Sugar And Spice... Among Other Things

Family and Society, poetry, Quotes, Reflections

Blinded by Emotions

Posted on December 4, 2018October 21, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion and knowledge. Plato

One of the great teachers and thinkers of the ancient civilization, Plato’s words have held true through the trials of time. Almost in the same order, desire and emotions have always ruled above common sense and knowledge. Even if these emotions have set man apart from the other animal creations; it has often blinded him to other beings even of his own kind, to the point of destroying himself in the process. As truth is bitter, many of us fail to acknowledge that we are often swayed by emotions instead of logic.

How many times have we been passed over others not due to lack of skill but over personal preferences, likes or dislikes of the selectors? How many times have we prejudiced others based on their attire, colour, backgrounds and appearances when they put us to shame with their behaviour and nature ?

When we begin to build walls of prejudice, hatred, pride, and self-indulgence around ourselves, we are more surely imprisoned than any prisoner behind concrete walls and iron bars. Mother Angelica

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

The gilded cages that we build around us in all glory keeps us in one place, not letting us to fly and explore the world around us; unless we chose to open the door to use our wings. While we can’t control what is happening, we hold the key to our own behaviour in our dealings with others, at work, neighbourhood and wherever we go. Either way as the poet Robert Frost had said the world will end in the fire of desire or the ice of hatred; though both ways are disastrous, historical and anthropological evidence has proven through the ice ages which is more terrible of the two.

Awareness is realizing that our life could always be better. Growth is doing what it takes to make it better. When we choose the positive over the negative, liberation over repression, truth over illusion, we become real creators. Danielle LaPorte

Fire and Ice
By Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Christian, Life, Personal Musings

Engraved in His Hands

Posted on December 3, 2018October 20, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

The dread of needles, the smell of antiseptic, hospital scenes and the scars (both physical and mental) left behind are dreaded by almost all age groups, especially from childhood and even adults do faint or scream through injections. With the advent of anaesthesia, major and minor surgeries have become easier and reduces hospital stay as well. Imagine the scene when you have jagged scars running across your skin reminding the person of the struggle, tragedy, narrow escape and survival marred by the mental and emotional trauma of the event. Can anyone carry such scars in their hands ?

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:16 (NIV)

As Charles Spurgeon had said in his teachings about the wonderful connection between this promise of the Lord to His people, the Israelites and His Son Jesus, on the cross as He died for us.The person who had to be engraved was nailed to the cross by the nails hammered into His Hands. Whether through the palms or wrists, even to think of the excruciating pain caused is tragic. The Romans had perfected the method of cruxification with some victim tied to the cross while others were nailed. They had ensured that crucifixion victims would hang painfully until their diaphragm went into spasm and they literally suffocated to death.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

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Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Whenever we feel that: our burdens are too heavy, we are under the perpetual cloud of suffering, our doors of opportunities shut in our faces, feelings go numb and when everything from work,relationships, investments go downhill;remember that the Lord has never forgotten nor forsaken us. As seen in the scriptures from both the Old and New Testament.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.(Deuteronomy 31:6)
For the Lord will never reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance” (Psalm 94:14).
“ The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 41:17).
” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and though the rivers, they will not overflow you. … For I am the Lord your God …” (Isaiah 43:2-3a)
“But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:4-16)
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” (Matthew 28:20)
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)
“ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 )

With these promises even the gray skies and the gloomy days will brighten with fresh hope and faith that God shelters us in His Hands as long as we step into His Shield and His Love.

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Christian, Family and Society, Life

Dealing with AIDS

Posted on December 2, 2018October 31, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Arthur Ashe, one of the legendary Wimbledon Players, the only African-American man to win the Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Open had died of complications from AIDS at the age of 49 years. In 1983, it was believed that Ashe had contracted HIV from a blood transfusion which he received during his heart bypass surgery. For in those days, screening of blood for transmissible infectious agents were not done. During his illness , he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed, “Why did God have to select you for such a bad disease ?”

To this Arthur Ashe replied, “50 Million children started playing Tennis, 5 Million learnt to play Tennis, 500 000 learnt Professional Tennis, 50 Thousand came to Circuit, 5 Thousand reached Grand Slam, 50 reached Wimbledon, 4 reached the Semifinals, 2 reached the Finals and when I was holding the cup in my hand, I never asked God, “Why Me?” So now that I’m in pain how can I ask God,”Why Me?”

“We live in a completely interdependent world, which simply means we cannot escape each other. How we respond to AIDS depends, in part, on whether we understand this interdependence. It is not someone else’s problem. This is everybody’s problem.” Bill Clinton

Yesterday had marked the 30th Anniversary of World AIDS Day with the theme for the observance this year being “Know your status”. The main focus is to contain the disease and reach the 90-90-90 target. The latter is a treatment target to achieve by 2020 which would help end AIDS epidemic. The three targets include that 90% of all people with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. While we are on this track, an important aspect not to be sidelined is how the present population who are suffering from this disease are holding up and facing their inner turmoil.

“Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.” Ryan White

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Sometimes we ourselves are responsible for what affects us. While we do bear the brunt of the bad decisions, choices and mistakes that we make; sometimes things are not in our hands. While some ask the question of “why me”, others condemn themselves for their past errors wondering how can they live or forgive themselves. Alone the burden of the disease is hard to bear. When we add the feeling of guilt and depression as well as melancholy, living becomes difficult. Forgiveness is not just a great gift to bestow on others, it’s also something that allows us to be free. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”(1 John 1:9)

Our God is a forgiving God as seen in the scriptures. For even when we pay the price for the wrongs that we have done, as long as we resolve to turn over to the right path, our Lord will protect us in His Hands. For forgiveness frees us to be better people through God. As John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Even when we suffer from the mistakes that we have made, when we submit to the Lord, we gain our strength from His Words. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

“My name is Ryan White. I am sixteen years old. I have hemophilia, and I have AIDS.” Ryan White

For those who are affected by the disease for no known fault of theirs like Arthur Ashe, the question of “why me” lingers in the mind. Yet what we should remember is that, the Lord’s plan is not known to all. Many a time what happens may not make any sense, but when we look back and view the events that have taken place; we realize that everything had their own purpose. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” As the scriptures have shown that the Lord works in miraculous ways in His Time. What we as man can do is to put our trust in His Words, pour our hearts to Him and cloth ourselves with faith in His Words.

“Never, never, never give up.” Winston Churchill

As time and again have proven, the Lord never abandons us as long as we keep our faith in Him intact. For He walks by us at all times and when we are tired He carries us mentally, spiritually, emotionally and even physically indirectly or directly. Despite being weighed down by disease, the Lord will give us the strength and courage to face each day. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.”(2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

“The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.” Nikolai Lenin

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/506092076852242098/

Daily, Food, Quotes

Fritters for Weekend

Posted on December 1, 2018October 20, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

You don’t want to make a steady diet of just lettuce. You don’t want to make a steady diet of fried chicken. Paula Deen

On a walk down the streets in India, the sight of stalls or shops selling fried pakoras or bhajji and the like are a common feature. Not seeing them would make the trip incomplete and less interesting. While it is National Fritter Day tomorrow, fritters have been the heart-line of Indian snacks or appetizers especially the savoury ones. The platter of fritter-like street foods is long with pakoras or bhajji, vadas and bondas to list a few.

Pakoras or bhajjis as they popularly called across most states of India are made usually from vegetables like onion, potatoes, chillies, cauliflowers; although banana, groundnuts, buckwheat, fish and bread pakoras are made. Making their global presence known, newer varieties of pakoras are being experimented with the local flavours like the Haggis pakora (a Scottish snack food of traditional Scottish haggis ingredients with the spices, batter and preparation method of Indian pakoras).

“So do not fritter away your days. Sooner than you fear, you will stand before a mirror in a care home, look at your body, and think, E.T., locked in a ruddy cupboard for a fortnight.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Contrary to the meaning of the noun, fritters are something irresistible deep-fried delicious once-in-a-while treats. Fritters are fried foods consisting of batter or bread filled with ingredients of a wide variety ranging from sweet to savoury tastes. The fillings can be single or mix of vegetables, like onion, potatoes, spinach or cereals like cornflour or milk-based (cheese), meat, seafood and even fruits like bananas or apples.

“Little critters fried like fritters come out crunchy and divine.”- Gregory Maguire

Call them by any name, but fritters have been popular across many countries. From gorengan of Indonesia, Malaysian cucur, Nigerian akara, tater tots and Hushpuppy to name a few, each country has their own version of fritters.

“I don’t want someone shoving his views down my throat, unless they’re covered in a crunchy candy shell”- Stephen Colbert.
To add on to the quote, “or a frittery crunchy taste” sometimes.

Source:http://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2016/05/onion-pakoras-fritters/

Source:https://www.stayathomemum.co.uk/recipes/pancetta-and-vegetable-fritters/

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:http://treasurecourt.com.au/menu/banana-fritters/

Source:https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.za/all-recipes/pumpkin-fritters/

Source:http://www.theafricangourmet.com/2017/02/west-african-garri-fritters-recipe.html

Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld

Source:http://www.travellingoven.com/2015/11/healthy-apple-fritters/

Family and Society, Life, Photography Art, Stories Around the World

Danger of Anger

Posted on November 30, 2018October 16, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

One of the most powerful emotions of man that can have very severe consequences is anger. As time and history has even proven, anger not only causes mayhem but also mass destruction with deadening consequences. What we never realize that the anger is more deadly for the person who carries than it perpetually than one who tries to vent it. To quote Baptist Beacon, “ Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”

As an old English proverb goes,“Anger is often more hurtful than the injury that caused it.” An anger stewed on can grow stronger generating resentment and hatred along with it and eventually fixes itself onto the mind, body and soul echoing in the thoughts, actions and even dreams. Finally it gets fueled by displeasure ultimately swelling and bursting into flames which become irreconcilable and irreversible. When we look back, we wonder what was the need for all of it. “If you kick a stone in anger you will hurt your foot. Korean saying”

As Apostle Paul had taught in Ephesians 4:26,””In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” For carrying this burden is tiresome and lonely. With every hour we fuel the anger, we lose twice the precious time of our peace. While certain occasions may feel like anger is justified, it doesn’t bring any solution just creates a negative impact. As William Arthur Ward had said, “It is wise to direct your anger towards problems — not people; to focus your energies on answers — not excuses.”

Hoarding and storing up the anger is like handling a bag of mouldy and stale potatoes. Not only is it irksome, but it also wastes space in the cellar but also spreads the mould and rot to the other edible items. “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. Chinese Proverb”

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

A Bag of Potatoes

The student asked the teacher: “You are so wise. You are always in a good mood, you never get angry. Help me to be like that.” The teacher agreed and asked the student to bring potatoes and a transparent bag. “If you get angry at someone and harbor a grudge,” said the teacher, “then take this potato.” On one side write your name, on the other the name of the person with whom the conflict occurred, and put this potato in the bag. – And it’s all? – puzzled asked student. “No,” answered the teacher. You should always carry this bag with you. And every time when someone is offended, add potatoes to it. The student agreed … Some time passed. The student pack was replenished with several more potatoes and became quite heavy. It was always very uncomfortable to carry around. In addition, the potato that he put at the very beginning began to deteriorate. It was covered with slippery bloom, some sprouted, some flowered and began to produce a sharp unpleasant smell. The student came to the teacher and said: – It is already impossible to carry with you. Firstly, the bag is too heavy, and secondly, the potatoes spoiled. Offer something else.

But the teacher said: – The same thing happens in your soul. When you are angry with someone, you are offended, then a heavy stone appears in your soul. You just do not immediately notice. Then the stones become more and more. Acts become habits, habits – in character, which gives rise to fetid vices. And it is very easy to forget about this cargo, because it is too heavy to carry it with you all the time. I gave you the opportunity to observe the whole process from the outside. Every time you decide to be offended or, on the contrary, offend someone, think whether you need this stone. Our vices are generated by ourselves. Do you need to carry a bag of spoiled potatoes behind your back?

Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld

Source:https://vk.com/my_1r_public

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Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld

Family and Society, Life, Photography Art, Reflections

True from Fake

Posted on November 29, 2018October 15, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

My daughter once asked my mother how to distinguish true love from fake.
“It’s very simple,” the mother replied.
“… because I love!” Is true love.
“I love because …” is a fake.

This little snippet of conversation which I had read in my social pages has a profound meaning in today’s conditional world. These days everything comes with strings attached. With biased opinions and comments scouring the review pages, consumer markets and even job opportunities, nothing seems fair in the world of today. Add to it, relationships are getting soured as each took the other for granted, and forgetting basic respect and humaneness. With the many weddings and “I do” often said, as well as the friendship bonds made, where does “the love” go as time flies.

While we profess our declarations of undying love, when it is followed by “because” it is wise to suppose that this love will not last as the features so loved will change like the weather. For those of us who have our own close knit of friends and family, have you ever wondered about the care and concern of a loved one ? They keep a watch over us, doing things without asking and many a time, forcing us to wake up and move ahead during roadblocks. They never loved us because of our assets of fun, frolic and gaiety or having an eye on the benefits that their relationship with us would bring them in the future. The commitment and care they gave us was because they loved us. They are in the circle that we should fight to protect, cherish and honour as they put actions and deeds above words because they love us. So while we try to ascertain “the real” love, never forget to remember them as the guidelines of what selfless love should be like.

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source: https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source: https://vk.com/public75290000

Source: https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld

Source: https://vk.com/public75290000

Source: https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld

Daily, Family and Society, Photography Art, Quotes

Enjoy the Wave

Posted on November 28, 2018October 15, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The story is about a little wave, bobbing along in the ocean, having a grand old time. He’s enjoying the wind and the fresh air-until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore. “My God, this is terrible,” the wave says. “Look what’s going to happen to me!” Then along comes another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and it says to him, “Why do you look so sad?” The first wave says, “You don’t understand! We’re all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn’t it terrible?” The second wave says, “No, you don’t understand. You’re not a wave, you’re part of the ocean.” Mitch Albom

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source: https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

One of the constraints of man is we focus a lot on our own issues forgetting that our existence is not by being alone but as a part of a bigger network. We devote our time and energy towards the end goal, little realizing that one day we will all crash just like everyone else. That is why the joy of the ride should be more important than reaching the final post. Although it is imperative to set down life goals for oneself, on the way to achieving them it would be best not to not forget that our journey is one among the billion other journeys taking place. During the intersections and the temporary stops, it would do good to greet others and smell the flowers, for although our destination is predetermined, we never control the entire route or the final stop.