The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem. 
–T. Rubin 

Hmmm...or as my husband would say, "there is a solution for every problem, so why worry!"

Source of the quote

Understanding a nation through their women's poetry

To understand the Persians soul & culture, you have to read their poetry more than anything else. Westerners know some about Persian poetry through Rumi,  Hafez , or Saadi, but very few have any knowledge of Iranian women poet. Unfortunately, Iran's unhuman & savage regime has tried to extinguish women's voices and kill their soul.  But, if you are interested to learn more about this nation, I invite you to read some of their poetry written by courageous Iranian women.

My dear friend, Sheema Kalbasi, human right advocate, an award winning poet, and literary translator, has just published her second book called Seven Valleys of Love., This book is an anthology of Iranian women's poetry collected and translatd into English.

Let me know if you get a chance to read it.

More about this book you can click here.

Life Torch

"This is the true joy in life, to being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; to being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.  I rejoice in life for its own sake.  Life is no "brief candle" to me.  It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burm as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations."

~George Bernard Shaw

I am not a big fan of Shaw (Shaw was ardent supporter of the Stalinist USSR), but how can one argue about what he says here.  I love people who have passion for living! I am still dueling as to what kind of torch I am preparing to pass on? Have you thought about yours?

God of Peace

The following is a transcript of Pope Benedict XVI's remarks at ground zero today: 

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred. 

God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.

Link here & click here to read the whole prayer.

Also you can watch the YouTube .

Shop With A Cause

Bridge for Africa is a  non-profit organization dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency and the dignity of work in rural Africa for women. Check them out.

It's so quite here at home without my oldest son.  I miss you, my buddha!  My son has gone to a week long science field trip, miles and miles away from us.  Our home does not feel complete without him.   I hope I am not embarrassing you by writing about you!  Stay safe my sweetie! and here is a little poem for you (author unknown):

As you travel through life there are always those times 

When decisions just have to be made, 
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce, 
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do 

Is simply let go and move on, 

Gather your courage and choose a direction 

That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward - 
The process of change can be tough, 
But think about all the excitement ahead

There might be adventures you never imagined 

Just waiting around the next bend, 

And wishes and dreams just about to come true 
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring 
And somebody special who's there 
To help you stay cantered and listen with interest 
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends 
Are supportive of all that you do, 
And believe that whatever decisions you make, 
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other, 
And taking your life day by day... 
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road - 
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

Pulitzer Prize

Congratulations to Michael Ramirez, the great editorial cartoonist who won his second Pulitzer prize today. Too bad for Los Angeles Times that forced Ramirez out in 2006. This is what he had to say today.

"My approach is to have a powerful image along with a significant statement," said the Investor's Business Daily (IBD) cartoonist, when reached by phone this afternoon. "It's great to be funny, too, but the most important element is the message -- to have an impact and make people think."

See the rest of his cartoons here.

And you can see the rest of the winners in other categories here.

"Great minds have purposes; others have wishes."

~Washington Irving

Which one are you?

A Nation of Givers

America has always been very charitable.  I had a discussion with a friend who insisted that most of the charities are given by corporation, but as you see from the chart, living individuals give the most in America! It's inspiring to live a country that has this value, In 2006, Americans gave about $295 billion to charity. You can read more about this subject in The American magazine covering the same issue.  You may wonder, how Americans fare compare to other countries and here the answer:

Q. Are Americans more or less charitable than citizens of other countries?
A. No developed country approaches American giving. For example, in 1995 (the most recent year for which data are available), Americans gave, per capita, three and a half times as much to causes and charities as the French, seven times as much as the Germans, and 14 times as much as the Italians. Similarly, in 1998, Americans were 15 percent more likely to volunteer their time than the Dutch, 21 percent more likely than the Swiss, and 32 percent more likely than the Germans. These differences are not attributable to demographic characteristics such as education, income, age, sex, or marital status. On the contrary, if we look at two people who are identical in all these ways except that one is European and the other American, the probability is still far lower that the European will volunteer than the American.

Read more: Here

laugh & Inspiration

My all time favorite YouTubeo Video is this one. Watch Here.  Be part of 43 million who have watched the video.  Its pure laugh!!

Oh! and if you really want to get inspired and moved by a video, go to Nadar's site and watch this video called "The Inner life of a Cell".