Rescued by Lions: The Ethiopian Girl in Despair

 

Photo credit Lurii Lvashchenko @ pexels

In June 2005, in the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia, a twelve-year-old girl was walking home from school when her world changed.

A group of men seized her—intent on forcing her into marriage, a practice that still lingered in parts of the countryside. They took her deep into the forest and held her there, her cries lost among the trees.

Somewhere nearby, three lions heard those cries.

Perhaps they mistook the sound for that of a cub in distress. Perhaps it stirred something instinctive—protective—in their wild hearts. Whatever the reason, the lions appeared, roaring through the clearing. The men fled, terrified.

Then, something even more astonishing happened.

The lions did not harm the girl. They stood around her, silent and watchful, keeping guard for hours until police and villagers arrived. Only then did they slip back into the wilderness, their vigil complete.

Was it pure chance that the lions came? Or was it the Universe answering in its mysterious way — in the name of destiny?

The locals might have believed that the spirits of her ancestors had sent the beasts to protect her. Perhaps, through the lens of faith, the girl and the lions shared a connection from a life before this one.
Who can truly tell where mercy comes from, or through whom it chooses to arrive — when it is, after all, divine intervention?

Ethiopian girl reportedly guarded by lions

Kidnapped girl 'rescued' by lions

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Refilling Pen, Recharging Life

A friend once said he was stepping out to buy a pair of ink cartridges for his fountain pen.

His wife looked at him, amused, and said, “Why don’t you just order a dozen online and keep them in your drawer? It’ll be cheaper, quicker, and hassle-free.”

He smiled, pretended not to hear her, and went out anyway.

Because it wasn’t really about the cartridges. It was about the quiet joy of stepping out — seeing people, exchanging smiles, hearing the city hum. On his little errand, he met a few friendly faces, waved at a passing school van, admired a couple of cute babies, and even asked a stranger what the name of the lovely brown Shih Tzu she had.

By the time he came home, he had his pen refills — and a handful of tiny, human moments that made his day richer than any online order ever could.

There’s a quiet moral there: we’re not just here to tick boxes and get things done. We’re here to wander a little — to move, to notice, to connect.

Sure, technology makes life easier. You can have a dozen cartridges delivered to your doorstep without leaving your couch. But in that convenience, we often lose the beauty of wandering, of bumping into life by accident — and close the opportunity to go out again once the ink gets exhausted.

We are, after all, social animals — meant to move, to feel, to be part of the world around us.

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A Simple Gesture, A Lasting Impression

 

Photo Credit: #ReadReflectRejoice

I went to the bank yesterday, and the staff was very helpful in guiding me on what to do and how to do it. He made the necessary copies of my ID and passport, took my signature, and directed me to wait for my turn to meet the officer who would complete the process. So, I waited there with the ticket from the calling system in my hand.

However, there was a small problem — both the display screen and the announcements were in Arabic, a language I don’t understand.

I looked around for any sign of another display that would post the token numbers in English, but there was none. As I stood there unsure of what to do next, a young man noticed my confusion. Without me even asking, he kindly offered to help and asked me to wait near him so he could alert me when it was my turn. True to his word, he did just that. I met the officer, and my task was completed smoothly — all’s well that ends well, as they say.

Walking out of the bank, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. In a world that often feels divided and harsh, it’s these small, spontaneous gestures that restore our faith in humanity. That young man didn’t have to help me — but he did. And in doing so, he reminded me that goodness still exists quietly all around us.

Kindness doesn’t demand a reward, nor does it seek recognition. It simply flows — from one person to another — creating invisible threads that hold our world together.

So, the next time you see someone in need, take a moment to help. You never know — your small act of kindness might be the reminder someone needs that humanity still shines bright. 

Let’s keep this beautiful chain of goodwill alive, one thoughtful gesture at a time.

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L. I. P. - Let’s Celebrate the Living

Photo credit: pixabay@pexels

Have you ever come across the acronym LIP? If not, keep reading—I’d love to introduce you to this beautiful concept. As I take a bird’s-eye view of the world, a strange pattern emerges—one that leaves me wondering: When are we humans, as a species and a society, going to grow up?

You often see an outpouring of grief when someone passes away—social media flooded with RIP messages, heartfelt tributes, and stories of how they touched lives. These messages may comfort grieving relatives and those left behind, but the person they are meant for is no longer here to read them. Ever wonder where all this warmth was when they were alive?

As we moved from close-knit families to isolated satellite units, our community bonds weakened. Once, we knew our neighbours, shared joys and struggles, and looked out for one another. Today, we barely know who lives next door, let alone what they believe or battle in silence. Human connection, once instinctive, now feels like an afterthought.

How often do we pause to check in on a struggling friend, acknowledge someone’s quiet efforts, or simply remind the people around us that they matter? It’s almost as if appreciation and kindness come with a waiting period—one that only begins when it’s too late. Literally after the expiry date.

What if we flipped this script? Instead of mourning the dead, let’s make a habit of uplifting the living. There’s no need to save kind words for obituaries—let’s share them today, while they can still be heard.

This is where LIP—Live in Peace can transform the way we engage with the world. Imagine a reality where LIP became as common as RIP—where people felt valued, supported, and encouraged while they were still here. A world where we actively celebrate lives, not just mourn their loss.

We often talk about leaving behind a better world for future generations, but maybe the real challenge is making this one kinder for those who are already here. 

Life, Loss, and the Lessons We Never Wanted

 

Image: Lukas@pexels

Nancy Stephan wrote in her memoir, “There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, people we can’t live without but have to let go.” This powerful truth resonates deeply, touching each of us at different points in life. While we may grasp it intellectually, experiencing it firsthand is an entirely different matter. There is always a gap between knowing and truly internalizing. As the Bard put it, if practice were as easy as knowing what to do, then “chapels would be churches and poor men’s houses, princes' palaces.” The real struggle lies not in understanding life’s truths but in learning to live with them.

Hardship, loss, and unfulfilled expectations can leave us questioning everything. Why this? Why now? Why me? We search for answers, sometimes directing our frustration at a higher power, other times merely shouting into the void. But questioning, while natural, seldom brings resolution. So how do we move forward when life derails our plans?

There’s no universal answer, no foolproof formula. But one thing that helps is cultivating a mindset of positivity—not by denying pain, but by consciously choosing to focus on what we can control. It’s about acknowledging hardship while reminding ourselves of our resilience. It’s about seeking support, allowing space to heal, and believing in the possibility of finding light even in the darkest moments.

Life isn’t a straight road, and there’s no set timeline for moving forward. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay. What matters is being kind to ourselves and trusting that, in time, we will find our way.

At the heart of it all is acceptance—of life as it comes.

• Whatever happens in life has to happen.
• Whomever we meet, we meet for a reason.
• Whenever something is meant to start, it will start then—neither sooner nor later.
• What is over is over—let go, without guilt.

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Life as a Canvas: Lessons from Sir Ken Robinson

Photo by Victor Freitas @pexels

Most of us couldn’t have foreseen the life we’re living today when we were kids. We envisioned ourselves as astronauts, artists, explorers, or inventors, blissfully unaware of the twists and turns life would inevitably take. As we grew, those dreams began to shift, adapting to the opportunities we encountered and the talents we discovered within ourselves. But dreams alone weren’t enough. Our journey depended on our willingness to seize those opportunities, take risks, and navigate setbacks—sometimes with courage, sometimes with doubt, but always with the hope of creating something meaningful.

“Life has never been a fixed blueprint handed to us; it’s an ever-evolving canvas, as unique as the fingerprints of the person creating it.” As Sir Ken put it, what makes life extraordinary is its threefold nature: it is deeply personal, brimming with creative potential, and inherently organic. We often begin with a general sense of direction, shaped by family, society, or culture. As we move forward, life reveals itself as far more intricate and unpredictable than we ever imagined. It refuses to conform to neat, linear plans. Instead, it grows, bends, and reshapes itself, guided by the choices we make, the lessons we learn, and, at times, forces entirely beyond our control. In moments of uncertainty, we seek solace in our philosophical way of life, which suggests that whatever happens is meant to happen—a comforting thought when the road ahead seems uncertain.

“Living is a process of constant improvisation, much like composing music in real time.” There’s no master script, no flawless performance. We create meaning as we go, weaving together experiences, emotions, and aspirations to form a melody uniquely our own. Mistakes become opportunities for growth—when we pivot from disappointment, adapt to change, or follow an instinct that leads us somewhere unforeseen. “Life’s greatest beauty often lies in its surprises—of continuously crafting, refining, and finding harmony amidst the inevitable chaos.”

“Each step we take adds layers to our story; 

                              it’s something we actively create, 

                                                                moment by moment.” 

Every decision we make, every relationship we nurture, and every passion we pursue contributes to the intricate tapestry of our lives. And through it all, we learn that life is less about reaching a destination and more about embracing the journey, with all its imperfections and possibilities.

As we wrap up, consider how the ideas shared today might make a difference in your world. If you have questions or experiences to share, the comments section is open and welcoming. Don’t forget to bookmark this site for new stories and updates that matter to you.

When Frustration Turns to Fury: The Creator's Struggle in a Digital World

 

Photo credit: 3ReadReflectRejoice

I recently took a nostalgic dive into my blog archives, revisiting posts I'd written as far back as 2008. In those early, more prolific days, I was fortunate to cultivate a loyal readership. We formed a close-knit community, eagerly anticipating each other’s posts and sharing glimpses of our lives. Occasionally, others with a more transactional “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” mindset would join in, and we’d reciprocate. But neither of these interactions ever propelled our posts beyond a niche audience—virality, after all, is the domain of algorithms.

As I pondered the evolution of content creation, an incident from April 2018 came to mind—a tragic shooting at YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, California. The perpetrator, an aggrieved content creator, believed that YouTube’s algorithms were unfairly suppressing her work. While her actions were indefensible, her frustrations echoed a sentiment many creators have felt: the struggle against an opaque, seemingly unfair system.

Social media algorithms, designed to keep users engaged, often prioritize sensationalism over substance. Poorly crafted or shallow content frequently goes viral, while thoughtful, heartfelt work languishes in obscurity. It’s an irrational system, rewarding engagement metrics over meaningful contributions—a stark reflection of life’s own inequities.

Success in the digital realm often feels like a game of chance, governed by the inscrutable whims of algorithms that cannot measure authenticity or passion. Yet, the playing field may be uneven, but I believe meaningful work—work driven by sincerity and purpose—has a lasting impact that no algorithm can erase.

As I conclude, I pose these questions to you: How do you navigate the challenges of an algorithm-driven world? What strategies have you found to amplify your voice amidst the noise? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you manage the frustration—the urge to go up on the hill and shout?

Note: I have published this post simultaneously in my LinkedIn page