Chapter 1: Nostalgic Discoveries

Dear devoted readers and fellow enthusiasts of Medium, I continually seek out enthralling narratives that have been overlooked, just for your pleasure. Up to this point, I have curated 53 collections. Aiden recently penned an intriguing piece about his new romance, SORA, which I believe will make waves in the film industry shortly.

One notable announcement is the launch of our new newsletter on Medium, which has also been shared on Substack for our subscribers.

Be sure to read Dr. Mehmet Yildiz's open letter aimed at non-members. He highlights that a significant number of readers and writers do not contribute to the platform's development, and I trust you will find his insights both valuable and relatable.

As Aiden explores new narratives, I delve into older story archives to evoke a sense of nostalgia for our readers. Occasionally, I incorporate fresh pieces from my daily readings or recommendations from editors who highlight exceptional stories. Each narrative is a treasure worthy of your attention. Feel free to engage with them and spread the word across social media platforms to broaden their reach. I attempted to follow many writers I had not previously encountered, but the system limited me to 150 follows per day, prompting me to try again later.

Aiden has created a shareable list of these stories and has also showcased recently boosted narratives from ILLUMINATION-Curated. I am confident you will discover many remarkable pieces in his collection.

Today, Aiden spotlighted the boosted narratives by Jozsef Kovacs as part of his educational initiative, while just the day before, he highlighted Dr. Joan Naidorf's boosted stories. Aiden has already constructed 76 collections, consistently uncovering gems from lesser-known sources.

I compiled a list of the boosted tales I read last month and shared my reflections, pointing out common themes in these standout stories. There truly is something for everyone, as these exceptionally crafted narratives span various topics and writing styles.

Recently, I came across a new interview by Dr. Yildiz featuring Martin D. Hirsch, a seasoned writer with a fascinating lifestyle, akin to mine, as we both enjoy meditation and intermittent fasting. However, he is slightly younger than I am, and we both aspire to live to 100! 😎

I discovered engaging interviews with writers and included them in a post for your convenience. They are vibrant and filled with valuable lessons. I have also penned two short stories lately to keep my creativity flowing: "Her Son Saw Her in the Shower" and "The Sky Was Falling Down."

Chapter 2: Recent Highlights

By the way, Aiden wrote a heartfelt piece today that truly resonated with me. I’m certain you’ll appreciate this unique and touching story titled "Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First-Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17."

Recent Updates The ILLUMINATION Editorial Team shared monthly updates for January 2024. Aiden also posted it on Substack (illumination.substack.com), and a new newsletter is on the way for the upcoming week. The inexplicable decline in visibility has left us puzzled. I encourage you to delve into his narrative for insights into his concerns, articulated constructively in his own words.

I also shared my thoughts on why I chose not to publish a science and health article on Medium today, as well as my reasons for returning to write for NewsBreak in 2024.

Aiden and I have been keeping in touch with Dr. Yildiz, who is currently occupied with numerous administrative tasks, including onboarding 130 new writers. Despite this, he maintains a positive outlook and shared an intriguing story about managing publications with the help of 148 volunteer editors. His insights might provide you with valuable perspectives on the challenges we face.

I encourage you to share this information as we collectively work against scammers, ensuring they do not succeed in their fraudulent endeavors. Your support is crucial in this effort. Just the day before, they cloned Dr. Yildiz’s account for the third time, but he provided invaluable guidance.

If you missed the previous collection, you can find it in this list. Enjoy my favorite stories and some nominated pieces from ILLUMINATION publications today.

You will find a variety of engaging and insightful narratives in this collection, covering an array of compelling topics.

• How I Maintain My Respiratory Health & Live With Abundant Energy – Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
• How I Improved My Eye Health as a Researcher and an Avid Reader – Mike Broadly, DHSc
• Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media's Grip on My Life – Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
• Six Things My Asian Wife Has Noticed About Western Culture – Tim Denning
• My Perspectives on the Ukraine Invasion Two Years Later as a Ukrainian Descendant – Oksana Kukurudza
• A Russian Pub Owner, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Beauty of an Open Society – Douglas Giles, PhD
• Hitching a Ride with Mr. Hard Luck and Troubles – Rebecca Romanelli
• Do This to Anchor Yourself in the Present Moment – David Gerken
• 5 Questions You Can Use to Help Figure Out What You Really Want From Life – Ayodeji Awosika
• One Simple Reason Why My Husband and I Won't Raise Our Daughter in the U.S. – Anastasia Frugaard

Please share these stories so that more people can discover these valuable insights.

Introduction to New Writers Let’s extend a warm welcome to the new writers who have recently joined us. Explore their stories, and if they resonate, don’t hesitate to connect with them. This presents a wonderful opportunity for writers and readers to engage with one another.

For those interested in receiving updates whenever I publish, please sign up. If you wish to explore more life lessons, I have compiled the links for your convenience. Your feedback is incredibly important to me.