One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.
Until it suddenly stopped making any progress and looked like it was stuck.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, although it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man didn’t think anything of it and sat there waiting for the wings to enlarge to support the butterfly. But that didn’t happen. The butterfly spent the rest of its life unable to fly, crawling around with tiny wings and a swollen body.
Despite the kind heart of the man, he didn’t understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle needed by the butterfly to get itself through the small opening; were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings. To prepare itself for flying once it was out of the cocoon.
Moral of the story:
Our struggles in life develop our strengths. Without struggles, we never grow and never get stronger, so it’s important for us to tackle challenges on our own, and not be relying on help from others.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. He then hid himself and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.
Many people loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
A peasant then came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to push the stone out of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant went back to pick up his vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King explaining that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
Moral of the story:
Every obstacle we come across in life gives us an opportunity to improve our circumstances, and whilst the lazy complain, the others are creating opportunities through their kind hearts, generosity, and willingness to get things done.
There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to a baker. One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting the right amount, which he wasn’t. Angry about this, he took the farmer to court.
The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure to weight the butter. The farmer replied, “Honor, I am primitive. I don’t have a proper measure, but I do have a scale.”
The judge asked, “Then how do you weigh the butter?”
The farmer replied;
“Your honour, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker.”
Moral of the story:
In life, you get what you give. Don’t try and cheat others.
In a small Italian town, hundreds of years ago, a small business owner owed a large sum of money to a loan-shark. The loan-shark was a very old, unattractive looking guy that just so happened to fancy the business owner’s daughter.
He decided to offer the businessman a deal that would completely wipe out the debt he owed him. However, the catch was that we would only wipe out the debt if he could marry the businessman’s daughter.
Needless to say, this proposal was met with a look of disgust.
The loan-shark said that he would place two pebbles into a bag, one white and one black.
The daughter would then have to reach into the bag and pick out a pebble. If it was black, the debt would be wiped, but the loan-shark would then marry her. If it was white, the debt would also be wiped, but the daughter wouldn’t have to marry the loan-shark.
Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the businessman’s garden, the loan-shark bent over and picked up two pebbles.
Whilst he was picking them up, the daughter noticed that he’dpicked up two black pebblesand placed them both into the bag.
He then asked the daughter to reach into the bag and pick one.
The daughter naturally had three choices as to what she could have done:
Refuse to pick a pebble from the bag.
Take both pebbles out of the bag and expose the loan-shark for cheating.
Pick a pebble from the bag fully well knowing it was black and sacrifice herself for her father’s freedom.
She drew out a pebble from the bag, and before looking at it ‘accidentally’ dropped it into the midst of the other pebbles. She said to the loan-shark;
“Oh, how clumsy of me. Never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”
The pebble left in the bag is obviously black, and seeing as the loan-shark didn’t want to be exposed, he had to play along as if the pebble the daughter dropped was white, and clear her father’s debt.
Moral of the story:
It’s always possible to overcome a tough situation throughout of the box thinking, and not give in to the only options you think you have to pick from.
A gentleman was walking through an elephant camp, and he spotted that the elephants weren’t being kept in cages or held by the use of chains.
All that was holding them back from escaping the camp, was a small piece of rope tied to one of their legs.
As the man gazed upon the elephants, he was completely confused as to why the elephants didn’t just use their strength to break the rope and escape the camp. They could easily have done so, but instead, they didn’t try to at all.
Curious and wanting to know the answer, he asked a trainer nearby why the elephants were just standing there and never tried to escape.
The trainer replied;
“when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”
The only reason that the elephants weren’t breaking free and escaping from the camp was that over time they adopted the belief that it just wasn’t possible.
Moral of the story:
No matter how much the world tries to hold you back, always continue with the belief that what you want to achieve is possible. Believing you can become successful is the most important step in actually achieving it.
A mouse was placed at the top of a jar filled with grains. It was so happy to find so much food around him that no longer he felt the need to run around searching for food. Now he could happily live his life. After a few days of enjoying the grains, he reached the bottom of the jar.
Suddenly, he realize that he was trapped and he couldn't get out. He now has to fully depend on someone to put grains in the jar for him to survive.
He now has no choice but to eat what he's given. A slave to his situation.
A few lessons to learn from this:
1) Short term pleasures can lead to long-term traps.
2) If things come easy and you get comfortable, you are getting TRAPPED into dependency.
3) When you are not using your skills, you will lose more than your skills. You lose your CHOICES and FREEDOM.
4) Freedom does not come easy but can be lost quickly. NOTHING comes easily in life and if it comes easily, maybe it is not worth it..
Meteotsunamis are similar to tsunamis but are not triggered by seismic activity on the ocean floor.
Instead, meteotsunamis are driven by air-pressure disturbances linked with fast-moving weather events, like severe thunderstorms.
The storm front generates the wave, which moves towards the coast, where it is amplified by a shallow continental shelf, inlet or bay.
Scientists are only just starting to understand meteotsunamis but waves of 6ft (1.8m) or more have already been observed.
Meteotsunamis occur in a number of places around the world, including the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast, Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas.
Identifying a meteotsunami presents a unique set of challenges to scientists, since the characteristics of these waves are so similar to other meteorological phenomenon, including tsunamis.
It can also easily be confused with wind-driven storm surges or a seiche, which is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water.
These uncertainties make it difficult to predict a meteotsunami and warn the public of a potential event.
Scientists are working to pinpoint the exact conditions which are most likely to generate a meteotsunami in an effort to improve advance warnings.
Europe is known for its busy, culture-driven cities like
Rome and Paris. But between all the landmarks and selfie-taking tourists,
you'll find literally hundreds of charming little towns with populations
smaller than the line for the Eiffel Tower. Whether it's a lakeside hamlet in
Austria or an eerily beautiful village in Romania, these storybook towns are
the stuff European vacations dream about. Hint: Get ready for a lot of bell
towers and cobblestoned streets.
Ronda, Spain
Population: 33,978
One of the highlights of traveling around Andalusia is the seemingly endless supply of pueblos blancos ("white towns," named for the uniform color of the houses). While there are many that exhibit the Moorish architecture and labyrinthine streets that define the region, there's something extra special about Ronda—namely, its location. Set high in the mountains on the edge of a 400-foot cliff, the views of the valley below are stunning and the three bridges that span the canyon are mind-boggling feats of engineering.
Ribe, Denmark
Population: 8,168
Dating back more than 1,300 years, Ribe is the oldest town in Denmark—and, in fact, in all of Scandinavia. The city was established in the early eighth century, and while you can't find any structures that date back to that time still standing today, the picturesque cathedrals and half-timbered houses on cobblestoned streets are well-worth a visit.
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Population: 2,480
The Isle of Skye is known for its sublime natural beauty, but it also happens to house one of the U.K.'s most charming little towns. Situated on the edge of Loch Portree, the capital city has rows of pastel-colored homes and pubs, with a flotilla of bright fishing and lobster boats stirring peacefully at the harbor outside.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Population: 2,620
Affectionately referred to as the "Venice of the Netherlands," this village has no roads—just bike lanes and canals. Explore Giethoorn's roof farmhouses and wooden arch bridges by boat, or by ice skating on the canals during the frozen winter months.
Hallstatt, Austria
Population: 779
There's something special about Hallstatt, made evident when you pull up by ferry across the glassy lake, with mist rolling down from the towering Dachstein mountains. Within the UNESCO World Heritage town are churches that date to the 12th century, a buzzing market square, and plenty of cozy, candlelit restaurants. Bonus: Hallstatt is only an hour’s drive from Salzburg and three from Vienna, making it a relatively easy day trip from Austria’s larger and more touristed cities.
Hvar, Croatia
Population: 3,771
One of the country’s most popular islands for sunbathers and oenophiles, Hvar is renowned for its sunny beaches, lavender fields, and lush vineyards. It also features a beautiful city center, complete with Gothic palaces and marble stone streets. (Bonus: Many of those streets are car-free.)
Rye, England
Population: 9,041
An important shipping center since Roman times, Rye in East Sussex was once entirely surrounded by sea. The best views of the hodge-podge of medieval terra cotta roofs and and timbered walls are from St. Mary's Parish Church tower or the Ypres Tower, the two oldest buildings in town. If you're visiting in late winter/early spring, don't miss the annual Bay Scallop Week (the next one will be from February 22 to March 1, 2020). Rye is a scenic, two-hour train journey from London St. Pancras International, making it an easy day trip.
Assos, Greece
Population: 88
The charming, bloom-filled village of Assos on Kefalonia is one of the most compelling reasons to visit the Greek Islands. The tiny hamlet sits at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by the strikingly blue Mediterranean Sea on three sides. Spend some time on the village's pebble beach before loading up on Greek food in one of the traditional restaurants lining the marina. Seriously, do vacations get any better than that?
Albarracín, Spain
Population: 1,016
Pink, orange, and red houses fill this isolated mountain town, set in a rocky valley on a bend of the Guadalaviar River in Spain's Aragon region. After it was all but destroyed in the Spanish Civil War, the government rebuilt houses and streets in medieval and Moorish styles, as seen in the bell towers' tiled roofs, iron bars in windows, and 12th-century Castle of Albarracín.
Kotor, Montenegro
Population: 13,510
At turns reminiscent of Norwegian fjords and Lake Como, the Bay of Kotor is lined with ancient, picturesque towns—including Kotor. Backed by steep limestone cliffs, Kotor's UNESCO-protected Old Town draws visitors for its scenic location, but also for its history. Getting lost here is not only encouraged, but expected: Centuries ago, Old Kotor was built like a maze to confuse invaders.
Ísafjörður, Iceland
Population: 2,571
Located in Iceland's unbelievably gorgeous Westfjords peninsula, the tiny town of Ísafjörður is nearly swallowed by the towering mountains surrounding it. (Does anyone else feel extremely underwhelmed by their tiny backyard right now?) With winter temperatures dipping down to the 20 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures rarely reaching above the mid-50s, Ísafjörður is pretty much the opposite of your go-to Italian and Greek resort towns—and therein lies its appeal, especially if you prefer your vacations more rugged than ritzy.
Reine, Lofoten Islands
Population: 314
The beauty of the Lofoten Islands, just off of Norway's northwestern coast, is truly unparalleled: think majestic fjords, frozen beaches dotted with surfers, and colorful fishing villages. Reine on the island of Moskenesøya is one such village, located above the Arctic Circle, about 190 miles southwest of Tromsø. The town's yellow, stilted buildings surrounded by jagged mountains and icy waters is about as awesome as vistas get.
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Population: 13,083
Tucked between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean (and politically part of Denmark), the Faroe Islands have enough puffins and grass-roofed houses to keep travelers happy for days. The capital of Tórshavn is also the largest city on the archipelago, settled behind a busy harbor on the east coast of Streymoy Island. Within the 66.8-square-mile city are 18th-century churches, a handful of museums, a tiny Old Town, and rows of houses painted black and red.
Vernazza, Italy
Population: 852
Vernazza is the steepest and loveliest of the Cinque Terre villages, making it the ideal spot for a low-key romantic getaway. Its streets are lined with signature candy-colored houses and plenty of gelaterias; the town slopes down to a small, sandy beach and Cinque Terre's only natural harbor.
Kastraki, Greece
Population: 560
The idyllic, red-roofed town of Kastraki has one of the best backdrops imaginable: the famous Meteora monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by wildflower-filled countryside on mainland Greece. It's hard to imagine a more impressive "room with a view" than opening your blinds and seeing medieval buildings situated on pillars of rock stretching a thousand feet into the sky.
Cobh, Ireland
Population: 12,800
Cobh redefines charming with its rows of candy-colored homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbor. This town is particularly popular with cruise-lovers—about 60 ships stop there every year. In fact, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, and a commemorative museum stands in the city today.
Bled, Slovenia
Population: 8,171
There's a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and 12th-century castle on a hill, you won't be short of picture-perfect views. The surrounding town of Bled is just as charming, with candlelit restaurants and traditional wooden rowboats just waiting for visitors.
Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
Population: 35,402
Further proof that the Azores is one of the most beautiful places on the planet: Angra do Heroísmo, one of the archipelago's three capital cities. Aside from the green hills and blue ocean surrounding the town, Angra do Heroísmo stands out for its lovely town square and 18th-century churches and forts.
Sighișoara, Romania
Population: 26,370
If you like your Eastern European towns to come with a fear factor, then the Transylvanian city of Sighișoara is for you. The historic town is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the vicious Prince of Wallachia who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. For the best thrills, you can tour his childhood home (which includes a tiny torture museum) or brave Holy Trinity Church's eerie and creaky stairwell after dark. Not a fan of the macabre? Sighișoara's UNESCO-protected historic center and streets lined with colorful houses provide a nice fairytale vibe—minus the bad guys.
Dinant, Belgium
Population: 13,544
Nestled snugly in a cliff face on the Meuse River in Belgium’s Wallonia region, the tiny town of Dinant looks like the setting of a Disney movie—complete with skyline-defining Gothic cathedral and 16th-century castle (hedge maze included). Fun fact: Dinant also happens to be the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the—you guessed it—saxophone.
Castelluccio, Italy
Population: <150
Located atop a steep hill 5,000 feet above sea level, Castellucio is the highest village in the Appenine Mountain Range—and arguably the most beautiful. On one side, the village is backed by snow-capped mountains, and on the other, lush, fertile plains that blossom with red poppies, violets, and rapeseed in the spring (time your visit to the “Flowering,” from late May to early June). Sadly, a 2016 earthquake rendered the village virtually uninhabitable, but some remaining residents have re-opened shops and restaurants that are currently open to visitors.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Population: 5,319
Known for its stunning lakes and old timber houses, the Swiss town of Interlaken also happens to be a mecca for adventure travelers. Aside from sledging and kayaking, the town has one of the world's most epic skydiving experiences: a 20-minute flight over the mountains, then a 45-second free fall drop before your instructor deploys the parachute. We can't think of a more thrilling way to view the Swiss Alps.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Population: 10,930
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known for its preserved medieval Old Town, draws millions of tourists each year with its made-for-Instagram multicolored facades. If you can swing it, plan your visit for December, when the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, and cozy taverns. And don't forget about the Reiterlesmarkt, one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country.
Flåm, Norway
Population: 350
Undoubtedly one of Europe's most beautiful cruise ports, the tiny village of Flåm welcomes ships passing through western Norway's vast Sognefjord. The town is scattered with boldly colored houses and surrounded by unblemished green hills, but it's perhaps best known for housing Flamsbana—the world's steepest railway. Hop on the train in Flåm, which will take you past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks to the summit of Myrdal Mountain.
Kaysersberg, France
Population: 4,677
France has no shortage of beautiful small towns and villages to choose from, but we're big fans of Kayersberg in Alsace—and the French people tend to agree. In 2017, the tiny, cobblestoned village was voted the country's favorite village in Village préféré des Français, a TV program that polls citizens every year to crown a winner. Kayersberg continues to win over locals and travelers alike with its friendly locals, walkable streets, and diverse architecture, like the 14th-century Oberhof Chapel and historic Château de Kaysersberg.
Whether you struggle with overeating or resisting the urge for sugary snacks, temptation is always around the corner. So, why not set yourself a tough but rewarding resolution this July. I have put together some tips on how to keep a better-balanced diet at home, to help really give a boost to your health this month.
1. Don’t work in or near the kitchen
Try to arrange your workspace away from the kitchen, or at least out of sight of the fridge. This will help to avoid temptation and the constant desire to visit the snack cupboard. Try to stick to your scheduled meal times and only go to the kitchen or fridge at these times.
2. Plan your snack and mealtime
Plan your meals the same way you would plan the rest of your day - wake-up, workout, work and sleep. When working from an office we wouldn't be eating all day - so have a plan whilst working from home. Set a time where you will have breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks, to help reduce over-eating.
3. Prepare your lunches
Being at home, it can feel liberating to have the freedom of eating what we want, not to mention not queuing for the microwave at work. For some people, this freedom can be too much especially when it comes to weekday lunches, and we can be tempted into some unhealthy food choices. Try to prepare your meals the night before - even if you stick to basics such as salad, pre-cut vegetables, grilled chicken or fish and nuts. Alternatively, why not try a veggie omelette, but pre-cut the vegetables beforehand so it is quick to prepare at lunchtime.
4. Drink plenty of water
Dehydration can commonly lead to over-eating, fatigue and a lack of ability to focus. All the vital components you need to be able to work well. Keep a large water container near you on your desk and take regular sips throughout the day. Try to aim for at least 2-3 litres every day.
5. Focus on real foods
Nutritional, balanced food will give you more energy, lift your mood and keep you focussed for longer. Avoid processed foods and try to stick to whole grain carbohydrates, protein, fibre, healthy fats, fruit and vegetables. Although obvious, avoid snacking on chocolates and other junk foods. Buy fresh and keep your macro's in mind. Depending on your goal, we would recommend your daily food consumption to comprise of the following macros; 40-60% carbohydrates, 20-35% protein and 20-35% healthy fats.
6. Don't buy junk food
The best way to stop the urge to go to the snack cupboard is to prevent yourself from buying it in the first place. If it is not in your kitchen, you won’t eat it! Take special care with foods which you know trigger binges for you. Out of sight, out of mind is the golden rule!
7. When you eat, just eat
The temptation to sit by your desk and eat your lunch can be high, but we recommend avoiding this if you can. Take a seat at your table and take a few minutes and have a break - this will lead to better satisfaction of your meal and reduce the want to overeat. It will also give you a well-earned break to re-gain focus for the rest of your day.
The discussion became heated up, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, and to do so they approached the lion, King of the Jungle.
Before reaching the clearing in the forest where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey started screaming:
′′Your Highness, is it true that grass is blue?".
The lion replied:
"True, the grass is blue".
The donkey rushed forward and continued:
′′The tiger disagrees with me and contradicts me and annoys me please punish him".
The king then declared:
′′The tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence".
The donkey jumped for joy and went on his way, content and repeating:
′′The grass is blue"...
The tiger accepted his punishment, but he asked the lion:
′′Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?"
The lion replied:
′′In fact, the grass is green".
The tiger asked:
′′So why do you punish me?"
The lion replied:
′′That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because the worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn't care about truth or reality, but only the victory of their beliefs and illusions.
