The late Rev. Dr. Louis C. Walker Sr., the pastor of my formative years, exerted a powerful influence on my life. One of his sayings was, “Never tell all that you know, but know all that you tell!”
I didn’t understand the impact of that statement, but I celebrate it now. It’s not about keeping secrets or inside information, but about portions of your journey that need to be retained as inspiration to press forward. Like Mary, the mother of Jesus did some things that need to be kept in your heart’s vault!
Dogs may be man’s best friend, and they haven’t done badly for writers and poets, either: for example, Rudyard Kipling’s “The Power of the Dog” and Broadview Heights’ own N.K. Hasen’s collection of dog-themed poetry.
‘From Prison to A-student’: Former addict becomes graduate at 62, inspires netizens
Joseph Valadez from Fountain Valley recently graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a degree in Sociology. He now wants to do his post graduation in social work.
An aged monk, who had lived a long and active life, was assigned a chaplain’s role at an academy for girls. In discussion groups he often found that the subject of love became a central topic. This comprised his warning to the young women: “Understand the danger of anything-too-much in your lives. Too much anger in combat can lead to recklessness and death. Too much ardor in religious beliefs can lead to close-mindedness and persecution. Too much passion in love creates dream images of the beloved – images that ultimately prove false and generate anger. To love too much is to lick honey from the point of a knife.” “But as a celibate monk,” asked one young woman, “how can you know of love between a man and a woman?” “Sometime, dear children,” replied the old teacher, “I will tell you why I became a monk.”
Interpretation ::
Without saying much, this tale shows us how we need to lead a life of moderation and balance all the time.
Kristan Cronin didn’t have to look far to find inspiration in the field of education. She simply looked toward her mother. Cronin’s mother, Nancy Hall, was a longtime educator in Indiana, where she taught high school special needs students.
Provo students draw inspiration from COVID art contest
Don’t let the COVID monsters get you, says sixth-grader Chloe Winget. Her art piece joins other winners on display in the Provo City Hall lobby. Feb. 10, 2021.
Imagine a world without COVID. Eighth-grader Megan Hoffman does. See her poster on display in the Provo City Hall lobby. Feb. 10, 2021.
To master how to inspire others, you must lead by example. This means exhibiting conviction and courage to act, to stay relentless yet flexible and agile, being authentic in everything you do.
Brewing up a dirty-water remedy (and more) with kombucha-inspired biosensors
PhD student and 2017 J-WAFS graduate fellow Tzu-Chieh Tang designs living materials to solve environmental challenges, with an emphasis on safety and scalability.
The Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty was a national hero for his success as both a statesman and military leader. But despite his fame, power, and wealth, he considered himself a humble and devout Buddhist. Often he visited his favorite Zen master to study under him, and they seemed to get along very well. The fact that he was prime minister apparently had no effect on their relationship, which seemed to be simply one of a revered master and respectful student.
One day, during his usual visit, the Prime Minister asked the master, “Your Reverence, what is egotism according to Buddhism?” The master’s face turned red, and in a very condescending and insulting tone of voice, he shot back, “What kind of stupid question is that!?”
This unexpected response so shocked the Prime Minister that he became sullen and angry. The Zen master then smiled and said, “THIS, Your Excellency, is egotism.”
Interpretation :
We often don’t understand our own selves which is why it is very hard to progress further. This is why understanding ourselves is always the first step towards growth.
Words of inspiration from women (from “A Woman’s Book of Inspiration”) for a new semester
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you until it seems that you cannot hold on for a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time when the tide will turn.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe Words of inspiration from women (from “A Woman’s Book of Inspiration”) for a new semester
Harriet Beecher Stowe published her anti-slavery novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in 1851.
There are going to be so many overwhelming moments this semester (and generally in life). It’s important to remember that endurance doesn’t mean you’re sprinting, it just means you’re going as fast as you can. It might be a walk, jog or run, but progress is progress, no matter how fast you’re going.
This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Rick Owens on Drawing Inspiration From Imperfection
The American designer speaks with BoF editor-at-large Tim Blanks about his latest collection, born from ‘anger and darkness,’ and why limitations often make way for creative ingenuity.
With Depeche Mode on break, Martin Gore found inspiration from German techno, and monkeys
Martin Gore’s new EP is “The Third Chimpanzee.” “I think monkeys might find it a derogatory term if they were accidentally called a human,” he says.(Travis Shinn Photography)
Native to Central and South America, the howler monkey gets its name from the menacing wail it makes. It’s among the largest nonhuman primates in the Americas, part of a cluster that migrated, it is speculated, either by raft or natural bridge from Africa some nearly 50 million years ago.
“People visit a wise man complaining about the same problems over and over again. One day, he decided to tell them a joke and they all roared with laughter.
After a few minutes, he told them the same joke and only a few of them smiled.
Then he told the same joke for a third time, but no one laughed or smiled anymore.
The wise man smiled and said: ‘You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. So why are you always crying about the same problem?’
Interpretation : As the wise man said, may of us keep complaining about the same issue instead of looking for solutions
At the helm: The office-bearers of the All India Chess Federation — Naresh Sharma (treasurer), Sanjay Kapoor (president) and Bharat Singh Chauhan (secretary).
Plans afoot for a cash-rich Indian Chess League
With the election of office-bearers of All India Chess Federation (AICF) ending an 11-month impasse, AICF president Sanjay Kapoor and secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan are looking for a fresh start.
This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Many people have rituals associated with the coming of a new year. One of the most common rituals is making New Year’s resolutions. We spend the final days of December working up the determination to establish a healthy habit or letting go of an unhealthy one. Will you to join me in making a New Year’s resolution that brings healing and peace?
Perspective | Going above and beyond — Inspirations from community colleges during COVID-19
Passing out laptops to Central Piedmont Community College students. Courtesy of Central Piedmont Community College
In November 2020, Dr. Pam Eddinger, president of Bunker Hill Community College, seated in her cozy office lined with books and binders, looked into her webcam and spoke to an audience of about 700 community college leaders, faculty, and researchers about what a “flash of lightning in the night” the COVID-19 pandemic has been for the sector. The pandemic revealed deep social, racial, and economic inequities among community college students. However, the pandemic also revealed an extraordinary adaptable, caring, and creative community that summoned strategies to meet students’ needs.
Project RISE: A Source Of Hope, Inspiration From IPCW
What Is Project RISE?
ARISE Impact started a self driven initiative called Project RISE to empower the visually challenged students at Indraprastha College for Women of Delhi University. The aim of the project is to empower lives through self-learning and self-training methodologies. Bilingual-audio based Course Modules are developed under the project. This is developed keeping in mind the challenges faced by the visually impaired. Furthermore, ARISE Impact trainers aid them in building confidence. This training involves different fun-loving games along with personality development activities. Additionally, the trainers help in imparting employability skills. As a result, it will help them to pursue their cherished career path and dreams.
A farmer got so old that he couldn’t work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there.
“He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn’t do anything!” One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in.
Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff.
As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?” “What is it?” replied the son. “Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wood coffin. Your children might need to use it.”
Interpretation : It helps to think of what we think we usually get what we sow…So, the more compassionate we are, the more of compassion we shall receive. This is the law of life…
This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. One can always think of reasons to worry. That is especially easy to do now. This year, political conflict and social wrongs demanding redress have collided with the emotional and financial impacts of this pandemic, not to speak of the horrific loss of life. It would seem that this is a perfect moment to panic. When Proverbs teaches, “One who is composed (literally, one who governs their own spirit) is better than a conqueror,” (16:32) it recognizes the great strength of will required not to be overcome by our instinctive reactions to life’s dangers and challenges.
Thanksgiving 2020: Quotes, inspiration about gratefulness and thanks
Thanksgiving 2020 looks different than any other before but that doesn’t mean people won’t be taking time to reflect and be grateful. When President Abraham Lincoln announced the national proclamation establishing Thanksgiving on Oct. 3, 1863, he did so with the idea that people should set aside a day to express thanks for their blessings. Read more..
Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi On His New Book, Creative Processes, Inspiration And More
His book Loss is a deep account of grief, loss and life Read more here
ENGINEERING INSPIRATION: HOW NEW RHODES SCHOLAR SIERRA SPARKS BRINGS COMMUNITY TO LIFE
Dalhousie’s 92nd Rhodes Scholar is Oxford-bound to continue her pursuits in biomedical engineering Read more here …
Meet Brave Acid Attack Survivor Who Became A Model And An Inspiration For Many
Masoumeh Ataei underwent 38 operations and relived the pain to rebuild her skin
One of master Gasan’s monks visited the university in Tokyo. When he returned, he asked the master if he had ever read the Christian Bible. “No,” Gasan replied, “Please read some of it to me.” The monk opened the Bible to the Sermon on the Mount in St. Matthew, and began reading. After reading Christ’s words about the lilies in the field, he paused. Master Gasan was silent for a long time. “Yes,” he finally said, “Whoever uttered these words is an enlightened being. What you have read to me is the essence of everything I have been trying to teach you here!”
Interpretation This situation is similar to thinking about different races. People may look different on the outside, but when you look on the inside, everyone is basically the same.
Insight, inspiration abound in Anran Liken’s ‘Head over Heart’
New book is a collection of poems exploring love, happiness and emotions
photo-release
HORNSEA, England, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Debuting author Anran Liken enters the literary limelight with the release of “Head over Heart” (published by Xlibris UK), a book that offers readers a collection of poems exploring love, happiness and emotions in poetic verses and lines.
“It is about my feelings and possibly how others may be or may not have felt without realising at some point in their life,” Liken shares. “Sometimes we are afraid (to) express ourselves emotionally, so I am hoping that when others read my book, they realise that they are not alone. Life is a rollercoaster of emotions.”
This Unique Kerala Village Nurtures 208 Mango Varieties, Bags ‘Heritage’ Tag
A group of Mango lovers, known as Naattumaanjottil, initiated a unique effort to identify different varieties of mangoes in Kannapuram village.
Most Kerala homes might feature one or two Mango trees – usually of a variety that the homeowners prefer. But can you imagine a village with over 200 types of Mango trees? Not 200 trees, mind you. But 200 different kinds of Mangoes, all in one village in Kannur district.
Socrates believed that the wise person would instinctively lead a frugal life. He himself would not even wear shoes; yet he constantly fell under the spell of the marketplace and would go there often to look at all the wares on display. When one of his friends asked why, Socrates said, “I love to go there and discover how many things I am perfectly happy without.”
Interpretation
We need to be content with what we have to always remain happy in the journey of our lives.
Teacher sends across digital nuggets of inspiration
His initiative on WhatsApp groups, unbroken for five years, has received wide appreciation
Teacher sends across digital nuggets of inspiration
His initiative on WhatsApp groups, unbroken for five years, has received wide appreciation
Some time ago, Anson Kurumbathuruth, a teacher at Peechanikkad Government UP School in Angamaly, received a call from an anonymous girl who just wanted to thank him.
Diviner inspiration: Australian artist sizes up silos for huge murals
Painted depictions of a water diviner searching for groundwater by Australian artist Fintan Magee are seen on unused wheat silos in Barraba, Australia, October 29, 2020. (REUTERS/Jill Gralow )
When Fintan Magee was asked to paint a mural on a trio of 40-meter high grain silos in the small Australian town of Barraba, he decided against an archetypal image of sheep and cattle.
Instead he painted a water diviner, a practice still used in parts of Australia where proponents believe they can find ground water with two metal rods or, as pictured in the mural, sticks.
Class of 2024 finds inspiration under unique circumstances
As the Class of 2024 experiences the University of Chicago in a year unlike any other, five incoming students share their diverse personal stories and what drew them to UChicago.
Charismatic Surgeon Dr. Shivanshu Misra’s Trailblazing Career Is An Inspiration For Future Medicos
India’s life expectancy rose by a decade in the past 30 years, though there are still inequalities between different regions within the country. However, a new study published in the Lancet Journal reports that the life expectancy in India increased from 59.6 years to 70.8 years between 1990 and 2019
Women United Inspiration Tea provides assistance to shelters for women, children in Aiken County
Participating in a photo session prior to Women United’s 5th annual Inspiration Tea, which was held virtually Friday, are Women United Executive Committee Chair Stephanie Franklin, from left, Mandy Sims, Cherell Butler, United Way of Aiken County President Sharon Rodgers, Ladonna Armstrong and Keyatta Priester.
Local shelters that serve women and/or children soon will receive items that they need as the result of Women United’s fifth annual Inspiration Tea.
Master had a disciple who was always absorbed in a world of his own. He generally had that far away look and seemed to snap out of a mental trance whenever somebody addressed him. Once he was standing next to the master in courtyard when master asked him to fetch some seed for birds. As was his state, master’s words did not register with him. Master turned to take a look and smilingly held his arm. Shaken and visibly embarrassed the disciple started to apologize profusely. Master kind and benevolent as always, said ”do you know you can make these thoughts the road to your enlightenment”. The disciple was curious. Other disciples also crowded in. They sensed Master was about to offer his wisdom, extempore. “There are 7 categories of thoughts that your mind naturally indulges in”, Master stated. “Three categories are related to cognition of events in time: 1) Observations about the present moment2) Memories of past moments.3) Thoughts that develop future scenarios for events yet to occur. Next three category of thoughts are related to mind’s evaluation of these events: 4) Judgments about whether something is good or bad, right or wrong for you and your kin.5) Storytelling thoughts that try to connect and explain why things happen.6) Planning, thoughts around activities that you want to do next. Finally there are thoughts which are based on blue sky thinking. 7) Random fantasies and what if scenarios, based on predicting and imagining sundry situations.” Thus explaining the master paused. None of the disciplines said anything as they all waited for the master to continue uninterrupted. In his gentle flowing voice, Master carried on “When you are seeking liberation the idea is not to get taken in by the content of individual thoughts. Your task is to identify and label their category as above. As soon as a thought arises you fix its label “Planning, Storytelling, Past Memory, What if….. “Remember” master cautioned ”the biggest blocks against total freedom are illusions and deceptions that block its path. A sharpened mind much like a fine edged axe, is the only weapon to cut through those obstructions. So when you label your thoughts you expand your consciousness around how it works. This enhanced awareness sharpens a regular mind which left alone is just a blunt instrument. Finally as you become proficient with labeling,the flow of thoughts start to slow down and get less automatic. By and by you will notice all category of thoughts decreasing in numbers as also that you will be able to get on and get off them, whenever you want. Thats the sign of mind cutting its routine work load and relaxing. It is then free of illusions and ready for deeper perceptions.
Interpretation
As the master says, all we need to do is to develop awareness and control our minds. This is the g
Science has shown that, “Thinking positive, happy, hopeful and optimistic thoughts decreases Cortisol [the body’s stress hormone] and produces Serotonin [the body’s natural anti-depressant], which creates a sense of well-being. This helps the brain function at peak capacity.”
These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids
The conversation about race needs to start early and keep happening.
Myka Stauffer and the Aggressively Inspirational World of “Adoption Influencers”
Huxley Stauffer had been turned into content before he even met the people who would become his parents. As early as July 2016, YouTube influencer Myka Stauffer was posting videos to YouTube about the long, complex process of adopting a boy from China. She talked about convincing her husband to adopt, cried while describing administrative delays, and exulted when the process inched forward. Over the years, Stauffer and her husband, James, posted 27 videos on their “adoption journey,” including a heartwarming montage of the family’s trip to China to retrieve their 2½-year-old son in 2017. Afterward, they kept their hundreds of thousands of viewers updated on the boy’s growth and his relationships with their biological children. That is, until earlier this year, when attuned fans began noticing that Huxley had quietly stopped appearing in the couple’s videos.
Soldier-Turned-IRS Officer Rallies Efforts, Aids Hundreds of Migrants in Bengaluru
The 47-year-old Additional Commissioner of Income Tax of Mumbai is a Shaurya Chakra awardee, for his bravery in an encounter with terrorists along the LoC in 2017.
Management Seminar. He was traveling in Uttar Pradesh with his wife for a picnic while he was the Chief Election Commissioner. On the wa, they saw a large mango plantation filled with sparrow nests. Seeing this, they went down there and his wife wanted to take two nests home. The police escort called a young boy who was grazing cows in the fields and demanded to bring the nests down and offered to pay him Rs10. He refused, so Seshan raised the offer to Rs.50. The policeman asked the boy to do it as Seshan was a big officer. The boy told Seshan and his wife ‘Saabji I will not do it for whatsoever you will give.’ He continued, ‘inside those nests, there will be baby sparrows, if I give you those nests to you, in the evening when mother sparrow returns with food for the babies and do not find them there, she will cry. I do not have the heart to see that’. Hearing this Seshan and his wife were shocked. Seshan says my position and the IAS melted away in front of that little boy. I was in front of him like a mustard seed. They gave up their wish and after returning, this incident continued to haunt him with guilt for days. Education, position or social status in never the yardstick for the measure of humanity. Knowledge is to know nature. We don’t achieve anything by gathering a lot of information. Life becomes blissful when you have knowledge, sense & wisdom.
Interpretation : We do need to learn how to respect nature and learn lessons from those who do, irrespective of their background
Sharing positive news 