TODAY’S STORY: The Snake And The Axe

 A carpenter went home after shutting down his workshop, a black poisonous cobra entered his workshop.

The cobra was hungry and hoped to find its supper lurking somewhere within. It slithered from one end to another and accidentally bumped into a double-edged metal axe and got very slightly injured.

In anger and seeking revenge, the snake bit the axe with full force. What could a bite do to a metallic axe? Instead the cobra’s mouth started bleeding.

Out of fury and arrogance, the cobra tried its best to strangle and kill the object that was causing it pain by wrapping itself very tightly around the blades.

The next day when the carpenter opened the workshop, he found a seriously cut, dead cobra wrapped around the axe blades.

WHAT WE LEARNT

The cobra died not because of someone else’s fault but faced these consequences merely because of its own anger and wrath.

Sometimes when angry, we try to cause harm to others but as time passes by, we realise that we have caused more harm to ourselves.

For a happy life, it’s best we should learn to ignore and overlook some things, people, incidents, affairs and matters.

Words of the Wise - All that glitters is not gold. English Proverb

What is important to consider, I think, is the difference between what is imaginary and what is real--and the fears are real. Fred Rogers

I realised a long time ago that a warrior in search of his dream must take his inspiration from what he actually does & not from what he imagines himself doing.  Paulo Coelho

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.  Brene Brown

Anyone can possess, anyone can profess, but it is an altogether different thing to confess.   Shannon L. Alder

Never apologize for what you feel. It's like saying sorry for being real.       Lil Wayne 

If you don't like my words, don't listen. If you don't like my appearance, don't look. If you don't like my actions, turn your head; It's as simple as that.     

Be who you are and say what you want, for those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.    Dr. Seuss

Ride the energy of your own unique spirit.     Gabrielle Roth

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.    

Italian chocolate cake

  

 Ingredients

• 200g soft unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 100g light soft brown sugar
• 100g dark soft brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 100g self-raising flour
• 75g ground almonds
• 25g cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 200g sultanas
• 50g cut mixed peel
• 50g blanched hazelnuts, roughly chopped
• 50g blanched almonds, roughly chopped
• 50g pistachios, roughly chopped
• 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• zest and juice of 1 large orange
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step by Step            

1.   Preheat the oven to 160°C, fan 140°C, gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm spring form tin. Beat the butter and sugars together in a stand mixer with the ‘K’ attachment (or with an electric whisk) until well-combined and fluffy about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing between each, (if the batter starts to split add 1 tablespoon flour) then on a slow setting fold in the flour, ground almonds, cocoa and baking powder.

2.   Add all the remaining ingredients, and using a spatula or wooden spoon, mix. Scrape into the prepared tin, level the top, and bake for 1 hour 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. (Be careful not to hit the pockets of melted chocolate, as this will look like raw cake batter, go in again if you are unsure.)

www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/

 

Wise Words - Be content to seem what you really are.

  

"Prayer is simply talking to God like a friend and should be the easiest thing we do each day." - Joyce Meyer

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all                                                    that you are not.                 Henri Frederic Amiel                       

The strongest force in the universe is a human being living consistently with his identity.   Tony Robbins

Forget about being impressive and commit to being real. Because being real is impressive! Jonathan Harnisch

Motivational Monday quotes

 

1. “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” — William James

1. “One of the differences between some successful and unsuccessful people is that one group is full of doers, while the other is full of wishers.” — Edmond Mbiaka

1. “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” —Lucille Ball

1. "You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind. To begin, begin." ―Gordon B. Hinckley

1. “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…” – Marcus Aurelius

1. “Mondays are the start of the work week which offer new beginnings 52 times a year!“ – David Dweck

1. “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer

1. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

Vintage Rings - Wise Sayings

 

The riches that are in the heart cannot be stolen.     

Russian Proverb

Plan your life like you will live forever, and live your life like you will die the next day.      

unknown

Desires are brought to live depending on one’s wisdom. Wisdom gives direction to desires.     

Takuan Soh

He that respects himself is safe from others.      

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”― Anaïs Nin

Money buys everything but good sense.     

Yiddish (on money)

Just because something is common sense doesn't mean it's common practice.      

Nothing is impossible to the willing mind. 

He who flees at the right time can fight again.      

Marcus Trentius Varro

1920s Style Wedding Gowns | Yolan Cris