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Yemenat
30-07-2025
- General
- Yemenat
Failure in Poetry
My failure in writing short stories meant that I couldn't remain stagnant; I had to leave that place, change my path, or seek another harbor more suitable for me. The English proverb states, 'You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.' I must change my direction, for failure, as the self-development speaker Zig Ziglar says, 'is a forced redirection, not a dead-end.' Or in the words of Saudi writer and media figure Ahmed Mazen Al-Shuqairi: 'It doesn't mean you are a failure; it means you haven't succeeded yet.' Perhaps they are all right in their insights. I tried to knock on the door of poetry, hoping to find it open and welcoming. Yet, the intricacies of meter are difficult and exhausting. This was revealed to me during my high school experience. Between me and poetry lie sixteen seas, without a single raft to navigate them! Why are they called seas, when they also bear names like the long and extended? In truth, they are constraints and limitations that constrict me, and I feel suffocated by them, struggling to breathe. How can I navigate them without a boat or oars? How can I begin my journey with poetry that enchants me, that I enjoy listening to, yet struggle to create or write? How can my journey in poetry proceed when I have no provisions, no water, and no mount? I studied meter in high school and found it daunting, and I do not believe a day will come when it will become easier for me. From where could it soften? I doubt it will, especially as I sense an expansive barrenness in my memory. Traditional, metered poetry, with its many artistic constraints, requires a strong reservoir and a wealth of language, neither of which I possess. Moreover, I long for vast spaces of freedom, while the numerous rules and standards drive me to madness. Yet, there exists free verse, liberated from the many constraints imposed by traditional poetry. Nevertheless, I do not savor this form; I do not appreciate it, nor do I lean toward it. So I spoke to myself, convincing it to attempt to evoke musical rhythm while bypassing rhyme without triviality or excess. A try would not hurt. I embarked on my intention, and my first attempt, relatively long, was titled 'Bilqis,' referring to Yemen. I sent it to the 14 October newspaper, which published an excerpt on 24/5/1985, beginning with: Bilqis, a face divided by the trenches of borders, and furrowed by stumbles and journeys, and the invader feasted on its bounty, plates and sipped from its freshness, goblets and destinies. *** We are pained by our love for her, and love is a hell. Let our hearts be a home for hell. I wrote another poetic attempt dedicated to the 12th World Youth Festival held in Moscow, published in full by 14 October on 26/7/1985, titled 'To the Youth.' Previously, it had been published by Al-Rayah newspaper on 9/6/1985 under the title 'The Promises of Our Green Dreams.' It began with: Hurrah, your festival! A celebration that crowns suns in the sky of tomorrow, rising and smiling, youth from all around the earth, united in their streams for horizons that nations aspire to. Youth, with determination, their arms are woven, and in the bastions of knowledge, they are safeguarded and fortified. On July 2, 1985, I wrote a poem for Randa, whom I had loved for many years, though she did not love me back simply because she was unaware of my feelings. I began my attempt with these lines: You have ignited, O Randa, my life in the depths of your eyes, and I roamed the horizons, yearning for the future. I sent it to both the 14 October newspaper and Al-Rayah for publication, but neither printed it. To console myself, I envisioned the death of 'Randa' I loved and penned a vertical poetic attempt on April 30, 1985, which began: In your love, I spent my life in loyalty, so how can hope be severed today? For patience has not become bliss, nor has separation turned into reunion. Indeed, patience has become a hell, and separation has turned into misery. This poem, too, found no avenue for publication. I wrote another piece titled 'Sana'a, My Bereaved Mother,' starting with these lines: Sana'a suffers and endures the triad of the dark tunnel, feeding on the lashes of the whip and swallowing cups of bitterness. This poem also failed to find its way to print. Many poetic attempts were made, most of which went unpublished. The few that did make it to print were relegated to the readers' page, with some only seeing small excerpts published. Much of the waiting for publication felt like a futile endeavor, a mere mirage. I sensed that poetry was more elusive for me than my attempts at writing stories. I recognized that I was not gifted in it nor deserving of the title, lacking even the barest hint of talent. I accepted that I could never be a poet, despite my aspirations. Yet, as the saying goes, 'Not everything one desires is attainable,' and so I ceased my attempts. Although I recited some of those poems on various occasions and felt they were somewhat well-received by listeners, I was aware that these efforts were outputs of hard work, not the fruits of talent. Despair overtook me, and I felt a profound disappointment in my poetic endeavors, yet it was the bitter truth: I was not talented and would never be. Poetry, above all else, requires talent, which I lacked and would continue to lack. I became increasingly convinced that I had no steed or field in the realm of poetry.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Thought of the day for school assembly: 40+ Inspiring quotes & motivational messages
Thought of the day for school assembly: Starting the school day with a positive and thoughtful message can inspire students and set the right tone for learning and growth. Here we offer a rich collection of powerful ideas and uplifting words to motivate students, encourage kindness, and promote a positive mindset. Whether you're a teacher, student, or school leader, these daily thoughts can help ignite enthusiasm, build confidence, and foster a supportive school environment. Check out these meaningful quotes to make every assembly a moment of inspiration and reflection. Best thought of the Day for school assembly to inspire students 'Believe you can and you're halfway there.' – Theodore Roosevelt 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' – Eleanor Roosevelt 'Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.' – Albert Schweitzer 'Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.' – Zig Ziglar 'Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.' Motivational quotes for school assembly: Daily inspiration for kids 'Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath and start again.' 'You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.' – A.A. Milne 'Mistakes are proof that you are trying.' 'The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.' – Franklin D. Roosevelt 'Do your best today and let success follow.' Positive thoughts for school assembly 'Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.' – Dalai Lama 'Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.' – Zig Ziglar 'Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.' – Dalai Lama 'Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your dreams.' 'A positive mind always finds a way it cannot be done will never get a solution.' Short & simple thoughts for School Assembly in English 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.' 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' 'Small steps every day lead to big achievements.' 'Help others and you help yourself.' 'Stay curious, stay kind.' Moral thoughts and values for School Assembly messages 'Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.' – Thomas Jefferson 'Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.' 'Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.' 'Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.' – Mark Twain 'Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.' Daily inspirational quotes and Assembly ideas for students 'The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.' – Walt Disney 'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.' 'Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.' Idea: Start each assembly with a student sharing a personal achievement or lesson learned. Idea: Include a 'Random Act of Kindness' challenge every week to encourage empathy and teamwork. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
‘Psychology Of Winning' Pioneer Denis Waitley Dead At 92
Dr. Denis Waitley, speaking on the Psychology of Winning, at the Wentworth Hotel, June 27, 1980. ... More (Photo by Paul Stephen Pearson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images). Famed motivational psychologist Dr. Denis Waitley died in his sleep on June 7th, 2025. He was a major player in a new phenomenon that arose in America – the motivational rally. In auditoriums and convention centers, businesspeople, educators, salespeople, and homemakers gathered to hear speakers such as Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, and Art Linkletter, among others, extol the virtues of positive thinking, unbridled optimism, and hard work. Waitley's The Psychology of Winning self-development program would go on to sell over two million copies and capture the hearts of many baby boomer age adherents, eager to carve out their place in the world. Waitley's message was built on his study of the traits that high-achieving people have in common. As a young magazine journalist, I interviewed Waitley in 1982 and asked him which characteristic, above all others, seemed to define winners from the rest of the pack? 'It's their understanding of the degree of control that their thoughts have over the actions that follow in their lives," he said. "Whether they are astronauts, parents, or prisoners of war, these individuals have taken responsibility for their actions. The deepest, most significant choice we make is in the way we choose to think." The difference between winners and losers, Waitley taught, was in what he called a person's 'self-talk.' 'The mind is talking to itself constantly at some eight hundred words per minute. Winners, he found, think constantly in terms of 'I can,' "I will,' and 'I am,' while losers concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do. When our self-talk is positive, Waitley observed, the mind then goes to work instructing the body to carry out the performance of the thought as if it had already been achieved before and is merely being repeated. Waitley would go on to sell these ideas and many others to audiences of self-improvers worldwide. He spent more than four decades on the international speaking circuit, logging an average of 500,000 miles each year, helping people—from astronauts to Olympic athletes, corporate leaders to schoolchildren—redefine success from the inside out. Waitley's clients included everyone from members of the U.S. Olympic team to Super Bowl champions, as well as scores of corporate clients. Waitley was the former Chairman of Psychology for the U.S. Olympic Committee's Sports Medicine Council and authored 16 books, including classics such as Seeds of Greatness, The Winner's Edge, and Empires of the Mind. He was invited to join NASA's astronaut training program, where he worked with space shuttle crews on mental preparation. Around the same time, he began coaching elite athletes on visualization techniques. He popularized the use of guided imagery and mental rehearsal long before it became mainstream. His speeches—delivered with laid-back authority, a radio announcer's voice, and self-effacing storytelling—centered on mental toughness, personal responsibility, and visions of a brighter future. Forty years after my interview with Waitley, his observations ring relevant today. When asked to summarize his primary message, he responded: 'The period we're living in is no worse than any other period in history, and probably better. Since society is changing rapidly, it's up to the individual to view change as normal, and to see many of the changes taking place as positive rather than negative.' Yet behind the inspiring keynotes and bestselling books was a man whose private life was marked by turmoil. Born in 1942, Waitley grew up in Depression-era San Diego, California. His mother worked in a factory, and his father was a warehouseman. They soon divorced. 'One night my father came into our bedroom to say goodbye,' Waitley recalled in an interview with Success Magazine. 'We didn't see him again for six years.' Waitley's struggle to break free of a loser mindset and shift into an abundant winner's mindset propelled his determination to make something of himself. 'I wrote The Psychology of Winning while I was losing,' Waitley recalled. 'I wanted to remind myself what I needed to do to change myself from loser to winner.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'People Treat You Differently' When You're Rich, Says Mark Cuban. He Thinks Money 'Makes Ugly People Handsome And Pretty'
Mark Cuban doesn't sugarcoat what it's like to be wealthy. "It makes ugly people handsome and pretty," he joked during a recent appearance on the 'Your Mom's House' podcast. The billionaire entrepreneur and former 'Shark Tank' investor opened up about how money and fame change how others perceive and treat you. 'When you're on these lists and everything, people know who you are,' he explained. 'People treat you differently.' Cuban, who grew up working class in Pittsburgh, said he still values his privacy and avoids expanding his social circle. 'I'm not looking for new friends. My friends are my high school buddies, my college buddies, my rugby teammates.' Don't Miss:Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. 'There's a fame mist. Once you become famous, people like you a lot more. Same with money,' podcast co-host Christina Pazsitzky said, with Cuban agreeing: 'They go hand in hand.' He admits the attention can be uncomfortable. Even his kids sometimes ask him not to come to their basketball games because of the commotion. 'They know if I go, the other team will come up and take pictures,' he said. So sometimes he'll just come in the back door. Cuban says the biggest misconception about wealth is that it automatically makes life better. 'If you were happy when you were poor, you're going to be happy when you're rich. If you were miserable when you were poor, you're going to be miserable when you're rich.' One of his first big purchases? A plane. But he says the real luxury is time. 'The time that you save is money in the bank,' he told the podcast co-host, Tom Segura. 'The more time you have, the more money you'll make.' Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Cuban shared a story from his teenage years during a newspaper strike in Pittsburgh. At 16, he and his friends drove to Cleveland, bought up newspapers, and then resold them in Pittsburgh for a profit. They stood on the corners in the morning selling papers for a dollar each when they used to be a quarter, with people even tipping them. That entrepreneurial spirit never faded. He says he's been that way since age 9 or 10. Today, he encourages his children to follow their own paths. 'You don't have to know what you're going to be when you grow up,' he told one of his kids. 'Just be curious. The more knowledge you have, the more capabilities and options you have.'Even with all his success, Cuban says he still reads daily and keeps learning, especially about AI and healthcare. He credits motivational speaker Zig Ziglar for helping him stay driven early in his career. He'd drive around listening to the same Zig Ziglar tape over and over to get motivated. Cuban then emphasized one of his core beliefs: failure is part of the game. 'If you're not failing, you're not trying.' Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a ?UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'People Treat You Differently' When You're Rich, Says Mark Cuban. He Thinks Money 'Makes Ugly People Handsome And Pretty' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hall Of Fame Experts Share How To Master Your Presence At Work
Your personal brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room. It's your reputation, your promise, the perception people carry over time. But your presence is what they feel when you are in the room. It's the way you hold attention and how you make people feel. A strong brand gets people in the door. A strong presence keeps them listening and commands attention. It's what makes people remember what was said and how they felt hearing it. I've had conversations with more than a dozen Hall of Fame speakers who have spent years mastering this skill through experience, repetition, and connection. Why listen to them about how to master your presence at work? To be inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, you must consistently deliver unforgettable presentations, demonstrate measurable impact, and be recognized by your peers as one of the top speakers in the world. I'm always humbled by how much I learn from them and the depth they bring to every conversation. I want to share with you what they told me about preparation, humor, clarity, listening, follow-through, and more to help you strengthen your presence at work. Every expert I spoke to shared the value of preparation. Those who connect the most powerfully in a room often do much more work before they walk in. Those with a strong presence take the time to understand who they're speaking to, clarify their message, and think about how to follow up. When I was younger, some of the biggest names in speaking were Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins. Tom, a sales training legend known for teaching millions how to close deals, told me he prepared for every event like it was the most important one of his life. He also followed up to seal the deal. He laughed and said, 'I followed up until they bought or died.' That kind of presence was reliable, and it made people feel special. Sometimes people just need to hear a message in a unique way. Joe Calloway, known for helping leaders drive performance through focus, is another master at making people feel special. After one of his keynotes, a CEO pulled him aside and said, 'You said the same thing I've been telling them for years. But this time, they actually listened.' Joe is a master of the kind of presence that makes people pay attention. I can remember how he created a video sharing his experience with me interviewing him. Going above and beyond gave him a strong presence. Humor and personality are often the most relatable ways to connect with people. The best speakers use both to help others drop their guard and listen. Using stories and moments that people can relate to helps break down barriers. Many of these speakers told me they make notes about stories that they make funnier or more relatable later. At work, that can be an effective way to share success stories and build a reputation as someone who is not only funny, but generous in sharing what worked. Known for showing how small acts can have a big impact, if you've ever seen Mark Sanborn speak, you know he's funny, but that wasn't always the case. He told me that early on, he focused too much on content and forgot the importance of connection. People probably won't remember every slide, but they will remember how you made them feel. Mikki Williams, known for her bold presence and theatrical delivery, said something I'll never forget: 'You're either memorable or you're forgettable. There is no in-between.' She is certainly memorable. She leans into who she was, big hair, bold clothes, strong voice, and uses humor that came from real life. She called it 'reliving, not retelling.' Her presence is undeniably dramatic, which makes her unforgettable. Willie Jolley's story makes people laugh when he shares how he was working as a nightclub singer and got replaced by a karaoke machine. That was the moment he decided to pivot. He said, 'A setback is a setup for a comeback.' His humor helped him reframe failure into one of the biggest careers in speaking. Larry Winget, known as the 'Pitbull of Personal Development,' was very clear that he wasn't trying to be liked. He focused on being consistent and candid. He told me, 'I love my time on stage, but I don't love everything it takes to get there.' What stood out most was how unapologetically himself he was, whether in cowboy boots or calling out workplace nonsense. He told a story about someone thanking him for sharing his passion, and he responded, 'That wasn't passion. That was excellence. I'm just good at my job.' That kind of confidence, delivered with humor and blunt honesty, is part of what makes him unforgettable. Confidence and clarity often go hand in hand. You don't need more words to sound credible. You need to mean what you say and say it clearly. Many of the experts I spoke with said their presence improved once they stopped trying to be impressive and focused instead on being clear. Ford Saeks, a business growth expert who helps leaders increase influence, said one of the biggest things that gets in the way of presence is overthinking. People try so hard to be perfect that they miss the moment. 'Done is more profitable than perfect,' he told me. And he's right. He also reminded me that presence goes beyond the stage. It shows up in your digital footprint. 'What people see when they Google you is part of your presence.' Phil M. Jones, a master of word choice and persuasion, said the best communicators study the way words work. They pick their phrasing on purpose, so people feel understood. There are moments when presence reveals itself in the reactions and behaviors of those around us. It might be how individuals respond in unexpected moments or in times of pressure. Scott McKain, a branding expert and storyteller who focuses on how to create distinction, shared a moment where he was speaking at the White House and noticed Arnold Schwarzenegger sitting in the front row, fully engaged, taking notes. Even the best speakers can feel pressure to do well, and to see someone so famous hanging on his every word made a big impact on him. Jay Baer, a marketing strategist who focuses on responsiveness, reminded me that presence shows up in how you respond under pressure. He talked about the importance of being useful in the moment. People remember leaders who are available, responsive, and real, especially when things go wrong. Presence often comes down to noticing what others might miss. Several speakers talked about the power of listening, recognizing effort, and showing that people matter. These small, intentional moments reflect real engagement. Randy Pennington, known for helping organizations build cultures of trust, explained that presence is about noticing. It means pausing to say thank you and giving recognition before someone leaves your team. If you wait too long, the moment passes. Presence is paying attention to how you respond now and not waiting until it's convenient. Bob Burg, known for his deep belief in listening as a superpower, said the people who listen better than anyone else in the room are the ones others remember. He explained the value of offering your full attention. That level of focus is rare and often more powerful than anything you say. Presence grows through deliberate practice, awareness, and consistency. The most influential speakers I talked to emphasized that presence is developed over time. It's how you show up when things are going well and how you respond when it's not. Stacey Hanke, an expert who teaches how to stay influential in every interaction, said presence is a 'Monday to Monday' habit. You can't be great in a presentation and then disconnected in meetings. People notice the gaps. She has leaders record themselves, ask for honest feedback, and then work on showing up with the same level of influence in every setting. Marilyn Sherman, who helps people stop settling, said people spend too much time sitting in the balcony when they belong in the front row. She told me that courage isn't always loud. Sometimes it's just showing up and saying, 'This matters.' She helps people spot where they've been holding back and take steps to change it. Common Mistakes That Weaken Your Presence At Work getty Some of the most common ways people weaken their presence include: Presence is not about being perfect. It's about being intentional and paying attention to what people need in the moment. Tips To Improve Your Presence At Work getty Whether you give presentations or not, presence matters. It shows up in meetings, emails, interviews, and hallway conversations. Some of the best advice I heard from these experts included: Your Presence At Work Is A Trainable Advantage getty I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn great insights from some of the best orators in the world. Their advice has helped me tremendously and can help you improve your presence at work if you focus on preparation, humor, clarity, listening, and follow-through. Every speaker I talked to shared examples of how presence was built through practice, paying attention, and remaining consistent. That's what made them stand out. You can do the same by listening more closely, preparing more intentionally, and following through. The people who do this well will leave an impression that lasts. That kind of presence earns trust, builds connection, and respect.
