fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Only Humans
By: Akhaine Jesuoboh Precious
Tags: Peace, Relationships, Inspirational, Poetry, Life

Only Humans

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

At a time when priorities are misplaced

When hate is real and people are two-faced

When our expectations are bed and roses

But in reality, all we get is thorns and bushes

A time when purpose is unknown

And it’s safer to be alone

When we are not sure who is on our side

We cannot tell who Keeps us in mind

A time when we judge others for sinning differently

And laugh at others for loving wholeheartedly

A time when numbers determine our fate

When we don't even know the meaning of hate

A time when children have no one to look up to

When we can't even tell them what we do

When they've lost hope on finding human heroes

And they think their joy is tied to cheques with a lot of zeros

Behind all the hustle and bustle

We are all just a giant puzzle

Individually, we have great colours and textures

But together, we are all broken pieces needing each other to complete the puzzle picture

Life comes with its many struggles

We do our best to overcome the hurdles

With things undone and words not spoken

We realize we are all just humans.. Bruised and Broken

But know this,we are not defined by what life throws at us

we find our strength from our resolve to push on from the inner force.

Thanks for reading!
Acceptance was My First Spiritual Gift in Recovery
By: Kathy Berman
Tags: Peace, Addiction Recovery, Serenity, Spiritual Growth, Acceptance

When I began my spiritual journey, the first quality in others that I was attracted to was serenity. I didn’t know that I was attracted to the quality of serenity. Instead I was attracted to serene people. I was going to AA and one of the strengths that you are taught in 12 step meetings was to learn how to help others.

The meetings that I volunteered for were overseen by this man that was so calm and peaceful that I knew I wanted whatever he had. Finally one night I asked how he had gotten whatever he had. It was hard for him to define “it”. But he recommended a little pamphlet named “Acceptance”. The booklet taught me two major lessons.

The first lesson was the story of the man in the desert with the whirling dervishes. Someone came up to the man and asked him what he did about the whirling dervishes and he said that he just let them whirl. What a concept! I was beginning to be introduced to detachment and letting it go and change what you can and let the rest go.

The second lesson I learned from the booklet was an illustration that contained an explanation of serenity as picturing a swan beautifully gliding on the surface of the water. But under the water, the swan was paddling furiously in order to go forward. With my thinking at the time, I thought that this seemed dishonest. Such was the power of my brain to distort everything I experienced.

From “Acceptance is key…but it’s complicated”:

“The courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference are crucial additions to the power of acceptance in building a happy life. What are Steve Taylor’s Acceptance poem, the Acceptance Prayer, and the third Ethic of Walking the Red Road not about? They are not about accepting what is not acceptable. We all have our lists of what is acceptable and not acceptable, and these lists will vary. But whatever is on your list — those things you feel passionate about — they fall in the category of ‘Change what you cannot accept’.

You need not accept physical or mental abuse. You need not accept that racism exists so learn to live with it. You need not accept that humans are destroying the planet with their disregard for the environment in order to prop up a status quo economic model. You need not accept human rights abuses at home and around the world.

Some things that are unacceptable to you, you can change by taking charge of your own destiny. Move out. Change jobs. Put your phone down and smell the roses. Add exercise to your routine. Seek help. Reach out to a friend or counselor. Volunteer. Whatever can make the difference for you.

Other things that you feel passionate about may seem too overwhelming to change, too big for one individual to do anything about. You can’t do it alone, so why bother; just accept. But denial can’t be the answer. Every voice counts. Every conscience counts. Every vote counts. Be part of the changes that matter to you.”
Interrupting the Chaos
By: Adam Ray Cronk
Tags: Peace, Poetry, Haiku, Poetry On Medium, Illumination

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I saw him sleeping on a bench at the train station next to my home
Tags: Peace, Humanity, Poetry, Loneliness, Short Story

By Nitin Gaur

I saw him sleeping on a bench at the train station next to my home

I hadn’t seen him awake

Neither the whistles of constant streaming trains

nor the work talks of working folks ever woke him up

But one day he stood up and shouted at people

his eyes were red, maybe because of excessive sleeping

His words were not clear but the pain in his eyes was real

Everyone was confused around him

His words weren’t making any sense, and that agitated him even more

I went to him and offered him some water,

and an old granola bar from my bag.

He ate the granola bar in 2 bites,

and drank all the water from my 32 oz. hydro flask bottle.

He smiled at me, there was no more pain in his eyes

He was not shouting anymore.

He looked at everybody through me at that train station for 2 minutes,

mumbled few words, and went back to his sleep again.

I now give him food and water everyday to see the pain in his eyes disappear
In the Beginning was the Word
By: Tom Mahon
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Peace On Earth

Storyteller. I’ve been a filmmaker, merchant sailor, glass artisan, playwright, and 40-year veteran of Silicon Valley. And each job brought new stories to tell…
Peace Greets the Stranger
By: Amy Pierovich
Tags: Peace, Goodwill, Poetry, Inspiration, Friendship

Peace Greets the Stranger

Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash

Peace greets the stranger

welcome at my door.

Please tell me

do you have a family

hope for a different life?

One not delivering Greek pizza

to the people who

tip less than ten-percent

but do cough up five-percent

plus a Canada Dry soda

and a Milky Way bar instead?

Ever-inquisitive

I wish to know you.

Perhaps your deepest wish

is to be a photographer

in Tangiers.

Perhaps to be an anthropologist

in Cuzco.

Perhaps to be a violinist

in Vienna.

I truly want to know what

you hate and what you love.

Acceptance of differences

leads to goodwill.

I like your copper-brown skin

hope you like my white skin.

I like your grey fedora

hope you like my Gap jeans and tee.

I like your ready smile

hope you like my quiet one.

We talked about politics

I was wearing a button saying

“Justice for All.”

Caring hearts bring us closer.

You were a stranger wearing a navy tee

I gave you my purple fleece jacket

it was freezing cold.

I gave away my brown-bagged lunch

to a man on a street corner in Monterey.

He quickly bit into my ripened Bosch pear

then rummaged for more.

He was hungry

whereas I had money

to buy something else.

Ever-hopeful for peace.

May there be an end to war.

May we come to see

oneself as another.

There can be no greater peace

than to know

that you lessened

the suffering of another.

May the dove of peace

be set free

in this fragile world.
Scotland
By: Thea Simpkin
Tags: Peace, Nature, Mountains, Journey, Scotland

I sat in the train station in Edinburgh, after arriving from a 7-hour gruelling train ride in the summer heat, exhausted. The station would usually be bustling and loud, trains coming and going, and whistles piercing the chatter, however, there was few people and trains and the only sound I could hear was the clatter of rain on the roof of the station It was humid, hot and clammy; surprising for Scotland. Seeing my platform appear on the board, I made my way towards the train and sat down, being only the sixth person in a large carriage meant for at least fifty.

The weather cleared up as the mountains started appearing. Towering mountains, deep valleys, vast lochs and rushing rivers. Heather created a beautiful purple hue in the afternoon sun and the train chugged on. I arrived in Aviemore and found my taxi waiting for me there. As we drove, the hills got higher and the valleys more cavernous and the sun was setting behind the mountains.

The house was more like a castle. As soon as I caught sight of it relief flooded me — I was here. It had white walls, two grand, wooden doors and four turrets that looked like small crowns. I opened the door and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw: the first room was a dark green colour with sofas and chairs — all a dark green and blue — around a stunning fireplace. On the far side of the room were grand windows that faced the sun, which was just peering over the horizon and about to disappear. I continued down the corridor opposite me and went on exploring the house. The others arrived later in the evening.

Unlike many popular opinions of Scotland, it isn’t just all rain, hail and miserable weather. I went in the summer months, so most days were very pleasant. The main activities were walking and swimming in the lochs. The walks were usually up a mountain, and sometimes Munros (a mountain higher than 3000 feet.) Getting to the top of these is probably the most memorable moment: the view and the breeze blowing in your hot, sweaty face is one of the best sensations. However, unfortunately, if you weren’t quick enough, the clouds would set in on the mountain, meaning the view was a blanket of grey and harsh winds whipped your hair into your face. Either way, the satisfaction makes it worth the while.

Swimming in the icy cold lochs is a similar sensation: It awakens you like a shot of caffeine, but in a more calming and serene way. Floating in the still, clear water feels like there is nothing else in the world — just you. I love this feeling more than anything else in the world. Then, as you duck your head under the water, you feel it engulf you in an indescribable way, in which the silence and placid nature of the water completely clears your head and in that moment you are at total and utter peace.

It is a beautiful place; fulling of rolling, heather-topped hills, vast expanses of open water, and dark, mysterious forests. I wish to visit again someday and relive it all.
Winter’s Welcoming Pause
By: Carolyn Riker
Tags: Peace, Winter Solstice, Poetry, Winter, Nature

Around me gentle

is a familiar tug

on the lips of midnight’s amble

wrapped in meridian blues

with signs of wild moss

soothing solitary fence posts

and watching tree’s elbows

stay knitted to misty hues.

I’ll stay close to the pulse

and wither not as light dwindles.

Even dawn seems uncertain

inside winter’s pause

where a sphere of slowing

is a midpoint to withdraw.
The Human as an Antenna
By: Rehman Cee
Tags: Peace, Antenna, Humanity, Love, Base Station

The human is an antenna. We are a receiver for the wisdom of the world. The knowledge and wisdom of the universe. We stand in between. The human is the variable between the spirit and physics. And who we are. Our identity. Me, you. We are the sum of our will power. Our will power is our identity. It is something that is a lever. Leverage. It can be developed and it can be destroyed. Our will power is based on our thinking. Our frame of reasoning. How we think through. How we compute. How we navigate our lives. And the human. The human’s journey is levels of awareness. We are awareness. The signal, the receiver, the transmitter, the atenna. Consciousness. Depending on how much we exercise our identity. Our will power. Extreme will power is a liability too. It is the opposite to inertia. Truth, wisdom, the human, our consciousness, the right path is the balance between the contradiction of the two. Discipline and inertia. Between the tension of two equal and opposing forces.

Strengthen your will power. It comes through thinking. And thinking comes through surrender.

Live. Love. Be.

Rehman

Greatness is my journey

Greatness is the key

Greatness is my signal

Greatness is who I want to be.

I want to be One.

Greatness is the Signal. The signal is My Ideal. My ideal is One.
Advent: Peace & the Angels’ candle.
By: Ashley Worsham-Giaccone
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Church, Advent, Christian

One of the names given to Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). For centuries, God’s people thought the Messiah would come as a king who sat on an earthly throne and rule their nation. They thought He would be a conquering hero who would lead armies to overthrow their enemies. But as we discussed previously, that’s not how Jesus came and not what He did. The Messiah who came did not rescue people the way they anticipated. So what did Jesus do?

Jesus came as a baby, born in a manger because there wasn’t any room in the inn (Luke 1:7). His first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1–11). The religious rulers of the day, called Pharisees, were frequently upset with Jesus because He spent time with people they despised. He forgave a paralyzed man (Mark 2:1–12) and healed a withered hand (Mark 3:1–6). The disciples picked grain on a Sabbath (Mark 2:23–28) and didn’t follow cultural traditions (Mark 7:1–13) — both activities which Jesus defended by rightfully pointing out that the Pharisees were more focused on how others thought of them, rather than what God thought of them.

And what did God think of them? The Old Testament contains hundreds of laws Jews were supposed to follow. The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus, so they asked Him which of the laws was most important. Jesus responded by telling them the most important is to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind — and then went on the say the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mattew 22:34–40. You can’t love God unless you also love those around you. As Jesus showed in His life, that doesn’t mean only the fun people who you enjoy being with, but everyone. When we love others, we help correct the wrong in the world and bring it closer to the original creation God intended. God’s love brings us peace — a peace so deep and complete that it doesn’t compare to any other peace.

The fourth advent candle is called the Angels’ Candle and symbolizes the peace that Jesus came to bring.
What are the chances?
By: Olivia James
Tags: Life Lessons, Mindfulness, Fate Or Destiny, Peace

What are the chances?

Luck, fate, chance. You could live your life by the roll of the dice but still never find what you were truly looking for. Yet, there’s peace in knowing that the stars were already aligned, billions of years passing by, while they waited for your presence. A kind of blissful ignorance to subconsciously understand that your life isn’t really yours. It simply belongs to the universe. Star cross’d lovers and soulmates who met because of fate. Fortunes predetermined and destinies foreseen, we are but a pawn to the chess board.

Although. You could choose to neglect this way of life. Choose to see things from your own perspective. Choose to take control. The power of choice is far beyond any human comprehension, we lack the basic sense of how to predict the future, that’s all. You can’t tell if the person you crossed in the street earlier may die tomorrow. Neither can you know if taking this opportunity will be the greatest thing to ever happen to you. But you can take it into your mortal hands to make a wild guess and follow the path you believe you have chosen. What a curious concept it is that the tiniest of ripples caused by raindrops on a puddle could cause the most catastrophic of waves deep out in the oceans. So, if we overthink these decisions, are we stopping life from continuing? The difference between life and death could be the matter of oversleeping one morning, causing you to rush to work, taking the highway instead of your usual countryside route. In turn meaning you were in the exact moment of a fatal crash.

Is there even such a thing as right place right time? Because by even acknowledging that life could have been different due to any number of infinite factors, we are thereby ensuring the existence of chance. When you reject one pathway, you confirm that another will merely take its place. As humans we comfort ourselves by brainwashing society to believe that we hold the power of the unknown, that every action you take and every move you make is just down to your own mind. But how can that be so when we are so unsure of anything other than “now”. We are oblivious to see the effect of our actions until it’s too late, but intelligent enough to observe that change could have occurred had these events played out in another way. What are the chances that you are even reading this right now? I guess we will never know…
peace
By: Patty Brown
Tags: Peace, Olive Branch, Poem, Poetry, Words

in the stillness of the night

i find peace

in the quiet of empty streets

i find peace

in the endless starry sky

i find peace

in the eyes of a young doe

i find peace

but when i look

at me and at you

i find a restless agony

a dead end road

minds that do not meet

a fallen bridge into the deep

and all i know

and all that you keep

we stand on opposite sides

of the street

while the world

grows impatient

we disregard peace

our stand-off of words

might better be left unsaid

with an olive branch in tow

i will meet you

on the old wooden bridge

over the river

of our destiny

or maybe our fate

it is peace

i am offering

take it

my dear friend

in a world

simmering in hate

— patty

*****

photo@unsplash
Early song bird
By: Dharna Mudgal
Tags: Songbird, Poem, Anxiety, Peace, Self Love

One lonely night

Just like the others

Dreamy and weary

Better than a lover

Stories I narrate

Patiently I listen

Fleeting from one syllable to the other

Kissing each passion, short of cover

What is it going to be?

Is there a cure to ageing?

What if I do not wish to proceed?

Should I update my feed?

oof did I forget to lock the door tonight?

If I could redo my life, will it go right?

A ping on the phone reminds me

I’ve finally stopped waiting for it to ring

At last I’ve grabbed the present

But I sense something..

Is it a burp?

Oh no! it’s a feeling rising

I already hear the chirp

This tranquil is about to end

And then I’ll demand everything from the world

Rn I appreciate the rarity of this moment

A thoughtless early song bird
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”
By: Zsolt Hermann
Tags: Peace, Society, Education, Balance, Equality

Question from the Internet:

“What are your thoughts about “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs?””

This is the principle a perfect, peaceful, fair, and sustainable Human society can be built.

A perfect society is based on each and every individual receiving the opportunity to contribute to the whole collective with their best abilities in a mutually responsible and mutually complementing manner.

At the same time, each would receive exactly what they need, deserve for their mutual contribution so they could happily and comfortably perform that contribution ceaselessly without any problems.

In that case, nobody would lament the obvious differences between people that result from everybody’s individual uniqueness, different conditions, abilities. Moreover, each would understand that in closed, living, integral systems like Human society there are no more or less important roles, as even the smallest cogwheel can screech to halt, corrupt the whole machinery if it does not turn properly with the other cogwheel.

Since this kind of thinking, arrangement is completely alien to our present mindset, since integration, mutual complementation, making calculations for the collective is against the inherently egocentric, selfish, and subjective calculations we are programmed with, we need a very special, purposeful, and highly practical educational method to achieve it.

While without such a perfect Human society we can’t survive in a Natural system that is based on balance and homeostasis, only the above-mentioned education is capable of changing us without coercion, without misleading propaganda, brainwashing, instead recruiting people through free choice.
True peace is built above remaining conflicts
By: Zsolt Hermann
Tags: Peace, Conflict, Education, Connection, War

Question from the Internet:

“Is peaceful society without conflict?”

No, true peace doesn’t mean the lack of conflict.

True peace means rising above remaining, even growing conflicts and keeping balance, unity based on more important, higher, collective goals purposes, that can balance out, complement what rejects, separates people from each other.

True peace is a dynamic balance between rejection and attraction.

It is not something we can naturally do, as instinctively we try to suppress, erase conflicts, our idea of peace is based on convincing, silencing each other.

Thus in order to achieve true peace we need a unique educational method that can help us understand and practice what peace above, against remaining, growing conflicts means.

https://youtu.be/JHAzVUR5Ti4
open your eye to an idea that’s crazy
Tags: Peace, Spirituality, Message, News, Life

open your eye to an idea that’s crazy

challenge yourself to stop being lazy

breathe as much as you can with ease

& learning the practice of breathing is key

doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from

a new way flowing together we shall overcome

the mind is stuck in the past so desolately

just one choice away from being free

it’s time to see that our inner light is on

Om is the vibration, our life song

we may not be you, but we share this life too

look in the mirror, “I Am”

let go of the energy that flows with fear

embrace our moment & let out a cheer

Self love is true love

the message sent from above

love yourself a practice daily

remember don’t be lazy

a soul in body purpose

manifesting with thoughts

it’s a beautiful picture of art

no matter how it’s seen

it’s still life from a being

living with Gaia is our gift

& all life is sacred to believe in

reconnect to your authentic self

the richest prize & greatest wealth

we are the creators our reality

we create the economy & society

we can’t control the environment

be we can learn how to perceive it

just a messenger, below is the name

looking for love, don’t need any fame

@ZoPoetic
A very simple wish, from my heart to yours this festive season.
By: Nadine Rosin
Tags: Peace, Spirituality, Christmas, Mindfulness, Personal Development

A very simple wish, from my heart to yours this festive season.

It doesn’t matter if or what you are celebrating or contemplating , may it bring you to your place of blessings.

And so it is.
HOW TO AVOID NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
By: Sandhya Bovi
Tags: Peace, Motivation, Positive Thinking, Life Lessons, Negativity

- Negativity comes by subtracting, not adding.

Photo by Rebe Pascual on Unsplash

Here are some big and valuable lessons that I’ve learnt from my life experience.

“NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE MORE ABOUT SUBTRACTION, THAN ADDITION”

I’ll tell you why, this is the truth that every person needs to understand about human psychology. There is always a distinction between what you are and what you have gathered.

When you say how to remove negative thoughts, is basically asking how to NOT learn things you don’t know, it is as funny as it sounds. Here’s an experiment for you, close your eyes and try not to think of cats. But the fact is; now your mind is full of cats.

This is the nature of human mind; negative thoughts can be avoided just for sometime but the more you suppress it, the higher and with more force it will bounce back to you.
Second Thoughts ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
By: Aramis Thorn
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Advent, Love, Following Christ

We light the fourth candle for peace.

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

I am not going to make this very lengthy. I am more interested in you taking the time to listen to the song. Give yourself a break from all that is demanding your attention and spend some time pondering the idea that the Father really does wish peace on earth.

We will talk a great deal this week. Before it is upon us, let us take a breath, see an angel dancing in the air, find a silent night, and share the wish that Christ has for us to be at peace no matter what else is going on. I love you, Dear Reader.

The Prince Of Peace — Trans-Siberian Orchestra

In the middle of a forest

There’s a clearing by a stream

Where a mother holds her newborn

And the Child begins to dream

And He dreams of hopes unspoken

When the tears of man will cease

And His mother holds Him closer

For He is the Prince of Peace

And the moon is looking downward

Casting shadows through the trees

And the stars are shining brighter

As they whisper what they see

Let the bells ring out these tidings

Let it echo across the land

That a King is born in Bethlehem

And his Kingdom is at hand

Let the world rejoice together

As it looks upon the stars

Knowing every man’s our brother

And that every child is ours

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on Earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the heavenly host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

In the middle of a forest

There’s a clearing by a stream

Where a mother holds her newborn

And the Child begins to dream

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, “That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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Web Page: www.aramisthorn.com

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We light the fourth candle for peace.
Thank you, Jack. Really, thank you.
By: The Solitary Cook
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Love, Life, Gratitude

A chef writing about cooking & eating in the High Desert. Food for hundreds? No problem. For one? A different story. My story.
Jude 1:2
By: Anne Mendis
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Advent, Catholic, Jesus

“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”

As we enter the 4th and final week of advent the message of Peace rings stronger and louder with the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ. This bible quote, “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you” is a phrase we can all see the multiple meanings and messages in. We are like lights to others if we want mercy we must be merciful, if we want peace we must initiate peace, and if we want to be loved we most loved others first. That multiplication of these good things for us comes when we give first selflessly give with pure love in any facet of our lives. A simple message that rings true for our personal and professional lives. If you truly want peace remember it starts and ends with you!
Write a new more hopeful story everyday that encourages the soul
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Journal, Hope, Joy

Write a new more hopeful story everyday that encourages the soul

2020 has been the roughest year, yet there is still so much to be grateful for. We have to count our blessings if we are to see the light. Peace can sometimes escape us when we only focus on the problems. What we focus on enlargens.

If we stay positive and look for solutions we can boldly and confidently go into the future with a greater expectation. We have learnt resilience, humility, carefulness, emphathy and the value of human life, more so than ever before.

We find favour in every path we encounter when we change our mindset and our beliefs. We can really begin to make headway and progress moving into new wonderful things.

This constant renewal of the mind brings peace to the heart, joy to our soul and transformation to our lives.

We begin to walk the path of serenity and surrender instead of angst and fear of the unknown. Trusting that this is as a season and it can only get better ftom here on end.

We thank our lucky stars that we have the gift of life and begin to live it at its fullest for that is where there is fullness of joy. This can be our daily walk and way of life. Hope for the future with great fulfillment and upliftment.

If you found this encouraging and hopeful then follow and recommend.
’Tis the Season — Reflections of the Dark and the Light
By: Jeanne Michele
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Spirituality, Prayer, 2020

Divinity, I believe, is both Immanent and Transcendent. Big words that simply mean that God lives as a Divine Spark within our hearts as well as an overarching power for Goodness. Human beings continue to try and understand and tap into the vastness of this powerful force that influences our lives, and with which we cultivate a deeper relationship when we pray.

Holy Spirit. Higher Self. Divine Wisdom. Regardless of the name you choose, encased within the flesh and bones of our existence is a wise essence that serves to protect, heal and light our way. It is that part of ourselves that we call forward during prayer, surrender into during challenging times, and turn to when we are trying to make sense of something that we simply cannot comprehend.

In Catholic / Christian traditions the Holy Spirit serves as intercessor between Divinity and humanity, a kind of Spiritual Activator breathing life into our prayers and carrying them into the Heart of the Divine. The HS is typically depicted as a Dove which has become the universal symbol of Peace. HS. Holy Spirit. Higher Self.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Prayer impacts both the one prayed for and the one praying.

While each religion, both formal and informal, may refer to the Divine by different names, and offer prayer in different ways, it is my belief that the Divine Creator is big enough to encompass all belief systems. Prayer brings us in closer alignment with the overarching Good that we who are more spiritually curious continue to work on understanding more deeply and connecting with more fully. Prayer impacts both the one prayed for and the one praying.

Part of why we incarnate into these human bodies is to be in service to one another. Some of us do that through raising little humans. Others through being Aunties and Uncles, Grandparents, Foster Parents, Mentors, Neighbors, Teachers, or Coaches. Still others choose a vocation of service such as being a Religious Leader, a Community Organizer, participating in community service projects, contributing or even starting their own charity. Some of us serve the homeless through offering food, visiting people in prison, in care facilities, or who are homebound. Still others offer a compassionate heart through listening to stories and treating others with respect and dignity, and through offering prayer for those we care for and those in need of a little extra.
The guerillas only have survived to win;
By: Huzaifa Nasir
Tags: Afghan Peace Talks, America, Peace

Ladies and Lords, I am not praising the baleful land of Afghanistan even though my ancestors were Afghans. Decades of fighting, bloodsheds, hostilities come to the negotiation table at the end. Thirty years of bloodshed among different sects of Christianity come to an end, at the rise of the treaty Westphalia in 1648.

Europe

The treaty of Magna Carta (Great Charter), was held among the King of England and rebellions in 1215.

In the context of beleaguered Afghanistan, the country had a vibrant history of wars and plunder. It is worthwhile to explain that Afghanistan is the Bermuda Triangle of the East because it was the eastern crossroads of History. Located at the zero points of the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asian subcontinent, the territory has been often trampled and violated by foreign occupation who came to loot, conquer, or inhabit India. In 1747, the year Durrani Dynasty, The Ahmed Shah Durrani united tribes and communities to create this country, The erstwhile highway became a garden of remembrance for invaders. Therefore, the fact is the invader faces little resistance from the conventional Afghan Army but fails to subdue the tribesmen and guerillas, who mastered the art of unconventional warfare. They always adopted a modified technique to subdue foreign aggression because they have not been able to confront the mighty army in conventional warfare. To fighting ghosts, who does not follow the rules of the game; Shun it and talk to them.

The Timing is one of the important things, when do you talk to them. You can not talk to any such organization that carries an explosion in a market place and you said, come, sit with us and talk to us. Only once you are quite convinced that this a genuine, in a sense that it has following, it appeals through some people. Even then are they on ascend? are they getting better during the last 5–6 years if yes, then hurry up talk to them before they get too strong, and start dictating even worst terms. But if they are on the decline, some people claimed that we have got them on the run, many have been destroyed. Even though, my suggestion would be talking to them, before they get desperate in any case the old wisdom says, ‘’ do not humiliate your opponent before he comes to the negotiation table’’. The British expeditionary forces had laid down their weapons against rebellions, the sole super of had come to negotiation in 1893 formed a Durand line. The Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Decades of bloodshed, explosions could not take over and collapse into pieces because of the money they had used on forces they become economically unstable. Colour revolutions developed when soviet was interested in external affairs. On the contrary, The on-going Peace talks in Doha between Americans imbroglios and the subsequent Mujahideen. Americans ensure to withdraw their forces before Chrismas, A long slugfest of Yankees has come to an end with shame and embarrassment.

Poor and innocent Afghans.

When everyone else has gone, beleaguered Afghanistan will enjoy the rest of epochs in peace.
Beyond This Moment
By: Micah Josiah
Tags: Peace, Patience, Poetry, Time, Life

Beyond This Moment

Photo by Amparo Michel on Unsplash

The space between lines

is thin.

The race between time

is won, when

winners realize

time is faster than them.

We’ll never catch up;

time is faster than wind.

And if we ever catch up

that’s when time will end.

Let real life begin,

and reality will blend

with now.

And this moment will finally

be found.

And this moment will finally

be still.

But until

this moment is finally hours

with no minutes;

and ours

with no limits;

and ours

with no endings.

Only beginnings.

Only extending.

Only upending

all we once knew,

but have quickly forgotten.

All we pursue

that’s been useful for nothing.

Be in this moment

before beyond this moment

is now.

© 2020, Micah Josiah
Social distancing is good
Tags: Peace, Living, Human Behavior, Social Distance, Happiness

Date: 19th December, 2020

I wish someone had invented the term ‘social distancing’ sooner.

I realise that the precautionary mandate to ‘maintain social distance’ goes beyond its significance in the pandemic. When applied to life in general, it is actually a talisman that safeguards and keeps you at peace.

Think about it — what has been your experience with a vast majority of people you’ve opened up to? When you allowed people close to you, did they remain as close?

I am not being pessimistic, but people cannot usually be expected to respect you even if you do. People may not check on you even if you do. Expectations make you feel they should. But when it doesn’t happen, you feel bad. But you may still continue being your hopeless self.

You may continue to care to the point that you may feel it is right. Your love, loyalty, concern — label it whatever — makes you do it. Eventually, you think you will be understood. But what you may get back may be a mere title of ‘intrusive’ or worse still, an unexpected rebuttal of sorts.

Don’t get shocked. This is what happens when you don’t practice social distancing.

An ingrained, yet nuanced, adoption of social distancing does not make you selfish. It’s only you choosing yourself over others.

I don’t say one become aloof or disconnected. But there is no harm in not getting attached. Tokenism towards maintaining relationships with accepted societal norms may just be the way. No, it isn’t about being fake. See the benefits: You won’t build expectations. You won’t overestimate your need in lives of people. You won’t get hurt. You won’t hold grudges. What a good life that could be! Because you will always be good with people — with people, yet away from them. Walls after all are good. Waving out from window is okay. There is no need to meet in gardens or at cafes or even indulge in elaborate banters.

Social distancing — it needs to be seen in new light. It can make life peaceful. Personally, saying goodbyes is easier now. At times, there is no need of saying goodbyes. Thank you, dear pandemic, for the gift of social distancing.

#EndOf2020
Top 5 Peace Quotes
By: Quotes Diaries
Tags: Peace, Quotesdiaries, Peace Of Mind, Quotes, Peace Quotes

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Gautama Buddha

“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” — Mahatma Gandhi

“Peace is conscious and active participation in your own life.” ― Mayra Porrata

“Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, Something you do , Something you are, And something you give away.” ― John Lennon

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein

Originally Posted By QuotesDiaries

Visit For More 138 Peace Quotes at QuotesDiaries
Who am I?
By: Dharna Mudgal
Tags: Peace, Tiramisu, Struggle, Truth And Life, Who Am I

I am this tiny part of one human family on one peninsula, with many souls rolled into one. I find a lot of similarities with others, emotionally and socially. Eclectically it all makes me unique. Essentially I am a relaxed puerile kind of soul that over indulges easily, so I also go around with this mental guard stick, so I don’t stray too far.

I see myself as a grain of cocoa powder on top of a tiramisu. There are many like me and along with all cocoa powder grains, I’m in the top layer of the Tiramisu. I’m about to be devoured with every layer beneath me and all that’s on top of me. But while the spoon’s in the air, being reached out for a bite, before I enter that magnified moment of darkness and end into the universe’s mouth, I have a life to live.

I could be blown away onto the ground with the easiest breath and sometimes I romanticise the flight more than I fear the crash. But I’ve been holding my ground, trying to stay on top and reach father out. I am aiming, because that’s what I think is right to do. And I question it, do I really want this? But I’m too stubborn to listen to good reasoning since I’ve made up my mind. So I want ‘an idea’, a flight, an image- more than the truth. I’m just waiting to see the light at the top and feel the air until it hits me and finally helps me let go of this notion of my existence. Till then, my only duty is to suffer, struggle and re-evolve.
Time and time, life must hit rough patches…. To remind you how strong you’re!! To kill that older self to give birth to a newer you!! To make You realize that happiness comes from within. And that…
Tags: Peace, Thoughts, Self Love, Feelings, Happiness

Time and time, life must hit rough patches….

To remind you how strong you’re!!

To kill that older self to give birth to a newer you!!

To make You realize that happiness comes from within. And that it’s independent of any possession or living being you’re attached to.

To prove that you need NONE but yourself to water that soul, that helps the seeds of hope sprout. To soak some sun and bloom flowers one day.

BUT, It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, consistent efforts to see those colorful flowers and smell their fragrance!!
2020 Spiritual Healing on Gorée Island
Tags: Peace, Gorée, Africa, Personal Growth, Travel

I’m taking a unique journey of a lifetime. I am going to Gorée Island and there I will stay for a little while. This is about the last thing I imagined doing at the end of this year. But then, everything about this year is about the last thing I could have imagined. Thus when this opportunity so boldly and clearly presented itself and the usual noise of my busy life couldn’t cloud my vision, I patiently stood still in my resistance, then stepped into my courage and said yes.

Gorée Island, just off the coast of Senegal, was once the hub of the inconceivably evil West African slave trade. By contrast, it is now an incomparably magical, artistic, vibrant, and joyful place. This contrast is no coincidence. It is an intentional collective manifestation by the residents of Gorée throughout generations, determined to represent this monumental island as the world hub of humanity, which they demonstrate in every action and interaction, and especially through art. Each day is an acknowledgement of the evil that took place, with daily actions and expressions to demonstrate it is nevermore. As ambassadors of peace and humanity, they bring others into the light, healing the residual fragments of trauma that lie within our consciousness.

My first visit to Gorée Island was just over 20 years ago, an emotionally charged experience that culminated in sleeping in one of the underground dungeons, which I spent months writing about as a way to process, but never published. Since then I have witnessed the changes of this island toward more commercial and institutional as Senegal develops, leaving the traditional resident artists more vulnerable. Last summer a call for help came to me. One of the leaders of the Gorée artist community was on the verge of losing the lease on his modest gallery space. With no visitors permitted throughout more than seven months due to the pandemic, his income was eliminated. And so I launched a small fundraiser to help him save his livelihood and help others in his community, and to preserve the unique and extraordinary enlightenment they offer to visitors from around the world. My profound thanks to all who contributed! 🤍

Fallou at work in his Peace Gallery on Gorée Island

The process of coordinating this fundraiser and writing about it reawakened my connections and opened the door to this journey I now embark on, a personalized residency organically created somehow through my life path. This will be an immersion of sharing and exchange. I will grow my language and communication skills in French and Wolof. I will learn the ways of transmitting peace through a smile. I will learn how to cook in new ways. I will learn much more about world history and culture. I will be available to offer what I know to whoever seeks it. And I will dance with the sea!
Loneliness
By: Maggie Thompson
Tags: Peace, Loneliness, Alone, Mindfulness

Loneliness

Some people say that if you enjoy being alone your a lonely person

Are you really lonely or just alone.
Как понять, что этому продакту от меня нужно?
By: Хлопова Дарья
Tags: User Research, UX, Product Management, User Experience

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
Introducing recruitment triggers and interview recordings
By: Axel Thomson
Tags: User Research, Product Discovery, Researchops, User Interviews, Product Management

Interview in-context with custom triggers

When recruiting participants for user interviews, you’ll often have an idea in mind of what type of users you want to talk to. They might belong to a particular segment or demographic, or have used a specific feature on your website. With the launch of custom recruitment triggers, you can now recruit interview participants from any segment or behaviour on your website straight trough Ribbon. To get a better feel for how to use custom triggers to start a user interview on Ribbon, check out this product tour:

For a more in-depth guide on how to get started with custom recruitment triggers, check out our Quick Start Guide.

Rewatch your interviews

Often, it is hard to take good notes and stay fully engaged in a user interview simultaneously. To ensure you have enough time to review and gather insights from your interviews, we’ve now added interview recordings. You can now rewatch recordings of your interviews, giving you the peace of mind that you don’t have to keep track of everything your participants share with you as you’re conducting your interviews.

Interviews are now recorded by default, and you can rewatch their recordings on the “Summary” section:

That’s all for now, happy interviewing!
Les podcasts, pour quoi faire ?
By: Eva Spaeter
Tags: User Research, Designer, Podcast, Design, User Experience

I am a service designer, co-founder of Holis ! I love human complexity and I try to create services which are more sustainable. I also love 🎹 & 👾
Ethnographic Research in Remote Spaces: Overcoming Practical Obstacles and Embracing Change
By: Spotify Insights
Tags: Covid 19, User Research, Ethnographic Research, Spotify

Similarly, in diary studies, participants will only show what they think is interesting, such as a curated collection of CDs. As a researcher, of course, Chloe would also look at what is surrounding the CDs and how it is interacting with the rest of their things — but she can’t make that choice.

One of the biggest issues was internet connectivity. Conducting research online overlooks a large part of the population who do not have good access to the internet because of cost, technical information or coverage.

Overcoming obstacles

From conducting surveys, diary studies and user interviews during the Covid period Chloe has learnt a few lessons that would be valuable for both academic and industry researchers:

Find the least data-heavy video conferencing and research tools, and become more prescriptive in your questions for participant made videos.
My 2 cents.
By: Aakash Suri
Tags: User Research, Storytelling, UX, UX Design, User Experience

My 2 cents. A UX Designer is a combination of of many other professions. A Marketer, a strategist, an art director so on so worth. Find your super power and stick to it while you graze around and explore everything else. You dont need to master every software or skill out there. Do it because you like it not because it’s in trend (but if you want likes/followers grab the trend by the neck). Do give importance to story telling. In the initial years process > output. It’s okay if you are not able to find a solution. Master the art of having hypothesis based on data and observation. Good luck to the people reading this!