Care, in its purest form, is the ultimate connector, weaving a tapestry of empathy, presence, and shared vulnerability that reaffirms our place in the world. The following are some ways in which care, and caring for others specifically, make us human.

The Anatomy of Connection: More Than Just a Service

When we speak of “care,” our minds often drift to professional services: healthcare providers, the duties of a pharmacist, social workers, or educators. While these roles are indispensable, the concept of care extends far beyond their professional boundaries.

True care is an intricate dance of empathy, presence, and active listening; the moment a friend truly hears your struggles; the gentle touch of a hand on a shoulder, conveying solace without words. This kind of care transcends mere tasks or obligations. It demands that we step out of our own internal narratives and fully inhabit another’s experience, even if just for a moment.

The Reciprocity of Receiving and Giving

The power of care lies in its inherent reciprocity. While giving care often brings a sense of purpose, compassion, and reduces our own self-focus, receiving it is equally transformative. To accept care is to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to trust in another’s kindness, and to acknowledge our fundamental interconnectedness. It’s a reminder that dependency is not a weakness, but a shared human condition. Through receiving, we learn humility and the profound comfort of being held.

Care as a Universal Language

Care possesses a unique ability to transcend the superficial divisions that often separate us. Regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, language, or belief system, the need for comfort, solace, and compassion is universally understood. A helping hand extended during a natural disaster, a meal shared with a struggling neighbor, a moment of quiet companionship offered to a stranger in distress – these acts require no complex translation. They speak directly to our shared humanity, bypassing barriers of difference.

In moments of vulnerability, our commonalities become starkly apparent. It’s a powerful affirmation that beneath our varied external lives, we are all part of a larger human family, capable of both needing and providing unconditional warmth and support.

Reclaiming Human Touch

Our increasingly digital world presents a paradox: we are more connected than ever before, yet often feel more isolated. While technology offers incredible tools for communication and even remote “care,” it struggles to replicate the profound impact of genuine human presence and touch. A video call cannot fully convey the warmth of a hug, nor can an online forum replace the quiet comfort of sitting beside someone.

The convenience of digital interaction can inadvertently distance us from the very essence of care, which thrives on physical presence, nuanced body language, and shared physical space. Reclaiming what makes us human in this context means consciously prioritizing face-to-face interactions, making time for physical presence, and understanding that technology should be a complement, not a substitute, for authentic human connection. It’s about remembering that the most impactful care often involves the simplest, most human gestures.

Cultivating a Culture of Care

Remembering what makes us human is not a passive act; it requires active cultivation. It means fostering environments, both personal and societal, where care is not just an afterthought but a central tenet. On an individual level, it involves small, daily choices: checking in on a lonely neighbor, offering a genuine compliment, volunteering time, or simply being fully present when a loved one speaks.

On a broader scale, it means advocating for social systems and policies that prioritize human connection over purely economic metrics. This includes supporting person-centered approaches in healthcare, fostering strong community networks, and valuing empathy as much as efficiency.

Ultimately, cultivating a culture of care is about recognizing that our collective well-being is inextricably linked to our capacity for compassion and the deeply human act of looking after one another.

Photo Credit

Image by Gennaro Leonardi from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

Death and taxes…

Since the end of last year, it seemed to be endless. And thinking that beginning a new chapter in my life, things would be on an upswing… not so much. I did get married to my true soul mate, but then one thing after another.

A fire at my home, lost my job, 2 family members had strokes, various struggles, blah, blah, blah. It sucked, not going to lie. But still alive and kicking. My sanity and mental health took a hit, but I’m still hanging in there.

Life is so unpredictable, things happen, I have a full understanding of that, but what is it? Ego, stubbornness, ignorance. Us humans think life is supposed to go a certain way… it doesn’t. You can’t control everything. I’ve tried. Doesn’t work.

We can only control what we can control. The rest to chance. Deal with things as they come. Do we have any other choice? Our egos trick us. Maybe use our egos as a tool to get us to a point of control. What do I know. The struggle is real, the struggle continues.

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable…

“Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
~ Martin Luther King

Photo Credits

Images by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

Many storylines transpire during the Olympiad games that promote togetherness through various physical activities. History is made with fun and camaraderie for about two months, spanning time zones. While the sun stays up longer in the sky, we stay up longer to watch greatness. While the elite of the elite are representing their country, people worldwide should become eager to go after their medals. Medals in our conditions become a universal sport of greatness and imagination towards personal goals.

Ten thousand hours is the amount of time to master a skill, but sometimes, we only have one moment to put on a beautiful display of an art form through competitive expression. The untapped limits of human potential are where flags stand tall in the name of the best man or woman being victorious. As flags wave high in the air and with each wave of stars, stripes, and symbols, we see the humanity in people we never get to see from our couch. Many colors fill the stadium as decorations of past, present, and future legends who walked the earth.

From the first Olympic games in Greece to currently in Paris and beyond, the hunger for excellence is a cry that humanity shouts to the universe to create an endless loop of positive proactive contests. I can only imagine that track star, swimmer, wrestler, or ball player sitting in the locker room, trying to balance the feelings of excitement and nervousness. To represent one’s own country is to proudly tie the hero’s cape of a nation’s history. The cheers in the stadium create a frequency that manifests honor and glory to fight for something bigger than us.

Whether fifty, one hundred, or five hundred years from now, the fire must always stay lit with the fuel of love for expressing ourselves through sport. Stories of legends should inspire us to push ourselves and others along the way in an intimate, go-getter fashion. When the fire is lit during the ceremony, it’s a beacon of hope for us to find the gems in cultural differences and appreciate them. The Summer Olympics is about having fun and pushing the limits in life with others who want to do the same.

Photo Credit

Image by dan onaca from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Michael Colon
My name is Michael Colon born and raised in New York City. I currently reside in New York and excited to begin my writing journey. I love creative writing, and my mission is to use my craft to impact the lives of others. My writing style can best be described as introspective, reflective, direct, informative, and symbolic. I use life’s many perceptual lenses to draw inspiration for my next piece.

Blog / Website: Michael Colon

Follow Michael On: Instagram

Had that happened today, I’m sure I would’ve been told exactly what was wrong with my brother and perhaps even given some tips from some expert as to how to respond in a situation like that. And I most likely would’ve had some decompression time with either my mom or my dad. But back in the days of ignorance, illnesses like Paul’s were never spoken about. They were a taboo subject. My parents probably presumed it wasn’t my problem and did their best to handle a very difficult and mentally challenged son, all the while trying to keep some normalcy in the household. That, as it turned out, was easier said than done.

As I recall, I didn’t really get what was going on with Paul. It never dawned on me that there was anything really wrong with him, he was just my older brother. I never really thought about how the world saw him. As a teenager, it was difficult to live with Paul. There was always a trauma, it seemed, when it came to him. And he would often say embarrassing things like “Hey Mom, Martha’s growing boobs.” It made me very uncomfortable. I used to wonder what it would be like to have a normal older brother, not one who blurted out stupid things in front of everyone. ‘Retarded’ was a word I became all too familiar with growing up. The neighborhood kids made fun of my brother with comments like “Hey, where’s the retard” and to me they’d say “Yeah, you’re a retard just like your brother.” Kids are cruel, no question about that. Paul suffered years of ridicule from so many people. We all tried so hard to protect him. But I often wondered why, why did my brother have to be ‘retarded’?  Why couldn’t he be normal like everyone else’s brother?

Eventually, as I grew up, I became more aware that Paul was different. Living with an obsessive-compulsive person who was intellectually handicapped was not an easy thing, like the times I’d have friends over. It was embarrassing. But once my friends got used to Paul it became easier for them to visit. I can imagine it must have been a bit scary for them, he could be downright nasty if he wanted to be.

My mother was very involved in several projects in our community in order to help Paul and others like him. Both my parents worked diligently to attain services for their son. My mother was instrumental in organizing the first special education class in a nearby school. I vividly remember going with her and Paul in our little Volkswagen to pick up Paul’s classmates and deliver them to the school, as the school board was not offering a bus service. My mom and I did that for an entire year. I used to ride on the hand brake, as there were at least four other kids, aside from my brother, in the back and front seat. So my brother has enjoyed many privileges and has had a lot of opportunity that other children born like him back in the day may not have had.

I don’t know why Paul is who he is. I’m somewhat positive some of his traits were inherited and others certainly are due to his handicap. He pursued his hobbies, his airplane models, his art work. He enjoyed music and loved to dance. He made friends and walked everywhere and he knew just about everyone in our community. What he lacked in several areas intellectually and socially he sure made up for in spunk. 

Paul was never really diagnosed with any syndrome in particular over the years. Now, it’s presumed he’s autistic, as he has several traits of an autistic person. He loves organization; things have to be in just the right spot. He washes everything twice. He has certain clothes he wears for certain events. He repeats everything, and would say things like, “Life is like hell on earth, eh Marth? Like hell on earth.” And then he’d laugh. I’m not sure what he’d be laughing at but I guess he thought hell was funny. He’s an absolutely wonderful artist. As a young man he used to draw money. I’m not lying, you couldn’t tell the difference if you looked quickly at his drawing of a twenty dollar bill and a real bill, he was that good, that detailed in his work. He doesn’t bother anyone, he just enjoys the simple things in life and manages to do what he likes to do without a problem. 

Paul is older now. He’s sixty years old and lives on his own. He’s mentally challenged, or intellectually handicapped, and he’s a real character. A straight shooter is what you’d probably call him if he were ‘normal’. But I don’t make that distinction anymore. He is who he is and you gotta love him for being that – for just being Paul.

Photo Credits
Photos by Martha Farley – all rights reserved

First, the fire. Nothing major, but still quite the inconvenience. Then of course vital equipment at my home went south. Then, my job was taken away. What else could go wrong… oh wait.

I’m not one to look for sympathy, and I’m not throwing a pity party, but life’s been throwing me a few challenges. Happens to everyone… it’s happening to me. But what to do?

It’s not easy, especially having mixed anxiety and depression disorder, but I have a loving supportive family that reminds me how things will get better, and these things are temporary.

Need to hold on and not give up. All of us do. Hard? Yes. But hold on. Before this, I’ve been through abuse, death, and here I am, alive and kicking. I have my ups and downs, but that’s life.

In the meantime, I’ll look forward to better days.

“Every day that we wake up is a good day. Every breath that we take is filled with hope for a better day. Every word that we speak is a chance to change what is bad into something good.”
~ Walter Mosley

Current listen: Staind – Better Days

“Someday I will wake up and everything has changed
Until then I will dream of better days
Still living in the sorrow and learning from the pain
Until then I will dream of better days”

Photo Credits

Images by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

You know, with all this talk and all these thoughts that go through this head of mine, you think I would have my stuff together. So much time has passed. The complacency, laziness, too much comfort.

There’s this voice in my head that always seems to talk to me. You know the one… The one you talk to, try to reason with, bounce ideas off of. It always seems to guide, reason, and give me answers. Then why not listen? Maybe not only do I have mixed anxiety and depression disorder, I’m just plain crazy. Nah…

“Our bodies have five senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing. But not to be overlooked are the senses of our souls: intuition, peace, foresight, trust, empathy. The differences between people lie in their use of these senses; most people don’t know anything about the inner senses while a few people rely on them just as they rely on their physical senses, and in fact probably even more.” ~ C. JoyBell C.

Sure, we are all humans, but also animals. Instincts, intuition, all kinds of not only physical attributes, but also mental and spiritual. I don’t think many think about that. I should, we should use that part of us more.

I know on the outside I have those who care, love, support, and want to see me succeed and be happy. Trust me, I appreciate it, but SELF… got to listen to self, lift mySELF up, and get mySELF over the goal line. Gotta crawl before you walk, walk before you run.

Current listen: Soundgarden – The day I tried to live”

“Words you say
Never seem to live up to the ones inside your head
The lives we make
Never seem to ever get us anywhere but dead”

Photo Credits

Images by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

I know where work needs to be done. I know what needs work. But what is it with some of us? What is it with me? I see it, I realize what’s right in front of me. The issues that haunt me, that becomes the walls that block progression.

Life’s good, but not great. Life is not perfect but can be made to be pretty close. Up to me, up to us. Stopping, taking a good look at one’s own life, and what can be made better is one of the first steps.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” ~ Martin Luther King

First step… I always feel like I stumble out of the gate. I realize that I’m a victim of abuse and lived being pretty much manipulated, which led to a lot of my current issues, so just sort it out and get started. Sure, you first.

Regardless, the point is to just do it. Get to the root. And if the roots run deep, or are a tangled mess, one root at a time. A mighty bonsai needs care and pruning before it takes shape and shows its real beauty.

Current listen – “Alive and Kicking” – Nonpoint

“I’m stronger now, even after everything that you did
Still alive and kicking
I’m better now, I’m awake
Now I can see, everything in front of me”

Photo Credits

Images by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

So many dreams and wants in life. Not to sound conceited, vain, or narcissistic, but I feel like I have been given gifts, just to squander them or take them for granted. I know the problem, and I know the solution. Just can’t figure out what stops me. Mainly me, that’s what stops me.

No resolutions, reflections. No resolutions, solutions. That’s the name of the game. Sure, I’ve gone through trauma and been led astray, but need to even make that a goal. Fix what’s broken, and be better in ALL aspects. Everyone should do this, but I can only speak for myself. Will this year be different? Plan on it, but even if I fall flat, just have to keep going.

They say goals are dreams with deadlines. But is there a deadline? I really think so. But others have told me that isn’t the case. In reality it is something that can be used as an excuse. Something to use to self sabotage. It’s never too late to be better, to at least try your dreams. Will you fail? Maybe. But so what?

So no new year, new me. It’s the same old me, the same old you. Goals, dreams, and the want to just be a better all around human being is what we should strive for, no matter the day, month, or year. So here’s to all the humans, imperfect as we are. May we all have a good and prosperous one.

“Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities, work hard, and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.” ~ Brad Henry

Current Listen – Kendrick Lamar “Now or Never”

Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
I can feel the energy in the air
It feel like I’m supposed to here

Photo Credits

Wish or Work – US Library of Congress – Public Domain

Other images by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

Even though it has been a long time coming, realizations I have brought to light in recent times have me thinking more and more, than I usually do, about the solutions. True, being a victim of abuse, and other things in my life are a part of me or who I’ve become, but I am the master, the artist of me, so I have the power to mold and change things.

We all have power, no matter what we’ve been through. Some have had it worse than others, and true, it can be difficult. But we need to get up, find help if need be, and start the change. We have to find ourselves and live. Not be an empty shell, which I would feel about myself at times. Lost, no identity, but working on it.

We all want the same things, to be happy, comfortable. Honestly the outside world can only do so much. The inside must be in a good place too. Sometimes things will stress us out, will make us unhappy. That’s just the way it is.

“Trust me, you can’t change anything without causing some degree of disruption. It’s impossible, that is exactly what change is. Some people are uncomfortable with the disruption that change causes, but the disruption is necessary if anything is going to change.” ~ Afeni Shakur

It’s so strange, but after all this time, I still feel like I am at the beginning. Could be my procrastination, could be me letting life distract me from the real issues. But are we really living if we allow the outside, or anything else block our progress? Sure, we all want to be okay, but we should be okay as a WHOLE. Not just on the outer shell.

So it’s okay to want things to be okay, there’s nothing wrong… but, okay needs to be from the inside out.

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
~ John Lennon

Current listen: Limp Bizkit – Loser

I just want to be okay
There ain’t nothing wrong with that (Goodbye)
I’m losing my life away
Losing myself
And I want it back

Photo Credits

Photos are by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel

Where was everyone? I take some of the blame even though some say I was a kid and was being used and manipulated. I put walls up and Stockholm set in. What did they know? I knew what I was doing. No, no I didn’t.

Things could have been a lot worse… or could it? Depends how you look at it. The sacrifice was family ties, not being a good son or brother. But I was a victim of abuse, and so were the others. Obviously no regard for my life or family, or regard for her own children and family.

I remember going places, being introduced… an ignorant teenager that didn’t know any better. Feeling awkward half the time. I often wonder that people HAD to suspect something was up. A red flag, anything. All minded their own business. I can’t blame anyone.

The path was paved the way it was paved. Sure, you should stand up and make your voice heard, but it’s not that easy. You have to think about the collateral damage. It’s a two edged sword for sure. Perhaps if I realized what was going on, or stood up, I would be in a better mental state.

Doesn’t really matter now, does it? What’s done is done. Played the cards that were dealt, what else could I do? What could anyone do? I was lost, alone, even though I had the open arms to run into. The prodigal one.

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true”.  – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Current Listen: Nine Inch Nails – Everyday Is Exactly The Same

I can feel their eyes are watching
In case I lose myself again
Sometimes, I think I’m happy here
Sometimes, yet I still pretend
I can’t remember how this got started
But I can tell you exactly how it will end

Photo Credits

Photos are by Joel Rosario – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Joel Rosario

Just a human trying to deal in this mad world. Allow me to share random thoughts and observations about my life and the commonality we all share as humans. Through music, quotes, etc.

Website: Resound and Rebel