what the story morning glory

US Startup Makes Butter from Carbon Dioxide There are many types of dairy alternatives on the market today, often made from things like nuts and soybeans. But have you heard they're now making butter from air? A US startup called Savor is working on a range of dairy alternatives made using something that exists all around us: carbon. Fats are made from chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Savor's process involves taking carbon — from, say, carbon dioxide — and adding heat and hydrogen to create chains that are combined with oxygen from air. This results in fat molecules, like the ones found in dairy and other animal products. Now, regular butter is about 80% fat — the rest is mostly water. So to make butter from its synthetic fat, Savor just adds water, as well as an emulsifier that keeps the liquids from separating, and rosemary oil for flavor and beta carotene for color. What does it taste like? "I couldn't believe I wasn't eating real butter," Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates wrote in a blog post earlier this year. Gates is one of Savor's investors. He wrote that "it tastes really good — like the real thing, because chemically it is." Savor has already run informal taste tests with small groups of people, and is working to get regulatory approval for its product in the US. But why butter? A 2021 study estimated that food production makes up about 35% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions — and Savor estimates that about 7% of greenhouse gas emissions are just from producing fat. But Savor's process, Gates wrote, doesn't release any greenhouse gases. He added that it uses no farmland and "less than a thousandth of the water that traditional agriculture does." Savor is focusing on butter to start with partly because its high price point makes it easier to compete on cost. But the startup later hopes to develop other products like milk, ice cream, cheese — even meat. Synthetic fats "may seem strange at first," Gates wrote. "But their potential to significantly reduce our carbon footprint is immense."

🧔🏻 Ali Baba and Forty Thieves The story takes place in Baghdad during the Abbasid era. Ali Baba and his elder brother Cassim are the sons of Ali Baba and forty thievesa merchant. After the death of their father, the greedy Cassim marries a wealthy woman and becomes well-to-do, building on their father's business - but Ali Baba marries a poor woman and settles into the trade of a woodcutter. One day Ali Baba is at work collecting and cutting firewood in the forest, and he happens to overhear a group of forty thieves visiting their treasure store. The treasure is in a cave, the mouth of which is sealed by magic. It opens on the words "Open, Simsim", and seals itself on the words "Close, Simsim". When the thieves are gone, Ali Baba enters the cave himself, and takes some of the treasure home. Ali Baba borrows his sister-in-law's scales to weigh this new wealth of gold coins. Unbeknownst to Ali, she puts a blob of wax in the scales to find out what Ali is using them for, as she is curious to know what kind of grain her impoverished brother-in-law needs to measure. To her shock, she finds a gold coin sticking to the scales and tells her husband, Ali Baba's rich and greedy brother, Cassim. Under pressure from his brother, Ali Baba is forced to reveal the secret of the cave. Cassim goes to the cave and enters with the magic words, but in his greed and excitement over the treasures forgets the magic words to get back out again. The thieves find him there, and kill him. When his brother does not come back, Ali Baba goes to the cave to look for him, and finds the body, quartered and with each piece displayed just inside the entrance of the cave to discourage any similar attempts in the future. Ali Baba brings the body home, where he entrusts Morgiana, a clever slave-girl in Cassim's household, with the task of making others believe that Cassim has died a natural death. First, Morgiana purchases medicines from an apothecary, telling him that Cassim is gravely ill. Then, she finds an old tailor known as Baba Mustafa whom she pays, blindfolds, and leads to Cassim's house. There, overnight, the tailor stitches the pieces of Cassims' body back together, so that no one will be suspicious. Ali and his family are able to give Cassim a proper burial without anyone asking awkward questions. The thieves, finding the body gone, realize that yet another person must know their secret, and set out to track him down. One of the thieves goes down to the town and comes across Baba Mustafa, who mentions that he has just sewn a dead man's body back together. Realizing that the dead man must have been the thieves' victim, the thief asks Baba Mustafa to lead the way to the house where the deed was performed. The tailor is blindfolded again, and in this state he is able to retrace his steps and find the house. The thief marks forty thieves the door with a symbol. The plan is for the other thieves to come back that night and kill everyone in the house. However, the thief has been seen by Morgiana and she, loyal to her master, foils his plan by marking all the houses in the neighborhood with a similar marking. When the 40 thieves return that night, they cannot identify the correct house and the head thief kills the lesser thief. The next day, another thief revisits Baba Mustafa and tries again, only this time, a chunk is chipped out of the stone step at Ali Baba's front door. Again Morgiana foils the plan by making similar chips in all the other doorsteps. The second thief is killed for his stupidity as well. At last, the head thief goes and looks for himself. This time, he memorizes every detail he can of the exterior of Ali Baba's house. The chief of the thieves pretends to be an oil merchant in need of Ali Baba's hospitality, bringing with him Forty thieves hiding in oil jarsmules loaded with thirty-eight oil jars, one filled with oil, the other thirty-seven hiding the other remaining thieves. Once Ali Baba is asleep, the thieves plan to kill him.

Let go of what you shouldn't keep ┈┈•◦ೋ•◦✮•◦ೋ•┈┄ Let go of people who don't belong in your life. What kind of people put you down. Let it go of the things you can't control. Let go of compromises(people or groups each give up something they want to reach an agreement or solution that everyone can accept). Let go of expectations. Let go of pessimism(always expect the worst to happen). Let go of negative thoughts. Let go of what weighs you down(feel burdened or stressed). Sometimes you must accept it. This may be something you don't want to happen or to hold on to. You'll find the strength in letting go of what you shouldn't keep. You must learn to let go of something instead of handgun on to it. This will be the hardest decision you will ever face, but it will be the greatest decision of your life. Do it for your own peace...

#Tony_Benn:_'The_Importance_of_Democracy'_(3) Another way would be to have a looser, wider Europe. I have an idea for a Commonwealth of Europe. I am introducing a bill on the subject. Europe would be rather like the British Common-wealth. We would work by consent with people. Or we could accept this ghastly proposal, which is clumsy, secretive, centralized, bureaucratic and divisive. That is how I regard the Treaty of Rome. I was born a European and I will die one. But I have never put my alliance behind the Treaty of Rome. I object to it. I hate being called an anti-European. How can one be anti-European when one is born in Europe? It is like saying that one is anti-British if one does not agree with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. What a lot of nonsense it is. I ask myself why the House is ready to contemplate abandoning its duties, as I fear that it is. I was elected forty-one years ago this month. This Chamber has lost confidence in democracy. It believes that it must be governed by someone else. It is afraid to use the powers entrusted to it by its constituents. It has traded power for status. One gets asked to go on the telly if one is a Member of Parliament. The Chamber does not want to use its power. It has accepted the role of a spectator and joined what Bagehot called the dignified part of the constitution, leaving the Crown, under the control of the Prime Minister, to be the Executive part. If democracy is destroyed in Britain it will be not the communists, Trotskyists or subversives but this House which threw it away. The rights that are entrusted to us are not for us to give away. Even if I agree with everything that is proposed, I cannot hand away powers lent to me for five years by the people of Chesterfield. I just could not do it. It would be theft of public rights. Therefore, there is only one answer. If people are determined to submit themselves to Jacques Delors, Madame Papandreou and the Council of Ministers, we must tell the people what is planned. If people vote for that, they will all have capitulated. Julius Caesar said, 'We are just merging our sovereignty.' So did William the Conqueror. It is not possible to support the Government's motion. I have told the Chief Whip that I cannot support the Labour motion. I invite the House to vote against the Government's motion and not to support a motion which purports to take us faster into a Community which cannot reflect the aspirations of those who put us here. That is not a nationalist argument nor is it about sovereignty. It is a democratic argument and it should be decisive in a democratic Chamber.

THE LOTTERY Joe was watching television when he heard a knock at the door. He thought, “Who could that be? It’s probably one of the naughty neighborhood children.” Joe stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw a beautiful woman. She said, “Good morning, Joe! I have great news. You’re the recipient of this check for one million dollars! You won the lottery!” Joe couldn’t believe it. His mind was overloaded with emotions. Joe said, “Thankyou! Thank you!” After he calmed down, Joe made a photocopy of the check in case he misplaced the original one. He sat and thought about what he wanted to do with the money. He didn’t want to spend it in an arbitrary way. Joe thought, “I know there are others who need this money more than I do. I’ve always loved animals, so I think I’ll buy things for the zoo!” Joe knew that the zoo was in bad shape. The cages were too small, and they weren’t insulated from the cold. Animals couldn’t thrive in such conditions. He took out some stationery and wrote a letter to the zoo. He offered to help the zoo buy huge cages for the large mammals and reptiles. He offered to buy healthy food for the orangutans to increase their longevity. He even said that he would buy new glass walls for the aquarium because the old ones were cracked. Joe’s act of philanthropy intrigued the zookeeper. He probed Joe to learn why he spent his money to improve the zoo. It wasn’t a social convention for a person to be so gracious. Joe told the zookeeper, “I know it’s not the norm, but my ultimate decision to help I these animals is better than anything I could have done for myself. If I ever write an autobiography, I will write that this was the happiest day of my life.”

One Giant Leap: The 1969 Moon Landing "The Eagle has landed," astronaut Neil Armstrong told mission controllers in Houston, Texas, where celebrations immediately began. These were Armstrong's second most famous words. He was speaking from the Eagle, the small spacecraft that landed the first two astronauts on the moon on July 20, 1969, during the US Apollo 11 mission. The moon landing was one of the biggest events of the 1960s, and a huge step forward in space travel. It gave the United States an advantage over the Soviet Union in the 20th century space race. Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon, leaving the spacecraft more than four days after it left Cape Kennedy — now Cape Canaveral — in Florida. "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind," Armstrong said as he took his first step onto the moon. He later said his most famous words were planned by him only after the Eagle had landed on the moon. Armstrong and the second astronaut who stepped on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, walked around for two-and-a-half hours. They collected rocks to take back to Earth, took photographs, and left behind a US flag. About 650 million people around the world watched the moonwalk on TV. At the time, it was the largest television audience ever. Armstrong and Aldrin became global celebrities. After the successful mission, Armstrong praised the "300,000 or 400,000 people" — scientists, computer experts, doctors and many others — whose work over 10 years had made the moon landing possible.

RICH AND POOR One day, a rich dad took his son on a trip to a village. He wanted to show him how poor someone can be. They spent time on the farm of a poor family. On their return from the trip, the father asked his son: "How was the trip?" "It was great, dad!" answered the son. "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh, yes!" said the son. "So, tell me what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "We have one dog, they have four; we have a pool, they have rivers; we have tube lights at night, they have stars; we buy foods, they grow theirs; we have walls to protect us, they have friends; we have television, they spend time with family and relatives. The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added: "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are!" Moral of story: "It is not about money that makes us rich, it's simplicity, love, compassion, friendship, values, family, that makes us rich!"

'Night Owls' May Have Better Brains There's an old English saying that goes: "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." But according to a recent study, "late to bed and late to rise" may actually be better for your brain — though researchers didn't check if it does anything for your health or your wallet. A study published in BMJ Public Health looked at data from nearly 27,000 people who reported how long they slept, and whether they were a "morning lark" — someone who wakes up early — or a "night owl," who sleeps late. The participants, aged between 53 and 86, also did cognitive tests that checked their reasoning, memory, and how quickly they could process information. It was found that night owls performed best on the cognitive tests — ahead of those who described themselves as neither morning people nor night people. And morning larks had the lowest cognitive scores of all. People's bodies have times when they naturally prefer to sleep. And Raha West of Imperial College London, the study's lead author, said that while it's possible to gradually shift your sleeping times, it's very difficult to completely change from a morning person to a night person. However, she also said the results just show the trend, and not the truth for every individual. The authors also noted that their results, which focused on older adults, contrasted with past research on adolescents, which found that young morning larks actually had better health and better mental well-being. Speaking to The Guardian, Jacqui-Ann Hanley of Alzheimer’s Research UK, who wasn't involved with the study, also said it isn't clear if being a morning person leads to poorer cognitive results in older adults, or if the weaker cognitive abilities that come with aging just make people get up earlier. The study also found that people generally got better cognitive scores if they reported sleeping between seven and nine hours each night.

Whispers of the Sky Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between green hills and clear streams in Japan, there lived a little girl named Sakura. Sakura had a heart full of dreams and a smile that could brighten the darkest day. She loved playing in the fields and drawing pictures of the flowers and birds she saw. One sunny afternoon, Sakura decided to join the village children in a game of hide-and-seek. Everyone was excited, but Sakura was nervous. She had never played this game with so many kids before. As she tried to find a good hiding spot, she overheard some older kids whispering and laughing. "Look at her," one of them said. "She won't be any good. She's too slow." The words stung Sakura like a bee. She felt a lump in her throat and her eyes began to water. Even though she tried her best to hide, the words kept echoing in her mind. "Too slow," "not good enough." She didn't enjoy the game at all and went home feeling sad. That evening, Sakura's grandmother, who was wise and kind, noticed her sadness. She sat next to Sakura and gently asked, "What's wrong, dear?" Sakura told her everything about the game and the harsh words. Her grandmother listened carefully and then said, "Words have power, Sakura. They can hurt us deeply, but they can also lift us up. Let's try something different." The next day, Sakura's grandmother took her to the village square. She had a bag full of colorful balloons and a marker. She handed a balloon and the marker to Sakura and said, "Write a kind word on this balloon." Sakura thought for a moment and wrote "Kind" on the balloon. Her grandmother smiled and said, "Now, let it go." As the balloon floated into the sky, Sakura felt a little lighter. They continued this with other balloons, writing words like "Brave," "Strong," and "Loved." With each balloon that soared into the air, Sakura's heart felt a bit more healed. The village children gathered around, curious about the balloons. Sakura's grandmother explained, "Just as harsh words can hurt, kind words can heal and lift us up. Let's fill the sky with kindness." Inspired, the children began writing kind words on balloons and letting them go. The sky above the village was soon dotted with colorful balloons, each carrying a message of hope and kindness. Sakura felt a warmth in her heart as she saw the smiles on everyone's faces. From that day on, the village children were more careful with their words. They realized how much power their words had and chose to use them for good. Sakura, too, grew more confident and happy, knowing that she was surrounded by kind and supportive friends. And so, the village learned a valuable lesson: words can hurt, but they can also heal. By choosing kindness, they made their world a brighter, happier place for everyone.

🌻🌻Reading practice 🌻🌻 Life is a journey, not a destination. Every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow, to explore new horizons and to become the best version of yourself. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you will be unstoppable. Don't let fear hold you back from pursuing your dreams, and don't let doubt creep in when the road ahead seems uncertain. Take risks, work hard, and stay focused on your goals. Remember, success is not final and failure is not fatal - it's the courage to continue that counts. So, keep pushing forward, even when the journey gets tough, and stay positive, stay motivated, and always keep a smile on your face. With determination and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals. You have the power to create the life you want, to make your dreams a reality, and to become the person you've always wanted to be. You got this!

Prison for S. Korean Man Who Sold English Test Answers A man in South Korea has been sent to prison for three years for selling answers to English proficiency tests. A 27-year-old with the surname Hong was found to have sold answers to 18 people 23 times between July 2021 and October 2022. According to The Korea Herald that he made 80 million won — that's more than $57,500 — from selling answers to parts of TOEIC tests. The Test of English for International Communication is used across South Korea, and getting good results is very important for students wanting to get into college and graduate from university. The court in Seoul said that his actions had been planned in detail. He began by posting an advert on social media. Hong had been working as a tutor, and he would sit for the tests himself. During the break, he would leave the room to go to the bathroom where he had hidden his mobile phone. He would then take photos of the answers, which he had written down, and send them to people who had paid him to help them cheat. Some of those people had also hidden their phones in the bathroom. Others, who were not able to use their phones, asked to have the answers written on a piece of paper and left in the bathroom. People had paid between 1.5 million and 5 million won — $1,000 to $3,600 — to get these answers. All those who had cheated on the tests were given fines of up to 10 million won — $7,200 — by the court. The TOEIC committee banned them from taking the test for five years. The court also seized more than 76 million won — $55,000 — that Hong had made from the cheating.

Read and record 🎙🎤 An Unexpected Adventure One sunny morning, I decided to take a day off from work and explore the nearby forest. I packed some snacks, a bottle of water, and a map, and set off on my adventure. As I walked deeper into the forest, I enjoyed the fresh air and the sound of birds singing. After an hour of hiking, I noticed a narrow, hidden path that wasn't on my map. Curious, I decided to follow it. The path led me to a beautiful, hidden waterfall. The water was crystal clear, and the scene was breathtaking. I took a few moments to enjoy the view and take some photos. Suddenly, I heard a faint cry for help. I followed the sound and found a young woman who had twisted her ankle and couldn't walk. She was relieved to see me and asked for my help. I used my phone to call for assistance, but there was no signal. Thinking quickly, I fashioned a makeshift splint from sticks and my scarf to support her ankle. Together, we slowly made our way back to the main path. It was challenging, but we kept each other motivated. After a long walk, we finally reached a spot with a phone signal and called for help. Rescue arrived soon after, and the woman was taken to the hospital. She thanked me for my help and bravery. This unexpected adventure taught me the importance of staying prepared and helping others in need. It was a day I will never forget, full of excitement and a sense of achievement.

Why Volunteering Can Be So Good for Our Health After retiring from his job as a teacher, Jeff Kellert began volunteering as a tutor and helped at his synagogue. Later, he volunteered with the National Mental Health Alliance, an organization for the family members of people with mental illness. Altogether, the 71-year-old volunteers for about 30 hours a month. The experience keeps him active, but just as important, he said, it has led to new friendships and a sense of purpose he never expected after retiring. Volunteering may also help him live longer, providing what various studies have shown are a variety of health and psychological benefits. Jacquelyn Stephens, a developmental-health psychologist, said volunteering would be good even if it didn't have so many benefits. "But it just so happens that it does, and especially for older adults," she said. Eric S. Kim, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia Vancouver, said his research has found a connection between volunteering and more positive emotions, less loneliness and more social support. It's not just older adults who benefit, though they are the most-studied group. There are indications that volunteering helps high school students too. Stephens noted that some types of volunteer opportunities, like loading boxes at a food bank, include physical activity. But the work doesn't have to be physical to be beneficial, she said. The only risk, she said, is not to do too much — volunteering shouldn't be stressful. She added that anyone interested in volunteering should begin by reaching out to their social network to learn about opportunities that others have enjoyed. Kellert recommended simply searching online for "volunteer opportunities in my town."

🎤🎤 read and record 🎤🎤 "Rags to runway" is a phrase that often describes inspiring stories of individuals who rise from humble beginnings to achieve great success in the fashion industry. Here's a brief story illustrating this concept: Rags to Runway: The Journey of a Self-Made Fashion Icon Maria Hernandez grew up in a small, impoverished village in Mexico. From a young age, she was fascinated by fashion, often creating clothes for her dolls from whatever scraps of fabric she could find. Despite her family's financial struggles, Maria's mother recognized her talent and passion, encouraging her to pursue her dreams. At 18, Maria moved to New York City with little more than a sewing kit and a head full of dreams. She worked various low-paying jobs to support herself while taking night classes in fashion design. Her big break came when a small boutique owner noticed her unique designs and offered to display a few pieces in the store. Maria's creations quickly caught the eye of fashionistas and influencers, leading to her first big order from a renowned fashion house. Over the years, Maria's designs have graced the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Her journey from a small village to the pinnacle of the fashion world serves as an inspiring testament to her hard work, resilience, and creativity. Today, Maria is not only a celebrated designer but also a mentor to young talents from underprivileged backgrounds, helping them find their path in the competitive fashion industry. Maria's story embodies the "rags to runway" narrative, showing how determination and passion can transform lives and create legacies. 

🎤🎤 read and record 🎤🎤 "Rags to runway" is a phrase that often describes inspiring stories of individuals who rise from humble beginnings to achieve great success in the fashion industry. Here's a brief story illustrating this concept: Rags to Runway: The Journey of a Self-Made Fashion Icon Maria Hernandez grew up in a small, impoverished village in Mexico. From a young age, she was fascinated by fashion, often creating clothes for her dolls from whatever scraps of fabric she could find. Despite her family's financial struggles, Maria's mother recognized her talent and passion, encouraging her to pursue her dreams. At 18, Maria moved to New York City with little more than a sewing kit and a head full of dreams. She worked various low-paying jobs to support herself while taking night classes in fashion design. Her big break came when a small boutique owner noticed her unique designs and offered to display a few pieces in the store. Maria's creations quickly caught the eye of fashionistas and influencers, leading to her first big order from a renowned fashion house. Over the years, Maria's designs have graced the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Her journey from a small village to the pinnacle of the fashion world serves as an inspiring testament to her hard work, resilience, and creativity. Today, Maria is not only a celebrated designer but also a mentor to young talents from underprivileged backgrounds, helping them find their path in the competitive fashion industry. Maria's story embodies the "rags to runway" narrative, showing how determination and passion can transform lives and create legacies.

Rolling Stone India - July 2024 Overview: Founded by the legendary Jann Wenner four decades ago in San Francisco, Rolling Stone is not just the world’s greatest music magazine, but also a global cultural icon. Published in 15 countries, it is the pop culture reference point for more than 12 million young adults around the world, who come to the magazine every month for the same reasons as a previous generation: to be informed, to be inspired, to form an opinion, to develop an attitude and, of course, to Rock & Roll. Rolling Stone’s sphere of influence reaches across music, entertainment, movies, television, fashion, technology and national affairs. Rolling Stone covers everything that’s important, rendsetting, and newsworthy to the thought leaders among young adults. Rolling Stone is one of the best known brands among the youth around the world.

History of India and Indian Mythology: An Enthralling Guide to Major Civilizations, Empires, Events, People Two manuscripts in one book History of India: An Enthralling Overview of Significant Civilizations, Empires, Events, People, and Religion Indian Mythology: An Enthralling Overview of Myths, Gods, and Goddesses from India India has an amazing history, from some of the world’s earliest civilizations to its contemporary high-tech culture and a huge diversity of religions, arts, and people. In the first part of this book, you will discover How National Highway 1 goes all the way back to the Mauryan Empire! The importance of nonviolence in Indian culture How just 20,000 British officials ruled a population of millions How the illiterate emperor Akbar headed a huge revival of art and scholarship, mixing Hindu, Muslim, Jain, and even Christian influences Why only ten of the eleven Sikh gurus were actual people—and who the eleventh guru is How India exported Buddhism to the world India’s intense artistic heritage, from rock-cut temples and acutely observant Mughal miniatures to Anish Kapoor’s contemporary abstracts Why a Sikh maharaja ended up as an English landowner and friend of Queen Victoria How a film actress became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state How to escape jail in a basket of sweets

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published Successful essayist, columnist, writing instructor, and editor Estelle Erasmus will show you how to find your voice, write stellar pieces, and get published. In real-world, experience-based chapters, she coaches you to • mine your life for ideas and incubate those ideas • choose the perfect format — essay, op-ed, feature article, and more • research publications and follow editor etiquette • craft a perfect pitch • protect your psyche from rejection • revise your work for maximum impact • deliver what you promise, protect your work, and get paid

Top 5 Books for Easy Reading and Relaxation Here's a list of our top 5 books that are perfect for cozying up with. "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg Dive into a small, welcoming American town where everyone knows each other, kids roam free, and the Whistle Stop Cafe is the heart of the community. This beautiful tale of love, humor, and a touch of melancholy will make your evening wonderfully warm. "The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur A beautifully illustrated poetry collection that explores themes of growth, healing, and the resilience of the human spirit. Perfect for a reflective and soothing read. "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" by Fredrik Backman Emotionally powerful and warmly humorous, this story follows Elsa, a seven-year-old girl, as she embarks on an adventure to untangle her grandmother's past. Heartfelt and moving, it’s a retreat for your soul. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho This timeless novel will inspire you with its tale of a young shepherd’s journey to find his personal legend. Filled with wisdom and magic, it’s an enchanting read that will leave you feeling uplifted. "The Flatshare" by Beth O'Leary A delightful romantic comedy about two individuals sharing a flat, but never meeting. Their quirky arrangement leads to unexpected love. Light-hearted and utterly charming, it’s perfect for a relaxed evening. Have a good reading ❤️

#Weekly_Wisdom August 8, 2024 “Even sitting down and responding to a text message feels difficult. I just can’t focus anymore.” Being in a constant state of information overload isn’t a natural way to live. I want you to take a journey down memory lane… To remember a time when the first thing you did every morning wasn’t reach for your phone. What was your life like before you had a mini computer in your back pocket at all hours of the day? My bet is that you spent more time in nature. You weren’t constantly checking your email. You definitely weren’t mindlessly opening Instagram throughout the day as a “mental break.” I have a feeling you had less anxiety, too. Constant communication wasn’t an option, so when you couldn’t get in touch with someone, you didn’t panic or feel uneasy. You just let it be. And maybe the most important point of all… You didn’t have unlimited access to information every minute of every day. Your brain had time and space to rest and feel at peace. The truth is that the way our society operates today just isn’t normal or easy. When you’re flooded with information daily–– whether that be from the news, your work, or your friends–– it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Of course we feel anxious. Of course we feel paralyzed. Of course we can’t seem to stay on top of our messages. Our brains were never designed to process this constant bombardment of negative headlines and toxic social media posts. You are living in a way that quite literally no other human being on earth has ever been expected to live. If our ancestors knew how much of our lives center around these tiny information devices, I’m sure they would be amazed. I also think they would feel a little sad for us. So, my advice to you is… It’s okay if you leave some message unread and unanswered. It’s okay if you take a few days to answer your friends. It’s okay if you turn off your phone (for as long as you need). Your brain and mental health will thank you.

A real story of a philosopher: Socrates used to wake up late every morning while he was sleeping. His Mother was pretty worked up and bored of Socrate's monotonous habit everyday. She decided to go to the school with socrates, and inform the teacher to tell socrates a story about the benefits of getting wake up soon in the morning that would perhaps help him to kick that habit. Socrates was just a child. The teacher said: socrates pay attention dear, We have two birds, One of them is an early bird that wakes up soon at the crack dawn & wee hours in the morning it reaches fruitful food and eats worms also it takes home back food to its youngs. And the second bird wakes up late every morning it can't reach any food or ants or worms, and it can't even take food back to its youngs. The teacher said: So, What did you learn from this story? Socrates Answered said: Teacher I learnt that if the worms and ants wake up soon in the mornings they will be eaten by the birds.

The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication Larger social networks can increase feelings of happiness and positive health behaviors. For many social media users, their online networks are a way to strengthen real-life interactions. However, we should be cautious about placing too much faith in them. Although there might be a certain satisfaction or comfort derived from having more virtual friends or followers, studies suggest a larger online social network is neither associated with having a larger offline network nor with feeling emotionally closer to one’s offline networks. There are logical reasons for this. The human brain is set up to maintain around five deep relationships, excluding family, which act as support in times of stress and need. People are largely incapable of maintaining relationships beyond acquaintance status thereafter. There is a literal limit on how many friends our brain can handle. Human communication is about far more than just the words of the conversation. Voice tonality, eye contact, body language, and facial expressions are critical elements of communication. Face-to-face conversations activate areas of the brain fundamental to social reasoning and trigger the release of oxytocin, an evolutionary chemical produced in the brain that is critical to relationship development. Oxytocin and social reasoning - our ability to interpret facial expressions, body position, and emotional states - act as the foundation of everything we value in a friendship, such as trust, empathy, and advice. By replacing, rather than supplementing, real world interactions with virtual ones, some social media users are sacrificing these foundational blocks of their friendships.

9⃣ Reasons why you need to believe in yourself.👇 1⃣.Believing in yourself will boost your confidence which enables you to bring on new challenges and seize opportunities. 2⃣. When you believe in yourself, you have the courage to keep going even when your back is against the wall and you’re faced with setbacks. 3⃣. When you believe in yourself, you trust yourself. You rely on your decision making with confidence. 4⃣. Believing in your abilities, will give you the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and pursue new skills. 5⃣. When you believe in yourself, you have better mental health because you have less self-doubt and anxiety. 6⃣. When you have a strong belief in yourself will often lead to positive outcomes and positive thinking. This leads to favorable circumstances and opportunities. 7⃣. When you’re confident in yourself, you inspire others and motivate people around you, a positive ripple effect. 8⃣. When you believe in yourself, you are more productive because you believe in your capabilities and your focus leads to higher productivity and better results. 9⃣. Believing in yourself builds independence because it fosters a sense of reliability on yourself rather than seeking constant validation from others.

 🍃One day Anne ran cool water over one of Helen’s hands and made the symbolic motion for water on the other. It was a breakthrough. For the first time in her life, she realized that everything had a name. After that, Keller’s appetite for new words was insatiable. 🍃Under her teacher’s wing, Keller blossomed. Anne taught her to communicate in a unique way by spelling words rhythmically on the palm of her hand. 🍃She eventually learned to ‘hear’ by reading people’s lips with her heightened sense of touch. She also became proficient in braille. She could even enjoy music by feeling the vibrations with her hand. 🍃She graduated from Harvard University and went on to become a world-famous speaker and author of 12 books. 🍃From 1946 to 1957, she visited 35 countries and met every U.S. President from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson. 🍃Keller was also a committed socialist and anarchist. She believed in equality and respect for all. She felt her own world of deafness and blindness paled in comparison to the dark injustices of the world outside. 🍃Keller wrote, “My darkness had been filled with the light of intelligence. Meanwhile, the outer day-lit world was stumbling and groping in social blindness.” 🍃Anne Sullivan died in 1936. Keller was holding the hand of her beloved teacher and companion at the moment of death. It was the end of a beautiful relationship of 49 years. Keller died in 1968 aged 87. 🍃Helen Keller’s legacy is immense. She was a woman who could not hear, but learned to speak. She was a woman who could not see, yet she shared her vision through the miracle of language. Vocabulary: fall ill: become very sick breakthrough: a discovery that helps improve or solve a problem under someone’s wing: to be protected and taught by someone blossom: develop; do very well pale in comparison: not as serious when compared to something else; not as good as

THE ANGEL OF YANGTZE BRIDGE 🌿The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is a suicide hotspot. Since it was first built in 1968, over 2,000 people have jumped to their deaths from the bridge. 🌿In 2000, Chen Si was in a bus traveling across the imposing structure when he saw a woman crying on the footpath. Fearing the worst, he left the bus and ran over to her. 🌿The woman told Mr. Chen she was at her wit’s end. She had not eaten for days and had no money. She felt the only answer was to jump. Mr. Chen convinced her otherwise and talked her down. 🌿Saving a life changed Mr. Chen’s life too. He explained that it made him realize that the kindness of a stranger could make a difference. 🌿Several years passed, and Mr. Chen read more articles about people jumping off the bridge. Some days three or four people would end their lives in this way. They appeared to be mostly migrant workers. 🌿As the son of a migrant worker, Mr. Chen sympathized with them. He knew what it was like to be an outsider.

🅾 CONNECTION INCREASES LONGEVITY According to one survey, a whopping 80% of millennials say that one of their greatest desires is to have a lot of money. And 50% want to be famous. Are they on to something or is this desire misguided? According to a Harvard University study on human health and happiness, In 1928, researchers started tracking the lives of a group of 724 men from all walks of life. They are still following the lives of the 60 surviving members today. Their wives and children (2,000 of them!) are now part of the study as well. With the wealth of information that they gathered, they came to some very important conclusions. Three things stand out. First, social connections increase our happiness, physical health, and lifespan. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 Americans says that they are lonely. Second, it’s not about the number of social connections one has, it’s about the quality of those relationships. They found that the men who were most satisfied in their relationships at 50 years old were the healthiest at 80 years old. In fact, relationship quality was a better indicator of future health than the usual things, like cholesterol. Not only that, at 80 years, people’s aches and pains affected their moods less if they were in a happy relationship. Third, having good relationships affected their brains too. The men who felt they could count on their partners when times got hard, had sharper memories as they grew older. Robert Waldinger, the fourth director of this 80-year-old study, is quick to point out that a good, satisfying relationship does not mean that the couple doesn’t fight. Often, there was plenty of bickering within the healthy couples. But they knew they would be there for each other. And it’s not just romantic relationships that matter. Family, friends, and community are important too. Recent studies provide some insight into how to maintain healthy relationships. Relationship satisfaction tends to be higher when you express gratitude for your partner. Open communication, even about the hard things, is also connected to healthy relationships. And, it’s important to make time for play! Couples who experience exciting and enjoyable activities together, tend to stay together.

🅾 THE BLIND AND DEAF CHILD WHO WAS LIBERATED BY LANGUAGE If you are blind you still have the window of your ears, and if you are deaf you can listen through your eyes. Helen Keller could neither see nor hear. Yet miraculously she found her salvation through language. Keller was the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree. Her autobiography, The Story of My Life, was once on the reading list of most American schools. She earned renown as an activist for women’s suffrage, socialism, and antimilitarism. Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880. A few months from her second birthday, she fell seriously ill. Doctors said it might be scarlet fever or meningitis. The only certain thing about Keller’s illness was it robbed her of both her ears and eyes. She would never see or hear again. At a young age, Helen was sent to Perkins Institute for the Blind. She was placed in the care of a blind teacher named Anne Sullivan. One day Anne ran cool water over one of Helen’s hands and made the symbolic motion for water on the other. It was a breakthrough. For the first time in her life, she realized that everything had a name. After that, Keller’s appetite for new words was insatiable. Under her teacher’s wing, Keller blossomed. Anne taught her to communicate in a unique way by spelling words rhythmically on the palm of her hand. She eventually learned to ‘hear’ by reading people’s lips with her heightened sense of touch. She also became proficient in braille. She could even enjoy music by feeling the vibrations with her hand. She graduated from Harvard University and went on to become a world-famous speaker and author of 12 books. From 1946 to 1957, she visited 35 countries and met every U.S. President from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson. Keller was also a committed socialist and anarchist. She believed in equality and respect for all. She felt her own world of deafness and blindness paled in comparison to the dark injustices of the world outside. Keller wrote, “My darkness had been filled with the light of intelligence. Meanwhile, the outer day-lit world was stumbling and groping in social blindness.” Anne Sullivan died in 1936. Keller was holding the hand of her beloved teacher and companion at the moment of death. It was the end of a beautiful relationship of 49 years. Keller died in 1968 aged 87. Helen Keller’s legacy is immense. She was a woman who could not hear, but learned to speak. She was a woman who could not see, yet she shared her vision through the miracle of language. 💥Vocabulary💥 🛑 fall ill: become very sick 🛑 breakthrough: a discovery that helps improve or solve a problem 🛑 under someone’s wing: to be protected and taught by someone 🛑 blossom: develop; do very well 🛑 pale in comparison: not as serious when compared to something else; not as good as

👉 The Grumpy Tree There was once a grumpy tree. It was the biggest tree in the forest, and it didn’t need its shadow for anything. However, the tree would never share its shadow with any of the animals, and wouldn’t let them come anywhere near. One year, the autumn and winter were terrible, and the tree, without its leaves, was going to die of cold. A little girl, who went to live with her grandma that winter, found the tree shivering, so she went to get a great big scarf to warm the tree up. The Spirit of the Forest appeared and told the little girl why that tree was so solitary, and why no one would help him. Even so, the girl decided to put the scarf on the tree. The next springtime, the tree had learned from the girl’s generosity, and when she sat next to the trunk the tree bent down to shade her from the sun. The Spirit of the Forest saw this and went to tell all the animals. He told them that from then on they would be able to shade themselves well, because the tree had learned that having kind and generous beings around makes the world a much better place to live in.

📖 Story of the Day: The Magic Key One sunny afternoon, Lily found an old, rusty key in her attic. Curious, she asked her mother about it. Her mother revealed that it was a magic key, said to open a secret door in their garden. Excited, Lily searched the garden and discovered a hidden door covered in ivy. With trembling hands, she inserted the key and turned it. The door creaked open to reveal a beautiful, enchanted garden filled with talking animals and sparkling flowers. Lily spent the afternoon exploring this magical place, making new friends and marveling at the wonders around her. As the sun began to set, she knew it was time to return home but promised to visit the secret garden every day. She closed the door behind her and carefully hid the key, eager for her next adventure in the enchanted garden. 📝 Questions: 1. What did Lily find in the attic? 2. Where did Lily use the key? 3. What did Lily find behind the hidden door? 4. What promise did Lily make to herself? We'd love to see your answers in the comments! And why not try reading this story out loud? Send us a recording of your reading to join our community challenge. Let’s inspire each other and grow together in our love for reading. 📚✨ Happy reading, and don't forget to like and share this post with your friends who love a good story! 👍🌈✨

Here’s the translation of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh's advice to the youth: 1. Turn failure into success: Failure is not the end; it's a new opportunity. 2. Never stop trying: True failure only happens when you stop trying. 3. Keep working continuously: Just as your heart never stops beating, you should never stop working. 4. Work hard during the day: To enjoy a peaceful sleep, you must tire yourself out with hard work. 5. Embrace suffering: Suffering is a blessing because it’s an opportunity to overcome it. 6. Be optimistic: Optimism brings luck, so believe that you are the source of luck. 7. Happiness is a decision: Decide to be happy, and you will be. 8. Self-education is crucial: While formal education is useful, self-education is even better. 9. Never stop learning: Always be a student and never cease to learn. 10. Use technology: Make information and communication technology your tools in all your endeavors. 11. Don’t retire: The word "retirement" means "death" and "sitting down," so never retire. 12. Forgive but don’t forget: Forgive your opponents, but don’t forget them. If you have no critics, you are failing. 13. Focus on your work, not criticism: I have never responded to critics because I am busy with my work while they are busy criticizing me. 14. Seek excellence and leadership: Resist the instinct to follow the crowd; seek leadership and innovation. 15. Surpass yourself: Look within yourself to find and exceed your potential. 16. Innovation or extinction: You have two options: innovate or perish. 17. Learn from experiences: In school, we learn lessons and take exams; in work, we face exams and learn lessons. 18. Success is a decision: Success is not an option; it’s a decision you must fulfill. 19. Work more than you’re paid for: If you do, you’ll find your pay will become greater than your work. Finally, achieve all of this with love, as it is the most powerful weapon. Be loving, and you will be loved, and it’s better to be loved than to be great.

🐜The Ant and The Dove🕊 On a hot day of summer, an ant was searching for some water. After walking around for some time, she came near the river. To drink the water, she climbed up on a small rock. While trying to drink a water, she slipped and fell into the river. There was a dove sitting on a branch of a tree who saw an ant falling into the river. The dove quickly plucked a leaf and dropped it into the river near the struggling ant. The ant moved towards the leaf and climbed up onto it. Soon, the leaf drifted to dry ground, and the ant jumped out. She looked up to the tree and thanked the dove. Later, the same day, a bird catcher nearby was about to throw his net over the dove hoping to trap it. An ant saw him and guessed what he was about to do. The dove was resting and he had no idea about the bird catcher. An ant quickly bit him on the foot. Feeling the pain, the bird catcher dropped his net and let out a light scream. The dove noticed it and quickly flew away. Moral: If you do good, good will come to you. One good turn deserves another.🍀

Tiny Tina Tiny Tina In a distant land, there was a kingdom where fairies lived. Tina was a fairy. She had yellow curls and wore a dress made of wool. She always moved with grace. However, because of her compact size, she was scared of mankind. One day, there was an eclipse of the sun. The fairies didn’t know what was happening. They were scared, so they ran away. Tina looked for a place to hide. She found a garden with flowers blooming. Tina had a passion for flowers. She decided to hide there. She became sleepy and made a pillow with some leaves. She whistled happily as she worked, and she fell asleep. Suddenly, somebody sneezed. The sound woke Tina up. She saw a very big face looking at her! Tina was so scared that she couldn’t move. She could feel her pulse going very fast. The big woman went into her house. When she came back, she gave Tina a cup. The woman sat on the ground among some decaying leaves. Tina dipped a finger in the cup and tasted it. It was tea with all kinds of delicious spices in it. Tina felt refreshed after drinking the tea. “ I’m Wilma,” the lady said. “ I spend all my leisure time in my garden cutting flowers. Would you like some dessert?” Tina said yes. She was hungry, and she wasn’t frightened anymore. She took a bite of cake and relaxed. “ How did you get to my garden?” Tina told Wilma how she got lost. “That’s terrible! Let us take you home.” “Actually, I think that I want to stay with you,” Tina said. She wasn’t scared of big people anymore. Wilma and Tina lived happily ever after.

Selma and the Thousand Worries In a tiny Swiss village, tucked away in the Alps, lived a young woman named Selma. She was the kind of person who could brighten a room just by walking into it. Her friend Urs, a cheerful mountain guide, often joked that she was the sun in everyone’s sky. But despite her sunny demeanor, Selma had a secret weighing her down. She carried a small leather pouch wherever she went, and it never left her side. This pouch held her "Thousand Worries"—tiny pebbles she had collected over the years. Each pebble represented a fear or doubt she couldn't shake off. As they say, she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Selma worried about everything: her aging parents, the future of the village, her friends' health, and even things beyond her control, like the weather and the state of the world. She believed that by holding onto these worries, she could keep them in check. But in truth, the more she held onto them, the heavier they became—she was making a mountain out of a molehill. One crisp autumn morning, as the first snowflakes began to fall, Selma met Urs by the river. They had planned a hike, hoping the fresh air would do Selma some good. As they climbed the steep path, Urs noticed that Selma seemed to be struggling more than usual. "What's eating you, Selma?" he asked, his face full of concern. Selma hesitated but then decided to spill the beans. She opened her pouch and showed Urs the pebbles. "These are my worries," she said. "I've carried them for so long that I don't know how to let them go." Urs looked at the pebbles and then at Selma. He smiled kindly and said, "Selma, these pebbles are just rocks. They only have as much power as you give them." He picked up one of the pebbles and held it up. "What does this one represent?" Selma sighed. "That's the worry I have about my parents' health." "And has worrying made them any healthier?" Urs asked. Selma shook her head. "No, it hasn’t." Without a second thought, Urs tossed the pebble into the river. "Let it go, Selma. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow and trust that things will work out." Selma was taken aback but also felt a sense of relief. She picked up another pebble, representing her fear of the future, and tossed it into the water. One by one, she let her worries drift away, realizing that she had been barking up the wrong tree by holding onto them. By the time they reached the summit, Selma's pouch was empty. She felt like a new person, as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. As they stood at the top, taking in the breathtaking view, Urs said, "Life will always throw curveballs at us, Selma. But we can choose to carry our worries or let them roll off our backs like water off a duck’s back. The key is to live in the moment, with hope and courage." From that day on, Selma stopped collecting pebbles. Instead, she started collecting moments of joy, gratitude, and love. Life still had its ups and downs, but Selma faced each day with a lighter heart, knowing that no matter how many worries came her way, she could always let them go. And so, in that peaceful Swiss village, Selma and Urs continued their journey, learning to let bygones be bygones, enjoying the simple pleasures of each day. The moral of the story is worries, like pebbles, can weigh us down if we carry them for too long. It's important to learn when to let go and trust that life will take care of itself. Instead of collecting worries, collect moments of joy, and you'll find life much lighter and brighter.

👥Father Son Conversation Once day, father was doing some work and his son came and asked, “Daddy, may I ask you a question?” Father said, “Yeah sure, what it is?” So his son asked, “Dad, how much do you make an hour?” Father got bit upset and said, “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” Son said, “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” So, father told him that “I make Rs. 500 per hour.” “Oh”, the little boy replied, with his head down. Looking up, he said, “Dad, may I please borrow Rs. 300?” The father furiously said, “if the only reason you asked about my pay is so that you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or other nonsense, then march yourself to your room and go to bed. Think why you are being so selfish. I work hard every day and do not like this childish behavior.” The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think, “May be there was something he really needed to buy with that Rs. 300 and he really didn’t ask for money very often!” The man went to the door of little boy’s room and opened the door. “Are you a sleep, son?” He asked. “No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy. “I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier”, said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you, Here’s the Rs.300 you asked for”. The little boy sat straight up, smiling “oh thank you dad!” He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled some crippled up notes. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at his father. “Why do you want money if you already had some?” the father grumbled. “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied. “Daddy I have Rs. 500 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you”. Father was dumbstruck. Moral: It’s just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life! We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Waves, Whales, a Local Hero: Olympic Surfing in Tahiti Water got a lot of attention before the Olympic Games: would the River Seine be clean enough for athletes to swim in? But thousands of kilometers away, Olympic surfers had different worries — including whales getting in the way of their competition! The Olympic surfing event took place off the coast of the Pacific island of Tahiti, more than 15,700 kilometers from Paris. Tahiti is part of French Polynesia, a French overseas territory, and home to one of the world's most perfect yet fearsome waves: Teahupo'o. In the end, in the men's competition it was French Polynesian surfer Kauli Vaast who became a local hero, winning gold. "I don't really realize it, but I just made history," said Vaast afterward. "I can't be prouder to represent Tahiti and France at home." Caroline Marks from the US won the women's surfing gold medal, although the winners were made to wait for their final rounds. Many of the events were delayed while surfers waited for the conditions to be right. It's just the second time that surfing has been included in the Olympics. And Tahiti's young surfers have been following closely. While Teahupo'o has been a popular destination for surfers from around the world for some time, it's only more recently that local surf culture and talent among younger generations has begun to develop across Tahiti. Before he'd won his medal, Vaast said he was excited that Tahiti's young surfers would be able to watch their heroes: "This is the best thing in the world, because I was them a couple years ago." "We try to do our best, to give the best energy, the best personality for them. We try to be the best example possible." Many surfers agreed that the competition helped to promote the sport. Around the world, people watched an event filled with viral photographs, record-breaking scores and hours of stunning video footage.

🌟 The Harsh Truth About Success No One Talks About 🌟 They Believe Success is Inevitable 💪 It's easy to believe that the lucky ones had something we don't: talent, ideas, drive, creativity, special skills. This isn't true. All successful people reached success through mistakes and losses. They didn't give up and kept trying. If you want to achieve outstanding results, first stop comparing yourself to others. Set a goal and evaluate yourself based on your progress towards it. 🎯 They Make Their Own Choices 🔄 You can wait for years to be recognized, chosen, or promoted. This is unproductive. Today, thanks to the internet and social media, the opportunities to showcase your talent are virtually limitless. You can share your music, create and promote your own products, and attract investors without anyone's help. 🌐 They Know the Most Patient Wins 🕰️ Paradoxically, the last can become the winner. This happens when competitors lose their nerves, give up, betray their principles, and forget their values. Competitors may be smarter, more educated, richer, but they lose because they can't go the distance. Sometimes it's wise to abandon ideas and projects, but never abandon yourself. If you believe in what you're doing, don't give up. 🏆 They Do What Others Don't Want to Do 🚀 Successful people go where no one else wants to go and see opportunities where others only see difficulties. Only bumps and thorns ahead? Then move forward! 🌵 They Act, Not Just Think and Plan 🎬 Strategy is not a product. Success is achieved not through planning but through action. Develop an idea, create a strategy, and release the product as soon as possible. Then gather feedback and improve.

How to keep your brain fit Keeping your brain fit may help to prevent cognitive decline and dementia as you age. Some simple changes can contribute to healthier mental functioning, without expending a great deal of effort. Mental Fitness Can Be Fun Just getting some gentle exercise and being more active can keep you more mentally sharp and alert. Think about it — you feel sluggish when you are too sedentary. It becomes harder and harder to get active again, the longer you go without some sort of activity. The key to remaining physically active is to find out which activities you actually like doing. Some enjoy playing golf or walking around the neighborhood with a friend. Others enjoy bowling or taking their grandchildren to the park for play time. Any kind of activity works, as long as your doctor says your healthy enough for it. Another fun activity that helps keep your brain sharp is doing puzzles or playing video games. It doesn’t matter if it a daily crossword or some Xbox, working your brain on a regular basis will keep it in tip-top shape. Activities that work your hands also work your brain. Knitting, needlework, model-building, and even using playdough with young grandkids counts. In fact, some studies have shown that those who babysit their grandchildren for at least one day a week are less likely to develop dementia than others the same age. Rest Your Brain to Keep it Sharp Overworking your brain is just as bad for it as not working it enough. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night has been shown to benefit mental sharpness, and a 20-minute nap in the afternoon also helps to consolidate memories and transfer them to long term memory. Having rest periods between learning sessions also helps people remember more than trying to cram learning into a short time frame. Cramming may have gotten you through college finals, but it isn’t effective for your brain on an ongoing basis. Paying Attention to Sensory Input Using multiple senses when learning is more effective than using just one sense. Sometimes people don’t remember something because they didn’t really pay attention to it as it was happening. Making sure an experience registers on your consciousness means you will be much more likely to remember it in the future. Continuing Education Helps Brain Fitness Being a lifelong learner directly impacts your mental sharpness, Harvard Health says. You can always learn new things related to your job, your family, and other interests. Taking continuing education courses ensures that your learning will be facilitated by a trained leader and will take place in a community of people learning together.

🌸The Foolish Bear There lived a bear by a riverside in a jungle. One day, he felt hungry. He came out of his den to look for food. The bear went to the river to catch some fish. Standing by the side of the river, he stared into the water. Soon enough, he saw a fish. He pounced on the fish, and caught it. But then, the bear thought, “This is too small a fish to fill my stomach. I must catch a bigger fish.” So, he let off the small fish. He waited for some time, till he caught another fish. This time too the fish was small. He thought that the small fish would not fill his belly. So he again let the fish go off. This way he caught many small fish, but let all of them go off, still thinking that the small fish would not fill his belly. By sunset, the bear had not caught any big fish. What was worse, having kept standing for very long, the bear now felt tired. He slowly began to feel sorry for having let off so many fish. He realized that all those small fish, together would have filled up his belly, but now it was too late. He had to remain hungry that day. THE MORAL 🔥A small fish in hand is worth a big fish in the water.

How Much Protein Do We Really Need? We need to talk about protein. In 2019, The Guardian called it "the rich world's new diet obsession." It added: "we can't get enough" but "we already eat too much." Since then, the obsession certainly hasn't died down. As gym culture has become more popular, protein has been seen as a superfood, and fitness lovers worry they're not eating enough. Eating a high-protein diet can be a good way to gain muscle and lose weight — there's science that supports this. However, experts say that most people who take care about their diet are probably already getting enough protein. So how much do we really need? Some fitness influencers recommend eating over 100 grams of protein a day, but experts say that's really not necessary — and eating too much may not be safe. The minimum amount we need is considered to be 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. So, someone who weighs 80 kilograms would need at least 64 grams of protein per day. According to the British Heart Foundation, that's about two palm-sized portions of chicken, fish, nuts or tofu each day. A chicken breast contains about 25 grams of protein, an egg contains about 6 grams and a glass of milk will give you about 8 grams. The amounts suggested by some influencers are more than most Olympic athletes need, and as Fatima Cody Stanford from Harvard Medical School told NBC News, most of us don't need that much. Eating too much protein can also cause kidney problems. If you're doing a lot of exercise, you may need more protein, but experts say that in general our diets alone give us enough, without a need for foods that are sold as "protein-rich" or special protein balls, bars or shakes. Protein is essential for our health and as part of a balanced diet, but the message from professionals is that when it comes to protein, there's no need to panic!

The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf Once upon a time, there was a shepherd boy who was given the responsibility of watching over a flock of sheep for the villagers. Every day, he would take the sheep to graze on a hillside not far from the village. One day, the boy became bored and thought of a way to have some fun. He decided to play a trick on the villagers. Climbing to a high rock, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted as loudly as he could, "Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is chasing the sheep!" The villagers, hearing the boy's cries, dropped what they were doing and ran as fast as they could to the hillside to help him drive away the wolf. But when they arrived, they found no wolf at all. The sheep were peacefully grazing, and the boy was laughing at the sight of their worried faces. "Don’t cry 'wolf' when there is no wolf, boy," the villagers warned him sternly as they returned to their work. But the boy couldn't resist. A few days later, he grew bored again and shouted, "Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is chasing the sheep!" Once more, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him, only to find that they had been tricked again. The boy laughed at them as they walked back to the village, shaking their heads in frustration. Then, one evening as the sun was setting, a real wolf crept out of the forest. The boy saw the wolf and was terrified. He quickly climbed up the rock and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Wolf! Wolf! Please come, the wolf is chasing the sheep!" But this time, the villagers didn't come. They thought the boy was playing another trick and decided to ignore his cries. The wolf attacked the flock, scattering the sheep in every direction. The boy watched helplessly as the wolf killed several of the sheep and disappeared into the forest. When the villagers finally came to check on the boy, they found him in tears. "There really was a wolf," he sobbed. "It attacked the sheep, and I called for help, but no one came." The villagers looked at the boy with sadness and said, "Nobody believes a liar, even when he is telling the truth." Moral of the Story: Liars are not believed, even when they speak the truth.