fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
React — Making life easier and a little less painful
By: Joel Harde
Tags: Coding, Bootcamp, Journey, Life, React

Life itself is a journey filled with ups and downs much like programming is. Imagine if there was a way to make life and programming just a tad easier to go through. There actually is a way!

When I started programming in August, little did I know what kind of journey I was about to embark on. Little did I know how much I would learn and how quickly I would learn it. And last but not least, little did I know how hard it would be at times. Coming from a completely different background I had really no expectations at all.

It started out as it usually does when learning something new. The basics on repeat. A month prior to the start of the bootcamp at Technigo I started to learn how to drive. In fact, there are a lot of similarities to be found here. Sitting in a car driving a manual stick for the first time was much like starting to write code for the first time. I simply knew nothing about what I was doing….

Determination, grit and patience when things aren’t going your way, those are keys to success. I won’t take you through the whole journey in detail but a few months later I can now call myself a developer with a drivers license.

After learning HTML, CSS and Javascript the next step was React. I didn’t know much about React when we started to explore it and use it in our projects. For the time being I cannot imagine a life without React. It simply makes programming a lot easier and a little less painful. Thank you Facebook.

React is much like when you’ve been driving a manual car for a few months and then decide to rent an automatic car, in other words a revolution. Using React hooks is much like not having to gear up and down constantly, it makes coding so much easier. Yet, I’m very thankful that I decided to learn how to drive a manual car and how HTML, CSS and Javascript actually works before welcoming React into my life. It’s all about understanding the foundations.

When it comes to life itself I guess there are no simple shortcuts for happiness. It’s all about finding your own meaning and pursue your dreams, because nobody’s going to do it for you. It’s a hard task but as soon as you find your way, life will get a bit more joyful!

Joel Harde
Inca Trail 2 days Machu Picchu
By: Alya Meyzer
Tags: Peru, Journey, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Tours And Travels

Inca Trail 2 days Machu Picchu

Short on time? We can work with your schedule to provide you the same experience in a shorter time! This is simply the second half of the two-days Inca Trail Trek. We will take you by bus and train to the starting point of the trek and then make our way by foot to the town of Aguas Calientes at Machu Picchu’s base. The two-day tour is well worth it and far more rewarding than simply taking the train all the way there as you can pause to enjoy your beautiful surroundings before ascending to the ruins.

Machu Picchu

Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 0 Pre-Departure Briefing

Cusco

DAY 1 Trek Ancient Trails and Go Back in Time at Historical Sites

Km 104 - Chachabamba - Inti Punku - Machu Picchu

In the morning we will Pick up from Your hotel around 5.00 am, drive to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Km 104, where you’ll begin hiking along the rail line.

to take the train to Km 104, where you’ll begin hiking along the rail line. You will first approach Chachabamba and then will gradually ascend for approximately three hours, towards the fascinating archaeological Wiñay Wayna.

After lunch, we will continue our hiking to Inti Punku , or Sun Gate . From this point, you will get your first glimpse of the spectacular city of Machu Picchu below you.

, or . From this point, you will get your first glimpse of the spectacular city of below you. Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, readying yourself for more extensive explorations the next day.

Chachabamba site

Wiñayhuayna site

DAY 2 Tour of the Incredible Incan Fortress: Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

You will have a 2-hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city and visit temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, industrial, and the farming fields.

You will be amazed at the Incas’ engineering ingenuity, which was so far ahead of its time and still partially a mystery today!

You will have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent World Wonder while enjoying the beautiful sunrise from this once-in-a-lifetime viewpoint.

Machu Picchu Peru

Why Take the Inca Trail?
My Current Journey
Tags: Study, Sharing, Acca Course, Journey

11th December, 2020

After 3 years of hunting through my passion I finally chose ACCA. I have currently completed one exam and failed the other. It feels miserable. It’s a cold evening as I write this story..or blog I don’t know what to call this but I felt like writing here. Anyway, I do not have any motivation to study. I want to get under my blanket and read the unread novels stacked near me. I was supposed to write a mock exam right now, strangely I couldnt get any answer right. Maybe I don’t want to do it but deep deeeeeeeeeeeeeep inside I do want to do it (T_T). I’m hopeless, this is too tiring maybe I’ll sleep for now.

Good Night (* ^.^
Rush
By: The Black John Doe
Tags: Self-awareness, Self Growth, Journey

Rush

I don’t know about you guys but I constantly struggle with feeling like I’m always in a rush. A rush to achieve my goals, a rush to meet my queen and have kids, a rush to make money, a rush to finish a project. I don’t know how it happened. Part social media seeing all the fake shit of people living fake lives in fake houses posing with cars they rented for the day and part me thinking when I was young that I’d be married with kids, successful, rich, and happy by 23. I’m 26 by the way and I am none of those things.. kidding I am happy actually 🤢 It’s so weird admitting that but that conversation is for another time. Yall know that cliche saying about how its not about the destination its about the journey? Well it’s true! I’m thankful to have learned that at a young-ish age. This past year and a half I’ve been really just looking at life with a sense of appreciation. Everything that I have been through has made me the person I am today. I have perspective. I have learned to appreciate the adversity and the shortcomings and the unexpected turns. Honestly life would be lame as hell if everything went as planned. Without sadness you dont get that utter euphoric happiness. It’s about balance. Good with the bad, positive with the negative. So there’s no need to rush. What’s meant to be will be. You do the work, with positive energy and intention, you get the reps, you go back, analyze, become more self aware and shit will come around. Trust me. I know mine will. I can feel it. I have the vision. I’m working on myself. I’m in no hurry and while I do believe that I still have to remind myself every day. Navigating through life takes work. Being happy and healthy takes work. But that’s the fun part. It’s supposed to be fun and whoever told us that the work and the effort is just a means to an end, just the necessary shit you have to do to succeed and then once you’re there you’re good, whoever told us that lied. You’re never “there”. You hit goals and keep going. I’ve never heard anyone say I made my first million then quit or I won my first Grammy and felt like I was done or I won my first championship and was satisfied. Those truly elite truly successful people hit a goal and say “What’s next?” I used to think there was a destination. That I’d reach a moment, take a deep breathe, exhale, and be like “oof now I can relax”. That feeling never came for me. Maybe I never quite hit the exact goals I set out for myself but I’ve been steady checking things off my list. I honestly don’t think that feeling comes for certain people. Let me know if I’m wrong. I think we’re all chasing that unrealistic feeling of “It’ll all be worth it in the end” when in reality it’s already worth it. If you’re happy it’s worth it. The money, the houses, the cars, it’ll come, but if you’re not enjoying the process, enjoying the grind, the end result will never be enough to make it worth it.

— — — — —

Affirmation:

I am stepping into a period where I allow myself to grow and expand while breaking the cycle of self-limitation.
I’m Not Lost, I’m Just Enjoying The Journey
By: Anjana Rajbhandary
Tags: Self-awareness, Growth, Journey, Beautiful, Positivity

It was so important for me to know. It is just not the case anymore.

When I was a little girl, I had a destination to get to. I had a timeline for what I wanted to achieve in my life. My dream was to get a graduate degree and get a high-paying job so I could be independent. I wanted people to look up to me.

I wanted little girls to grow up and want to be like me.

I was so focused on my goal that I didn’t quite pay attention to the process. I reached my goal in time, and when I looked back at my life, I realized I wasn’t happy because something was missing.

People thought I was doing great professionally, and in the eyes of the world, that’s what mattered more. I recognized I was so busy achieving that I forgot about really living.

I needed to change things. I needed a do-over.

I changed my lifestyle and my priorities. I continue to value the future, but I focus more on the present, because that is all that is guaranteed in life. It is this moment, and it is at this moment that we have the power to change anything.

Others wondered and thought I had lost my mind or was having a midlife crisis.

I’m not lost, I’m just enjoying the journey.

The truth is, I have finally realized what is more important in my life. It is appreciating every moment of life because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

When I was younger, I thought I needed to know where I was headed and when I would get there. As I have grown older, I know that is it not the destination that matters but the adventures we have along the way.

Life is the best experience, and I want to make it a great one.

Thinking about tomorrow is not the problem. Trying to live tomorrow is the problem. The best thing about life is that tomorrow never happens, so realizing that helped me stop worrying so much about the future that I could genuinely enjoy everything that is happening today.

This moment is inevitable, and it is the only way it can me. Paying attention to moment-to-moment awareness is how I learned to manage my mind.

I am fully accepting what is happening at this moment, and that is the most comforting and powerful realization.

Happiness is not an occasion but a constant state of existence. It is easy to be happy if you are accepting what is happening right now.

Others might say I am lost, but I am enjoying every moment of this journey of life.

And I can finally say I am so happy with life.

Originally posted on Thought Catalog on October 15, 2020. Follow me on Instagram @AnjyRajy
U N H I N D E R E D
By: Upward Call
Tags: Journey, Forgiveness, Life, Hope, Broken

U N H I N D E R E D

[for the one(s) whom the LORD is seeking]

It was 70 years in captivity.

Israel lived years away from home.

Living in a land not their own.

Under the rule of foreign kings.

Their disobedience got them there.

Their willful sinning brought them calamity.

They had been warned by the messengers of God--

the faithful prophets who proclaimed the word of God.

The prophets, their hearts were to turn Israel back to LORD and away from waywardness, away from lawlessness.

Their message was that of repentance and obedience.

Repentance of their sin before God Most High.

Obedience to His law. To His oracles. To His commandments.

Obedience and faithfulness to Him.

But the lure of passions were thrown at Israel.

They followed their appetites.

Distorted the word of God for their own gain.

Bowed down before other gods.

Violated the laws of God at every turn.

Their professed love and devotion to God was empty.

It was as fleeting as the morning mist.

For Israel has gone his own way.

It was 70 years in captivity.

Israel lived in exile.

THEN GOD stirred the spirit of the king of Persia.

Cyrus proclaimed,

‘The Lord, the God of heaven,

has given me all the kingdoms of the earth

and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Whoever there is among you of all His people,

may his God be with him!

Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah

and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel;

He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

Every survivor, at whatever place he may live,

let the men of that place support him with silver and gold,

with goods and cattle,

together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”

Cyrus proclaimed this and had it written.

What a marvelous thing to behold!

The word of the Lord was heeded by a gentile king.

THEN GOD stirred the spirit of His people--

"the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose,"

They made ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

The people around themblessed them and supported them.

The favor of God, unmistakable and visible.

It was 70 years in captivity for Israel.

THEN GOD stirred and moved their spirits to make the ascension.

To go up to Jerusalem and rebuild what was broken down.

To once again live as people of God in their home land.

Bowing down before Him.

Keeping His laws in faithful obedience.

Judah and Benjamin took the journey together with the priests and Levites.

All those whose spirits were stirred by the LORD.
Journey-ing the Revelation
By: Upward Call
Tags: Time, Journey, Life Lessons, Gifts, Life

Photo by Tom Swinnen at pixels.com

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things must soon take place;” [Revelation 1:1, NASB]

It is amazing how half of a line tells volumes. I hope that you see the heart of God when reading this line. His heart is to reveal His Son — Jesus Christ, in whom an individual finds salvation and redemption.

The word “revelation” in its original Greek is “apokalypsis”. I don’t know if like me, you grew up hearing about this word and seeing in your mind images of the world being destroyed. I think the popular media has succeeded in linking the word and the imagery so strongly together. That we cannot hear one without thinking of the other. No wonder because in English the similar sounding word “apocalypse” is defined as the complete and final destruction of the world.

BUT CATCH THIS: “Apokalypsis” the word written in Revelation 1:1 has an entirely different meaning. “Apokalypsis” or “apokalupsos” means an uncovering, an unveiling, a revealing, a revelation.

KEEP CATCHING: And what is uncovered, what is being unveiled and being revealed is of topmost importance. Jesus Christ is being revealed to man so that in Him man believes, be saved, and have eternal life.

There was a time when Jesus Christ was veiled and cannot be fully known by man. It is like the knowledge of Him is covered in a shroud of mystery. But now He has been revealed through the Holy Scriptures. And in the book of Revelation, God gave the revelation of Him to Him to show to His bond-servants.

I hope you see the gracious nature of God — He is the God- God the Father who reveals and the God — God the Son (Jesus Christ) who gives the revelation to man. This is what we read in this half line of Revelation 1:1.

The truth right before our eyes. It doesn’t require secret knowledge or climbing stairs to know God. The Word of God reveals Him.

There is still time to lay a hold of this revelation.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS.
By: Daniel Ademola Dongo
Tags: Starting, Beginers, Medium, Journey

Hi, this is the beginning of my journey here on medium. i look forward to it been an amazing journey.
The Ultimate Question:
By: Nick Otos
Tags: Self Improvement, Journey, Reflections, Purpose, Future

The ultimate question most people have in life is, “what should I do?”.

This question more accurately translates into, “what kind of profession do I want?”, or “what kind of life do I want to lead?”. We’re only here for a limited time, and we all want to make it enjoyable, make it count for something, and to leave some artifact of our existence on this ball of dirt behind.

For the first 18 years of our lives, most of our circumstances are out of our control. We don’t decide where we live, what type of home we’re brought up in, what kind of clothes we wear, or which school we go to. I remember hitting the big 18 and still thinking “I have no idea what I’m doing”. It wasn’t until I was 27-years-old before I was able to answer that question.

The age at which an individual figures out what they want to do in life differs greatly between people... In fact, age is arbitrary. Some people know exactly what they want to do before they even enter high school. At the other end of the spectrum, there are people who are in their late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s who still haven’t found their calling yet. Whether you’re on the front-end or the back-end of that analogy, I want to make something explicitly clear… You aren’t “behind the curve” if you didn’t come out of high school and immediately start trailblazing your way towards your dreams. Sometimes, there is a period of ripening and maturing that must occur before your calling finds you. That’s exactly what happened to me, and looking back, I’m thankful that it didn’t manifest itself earlier, because I 100% would have screwed it up.

The story of Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, is so cool. He scraped, saved, and survived until he was almost 60 years old. He then went on to build one of the most profitable and well-known fast-food chains in the world. What an amazing underdog story. For 60 years, Colonel Sanders was unsure of his future. But looking back on it now with the benefit of hindsight, “of course KFC is going to be a success”. But tell that to Mr. Sanders when he was 30 years old and living out of envelopes. He didn’t know that in 30 years he’d build a vast empire of wealth and success until he was almost a senior citizen, just like you don’t know what will happen if your future even if you’re in your 30’s.

I say all of this to make one point. If you haven’t figured out what you want to do in life yet, it’s OK. Relax. Take a breathe. Most of us are right there with you. Understand that when your calling finds you, you’ll know, and there won’t be a single thing that can’t get in your way once it does.

More to follow…

-FS
The Magic Of First Book
Tags: Lifestyle, Inspiration, Books, Journey

Read the journey of my first book, which might help you find yours.

Do you believe in first love?

Old news! I believe in the first book.

“Books are for intellectuals and nerds.” All my 17 years of life, I had heard people claiming the same over and over again. It was about time, and I started to believe in the theory that I had to be smart to read a book.

But then what’s the point of reading? Shouldn’t I be writing one instead if I am ‘smart’ enough?

With these thoughts troubling my mind, I had an addition.

Which genre, girl? Are you a John Green or Michelle Obama fan?

Finally, a few days later, I decided to look for books online, anything casual. After hours of reading reviews and self-doubting, I finalized one.

Life is what you make it, by Preeti Shenoy, the cover read when I got my first book delivered. It made total sense. Life at 17 seems pretty much what you make of it.

I read around five pages on the first day, and it felt like a win.

I gave it another try and pushed myself (literally, but not really) to complete the first chapter. And that’s it. I couldn’t move forward with it and took a mental note that books aren’t my thing.

I was disappointed and mad. You know why? Because I didn’t know the ‘Why’ of it. I didn’t have the drive in me to complete a freaking book. I wasn’t doing it for myself as it was all about breaking the myth.

As soon as I realized it, I gave it a break. (A long one!)

4–5 months later, I re-visited the thought of reading a book, not because I could do it but, I wanted to. There was no other purpose.

And at this very moment, I felt the magic of doing something for yourself, not to be in the trend.

Also, the book was excellent. It unexpectedly spoke to me. It was all I was looking for: Inspiration, motivation, suspense, romance, complications, and a strong protagonist.

It’s been two years, and I can’t help but find myself lost in the world of fiction. Still, I don’t have a bookshelf showing off my collection. But the couple of books I have read has added a lot of value to my life.

The power a book holds has no limit. A sentence, story, or even a word can change your life for good. The minute you decide to go for it, you will feel it. And if you think you are not a reader, hold on! You just haven’t found ‘The Book’ to start with.

This is my story. Can you recall the story of your first book?
What Your Friends and Family Might Not Understand About Your Entrepreneurial Journey, Part 1
Tags: Entrepreneur, Journey, Business Owner, Entrepreneurship, Business

What Your Friends and Family Might Not Understand About Your Entrepreneurial Journey, Part 1

You’re Going on an Epic Adventure

Congratulations on taking what may be the biggest leap YET of your life or possibly the biggest leap you will EVER take! Becoming an entrepreneur is like blasting off to a whole new world. And just like why some people question why astronauts would strap themselves to a rocket, friends and family might question why you took off on this epic adventure.

It Might be a Little Lonely

With that, it might get a bit lonely up there on Entrepreneurial Mountain. That’s part of the process. But, what’s exciting is that you’ve now opened up a whole new community that you get to find new friends, colleagues, partners, and mentors in .

It’s been incredibly helpful for Kaid and myself to find other entrepreneurial friends. Join Facebook groups, follow inspirational people on Instagram, sign up for coaching programs…There’s a million ways to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Once you start getting comfortable with your new ecosystem, you’ll realize you’re not actually alone on your moutain top at all. In fact, there’s actually a pretty dope ski resort at the top of Entrepreneurial Mountain ;)

They Won’t Get the Weird Non 9–5 Hours

While everyone else is pretty much rooted in their 9–5 schedule, we’ve learned the entrepreneurial schedule is very different. It’s not that it’s the opposite per say. Don’t think every day an entrepreneur is working until 3am and then getting up at 10 or 11. But it does happen.

What does tend to happen often, is working on the weekends, at least when you’re just starting out. Not because you have to, although this can be the reason, but often because you want to! What used to be a “Living for the weekends mentality will now morph into a “Great! I have two full days to work uninterrupted!”. Many won’t understand this and that’s okay..

They Might Not See the Full Vision

Another situation we’ve experienced personally is people not understanding the full vision. And that mainly comes down on your decision to share it and explain it properly. This is entirely up to you.

Sometimes it’s a lot to share about what you’re living through right now, but it can also help to bring people along on the journey. Do what feels right for you you!

We’ll be sharing a part 2 to this tomorrow, stay tuned!

All the best,

Olivia & Kaid, the OK in @okworldtravel
Conversations With My Cab Driver
By: Narayani Bharathi
Tags: Journey, Life Lessons, Honesty, Life, Cab Journeys

Conversations With My Cab Driver

Photo credit: Pexels



Conversations I have with my cab driver

Are always, "How are you today"

And "Did you watch the news?

He has that unperturbed smile on the face

The one that can knock any of your worries away

He would ask how the day went

When I say, "Usual anna, what else",

He would laugh and go about his life

This time around I asked him

He turned around, smiled and told me

The time when a child walked in, licking her lollipop and telling her mom that she wanted another one

The day when a girl like me was weeping constantly thinking about something

He told me he felt helpless and couldn’t ask her anything

The story of the couple who got in, constantly bickering about their life and finally making up

The woman who was on a con-call, apologizing to her boss for getting late and fixing her make up

His stories went on, but he kept driving without taking his eyes off the road

How do you move around everyday?

Petrol for my vehicle and food for my stomach, he laughed

Definitely wasn't funny but kept me pondering

The journey was long, but different

We kept mum after his narration

The sky was beaming pink, blue and black

So was his smile when he dropped me

For once, a young man’s gaze wasn’t attractive

The depth in his eyes was

The bulging nerves from his hands

And the charm from his face

Be a successful man they said,

For once, also take a look at the man who wears a greased shirt

And honesty on his sleeves
Death Valley
By: Terry Mansfield
Tags: Creative Writing, Haiku, Poetry, Journey, Death

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My Homage to the Journey
By: Jordana Chana Mayim
Tags: Journey, Travel, Love, Hope, Open Mind

SOAR

In a world where nationality often supersedes humanity, where borders are closed to so many, in a world where borders exist, and in a moment in time when quarantines have become the norm, I look to travel for hope. Here is my homage to the journey.

Travel, as I view it, isn’t about taking pictures at monuments or buying souvenirs. And it’s not about ticking experiences off a bucket list. Travel is about arriving at a place where you know no one and leaving it with a friend. Travel is learning to see in the person you were taught to hate, something so fragile, so gentle, so beautiful, that your eyes beg your tongue, “Explain to everyone how to see this.” Travel is a pledge to the earth: “I will keep my mind and heart as you keep your fields and forests: open.”

Things that are sometimes quiet at home get loud when you travel: your voice, injustice, questions that you are afraid to ask. It is not travel’s intention to let them retreat back into silence. On the contrary, travel equips them with a megaphone. “Hear me!” “Do something about me!” “Ask me!”

For those who don’t fit in, travel offers an exquisite gift: the knowledge that “normal” is subjective. For those seeking their place in the world, travel offers the road, companions to walk with, and the footprints that past wanderers have left behind as proof of their words, “I traversed this path too. You are not alone.”

Travel is about understanding how much you can share even when you don’t share the same language. Kindness needs no translation.

At core, travel is about replacing fear with love.

Love Wins

The illustrations at the beginning and end of the article are collages made from my travel photos. You can see more here: https://www.jordanamayim.com/hope
Travel, a Window to the Soul
By: The Wake Up
Tags: Journey, Spirituality, Better Humans, Travel, Soul

What type of traveler are you? Do you go to relax, to get away from it all or is it a pilgrimage for the soul?

The Window @ Big Bend National Park, Texas USA

I absolutely love travel for many reasons but as I reflect right now, mostly because it has the power to expand our horizon! That is, if we allow the experience to affect us. Whether it’s savoring new foods, colorful cultures, ancient temples or soaking in breathtaking scenery, I seem to come away looking at life a little different, like shifting a prism slightly and seeing everything change! Everyone and everything seem to become more beautiful. For that reason, there’s never been a single trip that I’ve regretted. They’ve all been eye opening, helped build character, and have been a window to the soul.

I’m reminded of one my favorite quotes on travel. This was from the late, great Anthony Bourdain. God, I miss that guy! Anyway, his words are still alive and ring loudly, “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” — Anthony Bourdain

That is to say, there’s no wrong way to travel, just go! ❤️
The priority slide
By: Sem Gebresilassie, Semosem
Tags: Prioritization, Inspiration, Life Lessons, Journey

It is a no brainer, people that work towards their ideals to make them reality can make great impacts on society. They can change things. There is proof of this from left to right. Unfortunately, we are sometimes forced to opt for the practical instead of the ideal. It would be nice if we had unlimited power to change things, but we don’t have total control over life.

This is because what one needs to do in a given situation may not always be what one wants to do. We have to have some level headed people that live in reality. This view recognises that often we are not helpless victims.

So it begs the question… is it OK then to put pursuing your dream job on hold?

A Harvard Business Review article calls this “the priority slide”, which means pausing higher-level aspirations to focus on the basics. And, Good news, this does not mean being a failure.

Here’s how you can approach it:
Writing Is a Journey to Enjoy
By: Fasiha Imran
Tags: Writing, Experience, Journey, Writing Life, Life

Writing Is a Journey to Enjoy

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

It’s a way to express what you feel. Expressing relaxes you. It empowers you. It can urge you to move further.

Many people don’t have the expressing ability and they can’t communicate properly.

You can develop this skill if you think you don’t have it.

It’s the powerful weapon that makes you feel you can convert your thoughts and ideas into reality.

When you write, you write what you know. You write in your style. You write what you want to let others know.

There is no end to this journey. You can always write something and can become better and better. The more you write, the more ideas will come to your mind on what to write next.

Your writing stops when you die but what you have written already, remains in the space, and people can read that.

Never think that you are not capable of any other thing. Writing is expressing your thoughts and it’s a great ability.

Responsibility comes with writing. So whenever you write something sensitive, be careful about your words and concepts you are going to share with the world.

Initially, I used to think a lot regarding what should I write and how to write and will other people read my words, and will they appreciate it or not.

But now, I write whatever I want to. It’s because I am writing to make myself satisfied as I am doing something my self is urging me to do for years.

So, I just write drafts on whatever topic or theme I know or have an interest in. Then I edit those pieces to prepare a final draft to be published.
About Me — Debdutta Pal
By: Debdutta Pal
Tags: Introduction, Stories, Journey, About Me, Self

I grew up in a collectivistic society, where the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” wasn’t open-ended.

The only acceptable answer, especially for those who performed better than average at school, was a Doctor or an Engineer. When I announced at fourteen that the field of medicine isn’t the right fit for me, I was met with several sad and disappointed eyes.

After all, who would inherit my Father’s Stethoscope? — This was a real question posed to me, intended to guilt me into submission.

My personality was not in accordance with my gender’s guide book, and I refused to comply with most social conventions even though I had the potential to excel. This confused most people, especially my Mother.

Why didn’t I change? Why couldn’t I just cut the undesirable bits? Why can’t I stop thinking for myself, start listening to her, and become extraordinary?

For most of my life, I have fought an endless battle with the regressive and patriarchal society around me so that I could just be — myself. Individuality and freedom were always out of reach, and I could never explain why it was so difficult for me to give these two things up.

I could have had everything else.

Pursuing my true passion was never an option, as financial freedom was necessary to extricate myself from the clutches of those around me. I always knew what I had to do. Move to a different city, have a career that pays the bills, and then gradually tell people off.

You can’t mess with me now. I am in charge, and I will live my life how I see fit.

I needed to earn my freedom.
Journey
By: Abhiram Iyer
Tags: India, Life, Journey

Journey

Enjoy the journey not just the destination, it is easier said than done. Especially, when the bus taking you to your destination is swerving in the western ghats.

I should have seen this coming. The bus painted in almost every perceptible combination of RGB, the LED lights that lit up the interiors, and the Dolby surround speakers advertised loudly, were clear signs. But I grabbed a seat anyway.

It was pouring outside. The monsoon well underway and the window seat did me no favour. That was a bad move on my part. A packed bus, water spraying on to my face from the stubborn window that refused to close, and a ticket to Guruvayur. Neither the journey nor the destination seemed enjoyable.

The swerving got crazier with each turn. Head light from motion sickness, the seething anger, and everything I ate for breakfast reached a boiling point very soon!

I arrived at my destination that day, after having thrown up twice. I don’t remember much of the ordeal that ensued. But I clearly remember the sight of two lungi clad men head bobbing to Lajjavathiye, blaring from the speakers. Enjoying the Dolby surround sound and most importantly, enjoying the journey.
Katie-Jane L’Herpiniere — Iceland Traverse — Hiking/FastPacking — 600km journey on foot traversing the land of fire and ice.
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Adventure, Journey, Hiking, Women, Challenge

Katie-Jane is a British adventure girl living in the French Alps. She’s addicted to type 2 fun, powered by sugar and sunshine, and a lover of marzipan! Katie is mostly known for her organisation and planning skills (a queen of lists and highlighters), and her unwavering belief that anything is possible, whilst bringing a touch of pink and girly glamour to adventure.

Katie in her own words…

“My friends often refer to me as slightly crazy! But don’t be fooled… I’m not very brave, nor an adrenaline junkie or a daredevil, I’m just a normal girl, that through adventure is perpetually learning that ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they just can be bold enough to begin.

When I am not busy at my desk designing websites for clients, or organising expeditions, you might find me looking out of my tent on a mountain summit, snuggled deep in my sleeping bag, drinking a cuppa, watching the sun creep up over the mountains at dawn.

I have a passion for exploring this wonderful world in which we live. Having visited over 50 countries on 5 continents so far, I still feel there’s so much more to explore.

I have often found that stripped of comforts and faced with hardships and adversities, the completion of each journey becomes so much more rewarding.

My life goals are to fill my day’s with wonderful adventures, making memories, seeing new places, meeting new faces, doing things that are difficult, and scaring myself a little, so that nothing feels familiar & therefore everyday becomes extraordinary.”

Listen to Katie Now!!

If you can’t see the link above please click here.

Listen to the last Tough Girl EXTRA episode — Completing the 1911 version of the Tour de France (5,500km in 23 days) & the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan.

Listen to Katie when we first spoke in March 2018 — walking the entire length of the Great Wall of China in 2007 & doing the longest crossing of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap by a woman.

Show notes
Journey Blog — Design Thinking Class
By: Erisha Shrestha
Tags: Journey

Journey Blog — Design Thinking Class

The design thinking class has brought numbers of positive and motivating learning experiences. The design thinking class has taught me various new things about people, their needs and the solutions to it. Design thinking class basically sharpens my power to think critically and be myself.

Firstly it was an interactive session and we were all assigned to different groups with each topic such as health sectors, mobility, agriculture, how might we, etc. We mostly got the topics on mobilities but later for more group work we were able to choose our own products and topics. We all had to be creative and share our ideas and each idea, solution, prototype, find out problems, etc. were all different and unique. We there experienced a proper meeting where communicating our ideas was easy. Design thinking class has taught me to keep trying and encouraged me to be innovative and create different ways to solve problems.

Furthermore, Design thinking class was not always about finding solutions, building prototype, etc. it was more than that. Our teachers came up with fun activities which kind of wakened my lazy body to actually sit straight and listen. Hence, Design thinking class has given me a different and awesome learning experience.
final destinations
By: Ray Desouza
Tags: Poetry, Journey, Angels, Life, Friendship

walking this road — it seems

to nowhere,

may just lead you

to everything you never knew

you needed.

life’s beauty

shared, through the angel wings

of our very being:

every experience,

every victory,

every loss:

every one, a beat of your wings-

brushing gently

on the soul of one in need.

so, live LARGE

&

live strong.

and you will feel the sweet touch

of angel wings…..

from the many angels you lifted

by living your song.

the journey is only just begun.

come and fly with us.

we are not alone.

I collect Spores, Molds, and Fungus. View all posts by nomisyar
1. Heartbreak
By: Kassandra Ruiz
Tags: Lifestyle, Cycling, Journey, Heartbreak, Bucketlist

December 6, 2020–1:55 AM

I just spent yesterday crying the whole day because the guy I love broke my heart. Suddenly my entire life plan has been thrown out the window. I’m going to change that. I’m going to make my own destiny. I have decided that I’m going to start back up on my bucket list. The first thing I’m gonna do is ride my bike to San Francisco.

Yep, that’s right. This one has been on my list for a while but has been pushed back due to injuries and friends backing out. I’m tired of waiting and I’m going to go alone within the next couple of weeks. I just gotta finish that darn Bachelor’s degree on Zoom University. Ugh, two more weeks.

Anyway, I’m excited to wake up early and buy a ton of gear. Tschüss
The Fear of Travelling Solo
By: Raymond Ho
Tags: Resilience, Travel, Solo Travel, Journey

I’ve used to be scared of travelling alone.

Aren’t holidays supposed to be enjoyed with friends, family and partners?

Countries where you have friends that you can meet up with don’t count — I’m talking about places where you have no social connections to rely on.

I think fear of being alone is what stops a lot of people from doing it. Will I be able to spend days on end in my own company? Will I be embarrassed requesting a table for one? Who will validate my choices on the trip?

Luckily, I’m fortunate to be able to challenge some of these fears while living in Europe, where long weekends away to a foreign country isn’t such a big commitment in terms of time and money.

My favourite solo travel moments so far in Europe:

- Savouring each bite of a bread roll while sitting on a park bench in in Pisa, Italy. It was like fireworks in my mouth — how could something so delicious, be so simple? It was a perfect concoction of seasoned raw pork on one layer, and truffle spread on the other, sandwiching in fragrant slices of pecorino cheese. Absolutely divine!

- Enjoying live classical music in Prague, Leipzig and Vienna — sometimes while watching a street busker, other times sitting in a church, where the high ceilings allows for the perfect acoustics and reverb, making you feel like the music is flowing through you.

- Hiking in Vienna and Dresden. There’s something very spiritual about going on hiking trail by yourself, like you’re making inroads into climbing your own proverbial mountain. It also made me very appreciative that I was in good health to be able to do this.

- Exploring Budapest at night. It was eerie walking around Buda Castle alone with tourists around because of COVID, but I persevered and was rewarded with gorgeous views of the evening skyline across the Danube River.

Travelling alone has been very liberating, as it forces you out of your head and into the present moment, as you actively process the overwhelming sights, sounds, smells and tastes of your unfamiliar surroundings.

What better way to truly experience your own Eat, Pray, Love journey and realise the depths of your own strength and resilience?

Don’t get me wrong — I have many fond travel memories of travelling with friends or with my ex, but there’s something special about going down the rabbit hole and being open to where it leads you. Where getting lost is an adventure, and plans not working out is an opportunity to learn how to be flexible and think on your feet. With no one to account for and no itinerary to commit to, the possibilities are endless, and if you don’t like it — change it!
The Tree House. A poem about direction
By: Lennie Varvarides
Tags: Writing, Poetry, Journey, Poem, Dyslexia

The Tree House

A poem about direction

Maps are odd.

They are foreign pictures.

I will make no progress, navigating.

What I need is a little figure to follow. A sprit, or a fairy, or a google avitar. Bold in colour and more determined.

Let them move first.

The path well travelled leaves its mark, but in autum all tracks are muddy.

I need a teacher.

Or a friend far more clever to parent my actions, to push me forward.

Is such generosity, fiction?

Would such a teacher say, “hurry up, your too slow”?

Or such a parent, “you have missed the boat”?

A friend would enjoy the journey, because it will be ours. This is ours. This is our journey.

We will pass left and right turnings. Pass new shops we could of sat in, make comment to return. We will even daydream on it often, I am sure.

But, without a guide…

I’m in the middle of a maze, full of fog and freenze.

So I follow your voice, played back on repeat. Listening out for your riddles.

Until, I see it.

Our tree.

Our tree house where we might have met as children, if we were ever children.

We would of been childhood friends, you and I. We would of slept among the treetops and stared at stars and woke with perspective.

But perspective is a gift our mother’s never gave.

So now instead we mine for paper thin adventures. Imagine an unknown life and fabricate such wonders wrapped in leaves, or riddles, or time spent chasing words like butterflies.

Now we meet daily in your tree house and I refuse to leave.
Journey Of Design Thinking
By: Samyak Nakarmi
Tags: Journey

Journey Of Design Thinking

The course started in the mid of August. At first, I was not sure what the course was all about and thought it to be something related to creativity. However, as time passed by, I began to realize that the course was for solving a problem in the most effective ways. The course was all about identifying and defining what the problem really was then coming up with the proper solutions for it. I was thinking why would anyone need a course to solve problems? One can solve it on their own; they do not have to rely on some course. But after a few weeks, I realized that the course was useful in real-life situations. From a small company to a big one, everybody needs design thinking to solve problems occurring in the most effective way. The advantages of using design thinking are that it includes both the user as well as the company. It links the company to its users. Interviewing, empathizing, and getting feedback guides the company to know what the problem is about. The company can then provide users with the best solutions.

Talking about my course journey, honestly, it was fun attending the design thinking course with something new to learn in every class. I never felt bored while attending classes as many games were played in the class. The majority of the work was done in groups, so along with the design thinking course, my team-building skills were also improving. Also, many real-life examples were presented during the class to help us understand the context in a better way.

We had two design thinking challenge presentations. We were given different scenarios for different groups where we have to identify the problem and then come up with the solutions along with the prototype. So from the first design thinking challenge, I learned that the first step to design thinking was defining the problem in the proper way, then only comes the ideating part. On design thinking challenge two, we had the properly defined problem and the solution along with the prototype. It was tough at the beginning; I did not know where to start. We worked as a team where we shared our views, ideas. Finally, after diligently working for weeks, our group completed the design thinking challenge. It was challenging. I know at a certain level I have progressed in my problem-solving ability.

After the completion of the course, I realized that the course is important not only in professional life but also in our personal life. It does help us to view and solve the problem in an effective way. Be it professional or personal, design thinking is important in every aspect of life.
My Favourite Rita Pam Album
By: Rita Pam
Tags: Anna, Album, Journey, Rita Pam, Beautiful

Personally, my favourites are Adoration (From her first album, Beautiful), Joy is like the rain is also good, it’s a cover of the original song by Medical Mission Sisters, originally released in 1966.

I also love Anna, Change the tide, In Your Presence, Fire and Away, all from Rita’s second album, Anna.

Coming to Rita’s third album, I can’t even pick a favourite song.

My honest opinion is that Journey is the best, for now. We’ve seen Rita explore different styles, especially Trance, House and Techno. Her EDM songs sound way better.

Do you have a favourite Rita Pam album? And which one is it?