Thought for the Week (29/10/12)

by Shireen Avasthi

Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it. --Tom Lehrer

What Lehrer means by this is that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.

For example, the more you revise for an upcoming test, the higher you will score on it. Or the harder you work on an essay or article, the better it will turn out.

You shouldn't expect to do well at anything you don't put hard work into, because no one gets anything they don't deserve. You should also never stop working for what you want, because even if it may not seem like it at the time, you will eventually get everything you've earned.

Think of it as an equation; everything on the left of the equals sign is worth the same as everything on the right. When you change the value of the things on the left, you have to change the value of the right, and vice versa.

Put more into everything you do this week, and you'll find you're getting more out of it too :)

Thought for the Week (22/10/12)

by Shireen Avasthi

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.

 What Jefferson means by this is that 'luck' comes to those who work for it.

People who sit around not working for anything, just hoping they'll get 'lucky' and things will go well for them aren't 'lucky'; they're lazy. People who are truly lucky are those who create their own luck.

'Lucky' people work hard. This is why they are better off than many other people. To the rest of the world it may seem that people like this are insanely 'lucky', but in fact, they have just worked hard enough to create an amazing life that is full of great opportunities.

If 'luck' does in fact exist, it is most definitely attracted to those who work for it and earn it. Have you noticed that the 'luckiest' people you know are those that work for what they want? Maybe you are extremely 'lucky'. If so, this is only because you work hard, and the moment you stop working, your so-called 'luck' will vanish into thin air. The least 'lucky' people in your social circle are the ones who never put effort into the things they do. If you take some time to think this through, I'm sure you'll find that this is all true.

So work a bit harder this week. Put more effort into everything you do. You'll soon find that 'luck' is flying your way ;)

Thought for the Week (27/08/12)

by Shireen Avasthi

I love humanity, but I hate people.                            

- Edna St. Vincent Millay 

This is a very special quote. This is because (in my opinion) everyone's interpretation of it will be different. A person's interpretation could be worlds apart from the person next to them's, or it could be uncannily similar.

My interpretation of this quote is that Millay is trying to say there is a distinction between the idea of humanity and the cold hard reality of humans: she is saying that she loves the idea of humanity; she loves the idea of people putting the well-being of another person before their own.

Sadly, people no longer abide by the rules of humanity (surely they must have done so at some point in history!), and due to this Millay has started to "hate" the human race. They have tarnished the name of humanity and run wild and high on selfishness.

I'm sure that a lot of people think that Millay's point of view is extreme, but the thought of people going about their buisness and not caring what happens to the other beings around them probably makes any lover of humanity cringe.

Would it hurt to try and be more aware of the people around you and the situation they're in? Probably not. So be more compassionate towards your fellow human beings this week. I'm certain you'll find it's worth the effort ;)

Thought for the Week (06/08/12)

by Shireen Avasthi

Image created by Nate Williams

Be the change you want to see in the world.

What Mahatma Gandhi means by this is that change starts from you.

For example, if you want to live in a better society, you should set an example for others by being a better member of society.

If you want the world to change, you'll have to change yourself first. It's impossible to change others without first changing yourself.

Do what Gandhi did; lead by example. You cant expect others to do anything without someone to show them the way: you should be that someone.

Just remember, if you want to change something badly enough, you will find a way to be the one to change it.

Try initiating change this week; you might just find yourself enjoying it ;)

Thought for the Week (30/07/12)

by Shireen Avasthi

Forgive your enemies but never forget their names.

What Kennedy means by this is that you should be willing to forgive your enemies, but you shouldn't go so far as to trust or befriend them.

If someone can stab you in the back once, they're more than capable of doing it again. You should keep your guard up in their company, but don't let it show.

You should be open minded enough to forgive someone and move on, even after they've done you wrong. You don't need to forget what they did to you in order to forgive them for it.

Try forgiving someone this week;
it'll make you feel great. Good luck :)

Ageing: Why Are People Scared of It?

by Shireen Avasthi

Why do so many of us have a fear of ageing?

Having a phobia of ageing is nothing to be embarrassed of - lots of people are in the same situation. The question is: why do so many of us have a fear of ageing? 

What do you value most about youth? Is it beauty, intelligence, freedom, just having a good time and a laugh, or is it something else? Whatever it may be, chances are that there are multiple stereotypes pinned to it. More likely than not, one of these stereotypes is that you will be robbed of this quality as you grow older.

Thought for the week (23/07/12)

Image created by Lindsay Whitehead

by Shireen Avasthi

Only do what your Heart tells you.

What Diana means by this is that you should live your life the way you want to. 


Don't let anyone else tell you what you should or should not do; don't let anyone dictate the way your life plays out. Listen to your heart, because you only live once, and you should lead the life you want to live.

However, I don't think that she would be encouraging completely stupid and reckless behaviour!


Do what your heart tells you, at least for this week :)

Thought For The Week (15/07/2012)

by Shireen Avasthi

Pablo Picasso's Self Portrait

My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk, you'll end up as the Pope." Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso. 

      What Picasso means by this is that no matter what you do with your life, you should strive to be the best that you possibly can in that field. You should try to make a difference in the world through the choices you make in your life. He is also suggesting that you should maintain self-confidence and pride but still be humble at the same time.


Try your best at everything you attempt this week. Good luck with the week ahead! :)

Thought For The Week (09/07/2012)

by Shireen Avasthi

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

What Frost means by this is that you can't be hung up on things that happened in the past. In most cases, there is nothing you can do to change things from the past, so you should try to move on. You should live for today and plan for tomorrow, because while you have no control over what happened yesterday, you have full control over what will happen tomorrow.


Good luck with the week ahead :)