Democrats cannot accept. He argues that approving narrow funding bills without addressing broader issues would weaken his party’s negotiating position and fail to protect key programs. **Is Chuck Schumer responsible for the shutdown?** Responsibility for the shutdown is shared among multiple political actors. Schumer leads the Senate Democrats, but the crisis is the result of deep disagreements between both parties and the executive branch. Each side blames the other for refusing to compromise, making it difficult to assign blame to a single person. **How long has the shutdown lasted, and what are its effects?** The shutdown has lasted several weeks, with repeated failed votes in the Senate. Many government employees remain unpaid, public services are delayed, and agencies are struggling to maintain operations. The longer the situation drags on, the more serious its social and economic consequences become. **Will Schumer negotiate a deal to end the shutdown?** Schumer has expressed willingness to negotiate, but he insists that any deal must be fair and include reasonable compromises. Whether an agreement can be reached depends on political calculations, the willingness of both parties to make concessions, and the overall public pressure to restore normal government functions. ### Outlook for the Coming Weeks The future of the shutdown depends on how the political negotiations evolve in the coming days. Schumer’s leadership will continue to be a decisive factor. If Democrats and Republicans can agree on a short-term funding bill that avoids controversial policy changes, the government could reopen soon. However, if both sides continue to hold firm to their demands, the shutdown could extend even longer. In many ways, this crisis reflects the broader state of American politics—highly polarized, deeply divided, and driven by competing visions of how the government should serve its people. Chuck Schumer’s role in this standoff highlights the difficult balance between standing firm on principles and recognizing the urgent need to keep the government running. The outcome of this confrontation will not only affect federal workers and public services but also shape the political landscape heading into the next election cycle.
By America today about a year ago in Confessions
When the Mirror Learns to Speak.
When you’re little and start showing signs of adolescence, it’s both a shy and awakening stage. You don’t quite know who you’re becoming yet — you’re caught between childhood and womanhood, between wanting to be invisible and wanting to be understood. If you have a caring family, that transition feels easier, almost gentle. They guide you through it without judgement. But when your family is the type that points and questions, conforming becomes a way of survival.
By Gladys Kay Sidorenkoabout a year ago in Confessions
The Weight of Labels
I did not get angry because I was attacked. I got angry because I felt invisible. That is what labeling does. It reduces a human being—a soul with thoughts, experiences, and convictions—into a set of categories that can be dismissed before they even speak.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Confessions
