Mother's day

What makes good mothers? It is a pertinent question whose answer cannot be contained within a few words. Mothers comprise of a bundle of emotions that sometimes defy reason. So this goes out to all the mothers who have kept awake all night with their sick toddlers in their arms, constantly uttering those compassionate words, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here."

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who don't.

For those who show up at work with milk stains on their dress and diapers in their handbags.

For those mothers who cannot restrain tears from trickling down their cheeks when they hold their babies for the first time in their arms; and for the mothers who give birth to babies they'll never see.

For the mothers who gave homes to babies and gifted them a family.

For the mothers who yell at their kids who clamour for ice cream before dinner.

For the mothers who defy all odds just to watch her kid perform and repeat to themselves
"That's my child!!"

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year, and then read it again. "Just one more time."

For the mothers who taught their children to tie the shoelaces even before they started going to school.

For the mothers who incontinently turn their heads when they hear the word "Mom",
even though they know that their kids are nowhere around.

For the mothers who silently shed tears for their children who have gone astray.

For all those mothers whose heart aches to watch her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time.

For all the mothers of the victims of all these school shootings, and the mothers of those who were involved in the shooting.

For the mothers of the Survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, clinging to their child who just arrived from school safely.

So, this is meant for all the young and aged mothers, working mothers and housewives, married mothers and the single mothers, those with money and without and for those without whom life would have been insufferable. Wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!!

How to Avoid People You Don't Want to Talk To

Sometimes you encounter people that you wish to avoid. While you can take measures to avoid this person altogether, it’s not always possible to completely avoid talking to someone. There are several options when it comes to avoiding people you don’t want to interact with from surrounding yourself with people you do want to talk to, to avoiding certain situations.

Sometimes you may not want to talk to certain people because you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you are an enjoyable person to be around. Remind yourself that you are entitled to your boundaries and it’s ok to voice your feelings to feel comfortable.

Engage in activities that you enjoy. You won’t always like, or want to talk to everyone everywhere, but doing activities you enjoy is more likely to surround you with people you are comfortable engaging with.

Focus on enjoying your experiences. Instead of worrying about other people, and how someone may react to you, focus on enjoying yourself. Know that if someone is being mean to you, or trying to make you feel bad, that it’s always not your problem.

WHY DOES TIME GO FASTER AS WE GET OLDER?

Persons in every age group wonder why time seems to move so much faster than it did in their pasts. It seems as if there is never enough time to get everything done and that the situation only gets worse. Many explanations have been offered for this, but few seem to hit the target as well as Phil Yaffe's explanation. We hope you enjoy and find it provocative. Phil has been a writer and journalist for over four decades and is able to write eloquently about his personal experience with accelerating time.

Persons in every age group wonder why time seems to move so much faster than it did in their pasts. It seems as if there is never enough time to get everything done and that the situation only gets worse. Many explanations have been offered for this, but few seem to hit the target as well as Phil Yaffe's explanation. We hope you enjoy and find it provocative.

Phil has been a writer and journalist for over four decades and is able to write eloquently about his personal experience with accelerating time.

Peter Denning
Editor 

4 Routes to Take After Graduation

The weeks following your graduation can be difficult as you adjust to life after university. Here are your options during this tricky but potentially exciting period

Although initially daunting, coming to the end of a three- or four-year course actually opens up a number of different opportunities. You might want to search for a graduate job, study at postgraduate level, or take some time out to go travelling or volunteer.

'There are many different routes you can take once you graduate, and everyone's journey will be unique to them.

Whichever path you choose, the competitive nature of the jobs market means that it's important to take full advantage of any free time you have to make your plans and start putting them into action.

How do I get a graduate job?

The majority of new graduates will be looking for a job. Your first port of call should be your university careers service, advises Vinny Potter, careers consultant at St Mary's University. 'They can give you concrete help and most will continue to support you after graduation,' he says. You can also check out the getting a job section of the Prospects website for more guidance.

If you haven't yet decided on the precise career you want to pursue, take a look at what can I do with my degree? and job sectors for some ideas. Also, remember that your first job doesn't tie you to a particular career forever, so don't be too cautious about widening your search.

Can I get a graduate job with a 2:2?

Don't be downhearted if you leave university with a 2:2 - there are a number of ways that you can boost your chances of success in the job market.

While some large employers do accept 2:2s on their graduate schemes, many insist on a 2:1. Therefore, you may need to look beyond these and consider starting your career at a smaller organisation where the entry requirements are often more flexible, then working your way up to where you want to be.

Should I do postgraduate study?

An alternative is to return to university to study at postgraduate level, a route that many in your position have found incredibly rewarding. However, you'll need to make sure you are doing this for the right reasons.

'If you are considering postgraduate study, then first stop to think why,' says Vinny. 'If it is because you need a specific qualification or extra knowledge before entering the career you want, or if you are passionate about your subject and want to learn more, then great.'

What other options are there?

During your job search, you can get involved in other activities, such as volunteering. Or you could take a gap year if you want to see more of the world, learn languages, and meet new people. It will help to make you more employable in the long-run.

'If you are thinking about taking time out to travel and volunteer, then great,' says Vinny. 'This can be a brilliant way to develop skills, have an adventure and make you a more interesting job candidate.'

Dream that wake you up

That moment when you wake up and wish your dream was real.

Every little problem is turning into a big issue

No one likes fielding other people's mistakes, but the truth is, you should be able to handle the occasional curveball or two—and your goal should always be to knock it out of the park. A positive attitude is key. "There are days when you like a rock star," says Davis-Laack. "And that's a good feeling to have." Even on days when you're not feeling very ambitious, you should try to keep the situation in perspective.

My Passion for books

By: Santtana Looganaden

When you read a book, sky's the limit for your imagination -- it (your imagination) can travel to any corner of the cosmos, in the blink of an eye!

Need a vacation

Homesickness

“He decided that we suffer from great temporal homesickness for the decade we were born in.” 
― Thomas Pynchon, V.

Hostel life of a student

Life in hostel is one of the most memorable experiences that one must feel it. It is likely that, it takes you away from the home to real world situation and teaches you lot. However, it gives a exposure in the the real world, every life has its pro and cons.

You learn to manage your finances. I know so many people my age who have never been to a bank, don’t know how to deposit money and have no clue how cheques work. On the other hand, hostels make us understand how money works. We learn how to save, where to spend, how to pay our bills, and basically just how to get through the month just with the amount our parents transfer in the beginning of every month.

You learn to deal with your problems alone. At home, we are used to getting pampered. We are used to our parents shielding us from getting hurt. But in a hostel, you’re alone. No matter how big your friends circle is, at the end of the day, it is you and only you who needs to pull themselves together and handle difficult situations. It is the moment you realise the truth behind the words “No one is coming”

The first think is food. No matter how bad the mess food is, you have to eat it. You don’t have the option of throwing tantrums or asking your mom to make your favorite dishes. You learn to enjoy what you get. And not to mention, the times you do get home, you learn to appreciate just how amazing home made  curry dal,chicken curry .

In a hostel, you’re independant but there is a degree of protection to it. You know you’re safe within the campus. No one can harm you. Other people are accountable for your safety. If you don’t come back to your room by in-time, people will still raise a hue and cry. And yet, you’re independant. You can go and come as you please as long as you’re inside the campus. This feeling helps you understand how to manage your independance. For someone who has spent 21 years at home and suddenly needs to leave for a study, this freedom can be addicting and he might not be able to control it. But for us hostelers, we’re used to this freedom and we know where to draw the line. We’ve spent three years understanding our limits.

When that's everything you hope

University Days

By: Santtana Looganaden

I had the kind of college experience most people only dream about. Charged by the atmosphere of intellectual exploration, inspired by lectures who pushed me farther than I’d ever imagined I could go, I made fascinating new friends at Unisel; together we discovered our own literary voices. It was 3 years of long journey with no regrets.

I begin this journey with no expectations, nervous yet a little excitement. Who knew making new friends, coming out of my own cosy comfort zone was fun; yet it was. Knowing my nature, i click with people with the same thinking as mine, cheeky and bubbly but then it changed. You know expect the unexpected.  

It was a true roller-coaster ride from 1st year till today, now i'm almost finishing my days in university. There were stressful days where i'd cry thinking on how to  pass my days or even unfinished assignments, then in a long run i got used to it. The stressful days became something i can tolerate and move on. 

Of course, academics weren't the point: as ever, the real collage experience lies in hanging out, coffee date, movies and so on. Independence was the key to everything, here you grow up, learn new things and be mature. Which most of us failed to do so.

With all this going on, fun yet stressful; i'd sum my university days to a photographic memory, those i'd smile back to. 

"University can teach you skill and give you opportunity, but it can't teach you sense, nor give you understanding. Sense and understanding are produced within one's soul." 

- C. JoyBell.C - 

Iron good for health

By: Santtana Looganaden

Iron is the most important nutrient needed to our body which is used to make hemoglobin, which is the component of the red blood cells that carries oxygen. Red blood cells circulate throughout the body to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the various parts of the body. Growing children need iron in their diet and if the child’s diet lacks iron, he or she may develop iron deficiency, which will make it difficult for his or her body to make enough red blood cells. As a result, tissues and organs won’t be able to get the amount of oxygen they need. There are many foods, fruits and vegetables that you can incorporate in your diet to fulfil daily iron requirement.

Source: http://steadyrun.com/health-tips/nutrients/top-5-iron-rich-foods-fruits-and-vegetable/

Your worth!

 ❤

By: Santtana Looganaden

How they make you feel,

says a lot about them

and nothing about you.

Trust me when I say,

someone who makes you question,

if you are worthy of being loved,

is not worthy of being loved by you.

To Improve mental focus

Do this meditation daily to improve your mental focus

By: Santtana Looganaden

Ten minutes of mindful meditation per day can be enough to help people prone to anxious thoughts focus more effectively on tasks in the present moment, according to new research.

Practising mindful meditation on a daily basis can help anxious individuals focus on tasks in the present moment, reducing the likelihood of repetitive off-topic thoughts, a hallmark of anxiety, according to researchers from Canada’s University of Waterloo.

Researchers studied 82 students who experience anxiety.

They were asked to carry out a computer-based task while being interrupted several times to assess their ability to stay focused on the task at hand.

Participants were then split into two groups at random. Before being reassessed, a control group was asked to listen to an audio story while the other group took part in a short meditation exercise.

The researchers saw a reduction in off-task thoughts in the “meditators,” who were also better able to stay focused on the task at hand.

“Mind wandering accounts for nearly half of any person’s daily stream of consciousness. For people with anxiety, repetitive off-task thoughts can negatively affect their ability to learn, to complete tasks, or even function safely,” explains Mengran Xu, a researcher and PhD candidate at Waterloo.

Another benefit of meditation was that it appeared to help anxious people shift their attention from their own internal worries to the external world and the present moment.

For beginners taking up meditation, the aim is to concentrate attention solely on breathing throughout the 10-minute session, without setting any specific goals.

Follow the flow of air by taking a deep breath in then a long breath out, before marking the short, natural pause before taking the next breath in.

Just focus on your breathing

Easy meditation technique

Systematically bringing thoughts and attention back to breathing keeps the mind focused on the present moment. The next step is to become mindfully conscious of all parts of the body in contact with the floor or the chair on which you are sitting.

Source: http://www.star2.com/health/mind/2017/05/06/meditation-10mins-improve-mental-focus/

BTS to Attend 2017 Billboard Music Awards

By: Santtana Looganaden

BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment was nominated for top social artist at the show, which airs live at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 21.

BTS has become the first Korean artist to enter Billboard’s main album chart for the sixth time. Their new album “YOU NEVER WALK ALONE” is No. 151 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Their nomination for top social artist is no surprise, as the group hit its 23rd week at No. 1 on the Social 50 chart on May 6, moving out of a tie with Miley Cyrus and Rihanna for third place in most weeks atop the chart. The winner of the award will be decided based on the number of album and digital sales, as well as streaming, number of radio broadcasts, the number of performances, as well as social media involvement between March 18, 2016 to March 16, 2017.

K-pop fans might recognize some familiar faces on the red carpet of this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

BTS, who has just finished their North American tour and is currently on an Asian tour, relayed their thanks through their agency. They said, “It feels like a dream to be invited to the Billboard Awards, where only successful international artists get invited. This is all thanks to ARMY all over the world. Thank you so much. It’s a huge honour to be invited to the ceremony.”

Congratulations to BTS!

The moment

Some days, 24 hours is too much to stay put in, so I take the day hour by hour, moment by moment. I break the task, the challenge, the fear into small, bite-size pieces. I can handle a piece of fear, depression, anger, pain, sadness, loneliness, illness. I actually put my hands up to my face, one next to each eye, like blinders on a horse. 

Regina Brett

What is Black Magic ?

Black magic is the negative use of energies and power by evil minded humans. People who practise black magic or take the help of professional black magicians are extremely dedicated people who have one goal in their minds to harm or deprive others from living peaceful lives make them sick, bed ridden and kill them .

All humans have their two sides as well as evil, all human have different ratios of evil and divine within them, on the other hands there are some humans who turned 99.9% evil and the remaining divinity within them is overtaken by darkness.

Black magic is used to harm or hurt another human, by performing certain rituals, making human or animal sacrifices to appease and control the spirits.

 Once the black magician has acquired the necessary control over the spirit world, the acquire the power to inflict harm on their victims sitting thousands of miles away as time and space do not exist in spirit world. With increase of jealousy , frustration, greed, selfishness , negativity and inability to accept other’s happiness and growth , the use of black magic has become the common way to take out one’s life and get an evil kind of satisfaction  from the turmoil of others. Everyday many prosperous and happy families are being ruind by the black magic

Aghori?

Aghoris are simple beings or beings who live with complete simplicity. Today, we have complicated religion to a very large extent. We perform rituals, ceremonies and practice techniques in a roundabout way to achieve health and wealth. But I tell you, religion is not meant just for health and wellness. Its main purpose is to help you break your negative mental patterns and achieve the ultimate. Health and wellness should only be a by-product. Aghoris directly work on breaking these patterns and simplifying religion. They don’t do things in a roundabout way.

The Aghori are ascetic Shaiva sadhus. The Aghori are known to engage in post-mortem rituals. They often dwell in charnel grounds, have been witnessed smearing cremation ashes on their bodies, and have been known to use bones from human corpses for crafting kapalas  and jewelry. Because of their practices that are contradictory to orthodox Hinduism, they are generally opposed by other Hindus.

Many Aghori gurus command great reverence from rural populations as they are supposed to possess healing powers gained through their intensely eremitic rites and practices of renunciation and tápasya.

My walls are high

By: Santtana Looganaden

There’s a reason why my walls are built so high, and there’s a reason it will take you longer than expected to bring them down. There’s a reason why I’m guarded.

I’m guarded because I’ve been hurt before. We all have. My weakness is that I carry the pain with me as a constant reminder that it could happen again. And while this is such a cautious way to walk through life, while instead I could be wildly sprinting, the wild sprint has made me fall and trip before, and the scrapes and burns were painful. So painful that it takes a while to try and run that fast again. So I walk, and I walk carefully noticing my surroundings because I worry if I were to ever fall that hard again, I might not be able to get back up. 

I’m guarded because I’m scared of what you’ll think, but not scared enough to admit it. I fear your disapproval like a little girl fears the monster under her bed, and right now I will just keep quiet to avoid any disturbance.

I’m guarded because no one has ever protected me as well as I protect myself. My own armor has been stronger than yours, or his, or hers, and it will continue to be until someone shows me otherwise.

I’m guarded because I’ve mistakenly invested my trust in those who took it for granted, and because of their disregard, I no longer hand that trust out so easily.

Life will bring hurt and pain, and people will disappoint you, but no one has the ability to break down your walls except for you. I’m guarded because I’ve chosen to be that way.

Whatsapp admin responsible for users say

WhatsApp group admins could find themselves in trouble with the law in Malaysia, if the people in their groups spread fake news over the popular chat app.

Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 prohibits the spread of false information, defamation, incitement, fraud, and spreading official secrets. 

Admins may be "called to assist with investigations," said Johari.

Those found allowing false information to be spread will face punishment, he said, adding that group admins should be a "gatekeeper to filter news before sharing."

Press freedom

Critical minds for critical times.  This is the theme of the 2017 world press freedom day. The motive of the press freedom day are to evaluate press freedom around the world to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalist who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

Even societies that enjoy unabated freedom of expression have suffered setbacks when freedom is perverted by the ruling elite and the commercial interest for their selfish ends

.

It servers as an occasions to inform citizens of violations of press freedom. A reminder that in dozens of countries around the world , publication are censored, fined suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

May 3 is a day which were reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

Life Lessons that everyone should know

life lessons that have stood the test of time

1. Life is now

We keeping waiting for that amazing thing to happen in the future that will be the key to our happiness. But this is it. Right now. Life continues to be a series of right now. So learn to love right now, and you'll have an amazing life.

2. Fear is an illusion (mostly)

Most of the things we fear never happen. Or if they do happen, they are rarely as bad as we fear they will be. For most of us, fear is the worst thing that will happen to us. Reality isn't as painful.

3. Relationships rule

At the end of the day, what matters most are the people in our lives. Put them first every single day. Before work. Before the computer. Before your hobbies. Treat them like they are everything to you. Because they are.

4. Failure is good

We try so hard to avoid failure, but failure is the real evidence that we've tried. If you avoid failure, you avoid taking action. Expect and accept that failure is part of the experience. Learn from it and move on.

5. Friendships need care

One of the top five regrets of the dying is that they let their friendships fade away. Friendships need time and attention. Nurture them like a prized garden. The payoff is so worth it.

6. Experiences first

The pleasure and positive memories afforded by great experiences far outweigh material things. If you're trying to decide between the new sofa or the family trip, take the trip every time.

7. Kindness matters

Small expressions of kindness have an enormous positive impact on other people. It doesn't take much to be kind. Practice it every day, in every situation, until it's your natural way of being.

8. Age is a number

When you're twenty you think fifty is old. When you're fifty, you feel thirty. Our chronological age doesn't have to define us. Don't allow a number to hold you back or prevent you from being the person you are inside.

9. You define meaning

A meaningful life is what you define it to be. If you neglect to define meaning, you won't experience it. Decide what makes life worth living for you, and then design your life around that.

10. Risk expands you

To make positive change in your life, you often must take risk. You must tolerate some level of uncertainty. Taking thoughtful, calculated risk strengthens your change muscle and helps you grow.

11. Change is good

Life is change. We shouldn't resist it. Remaining stagnant is in opposition to the natural order of life. Flow with change. Embrace it and regard it as an adventure.

12. Thoughts aren't real

Every moment of the day, we have random thoughts floating through our brains. Many of the thoughts are negative and limiting. You don't have to believe them. They aren't the truth or the whole truth. Thoughts can become our reality, but only if we let them.

13. You can't control others

We want people to think and behave as we do. We want them to accommodate us and live the way we think they should live. We want to change them. But with awareness, we realize we can't and shouldn't try to control others. Instead, embrace differences and honor the uniqueness of the people in your life.