At first he views the world…
Then empathy draws him in…
Till the weight of the world rests on his shoulders.
Photo Credit: Gotten online!
#El_Magnifico™
Killing only two birds with one stone?
Killing only two birds with one stone? It challenges one to think if one can achieve more than the common idiom below.
‘Killing two birds with one stone’ means achieving two things at the same time. But it doesn’t have to stop at two! For example:-
During the earlier phase of his mental illness, Anna Chen used to send Kenneth for pottery and clay-works. There were at least five ‘birds’ to kill with that one activity in mind. They are;-
- It was therapeutic, functionally, for Kenneth to wedge (or knead) and to create the clay pieces manually. He shaped bowls on the pottery wheel, He glazed the clay products. And of course, he would proudly look at his finished, fired, shiny, and at times, unevenly shaped products!
- Kenneth got to socialize and communicate with people, whom he rarely talked to. [And there was a non-verbal autistic girl. Occasional glances and gestures did the ‘talking’!]
- The activities kept him focused on the present moments. They were to dissuade him from thinking and talking to himself.
- Although it was a messy task supervising Kenneth in the clay works, it was their handy touches that mattered!
- Being an artist herself, Anna was also learning a new hobby! The sculpted lady [inset] is one of the results. This hobby brings Anna much joy.
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“A real friend is one who walks in…”
"A real friend is one who walks in..."
"A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.”
- Walter Winchell -
Be it at college, workplace,
or even a betrayal in a marriage or family!
Who are your real friend(s)?
There are Things You’ll Never Forget — Don’t Lose Hope
“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross You don’t ever forget that your partner was unfaithful. You don’t ever forget that you lost a precious child. […]
There are Things You’ll Never Forget — Don’t Lose Hope
A snake joined in a meditation session
A snake joined in a meditation session
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In the silent hall a snake coiled in the center in meditation! Horrified one saw ‘Don’t move, don’t move, least it ’ all still, not breathing! Basket over it a wooden plank under it outside hall, released! ****
“Snakes are sometimes perceived as evil, but they are also perceived as medicine. If you look at an ambulance, there’s the two snakes on the side of the ambulance. The caduceus, or the staff of Hermes, there’s the two snakes going up it, which means that the venom can also be healing.” – Nicolas Cage
“Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.” – Gautama Buddha
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Insights from Famous Writers: Neil Gaiman
A ‘Runner-ful’ Wednesday
A ‘Runner-ful’ Wednesday
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I admire those who can run. The second quote below maybe for me! I prefer walking or Tai Chi-ing!
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Quote:-
1. “I run because if I didn’t, I’d be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run…to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.” ― Dean Karnazes
2. If I pass out, please pause my Garmin.- FUNNY RUNNING QUOTES
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When a river becomes an ocean…
When a river becomes an ocean…
From waterfalls
through rapids,
water in rivers
meanders through
lands and forests
to enter
the wide, bottomless oceans.
When water evaporates,
rains down,
seeps into the ground,
from the high lands,
it journeys down again
to lowlands… to the oceans.
Just as humans
evolve through life journeys.
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Crossing rivers in ‘our country’
Crossing rivers in ‘our country’
Crossing rivers in ‘ our country’ is about how some governmental policies fail.
Here is a story.
Many centuries ago, there was a country named ‘Our country’.
People in group A has to jump over at least ten rocks to cross rivers for daily economic survival.
Of course, some in group A were not as skilled or resourceful. They suffered and were left behind economically… embittered.
Group A was a side-product of a governmental policy.
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This governmental economic policy aimed to help people in Group B. It allowed them to use bridges provided on these rivers.
Group B was an intended product of this governmental policy.
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One season, monsoons came thundering and lashing mercilessly. Flash floods destroyed many bridges and homes.
Life had to continue. Most of group A people continued to cross the rivers of life as they used to.
But many people… in group B were left stranded and lost. They were handicapped without the bridges. Only a few strong ones were able to adapt to the situation- jumping over those rocks.
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In ‘our country’, people voted the government. But somehow certain policies undermine their intended service to the people as a whole…in a country called ‘ Our country’.
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Artists in search of a canvas
Artists in search of a canvas
artists in search of
a canvas to show their skills
repaint over paint
This mural project
displays artistic skills
for a good cause…
a show of multi- ethnicity.
Adults with children, too,
leave their palm prints
as leaves on trees!
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Quotes:
- “I dream my painting and I paint my dream.” ― Vincent Willem van Gogh
- Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is [a] painting that speaks. – Plutarch
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Chen Song Ping 