humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Statue in the Park
I stand still. Not moving. Never moving. No heart. Nothing inside. Just the cold hard bronze outside. Tunnel vision gives me a view of just one spot, the one spot in the park that’s important to me. The one spot in the world that’s important to me. Every single day I stare at that one spot, unblinking. A brick building towers the park, ivy creeping up its side, holding it in a deathgrip, and extending to every edge of my view. Behind it, a gloomy grey sky sobs into the soft wind, creating puddles along the only road I’ve ever known. And in front of the road is the grass. I’ve never seen any other grass, but I’d bet this is the greenest grass in the world. Its vibrant color glowing against the misery of everything else. That grass is green for one reason, and one only, because the old man with the top hat cares.
By Margot Sonia6 years ago in Humans
The World's Bullying Problem
Yesterday I took a 30 minute walk around my neighborhood to take a mental break from work and self-isolation. Since I can't get a normal workout in given the current global crisis, I take walks throughout the day to get moving and let go of stressors. I plug into a podcast and spend 15 - 30 minutes learning about entrepreneurship, how to speak French, or ways to process my thoughts and feelings.
By Kristi Jacobsen6 years ago in Humans
Happy Birthday... or Not
Birthdays are akin to a double-edged sword- they can be either wonderful or awful. But, there really is no escaping them. Some people cherish this day, and make it a grand celebration. But for others, it becomes more and more dreaded as the weeks pass by and it gets closer. Chances are- dependent on the year- you’ve had a combination of the two, or perhaps your celebrations tend to fall somewhere in the middle. For me, it has always been an existential day. No doubt, this has to do with the fact that my birthday falls very close to the end of the year and so, the start of another. I tend to look back on the year that was with an even bigger magnifying lens. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that with every passing year, the pressure that builds becomes greater and more combustible. Well, you still haven't accomplished this… or that…
By Olivia Petras6 years ago in Humans
A photo, A social media account, A video
first thing, a photo Here's a little backstory. my life is as uninteresting as it could possibly be, to make things worse I'm an introvert that doesn't even try to change it. I've been in Minnesota for five years without change but it's not home. This picture was taken in Iceland, a place where if I could choose a location for my home would be my place of choice. I love Iceland, I dream of a day when I am free of the worries of life, a day where I could pack up everything and move to Iceland. It's a fairytale, the land is gorgeous, the sceneries to die for. When I look at this picture I see what I want. I see what I could have if I keep moving forward. I'm not an adventurous person, I'm a realist, I am unathletic to a fault. the one thing NOT on my bucket list is definitely skydiving. One thing I desire more than anything is a reality that is this picture right here. It's calming, it feels out of this world and the vibe is just right. Credit to folksouls, for this wonderful photo, follow them on Instagram @folksouls.
By Sarah Musa6 years ago in Humans
COVID-19 and the Homeless
With everything going on these days and everyone doing the whole social distancing and self-quarantine, how many people have actually stopped to think about those living out on the streets. Social distancing could work for them if they were not in fear of being beaten, robbed, or even killed. The homeless have no where to self-quarantine, so is it safe to say that no one cares about their health or safety?
By Brandi Payne6 years ago in Humans
Before The Fall
Before the email could make an appearance in my inbox, its popularity had spread all over the black mizzou group chat. We read that MU journalism students were exposed to the coronavirus at a conference, and now classes were dropping like flies. My only two classes for the day in Lee Hills Hall resumed until the second email arrived. We read that Classes were cancelled for the rest of the week, and online classes would commence the following week. As soon as that email landed in my inbox, class was dismissed early. We could all feel the awkward tension walking out of the room whilst our feet trudged unprecedented territory.
By Medley Jones6 years ago in Humans
Assumptions That Extroverts Have On Introverts
To you, you’d think that this whole quarantine situation is a walk in the park for us. We’ve always been quarantining! But that’s not the case. We miss the fresh air just as much as you do. Doing things we thoroughly enjoy outside is rewarding to us and very therapeutic but we also like to take the time to do indoors as much as outdoors and that's where you and I differ. I can stay inside and have just as much fun as I would outside or you, it’s reverse and that’s okay.
By Zainab Bangura6 years ago in Humans
The Alien Observes
My mum once started to write a book about her life, and in it she introduced her three children in different ways. My brother, first born. Conceived within the false promise of the baby boomer’s last attempts to believe in the nuclear family. Naturally attracting all the glory in the world, he’s always the life of the party, the gentle giant with the gift of enthusiasm, he can talk to anyone and is incredibly friendly. He wears his heart on his sleeve so his sensitive nature is bared for all to see and while his body is strong and his will is brave, his heart is precious. My little sister, the miracle child. Born out of hopeless love into violent delights. She is the light in the darkness, the warm ray of hope that gleams through the morning window, through the looming grey clouds. Smart and thoughtful, she is the reminder that there is hope in times of hopelessness. A beautiful embodiment of potential.
By Cassie Lilly6 years ago in Humans
