Saturday, August 19, 2006

WHAT ARE YOU ?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its richness and savored its aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened
heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very
circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get even better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

PLEASE LET ME PLAY TODAY !

There was a young boy who came regularly to soccer practice but never made it to the starting team. While he was practising, his father would sit at a far end of the field, waiting for him. The matches began and for four days the boy did not show up for practice or for the quarter or the semi finals.

He appeared for the final game, went to the coach and said "coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the games. But today, please let me play". The coach said "son, I am sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals, the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance on you".

The boy pleaded, "coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play". The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "okay son, go play. But remember, I am going against my better judgement and the reputation of the school is at stake, don't let me down".

The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.

When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "son, how could I have been wong? I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?

The boy replied, "coach, my father is watching me today".

The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. There was no one there. He said "son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today".

The boy replied, "coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above.

INTERNAL MOTIVATION COMES FROM WITHIN, SUCH AS PRIDE, A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT, RESPONSIBILLITY AND BELIEF. MOTIVATION NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND CONSTANTLY STRENGTHENED TO SUCCEED.

N.B: A word of thanks to my good old friend, Williams, for sharing this wonderful story.

SEE IF YOU CAN FIGURE OUT

All of these words have one thing in common, but you'll need to rack your brain to find out......

Assess

Banana

Dresser

Grammar

Potato

Revive

Uneven

Voodoo


By the way, the answer is NOT that they all have at least two of one
particular letter.

Are You Peeking Or Have You Already Given Up?
Give It Another Try ..


OK... Here You Go ... see below for the answer.


This Is Cool.



Answer:

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word!

Did You Figure It Out?

NO POINTING FINGERS

We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one
finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves
. If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.

TRUST

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

VEERA PURAN APPU

Veera Puran Appu - 158th death anniversary - the Road in Colombo 7 to be re-named as "Veera Puran Appu Mawatha"

Veera Puran Appu alias Francesco Fernando belongs to both history and legend. He is the only personality to emerge from Sri Lanka's history, clad in the garb of folk hero. Folk, since he rose from among the common people of this land. And hero, since he dared to challenge the might of British Imperialism at its peak of power and glory during the Victorian era.
158 years ago on the 8th of August 1848 Puran Appu was executed for his role in the rebellion against the British in Kandy.
Puran Appu was born as Francesco Fernando in Moratuwa. At the age of 12 having had to fight with the local authorities he fled his home town. His adventures led him to Ratnapura, Haldemulla, Badulla and Mahiyangana. And at the age of 33 years he arrived in the Kandyan area. There he met and married Bandara Menike, daughter of Gunnapana Arachchi.
It is remarkable that as a newcomer to the Kandyan areas he was able to catch the imagination of the people and rise to be one of their principal leaders.
Because of a depression in coffee prices a grave injustice was committed by the imposition for the first time of direct taxation on the people. This was executed by Lord Torrington, Governor, cousin of Queen Victoria who had been hand picked for the job. These taxes bore heavily on both the purse and the traditions of the people.
The people were without a King who had been exiled in 1815. They were without their traditional leaders who had been eliminated in the 1818 rebellion.
In 1848 necessity drove them to turn to people like Puran Appu who had earned a reputation for courage and daring. They called him Puran Appu probably, Puran being short for Francesco and Appo being an honorific term.
Puran Appu was successful in capturing Matale for a while.
But the superior forces of the British supplemented by forces brought from India via Trincomalee overpowered him.
No better tribute has been paid to him than by Lord Torrington himself. In a letter to the Colonial Office the original of which is at Durham University he says: "I remind you of the last words of Puran Appu the hour before he was shot. He was a brave man. He held up his hand and said (If there had been half a dozen such men as me to lead there would not have been a white man living in the Kandyan province). This is true. They wanted leaders. If they had success at the start leaders would have joined and without doubt for a time we should have lost the country."
Veera Puran Appu belongs to a long line of illustrious personalities who stood up against the Foreign Flag, and contributed to our struggle for National Freedom. He was the leader of the only popular uprising against foreign domination of our country - the Rebellion of 1848 - the year which stands out even in world history as the year of Revolutions.
Veera Puran Appu lived and died a National Hero.
In the name of Veera Puran Appu, the name of the Torrington Avenue in Colombo 7, close to SLBC and Rupawahini Corporation should be named as "Veera Puaran Appu Mawatha"

SMILE .....

The Smiths were proud of their family tradition. Their line had included senators, pastors, and Wall Street wizards. They decided to compile a family history. They hired an author. Only one problem arose:

how to handle Uncle George, who went to the electric chair. The author said not to worry, he could handle that tactfully. When the book appeared, the family turned to the section on Uncle George.

There, they read, "George Smith occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution. He was attached to his position by the strongest of ties. His death came as a great shock."

CONTRADICTING QUOTES

Actions speak louder than words. /The pen is mightier than the sword.

Look before you leap. / He who hesitates is lost.

Many hands make light work. (Or) Two heads are better than one. / Too many cooks spoil the broth.

A silent man is a wise one. / A man without words is a man without thoughts.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. / Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Clothes make the man. / Don't judge a book by its cover. (Or) All that glitters is not gold.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. / Better safe than sorry.

The bigger, the better. / The best things come in small packages.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. / Out of sight, out of mind.

What will be, will be. / Life is what you make it.

Cross your bridges when you come to them. / Forewarned is forearmed.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. / One man's meat is another man's poison.

With age comes wisdom. / Out of the mouths of babes and suck lings come all wise sayings.

The more, the merrier. / Two's company; three's a crowd.

The best things in life are free. / You get what you pay for.

It never rains, than it pours. / Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

Better to ask the way than to go astray. / Ask no questions and hear no lies.

Never do evil that good may come of it. / The end justifies the means.

Variety is the spice of life. / Don't change horses in the middle of a stream.

There is nothing permanent except change. / There is nothing new under the sun.

Never too old to learn. / You can't teach old dog new tricks.

Everything comes to him who waits. / He who hesitates is lost

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

FOODS OF THE PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)

Vinegar : A food Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to eat with olive oil.

Milk: The Prophet(SAW) said that milk wipes away heat from the heart just as the finger wipes away sweat from the brow. It strengthens the back ,increases the brain, augments intelligence, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.

Honey: Considered to be the best remedy for diarrhea when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs. It is used for creating appetite, strengthening the stomach, eliminating phlegm, as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye salve and mouthwash. It is extremely beneficial in the morning in warm water and is also a Sunnah.

Olive oil: excellent treatment for skin and hair, delays old age, treats inflammation of the stomach.

Mushroom: The Prophet(SAW) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes ,it also serves as a form of birth control and arrests paralysis.

Grapes: The Prophet was very fond of grapes, it purifies the blood, provides vigor and health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.

Dates: The Prophet(SAW) said that a house without dates has no food, also to be eaten at the time of childbirth.

Figs: It is a fruit from paradise and a cure for piles

Barley: Good for fever in a soup form.

Melon: Melon contains 1000 blessings and 1000 mercies, The prophet SAW said "None of your women who are pregnant and eat of water melon will fail to produce off spring who are good in countenance and good in character.

Pomegranate: The Prophet(SAW) said it cleanse you of Satan and evil aspirations for 40 days.

Water: the Prophet(SAW) said the best drink in this world and the next is Water, when you are thirsty drink it by sips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver. So praise be to our beloved Nabi(SAW) who related us with marvelous knowledge which dazzles the wisest minds.

May this information be beneficial to all of us Insha Allah Subhaana Wa Ta'aala...

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

WINE STORY

A man came to Iyas Ibn Mu'awiyah, a Muslim judge famous for his wisdom and the following conversation took place between them:Man: What is the Islamic ruling regarding wine?

Judge: It is Haram (Forbidden).
Man: How about water?
Judge: It is Halal (Permissible).
Man: How about dates and grapes?
Judge: They are Halal.
Man: Why is it that all these ingredients are halal, and yet when you combine them, they become haram?
The judge looked at the man and said: If I hit you with this handful of dirt, do you think it would hurt you?
Man: It would not.
Judge: How about if I hit you with this handful of straw?
Man: It would not hurt me.
Judge: How about a handful of water?
Man: It surely would not hurt me.
Judge: How about if I MIX them, and let them DRY to become a BRICK, and then hit you with it, would it hurt you?
Man: It would hurt me and might even kill me!
Judge: The same reasoning applies to what you asked me!!

THREE QUESTIONS

There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 questions. Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar. Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions? Scholar: I am one of Allah (SubHana Wa Ta'ala )'s slaves and insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.

Young Man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.
Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah (SubHana Wa Ta'ala).
Young Man: I have 3 questions: 1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape. 2. What is takhdeer (fate)? 3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard.
Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry with me?
Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.
Young Man: I really don't understand.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: of course, I felt the pain.
Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?
Young Man: Yes.
Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!
Young Man: I cannot.
Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape......... Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: That is takdir (fate)........ My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?
Young Man: It is created from skin.
Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?
Young Man: Skin.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: In pain.
Scholar: Even though Shaitan (Devil) and also the hell were created from the fire, if Allah wants, insha-Allah (God willing), the hell will become a very painful place for Shaitan (Devil).