‘An inspiration to us all’: Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem stirs hope and awe
Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in US history, delivered a poem that recalled the Capitol riots and looked to the future
MEET RAFIQAH AKHDAR, THE 20-YEAR-OLD MAKEUP ARTIST CHALLENGING HERSELF WITH EVERY LOOK
The creator opens up about going viral, TikTok inspiration, and being a Black Muslim woman in beauty.
Welcome to Favorite Follow, a new series highlighting NYLON’s favorite creators and the stories behind some of their most memorable content.
For those deep in the beauty world, there’s a good change your news feed, timelines, and Explore page are filled with skincare regimens, new product releases, and super intricate makeup looks ready to save and give a try. Whether you’ve realized it or not, there’s an equally good chance you’ve seen the talented 20-year old Rafiqah Akhdar and her incredible makeup looks — either through social platforms like Instagram and TikTok or in major beauty campaigns for Glossier.
Artist Andy Moses Takes Inspiration from the Natural World
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Four years ago, artist Andy Moses was celebrated in a 30-year survey of his life’s work not far from where he grew up.
Mid-career, his work showed a consistent palette inspired by his time spent in the water while surfing off the beaches of Southern California.
How This Teen Yoga Instructor Became An Entrepreneur, Philanthropist And An Inspiration
In 2019, I was in the hospital recovering from a traumatic car accident. When I could walk again, my healthcare team suggested I integrate yoga and meditation back into my daily regimen. My first time on the mat again, the yoga instructor guided the class with anecdotes of being present and grateful. I was shocked to learn that Natalie Asatryan, the sage yogi who helped me cultivate a peaceful mind after many anxious months, was only 13-years-old, making her the youngest female certified yoga instructor in America.
Zen tale : The Tunnel
Zenkai, the son of a samurai, journeyed to Edo and there became the retainer of a high official. He fell in love with the official’s wife and was discovered. In self-defense, he slew the official. Then he ran away with the wife.
Both of them later became thieves. But the woman was so greedy that Zenkai grew disgusted. Finally, leaving her, he journeyed far away to the province of Buzen, where he became a wandering mendicant.
To atone for his past, Zenkai resolved to accomplish some good deed in his lifetime. Knowing of a dangerous road over a cliff that had caused the death and injury of many persons, he resolved to cut a tunnel through the mountain there.
Begging food in the daytime, Zenkai worked at night digging his tunnel. When thirty years had gone by, the tunnel was 2,280 feet long, 20 feet high, and 30 feet wide.
Two years before the work was completed, the son of the official he had slain, who was a skillful swordsman, found Zenkai out and came to kill him in revenge.
“I will give you my life willingly,” said Zenkai. “Only let me finish this work. On the day it is completed, then you may kill me.”
So the son awaited the day. Several months passed and Zenkai kept on digging. The son grew tired of doing nothing and began to help with the digging. After he had helped for more than a year, he came to admire Zenkai’s strong will and character.
At last the tunnel was completed and the people could use it and travel in safety.
“Now cut off my head,” said Zenkai. “My work is done.”
“How can I cut off my own teacher’s head?” asked the younger man with tears in his eyes.
Interpretation
What we all can learn from this tale is we all can indeed reform through our own good deeds, anytime we wish to. Here, when we try hard enough, even the universe responds.
A nice drive to clear one’s head is no longer just for adults! The people at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California have come up with an ingenious solution for the pre-surgery jitters a lot of children go through. Driving themselves into surgery, instead of being wheeled in on a gurney. So, what’ll it be kiddo?
“Ouch, Aaah, Oh God! why me, It’s unbearable”, these are our daily responses when we are not comfortable with physical aches or even when we see a pimple knocking on our skin. Now, imagine living a life where the sound of a pressure cooker whistle, loud music, or even a cough, crushing your bones within your body, into pieces! Imagine your bones crumbling within your body on its own will, without any intimation or symptoms. It’s hard to find vocabularies to express yourself, right?
Situations don’t get as inspiring as this one. The following story is a great example of women who don’t give up, no matter what they face. If anything it should be a lesson to everyone that anything is truly possible.
Setting a heartwarming example, the organic farmer has also adopted 5 marginalized kids and is funding their meals, shelter and accommodation!
In April 2019, a 
Sharing positive news 