Poetry
R.E.A.L Talk Self with Silvia Gina Hunt Episode 19
R.E.A.L Talk Self with Silvia Gina Hunt aired another impactful and captivating episode on April 13, 2018, inside the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) studios. A unique fusion of music, introspection, and social criticism, Episode 19 brought attention to the urgent issues of the day as well as the artistic spirit. As usual, host Silvia Gina Hunt committed to providing her audience with an engaging and thought-provoking experience while delivering her insights with warmth and authenticity.
By B.E.A.T Productionsabout a year ago in Pride
Enigma Rising
In a 2023 global survey, 64% of Gen Z and Millennials said traditional gender categories do not fully capture their identity. This statistic reflects more than just numbers—it reveals a seismic cultural shift. The way we think about identity, gender, and self-expression is evolving faster than ever, and it’s giving rise to stories once considered impossible.
By Soul Pagesabout a year ago in Pride
The Mirror Mind: How Self-Perception Shapes Every Decision You Make
INTRO It started with a single comment. “You’re not really leadership material, are you?” It was said casually, almost as a joke, over a coffee break. But for Maya, those seven words carved themselves deep into her memory. They lingered, replaying at the edges of her thoughts. By the time she was 32, Maya had declined three promotions, turned down speaking opportunities, and convinced herself she “wasn’t the kind of person” who thrived in the spotlight. All because, years ago, someone planted a seed in her mind — and she kept watering it without even realizing. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, hesitated at the edge of an opportunity, or quietly told yourself I’m not that kind of person, you’ve been living inside your own mirror mind — the mental reflection of yourself that dictates what you believe you can or can’t do. This story isn’t just about Maya. It’s about you, me, and the invisible psychological forces that shape our identities. It’s about why your self-perception is the most powerful — and the most underestimated — factor in your decisions. And by the end of this journey, you’ll know exactly how to rewrite that internal story. --- [CHAPTER 1 – THE INVISIBLE SCRIPT] Every one of us is walking around with an internal “script” about who we are. Psychologists call this your self-concept — the collection of beliefs you hold about yourself. It’s not just about your abilities (“I’m good at math,” “I’m bad at public speaking”) — it includes your values, your perceived limitations, and even your expectations for the future. Here’s the twist: most of this self-concept isn’t built from facts. It’s built from stories — moments you’ve interpreted a certain way, opinions others have voiced, and the labels you’ve internalized. In Maya’s case, her script had an unspoken line: I am not a leader. The brain, ever loyal to its own script, then works tirelessly to confirm it. This is confirmation bias in action — your mind actively seeking evidence to reinforce what it already believes. If Maya gave a presentation and stumbled over a sentence, her brain filed that under “proof” she wasn’t leadership material. If she spoke confidently, she dismissed it as a fluke. The mirror mind only reflects what fits the script. --- [CHAPTER 2 – THE FIRST CRACK] It wasn’t until a new manager, Elena, joined the company that Maya’s mirror began to crack. Elena had a habit of giving people challenges they didn’t think they were ready for. When she invited Maya to lead a client presentation, Maya’s first instinct was to refuse. But Elena was persuasive. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I’ll be in the room the whole time. Just try.” Maya agreed — reluctantly. She practiced obsessively, double-checked every slide, and even rehearsed how she would stand and breathe. On the day of the presentation, something strange happened. The client responded warmly, asked follow-up questions, and praised her clarity. Elena leaned over afterward and whispered, “See? Leadership material.” That moment didn’t rewrite Maya’s script overnight — but it planted a new seed. And this time, it was a seed of doubt in her old story. --- [CHAPTER 3 – THE SCIENCE OF SELF-PERCEPTION] The human brain loves patterns. Once it decides “this is who I am,” it begins arranging your experiences to fit that pattern. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy — your belief in your ability to succeed — shows that confidence often precedes actual skill. People who believe they can do something are more likely to put in the effort, persist through challenges, and ultimately succeed. It’s not that skill doesn’t matter — it’s that skill often follows belief. The brain interprets challenges differently depending on your self-perception. If you believe you’re capable, obstacles become problems to solve. If you believe you’re incapable, obstacles become proof you should quit. This is why the self-fulfilling prophecy is so powerful. Think you’re bad at relationships? You’ll unconsciously behave in ways that make them harder, reinforcing your belief. Think you’re “just not a math person”? You’ll avoid practicing, ensuring you stay bad at math. Your mind doesn’t just reflect reality — it shapes it. --- [CHAPTER 4 – THE MASK WE WEAR] For some people, the mirror mind isn’t just inaccurate — it’s actively deceptive. Enter impostor syndrome: the persistent belief that your achievements are undeserved, and that sooner or later, someone will “find you out.” Studies show that 70% of people experience this at some point, regardless of their success level. Maya had a mild form of it. Whenever she succeeded, she credited luck, timing, or other people’s help. Failure? That was all on her. This isn’t just modesty — it’s a dangerous distortion. It means your brain is biased against acknowledging your competence, so even positive experiences don’t update your self-concept. The longer you live inside this distorted mirror, the harder it is to imagine a different reflection. --- [CHAPTER 5 – BREAKING THE GLASS] The turning point came two years later, when Maya’s company announced a major expansion. Elena approached her privately. “I want you to apply for the Director role,” she said. Maya laughed. “Me? No way.” Elena didn’t laugh back. “You’ve been doing the job unofficially for months. You just haven’t noticed.” Those words stuck with Maya for days. She started reviewing her recent projects, realizing she had been making strategic decisions, mentoring juniors, and managing budgets — all things “leaders” do. For the first time, she considered the possibility that her mirror was wrong. --- [CHAPTER 6 – REWRITING THE STORY] Psychologists recommend a few strategies for changing self-perception: 1. Collect disconfirming evidence. Start noticing and writing down moments that contradict your old story. 2. Change your environment. Surround yourself with people who see you differently than you see yourself. 3. Act ‘as if.’ This technique, popularized by Alfred Adler, means behaving as if you already were the person you want to be — your brain often catches up. 4. Challenge the labels. Question every “I’m not the kind of person who…” statement. Maya started small. She said “yes” to a leadership training seminar. She volunteered to present quarterly results. She even began mentoring a new hire. Each time, she told herself: This is what leaders do. And slowly, the reflection began to change. --- [CHAPTER 7 – THE NEW REFLECTION] A year later, Maya walked onto a conference stage in front of 500 people. She was there to deliver the keynote on innovation in her industry. As she looked at the audience, she remembered the coffee break years ago — the casual dismissal that had shaped her for so long. And then she smiled, because she knew something most people don’t: your self-perception is not fixed. It’s a lens, and lenses can be changed. --- [CONCLUSION – YOUR TURN] The truth is, we’re all living inside our own mirror minds. The stories we tell ourselves — accurate or not — shape every choice we make. But those stories are editable. If you feel stuck, start by questioning the reflection you’ve been accepting. Gather evidence for a new version of yourself. Surround yourself with people who see you in ways you struggle to see yourself. Act as if you already are the person you want to be. Because here’s the real psychology secret: your brain believes the stories you repeat the most. Make sure you’re telling a good one.
By Muhammad Abbas khanabout a year ago in Pride
GPS: Genuinely Poor Suggestions
Google Maps Is Just a Suggestion I always thoughturn right.” And so we did. The blue line glittered on the screen—a glowing path to who-knows-where. Part 2: The First Detour The first mistake was trusting too much. The blue line curved left. We followed. But instead of smooth highway pavement, we found ourselves on a bumpy dirt road, the tires kicking up dust and loose gravel. The map had not updated for construction. The voice assistant was oblivious to the broken bridge ahead. You laughed as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Adventure!” you said. “Come on, where’s your sense of fun?” The road twisted and turned like a snake, weaving through woods and forgotten fields. Then the car hit a pothole so deep I thought we might lose a wheel. At the end of the dirt road was a gate, locked tight with a chain. We looked at each other, shrugged, and laughed harder. Google Maps blinked innocently, recalculating the route. That’s when I realized—maps are just suggestions. Part 3: The Field of Cows We backtracked and found an alternate path. This time, the blue line led us onto a narrow country road, flanked by towering fences. Then it opened up suddenly into a wide field, lush green and dotted with cows that stared at us like we were aliens. “What the heck?” you said, as the voice instructed, “Turn left.” We followed. The car rumbled over uneven ground, the tires slipping in the mud. You opened the window, breathing in the fresh country air mixed with the unmistakable scent of... well, cow. “This is why I love road trips,” you smiled. “You never know where you’ll end up.” I smiled back. It was true. We had no plan, just the open road, the music, and each other. Like and subscribe Part 4: The Highway Maze Back on asphalt, we hit the highway, the lanes stretching out like ribbons of possibility. But the highway soon folded back on itself, confusing on-ramps and exits tangled like a pretzel. Signs flashed past, but they seemed to change every second. “Are we going the right way?” I asked, voice tight with uncertainty. You shrugged and reached over, turning up the volume on the radio. A familiar song played—one we’d danced to at a friend’s wedding last summer. “Let’s just follow the vibes,” you said, winking. We took the next exit, unsure if it was right or wrong. The GPS muttered, “Route recalculating...” but we ignored it. Sometimes, the best directions come from the heart, not the map. Part 5: Gas Stations and Quiet Moments The car needed gas. The phone needed charging. And somewhere between the two, we needed a break. We pulled off at the next station, the neon lights flickering against the darkening sky. You grabbed some snacks—tiny bags of chips, a strange candy bar I didn’t recognize. I got a coffee so strong it burned my throat and woke my brain. Outside, we sat on the hood, watching trucks and travelers come and go, each with their own stories and destinations. “I wonder where they’re all headed,” I said. “Maybe somewhere better,” you said, smiling softly. We sat in silence, letting the moment stretch, feeling the weight of the road behind us and the mystery of the miles ahead. Leave a beautiful comment below Part 6: The Music That Holds Us The night fell thick and dark, but inside the car, the music played on. You sang off-key, laughing when I joined in with worse notes. The map glowed faintly on the dashboard, but we didn’t care. We talked about everything and nothing—dreams we’ve had, places we want to see, fears we keep hidden. Your hand found mine, fingers weaving together like a knot that won’t untangle. I felt safe. I felt home. Part 7: Lost in the City Lights We entered the city again, but this time it was different. The map led us down streets jammed with cars, honking horns, flashing neon signs. Every turn seemed to bring a new surprise—a street fair, a food truck selling strange delicacies, a band playing jazz on a corner. We stopped to watch, mesmerized by the chaos and life. The city was a maze of possibility, and for once, I didn’t want to find the way out. We wandered until the early hours, our footsteps echoing in the quiet streets. Part 8: Where Are We Going? At some point, I asked you, “Where are we actually going?” You smiled, eyes gleaming in the streetlight. “Anywhere. Everywhere. Wherever the road takes us.” The map flickered again, the blue line moving and twisting as we drove. I realized then that maybe getting lost wasn’t a mistake. Maybe the detours were the point. Maybe the destination wasn’t a place, but the journey itself—and who you shared it with. Part 9: The Final Turn As dawn broke, painting the sky in soft pinks and golds, we found ourselves on a quiet hill overlooking the city. You parked the car, and we sat in silence, watching the world wake up. No maps, no directions, just the gentle hum of morning and the warmth of your hand in mine. I thought about all the twists and turns we had taken, the places we had stumbled into, and the laughter that filled every mile. Maps are just suggestions. But love? Love is the true compass. Epilogue: The Road Ahead We packed up the car and headed back, the GPS guiding us home. But something had changed. I didn’t need the map to tell me where I belonged anymore. Because I was already there. With you. The End
By Muhammad Abbas khanabout a year ago in Pride
Love Without Labels
A Story of Courage, Defiance, and Timeless Love There are movies that entertain. Then there are films that shift your soul, that whisper truths society tries to bury. Elisa & Marcela (2019), directed by Isabel Coixet, is one such masterpiece. Based on a true story from early 20th century Spain, it chronicles the love between two women—Elisa Sánchez Loriga and Marcela Gracia Ibeas—who defied the odds to be together in a world where their love was seen as sin.
By Isabella Woodabout a year ago in Pride
