Humanity
I am Not Your Ally
In the world of social justice, it appears that everyone is looking for an ally. Or at least they are looking to use the word ally as many times as they possibly can in a sentence. And those who want to be allies love being called allies. It seems to be a kind of badge of honour. They see it as a sign that they are on the right side of history and in the corner of the good guys. So, they crave that title of ally.
By Chris Hearn5 years ago in Confessions
Sense of belonging
A sense of belonging is an important feature of knowing who you really are. Culture in which you’re brought up in, environment in which you grew up, people you shared your experiences with all add up to form ones personality. Is it possible to lose your identity, by moving away from the place you grew up in, leaving the environment you experienced a range of emotions and feelings in? Moving to London, four years ago to study was a huge decision I decided to make, which when put in perspective has not only changed my lifestyle habits but also my outlook on life. Exposure to various types of people, certain difficulty in assimilating into a new culture and the fascination of the new world opening up in front of you alters one’s sense of identity.
By Salome Khazaradze5 years ago in Confessions
My Bad, Miguel
I am no stranger to embarrassment. My Sagittarius Sun and Gemini Moon pretty much guarantee that. I’m spontaneous and sarcastic, I’m garrulous, I’m moderate to high level impatient, and I’m very easily distracted. I explore broadly and I speak bluntly. I’m also 6’1” and have poor depth perception. Damn near perfect formula for cringeworthy misunderstandings, faux-pas, and mini-dramas.
By Birdy Rain5 years ago in Confessions
In Visibility
On the day that I had been admitted to the hospital because my doctor said I was at risk for having an imminent heart attack, I looked fine. In fact, I even felt fine too. Better than fine, actually. Just that morning my boss had announced at a department meeting that I saved our institution approximately 15 weeks worth of labor in about 15 minutes. All in all, I was actually having a pretty good day, and I was feeling pretty good about myself too. Of course, that all changed when my doctor asked if I had someone to drive me to the emergency room, or if she should call an ambulance for me after a routine appointment.
By Rayne 5 years ago in Confessions
The Time I Fumigated A Hospital
As one of seven children, I developed a refined ability to divert blame. When someone spilled a bowl of cereal (milk and all) and left it puddling on the kitchen floor, my little sister did it. When I forgot to flush after a leisurely No. 2 in my kindergarten’s single toilet bathroom, I blamed the act on a ghost. In my 9th grade algebra class, while sitting in the second to last row, I cautiously attempted to release a toot I was certain would pass silently. Nope. But did I hold myself accountable? Absolutely not. With a thunderous clap, my expulsion ricocheted off of the plastic chair like a hellacious baseball, startling the otherwise soundless class. This fart was (obviously) not the variety you could blame on the chair; nothing could have made that noise apart from a human anus. As the entire class looked back, row by row, like human-sized dominoes, I followed suit and looked back with them. Daniel, the unfortunate soul occupying the very last seat, had no one to look back to. He inevitably took the fall for my acoustic mishap.
By Blake Blossoms5 years ago in Confessions
Unlearning Shame During the Pandemic
In the United States, there are far fewer shames as great and powerful as the shame of being unemployed or 'not living up to your potential.' If you're unemployed, you're lazy or immoral tends to be the general notion around the concept. I have encountered this overbearing sensation of shame from the people in my life twice. Once after my first place of work shut down, the owners were tired of keeping it open for very little to no gain. I spent about two months feeling miserable that I was unemployed. From my family to my friends, I thought everyone thought less of me because I wasn't going to a job and contributing to some ethereal ideal of work. Eventually, I found a job at a restaurant where a few of my friends worked. Four years later, I suddenly found myself at the familiar ground of unemployment again, and once again, something out of my control: The Covid-19 Pandemic.
By Tyler C Douglas5 years ago in Confessions
Do You Believe in Magic?
Some families are insane and have veritable crematoriums of skeletons in their closets. Schizophrenics and slave owners married victims of incest and had secret, secondary families in other states. These families had kids who did drugs and fought with their parents or bottled things up and went on shooting rampages. As outsiders, we can say we know a strangely, seemingly normal pairing or slice from the family, but if asked, those oh so typical people can relate that still waters run deep.
By Emile Bienert5 years ago in Confessions
Manifest it like you mean it!
My confession of a missed opportunity! I've started my journey of enlightenment and I realize there is always good and bad, yin and yang, balance and counterbalance to every aspect of life. You can help yourself out by being realistic in your view of the circle of life. Planting and toiling, along with rain and sunshine are all needed to yield a bountiful harvest.
By Ida Lenoir5 years ago in Confessions
Colored
I was maybe 19 when it happened. Oh, and the young, African-American woman was so angry she briskly walked away, saying nothing. I really didn't know what I had done, but a kind friend enlightened me: "colored" was an ethnic slur. Colored had such a different meaning to me before this point. Don't give up on me; keep reading.
By Maria Lara Dailey5 years ago in Confessions
