One day Luqman Hakim came into the market by riding a donkey, while his son followed from behind. Looking at the behavior of Luqman, the people said, 'See that old man, he is very selfish. He is riding the donkey while his son is walking "
Having heard murmurs from people around, Luqman got down from his donkey and put his son on the donkey. Seeing that, other people at the market said, "Look at that ungrateful boy! He is riding the donkey while father is on foot, so less manners of the child."
Once he heard these words, Luqman went up on the back of the donkey with his son. Then people then said, "See that two people riding a donkey, they are torturing the poor donkey. It will be dead anytime soon."
Therefore, because he did not like listening to these voices, Luqman and his son got off the donkey. Then they heard a voice saying, "Two people walking, and leading a donkey? How stupid.”
On their way home, Luqman Hakim advised his son about the attitudes of people and their antics, he said, "Surely no one is spared from human speech. Those who understand, takes no consideration except to God alone. Whoever knows this truth will not try to please everyone. Whatever you do should be to please God.
Showing posts with label The Way Things Look To Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Way Things Look To Me. Show all posts
May 11, 2011
"Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you"
I taught my students to be assertive today. To stand up and be honest and direct in expressing their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad is very assertive and I look up to him for that.
Here's an article I'd like to share.
In 2006,Lee Kuan Yew told a forum in Singapore that it was vital for Singapore, a predominantly ethnic Chinese state, to stand up to its bigger, mainly Muslim neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia.
He made the following statement:
"Our neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. They are hard-working and therefore they are systemically marginalised,"
Don't you think it is uncalled for? Whether the statement holds any truth is one matter, in the first place, what rights do you have to talk or criticise on other countries' matters? Heard of "jaga tepi kain orang?"
I liken this to Neighbour A telling others how her Neighbour B is mistreating one of her 3 kids, not giving that kid enough food to eat, pocket money to spend, freedom to play whereas the other 2 kids were allowed all the incentives. Each family has its own rules and how do you feel, if your neighbours were to do the same, go around making comments on how you should run your family ?
Mahathir hits back with the following reply:
"You are not that clever. In a small group, perhaps you seem clever," Mahathir said, referring to Lee.
"But when (Lee) goes to China, the Chinese there don't want to listen to him. The Chinese in China don't think much of him and it is a fact that he is marginalized by Chinese in the world," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama.
"We should have an independent investigation on why the Malays are left behind in Singapore," Mahathir said. "They are pressured, marginalized and oppressed. That is the kind of government founded on the views of Lee Kuan Yew."
You may want to debate if the statement holds any truth or not but that is not the essence of the argument. My personal motto: "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you".
You may say this is freedom of speech. Why can't people make comments freely you may say. Well fine, then be willing to accept criticsm from others as well.
There's a fine line between freedom of speech and being assertive.
Speak your mind but have substance.
Sources:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/23/asia/AS_GEN_Malaysia_Singapore_Lee.php
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060915/3/43gi5.html
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18882
Article from http://one-wheel.blogspot.com/
May 6, 2011
Running in Your Dreams?
Running in your dreams may indicate a need to get away from something in your life. It is important to notice how and where to you are running to figure out the meaning.
Running in dreams, that's common. You find yourself, you've been running, you're going to look at how you're running? Are you running up a hill? This means you've got obstacles to sort of, try and climb. Are you running down the hill? This means you're sort of pursuing your goals, really going well.
Are you being chased? Well, if you're being chased, then look at what you're trying to run away from because being chased in a dream means that you're probably running away from some aspect of your life that you've got to sort out. Look at the scenery around you because if you're running through sunshine and the clouds are clear and you seem to be enjoying yourself, then that really does show a time of optimism and energy. If it's pelting with rain and you soaked to the skin, then it means that you're trying to sort of look at your emotional situation and things are not quite as clear as that.
Are you, perhaps, running away from a relationship situation or are you wanting to run away? Running in dreams is quite fascinating. Try and see where you're going, uphill, whether it's downhill. Whether you're going across the country and things seem to be easy or whether you find yourself running up and down through offices you work at.
If you're running up and down the steps, it may indicate that you're about to sort of want to switch jobs or switch types of jobs. See where you're running. If you're running through a city, it's definitely time to look at where next to go in your career.
If you're running to catch a bus or train or tube, well, maybe you haven't sorted things out. Running is an indication of where you're trying to run to, run from. Metaphorically, it means you're trying to get to or get away from. .
Adam Fonteras, Dream Analyst
Dreams:
How To Understand Running Dreams
Running in dreams, that's common. You find yourself, you've been running, you're going to look at how you're running? Are you running up a hill? This means you've got obstacles to sort of, try and climb. Are you running down the hill? This means you're sort of pursuing your goals, really going well.
Are you being chased? Well, if you're being chased, then look at what you're trying to run away from because being chased in a dream means that you're probably running away from some aspect of your life that you've got to sort out. Look at the scenery around you because if you're running through sunshine and the clouds are clear and you seem to be enjoying yourself, then that really does show a time of optimism and energy. If it's pelting with rain and you soaked to the skin, then it means that you're trying to sort of look at your emotional situation and things are not quite as clear as that.
Are you, perhaps, running away from a relationship situation or are you wanting to run away? Running in dreams is quite fascinating. Try and see where you're going, uphill, whether it's downhill. Whether you're going across the country and things seem to be easy or whether you find yourself running up and down through offices you work at.
If you're running up and down the steps, it may indicate that you're about to sort of want to switch jobs or switch types of jobs. See where you're running. If you're running through a city, it's definitely time to look at where next to go in your career.
If you're running to catch a bus or train or tube, well, maybe you haven't sorted things out. Running is an indication of where you're trying to run to, run from. Metaphorically, it means you're trying to get to or get away from. .
Adam Fonteras, Dream Analyst
Dreams:
How To Understand Running Dreams
I am 15 going on 16~
A mother passing by her son’s bedroom was
astonished to see the bed was nicely made,
and everything was picked up. Then, she saw
an envelope, propped up prominently on the
pillow.
It was addressed, ‘Mum’ With the worst premonition,
she opened the envelope and read
the letter, with trembling hands
‘Dear, Mum.
I’m writing you with great regret and sorrow.
I had to elope with my new girlfriend,
because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad
and you.
I’ve been finding real passion with Stacy,
and she is so nice, but I knew you would not
approve of her, because of all her piercings’,
tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and
because she is so much older than I am.
But it’s not only the passion, Mum. She’s
pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She
owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack
of firewood for the whole winter.
We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that
m@rijuana doesn’t really hurt anyone. We’ll
be growing it for ourselves, and trading it
with the other people in the commune, for all
the coc@ine and ec$tasy we want..
In the meantime, we’ll pray that science
will find a cure for A.I.D.S, so Stacy can get
better. She sure deserves it!!
Don’t worry Mum, I’m 15, and I know how
to take care of myself. Someday, I’m sure
we’ll be back to visit, so you can get to know
your many grandchildren.
Love, your son,
Nicholas.
PS. Mum, none of the above is true. I’m over
at Jason’s house.
I just wanted to remind you that there are
worse things in life than the school report
that’s on my desk
Love you! Call when it is safe for me to
come home.
astonished to see the bed was nicely made,
and everything was picked up. Then, she saw
an envelope, propped up prominently on the
pillow.
It was addressed, ‘Mum’ With the worst premonition,
she opened the envelope and read
the letter, with trembling hands
‘Dear, Mum.
I’m writing you with great regret and sorrow.
I had to elope with my new girlfriend,
because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad
and you.
I’ve been finding real passion with Stacy,
and she is so nice, but I knew you would not
approve of her, because of all her piercings’,
tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and
because she is so much older than I am.
But it’s not only the passion, Mum. She’s
pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She
owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack
of firewood for the whole winter.
We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that
m@rijuana doesn’t really hurt anyone. We’ll
be growing it for ourselves, and trading it
with the other people in the commune, for all
the coc@ine and ec$tasy we want..
In the meantime, we’ll pray that science
will find a cure for A.I.D.S, so Stacy can get
better. She sure deserves it!!
Don’t worry Mum, I’m 15, and I know how
to take care of myself. Someday, I’m sure
we’ll be back to visit, so you can get to know
your many grandchildren.
Love, your son,
Nicholas.
PS. Mum, none of the above is true. I’m over
at Jason’s house.
I just wanted to remind you that there are
worse things in life than the school report
that’s on my desk
Love you! Call when it is safe for me to
come home.
Gold Wrap
A mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and she became more upset when the girl used the gold paper to decorate a box.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the golden gift box to her mother the next morning and said, “This is for you mommy.” The mother was embarrassed by her earlier overreaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her 5 year old daughter in a harsh manner, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside the gift box?”
She had tears in her eyes and said, “But there is something in that box mommy. I blew kisses into it until it was full.”
The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around the little girl and apologized lovingly for her thoughtless anger.
An accident took the life of the girl 3 days later, and it is told that the mother kept that box of gold by her bed for all the years of her life.
Whenever she was discouraged and when she felt the whole world was against her, she would take out kisses from the box to comfort her and remember of her loving daughter. And everything would be all right again.
She was in hold of the most precious possession of all. The gift she received was the gift of unconditional love. Love from GOD, family, and true friends can never compare to gold.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the golden gift box to her mother the next morning and said, “This is for you mommy.” The mother was embarrassed by her earlier overreaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her 5 year old daughter in a harsh manner, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside the gift box?”
She had tears in her eyes and said, “But there is something in that box mommy. I blew kisses into it until it was full.”
The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around the little girl and apologized lovingly for her thoughtless anger.
An accident took the life of the girl 3 days later, and it is told that the mother kept that box of gold by her bed for all the years of her life.
Whenever she was discouraged and when she felt the whole world was against her, she would take out kisses from the box to comfort her and remember of her loving daughter. And everything would be all right again.
She was in hold of the most precious possession of all. The gift she received was the gift of unconditional love. Love from GOD, family, and true friends can never compare to gold.
I'll never break your heart Heart
A broken heart is the single
greatest pain you will ever have to
endure.
In fact, the most hurt you can
ever imagine:
and the one who commits this
emotional crime is not someone you
hate; is not even someone you dislike.
No, because the only person
who is capable of breaking your heart
is the one who holds it precariously
in their hands, the one with whom you
have shared your dreams, your secrets,
your fears –
the one you love more than
anybody else in the world
And therein lies the irony.
greatest pain you will ever have to
endure.
In fact, the most hurt you can
ever imagine:
and the one who commits this
emotional crime is not someone you
hate; is not even someone you dislike.
No, because the only person
who is capable of breaking your heart
is the one who holds it precariously
in their hands, the one with whom you
have shared your dreams, your secrets,
your fears –
the one you love more than
anybody else in the world
And therein lies the irony.
Adakah Kita Bertemu Orang Yang Salah?
Terkadang kita terfikir :
Adakah kita bertemu dengan orang yang salah?
Teman sekerja yang tak 'ngam'?
Kawan - kawan sekolah atau universiti yang tidak boleh nak buat geng study?
Housemate yang menyakitkan hati (sebab tak pandai membasuh pinggan, bercakap menggunakan kata-kata yang pedas, dan sebagainya) ?
Ataupun kekasih yang tiba-tiba dirasakan tak serasi?
(atau mungkin juga adik beradik, keluarga yang kita tidak boleh fahami perangai mereka?)
((ingat, entry ini bukan hanya untuk cinta-cinta sahaja, okey?))
Kerana hakikatnya, kita akan bertemu dengan ramainya manusia yang menjengkelkan hati kita, dan sangat sukar untuk kita bersama dengan mereka.
Pelbagai ragam dan karenah manusia yang dapat kita temui di dunia ini.
Kerana berlainannya manusia itu adalah untuk apa .....
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ۬ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ شُعُوبً۬ا وَقَبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ۬
"Hai manusia, sesungguhnya Kami menciptakan kamu dari seorang laki-laki dan seorang perempuan dan menjadikan kamu berbangsa-bangsa dan bersuku-suku supaya kamu saling kenal mengenal. Sesungguhnya orang yang paling mulia di antara kamu di sisi Allah ialah orang yang paling bertakwa di antara kamu. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui lagi Maha Mengenal." - [Al Hujurat: 13]
Untuk lita'arafu..
Untuk berkenalan. Untuk mengetahui, memaknai manusia lain.
Untuk menyedari betapa beruntungnya kita, mahupun rendahnya kita berbanding manusia lain.
Untuk kita sering berlumba-lumba menggapai taqwa tanpa membeza-bezakan manusia lain.
Namun, tentu kita akan bertemu dengan manusia yang tidak serasi dengan kita serta berlainan segalanya.
Sehingga sekecil-kecil perbezaan kita menjadi besar dan dijadikan hujah untuk menjauhkan diri, apatah lagi terkadang sehingga memutuskan silaturrahim.
Walaupun diri kita dengan dia, satu aqidah, satu kefahaman dan satu cinta pada Allah..
Dan kita bertanya, mengapa diri kita dan dia, begitu jauh sekali?
Di situlah, kita kena sentiasa berusaha untuk mencari titik persamaan...
Kita takkan pernah bertemu dengan orang yang salah.
Takkan!
Kerana Allah telah menakdirkan setiap saat dan inci dalam kehidupan kita.
Setiap takdir itu merupakan satu ketetapan Allah buat kita, merupakan sesuatu yang terbaik buat kita.
Dan setiap manusia yang kita temui itu, tentu memberikan makna sesuatu pada kita.
Walaupun banyaknya kejengkelan hati kita pada dia.
Namun, tentu sebenarnya mereka yang 'salah' itu sendiri banyak mengajar kita: 'akan kekurangan diri kita sendiri.'
Bukankah seorang musuh itu terkadang lebih jujur daripada seorang sahabat sejati, yang dipetik dari kata-kata hikmah Arab.
Setiap jodoh dan pertemuan tentunya telah ditetapkan oleh Allah,
Untuk kita belajar sesuatu darinya.
Tak pernah kita bertemu dengan orang yang salah ... semua yang kita temui adalah stesen-stesen perhentian untuk mengutip hikmah, buat bekalan di dalam perjalanan.
Percayalah, kadang-kadang di awal pertemuan akan banyak berlaku perkelahian, salah faham dan ketidak seragaman.
Namun masa akan mengambil alih, memberi peluang makna kefahaman masuk ke dalam jiwa kita yang jernih.
Kerana kita pada hakikatnya, punya hati yang satu, matlamat yang satu, dan tentu cinta yang satu, hanya kepada Allah.
Ikatan hati manakah lagi yang paling kuat selain dari Allah?
Kerana itu, di setiap perselisihan, mahupun ke tidak serasian, kembalilah semula kepada apa yang akan dapat menyatukan kita.
Itulah dia Allah.
Kerana dihitung perbezaan-bezaan, memang akan semakin menjadikan hati kita jauh.
Namun, it does not matter, sebab Allah sahaja yang membinakan hati kita Insya-Allah.
And He Knows best.
Wallahua'lam.
Bersabar, dan teruslah berdoa.
Allah itu pasti menetapkan sesuatu yang terbaik buat kita, jika kita benar-benar yakin akan Dia
Source: iloveislam.com
Precious
This is the precious present, regardless of what yesterday was like, regardless of what tomorrow may bring. When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open,you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go. When the heart of your heart opens, you can take deep pleasure in the company of the people around you -- family, friends,acquaintances, or strangers -- including those whose characters are less than perfect, just as your character is less than perfect. When you are open to the beauty, mystery, and grandeur of ordinary existence,you "get it" that it always has been beautiful, mysterious, and grand and always will be. This is the precious present.
Timothy Ray Miller.
Timothy Ray Miller.
Am I a good person?
Leigh Anne: Am I a good person? It’s not a joke. Not rhetorical.
Sean: You are the best person that I know. Everything you do… You do it for others,
Leigh Anne: And why is that?
Sean: I have not a clue. But um… you obviously get some sort of sick satisfaction out of it.
- The Blind Side
Sean: You are the best person that I know. Everything you do… You do it for others,
Leigh Anne: And why is that?
Sean: I have not a clue. But um… you obviously get some sort of sick satisfaction out of it.
- The Blind Side
Music and Language Learning
The power of music to affect memory is quite intriguing.
Mozart's music and baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activate the left and right brain.
The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information.
According to The Center for New Discoveries in Learning, learning potential can be increased a minimum of five times by using this 60 beats per minute music. For example, the ancient Greeks sang their dramas because they understood how music could help them remember more easily.
A renowned Bulgarian psychologist, Dr. George Lozanov, designed a way to teach foreign languages in a fraction of the normal learning time. Using his system, students could learn up to one half of the vocabulary and phrases for the whole school term (which amounts to almost 1,000 words or phrases) in one day.
Along with this, the average retention rate of his students was 92%. Dr. Lozanov's system involved using certain classical music pieces from the baroque period which have around a 60 beats per minute pattern. He has proven that foreign languages can be learned with 85-100% efficiency in only thirty days by using these baroque pieces. His students had a recall accuracy rate of almost 100% even after not reviewing the material for four years.
http://www.cerebromente.org/
Mozart's music and baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activate the left and right brain.
The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information.
According to The Center for New Discoveries in Learning, learning potential can be increased a minimum of five times by using this 60 beats per minute music. For example, the ancient Greeks sang their dramas because they understood how music could help them remember more easily.
A renowned Bulgarian psychologist, Dr. George Lozanov, designed a way to teach foreign languages in a fraction of the normal learning time. Using his system, students could learn up to one half of the vocabulary and phrases for the whole school term (which amounts to almost 1,000 words or phrases) in one day.
Along with this, the average retention rate of his students was 92%. Dr. Lozanov's system involved using certain classical music pieces from the baroque period which have around a 60 beats per minute pattern. He has proven that foreign languages can be learned with 85-100% efficiency in only thirty days by using these baroque pieces. His students had a recall accuracy rate of almost 100% even after not reviewing the material for four years.
http://www.cerebromente.org/
In case I break a plate..
When I get old, I hope
you can understand
and have patience with me.
In case I break a plate,
or spill soup on the table
because I'm losing my eyesight,
I hope you don't yell at me.
Older people are sensitive,
always having self pity
when you yell.
When my hearing gets worse
and I can't hear what you're saying,
I hope you don't call me "DEAF".
Please repeat what you said
or write it down.
I'm sorry my child.
I hope you have the patience
to help me get up.
Like how i used to help you
when you were little,
learning how to walk.
Please bear with me,
When I keep repeating myself
like a broken record,
I hope you just keep listening to me.
Please don't make fun of me
or get sick of listening to me.
Do you remember you were little
and wanted a balloon?
You repeated yourself over
and over
until you got what you wanted.
I hope you can be patient with me
when I'm always cranky.
It's part of getting old.
You'll understand
when you're older.
And if you have spare time,
I hope we can talk,
even for a few minutes.
I'm always all by myself
all the time,
and have no one to talk to.
\
I know you're busy with work.
Even if you're not interested
in my stories,
please have time for me.
Do you remember
when you were little?
I used to listen to your stories
about your teddy bear.
When the time comes,
and I get ill and bedridden,
I hope you have the patience
to take care of me.
I hope you have the patience
to take care of me
during the last few moments
of my life.
I'm not going to last much longer,
anyway.
When the time of my death comes,
I hope that you hold my hand
and give me strength to face death.
And don't worry,
when I finally met our Creator,
I will whisper in his ear to bless you.
Because you loved your mum
and dad.
you can understand
and have patience with me.
In case I break a plate,
or spill soup on the table
because I'm losing my eyesight,
I hope you don't yell at me.
Older people are sensitive,
always having self pity
when you yell.
When my hearing gets worse
and I can't hear what you're saying,
I hope you don't call me "DEAF".
Please repeat what you said
or write it down.
I'm sorry my child.
I hope you have the patience
to help me get up.
Like how i used to help you
when you were little,
learning how to walk.
Please bear with me,
When I keep repeating myself
like a broken record,
I hope you just keep listening to me.
Please don't make fun of me
or get sick of listening to me.
Do you remember you were little
and wanted a balloon?
You repeated yourself over
and over
until you got what you wanted.
I hope you can be patient with me
when I'm always cranky.
It's part of getting old.
You'll understand
when you're older.
And if you have spare time,
I hope we can talk,
even for a few minutes.
I'm always all by myself
all the time,
and have no one to talk to.
\
I know you're busy with work.
Even if you're not interested
in my stories,
please have time for me.
Do you remember
when you were little?
I used to listen to your stories
about your teddy bear.
When the time comes,
and I get ill and bedridden,
I hope you have the patience
to take care of me.
I hope you have the patience
to take care of me
during the last few moments
of my life.
I'm not going to last much longer,
anyway.
When the time of my death comes,
I hope that you hold my hand
and give me strength to face death.
And don't worry,
when I finally met our Creator,
I will whisper in his ear to bless you.
Because you loved your mum
and dad.
Love Actually (Jamie & Aurelia)
[neither understands the other's language]
Jamie:[in English] Er... Would you like the last, uh...biscuit?
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] Thank you very much, but no.
Jamie: [in English ]No?
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] If you saw my sister, you'd understand why.
Jamie:[in English] That's all right, more for me.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] Just don't go eating it all yourself, you're getting chubbier every day.
Jamie: [in English] I'm very lucky, I've got one of those constitutions where I never put on weight.
Jamie: [in English] It's my favorite time of day, driving you.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] It's the saddest part of my day, leaving you.
[Jamie has learned Portugese]
Jamie: Good evening. Mr. Barros?
Mr. Barros: Yes?
Jamie: I am here to ask your daughter for her hands in marriage.
Mr. Barros: You want to marry my daughter?
Jamie: Yes.
Mr. Barros: [yelling toward the back of the house] Come here, there is a man at the door. He wants to marry you.
[a fat and confused woman emerges]
Sophia Barros: But I've never seen him before.
Mr. Barros: Who cares?
Sophia Barros: You're going to sell me to a complete stranger?
Mr. Barros: Sell? Who said 'sell?' I'll pay him.
Jamie: Pardon me. I'm meaning your other daughter - Aurelia.
[in Portuguese]
Jamie: Beautiful Aurelia, I've come here with a view of asking you to marriage me. I know I seems an insane person - because I hardly knows you - but sometimes things are so transparency, they don't need evidential proof. And I will inhabit here, or you can inhabit with me in England.
Sophia Barros: [in Portuguese] Definitely go for England, girl. You'll meet Prince William - then you can marry him instead.
[Jamie has just proposed to Aurelia]
Sophia Barros: [in Portuguese] Oh God - Say 'yes' you skinny moron!
Aurelia: [in English] Thank you. That will be nice. Yes is being my answer. Easy question.
Jamie: You learned English?
Aurelia: Just in cases.
[Aurelia meets Juliet, Mark, and Peter in the airport]
Aurelia: Jamie's friends are so good looking! He never tells me this. I think, maybe now I have made the wrong choice? Picked wrong Englishman?
Jamie: She can't speak English properly, she-she doesn't know what she's saying
The World and Its Travellers
The Empty Travellers
These travellers are never prepared.
Not physically, not mentally and not even materially.
Reaching their destination, they realize the lack of preparation. They rush to buy winter clothing or irritate all their companions with borrowing and later going through the rest of the days tapping resources from others. In fact, these people are not travellers at all. They go or leave empty, and return with less; losing some friends or overspending their financial resources purchasing things that may not be necessary.
If only they had spent some time planning.
The Physical Travellers
These travellers have prepared themselves physically and have ensured their material needs are well taken care of.
In fact, most times they will go overboard. They will have extra sweaters, long johns, and not to mention, the faithful MAGGI noodles and mom’s rending as the restaurants in the hotels will serve all kinds of food that they are familiar with.
Unfortunately, they probably had forgotten to bring along three most important things; their BRAINS, HEARTS, and SOULS. They never read or to try to find out about places they are about to venture into, beyond the climate and the food.
They are the ones who love taking many pictures (with themselves as the main subject). This is to them a very important ritual as they see the need to prove that they were there. Not that it is all that wrong; a few pictures of you and your loved ones cuddling together make for great memories. But, the problem is that they never appreciate the real beauty of the place just by simply looking and feeling deeply for the moment.
Honestly, these people are also not travellers. They are at best tourists. Physically transported to another place but mentally, emotionally and spiritually, they never left their place of origin. Their attendance is valid, but their learning and contribution are null and void. They too return as lesser persons (with extra MAGGI noodles and stale rendang). Not to mention, the unused extra sweaters and clothing.
Poor fellas. Proving their attendance to all their friends and families with the many pictures as erect as the Eiffel Tower looming behind them, not knowing they were never really there in the first place.
The Traveller
A real traveller is a person who is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared.
They read to find out about the places they are about to experience (not just visit). For they know that to suck the marrow of travel is not just seeing but participating.
They are not burdened with too many material needs in their luggage as they want to be free. Free to contribute and participate. They are adequately prepared in material needs but very prepared in all other ways. Their minds are not bagged down with the climate, as they are busy looking into the more important things in life.
They do not delegate the thinking to the tour guides, they may even contribute! They take pictures, but not just famous sites. They focus on the unexpected and simple everyday life. Taking notes of minute details of flowers, children, old couples holding hands or the old man tending to his garden. The travellers know that popular sights do not make a country; it is the everyday lives that make a difference.
Most of all, even if they lose their pictures, they know that the pictures taken with their eyes, nose, ears, sense of taste, touch, heart, mind, soul are more permanent than what modern technologies can offer in terms of films and pictures. Real experiences will follow them till death and thereafter.
They are travellers. They went with a full tank and came back with a bigger tank that cries for more. Their tanks are forever enlarging. Theirs are not just attendance but learning. Theirs are not just attendance but also participation and contribution. They each went as a book and came back as a library. They went as a seed and came back as a tree.
The Travellers
By Anas Zubedy
The Quran & I
We travel this world to prepare for the ultimate destination thereafter.
A destination forever after.
Which kind of traveller are we?
Are you prepared to meet Allah the Almighty?
May 5, 2011
10 LIES You Will Hear Before You Pursue Your Dreams
Unfortunately, just before you take your first step on the righteous journey to pursue your dreams, people around you, even the ones who deeply care for you, will give you awful advice. It’s not because they have evil intentions. It’s because they don’t understand the big picture – what your dreams, passions, and life goals mean to you. They don’t understand that, to you, the reward is worth the risk.
So they try to protect you by shielding you from the possibility of failure, which, in effect, also shields you from the possibility of making your dreams a reality.
As our friend Steve Jobs says:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Here are 10 ill-advised tips (lies) people will likely tell you when you decide to pursue your dreams, and why they are dreadfully mistaken.
1. You can follow your dreams someday, but right now you need to buckle down and be responsible. – Someday? When is ‘someday?’ Someday is not a day at all. It’s a foggy generalization of a time that will likely never come. Today is the only day guaranteed to you. Today is the only day you can begin to make a difference in your life. And pursuing your dreams is what life is all about. So don’t be irresponsible. Don’t wait until ‘someday.’ Make today the first day of the rest of your new life.
2. You’re totally screwed if it doesn’t work out. – Wrong! This is a giant, lame load of BS. You’re not even close to being screwed. In fact, the worst case scenario is that things don’t work out and you have to go back to doing exactly what you are doing right now.
3. It’s safer to stay at your day job. – Sure, I suppose. But you know what’s even safer than that? Going home, locking yourself in your bedroom, and never, ever coming out. And just like that you will have flushed your entire life and your dreams down the toilet. Remember, safer doesn’t always mean better.
4. That’s impossible! – It’s only impossible if you never do anything about it. The reason certain things seem impossible is simply because nobody has achieved them yet. But this doesn’t mean that with your help these things won’t become possible in the future. If you truly dedicate yourself to an end result, almost anything is possible. You just have to want it bad enough.
5. Only a lucky few “make it.” – That’s because those lucky few got off their rear ends and did something about it! They had the drive, determination, and willpower that you have right now. You can be one of them. It’s up to you, and only you.
6. You might fail. And failing is bad. – Failures are simply stepping stones to success. No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win. The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re too scared to make a mistake. If you can’t handle failure, then you can’t handle success either.
7. You don’t have access to the right resources. – It’s not about having the right resources; it’s about exploiting the resources you do have access to. Stevie Wonder couldn’t see, so he exploited his sense of hearing into a passion for music, and he now has 25 Grammy Awards to prove it. Get it?
8. You need more money saved before you can take the first step. – You don’t need more money. You need a plan. You need a budget. Eliminate ALL the nonessential costs in your life. If pursuing your dream requires you to leave your day job, figure out the absolute minimum amount of income that you require to realistically live. Studying those who have succeeded with similar ventures also helps. But above all, take baby steps. Don’t be foolish and assume that you must have a certain amount of money saved right now, or that you must quit your day job today in order to pursue your dreams. Instead, ask yourself, “What actions can I take right now with the money and resources I have right now that will bring me closer to desired goal?”
9. You don’t need any help. It’s smarter to go after it alone. – You are the sum of the people you spend the most time with. If you hang with the wrong people, they will negatively affect you. But if you hang with the right people, you will be far more capable and powerful than you ever could have been alone. Find your tribe and work together to make a difference in all of your lives.
10. That sounds like a lot of hard work. – You’re darn right it does! But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I think success in life hinges on one key point: Finding hard work you love doing. As long as you remain true to yourself and follow your own interests, values and dreams, you can find success through passion. Perhaps most importantly, you won’t wake up a few years from now working in a career field you despise, wondering “How the heck am I going to do this for the next 30 years?” So if you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions and dreams.
Disregard these misguided bits of nonsense and you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling your dreams.
Now get out there and make a splash!
The Best Things in Life are FREE
www.marcandangel.com
The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer
1. Sleeping In on a Rainy Day – As the rain beats lightly against the window, you nestle your head deeper into your pillow. The sound is soothing and your bed feels like a sanctuary. There is no place you would rather be.
2. Finding Money You Didn’t Know You Had – You reach into your pocket and find a $20 bill from the last time you wore these jeans. You aren’t rich, but you are richer than you were a second earlier.
3. Making Brief Eye Contact with Someone of the Opposite Sex – You pass him (her) on the street or in the subway. He (she) glances up at you momentarily, making direct eye contact in a way that seems to communicate a subtle curiosity. For a split second it makes you think… and then it’s gone.
4. Receiving a Real Letter or Package via Snail Mail – E-mail has become the primary source of written communication. Most snail mail these days is junk mail. When you check the mail and find a real letter or package from someone you know, excitement overtakes you as you tear into this rare gift.
5. Making the Yellow Light - It’s one of the most common simple pleasures, the act of beating the pack. As you blaze through the yellow light you glance in your rearview to see all the cars behind you stopping at the red light. Yes! You made it!
6. Telling a Funny or Interesting, True Story - One of the most enticing roles you lead in life is that of the storyteller. You love to share stories, especially those that will captivate your audience with deep curiosity and humor. There are few things more satisfying than telling a true story that others enjoy listening to.
7. Seeing a Friend Stumble Over Himself – As you walk across the street with your friend, he fails to accurately address the curb on the other side. He trips and stumbles around momentarily before regaining his footing, then swiftly attempts to play it off like nothing happened. This can be a hilarious sight if the moment is right.
8. Hearing the Right Song at the Right Moment - It doesn’t matter what the setting is, hearing the right song for that moment is one of those simple pleasures in life that instantly lifts your spirits. You could be driving home from work, hanging out at a bar with friends, or jogging. When the right song rattles your ear drums the entire meaning of life seems crystal clear.
9. The First Sip of a Beverage When You’re Thirsty – You just finished mowing the lawn or taking a long jog. The only thing on your mind is an ice-cold glass of water. When you are really, really thirsty, that first sip of any liquid beverage is sheer bliss.
10. Catching a Glimpse of Bare Skin on the Opposite Sex – For guys, it’s when the waitress bends over a little too far. For girls it’s seeing that buff guy in a Speedo. Either way, when you see a bit more skin than you were expecting on the opposite sex, you can’t help but to smirk on the inside.
11. Saying the Same Thing Simultaneously – There is a moment of silence. Then all of the sudden you and your friend blurt out the same exact set of words simultaneously. This rare occurrence is something to smile about.
12. The Pull-Through Parking Spot – You pull into a parking spot and are delighted to see the availability of the parking spot immediately in front of you. You pull through to the spot in front so that when you return to the car you can drive forward out of the parking spot. Why? Because driving backwards is a pain in the butt.
13. Realizing You Have More Time to Sleep – Something abruptly awakens you and you think it’s time to get up. Then you squint over at your alarm clock and realize you still have 2 more hours to sleep. A warm euphoric feeling shoots though your body as you glide gracefully back to your dreams.
14. People Watching – Sitting there on your bench you can see people in every direction. Tall people, small people, thin and plump. Blond, brunette, and redhead alike. Each of them has a different stride and a unique expression. As you drift from body to body you are mesmerized by what you see.
15. Putting On Clothes Straight from the Dryer – As soon as the dryer buzzes, you pull out your clothes and put them on. They feel soothingly warm on your skin and emit a fresh-scented aroma into the air. A sentiment of ease comes over you as you head out to conquer the day.
16. A Familiar Smell – You just pulled into your parent’s driveway and opened the car door. You haven’t been home in a long while. You smell familiarity in the air, the scent of a large pine tree in the neighbor’s yard. As you head through the front door, more familiar smells consume your senses. Gosh, it feels good to be home…
17. The Feeling You Get When Your Idea Works – You have been struggling to resolve a complex problem all day and you just can’t seem to get it right. Filled with frustration, you decide to exercise one last idea before calling it a night. You’ve had many ideas before that failed miserably… but this time it works.
18. Fresh, Clean Bed Sheets – You yank at the corner of the bedspread to create just enough space to slide your body under the freshly cleaned sheets. The sheets feel cool to the touch. Everything seems so clean, like nobody has ever slept in this bed before.
19. A Beautiful View – As the car veers around the side of the mountain you gaze out the passenger window. It’s a clear, sunny day and you can see the entire valley below filled with wild flowers and bright green vegetation. The scenery reminds you of something you once saw in National Geographic. But here it is live, right before your eyes.
20. Reminiscing About Old Times with Your Closest Friends – Pink Floyd once said “the memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime”. There is no simple pleasure more satisfying than recounting the greatest moments of your life with your closest friends who lived these moments alongside you.
21. Receiving an Unexpected Compliment – It’s been an average day. Nothing really great has happened, but nothing terrible occurred either. This monotonous day has put you in a dreary mood. Unexpectedly, an older, attractive lady taps you on the shoulder, calls you “handsome” and says she loves your shirt. The day just got a whole lot better.
22. Having a Good Laugh – Laughter is the greatest cure of all. Life is extraordinary in the moments when you are laughing so hard you can barely breathe. These moments of deep laughter are divine in the sense that they cleanse your mood and set your mind on a positive track.
23. The Feeling After a Healthy Workout - It’s a giddy feeling of self accomplishment; the one true activity that actually makes you feel better and look better simultaneously. When you walk out the front door of the gym you are on top of the world.
24. The Celebration in the Instant Something Makes Sense – Even now that it has explained to you for the third time, you just don’t understand how it works. Everyone else seems to understand but you. Then out of the blue the dots connect in your mind. You finally get it, and it feels great!
25. Relaxing Outdoors on a Sunny Day – As you relax sprawled out in a lawn chair, the sun warms your skin and a light breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Birds are chirping merrily in the trees behind you. You are at complete peace with the environment.
26. Holding Hands with Someone You Love – Every time she grabs your hand you are overcome with an awareness of how much she means to you. Holding hands is sensual and physically intimate, yet subtle. There are few people you allow to hold your hand, so when it happens you can be sure that the moment is special.
27. Playing in the Water – Water marvels people of all ages. From jumping in puddles as a child, to doing cannon balls in the pool as an adolescent, to enjoying a cocktail in the Jacuzzi as an adult… water is enjoyable.
28. Making Someone Smile – You notice that your colleague has been under a great deal of stress with meeting a deadline, so you take it upon yourself to complete one of her indirect responsibilities for her. As soon as she realizes what you did, she comes into your office with a big smile on her face. “Thank you”, she says. You just hit two birds with one stone, because making her smile just made your day.
29. Finishing What You Started – You just finished up a big project you’ve been working on for the last few months, or maybe you just finished your first marathon… Either way, you finalized what you set out to accomplish. The feeling of self accomplishment you get when you finish what you started is by far one of the most rewarding simple pleasures life has to offer.
The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer
1. Sleeping In on a Rainy Day – As the rain beats lightly against the window, you nestle your head deeper into your pillow. The sound is soothing and your bed feels like a sanctuary. There is no place you would rather be.
2. Finding Money You Didn’t Know You Had – You reach into your pocket and find a $20 bill from the last time you wore these jeans. You aren’t rich, but you are richer than you were a second earlier.
3. Making Brief Eye Contact with Someone of the Opposite Sex – You pass him (her) on the street or in the subway. He (she) glances up at you momentarily, making direct eye contact in a way that seems to communicate a subtle curiosity. For a split second it makes you think… and then it’s gone.
4. Receiving a Real Letter or Package via Snail Mail – E-mail has become the primary source of written communication. Most snail mail these days is junk mail. When you check the mail and find a real letter or package from someone you know, excitement overtakes you as you tear into this rare gift.
5. Making the Yellow Light - It’s one of the most common simple pleasures, the act of beating the pack. As you blaze through the yellow light you glance in your rearview to see all the cars behind you stopping at the red light. Yes! You made it!
6. Telling a Funny or Interesting, True Story - One of the most enticing roles you lead in life is that of the storyteller. You love to share stories, especially those that will captivate your audience with deep curiosity and humor. There are few things more satisfying than telling a true story that others enjoy listening to.
7. Seeing a Friend Stumble Over Himself – As you walk across the street with your friend, he fails to accurately address the curb on the other side. He trips and stumbles around momentarily before regaining his footing, then swiftly attempts to play it off like nothing happened. This can be a hilarious sight if the moment is right.
8. Hearing the Right Song at the Right Moment - It doesn’t matter what the setting is, hearing the right song for that moment is one of those simple pleasures in life that instantly lifts your spirits. You could be driving home from work, hanging out at a bar with friends, or jogging. When the right song rattles your ear drums the entire meaning of life seems crystal clear.
9. The First Sip of a Beverage When You’re Thirsty – You just finished mowing the lawn or taking a long jog. The only thing on your mind is an ice-cold glass of water. When you are really, really thirsty, that first sip of any liquid beverage is sheer bliss.
10. Catching a Glimpse of Bare Skin on the Opposite Sex – For guys, it’s when the waitress bends over a little too far. For girls it’s seeing that buff guy in a Speedo. Either way, when you see a bit more skin than you were expecting on the opposite sex, you can’t help but to smirk on the inside.
11. Saying the Same Thing Simultaneously – There is a moment of silence. Then all of the sudden you and your friend blurt out the same exact set of words simultaneously. This rare occurrence is something to smile about.
12. The Pull-Through Parking Spot – You pull into a parking spot and are delighted to see the availability of the parking spot immediately in front of you. You pull through to the spot in front so that when you return to the car you can drive forward out of the parking spot. Why? Because driving backwards is a pain in the butt.
13. Realizing You Have More Time to Sleep – Something abruptly awakens you and you think it’s time to get up. Then you squint over at your alarm clock and realize you still have 2 more hours to sleep. A warm euphoric feeling shoots though your body as you glide gracefully back to your dreams.
14. People Watching – Sitting there on your bench you can see people in every direction. Tall people, small people, thin and plump. Blond, brunette, and redhead alike. Each of them has a different stride and a unique expression. As you drift from body to body you are mesmerized by what you see.
15. Putting On Clothes Straight from the Dryer – As soon as the dryer buzzes, you pull out your clothes and put them on. They feel soothingly warm on your skin and emit a fresh-scented aroma into the air. A sentiment of ease comes over you as you head out to conquer the day.
16. A Familiar Smell – You just pulled into your parent’s driveway and opened the car door. You haven’t been home in a long while. You smell familiarity in the air, the scent of a large pine tree in the neighbor’s yard. As you head through the front door, more familiar smells consume your senses. Gosh, it feels good to be home…
17. The Feeling You Get When Your Idea Works – You have been struggling to resolve a complex problem all day and you just can’t seem to get it right. Filled with frustration, you decide to exercise one last idea before calling it a night. You’ve had many ideas before that failed miserably… but this time it works.
18. Fresh, Clean Bed Sheets – You yank at the corner of the bedspread to create just enough space to slide your body under the freshly cleaned sheets. The sheets feel cool to the touch. Everything seems so clean, like nobody has ever slept in this bed before.
19. A Beautiful View – As the car veers around the side of the mountain you gaze out the passenger window. It’s a clear, sunny day and you can see the entire valley below filled with wild flowers and bright green vegetation. The scenery reminds you of something you once saw in National Geographic. But here it is live, right before your eyes.
20. Reminiscing About Old Times with Your Closest Friends – Pink Floyd once said “the memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime”. There is no simple pleasure more satisfying than recounting the greatest moments of your life with your closest friends who lived these moments alongside you.
21. Receiving an Unexpected Compliment – It’s been an average day. Nothing really great has happened, but nothing terrible occurred either. This monotonous day has put you in a dreary mood. Unexpectedly, an older, attractive lady taps you on the shoulder, calls you “handsome” and says she loves your shirt. The day just got a whole lot better.
22. Having a Good Laugh – Laughter is the greatest cure of all. Life is extraordinary in the moments when you are laughing so hard you can barely breathe. These moments of deep laughter are divine in the sense that they cleanse your mood and set your mind on a positive track.
23. The Feeling After a Healthy Workout - It’s a giddy feeling of self accomplishment; the one true activity that actually makes you feel better and look better simultaneously. When you walk out the front door of the gym you are on top of the world.
24. The Celebration in the Instant Something Makes Sense – Even now that it has explained to you for the third time, you just don’t understand how it works. Everyone else seems to understand but you. Then out of the blue the dots connect in your mind. You finally get it, and it feels great!
25. Relaxing Outdoors on a Sunny Day – As you relax sprawled out in a lawn chair, the sun warms your skin and a light breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Birds are chirping merrily in the trees behind you. You are at complete peace with the environment.
26. Holding Hands with Someone You Love – Every time she grabs your hand you are overcome with an awareness of how much she means to you. Holding hands is sensual and physically intimate, yet subtle. There are few people you allow to hold your hand, so when it happens you can be sure that the moment is special.
27. Playing in the Water – Water marvels people of all ages. From jumping in puddles as a child, to doing cannon balls in the pool as an adolescent, to enjoying a cocktail in the Jacuzzi as an adult… water is enjoyable.
28. Making Someone Smile – You notice that your colleague has been under a great deal of stress with meeting a deadline, so you take it upon yourself to complete one of her indirect responsibilities for her. As soon as she realizes what you did, she comes into your office with a big smile on her face. “Thank you”, she says. You just hit two birds with one stone, because making her smile just made your day.
29. Finishing What You Started – You just finished up a big project you’ve been working on for the last few months, or maybe you just finished your first marathon… Either way, you finalized what you set out to accomplish. The feeling of self accomplishment you get when you finish what you started is by far one of the most rewarding simple pleasures life has to offer.
Leaves
The caterpillar crawled on his three pairs of legs attached to his thorax and three more pairs on his abdomen. And anyone would have thought that with that amount of legs, he could have moved faster. A lot faster. Apparently he could not. After all, he was only a caterpillar and not a cheetah or a leopard. He was devastated with his slow pace. He thought he looked like a leaf. He did not have any general knowledge either. He knew this fact about himself. And his survival skills only made other creepy crawlers claw at him. He thought this made him look even more like a leaf. Bigger caterpillars knew about metamorphosis; that it was only a role to play, and tombs were its stage. But he did not. He lacked general knowledge.
One morning, the caterpillar had the strangest feeling. He felt he had transformed into a wise caterpillar. He had gone to socialize, had read books, and had worn glasses. He flew off on two pairs of new wings so that the elderly butterflies would notice that he had just three pairs of legs instead of the six pairs he had initially came in with. And that he could fly. Fly, but not very high. The elderly didn’t seem to notice, he thought to himself. He was a just a leaf. From his studies, he knew that being transformed to a butterfly was no fairy tale. Dark tales he heard was that his wings might tear, and his emotions might get caught in a net. He knew that things would change once he transformed to a butterfly. He would be beautiful and loved. And he would be free to roam the world.
But of course, beauty is pain. He almost died in his tomb of the pupa. He was all alone in the dark. He was trapped in a time cell. It was torture. The physical and emotional agony he felt was too hurtful to compare to a surgeon’s scissors without anaesthetic. He goes into the pupa with a body consisting of 13 segments, six simple eyes on each side of its head, and a short antennae. It would only be a matter of time to break out from the tomb he thought. But the wait was a contretemps with his emotions. It took more than ten years. Ten years is equivalent to forever after for caterpillars.
The day finally came. The caterpillar flew off with a new body of 10 segments, one pair of luscious blue eyes, longer more graceful antennae, organs for sex and reproduction, and a pair of stunning fine-looking wings. It was the best feeling in the world. It was like hearing the song at the right moment. Or like the smell of new crispy sheets. Everything is perfect thought the caterpillar. “Wait, I’m not a caterpillar anymore”. He was a butterfly! He was in extremely high spirits. He tried new things beyond caterpillar life. He flew high, sat low, played games, and ate out. But he couldn’t do one thing. The one thing he wanted the most. He couldn’t roam the world. Because he only had one pair of wings. He needed twenty-one. Three for each continent. The butterfly knew that although he had paved his path to success, and although he had sacrificed himself, things didn’t always turn out as expected. He looked down at the young caterpillars. They looked like leaves.
One morning, the caterpillar had the strangest feeling. He felt he had transformed into a wise caterpillar. He had gone to socialize, had read books, and had worn glasses. He flew off on two pairs of new wings so that the elderly butterflies would notice that he had just three pairs of legs instead of the six pairs he had initially came in with. And that he could fly. Fly, but not very high. The elderly didn’t seem to notice, he thought to himself. He was a just a leaf. From his studies, he knew that being transformed to a butterfly was no fairy tale. Dark tales he heard was that his wings might tear, and his emotions might get caught in a net. He knew that things would change once he transformed to a butterfly. He would be beautiful and loved. And he would be free to roam the world.
But of course, beauty is pain. He almost died in his tomb of the pupa. He was all alone in the dark. He was trapped in a time cell. It was torture. The physical and emotional agony he felt was too hurtful to compare to a surgeon’s scissors without anaesthetic. He goes into the pupa with a body consisting of 13 segments, six simple eyes on each side of its head, and a short antennae. It would only be a matter of time to break out from the tomb he thought. But the wait was a contretemps with his emotions. It took more than ten years. Ten years is equivalent to forever after for caterpillars.
The day finally came. The caterpillar flew off with a new body of 10 segments, one pair of luscious blue eyes, longer more graceful antennae, organs for sex and reproduction, and a pair of stunning fine-looking wings. It was the best feeling in the world. It was like hearing the song at the right moment. Or like the smell of new crispy sheets. Everything is perfect thought the caterpillar. “Wait, I’m not a caterpillar anymore”. He was a butterfly! He was in extremely high spirits. He tried new things beyond caterpillar life. He flew high, sat low, played games, and ate out. But he couldn’t do one thing. The one thing he wanted the most. He couldn’t roam the world. Because he only had one pair of wings. He needed twenty-one. Three for each continent. The butterfly knew that although he had paved his path to success, and although he had sacrificed himself, things didn’t always turn out as expected. He looked down at the young caterpillars. They looked like leaves.
Proverbs by 6 Year Olds
Mary taught first grade. She had a class of twenty-five adorable 6yr olds. Mary gave each child the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to write in the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these funny proverbs were actually written by first graders.
The world according to 6yr olds!
1. No news is............................impossible.
2. Love all, trust....................... me.
3. An idle mind is........................the best way to relax.
4. Strike while the.......................bug is close.
5. Better late than.......................pregnant.
6. A penny saved is...................... not much.
7. Don't change horses....................until they stop running.
8. A miss is as good as a ................... Mr.
9. Happy is the bride who......................gets all the presents.
10. Two's company, three's....................... the Musketeers.
11. Don't bite the hand that...................... looks dirty.
12. It's always darkest before......................Daylight Saving Time.
13. There are none so blind as .................... Stevie Wonder.
14. Where there's smoke there's ................... pollution.
15. The pen is mightier than the..................... pigs.
16. If at first you don't succeed...................... get new batteries.
17. When the blind lead the blind .................... get out of the way!
18. Children should be seen and not ..................spanked or grounded.
19. You can't teach an old dog new .............. ....math.
20. Don't put off till tomorrow what.................... you put on to go to bed.
21. If you lie down with dogs, you'll...................... stink in the morning.
22. You can lead a horse to water but .................. how?
23. Never underestimate the power of .................... termites.
24. You get out of something only what you ............... see in the picture on the box.
25. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.............. cry and you have to blow your nose.
The world according to 6yr olds!
1. No news is............................impossible.
2. Love all, trust....................... me.
3. An idle mind is........................the best way to relax.
4. Strike while the.......................bug is close.
5. Better late than.......................pregnant.
6. A penny saved is...................... not much.
7. Don't change horses....................until they stop running.
8. A miss is as good as a ................... Mr.
9. Happy is the bride who......................gets all the presents.
10. Two's company, three's....................... the Musketeers.
11. Don't bite the hand that...................... looks dirty.
12. It's always darkest before......................Daylight Saving Time.
13. There are none so blind as .................... Stevie Wonder.
14. Where there's smoke there's ................... pollution.
15. The pen is mightier than the..................... pigs.
16. If at first you don't succeed...................... get new batteries.
17. When the blind lead the blind .................... get out of the way!
18. Children should be seen and not ..................spanked or grounded.
19. You can't teach an old dog new .............. ....math.
20. Don't put off till tomorrow what.................... you put on to go to bed.
21. If you lie down with dogs, you'll...................... stink in the morning.
22. You can lead a horse to water but .................. how?
23. Never underestimate the power of .................... termites.
24. You get out of something only what you ............... see in the picture on the box.
25. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.............. cry and you have to blow your nose.
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