Foods That Calm Us Down

By: Shazia Yousuf

Pressures at work, coming up with ideas to keep kids busy during holidays, running around all day juggling between home, work and social commitments, and maybe more – are all of these things tearing you apart? If yes, then you are stressed!

When under stress we often turn to diet-busting munchies to de-stress ourselves. Instead of soothing our frayed nerves, many of them ultimately make us feel worse!

Healthy Community

By: Muhammad Haris

In order that a community is healthy, it must believe that its will and the value system is aligned with the Divine law otherwise such societies do not survive; they rather perish.

Societal decline will mean a dying goose unable to lay golden eggs every morning. This decline results from the violations of the Natural laws or produced by an act performed independent of the correct principles. Such a decline without fail shall result in lack of vision leading to perdition.

Economic disasters, inter cultural conflicts, political revolutions and civil wars could be avoided, had there been greater social commitments to the Divine Principles. (Stephen R. Covey)

Allah will not hold you accountable unless you do things by choice.

Abdul Sattar Edhi; Uneducated Yet Enlightened

By: Shazia Yousuf

“I do not have any formal education… what use is education when we do not become human beings [after being educated]? My school is the welfare of humanity.” Abdul Sattar Edhi.

These are the words from a lecture on “Emergency Management during disasters” delivered by Abdul Sattar Edhi, at the Aga Khan University. Abdul Sattar Edhi is a great philanthropist, who started off as a street hawker selling pencils and match boxes and now runs Edhi Welfare Trust – Pakistan’s largest welfare foundation.

Soul's Reflections- Speak Your Heart Out

By: Shazia Yousuf

 

There he was, standing beside the grave, as he would every Thursday. Another Thursday, one more rose on the grave and yet another hour or two of silent memories and flashbacks. He would stand there, not utter a single word, say a few prayers, and just shed a few uncontrollable tears that would lift the burden off his heart of losing her forever. His heart would feel lighter but also emptier than before. But this much would only be sufficient for him to live for a week more, to come back and visit her again.

Wisdom Corner - Who Shall Receive The Divine Compassion?

This piece of writing was addressed as follows:

To all interested and known or not known. From a slave (sinner, seeking forgiveness)

By: Muhammad Haris

“On the other side, there is another type of man who devotes his entire life to win Allah’s favour. To such persons Allah is Most Compassionate.” (2:207)

This verse, though very short and completely independent, is highly thought provoking. It carries deep meaning to those who possess interest in the understanding of the words of Allah intended to open up the minds of men to their benefit and not “His”. Various commentators have not ventured to catch the inner meaning hidden inside this small verse.

Daata “Ganj Bakhsh” has expressed his views on this in Kashf-ul-Mahjub (original page 558).

Health - Eat Right To Shed Those Extra Pounds

By: Saima Ausaf

Have you been trying in vain to get rid of those unwanted pounds that you have accumulated over the last few years? Of course none of us want to look ugly with thick tyres round our waist, protruding bellies and double chins. One of the best ways to stay in shape without following a strict diet plan is to include foods that give us the energy we need without leaving any fatty deposits in our body tissues.

Skipping meals and foods will only slow your metabolism and consequently your health will deteriorate. Some foods help our body burn fat. So the key to losing weight should be to replace the fat laden foods with these fat burning foods. Wondering what are these foods? Following is the list of foods that burn more calories than the calorie content of the food, thereby fighting stored fat.

World Cup 2011 - Pakistan Vs India in Semi Finals - Clash Of The Titans

By: Shazia Yousuf

The much awaited match between Pakistan and India, more appropriately called “The clash of the titans” is just about to take place. Hopes are high, spirits elevated. We are all hoping for the best, yet restlessness is on its peak. I tried compiling some of the interesting views of some of my very prominent facebook friends who have been quite vocal and full of excitement during the past few days. Here are some of those views.

Perspective - “We hope you lose tomorrow, daddy”



By: Shazia Yousuf

“We hope you lose tomorrow, daddy”. These were the words of the daughters of Paul Collingwood, the England cricket player. They said this to him just before the England vs. West Indies do or die encounter as they wanted their daddy to “come back home” as soon as possible. To them all that mattered was to be with their father, even if his team lost the world cup! This explains how much they missed their daddy, who had been extremely busy with his cricket schedule which had forced him to stay away from his family now for several months.

Today's Thought - "One match at a time"

The spirit that the Team Pakistan displayed in today’s quarter finals against the West Indian team is what a focused, well balanced team is supposed to have. They displayed just the right attitude, and were humble, modest and focused – “one game at a time”. They looked mature, played like experienced team and later during the presentation, talked sensibly too!

All this shows they have a sense of direction, and they are working as a team. Shahid Afridi and Hafeez both talked about taking “one match at a time”, and devising a strategy depending upon the team they are playing against. This actually shows proper planning and a sense of direction that every team member should have during each game to emerge victorious.

Good strategy, direction, hard work and team spirit – these are the ingredients to victory.

Go Team Pakistan!

Thought of the week - Hope

I have been into gardening for the past few months. I added quite a few plants to my nursery, experimented moving plants from smaller pots to bigger ones, planted seeds and watched them grow and flower, and even tried to save wilting plants, which I am proud to have succeeded in. I had the chance to feel Mother Nature’s enchanting vocation.

Autumn followed by winter and spring was a learning experience. Autumn left plants totally withered; leaves turned pale yellow. Some of the plants, like the lemon and the motia shed their leaves to the extent that it made me feel as if something went wrong and the plants would die soon. The stems looked dry and lifeless. I wondered if it was time to dispose them off and start fresh. But I decided I should wait.

Spring started, yet there was no significant improvement. But then gradually, the plants started to bloom. I could see fresh, tiny, crispy green leaves emerging from the lifeless, dry stalks.

Seeing life emerging from the ostensibly dead plants reinforced my belief in the Hidden Divine Essence and the Divine laws of life.

I was reminded of the following lines:

“Paiwasta reh shajar se umeed-e-bahar rakh”

Miracles are not needed, to believe. There is a multitude of signs all around us that make us feel the Divine Presence. We should just not let go of hope.

Health - Laugh For Better Blood Vessels

Laughing could help to improve blood vessel function!

Laughter relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow -- the exact opposite of what your blood vessels do when you are stressed. Relaxed blood vessels decreases strain on the heart. 

The best way to relax blood vessels is by watching a funny movie. If funny movies aren't your style, spend time with the people who tickle your funny bone.

Blood vessels are lined with a layer of cells called endothelium; they regulate blood flow by helping blood vessels expand and contract. In a small study, healthy men and women watched either a funny movie or an intense, violent one while researchers measured blood flow through an artery in their upper arm.

Soul's Reflections - Consumed By the Self

By: Shazia Yousuf

from: http://soulsreflections.wordpress.com/

When the hearts turn that of stone, frozen, solid, nothing seems to be able to penetrate into it or even out of it. What remains inside sinks deep within, trapped, concealed, secluded, excommunicate – “Consumed by the self”!

This is the ailment that appalls the heart and devours the entire soul slowly and passively, leaving it in a solitude, surrounded by the mound of distress seemingly so enormous, more towering than the small heaps of problems of all the others! And apparently you are alone, left to cross over the mound all by yourself. The ailment of not being able to see beyond your own self leaves you in a solitary distress, anticipating support from those around, but unable to actually feel the presence of all the love that surrounds; the arms that are stretched out, awaiting to be held, but all in vain. The soul is blinded, trapped within the frozen heart, sealed and bolted in the locks of the self!

Wisdom Corner - Disasters

By: Muhammad Haris

“And [do not forget] the tribes of Aad and Thamud. Their fate is quite visible from their ruins and deserted dwellings. Satan had made their foul deeds seem attractive to them, and turned them away from the right path; although they were endowed with the ability of perceiving the truth.” (Al Quran 29:38)

“[Remember also] Korah [Qaroon], Pharoah [Firaun] and Thamud, to whom Moses came with clear signs, but they behaved very arrogantly in the land; and they could not obviously escape Us.” (Al Quran 29:39)

“Thus, each one of them We penalized for his sin. On some We sent down a violent tornado; others We seized by a mighty blast; and some We caused to be swallowed up by the earth; and yet others We caused to be drowned. It was not Allah Who wronged them. It was they themselves, who wronged [their own souls].” (29:40)

The Quran implies that it is man’s ability to perceive the truth (Istibsar) or the gist of intelligence and skill that makes him morally responsible for his doings, and hence for his failure to resist his own evil impulses which is evidently the meaning of Satan (devil) in this context. Other gifts are capacity to grow and develop; and primarily the independent will – the freedom to choose.

Go Team Pakistan - Blow Them Off!

Hopes high, spirits elevated, Pakistanis full of excitement! Hoping for the best, yet fearing the unexpected. Team play can work the way towards victory. All we can say is:

Go Team Pakistan - Blow them off!   

Perspective - Can Beggars be Choosers?

By: Shazia Yousuf

From what I had learnt in my English language class during school days, I was pretty certain of the fact that "beggars cannot be choosers". For if beggars could choose, this idiom would lose its essence and we would have to come up with a modified version for this. But one fine day, this certainty became quite an uncertainty.

I was at the Naheed Super Market for some household errands. I happened to have very little cash with me, just enough for the stuff that I had to buy. When I was done, I was left with just a few coins totaling about five or seven rupees only. I usually keep these coins in a special coin pouch and I use them for handing over the exact change when I have to ask my driver to buy "roti" (bread) for him from "tandoor" (public oven), as he is usually not too fond of returning the change!

Anyways, as I came out of Naheed Supermarket, I started walking towards my car. That walk is usually not an unaccompanied walk, for there are quite a few people doing their day jobs right outside the supermarket known as begging. So, I was also followed by an elderly man.

Health - Fruit Of The Month - Strawberries

By: Saima Ausaf

Strawberries are considered to be the most popular berries in the world. This bite sized fruit, bright red in colour, covered by tiny green leaves forming a cap on the top, is not only appealing to the eye but also tempting to eat. Packed with many essential elements, juicy and delicious strawberries (when in season) should be a part of one’s diet.

Health - This Week's Health Tips: Improve Blood Pressure, Immunity and Skin

Eat Eggs for Breakfast for a Smoother Skin

Maybe you eat eggs for breakfast because of their awesome power to control your appetite. But here's another reason to give eggs a place at the breakfast table: smooth skin.

Be they poached, hard-boiled, or sunny-side up, eggs can help you feel full longer, thanks to ample amounts of protein in the whites and yolk. Eggs are also rich in two key skin-smoothing nutrients, choline and lutein. Choline -- a member of the B vitamin family -- helps make up fatty portions of cell membranes and is essential for healthy skin-cell functioning.

Wisdom Corner - Points To Ponder: Divine Mercy

By: Muhammad Haris

 

Rumi’s Views (By Reynold A. Nicholson)

While on trial on the Day of Judgment God said to Angels, “When he (under trial) confesses his sins, bring him back from the door of hell for he never lost hope in Me. (39:53). Like one who recks of naught, I will deliver him and cancel all his trespasses. I will kindle such a fire of Grace that the least spark thereof consumes all sins and necessity and free will. I will set fire to the tenement of Man and make its thorns a bower of roses.”

A remarkable display of The Divine attributes of All Merciful nature.

Soul's Reflections - Restless Soul

By: Shazia Yousuf

from: http://www.soulsreflections.wordpress.com/

By: Shazia Yousuf

Standing alone, feet bathing in cool waves from the huge ocean that is stretched right in front of me.

My gaze fixed at the sea, as if in a trance, thoughts as deep as the ocean.

Staring at the waves making ripples, the ocean roaring so loud, yet it brings peace to the heart.

My heart is not here with me, it’s wandering, away from me, somewhere, where the sounds of the ocean reach, maybe the other end, where my heart actually belongs, where it rests in peace.

The soul is restless, there’s a desire burning, wanting to be where the heart is, desiring the union of the soul with the heart, wishing for the heart’s abode to be right next to it, wanting for it to travel all those miles, to be with the heart…wanting to drown in the ocean of Divine love, desiring to be where there is eternal peace…

Today's Thought - Go Team Pakistan!

Mistakes, blunders, or bad luck, or all of the three together; those are the ingredients that resulted in Pakistan’s defeat today against New Zealand. Kamran Akmal, was declared the culprit, who aided in turning this match into a total loss! Face book and twitter updates were slashing and bashing the team and especially Akmal.

But we need to realize one thing; defeat at this stage is good. Today’s defeat identified areas for improvement which were initially hidden by success.

So let’s keep our spirits high, keep praying with the same zeal, and support the national team. Your support and prayers – that is what they need!

Good Luck Team Pakistan!