"Sometimes it takes one caring adult to inspire the life of another." - Shazi.

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     What an eventful Saturday. There was a bus crash in Nepal and attacks in Mogadishu. Both killing and injuring civilians. Closer to home we had some shootings, and also the incident involving Yuli Gurriel from the Houston Astro's team. Sounds like a typical Saturday, maybe it is? But should this be the case? - No.

    I wanted to particularly focus upon the incident involving the Astros team member, Yuli Gurriel. It is unfortunate that this has happened, and the fact that he has taken responsibility for what was said or happened is a demonstration of accountability. Yuli also said that the slur was not directed to Yu Darvish, but also decided not to appeal the decision. 

     This case is a great example of the behaviourist model of psychology, known as Behaviourism, where the seeable behaviour is what is observed and measured, rather than taking intention, emotion, or thinking into account. These are the internal events that also influence behaviour. Behaviourist view was the most prevalent view in America. However, it was later noted through the development of theories that there is much more that influences behavior, than what is seen or observed. What we think, our previous learning experiences, culture, beliefs, our interactions with others, our environments, all have influence upon behavior. Sometimes language becomes a barrier  to understanding behavior. Having said this I also think that what is most important is the intention of the heart. 

     Sometimes we face an experience or a struggle that involves power relations, and structures. We feel powerless. Sometimes we also have to decide which battles we want to fight. So there could be major factors at play here, with regards to what was said, what was the internal intent, and how the matter was handled. The key is also to hear what is not being said. Also if there is no place for racism in the games, then this is also a challenge for all major leagues to review practices, and curb racism that might be happening. 

Go Astros!!! :) 

     I continue to support the Astro's players, teams, fans, and the city of Houston. Thank you team members for lifting the spirits of your fellow team - mate. No one is perfect, we will get through this together, and we will be stronger. Go Astros, Go Team. I'm proud of how far you've come. I believe in you!!! :) Houston Strong! :) 
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​Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to the loss of life that has occurred in Nepal and Mogadishu.

And to all of the fans, team members of the Houston Astros organization. We believe! We are Houston Strong! My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

​Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on October 29th, 2017.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

    The thing about cleaning spaces is that sometimes you come across objects, papers, etcetera that bring back memories. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. This is how I felt when I found the following diagram / drawing I created after writing a thought post to clarify my ideas. 

     After thinking and reflecting, I wondered - what has changed? We hear of the same evils being committed on a micro and macro scale. The cycle continues to repeat. We are also seeing a new type of tool for destruction. It is probably not new, but much more pronounced that it used to be. This is the tool of knowledge and personal belief that is being used in public classrooms, as well as the higher education level to influence students. I would go so far to say that this is a type of indoctrination that must be avoided as much as possible. We all have political beliefs, however a pedagogue must never be the one to enforce / force a view upon a student. Especially those from the k-12 level. Yes, use political topics for debate, discussion, or lesson planning, but never to indoctrinate.

    With regards to that of the higher levels, I find it interesting to debate about the political scene of America. It gives me more to talk about, because why wouldn't I want to talk about America? Why wouldn't I protect and defend America? I would take the opportunity to engage in a discussion about American politics. 

   What we are seeing is academics who probably possess Democratic views still resisting the new presidency. It bothers me to the point of being frustrated. Of course we cannot shut others up. We can only hope that they will realize how important it is to unify America, and understand that this is also part of the work that President Trump is trying to do. Also it boggles my brain as to why any academe would still be democratically inclined knowing full well about Hillary Clinton and the previous administrations involvement, and investments in major terrorist groups? Why would anyone support hate, or murders?

     These thoughts are related at the national level, but what about the international level? I can't speak for the institutions, but with regards to terrorism or hate groups who desire to instill fear or kill, I think that it is also a time to think about what are we achieving through this? Yes you could say suggestive messages are being sent through these acts, but at the cost of human life or natural disaster. The cost of human life, disaster, and tragedy is far greater.

     If anyone wants their opinion or belief, or the fact that they like or dislike something to be known, isn't  it easier to engage in dialogue or discussion with political groups or allies, or whoever is of concern? For cycles of violence or evil to shift, we need to think about what we have in common with others. How will we seek and strive to reach points of peace? It is easy to get frustrated, angry, but power is nothing without control, and that is something that is learned.

Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all those who died and are injured in Nepal after a bus crash. And to all who have suffered loss, injury or suffered. We continue to pray for love, peace, and healing. My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on October 28th, 2017.

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Canvas - Earth

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     As we walk, run, bike, or however we choose to use the outdoor space for exercise, we must also take some time to slow down, and enjoy the beauty and wonder of natures gifts. As I was walking I too had to slow down, as I was struck with the amazing art of Mother Nature. A collage of colorful leafs, pine cones, pine needles, acorn, rocks, and all sorts, placed upon the canvas of Earth. I was stunned at what I saw. We see these gatherings falling from trees, the artists.  This creation reminded me of our human experience. We too are simply a collection of our experiences, placed together within our own canvas. Our body. That breathes and comes to life, through our spirit, our soul.

My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! :)

Related Reading
Paving A Path
Growth A Decision

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that I was taking the time to think about my previous thoughts. Particularly about the idea that pertains to the environment, and how social meanings or constructions affect how we also construe meanings about the environment we live in, and how our choices, decisions, or even our attitude, is affected by the environment. The key is to not allow the environment to affect your own attitude, development or growth through negativity. However, the interactions that we are faced with on a daily level, also affect our decisions. 

   We have already established that indeed our social meanings are attached to the environment. These are also social meanings and constructions attached to human beings. If we were to hope that the social constructions don't affect our attitudes or a behaviour through a negative lens, then we must also consider how our interactions with others, through our environment will affect our choices and social attitudes. For humans to flourish I think that we must see past constructions, because of course when all is said and done, we are all human beings, simply seeking a survival. It does sound simple. Sometimes we must go back to this simple level, because we become perplexed, there is too much of everything. Simplicity allows us once again to think of our human essence. Whilst saying this we have to remember that what we believe, adhere, abide to are a part of who we are, our own social constructions.

     If we find people of difference, we should use this as an opportunity to know the other. In a sense to build human bridges. These could be to learn more about topics, and even better our own understandings or prejudice, and stereotypes that are held. These could also be opportunities to enact diplomacy. For example: If we see others who have pledged allegiance to a specific nation, or hold a particular political view, this should be viewed as a mechanism to yield soft power, and build diplomacy. It should not be viewed to change others to be as you decree, but rather to inspire, and once again to be viewed as an opportunity to build human bridges. 

​     To build human bridges takes investments and effort, and one can say that it is easier to build a physical human bridge. Human bridges take the work of many voices, who are willing to hear, listen, and allow opposing views to be placed out in the open. If we simply remain quiet, and silent about something that deserves attention, then we ourselves are contributing to the social ignorance. It is easy to tell people, and be proud because we have some certain initials, qualifications, or credentials attached to our name, but with these arrives a responsibility. What are we going to do with the knowledge that we have? How are we going to make the world a better place for others? Knowledge is a social currency. However, our social positioning and our responsibility may vary according to social, political, or economic factors, but that does not mean to say that no one can't do anything. Everyone can do something.

     And it is with these words I return to my human essence, and give thanks to this pen in my hand as it scribbles, and be thankful for our readership - with the hopes of being able to one day, contribute more - God Permitting. 

Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all human beings, may we always see through the lens of love. Sending love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were hand - written on 25th October 2017.
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I am really proud and happy to share our website's new feature which is the search box. I realized the need for this when I myself had to tirelessly search for related topics that I write about. Please feel free to use this search bar for all of the pages on this website. Thank you to my readers for your continued readership and support! :) 

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros

     I was really proud to watch both teams play, and of course it is needless to say that I am an Astros fan. During a time of a win / loss we must never become bitter, or purposely hurt others because we are frustrated with a loss or a gain. Realize that everything happens for a reason. If players of teams can get together after a game, shake hands and offer congratulations to each other, fans should be able to do the same. Winning on behalf of a team or city who has been through so much means the world, I am thrilled for this happiness, we must also remember that we all play for one nation, America. This is what should always unite us. Beyond the numbers, beyond the games, there is a much larger purpose, a beautiful cause, and that is the cause of our Earth, World, and Humanity. Never hurt people on purpose, or plan hurt because of a loss or feeling bitter. It is unethical, and also bad sportsmanship. We are here to serve. And remember sometimes not getting what you want is a blessing.

Thank you New York Yankees for a great run in the World Series! :)

Really proud of the Astros team and how you all pulled through for the City of Houston. Grateful to see thousands of smiles in Houston. This win is not only a team win, but a huge win for the city, and fans all over the nation, and world. As we accept this win, let us take a moment to remember, and be grateful to those who we lost, those who served, sacrificed for their fellow Houstonian's as we all pulled through the crisis of Hurricane Harvey. Embrace Happiness, you deserve it Houston!!! :) 

​Related Reading
​Growth: A Decision

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that I was taking the time to think about my previous thoughts. There will always be in-congruencies. As human beings we should always strive to keep at a point where there is an equilibrium, a connection between heart and mind. We can also think of this as bodily homeostasis, a set point for our physiological health.  An ideal set point for the home that we carry everyday; our body. 

     To stay at this set point, or to strive to reach and maintain an equilibrium, where what we do and think are at a balance, we will be faced with choices and decisions. Sometimes these are driven through the negative experiences we have in our lives. However negative these experiences are, I think it is also harmful to carry negative baggage, or replaying the same experiences. It is always better to make decisions, choices for the betterment, and prospering of life. And to actually be in a place where we can make a decision or a choice should be considered a blessing.

    Negative experience happens, we must go through, and grow through these, but we also have to find ways to make peace with these. We only get one chance at life. I would rather be remembered for the good words spoken, or the smiles shared. Making peace allows for conversations, avenues to remain open. This is what diplomacy is all about. Whilst leaders of countries are at the forefront. We ourselves as people of difference, can also enact diplomacy. Our beliefs, our core values should speak up, not only to express opinions when there are critical points, but also to make peace. We are a representative of our values / beliefs regardless of what has happened to us through the experience of life.  

Dedication: The words of this human being are dedicated to all beings. May there be love and peace. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

​Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on - October 21st, 2017.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     A Bildungsroman is a genre of literary text that is usually about the psychological and moral growth of a main character. It is also known as a coming of age story that focuses on growth from youth to adulthood. I think that a Bildungsroman not only happens through the years of growing through youth, It can happen through the many life stages that we grow through, and even major events that require decisions. This is what I thought about as I sat in the park. Once again to embrace the beauty of Mother Nature. As I touched the grass, felt the sun upon my skin, and the wind gliding through my hair; I wondered and thought about land.

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​     Land belongs to everyone. Before there was any social construction about who gets what, or who this or that belongs to, everything belonged to everyone. However, society develops, evolves, there becomes meanings attached to everything. And it is these meanings that shape how we think, act, and behave towards anything. These meanings shape our core values. And of course it is these values which will eventually decide for us. We can live, grow, work, prosper, in lands where our values are incongruent to our own. But it is these
in-congruencies that will eventually create a dis-equilibirum within the self. It is the dis-equlibirum that will eventually lead us back to a point where we can, and will feel a sense of congruency, a point of equilibrium. We need to feel this connection between mind (what we think) and body (what we do).

     So as we learn more and more about the societal constructions of the world, we eventually come to understand and grow through this learning. We make choices, we make decisions,  that will contribute to our prosperity. Environment should never decide for you, but it is the social meanings that are attached to the environment that are involved in our processes of making decisions. In this sense a Bildungsroman happens not only from the period of youth to adulthood, this psychological and moral growth happens as we come into a heightened sense of awareness of the workings of the world, through the stages of life, and major events that require decisions. 

Dedication: What we go through, we grow through, are you ready? These thoughts are dedicated to all human beings, and to our Earth, our World. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on October 20th, 2017.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that every time I attend graduate classes, I feel as though I'm gearing up for combat. Not the physical type, but a combat that involves ideas, standing up for what you believe in, and also giving yourself permission to have your voice heard. In a group setting of course it is important to hear the voices of others, because this is a contribution to discussion and ideas. But we must never think that our ideas are of less importance. A voice, a story, a dialogue, and a discussion should be seen as a mechanism for building democracy, and democratic relations. It can also be seen as a field for combat because we take a stand for our ideas, we stand up for our story. Stories that are heard, fought for, and won, can be thought of as winning a war, because when a war is won, it is a nation, a nation's narrative that wins.

     I think that there is a war being fought at the Masters or even Ph.d. classes, because we are fighting for our ideas. We believe in our ideas, and we want them to win. If we ourselves don't stand up for our ideas, then who will? At a broader level such as the institution of higher education, I think that there is a battle being fought to keep university spaces, as a place where there can be open discussions and dialogues. A push to keep ideas thriving, and ultimately succeeding. The social sciences, humanities, liberal arts, and the arts can be viewed as under attack. There is this question of the economic value of these fields, as compared to the technologically driven, information technology, or engineering fields. While there may not be an immediate visible outcome that is produced within the fields that are being attacked, their value at the level of the long term goals for social innovation will eventually take place. We contine to need thoughtful human beings with a vested interest in the arts, social sciences, arts, and humanities. We can think of these fields from a historical point of view as well. 

     During the industrial revolution, there were attacks upon science because there were more demands on industry, growth, economy, and jobs. Science, arts and humanities had to fight against revolutions to  have their voices to continue to be heard. We can even think of the Greek scholar Socrates who poisoned himself as he was committed of corrupting youth, because of the ideas that he had. Today his teachings through the dialogues of Plato have been widely spread, and preserved across the Globe. So historically we can see that thought has always been something that humans have had to fight for. Even though institutions of higher education are fighting to keep dialogue and discussion alive, I actually don't think that there is a need to worry. We always need thinkers. And from the historical perspective, we know that in every era there is going to be a fight, or even an uprising to keep thought alive. 

     Having said that there is not a need to worry, I also think that it is about time that we begin to think of economic growth, development, and also the need for thought in a somewhat parallel level , from the perspectives of an educational institution. Meaning that we should think that instead of eradicating, and pushing down specific fields in education, because we prefer economic growth, but rather think that there is value for each. If there is corporate funding being received as the university who benefits? If there is a push for growth in the areas of technology, then who benefits? Both the students who are interested in the topics, and also the companies / corporations who want to learn from the knowledge economies. 

     I do think that technology has a large impact upon what is taught, and even the social molding of younger generations / students. For this it is quite obvious that there will need to be  some changes to higher education, and how knowledge is developed, and areas of interest. There is a necessity to develop skilled professionals, as well as new programs to meet the needs of jobs that will be created.  With all of the factors of skills, job development, technology programs, and development, there is still the need for thinkers who try to find creative solutions as to how to put these factors together, so that there is some type of synthesis. Every nation even the nations of the first world need skills development, workers, entrepreneurs, and also thinkers. The proportions may vary, but this is needless to say that ideas will, and should continue to matter, even if it does feel like a mission or a combat.  

Dedication: These words are dedicated to all human beings. Words and ideas are worth it, our story is worth being heard. May there always be love. Thank you for reading and hearing this voice. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on October 18th, 2017. Image 1 - Web Link