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.

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.

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