It is another busy Week-End of research & planning. It was also an disheartening week as my eldest Aunt passed away. Najmeh Javad Najafi was a scholar, a person of faith and someone who served Iran in many ways and epitomized this with her two books she published in 1953: Persia is My Heart and a Wall and Three Willows. As she's laid to rest on Tuesday in Chatsworth California, her legacy of service will live on.
As I reflected upon the month that was, I could not help but remember what Richard Nixon noted as he resigned the Presidency. He reflected upon how as one has been to the deepest valleys, can one be very much appreciative of the highest mountains one could be. It is ever so that what is here and now can be appreciated and how a sense of togetherness and tenacity should be what must define our lives.
The challenges before me--taxes, dealing with Insurance companies & medical bills, continuing a rebuilding process which seems never ending--is at times disappointing. That's why I am very appreciative whenever I see the predicament of all who seek out my help and guidance. Just in the past two weeks alone, I had students of mine reach out telling harrowing stories that just broke my heart. One of them was 9 months pregnant as she separated from her spouse. Another one had her nephew killed in a drive-by-Shooting. Another one just noted that she had lost her Mother, had cancer while continuing to figure out how to juggle two jobs. It is such stories that continues to affirm my faith and drives me ever so determined to serve.
As the Virtual "Hunt" is ever so in full swing, here is a "Virtual Treat" of some Ted Talk from http://www.ted.com for all to enjoy in additoin to a number of admonitions to remember:
-
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
- Michael Jordan
When one door closes, another opens.
But often we look so long, so regretfully,
upon the closed door,
that we fail to see the one that is opened for us.
- Helen Keller
It doesn't matter if you try and try and try again, and fail.
It does matter if you try and fail, and fail to try again.
- Charles Kettering
Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman,
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
- John Quincy Adams
As I reflected upon the month that was, I could not help but remember what Richard Nixon noted as he resigned the Presidency. He reflected upon how as one has been to the deepest valleys, can one be very much appreciative of the highest mountains one could be. It is ever so that what is here and now can be appreciated and how a sense of togetherness and tenacity should be what must define our lives.
The challenges before me--taxes, dealing with Insurance companies & medical bills, continuing a rebuilding process which seems never ending--is at times disappointing. That's why I am very appreciative whenever I see the predicament of all who seek out my help and guidance. Just in the past two weeks alone, I had students of mine reach out telling harrowing stories that just broke my heart. One of them was 9 months pregnant as she separated from her spouse. Another one had her nephew killed in a drive-by-Shooting. Another one just noted that she had lost her Mother, had cancer while continuing to figure out how to juggle two jobs. It is such stories that continues to affirm my faith and drives me ever so determined to serve.
As the Virtual "Hunt" is ever so in full swing, here is a "Virtual Treat" of some Ted Talk from http://www.ted.com for all to enjoy in additoin to a number of admonitions to remember:
-
11 must-see TED Talks
Here's a primer on TED Talks, featuring 11 classic talks on the range of topics you'll find on TED.com.Watch »
Total run time 3:08:31
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
- Michael Jordan
When one door closes, another opens.
But often we look so long, so regretfully,
upon the closed door,
that we fail to see the one that is opened for us.
- Helen Keller
It doesn't matter if you try and try and try again, and fail.
It does matter if you try and fail, and fail to try again.
- Charles Kettering
Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman,
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
- John Quincy Adams
