Inspiration
When the World Stood Still
The moment Ebele opened her eyes, she knew something was different. The usual hum of the city—cars honking, voices rising, the distant chime of a church bell—was absent. The morning light streaming through her window was frozen in place, a single ray suspended midair, catching the dust like a million tiny stars. She sat up, heart hammering, and looked at the clock on her wall. 7:35 AM. But something about it was off. The second hand hovered between two numbers, caught mid-tick, unmoving. Ebele scrambled out of bed and ran to the window. Outside, Lagos was a still-life painting. Pedestrians hung mid-step. A danfo driver leaned out of his bus, mouth open in what would’ve been an impatient shout, frozen in time. The wind, which had been rustling the trees last night, now left the leaves stiff in midair. Even the Atlantic Ocean in the distance was eerily still, waves arrested in motion. The world had stopped. Except for her. At first, she panicked. Was this a dream? Some cosmic joke? Had she died? She paced around her apartment, hyper-aware of the silence pressing against her. She turned on the faucet—water flowed freely, obeying only her. She picked up her phone, but the screen remained blank, refusing to acknowledge her touch. Ebele stepped outside, feeling like a ghost moving through the streets. She waved her hand in front of people’s faces, screamed at them, shook their shoulders. No reaction. Minutes passed. Then hours. Maybe even days. But she couldn’t tell anymore. What did time mean when it no longer moved?
By Sandra Amiedor2 years ago in Writers
What are you most proud of?
What are you most proud of? Hi all, I often think there will be pieces that even some of my favourite authors on here have written that I haven't read, because they haven't got the attention they'd hoped, and are sitting three, four or five pages back in your profile.
By Liam Storm2 years ago in Writers
Caroline Goldsmith | ATC Ireland Psychologist: The Lasting Impact of Childhood Relationships on Adult Well-being
Introduction Relationships are the cornerstone of human development, shaping how we perceive ourselves and interact with others. Childhood is a critical period during which these relational foundations are laid. Secure and supportive relationships foster emotional resilience, confidence, and healthy interpersonal skills, while adverse relational experiences can lead to challenges in trust, self-worth, and emotional regulation.
By Caroline Goldsmith2 years ago in Writers
Journey 101: self-doubt to self- love
Real self-care to me is so much more than just the bubble baths, face masks, or the pretty pink aesthetics we see all over the internet. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the pretty images, scented candles, and the Instagram-worthy skincare routines—but it’s really much, much more than that.
By the.selfcare.advocate2 years ago in Writers
The Wise Fox and the Stubborn Lion
In the heart of the Great Savannah, where the sun painted golden streaks across the sky and the winds carried the whispers of the old ones, a lion named Odan ruled with unquestioned strength. His roar sent gazelles fleeing, and his mighty paws crushed the earth beneath him. Yet, for all his strength, Odan was troubled. Despite his dominance, his pride grew restless. The land seemed to wither under his rule. Rivers ran dry, herds grew scarce, and even the trees seemed to sigh under the weight of an unbalanced world. But Odan would not hear the warnings of the elders or the whispers of the wind. “What I take is mine by right!” he declared to his pride. “I am the king. The land belongs to the strong.” But the land did not listen. And so, the world around him continued to fade. The Arrival of the Fox One day, as Odan prowled near the roots of the Great Baobab, a voice, smooth and knowing, curled into his ears. “O mighty lion, ruler of the Savannah, why do you look troubled when the land bows before you?” Odan turned sharply, his golden eyes narrowing. Sitting atop a fallen log was an old, silver-furred fox. His eyes glowed like ember-lit coals, his tail swishing in slow, deliberate motions. “I am not troubled,” Odan growled. “I am angered. The land weakens under my rule when it should thrive. My prey is scarce, my rivers run thin.” The fox tilted his head. “Ah, yes. I have seen this before.” Odan scoffed. “What would a fox know of a lion’s kingdom?” The fox chuckled. “More than you, it seems.” Odan bared his teeth, but the fox remained unshaken. He merely hopped down from the log and began to walk. “Come,” he called over his shoulder. “Let me show you what you fail to see.” The Three Lessons Odan, though irritated by the fox’s arrogance, was also curious. And so, he followed. The first stop was the Dry Riverbed. The ground was cracked, and the bones of fish lay in the dust. “The river was full once,” Odan said, frowning. “But the rains grow weaker.” The fox nodded. “Yes, but do you know why?” Odan growled. “Nature changes. It is not my doing.” The fox shook his head. “Oh, but it is. You have hunted without restraint. You have chased away the great herds that once walked these lands. Their hooves tilled the soil, their dung nourished the earth, and their presence balanced the flow of life. Without them, the rains do not stay, and the rivers dry.” Odan was silent. He had never considered this. The fox led him onward. The second stop was the Barren Hunting Ground. Where once the lion’s pride feasted, now only skeletons and dust remained. “This is where I hunt,” Odan said, his voice lower now. “But the prey no longer comes.” The fox flicked his tail. “And why do you think that is?” Odan frowned. “They are weak. They move away because they fear me.” “No,” the fox corrected. “They move away because they must survive. You have taken too much, without care for balance. When the hunters do not respect the cycle, the hunted vanish, and soon, the hunters starve.” Odan felt a strange weight settle on his shoulders. Had he caused this? The fox led him to the final stop—the Old Tree of Wisdom. Its bark was scarred, its leaves fewer than before. Once, Odan had sharpened his claws against its trunk, marking his presence. “This tree has stood for generations,” the fox said. “Its roots hold the earth, its shade cools the land, and its fruit feeds the small creatures. But what happens when it falls?” Odan stared at the old tree, suddenly aware of its frailty. “The earth will shift. The shade will disappear. The creatures will leave.” The fox nodded. “Yes. And without them, the land will change. Just as it has changed under your rule.” The Awakening of the Lion For the first time, Odan felt the weight of wisdom settle in his bones. Strength alone did not make a ruler. Strength without awareness, without respect for the delicate dance of life, was destruction in disguise. The fox watched as realization dawned on the lion’s face. “Now, tell me, Odan,” he said. “What will you do with this knowledge?” Odan turned to the dry riverbed, the barren land, the fading tree. He had been blind, but now he saw. “I will restore balance,” he declared. “I will allow the herds to return. I will take only what is needed. I will ensure the land thrives, so that my rule is not only powerful but wise.” The fox smiled. “Then you are not only a lion. You are a true king.” And with that, the old fox disappeared into the wind, his work complete. The Lion’s Legacy Odan returned to his pride, not as a tyrant, but as a leader with vision. He enforced new ways—ways that honored the land, respected the herds, and nurtured the rivers. Over time, the land healed. The rains returned, the rivers swelled, and the prey flourished once more. And so, the legend of the lion who listened—who chose wisdom over pride—became a story whispered across the Savannah for generations. And somewhere, in the hidden places of the world, the fox smiled.
By Sandra Amiedor2 years ago in Writers
5 countries with the largest rat population in the world
Pinpointing the five countries with the largest rat populations is a complex task. Reliable, comprehensive data on global rat populations is not readily available. Rats are adaptable and thrive in diverse environments, making accurate estimations challenging. Factors like sanitation, climate, food availability, and human population density all influence rat populations. Furthermore, different species of rats exist, each with varying population dynamics. However, based on a combination of factors including human population density, urbanization rates, sanitation infrastructure, and reported rat-related issues, here are five countries where rat populations are likely to be substantial:
By Moharif Yulianto2 years ago in Writers
Dedric Robinson: The Visionary Behind PunchRides and the Future of Ride-Sharing
The ride-sharing industry has transformed the way we travel, but it’s far from perfect. High platform fees, unfair driver compensation, and limited ride options have left both drivers and riders frustrated. Dedric Robinson, a seasoned entrepreneur with 25+ years in technology, venture capital, investment banking, and capital markets, is leading the charge to revolutionize this space with PunchRides—a game-changing platform that puts control back into the hands of drivers and riders.
By Dedric Robinson2 years ago in Writers
The Enduring Echo of Love: Yesterday’s Patience, Today’s Longing
In today’s fast-paced world of instant messages and rapid replies, we often yearn for a time when love was simpler — built on patience, passion, and waiting. It was a slower pace, where letters were written, emotions nurtured over time, and love grew at its own rhythm.Yet, while the pace of life has changed, the essence of love remains the same — it’s not the world that dictates love’s pace, but the courage to choose it, despite society’s pressures and expectations.
By Umang Yadav2 years ago in Writers
The timeless mystery of love.
Love—one word, countless meanings. It’s been the muse of poets, the driving force behind epic tales, the subject of endless songs, and the reason behind both the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows in human history. But what is love, really? Is it a chemical reaction, a soulful connection, or perhaps something even more elusive—an inexplicable force that shapes who we are?
By Mary Emmanuel 2 years ago in Writers
