Sri Lanka’s Valentine’s Day Celebration-by Kalani-eLanka Image Source:pixabay As the world paints itself red on February 14th, Sri Lanka joins in the global celebration of love with its own vibrant hues and unique traditions. Despite being a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s Valentine’s Day festivities are as grand and diverse as its cultural landscape. Let’s explore how this tropical paradise embraces the spirit of love on this enchanting day. February 14th in Sri Lanka is not just another date on the calendar; it’s a day dedicated to expressing affection and appreciation for loved ones. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, the air is filled with the sweet scent of romance as couples, friends, and families come together to celebrate the bonds that unite them. For couples seeking a romantic getaway, Sri Lanka offers a plethora of idyllic settings to ignite the flames of passion. Whether it’s ...

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Happy Valentine’s Day – By Noor Rahim Valiant are those who woo the hand of a fair maid amorous is the way the affairs start Love being the bond that will make it last Entering into holy matrimony being the confirmation of this trust Never having to say sorry should be the foremost thought “Till Eternity” is the moral destiny that is foremost Inculcating all the goodness of love and trust Never ending are the good values of life, without doubt Endless love should then forever last Noor Rahim January 2009 ...

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING EACH OTHER – By Charles Schokman People who have healthy relationships are more likely to feel happier and satisfied with their lives. They are less likely to have physical and mental health problems. Healthy relationships can: increase your sense of worth and belonging and help you feel less alone. People in healthy relationships love and support each other. They help each other practically as well as emotionally. They are there for each other in the good times and the bad times. This poem by Rex Don sums it up. How Can You “SM_LE” Without *”I”* ? How Can You Be “F_NE” Without “I” ? How Can You “W_SH” Without “I” ? How Can You Be “N_CE” Without “I” ? How Can You Be a “FAM_LY” Or “RELAT_VE” Without “I” ? How Can You Be a “FR_END” Without “I” ? So “I” Am Very Important! But How Can I Achieve ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – LOVE HAS NO LIMITS – by Charles Schokman “Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”  (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)     A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE. There are many wonderful gifts I’ve received in my lifetime.  The perfect hand-sewn dress from my mother. Fingerprint painted pots from my kids. Handwritten cards from my husband. But, for so many reasons, this gift is among the most priceless I’ve ever received. Claver, my husband carved an original woodblock design, then printed it in his college printmaking class, and gave it to me for Mother’s Day last year. The artwork was exquisite, and the hours he put into it meant so much to me.  But, the even greater value was the message behind the words. ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – NO NEVER ALONE – by Charles Schokman God never promised it would be easy, But He did promise we would Never Be Alone. God never gave us a road map. Never gave us a how-to-manual, a list of instructions, a set of definite plans. Never said He’d monitor our every footstep, our every decision, our every turn. He never said He’d control us to the point that we couldn’t take steps on our own. Never promised all carefree days, without any struggle or pain.   But what He did promise was His son’s sacrifice for us—a promise that no matter what we faced, no matter what fear may cloud our minds, no matter where we go or how far we wander from His loving arms—we will never be alone. God never promised it would be easy. He never said that our days would be open and filled with light and ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE A Tribute to Mothers – By Charles Schokman Unconditional Love of a Mother. What does this mean? “The greatest power known to man is that of unconditional love. Through the ages, mystics, sages, singers and poets have all expressed the ballad and call to love. As humans, we have searched endlessly for the experience of love through the outer senses. Great nations have come and gone under the guise of love for their people. Religions have flourished and perished while claiming the true path to love. We, the people of this planet, may have missed the simplicity of unconditional love. . .  “Simply stated, unconditional love is an unlimited way of being. We are without any limit to our thoughts and feelings in life and can create any reality we choose to focus our attention upon. There are infinite imaginative possibilities when we allow the freedom to go beyond ...

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Happy Mother’s Day – By Noor Rahim   Always remember your Mother in every loving way Not just on “Mother’s Day”; but on every day of the year For she who conceived you and carried you all the way Enabling you, to one day, see the light of the day   She did continue tending to your needs, as is the way Of all Mothers; with such loving and tender care  Teaching you and guiding you in all life’s ways Until it is time for you to fend for yourself in the worldly ways   Mother’s Day is commercialized, no doubt, one can say But like inaugurating a New Year with gusto and sway Let’s use “Mother’s Day” to kindle our love for our Mothers in every way And continue this lifelong love, for the one who brought us to life, to forever stay   Noor Rahim 2nd May 2019 ...

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THE POWER OF LOVE – by Joe Van Langenberg It’s Valentine’s Day, which means there’s no better time for all the die-hard romantics to remind each other, how strong their feelings & respect for one another have been & will hopefully continue to be, though hell should bar the way. When life can be a drag at times, steadfast commitment can be the catalyst for couples, (irrespective of gender) to take each other for what they really are & not what they would expect them to be; as remorseless time grinds on, bringing in its wake, not only heartache, tears & fears, but also laughter & confidence in one another; vital requisites to guide them through the difficult times. The seven stages of our earthly sojourn comprises the good, bad & the downright ugly. Sometimes, we lose the will to carry on when the chips are down. But that’s the ...

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PATRIOTISM – IS IT FACT OR FICTION? – By Noor Rahim   What a Wonderful World we live in!  What Wonderful Lands we lived in!  What Wonderful Principles built therein  What Wonderful Indoctrinations that are driven in    Patriotism is just a Double-Edged Principle  Politically Complicated & Confusing; though a word so Simple  In bringing out the Best in a person; to Kindle & set an Example  Placing Country before self and reaching the Pinnacle    A Tool in the hands of the Politicians & Powers that wish to Remain in  At the Cost of Misled Pawns that lie therein  At the Mercy of those adapt at Manipulating  Often Indulging in Misdeed; and oft misleading    Patriotism has many an Obstacle  Primarily it is a Tool for the Majority who Rule  Using the Minority; with their Patriotic Rhetoric as a mere Tool  Just to made use of and Rid of; ...

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LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF – SUNDAY CHOICE – by Charles Schokman “For all of us who lived the Christian faith, we have definitely heard the phrase “Love Your Neighbour As Yourself.” But what does it really mean to love your neighbor as yourself? Do we truly understand the way Jesus Christ intended? How to Love Your Neighbour as Yourself. When Christ was asked what the greatest of all the commandments was, it was not asked in earnest by someone who sincerely wanted to know. Rather, it was asked by someone who considered himself to be an expert in the law of the prophets, who only wanted to test Jesus.  When this question “Who is my neighbour?”  was put to Jesus by a Pharisee. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus Christ turned the question on the Pharisee by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.— https://www.samaritaninns.org/parable/ So with Christ’s answer of ...

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