humanity
The real lives of businessmen, professionals, the everyday man, stay at home parent, healthy lifestyle influencers, and general feel good human stories.
Treat Your Grocery Cashier as a Human
Retail makes the world go round. At least in America where we seldom grow and make our own foodstuffs, this is the reality of those who live in suburbia. Gone are the days of your quaint local bakeries and butcheries. Instead, these mom and pop shops have been eaten out by grandiose corporate super grocery stores. Those that still hang on seem like dinosaurs waiting for their day of extinction; it is nearly impossible to recreate the vast amount of supply and marketing that their big business competitors have easy access to.
By Sean Catinoabout a year ago in Journal
The Millennial Dilemma: Craving Connection, Fearing Commitment
In a knowledge-overloaded world where technology and social networking are also altering the way we communicate, it is becoming increasingly difficult for millennials like us to seek a genuine connection with another person. The connection has become a myth Millennials are occasionally the generation looking for their "soul mate" but unable to meet them. Some of the problem lies in how we date. With social media and dating apps, the way one meets someone is completely changed nowadays. Previously, a glance or a chat at a party was sufficient to attain an equation. Nowadays, it is easy to get overwhelmed with an ocean of endless possibilities. Tinder, Bumble, etc. Every fresh application promises to allow us to find our perfect match but in reality, they actually lead to a form of superficiality where we are more apt to judge ourselves upon appearance or profile than the degree of compatibility. We also receive this impression that love must happen fast, uncomplicated, just the way you imagined it in an instant. We text, but somehow there remains this apprehension of not responding on time, misunderstanding an emoji, or being overly direct. The act of communication turns into a weaker dance where every word, every step, has an out-of-proportion meaning. And so, the fear of failure or rejection paralyzes us more than we realize. Unrealistic expectations Growing up in a world where everything is perfect – on Instagram, in the movies, or on TV – it is just normal to develop unrealistic expectations. We desire the other person to be beautiful, intelligent, funny, hardworking… And if such a person actually exists, there is extra pressure to live up to the same expectations. We are constantly presented with the idea that the person we are going to live with for the rest of our lives must be "perfect." In reality, though, this is more often a cause of disappointment than not. The idea of "perfect" love makes dating a disappointment. The slightest flaw in another human becomes an excuse to get out. We also shouldn't forget the part that social media has to do with all of this. Everyone seems to have the perfect love life, and if not, it is just seen as an exception. But what we are ignoring is the fact that what we are seeing on Instagram is a highly filtered and edited reality. While these pictures might motivate us, they could also increase our insecurities. The stress of modern life It is also harder to fall in love these days because of the weight of everyday life. Everyone has school, work and a social life going on at once, with all the while trying to achieve personal goals. There are also economic concerns: the home, poor wages, uncertainty for the future… It all contributes to the stress that keeps people from forming meaningful connections. When time has become such a valuable commodity in today's world, it is hard to put all your energy into that one individual, given that you do not feel prepared to commit to a stable relationship. We are all afraid of commitment too. Perhaps we have seen examples of toxic relationships around us, or perhaps we have been shown the illusion of eternal love on TV and movies that led us to believe that everything is supposed to be easy. But the reality is, relationships require effort at all times. We are sometimes unable to accept this reality and we are sometimes running away as soon as things get serious. A society of consumption of emotions? Or perhaps that our modern society with its frenzied and instant consumption of everything has taken this same logic to love. If an activity no longer brings us joy or no longer satisfies our wants, it is simple to discard it. The same sentiment goes for dating. It is now possible to go out with hundreds of people in a matter of hours but does that really lead to a real connection? Or are we in a state of perpetual distraction, constantly on the lookout for the next good thing? The ease of dating, perhaps, makes us more discerning but maybe less sensitive to the luxury of commitment and the gradual discovery of another. Make a genuine connection It seems like, as millennials, love has been facilitated and made more complex through technology. In order to escape this spiral, we will have to relearn again how to be present, how to invest time and energy in genuine encounters, and to learn to accept that love, far from being an instant goal, is a process to be slowly coaxed. Deep in our hearts, perhaps what we all desire is that intimate contact, that alchemy that goes beyond messages and likes. Discovering once more this rapport, this simplicity in the encounter, perhaps is the means to cut through the superficiality that has invaded our encounter. Perhaps the time has come to reinsert the human aspect into this process and anew learn how to see ourselves, not as one option among others but as a human being worth genuine consideration.
By Baptiste Monnetabout a year ago in Journal
Self-Discovery
“I have failed over and over and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan Welcome Back to another Motivational Monday. This week's anthem is Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammar. This song is one of those anthems that reminds us to keep moving forward, no matter how heavy life feels.
By Chloe Unfilteredabout a year ago in Journal
9/11 Stairclimb 2025: United We Remember
Yesterday. Saturday, September 13th 2025 was the date of Greensboro’s annual 9/11 Stairclimb which is hosted by the city every year during the week of the 9/11 anniversary, so naturally I attended. This year was my 5th year attending the Stairclimb and I have to say this was my best year attending so far. The 20 year anniversary of 9/11 back in 2021 was the first year I ever attended the Stairclimb thanks to my friend and former high school teacher Tara Pidgeon. I’ve gone every year since and though every year has been great, none have quite matched that first time going until this year.
By Joe Pattersonabout a year ago in Journal
This Is How Worthy African Education Should Look Like
By Marc Reflects, September 2025 I still remember sitting in a hot classroom, my notebook filled with neat summaries about Napoleon Bonaparte. I could tell you the date of his coronation, the details of his European conquests, even his exile to Elba. But back in my village, the water pump had been broken for weeks, and none of us including my teachers had the knowledge or tools to fix it.
By Marc Reflects about a year ago in Journal
The Disposable Man & The Optional Woman
You’ve heard the phrase before — “Protect women and children first.” It echoes through history like a noble drumbeat. And in times of war, disaster, or collapse, it becomes law. We don't question it. We act on it. Because deep inside the collective psyche, we have been trained to believe that a woman’s life is precious.
By Randolphe Tanoguemabout a year ago in Journal
🌍 Global Sumud Flotilla 2025: 40 Ships, 700 Activists, and the Fight to Break Gaza’s Siege
A Fleet of Hope in a Sea of Uncertainty In 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail across the Mediterranean, aiming to break one of the most enduring and controversial blockades in modern history: the Gaza siege. Carrying hundreds of activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers from more than 40 countries, alongside hundreds of tons of food, water, and medical supplies, this humanitarian flotilla has become more than a mission — it is a global symbol of resistance, solidarity, and hope.
By The Narrative Hubabout a year ago in Journal
Who is Charlie Kirk?
In the fast-paced world of American politics, some names rise almost overnight, capturing attention, headlines, and controversies. One such figure is Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most outspoken conservative activists of the 21st century. But who really is Charlie Kirk? What drives him, and why does his voice resonate so strongly with younger generations? In this article, we’ll unpack the full story—his early life, career, political activism, media presence, controversies, and the lasting impact he’s making in American political culture.
By Omasanjuwa Ogharandukunabout a year ago in Journal
Loneliness: A Disease No One Talks About
What does loneliness really do to a person? Can it actually drive someone insane? Sometimes I wonder if people truly understand what it feels like to be introverted and trapped in your own silence. They say being alone is peaceful, that solitude is a gift—but what happens when the silence gets too loud, when the peace feels more like punishment than comfort?
By Sanelisiwe Adamabout a year ago in Journal
