fact or fiction

Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores relationship myths and truths to get your head out of the clouds and back into romantic reality.

The Refining Fire: How Painful Relationships Reveal What Comfort Never Can
There are seasons in life when relationships feel like open wounds. We pour love, patience, and forgiveness into people who repay it with manipulation, distance, or contempt. The pain is real, but it is not wasted. The deepest heartbreaks often become the most honest mirrors, revealing who we are, what we believe, and how much we still need to grow.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Humans
The Difference Between Hatred and Holy Intolerance
There is a dangerous confusion in today’s world. People are told that loving others means accepting everything they say, everything they do, and everything they believe. But love without truth is not love. It is surrender and cowardice disguised as compassion.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Humans
How Helping Others Can Change a Life
The Power of One Person’s Support: How Helping Others Can Change a Life Have you ever felt like giving up on something hard? Maybe it was a school subject that felt too difficult, a sport that seemed impossible, or a personal dream that felt too far away. We all face moments like this. But sometimes, one person’s support—whether it's a friend, teacher, parent, or even a stranger—can make all the difference.
By Jeno Treshan about a year ago in Humans
Russia-Ukraine energy war (2025)
War’s Silent Weapons: How Energy Blackouts Became the New Battlefield At Midnight, the Lights Died The air in Kyiv was freezing, yet it wasn’t the cold that scared people most that night. It was the darkness. One moment the city hummed — the next, it fell silent. Power plants had been hit again. Streets disappeared into blackness, hospitals scrambled to start generators, and families huddled around candlelight.
By Wings of Time about a year ago in Humans
Freedom That Unites
I. The Principle Beneath the Division Every empire begins with conquest, but not every nation endures through wisdom. The question is not how America began—it is what kind of nation we choose to become now.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Humans
Freedom That Unites
I. The Moral Crisis Beneath the Debate America stands divided—not merely by policy, but by principle. One side equates compassion with borderlessness, believing moral virtue is measured by openness alone. The other sees law and sovereignty as prerequisites for order, accused of cruelty for defending what sustains the whole. Both claim moral ground. Only one can sustain a civilization.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Humans
How the Internet Rewired Love: Modern Dating in the Digital Age
❤️ Love changed. Not all at once. But gradually, silently, it shifted. Like an app updating in the background—you don’t notice it at first, but then everything looks different. That’s modern dating in a nutshell.
By Milan Milicabout a year ago in Humans
Do You Know Who You Are?
Do You know who you are? Character is something all writers think about carefully while researching and writing. I'm working on characterization within my MFA thesis, and it got me wondering about characters in real life.
By Elizabeth Woodsabout a year ago in Humans
From Broken to Brave. AI-Generated.
There was a time when everything inside me felt shattered. The world I had built with so much love and hope suddenly collapsed, leaving behind only silence. People I trusted disappeared, dreams I believed in faded, and the mirror no longer reflected the same person I once knew. I was broken not just in pieces, but in spirit.
By Zahid aliabout a year ago in Humans
Confessions of a Former Alcoholic Part 30
I'm not sure whether you've ever found yourself sitting in the darkest part of the home, holding a pistol or staring at a knife.I remember coming here many times.
By TheNaethabout a year ago in Humans
Learning to Stop Apologizing for Existing
Learning to Stop Apologizing for Existing By Abdul Muhammad I spent years believing that my presence, my voice, and even my very existence required justification. I apologized for breathing too loudly, for taking up space, for expressing opinions that didn’t align with others’ comfort zones. Each apology was a small surrender, a quiet attempt to make the world easier for everyone but myself. It never worked. Instead, it left me hollow, anxious, and unsure if I even deserved to exist fully. Why do we, particularly women, so often feel the need to apologize for existing? Perhaps it begins with subtle societal cues — a tone that suggests we are too loud, too emotional, too ambitious, or too “too” in some indefinable way. From childhood, we are taught to be polite, accommodating, and self-effacing, to smooth over discomforts caused by simply being ourselves. And as adults, those lessons echo in our heads like persistent whispers: “Don’t be too much. Don’t take up too much space. Don’t cause trouble.” The Weight of Invisible Apologies Every apology we utter unnecessarily carries weight. It’s not just a word; it’s a statement that we think we have done something wrong merely by existing. These micro-apologies accumulate over time, creating a pattern of self-doubt and emotional invisibility. They make us question our worth in the quietest, most persistent ways. I remember apologizing for laughing too loudly during a dinner with friends, for expressing excitement about a work achievement, for telling a story in a way that drew attention to myself. In each instance, I felt a surge of relief after apologizing — only to realize that relief was temporary. The guilt returned, heavier each time, teaching me that I could never be fully at ease in my own skin. Why It Matters Learning to stop apologizing for existing is not about arrogance or disregard for others. It is about self-respect and mental health. Every time we apologize unnecessarily, we are sending ourselves a subtle message: “I am a burden. My feelings, needs, and presence are secondary.” For women, this habit can be particularly damaging. We are socialized to prioritize harmony, emotional labor, and the comfort of those around us. While these traits are often praised, they can also teach us to silence our own needs and invalidate our emotions. Over time, the habit becomes internalized, and the voice that whispers apologies for simply being can grow louder than any other. The Journey to Self-Acceptance Breaking free from this pattern begins with awareness. Recognizing the moments when you apologize unnecessarily is the first step. Notice when your words include “sorry” without reason, when your tone softens to avoid confrontation, or when you diminish your own achievements with self-effacing comments. Awareness allows you to examine the root of these apologies — often fear, guilt, or a desire for approval. The next step is reframing your perspective. Remind yourself that your existence is not a mistake. Your feelings are valid. Your presence matters. You do not need to justify taking up space or expressing yourself. Each time you resist the urge to apologize unnecessarily, you are reclaiming a piece of your autonomy and self-worth. Practical Steps to Stop Apologizing for Being You 1. Pause Before You Speak: When you feel the urge to apologize, take a breath and ask yourself if you actually did something wrong. Many times, the answer will be no. 2. Replace “Sorry” with Neutral Statements: Instead of saying, “Sorry I’m late,” try, “Thank you for waiting.” Instead of, “Sorry I’m upset,” try, “I need to share how I feel.” Words shape reality; small shifts can build confidence. 3. Honor Your Emotions: Recognize that your feelings are legitimate. You do not need to apologize for feeling sad, excited, frustrated, or joyful. 4. Set Boundaries Without Guilt: Learning to say no without apology is empowering. Saying no doesn’t make you selfish; it makes you honest and authentic. 5. Celebrate Your Wins: Take pride in achievements, large or small, without diminishing them with self-effacing statements. Your success is yours to own. The Ripple Effect Learning to exist unapologetically transforms more than just your internal world. It reshapes relationships. When you honor yourself, you teach others how to honor you. Your boundaries become clear, your voice becomes confident, and your presence becomes impossible to ignore — not because it is loud or forceful, but because it is authentic. I’ve seen this transformation in friends who learned to stop apologizing for being themselves. One woman began attending social gatherings without muting her laughter; another started speaking up in meetings without preemptively softening her ideas. Slowly, their confidence grew, and the anxiety that once shadowed their presence began to lift. They became more connected to themselves and, paradoxically, to others — because authenticity fosters genuine connection. The Freedom of Being The journey to stop apologizing for existing is ongoing. Some days, the habit of self-effacement will creep back in, and that is okay. What matters is returning to the mindset that your existence is inherently valuable. That you are allowed to take up space, to express yourself, and to live without constant justification. Imagine a world where we all existed unapologetically — where women, in particular, no longer felt the need to soften themselves to fit expectations. A world where presence was seen as a gift, not a burden. This is not merely a feminist ideal; it is a mental health imperative. By freeing ourselves from unnecessary apologies, we cultivate self-compassion, resilience, and peace of mind. We are not mistakes. We are not inconveniences. We are human beings, deserving of our own acknowledgment, respect, and love. Learning to stop apologizing for existing is a radical act of self-care — one that ripples out into every corner of our lives, leaving space for authenticity, joy, and freedom. So, next time you feel the familiar urge to say “sorry” for simply being, pause. Breathe. Remember: You are enough. You always have been. You always will be.
By Abdul Muhammad about a year ago in Humans
The Blind Man
Reet. His old straw hat and faded garments looked as if the rain had often beaten upon them, and the sun had as many times dried them upon his person. He was not old, but he seemed feeble; and he walked in the sun, along the blistering asphalt pavement. On the opposite side of the street, some trees threw a thick and pleasant shade: people were all walking on that side. But the man did not know, for he was blind, and moreover, he was stupid. In the red box were lead pencils, which he was endeavouring to sell. He carried no stick, but guided himself by trailing his foot along the stone copings or his hand along the iron railings. When he came to the steps of a house he would mount them. Sometimes, after reaching the door with great difficulty, he could not find the electric button, whereupon he would patiently descend and go his way. Some of the iron gates were locked, their owners being away for the summer, and he would consume much time striving to open them, which made little difference, as he had all the time there was at his disposal. At times, he succeeded in finding the electric button, but the man or maid who answered the bell needed no pencil, nor could they be induced to disturb the mistress of the house about so small a thing. The man had been out long and had walked far, but had sold nothing. That morning, someone who had finally grown tired of having him hanging around had equipped him with this box of pencils and sent him out to make his living. Hunger, with sharp fangs, was gnawing at his stomach and a consuming thirst parched his mouth and tortured him. The sun was broiling. He wore too much clothing—a vest and coat over his shirt. He might have removed these and carried them on his arm or thrown them away; but he did not think of it. A kind woman who saw him from an upper window felt sorry for him and wished that he would cross over into the shade. The man drifted into a side street, where there was a group of noisy, excited children at play. The colour of the box which he carried attracted them, and they wanted to know what was in it. One of them attempted to take it away from him. With the instinct to protect his own and his only means of sustenance, he resisted, shouted at the children and called them names. A policeman coming round the corner and seeing that he was the centre of a disturbance, jerked him violently around by the collar; but upon perceiving that he was blind, considerably refrained from clubbing him and sent him on his way. He walked on in the sun. During his aimless rambling, he turned into a street where monster electric cars were thundering up and down, clanging wild bells, and literally shaking the ground beneath his feet with their terrific impetus. He started to cross the street. Then something happened—something horrible happened that made the women faint and the strongest men who saw it grow sick and dizzy. The motorman’s lips were as grey as his face, and that was ashen grey; and he shook and staggered from the superhuman effort he had put forth to stop his car. Where could the crowds have come from so suddenly, as if by magic? Boys on the run, men and women tearing up on their wheels to see the sickening sight: doctors dashing up in buggies as if directed by Providence. And the horror grew when the multitude recognised in the dead and mangled figure one of the wealthiest, most useful and most influential men of the town, a man noted for his prudence and foresight. How could such a terrible fate have overtaken him? He was hastening from his business house, for he was late, to join his family, who were to start in an hour or two for their summer home on the Atlantic coast. In his hurry, he did not perceive the other car coming from the opposite direction, and the common, harrowing thing was repeated. The blind man did not know what the commotion was all about. He had crossed the street, and there he was, stumbling on in the sun, trailing his foot along the coping.
By Alphaabout a year ago in Humans