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Showing posts from January, 2024

A message that transcends religious boundaries

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  Let us all make it a habit to share something with the poor and needy, without this our fasting and other religious rituals are in vain. Your message emphasizes a fundamental and universal principle found in many religions and ethical systems—compassion and charity toward the poor and needy. This idea reflects the belief that acts of kindness and generosity are integral to the practice of one's faith and that they give deeper meaning to religious rituals and fasting. In various religious traditions, there are teachings and scriptures that encourage helping those less fortunate. Acts of charity, known as "alms" in some contexts, are seen as a way to demonstrate love, empathy, and social responsibility. They are often considered a way to purify the heart and soul, making religious rituals more meaningful and spiritually fulfilling. The concept expressed is a reminder that religious practices should not be mere rituals or empty observances but should also lead to p...

Meaningful contributions to society

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  A severe fever made Fanny Crosby (1823-1915) blind when she was six weeks old. She died at 92. Despite her blindness, she possessed extraordinary musical talent and became a prolific hymn writer. Throughout her life, she composed thousands of hymns that continue to be cherished and sung by people around the world. "Blessed Assurance" is one of her most famous compositions and remains a beloved hymn to this day. Helen Keller, on the other hand, lost both her sight and hearing at the age of less than two years due to an illness, most likely meningitis. Despite her profound disabilities, Helen Keller overcame enormous obstacles and developed remarkable communication skills with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. With Sullivan's guidance, Helen learned to read, write, and speak, becoming an inspiring advocate for the blind and deaf communities. Extraordinary individuals like Helen Keller and Fanny Crosby have demonstrated the potential of the human spirit to overco...

Content Spirit

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  We are not going to take anything with us when we leave this world.   So let us all have a content spirit.   The above message highlights an essential and profound aspect of life: the impermanence of material possessions and the importance of cultivating a content and fulfilled spirit. It's a reminder that we come into this world with nothing, and when we depart, we can't take any material wealth or possessions with us. Focusing on inner contentment, personal growth, and meaningful experiences can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Material possessions, while they can provide comfort and convenience, do not ultimately define our happiness or well-being. Many people find that true happiness comes from the quality of their relationships, their inner peace, and their ability to find joy in simple moments. Cultivating gratitude, practicing mindfulness, and pursuing activities that align with our values and passions can contribute to a content spirit. It's ...

To a Skylark

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  William Wordsworth in one of his poem "To a Skylark." writes about a skylark, a small bird known for its melodious song, and its encounter with a storm. The skylark gets caught in a storm and struggles to fly against the strong winds, but despite its efforts, it cannot make headway. Eventually, the skylark gives up and allows itself to be carried by the wind, expecting to meet its demise. However, to the skylark's surprise, it is not met with a tragic end. Instead, it lands in a warm and pleasant meadow near the shore and begins to lead a comfortable life. Wordsworth uses this story to explore themes of nature's unpredictability and the idea that sometimes, when faced with adversity or challenges, life can take unexpected turns that lead to unexpected joy and comfort. This poem is a reflection of Wordsworth's romantic and nature-oriented poetry, emphasizing the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the lessons it can teach us about life and resilience. ...

Not so complicated

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  In the early days of space exploration, both NASA and the Soviet space program initially used pencils as writing instruments. However, using pencils presented some problems. Pencil tips could break, creating floating debris in the spacecraft, which could potentially damage sensitive equipment or harm astronauts. Moreover, the wood and graphite in pencils could pose combustion risks in the oxygen-rich environment of the spacecraft. To address these issues, NASA did invest in the development of a specialized writing instrument, known as the Fisher Space Pen, in the mid-1960s. This pen used a pressurized ink cartridge that allowed it to write in zero gravity, underwater, over grease, and in extreme temperatures. The Fisher Space Pen was not only used by NASA but also became a widely used writing tool in other industries, including the military. The Soviet space program also eventually adopted the Fisher Space Pen, recognizing its advantages over pencils. So, while the story is...

Play hide and seek

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  Few days before the Father’s Day a survey was conducted among young boys.   They were asked about the good character they like in their fathers.   One boy told his father will play hide and seek with him, the next one told his father used to take him for shopping.   In most of their answers the main thing they liked was their companionship with their father.   So let us all not forget to spend time with our children. The survey conducted among young boys, where they expressed their appreciation for the companionship of their fathers, is a touching reminder of the importance of spending quality time with our children. Father's Day is indeed a great occasion to reflect on the bonds we share with our kids and the positive influence we can have on their lives. Children often value the time spent with their parents’ more than material possessions or extravagant gestures. Simple activities like playing hide and seek, going shopping, reading a book together, or j...

Sleeping sickness

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  A peculiar plague between 1901 and 1904 was spreading in Central Africa.   More than hundred thousand people died.   It was called sleeping sickness. It is known as African trypanosomiasis. It is a deadly disease caused by parasites called Trypanosoma brucei, which are transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of the tsetse fly. The disease is characterized by a range of symptoms, including fever, headaches, joint pain, and eventually, neurological symptoms such as confusion, sleep disturbances, and profound lethargy. This is why it is called "sleeping sickness" because it causes extreme sleepiness and altered sleep patterns in its advanced stages. The control of the tsetse fly population significantly reduced the transmission of the disease, leading to a decline in the number of cases. Over time, with continued efforts to control the fly population and advancements in healthcare and treatment options, sleeping sickness became less of a threat in many affected ...

The ocean will lack a drop

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  An American Lady who was interested in social service visited Ethiopia in 2005.   She travelled around the country and found out that millions of people were in poverty and disease.   She realized that she could not help all the children who were in poverty and sickness.   So she decided to adopt one girl child who was in sickness. The American lady's decision to adopt one girl child in Ethiopia in 2005 is a heartwarming example of how individuals can make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. By choosing to adopt a child, she demonstrated a commitment to social service and a genuine desire to improve the life of a young girl facing adversity. Adoption is a significant and life-changing decision, and it requires careful consideration, legal processes, and support to ensure the best interests of the child are met. The American lady likely went through an adoption agency or organization that specializes in international adoptions. This process involv...

Reconciliation made easy

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  God takes a serious view of damaged relationships. We earn His displeasure when we fail to reconcile with one another. As long as the sailing is smooth, we tend to be too independent. But when we run aground, we crave for the fellowship of God’s. Times of testing and the hour of trial teach us the importance and preciousness of the help and company of brothers and sisters and friends. A brother is born for adversity. The horizontal component of holiness is peace with men. We will miss God’s grace if we don’t root out from our hearts whatever bitterness we have against others. We have heard what happened to the cows which were grazing together but were scattered by the evil advice of a jackal. How much Jesus longed for the company of His disciples at the garden of Gethsemane! Trials and difficulties soften our hearts, thus making reconciliation easy.