The most precious thing in the world

What do you think is the most precious thing in this world? There are certainly precious things such as rare metals, oil, money, herbs, and of course knowledge! However, none of them are greater than the relationships. Relationships can be everyone’s precious possession, irrespective of one’s social status, caste or creed.

Take for example your parents, near and dear, colleagues, and last but not the least your best friends, aren’t they more precious than anything in this world? Your wife with whom you have shared your life, isn’t she more precious than the money and gold? Think of your children, aren’t they your replica? Which would you prefer Gold or your little angle? Yes, often people forget the value of relationships, until they are reminded of its value.

This article is one such attempt to remind you of the importance of relationships. Never slight any of your fellow human beings, isn’t everyone unique? Are you bothered by your arrogant supervisor? Do you have a cranky boss? Are you humiliated by your own friends? Learn to forgive them. Try to mend your ways or just quit, if you felt they were wrong. However, do it in an amicable manner.

Remember, you might need a ‘go ahead’ nod from your ex-boss in the future. Your friends might come to your rescue, when you are in need of them. In case, you rush to their help in future, won’t you walk tall among your friends?

At the end of your life, all your achievements, property, knowledge, and other things might either pass on to others, or just perish with you. But you will feel proud to see the number of relationships, you have built over these years. Did you know your spiritual friends can accompany you after life?

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.   Luke 16:9

Why Prepare Yourself for Preschool Graduation Ceremonies

Today preschool graduations have become special occasions. Both preschool graduates and their parents are equally excited during these ceremonies.  As human beings every one of us would like to be the center of attraction when it comes to grand events. It’s true that physical appearance such as color or type of physique can’t be altered but there are certainly a few things that could make us look a lot better and more attractive.

Among the several things such as good facial and fine make-up that could boost up one’s personality, the attire one wears has a prominent role in escalating the personality. Preschool gowns are one the most important things that could make one look grand during the event. It is a well known fact that every one attending grand events such as the preschool graduations or commencement speeches would love to look smarter than others attending the event.

Even the slightest discomfort or a distortion at times can make one feel fish out of water. This could result in great embarrassment and even end up in frustration. This is why one should premeditate on the attire and make up that one is planning to wear on grand occasions like preschool graduation. Not only are today’s children smart enough to compare and contrast themselves but also the way their parents look.

It is important that parents should take good care in projecting themselves as good looking as possible during these events. Good looking and confident parents boost up the confidence of the preschoolers who then can make tremendous improvements in the way they carry themselves and perform during the events. It is common practice to freeze the precious moments of life in the form of photographs in order to cherish them at later part of the life. A carefully chosen attire and beautifully made up face would make the photos a treasure for life.

Today’s children have their own preferences and it is wise to provide them with what they want. Unless the school specifies a particular type of attire for preschool graduation, always go for those which the child prefers. Do not forget to purchase all of the accessories needed like ties, socks, stockings, or handkerchiefs that would match the attire. This would prevent you from last minute anxiety. Cost is often a great concern for middle class families when it comes to special occasions. Surprisingly, preschool graduation attire and accessories are available in a variety of affordable prices. All you need to do is shop around and find the best ones.

My debut as a lecturer

All was well until the ban on plastics was enforced! The tragic end of my five years of hard work had masked me with a melancholic countenance. Fortunately, my post graduation in English helped me in a career switchover. Thanks to my baby sister, who was then the head of the department. The principal of the college a soft hearted nun appointed me as a temporary staff in the college. Although an outstanding student in English with scores well over ninety percent at school and first class in master’s degree, I never thought would become a lecturer.

I was asked to attend to duty from the very next day of interview. I had planned to start my first teaching session with a short introduction of grammar and myself. In spite of me being good at answering grammatical questions, I never had the experience of standing in a dais. An uneasy feeling started to grip me right from the evening. I did not want to mess up things in the very first session and started preparing for the next day classes . While I was going through the grammar book, my attention strayed to thoughts about the students. My god! I was basically a shy, introvert person who feared talking to girls. Never in my life had I talked to a girl outside my family.

A thousand eyes will be watching me tomorrow, I thought. I hurriedly closed the book and prepared my costume for the first appearance as a lecturer. I chose the best suit I had and pressed them neatly, polished my shoes, cut my nails and made everything a bridegroom would do for the wedding day. I spent the whole of evening thinking of how to be smart. I even recited the whole of the lecture in front of the mirror to check if my countenance was pleasant. One great advantage I had was the pronunciation which gave me the confidence.

Next morning I got up early had a bath and dressed myself and got ready for the new job. Everything was alright as long as I was in the staff room. My sister entered the room and told me you have a class this hour and took me to a class room. I walked behind her as if a lamb taken to a slaughter house. By the time we reached the class room I was sweating profusely, on the contrary my sister was as cool as a cucumber. We entered the class room together. There were about fifty girls anxiously waiting for me. They had already gathered news about me. My sister just told them that I would be handling their English language class for about a month. She turned toward me and said now you can carry on. She noticed how nervous I was and came closer to me and said use your kerchief, you look terrible, saying so she left the class room. I got upon the dais and left the books I carried on the table and looked around.

The girls were silently observing my every move. As I lifted my head to see the audience the whole class room started spinning a second later I knew it wasn’t the class room but my head! My hand kerchief was already drenched. However, I gathered all my courage and started to speak to the curious listeners. I was chocking as I spoke and a girl from the rear desk said, sir louder please. As I tried to look at the place from where the voice had come but everything turned dark and I couldn’t see anything at all! It was only when I started to utter and mutter I knew I had forgotten all that I had rehearsed last evening. I felt fish out of water. Suddenly I got the idea, this being my first class I thought I could introduce myself to the students and started reciting the whole story which I had earlier told the principal during the interview.

I thought I could finish up the class without having to start the lessons, but the whole story lasted only for ten minutes and I had exhausted all I had to say about me.

Without second thoughts I said, well now it’s time to get serious and took my grammar book. I had placed bookmarks on the pages I thought I would teach during my first session. I also had some hand written notes inside my grammar book. As I opened it all of them fell to the floor and I hastily collected them all. I lost the page and didn’t know where to begin. Hurriedly I looked into the hand written notes and started reading them. Sir, said a girl from the first row. You are too fast can you please use the blackboard and explain a bit slowly? My heart was pounding faster than ever. Yes certainly said I.

I took a chalk piece and held it tight! Before I could reach board, the chalk piece was wet with my sweat. It wouldn’t write on the board! However, I pressed it with all my might and wrote a few sentences on the black board. I asked the students to take notes and started explaining the sentence patterns. Before I could make any clear statements at all the bell rang much to my relief! Thanks I said to the students, they responded with a cheerful thanks. As I was about to leave, I saw the writings on the black board. The markings had then dried and were looking as if words were painted on the board. They looked so ugly, and I felt terrible. Only then I noticed I had made a spelling mistake consistently three times. I rushed to wipe the board clean but to my dismay the markings won’t just go.

As I was rubbing the board as hard as possible, I noticed the commerce lecturer standing at the threshold patiently watching and waiting! Sorry I said these markings… she said it’s all right I’ll take care! I left the class and went to the staff room and told my sister that I shall start the classes from tomorrow and I also told her I need half-a-day leave. She smiled at me and said don’t worry, after all your maiden experience as a lecturer.

…to be continued…

Jonah and the whale

This is one of the many interesting stories in the Bible. There are lots of valuable lessons that ought to be learnt from Jonah!

Prophet Jonah was commanded by the Lord to instruct people of Nineveh. Lord spoke to Jonah and told him to go to Nineveh… (Jonah 1:2). He was assigned the task of warning Ninevites to repent from their worldly ways and turn toward the Lord.

Jonah was scared to face the wicked people of Nineveh and feared that they would harm him. So instead of going to Nineveh he boarded a ship that was bound to Tarshish. It was clear act of disobedience from what he was told to do. He was glad that he had cleverly relieved himself from the tough task assigned to him. He peacefully settled in the ship at the lowest berth.

However, his peace did not last long. There was a huge storm that tossed the ship wildly. All of the sailors on board were frightened and did not know how to act. While one wise man predicted that it might be the act of God. They were soon involved in the act of finding out the one who was responsible and began casting lots. Jonah was singled out and he had to admit his fault.

He volunteered to be thrown into the sea. Sailors did as he requested and there was a big whale waiting for Jonah. Jonah was safely swallowed by the whale and remained there for three days in the belly of the fish. He confessed his sin and prayed sincerely. On the third day the whale threw up Jonah very much alive on the shores of Nineveh, where he preached the word of God. Surprisingly the people turned their hearts toward God and saved themselves from the wrath of God!

Shopping beyond geographical boundaries

Internet has had a positive impact on our lives in the recent past. Take for example, most of us have switched over to the super fast emails from our traditional snail mails. Almost every part of our lives has in one way or the other included the use of internet some of the well known areas include banking, bill payments, exam results, news, or even sending greeting cards on special occasions. However, internet shopping too has its limitations. A good example where you have to rely on your neighborhood store is the landscaping services. If you live in Dallas you need to look for Dallas landscaping services that is in your locality.

On the other hand you need not be a citizen of a particular country in order to enjoy the best fruits that the technology of a country has to offer. Take for example you are planning to get your little angel a cute backpack on its first day of schooling and you do not want to compromise on the quality or brand. If you know that Stephen Joseph is the brand, when it comes to kids shopping, you need not necessarily reside at McKinney, Texas to enjoy the finest workmanship the company has to offer.

With just your laptop and internet connection you can place orders from the any corner of the world and get the best of the best at a price which you can never imagine. Not only is it true with kids backpack but also with all of the products that is available on sale through the website whether it is a personalized laundry bag or lunch totes.

Although online shopping is in vogue many haven’t come out of the traditional shopping practices due to the fear of getting low quality products from some corner of the world. Yes it is absolutely true since there are scams that scare the hell out of people. All you need to do is research a little before placing your orders. The best thing you could do is go for reputed brands that really care for their customers. If you are yet to begin your online shopping, visit the website and make your debut in internet shopping. After all Stephen Joseph is one of the most trusted brands. Try it next time and share your online shopping experience with us here.

Simple ways to health and wealth

Feeling good physically, mentally, and socially is the way to happy life. Mere absence of ailments does not mean a healthy life. In fact being healthy is an ongoing process that involves various factors. For example, to keep yourself physically healthy you need a proper diet, regular exercise and a few preventive measures. In order to keep yourself mentally healthy, you need to tune your mind every day. Some of the things you could do include meditation, reading good books, cultivating a positive attitude and the like. Even if keep your body and mind healthy you need to be socially active to keep yourself happy. Happiness is the key to long and healthy life.

Why should you lead a healthy life?

It is important to understand the purpose of your existence in this world in order to live a fruitful life. Most people think that they are wealth generating machines working harder everyday to create an empire to their future generations. However, you should understand that you are expected to live your life to the full before you plan hoarding heaps to your heirs. When it comes to the wealth in this world, your health is the best wealth you can earn. Body mind and soul are your most important assets. If you are healthy you can achieve your goals in life and feel great when you complete your journey of life.

Sedentary life style and health

Today most occupations require little human effort and this has compelled mankind to look for alternative sources to spend the excess calories that would otherwise be converted into fat. Some of the simple yet efficient ways to combat the sedentary life style include healthy diet and light exercises. This is why exercises and games have been a part and parcel of the education. While most people utilize their academic knowledge to prosper in life, they often forget the simple exercises and games they were taught at school. They either feel it as too simple or simply find no reason to continue it after schooling.

Physical exercise is as important as your academics if you wish to prosper in your health. Most healthy people do not recognize the kind of wealth they possess and take it for granted. I recommend that people should visit hospitals once a while because it would give them a better understanding of how important health is. The twin benefit of hospital visiting is that you can show you care for the fellow beings at the same time realize how gifted you are to be healthy.

While many talk about healthy living they dare not talk about healthy dying! Remember death is a transition to new life. If you wish to die a glorious death (don’t frown it is a fact and no one can escape or deny it) the only way is to live a healthy life. Health care is all about living gloriously and dying peacefully. Pay attention to your health and help the society and nation grow strong.

CO-EDUCATION IS A BOON

Introduction:

In the very ancient time education was a forbidden fruit for women.  Bharathiyar, the Tamil revolutionary poet gives voice for women’s education.  He advocated girls education by saying , people who are against women’s education are all gone.[Eatayum pengal thotuvathu themai yendru enni irrunthavar mainthuvittar]. Here he puts initiation for women’s literation. In days process women started to gain education as equal to man.  But some people feel that educating both genders in a same school is against our tradition, and it leads to immoral relationship. So the debate regarding the merits and demerits of co-education is still going on   .

Co – education – an overview:

Instructing both boys and girls under the same roof is defined as co-education.  This was first started at Ohio in 1833.  It was the role model for university of Iwoa, which is the first public institution to co-education started at 1855.  It was followed by many institutions especially religious colleges depend on this method for financial reasons.

Though girls and boys were admitted as equals they were not treated so at the beginning.  The following incident proves this.  In 1990s women of the American Association of university reported that while analysing comparatively girls are getting education in less quantity then boys, who are gaining more attention for disciplinary sack.

Plato, the Greek philosopher also supported co-education. In his opinion it leads to the good comradeship between boys and girls also it helps to their personality development. Students from co-education will have no shyness on opposite sex.  Plato feels that it is a very useful method to create people of both sexes as responsible citizens.  He was highly influenced by the co- education system in Sparta, a city in Greece there both gender were given equal academic and physical training.  Both were taught the art of fighting, horse riding, archery etc. This sort of treatment boost up the confidence in women thus they feel that they are no more inferior to men.

Merits in the system:

In co-education both are imparting education in same school and taught by same staff, so it is consider as an economic system.

Both boys and girls are living in the same society.  From their childhood if they study with their opposite sex each one can understand about others.  So that girls can get rid from their shyness and boy will stop teasing girls.

This system helps to healthy competition between boys and girls; sense of friendship grows between them.  There will be a balance in their personality development.  Especially boys behave decently in co-education rather than in all-boys school. Boys of co – education dresses very neatly, talk smoothly moreover they does not view women as a strange beings.

Co-education is mainly propagated for sociological reason also.  In   such institutions, every function like sports meet, seminar and literary association meetings, require participation of both sexes. Boys take hard physical activity in arranging, girls are being responsible for the domestic activities like decorating the hall, welcoming the guests and catering duties.  This teaches them their role in society.

This system improves pupils’ confidence and helps to know their limits in moving with opposite gender.  Moreover they can freely interact with opposite sex and there arouse competitive mind.

After completing school or college education they have to go to job.  In that working environment they may happen to work under a boss and colleague from their opposite sex.  In this circumstance, experience gained in co-education will give them helping hand.

Conclusion:

The society where we are living is consisting both male and female citizens. A family comprises of both male and female members.  All institutions like industries, hospitals, offices, medias are having  their staff in both sexes. What is strange in a school or colleges  consisting both boys and girls as its students?

Article contributed by Prof. Gomathi