Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Humans.
Empty Nest
For those who know me at all, there is a well-known fact that permeates my existence. I am not very fond of birds. Ok. Understatement. I am terrified of birds that are within close proximity of me. Or ones that surprise me by flying out of a bush at me. Or that look at me funny. Any bird that does not announce itself in advance causes me great stress.
Judith KayPublished 2 years ago in HumansChasing Sunsets
Its summertime and we are desperate for rain in central Iowa. Our fields are dry, our yards already burned up, and our roads are dusty. Yet each new day arrives like the day before. The sun rises in the east (a phenomenon I rarely witness due to my night owl tendencies) then it sets in the west.
Judith KayPublished 2 years ago in HumansThe Smoke-Filled House
When in a smoke-filled house, there are steps a concerned person would take almost immediately. Unless you were asleep or were so much of a smoker that it did not bother you, your instinct would be to get out of it, right? When you did decide to leave, there would first be a bit of an anxiety, over not only getting through the smoke but of also what might be waiting for you outside. "There could be bears or even a cliff just beyond that door" you might think. Then there is the challenge of finding your way to the exit while in that state of fear. Once you do open the door and allow your eyes to adjust to the light, there is that period of coughing and discharging of the mucus built up from living inside a smoke-filled house. But you are then able to breath deeper and see more of the world around you. You realize how bad it was for you to remain inside a smoke-filled house and you go on to live a much happier, healthier life. Some people, however, stay inside the smoke-filled house and never bother to see much of the outside. The smoke-filled house becomes their world and they are perfectly fine with that. Depending on their situation, they either benefit at the expense of others or become one of the majority who grow accustomed to breathing shallow, coughing constantly and living uncomfortably inside a smoke-filled house. For many, it becomes a game of survival and those who last longer become ever more boastful players. They flex mere fact that they have outlived those who succumb to living inside the smoke-filled house. It become a badge of honor and subsequently part of the identity of the people inside the smoke-filled house. Mind you, none of people who live inside the smoke-filled house are being held there against their will. This is something they themselves do willingly or out of fear of the unknown. Meanwhile, the person who has left and is looking in from the outside can see that there is so much more to life than living inside a smoke-filled house and they try to warn those inside. But so many have become too dependent on the smoke-filled house to leave the smoke-filled house. Some even make silly faces against the windows from the inside, calling out nonsense names like "outsider" and "fresh air breather". That is not to say that there are not people inside the smoke-filled house that try to make it better by bringing attention to the situation inside the smoke-filled house. They decry the history of the owners, the quality of the air and especially those causing the problem for sake of profit. They stand against the blinded masses who appeal to the authority of their talking heads, who in turn hold captive the sickened and defeated under threat of making their life inside the smoke-filled house even more unbearable. These contentious, yet brave souls have to contend with those who grow so addicted to the conditions that they actually protect the smoke-filled house while fighting against those who establish control over those weakened by the toxicity of the smoke-filled house. These so-called leaders, who are causing the smoke begin to introduce filtration and ventilation methods while taxing every one of the tenants inside the smoke-filled house. Those who cannot pay are kept in the most congested and isolated of rooms. Eventually, these people rise up against those who took advantage of the situation and a fire then consumes the smoke-filled house. One would think that this would prompt everyone to evacuate, but no, some people refuse to abandon the smoke-filled house. "They will go down with the ship" and extinguish the fire while laying among its ashes. Instead of allowing the smoke-filled house to properly fall, they grow so far gone in the delusion of preserving the smoke-filled house that they'd rather die in the smoke-filled house than build a new one.
Burn After Writing
When your life is not a documentary, it is easy for you to move around. So you think, but your conscience is your biggest critic. When you look at yourself in the mirror you pick at every single flaw that someone else may be in fond of. When you mispronounce a word because English is not your native language you instantly get embarrassed; yet, the person listening to you speak is in awe of your intelligence. When you spend majority of your paychecks on food because it helps release serotonin but you are the serotonin to the person eating next to you. Life is full of different perspectives but your entire existence has been convocated by simple mindedness.
Alexa CallawayPublished 2 years ago in HumansIf You Want Me to Understand, Ask Questions to Help Me Understand
“You don’t understand.” When I hear these three words, my blood pressure spikes creating a need to find a release valve; a desperate craving to hit something or simply scream at the top of my lungs, but usually, I just walk away.
Brenda MahlerPublished 2 years ago in Humansthe crossroads of intersectionality
It is new years eve 2018 and the snow has mostly melted with the help of the warm winds of the west coast that have come over the mountains past the prairies into the valley I call home.
Paloma MexinaPublished 2 years ago in HumansGet to the dreams you were made for.
Being born with privileges, with very large wings, which seem to take great flights, but how difficult it is to carry them and as you grow, those wings get bigger and bigger too! But now carrying them endlessly really does represent a significant weight. (Mainly because of their natural size) they weigh too much when you don't exercise them, and even if you want they won't let you.
Anya elizzPublished 2 years ago in HumansMy Husband And I Can't Talk Without Arguing (My Husband And I Can't Communicate Without Fighting)
In order to keep your marriage happy and successful, you must control your temper at all times. You cannot allow yourself to be hostile or angry towards your spouse. If you allow this to happen one time, it will most likely only continue for years to come. Everyone is going to have arguments, but what determines the success of your marriage is how you handle those arguments. You can control your temper under difficult circumstances, but you probably don't even realize you have this ability. You have done this in the past many times, but just don't realize when it was probably.
My Husband Is Always Angry And Blames Me (My Husband Is Always Unhappy No Matter What I Do)
If you have a spouse who is prone to fits of anger, you probably know well what it is to experience fear, humiliation, distancing, and discouragement. After all, you were married ostensibly to care for each other throughout your lives, and having someone angry at you all of the time can be a challenge for any relationship. You may think that there's nothing you can do to diffuse your partner's anger and live with subsequent bouts of temper, but there are a few techniques that you can try to see if you can get a handle on the problem and help your spouse control his or her emotions.
- Top Story - February 2022
Lessons of Life with Sidharth Shukla
Dear Sidharth Shukla, Our journey started together two years ago on 29 September 2019 – The day Bigg Boss 13 started. It was not the first time that I was seeing you, but it was the first time I was experiencing life with you. To be very honest, it was not you who drove me into watching this show. I came to live this journey with some others, and I could not even connect with you for a few days. In no time, a handsome, good-looking man who seemed arrogant and aggressive turned to be my heartbeat. Every other day, I would watch you the most I could. From watching you on TV to fighting for you on Twitter, you became a part of my life more than the people who were physically near me. I learned and learned and kept learning from you. You were my mentor during some crucial times when all you were doing was living your life. I want to thank you for all that you taught me.
5 Things I’ve Been Doing To Get Out Of A Self-Loathing Rut Lately
As a teenager, I was a voracious newspaper reader. Every day, I looked forward to dad bringing home a copy of Saudi Gazette and Arab News. One of the sections I was especially drawn to was the comic strip page.
Winta AssefaPublished 2 years ago in HumansLife Lessons from the Birdfeeder
Have you ever stopped for a day to watch all the activity that goes on at a bird feeder? If you do, it can really teach you some valuable life lessons!
Heather GembaroskyPublished 2 years ago in Humans