Importance of Travel -- expanding your horizons

2013 Daily Inspirational Quotes #21 - The importance and beauty of travel captured so wonderfully by Mark Twain:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Photo taken at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2010. These men have flower-dyed ash on their faces. The smell of the whole area was burning flesh that was really hard to smell and made me a bit dizzy on several occasions. My wonderful Nepalese guide did a wonderful job of walking me through the history and traditions of the Hindu faith.

The Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River (which was filled with ash and belongings of individuals). The temple served as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Give and Take

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #22 - Growing up my father used to always say this to us, and it has stuck over the years: "In this world of give and take, one must learn what it takes to give."

Photo taken in 2010 in Nepal while walking around smaller villages on the out-skirts of Pokhara. As we passed by locals working on handcrafts, pottery and woven goods, would put out their hands asking for tips. Due to the language barrier, we didn't get to chat too much beyond basic sign language and exchanges of smiles. 

# 20 - Standing-up for what you believe

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #20. Inspired by a quote from Alexander Hamilton in 1978: 'Those who stand for nothing fall for anything'.

It was amazing to watch the goats in Oman stand so perfectly to eat from high up in the trees. Despite there being shrubs, branches and bushes closer to the ground, they made a reach for the "good stuff" higher out of their range.

A good lesson for life: Stand-up for what you believe in and want. If you don't stand firm, you will fall for anything that comes your way.

Photo taken in Al-Suwaidi, Oman in 2010.

# 19 - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Birthday!

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #19 - On the occasion of Mawlid al Nabawi, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) 1443 years ago, I thought this picture and Hadeeth would be appropriate. 

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The best (Jihad) is (to speak) word of justice to an oppressive ruler." ~ Sunan of Abu-Dawood:2040.

This is a photo I took in Byblos Mountain, Lebanon from the fort overlooking the city. As we were walking, I looked to my right and was struck by how the opening in the fort, displaying the beautiful bright blue dome of the mosque, was in the shape of Palestine/Israel. Was beautiful!

FYI, PBUH was born on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awal of the Lunar Calendar — in Byblos, Mont-Liban.

2013 Presidential Inaugural Celebrations

Truly enjoyed being part of the inauguration festivities, both the inauguration itself and the balls later that night. Was great to be part of history for the second time. I would say the "happy feel" was muted comparing to 4 years earlier, however there was still a bit of magic in the air. 


One of the highlights of my day was meeting my twin. Yes, my long lost twin.  As we walked towards the National Mall to find a location to camp out and watch the swearing in, BOOM, Dakota and I found each other. Same color, texture & style -- in the form of a dog. Our meeting was a blissful joy. As I crouched down to take a photo, Dakota gave me a HUGE lick across the face, which is why I was turning my head away in the photo. This made my day complete. Heck-- it made my life complete ;).

Moments after parting ways with Dakota, an anchor from PBS stopped us to get a sound bite about our feelings about the Inauguration. I went on a tangent about US Foreign Policy and the role of the US in the Middle East, expectations of the international community, etc, however, as expected, it got edited to remove all the "juicy stuff."  Here is a link to the interview that appeared as part of PBS NEWSHOUR with Ray Suarez: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/jan-june13/mallview_01-21.html

My sweet nephew Adam braved through the cold (well he didn't really have a choice, but was such a good sport through it all) to watch the Swearing-in and the Inaugural Parade. My dear friends bought him some hot chocolate to warm his heart.


The night ended with a few balls. We attended the 2013 Ambassadors Inaugural Ball hosted at the National Gallery Museum then an Inaugural Celebration at the famed Cafe Milano in Georgetown. All in all, was a fun day filled with dynamic activities spent with dear friends and my loving little nephew who brought so much life, laughter and cute smiles to it all.

The complexity of love....

2013 Daily Inspirational Quotes # 17 - We often get caught up trying to define love. Shakespeare captures it's complexity beautifully. This photo is of a dear friends wedding-- a friend whom I learned a lot from and with during my teenage years.

I have not been good about keeping up with these daily.

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote # 14. Photo was taken in Al-Suwaidi, Oman. This sole lonely tree, growing out of the sand, provided shade for some goats protecting them from the scorching Omani heat. Reminded me of the Chinese Proverb -- plant firm foundations for future generations to benefit. They will be thankful!

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #20 - Dedicated to my mother on her birthday. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother and teaching me the meaning of unconditional love.

Love you mommy Suzanne Rinno Barmada! Happy birthday.

Photo taken in Nepal 2011 while trekking.
 

 2013 Daily Inspirational Quote # 15. Saw the quote on a bulletin board at Howard University when meeting with Dr. Sulayman S. Nyang a few years ago where we spoke about human rights, civil-liberties and activism. I found the Libyan proverb to be very profound at the time and jotted it down in my notebook. Months later, it became even more fitting in light of the "Arab Spring".

Photo taken in 2011 during a desert excursion in the Sahara Desert with Tabassum Rahman in Morocco.

Dedicated to my mother on her birthday. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother and teaching me the meaning of unconditional love. Photo taken in Nepal 2011 while trekking.

At times we get to bogged down looking at big pictures that we forget to stop, enjoy the small things, breathe, and enjoy life. Picture taken in my parents garden in Mississippi that they rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.

Oh people of faith...

As we sit here looking around at all the injustice and inequality, I can't help but turn my attention to people of faith with the means to do something....

 The Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
~ Bukhari and Muslim 

Photo taken in Laranca, Cyprus in 2012.

Add caption

A dedication to my beloved Syria...

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #11 - As Frederick Douglass said: "Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." Praying for Syria and all the brave people sacrificing so much to help ensure its brighter future. Photo taken in the old market in Damascus, Syria during my visit in 2009.

Don't complain about darkness....

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote #10 - Don't complain about the darkness-- instead, add light. Photo from Thai Island, 2011. I sat for hours on the beach watching this young man play around with fire. Despite the burns all over his body, he didn't complain, rather he kept trying time and time again to "add light".

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #9

LIVE YOUR LIFE!

Photo taken in 2010 in off a heavenly resort on the private island of Koh Samed, Thailand. I went to the island with a wonderful family that sponsored a 'voluntourism' fellowship ("Breaking Barriers Through Travel) to volunteer and travel in India, Thailand, and Nepal in 2010-2011. Was a great end to the trip and a reminder to BREATHE! Enjoy! And take time to appreciate one's self and accomplishments.

First few photo quotes for January

Here are the entries from the first few days in January. I will be uploading daily pictures day to day in future.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #5 - A good daily reminder to keep working hard. Photo taken in Athens, Greece in 2010.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #6 - Sorrow and sadness can be a blessing. Use the emotion to look deep inside yourself and find inspiration to grow. Photo taken in 2011 in Phokara, Nepal.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #7 - Finding inner peace by bringing heaven to your soul. Photo taken in 2012 in Jounieh near Beirut, Lebanon.

 

 
2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #8 - When we see extreme poverty, injustice and lack of global action, we often are left wondering why the world is a place where such evil exists. Photo taken in 2011 on drive between Pokhara and Kathmandu, Nepal.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #2 - Having a positive outlook. Photo taken in 2011 in Salalah, Oman.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #1 - Mind over matter. Photo taken in 2011 Kathmandu, Nepal.

2013 Daily Inspirational Photo #3 - Quote inspired by a bracelet worn by a dear friend, Tabassum Rahman, on our recent travels. Note: photo is not mine.

2013 Daily Inspirational Quote Project

It has been quite a while since I have blogged. To be honest, I never really go into the habit of blogging despite the fact that I keep saying I will! I hope my new project will help make my blogging goal a reality!

One of the projects that I have embarked upon for 2013 is a creating a daily inspirational quote picture inspired by my photos, life, work, and global travels. Over the years work and pleasure has taken me to many beautiful places and countries.  I have tried my best to capture the moments with whatever camera I have access to (often times not a very fancy camera at all or simply my cell phone). Also, since 1999 I have kept a quote book that includes words of wisdom, advice and guidance from friends, loved ones, famous writers and those I randomly encounter. 

At times when I feel at a loss of words expressing myself I find that pictures and simple phrases speak to my soul.  I hope that some of them speak to yours as well. Creating a quote book has always been a dream of mine-- so here's to laying a foundation!