CO-XST: STORIES

There’s a voice of longing inside every one of us daring, wishing and wanting to speak.

Each of our individual voices wish to serve as an ambassador of change, whether it is speaking out on delicate topics or simply trying to figure out why we are feeling underwhelmed. At times, we need inspiration to find that message of hope within our noise of confusion.

The CO-XST: Stories platform was created to showcase a broader social message of acceptance and hope to depict often-invisible experiences and start imploring everyone to think more deeply about who they are and how we can coexist in a space where our stories become a catalyst for celebrating each other.

Each blog post represents thought-provoking emotions which allow us to see each other as we are – human beings seeking kindness + compassion for our community, our countries and our world.

Resilience Kiya Naka Resilience Kiya Naka

COME HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE

The fact that I have gotten this response from wealthy, poor, republican, democrat, pro-life, pro-choice, coastal, inner continental, northern, southern, God believing, God denying, and more shows me there is a greater desire to love one another again rather than continue to shove a wedge between us. The main problem is that division is comfortable

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Resilience Kiya Naka Resilience Kiya Naka

COVID + A CRUISE

I was working for a cruise line and had been on the ship for eight months when the world shut down.⁠ Days and days went by before we really could comprehend the magnitude of what this could mean.⁠ I wasn’t alone.⁠ The crew was also devastated and concerned.⁠ What would happen?⁠ How long would this go on? ⁠

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Resilience, Disabilities Kiya Naka Resilience, Disabilities Kiya Naka

MEANT TO BE LINDSEY B

Living with Spina Bifida hasn’t always been easy, but the resources and support that have been provided to my family and me, as well as the skills and lessons I have learned from them, have given me the tools to tackle the unique circumstance of having a disability and being given a life-changing diagnosis.

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Resilience Kiya Naka Resilience Kiya Naka

HOUSE OF SECRETS

I began journaling, journaling turned into songwriting, and songwriting gave me a voice to share my story through music. I didn’t realize it then, but as I was writing, I found my healing and my purpose. I believe one person’s story is someone else’s hope. Spreading hope is my mission.

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Resilience Kiya Naka Resilience Kiya Naka

I WAS ENOUGH – BECOMING A MOTHER

As the mask came down over his face, he looked up at me and smiled. “I know I am safe Mummy” his eyes whispered. He fell asleep and I was asked to leave. I looked down at my little boy, so tiny on that table, and knew with every fiber of my being that he was ok.

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Resilience, Students Kiya Naka Resilience, Students Kiya Naka

I DIDN’T REMEMBER. BUT THEN I DID.

I never spoke to him again, because I remembered he raped me. But there was nothing I could do about it. I didn’t remember in time to get a kit. I was drunk, so it would end up being his word against mine. I knew how that would go in Tennessee. There was nothing I could do. That’s the worst part. I couldn’t, I can’t do anything. He will never get justice for what he did to me.

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Resilience, Survivors Kiya Naka Resilience, Survivors Kiya Naka

GENTLE JOHN

My story is not about answering the phone when I was three months pregnant with my third daughter. Or hearing the ominous words, “You need to come right in.” Somewhere in there I heard the word “cancer”.

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Resilience Kiya Naka Resilience Kiya Naka

It’s About Mental Health

A question has been bothering me lately, and the question is "When is it your mental health and when are you simply being an asshole". It feels controversial but speaking from experience -- I have lived with mental health issues for years, with diagnosis ranging from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, just an anger issue... Never really receiving the same diagnosis twice.

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Resilience Guest User Resilience Guest User

Drained.

I need someone to check up on me instead of me pretending to be the "strong friend," but I feel like when it is my turn to need someone to listen, nobody is there ...

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