fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Purgatory: Canto 11; The Proud
By: Stephanie Borns
Tags: Adaptation, Journey, Purgatory, Sacred Feminine, Dante

We reached the plane and took our seats. People smiled and settled, nobody said much.

I never did see a flight attendant and I didn’t get the window seat. When the engine started to rumble, people reached beside them and took out sets of earphones attached to the seat handles. My Guide did this too and so I followed along.

Down along the wire, through the earphones a familiar sound filled my head and my memory. And when I looked up, people were singing quietly, their eyes closed.

I was in Ottawa in December. Outside the snow had covered every tree, every rooftop, ever lawn and laneway. The long walk to the great hall of the National Gallery was hung with banners. Somehow, with no savings, nothing really but hope, I had made it to begin my education and now the time had come to visit my old hometown for the Christmas break.

Before I left, I wanted to take a walk through the place that had inspired me to try harder, to go further, to do something my parents had told me I could not do. Go to university. As I walked up the grey stone ramp with the parliament buildings half hidden by falling snow beside me on a Thursday night, I heard voices raised.

A choir was singing for Christmas. They sang this same song. How could I help but weep?

Dante can teach about pride. His compatriots displayed it and there were stories, proof of how people had suffered from it but I knew only how heavily the stone of humility weighed on my childhood. Gaining a degree is a simple thing but it wasn’t simple to me.

Some children are given the burden of parents who believe their child is so special they can do no wrong.

But some children are given to a family that cannot understand the gift of a talented child and it is their good intention — to save them from the weight of false pride that cripples such children.

I only knew that I had received a gift that was too good for the person I thought I was and in that moment, life was a shimmering thing.

I stood in the gallery and watched the snow falling over the old granite buildings outside.

In a few moments, I knew I would be headed into an exhibit of paintings by French Impressionists, the masters of their age. I would be taking notes and writing an essay about my thoughts, my feelings about the show. And astonishingly, that essay would be published.

My family was far away and the sweet, softness of the Faure song made everything seem forgivable. I was blessed.

I heard the singers. I knew that, stored securely, in my wallet was my student identification. Contrary to what I had been raised to believe, I was good enough to learn. And silently, I wept my thanks for that.

I cannot teach anyone about fame or humility. Pride, the fear of pride, the hope of pride and pride itself — is a deeper bog than any I can explain or understand but I do remember this; false humility is pride, enforced humility is cruelty and while pride may crush it is cannot kill — not like willful ignorance or sheer neglect.

For a little while, I went to sleep.
Blogging: What Does It All Come Back To?
By: Soheil Tabrizi
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Engagement, Journey, Blogging

I’ve taken on the challenge to publish daily, and although I have slipped on a some days but I’ve still managed to publish at least 3 to 4 times every week. I was listening to a recent Russell Brunson podcast where he talked about one of his colleagues who was having a hard time finding his rhythm when publishing which he eventually figured out, and I thought I’d share this with you here today.

This is something that I thought about too subconsciously that okay, I’m going to publish everyday but I want it to be targeted or have a story and not just random articles put out haphazardly. This way it would give you, the writer, a structure to write around as well as the person following and reading your blogs to have a clear understanding of what it is that your posts usually relate to. You can say it is something akin to branding yourself in the blogging world.

So the way to do this is by deciding what will all my articles eventually relate back to? What is the context of all the articles that you will be putting out? Will it somehow relate to entrepreneurship, self-help, sports, family or anything else which you have set out your journey on discovering. It will give your articles more direction and maintain relevance to your overall topic and cause.

For me, it’s documenting my eCommerce journey of starting a brand, setting up sales funnels and going about creating a successful eCommerce business whether for the company I work for or myself, and the skills I learn in either can be applied to both my own projects in the future or even other people’s projects where I can help them set up a similar thing by sharing my journey and expertise. I am still a novice, and even though in my current job I do have a level of skills and established myself but the eCommerce journey is something I am new to and looking to learn and build on everyday, and I’ll be sharing this journey with you through my blogposts here.
If you’re feeling down this holiday season…
By: Arnav Roy
Tags: Journey, Depression, Holiday Season, Life, Mental Health

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating ❤️ 💚 !

—

To anyone feeling self-conscious or anxious: don’t overthink things and disregard any judgment/insecurity you may be feeling from others this holiday season.

Your pace in life is just fine. Your life is a blessing and you are a blessing. You are loved and wanted in this world. Don’t ever think otherwise. Sending my love ❤️🙏🏽 💪🏽
Upon A Path
By: Richard Palmquist, Dvm Gdvchm Cchvm
Tags: Poetry, Journey, Spirituality, Love, Life

How do we walk

— through smoke & into fog?

Our eyes

— unable to penetrate —

The simplest of mists…

In our blindness

— we wander

Going somewhere

— so mysterious

But ever called to trod…

Is there a direction

— a path of least resistance?

Or is there only

— stepping: one foot at a time?

Do we pause

— taking inventory —

Of what we have?

Do we seek

— some unimagined treasure

A Gift of Invisible Guides

— each sent by a Father —

To help us on our way?

A wise One

— knowing all He needs

Trusting

— in the Love that made us

Seeing

— every Possibility —

Yet able

— to save us if we only ask?

And can we ask?

Can we

— simply close our eyes —

Leaving hopes & Dreams

— oh, so far away

Calming our minds

— silencing —

The waterfall of questions

— roaring constantly?

Can we

— bathe in lightless pools

Giving up

— our potions and our bills

Listening

Listening

Listening

Happy in the sound of Nothing

— in awe of what could come

Ready and willing

— to walk into Eternity

With no promise

— other than a great adventure.
My journey as an 18-year-old girl & web developer.
By: Iqra Farah
Tags: Journey, Productivity, Technology, Web Development, Programming

It has been a little bit over a year since I learned how to code. I always wanted to learn something more meaningful, challenging, which gave me the potential to grow and improve my technical skills set but I didn’t know where to start.

the start

I hadn’t had much experience with web development. Although I did take a web development course. it was extremely high-level and I was truly unprepared for the professional world (still am kinda). This was an extremely challenging time for me. I essentially had to teach myself front-end development while going to school and working. But I stuck it out and got through it.

Advice

The programming community can be harsh: they hate on each other because of the language they program in, they make it seem like it’s normal to get 2 hours of sleep because you have to code all night long and that eating junk-food and sitting all day is simply the way it is. it’s absolutely not the case.

Conclusion

By writing this article, I hope to inspire some people to also get involved in the tech world, and that it’s really not as scary as it seems. Programming isn’t only for the super-intelligent super-humans like they portray in movies. Programming is for anyone who loves to create, who loves to get out of their comfort zone, and for anyone who loves to improve themselves!

It is completely normal to feel uncomfortable and to think that you’re really bad at coding, don’t let this bring you down. Everyone thinks this from time to time.

Always give your 110% whenever you can, and show the world what you’re capable of by getting your name out there. However, always prioritize your health. Sleep is very important!

important! Always remind yourself of how far you’ve come already. It’s really easy to forget how much you’ve improved, but just compare yourself now to a month ago! I can assure you it’s a lot more than you’d think.

Don’t let other people make you feel like the language you program in is a bad language. It’s literally not, and it’s most likely very necessary and useful!

Feel free to ask me questions by sending me a message on my instagram!
documenting my design journey
By: Sabrina Sukumar
Tags: YouTube, Journey, Design, Vlogs, UX

documenting my design journey

Hey everyone! Long time no posts….More shit went down the last month and I wasn’t able to post an article for November :(

But, I have another treat for you. I started a youtube channel recently where I’m documenting my journey as a part time design student + sharing other parts of my life and what I am up to.

I am currently taking Designlab’s bootcamp — UX Academy — and it’s been a whirlwind journey so far. It’s been great to learn something new during this crazy year and I’m grateful for the design & YT community 🙏🏽

If you are interested, check out my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgTv8Z9sPnkRGDsv7cz8lA
GOA UNLEASHED. We Had A Great Goan Adventure
By: Mohit S
Tags: Journey, Goa, Travel, Goa Trip, Slow Travel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f7VPXKqUjE

Discovering Goa on this trip for me has been full of surprises in terms of how calm, serene and truly wonderful the Goan life can be. In all of my previous trips, adventure activities in Goa meant watersports like parasailing, jetski and banana boat ride. But in this last leg of my Goan endeavor I decided to surprise myself by picking up an alternative route to the very popular Aguada fort. What we then experienced was nothing short of our own version of Man Vs Wild. Intimidating and scary, the journey was deeply rewarding for an adventure seeking soul. But yes, I would suggest you to discover this route only with the help of some local Guide or a Goan friend.

As the Goa journey came to an end, I looked back at the memorable moments I spent with these amazing story-tellers of the fascinating Goan lifetstyle with Susegad and Aadh padap. These moments are going to stay with me for life.

This Goa trip is all about taking it slow and an attempt to live like a Goan, feel its legacy, and touch the beautiful unexplored side of Goa. So instead of just blindly running behind the so called best places to visit in Goa, I traveled slowly and thoroughly. This was an experience which changed my perspective about Goa forever. The thing that I think has changed the most for me is how simple life can be in Goa, yet beautiful enough for people who settled there centuries ago.

But in the end do remember that COVID is still very much a REALITY !!! It’s true that Goa is opening up for tourism, but is it safe to travel during Covid. Well we are not here to give you GYAAN on travelling to Goa after lockdown. But it goes without saying that if possible please avoid travelling for some more time. Still if you have to, please travel responsibly — not only for your own sake but for others as well. So a Goa trip in 2020/21 should be done keeping all the precautions in mind.

P.S. Team Untravel took all the safety measures and followed all the social distancing guidelines
Still point
By: Krystal Molinari
Tags: Stillpoint, Journey, Poetry, Poetry On Medium

A Poem

I have been many places

Seen so many faces

Known many struggles

Tucked through some troubles

I have had such adventures

That I never could have imagined

Would be my own to call

I have walked by shallow rivers and almost drowned in waves

I have been hungry

Lost and

Very cold

I have met many, but only known some

I have gone unconscious from my own madness.

I have been hit and told I am smart, all in the same day

I have looked up at the sky and wondered what this life is really all about

I have turned my back and driven away from everything I’ve known

I have had tears fall that no one knew of

I have had many laughs and many doubts

I have risen up again and again when I just wanted to stay in bed

I have known sickness and health

I have felt invisible

I have taken many chances

I have lied and I used to steal

I never wanted to hear some of the things this world has told me

Nor do I believe them all to be true

I have received many answers

Yet, still have many questions

I never stopped driving my mind, in the direction of infinity.

Now I am working at being ok, at a still point

But yet again,

I

Am

Restless
Journey of the Egg
By: Fildzah Shabrina Putri
Tags: Eggs, Thesis, Journey

I know, I am running late, behind the others. When others worry about me, I just stay calm while enjoying my progress from time to time.

I am ok, you do not need to worry, guys. I won’t lose my spirit. Thank you all for the support.

While typing this, I am already one step ahead. I have completed the proposal then waiting for a reply.

and ya, this is what other people fear the most, waiting without knowing when certainty will come.

Turns out I am not as strong as I imagined. I am sad in solitude, but I pray and hope that I don’t lose that spirit.

Good luck!
journey to becoming a pop star
By: Sophia Breypohl
Tags: Journey, Pop Culture, Diary, Pop Stars, Music

hey there, my name is Sophia, I am 16 years old and I have a very big dream

from a very young age I’ve known exactly what I wanted. though the road has been bumpy, I refuse to give up. In no way did I ever crave the fame that comes with it, I crave the platform to use for good, sharing my music with people and hopefully making a change wether that’s in society or being able to make people feel not so lonely. a very famous actor once said “success without purpose is a pretty meaningless life” it’s something I always remind myself of. in my stories I will take you guys with me on the long journey to becoming a pop star. I won’t spare any details, you’ll hear about the lows and highs of everything that comes with it.

I started singing when I was about eight years old. I have loved music from a very young age and was up for new challenges. Later on music became a very important element in my life. You can basically say that I breathe music at this point. Everyone around me knows me as the girl with the pink headphones. the song writing really started when I was 13 and October 11th I uploaded my first album called “trust”. I had absolutely no equipment except for a keyboard so all the songs were badly recorded on my phone. it’s not my finest work nonetheless it’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

song writing became more fun when I was gifted a MacBook for Christmas, GarageBand instantly became my best friend. An entire second album called “stories untold” was recorded but sadly enough never released. Three songs were performed live which was the second time I had performed my own work and it was quite nerve wracking.

Begin of 2020 I started working on a third album called “start over” but it was never released either. somewhere during that time we had bought equipment and created a small studio in my room. That’s when I started on an EP called “Jupiters Flowers” which I later released November 14th 2020

I have a lot more planned and I hope you enjoy my music and the updates here. all the love -Sophia Rique
Have a safe journey
By: Klaudia Kiki
Tags: Braves, Different, Poetry, Wishes, Journey

…wishes for A.

CarlosAlcazar / Pixabay

Let the world be kind to you

During every journey

Couse you know it deep inside

There’s also happiness on every corner

And let yourself take

All this energy they give you

Even if it’s in bad faith

You know it’s especially for you

Don’t be fooled by the way

That the gifts are given

It’s just one thing to say -

You don’t have to be forgiven

When you’ll be in the sky

Don’t feel bad that you’re flying

Even after landing be above

It’s not your turn for crying

You’ve got braveness and freedom

That none of them have

You are strong and have wisdom

You grew up into something else

For all those in our lives

Who struggle to play their part

We’ll be always reminder of lies

That common scenario is nice

When everything goes with the plan

None is jealous for travels and fun

None see different options

Of course in wrong proportions

But the truth is that it’s just sad

We’ll never see other side

And in our tiring lives

We should try to be glad

And in all roles that we play

When it is or isn’t all the same

We’d take as much as we can

Ignoring others plan

So let the world be kind to you

During every journey

Although we know it’s true

Each apostate is his one attorney

Let us be a torns in the side for others

They are trapped in petty jealousies

Pretty girls shouldn’t write poems

The younger brothers should follow instructions
It’s Not About The Destination
Tags: Journey, Journey Of Life, Struggles In Life, Destination, Business Story

When you travel, the weather affects how fast you get to places and can sometimes be dangerous. That journey is similar to life. The weather is like obstacles that we face in our daily lives, preventing us from getting where we want to go. Have you ever bothered to go somewhere without knowing how to get there? It’s so much easier when we plan out how to arrive. It’s even easier if we know how to get there. We must do our best to make that journey easier on ourselves, for our own mental health.

During the ride, there are multiple paths you can take to arrive at your destination. Choosing the best one for yourself is the key to having a pleasurable experience. However, don’t forget to stop every once in a while to enjoy the view along the way. Most people want to rush through the journey without taking the time to enjoy it.

Most people today are so busy looking down at their phones that they don’t remember what a tree looks like, even when it’s in front of them. Nobody wants to take the time to appreciate everything around them, at the risk of getting bored. They just want to see results without having to do years of work. They just want to wake up and be at the top of their careers with millions of dollars. It would be nice if life worked that way.

It’s not about the destination. It’s the journey

The journey is what will define you. By the end, you’ll have been a new version of what you once were. You discover new things that will help you in the future. Never let the obstacles stop you from getting to your final destination. Nobody got successful from giving up on something that got too tough for them. Failure is a part of the journey, but you will get there if you stay strong.
What a beautiful journey & how wonderful that you shared it with friends!
By: Dr. Preeti Singh
Tags: Journey

What a beautiful journey & how wonderful that you shared it with friends!
my journey to becoming a weeb
Tags: Growth, Stories, Journey, Weeb, Anime

in middle school -A.K.A my emo phase- I would hang out with a lot of anime fans. I tried my hardest to fit in, I would go home and click on random anime shows on Netflix. for whatever reason I would never as for suggestions and I didn't know you had the option to watch anime in English. because of this, it caused me to not really connect with the anime and I would zone out and not even read the captions. at this time all my friends were obsessed with “the black butler”. I wasn't that interested because it seemed gory. to this day I haven't seen it and I most likely will or will not in the future, It just simp,y doesn't interest me. then sophomore year happened, it was right at the start of quarantine. And I stumbled upon “SAO” and that's where I fell down the rabbit hole. after that, I moved on to watching “naruto”, “full metal alchemist”, Kakeguri”. but nothing and I mean nothing could ever beat my most recent watched anime … “death note”, the best most well-written anime/manga/show ever made. I'm going to be writing a lot more about death note but for now, that is my journey, stay tuned for more ❤
We all have issues
By: Lola Sheff
Tags: Obsessive Compulsive, 13, Ocd, Journey

Everybody has their own issues but when we tell ourselves that or we are told that, lets be honest we think “but mine is different.” I mean maybe but, back to the beginning we all have issues. which leads me on to mine. I am 13 years old and I have OCD. OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors. I have intrusive thoughts, that are very unsettling that lead me to believe if I don't do certain things something will happen. I end up doing the thing my OCD tells me to do to prevent what I think will happen from happening. I am in 8th grade now but, I have come a long way from where I started. follow me for more writings about my journey and my ability to trying to overcome OCD.

-Lola Sheff
Hope Unleashed
By: Mary Hood
Tags: Poetry, Journey, Christianity, Faith, Hope

Sushi, I just don’t like

Though it’s pretty, rolled up tight

A bento box, neat packaging

Makes it no more appetizing

Flowerless ferns in places unseen

Paint muted forests luscious green

Spore, no seed fuse skin with skin

Imparted from a source within

I’ve scaled many a mountain peak

More than actually touched my feet

From the top the view was grand

Every trek down I‘d crash land

I lost balloons once I let go

Empty hands have none to show

And that’s when hope is at its best

Since it’s been my theme I’ve been blessed

The Lord of hope looked in my heart

And knew I needed a brand new start

What words He gave I wrote in faith

Now the hope I lost is back in place

Tho‘ trials and tribulations seem

A never-turning evergreen

Boundary waters against a levee strong

Keep gargoyles out that don’t belong

I wrote this from a prompt of 7 random words with a theme of hope.

Bento box, ferns, mountain peak, lost balloons, evergreen, Boundary waters, gargoyles
My Escape, Day… 1 of Many
Tags: Finding Yourself, Journey, Life

I feel empty inside.

I feel alone.

I feel heartbroken.

I have to laugh. Ironic how I feel such deep emotion for something I have yet to experiecne. Almost silly for me to characterize my pain as “heartbreak”. Yet it is true. My heart aches. Day in and day out.

I AM NOT OK

Four simple words. Five basic syllables.

I have never said those words aloud let alone write them on a piece of paper or type them in a text. So why now? Truth be told I am not sure. One could characterize me as apathtic. I guess I feel more comfortable being vulnerable to complete strangers, clinging on to the slightest bit of animosity that I have on this website RATHER than open up to those close to me…

What can I say I’m not much of an open book. I bottle up every last emotion. (Yes, even the happy ones) I don’t show much feeling or excitement no matter how happy I may be. Yet I will show the rawest emotion when I am alone. In the car. In the shower. Baracaded in my room. Anywhere I am alone. A place where I do not have to be vulnerable in front of people. A safe place that feels sacred to me.

Today I was vulnerable. In a place where I do the most of self reflection, my car. As I came down the back canyon pass after my closing shift at the Ranch, I played Giveon’s “Heart Break Anniversary”. I wept as passing head lights blinded my view and the road began to bound. I screamed the lyrics aloud and just felt raw, pure emotion fill the empty space. I felt alive, I felt human.

Today marks the day I vow to better myself. A vow in which I hope I keep. I am in search of meaning and life. I want to live and not just exsist. I want grow and become the purest form of myself. I want to be proud of who I’ve become and where I am going. Today marks Day 1…

I hope to continue my daily escapes. If you have joined me to the end of today, I thank you. I know it may not be the best but today is the start of me. Today is the begining of my journey to find happiness and find my meaning.

Balloons are deflated, guess they look lifeless like me

— — — — — — Giveon
Mengingat kembali: Perjalanan belajar pemrograman
By: Do Exploit
Tags: Pemrograman, Belajar, Journey, Pengalaman, Programming

Active student in the field of Linux & Network System Administration + Scripting Language. Contact: doexploit22@gmail.com
My Sugary Sweet = Hallmark Channel
Tags: Hallmark Channel, UX, Holidays, Journey

In 2010, I treasured my TV time. Granted, I never watched much, but when I did, it was my veg out time to relax and to be creative as much as I can. Once I had the instant family kicked in just like an instant meal, you pop into the microwave, now my TV time is merely paying for the cable bill.

The most significant part about this and what I found out when I downloaded the Hallmark channel app, I could watch due to my TV services. Over with delight and jumping for joy for this moment. So now my phone is my portable TV.

During this time of COVID-19, the Hallmark Channel has given me the joy to watch Christmas movies and happy families. Observing the Christmas tree embellished as such with the perfect color and shiny star on the tree. This might be over the top, and there is always a happy ending to each story, and times I know that is not the case in real life. At times, it is pleasant, calms your mind, and floats away. Let my mind think and wonder.

Another reason when I watched “The Christmas House” it reminded me how the family stayed in the house, and the kids who are older adults lived someplace else. They came home from Christmas. The best part is when the parents greeted them with open arms and with so much warmth. Those were the type of memories when I used to come from college anticipating my own family. No matter what, I would imagine smiling on everyone single one of them.

The Hallmark Channel is my sugary sweet with all the admirable scenes they have created from story to story. This reminds me of the person journeying through life or entirely in my designs regarding the user. The feeling and emotion that comes from each level. Yes, some stories tell when the characters have a huge pitch to get that big client, and they have to miss Christmas with their family. But at the end of the story. They somehow find a way to resolve the problem and back with their family on the holidays.

Watching different storylines with the top heart-warming happy endings gives me another lens to contemplate my own outlook into something creative. I had told a fellow designer that I wanted to write about the Hallmark Channel how it helped me put my thoughts back into my head and have them not go streaming out. I told them I was going to write this article last week. Well, one week when by with family and daily life takes over.

Twitter Post

I was browsing through Twitter. The tweet below about the Hallmark Channel. So that tweet enacted an impression on me and the article.

Whatever is going on currently, don’t forget to think about yourself. Do something fun and be kind to yourself these days. Relax and have your thoughts sink in. Soon 2020 will be over, and 2021 will start. It is about time we begin to think about what will make your mind and thoughts float away.
The Sun Is Up Forever
By: Tiffany Banks
Tags: Love, Growth, Fate, Journey

Photo by Sebastian Voortman from Pexels

I am a cloud of dust

Wandering through the wind.

I am on a magical journey to the unknown.

I sparkle

As I make my way through

The same breeze that caressed against your cheek.

Unbeknown to you,

That was me you felt.

That cold, humble breeze.

That was me.

You couldn’t see me.

The drops that wept from the sky

Were made from the infuriating anger

That dwelled deep within my soul.

I wanted you to see me

I just wanted you to see me.

I am the flow of the river.

The same river that you watch your reflection in.

You see me,

But I am unnoticed.

There is a mixture of chemicals

Charged beneath my surface.

Can you feel the electricity,

Or is that just me?

I am moving,

Ever flowing.

Some call me a free spirit.

I suppose that’s true.

I began as a trickle from the sky.

I learned to walk before I even began to crawl.

Before I knew it,

I was running down the side of mountains.

Raging onto the rocks and the shore.

My angst was never enough to grab your attention.

I became still and quiet,

Hoping that the reflection of perfection that I showed you

Would edge you into my loving embrace.

But life is never that simple.

My unrequited feelings

Fell victim to dreary waterfalls of darkness.

I am an unexpected lover

And a beautiful mess.

I grew into something

That I never could have imagined existed.

I was a walking contradiction.

I watched your calmness

Sleeping next to me.

I could watch a million sunrise with you

It took awhile to get here.

I was born as dust in the wind.

I grew to the range of the water.

Do you believe in fate?

Do you believe that we had to endure this journey

To be where we are right now?

As I watch you sleep next to me,

I think that it might be the case.

We had to realize that we are not moments.

We are not meant to be invisible.

We are not made to be unnoticed.

I think that, sometimes,

Fate has a funny way of showing us

What life is really about.

I think about the darkness.

Now I know the unknown,

And I never want to leave.

You are the sun,

And I want the sun to stay up forever.
My Spiritual Journey
By: Matt Ray
Tags: Journey, Photography, Energy, Massage, Spiritual

What does the Mormon Church, a Swedish Massage, Levitation, and the Emperor’s New Clothes have to do with my spiritual journey? By the end of this article, you’ll see how they all connect.

I was born and raised in the Mormon church. They now deem that word as not associated with them and would prefer we call them Christians or LDS or anything but Mormons. It doesn’t matter to me. I was born and raised Mormon and I will call them Mormons until I die.

The Mormon church doesn’t really have a lot of room for theories or ideas that are outside of their prescribed spirituality. They have a very fixed set of rules and beliefs and if the things you’re doing are outside of that realm, they consider it something you should stay away from.

When I was going to college, my brother-in-law decided he was going to take a massage therapy course to help pay for school. It made sense. Massage therapists make a good hourly wage. Unfortunately, it was a course that wasn’t going to happen unless they could get one more massage student to join. That’s when he came to me.

As a conservative Mormon, I didn’t really know if massage was right for me, but I was all for it. My even-more conservative wife, at the time, had a lot more reservations than I did. If it wasn’t for her brother’s pleadings, she probably would have put her foot down on the matter. She finally agreed to it, but she had conditions (of course!). We had to agree that I wouldn’t work on women, but just her brother, in the course.

I’m literally rolling my eyes as I think about it and I’m almost embarrassed to be sharing it. We spoke to the instructor and she was fine with this rule, so we moved forward and I started massaging my brother-in-law’s hairy body, every weekend for the next six weeks.

This class was my first introduction to energy and these energetic fields that I have come to associate with spirituality. I’ve always felt like I was a spiritual person. I was in touch with my emotions and I’m somewhat of an empath. Some would even say that I have healing abilities. So when they started talking about energy, and connectedness, and auras, it resonated with me.

I learned a lot in this course about the energy field that surrounds and connects us. It was all new, but all very exciting for me to learn, and I didn’t really have an issue with it — although I was sure that some of the ideas didn’t completely gel with Mormonism.

In an ironic twist, our instructor, the last weekend, told us that in order for us to pass, we had to perform a full-body, Swedish massage — the course we had been taking — on her, in order to pass the class. My wife was not very happy about this announcement. But she realized there was no way around it and so I proceeded with the exam and passed my course.
A Selfie a Day on the Appalachian Trail
By: Debra Howell, Chilly Bin
Tags: Backpacking, Journey, Hiking, Travel, Blog

Hiking & Backpacking

A Selfie a Day on the Appalachian Trail

Crossing the Mason-Dixon Line (photo credit to the author)

In 2019 I thru hiked all 2192 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Mt Springer in Georgia to Mt Katahdin in Maine. I took a selfie almost every day along the way and compiled them into a video — this is the result.

I also vlogged the whole journey, you can check it out here.
Book #21 “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
By: Gabriel Sadek
Tags: Personal Legend, Journey, The Alchemist, Dreams, Legend

I cannot completely articulate how beautiful this book was. I genuinely believe that this masterful work of fiction captures the human condition better than any other book ever written. The oldest human story is the individual conquering of adversity in order to reach a greater end-state of some kind. The concept of carrying your cross, walking through the valley, the journey of 1000 steps, running through the flames, defeating the dragon etc…all of these are illustrations of the oldest human story of victory through trial and adversity.

This is a wonderful work of fiction that captures the story of a young boy (Santiago) who is on a journey to become his, “personal legend.” It begins with Santiago dreaming of a great treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. He then decides to follow his dreams and sacrifice everything he has in order to fulfill his legacy.

His decision then takes him on a roller coaster ride of failure and fulfillment, trials and successes…all the while he becomes closer and closer to the man he ought to be, his true personal legend. Santiago meets people and experiences things that he otherwise would have never experienced had he never chosen to follow his dreams. Santiago concludes multiple times throughout his journey that he is ready to die because his death would be in complete pursuit of his personal legend.

The various characters in the book not only teach Santiago about life, but also symbolize the collective condition of humanity. Throughout his journey he meets men and woman all of whom have different circumstances and different outlooks on life, and all of whom have dreams, and goals…some of which they are in pursuit of. Each character represents a state of mind that every human experiences at some point in their lifetime. Every human being has at some point in time been like Santiago, or the king, or the baker, or the thief, or the Englishman, or even the alchemist himself. These characters represent the human condition entirely and it is up to you to decide today who you want to be and how you want the rest of your story to go.

Santiago finally achieves his dreams but not in the way that you would think. You will have to read the book to find out how everything comes together for Santiago. All in all, the journey is more important than the ending. It is on the journey where he becomes a man. His journey transforms him into his personal legend. It’s the grind, the in-between, the man you become in the process…where the actual beauty is. Also, this book is full of so many amazing one-liners, I wish that I wrote them all down. This is a “Confucius says” type of book.

This is hands down one of the greatest works of fiction that I have ever read. It is an international best-seller because every person who reads this book feels some type of deep personal connection with all of the characters. This is the ultimate illustration of the human condition.
Hiking and Life, One in the Same
By: Joe Measell
Tags: Life, Journey, Hiking, Goals, Mindset

I was out on a hike the other day by myself and I started to think about how hiking could be compared to life. Here is what I came up with:

Everyone has a similar goal, get to the top (Achieve their goals)

Some trails are easy, some are hard.

Some trails are crowded, some are known by little.

You will pass people on your journey, others will pass you, pay no mind. It is important to remember to continue at your own pace.

Some people will not make it, some will be struggling, encourage these people, help if you can and continue moving forward.

When you reach the top, savor the moment, and enjoy the view. It will not last forever, but it is important to recognize that and take it in while you can.

On your way back down, provide advice to others, and encourage others to strive for the top. Help them get there, as you have been there and you know what it takes.

There will be many uphills, downhills and many flats. You will have to push yourself to the limit at times and other times it will feel like a breeze, but the most important thing to remember is…..

Enjoy the journey.
Journey’s End
Tags: Poetry, Journey, Love, Poem, Poetry On Medium

FORGIVE me, dear, if I have lost my way,

In coming home to you

Through storm and shadow of the gathering night;

If I did stray,

Still I was seeking, and I never knew

How near me burned the dear and friendly light.

Now at your door, ere the great Dark begin,

Alone I stand, and knock:

Say not it is too late that I have come —

O take me in,

For I am yours! Darling, unlock, unlock —

All Time to this was but a journey home!
Queen BiBi
Tags: Electronic Music, Journey, Dreams, Lyrics, Music

(First lyrics I ever wrote as Baby Luck. Pregnant. 2016)

This is the beginning of a dream, so surreal it’s real…so real there are no words. So just listen to what you see…

A beautiful girl moves towards the front door. Backpack on ready to run from the fire she started.

“They chase you as long as you’re afraid,” she says.

“Who?” I ask.

“Those fires you start and can’t put out. Come on.”

She grabs my hand and no shoes on, we run, and we run…through this earthquake weather city…Faster and faster and faster, so fast we can’t feel the ground shake under our feet. The crush of the hot city pushes us towards a waiting train…we jump on board —

And shoot straight up the edge of a steep mountain, but we don’t slow down, higher and higher and higher, all the way to the top, but the top of the mountain isn’t high enough, so we jump, soar, and fly….above clouds, above sound….

…and suddenly, we land in a thick red forest, glowing roots in the soil, we run through trees made of butterflies ….until we find a path….that leads us to a black sand beach, as a fiery sunsets, and a heavy moon close enough to touch illuminates the night sky….

….we roll around in the hot sand, *and I realize, this is the first time I have ever felt free….the first time i’ve ever been free….and freedom is hot…..

When two white horses come up to us we hop on and we ride bareback into the still warm ocean….fish swim alongside us as we go under….and under….and under…and we can breathe underwater, our horses become dolphins and we ride, holding their fins like manes…..when we hear a pulse….and break the surface to find —

A glowing island…a hidden party….and I start to dance….I can’t help it….and everyone is body painted animal mask on moving to the beat in unison like a heartbeat in utero…the beat gets thicker and thicker and thicker until…..

I look up and see us in the stars. Constellations become the faces of everyone I will ever love….this is the first time I have ever felt free

I want to move with you, but I can’t find you…maybe you’ve disappeared behind all these masks…you could be anyone…Maybe that means you’ve always been here?….And all of a sudden the things we never told each other don’t matter anymore.

We dissolve and float up into the stars and away from everything we know, and I’m finally not scared….and finally, I’m not scared.
3 Months to Thrive: A Yoga Journey
By: Adam Henning
Tags: Growth, Journey, Yoga, Inspiration, Self

Expectations

I want to go into this with the least amount of expectation possible.

A wise man once said that the best thing we can do is to set an intention, do the work and let the fruits of our labour speak for themselves, whatever shape they may take. Translation: I am going to try my best to follow through but I won’t be hard on myself if I fail.

In any case, isn’t failure an important part of life, learning and growing? To expect perfection is just imperfection waiting to happen. Besides, I want to enjoy this process and benefit from it, not walk away injured, disappointed or god-forbid, regretful.

I’ll be writing in a weekly format, one post a week that highlights my thoughts and insights as I go through the program day by day. I’ll achieve this writing schedule, semi-retroactively, meaning that I will be on week 2 by the time week 1’s post is published, this is because of the way the program is structured, it makes sense to get to the end of the week before writing about it, also this way I will be able to reflect more accurately on each week.

As each month wraps up, I’ll write up a wrap-up post with my thoughts and learnings along the way.

Other than this structure, there are no rules. Some posts might be brief, others long and rambling, I want this to act as a journal of my journey, but I’ll try to make sure it’s consistent and coherent.
Journeys —my life and yours.
By: Smile Over Stress Vit
Tags: Journey, Life, Smile Over Stress, Mental Health, Blog

It is the journey that matters at the end…

The journeys we take differ from each other, but there’s no way to compare as we all lead different paths.

OUR LIFE IS OUR JOURNEY

Journey can be interpreted in many different ways by different people. But focusing on the philosophical point of view, life can be seen as a journey. We travel in life through the years, facing various scenarios and incidents, but our destination is all the same.

The way we start and the way we end, are the same for every individual on Earth. But it is the period between birth and death that makes a journey, an interesting and unique one. It is all very overwhelming when we think about our lives and reflect on our actions, but it is what it is. Some things we can’t have a hold on, but we have to go with the flow. It is all part of the journey. Good and bad things are a part and parcel of life and we have to accept it.

Louis L’amour says a journey is time suspended…

…It couldn’t have been put better. The flow and ebb of time coexist with essence of a journey. We all have different timelines. We all have our own rhythms and speed to do things. One might complete their education in their twenties but some in their old ages like the sixties. A few might start a family while in their teens but others might start in their middle ages. There’s no way one should conform to only one particular form of life. We all have our own patterns and we adapt to them at our own paces. The journeys we take differ from each other, but there’s no way to compare as we all lead different paths.

Life is a journey that have a lot different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny. ― Ryan L Leonard

AND HENCE, ENJOY YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST

We’ve heard the saying ‘Life is a journey’. It is very cliché to sound. But when thinking about it, it all makes sense. In life we forge relationships, achieve great things, face even more failures, meet so many people, visit so many places, learn whatever that our surroundings has to offer, and just a repetition of all these things. It is very vague and at the same time, very specific. But all these activities we do, all these things that happen to us, they make a journey and that’s what makes life interesting. Above all these, it is integral that we always remember to enjoy life to its fullest. The very point of a journey is to live it and experience as much as we can from it. It is not about the destination, it is about the journey. Go crazy and have fun. That should be our mantra. We live only once, right? Too many clichés in this essay but very important.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end” — Ursula K. Le Guin

SOS is a student community aimed at creating safe spaces and improving mental health awareness. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Did we tell you, we are on Spotify too?
Beauty Breathes
By: Christine Kelly
Tags: Poetry, Journey, Healing, Poetry Sunday, Grief

Beauty Breathes

Photograph by author

It is by her shores I find

where beauty breathes.

With every ebb and flow

of her tides

I inhale deeply

of what my soul craves

and what my heart aches for;

exhaling what I no longer need,

burdens too heavy to carry

and which bring me only sorrow.

I lay them at my feet,

no sacrifice to the gods

simply a hopeful offering. I watch

as the waves cover them completely,

gradually pulling them

away from me,

freeing me

from what had held me below

the surface

unable to breathe.
On a journey that feels no end Pushing all the way through Less motivation to keep on Following the stars and moon Hoping and dreaming This isn’t the end It’s the beginning of the new We all deserve…
By: Christina Snow
Tags: Journey, Poetry, Pain

On a journey that feels no end

Pushing all the way through

Less motivation to keep on

Following the stars and moon

Hoping and dreaming

This isn’t the end

It’s the beginning of the new

We all deserve what we don’t believe

Searching for anything

Searching for a reason

The pain runs down my cheeks

Just as I keep on this journey

I don’t believe in me

But I believe in everyone else’s journey

Caring so much

Loving so deeply

Not thinking there is anything good in me

Journeys pushing me away

Wanting to find that reason

The real reason I feel pain of my journey

Of each journey I’ve taken

Every journey love takes me on
My Current Journey -2
Tags: Obese, Journey, Weight Loss, Acca, Journal

12:07 pm ,

13th December, 2020

Hello I’m back again after 2 days I guess… I have finally got the motivation to study and its going pretty well, I hope it lasts till I complete ACCA exams. *pray for me*.

How did I get the motivation you ask? oh…it’s simple.

Step 1 — have strict parents who don’t believe in you

Step 2 — act hella lazy in front of them

Step 3 — don’t do anything because they will do it for you. and that is they will say these words “you can not achieve anything in your life you are a loser”

Step 4 — show them what you got !

yes it’s true I got motivated after hearing those words. Sometimes you need someone to judge you to move forward and achieve the impossible. so yeah that’s all.

And before I go I wanted to say today is my first day of 1 meal per day diet. I must tell you I am a very obese person like about 93 kgs/ 205lbs for 165 cm height. I am going to use this as my journal and to remind me of when I started and how I started. *I am reallly scared though*

By the way it is a wonderful cold afternoon here in Riyadh, KSA, the sky is blue and there is a freaking construction site that ruins everything but lets stay positive.

Have a good day ya’ll :D