Topics

31

Learning to Learn / Stories on Impression Management - A Lion and A Mouse

« on: April 16, 2019, 02:32:42 PM »

Once when a lion, the king of the jungle, was asleep, a little mouse began running up and down on him. This soon awakened the lion, who placed his huge paw on the mouse, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King!" cried the little mouse. "Forgive me this time. I shall never repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, I may be able to do you a good turn one of these days!” The lion was so tickled by the idea of the mouse being able to help him that he lifted his paw and let him go.
Sometime later, a few hunters captured the lion and tied him to a tree. After that they went in search of a wagon, to take him to the zoo. Just then the little mouse happened to pass by. On seeing the lion’s plight, he ran up to him and gnawed away the ropes that bound him, the king of the jungle. "Was I not right?" said the little mouse, very happy to help the lion.

(Collected)

32

Style of Living & Mindfulness / Story on Style of Living - Life of Ms. Sajon

« on: April 16, 2019, 02:29:21 PM »

On the first day of college, our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone. I stood up to look around. A gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady cheering me up with a bright smile.

She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Sajon. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a smile?” I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant pleasant smile.

“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?” I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…” “No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. “I always dreamed of having a college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me.

After class, we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months, we left the class together and talked nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this “time machine” as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Sajon became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and enjoyed the attention given upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the year, we invited Sajon to speak at our football fest. I will never forget what she taught us. She was stepping up to a podium and introduced herself.

She began to deliver her prepared speech. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.” As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to stay young: being happy, achieving success, laughing and finding humor every day.

You have got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.  We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do.” She concluded her speech by courageously singing “The Sajon”. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year’s end, Sajon finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Sajon died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her burial in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s never too late to be all you can possibly be. These words have been passed along in loving memory of Sajon. REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS VOLUNTARY.
We make a Living by what we get, we make a Life by what we give.

(Collected)

33

Parents, Life and Living / Story on Parents' Love - My mom only had one eye

« on: April 16, 2019, 02:28:00 PM »

My mom only had one eye. I hated her. She was such an embarrassment. My mom ran a small shop at a market. She collected little weeds and such to sell anything for the money we needed. There was this one day during elementary school.
I remember that it was a field day, and my mom came. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school… “Your mom only has one eye?!” and they taunted me.
I wished that my mom would just disappear from this world so I said to my mom, “Mom, why don’t you have the other eye? You’re only going to make me a laughingstock. Why don’t you just die?” My mom did not respond. I guess I felt a little bad, but at the same time, it felt good to think that I had said what I’d wanted to say all this time. Maybe it was because my mom hadn’t punished me, but I didn’t think that I had hurt her feelings very badly.
That night… I woke up and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. My mom was crying there, so quietly, as if she was afraid that she might wake me. I took a look at her and then turned away. Because of the thing I had said to her earlier, there was something pinching at me in the corner of my heart. Even so, I hated my mother who was crying out of her one eye. So I told myself that I would grow up and become successful because I hated my one-eyed mom and our desperate poverty.
Then I studied really hard. I left my mother and came to Dhaka and studied, and got accepted in a reputed University with all the confidence I had. Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. Then I had kids, too. Now I’m living happily as a successful man. I like it here because it’s a place that doesn’t remind me of my mom.
This happiness was getting bigger and bigger. Then someone unexpected came to see me “What?! Who’s this?!” It was my mother. Still with her one eye. It felt as if the whole sky was falling apart on me. My little girl ran away, scared of my mom’s eye.
And I asked her, “Who are you? I don’t know you!!” as if I tried to make that real. I screamed at her “How dare you to come to my house and scare my daughter! Get out of here now!!” And to this, my mother quietly answered, “oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,” and she disappeared. Thank goodness. She doesn’t recognize me. I was quite relieved. I told myself that I wasn’t going to care or think about this for the rest of my life.
Then a wave of relief came upon me. One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. I lied to my wife saying that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went down to the old shack, that I used to call a house…just out of curiosity there, I found my mother fallen on the cold ground. But I did not shed a single tear. She had a piece of paper in her hand…. it was a letter to me.
She wrote:
My son,
I think my life has been long enough now. And… I won’t visit Dhaka anymore… but would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to come to visit me once in a while?
I miss you so much. And I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I decided not to go to school. For you… I’m sorry that I only have one eye, and I was an embarrassment for you.
You see, when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye.
As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with only one eye. So I gave you mine. I was so proud of my son that was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. I was never upset at you for anything you did.
The couple times that you were angry with me. I thought to myself, ‘it’s because he loves me.’ I miss the times when you were still young around me. I miss you so much.
I love you. You mean the world to me.

My World Shattered.  I hated the person who only lived for me. I cried for My Mother, I didn’t know of any way that will make up for my worst deeds…

(Collected)

34

Etiquette & Personal Behavior / Students' Activities on University Awareness

« on: April 16, 2019, 02:15:40 PM »

[embed=425,349]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

35

Benefits of Ethical Living / Quotes on Benefits of Ethical Living

« on: April 16, 2019, 02:03:34 PM »

You don't teach morals and ethics and empathy and kindness in the schools. You teach that at home, and children learn by example. - Judy Sheindlin

36

Learning to Learn / Quotes on Learning to Unlearn

« on: December 19, 2018, 02:34:12 PM »

The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue. - Antisthenes

Courtesy: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/unlearn

37

Learning to Learn / Quotes on Learning to Learn

« on: December 19, 2018, 02:30:11 PM »

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. - Pele

Courtesy: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/learning

38

Story, Article & Poetry / Black Hole (Chapter - 3)

« on: July 30, 2018, 01:09:59 PM »

Chapter - 1: http://forum.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/index.php/topic,45383.0.html

Chapter - 2: http://forum.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/index.php/topic,45412.msg115987.html#msg115987


Eight months earlier. I woke up from my bed and found her fainted in the washroom. I took her to the hospital immediately. The doctor came with good news. I am going to be a father! I didn’t understand what I should do. Whether I should laugh or cry. I went slowly to Nasa, stood in front of her. I wanted to hug her and give the good news but I couldn’t. She looked at me as if she is a stone. Her face seemed lifeless today. I went close to her, kissed her forehead and said “you’re pregnant sweetheart”. Her eyes filled with tears but I found that there are some hidden meanings in this tear which are not clear to me.

Last night when we thought about our future, we decided to get married. Because our child needs an identity.

Today is our wedding. Our child is waiting to see the light of earth. It is peculiar to marry at this moment. But we have nothing to do. I don’t want to bring my child in an illegal way. I am frightened for today. Night is over now, new dawn, new sun for our new life. I wake her up in the morning. She is so tired and troubled. But just some few days more, then we will have our beautiful baby in our lap.
In evening, we have reached to the Kaji Office for marriage. We have called our two friends for witness. But when Nasa is about to say kobul she faints. I can’t understand what to do. I take her on my arms and with the help of my friends we’ve reached to the hospital.
After taking to the hospital doctors started to check her and provided me a horrible news that Nasa is addicted and she needs an emergency operation now. But mother is critical, doctor can’t say anything surely. I agree with the doctors, they bring me a paper where I have to sign. I can’t hold the pen to sign, but I sign with all my strength.

Operation ends after one hour. Doctor says that ‘it’s a boy’. But Nasa is now in more critical position, she is continuously losing her blood. Nurses come to me with my son for few seconds;she will take him to incubator because he is premature. I feel heaven to see him. I just want to share my feelings with his mother, but I find that he is so quite. Suddenly doctors come and say they fail to stop her bleeding, she is in very serious stage now, and she wants to meet me. I rush to my Nasa.  I see she is lying on a white bed with swelled eyes. She is looking more white as she is.  I take her hand in between my hands and say why did you do this. She answered “for you, I wanted to understand the pain of yours by taking this. I left my home for you. I hide my previous reports from you. But believe me I love you very much.” She wants to utter something beyond her extreme pain. “k..k..k” but stopped.  Her hand fails to grip. I look at her. She stops seeing me. She is leaving me. My Nasa leaves me forever. Drugs, which she was taking for me, drag her from me? I just want to go with you. But my son. What about him. He is my only hope now. I rush to my son. He is sleeping in the bed. How innocent he is, just like his mother. My two friends are sitting with horrified faces. I take my son up in my lap very carefully. But I am shocked. He is cold like ice. My friends start weeping.

I feel that the earth is diving in front of me. My heart is snatching from me. I have lost everything of my life. I start laughing.  With my dim eyes, I see my son, standing before me. Strange, this is not his age to stand! He said ‘ I have to leave only because of your sins. You will never be excused’. He left, hearing his words I feel that I’m losing my consciousness.

39

Coming Out of the BOX / Story - Thinking Outside of the Box

« on: July 30, 2018, 01:01:57 PM »

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge animals were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was clear that the elephants could, at any time can break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and didn’t try to get away. “Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are started to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was surprised. These animals believed they couldn’t break the bonds. They were stuck right where they were.

40

Story, Article & Poetry / Black Hole (Chapter - 2)

« on: October 30, 2017, 12:19:36 PM »

Chapter 1 - http://forum.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/index.php/topic,45383.0.html

It was 14th February of any year I can’t remember. All of our friends decided to celebrate this Valentine’s Day. We went to Sohrawardi Uddyan to celebrate. We sat on the field in a circle. In that moment I saw a foreign girl was making fun with children of slums. It was amazing to see her. I was attracted by her innocence. I don’t remember how long I’ve watched her. I can only say I got my senses when one of my friends shook me. They were so surprised because I had never seen any girl in that way. I couldn’t stop seeing her. For the first time in my life, I put down drugs from my hand. I stood and walked slowly towards the girl. Then I saw she was playing merrily with kids.

- Excuse me.
- Yes.
- May I talk to you?
- Sure, why not?
- My name is Himel. And you?
- Nasa
- What?! Nasa! Really, very interesting name.
-Yes, I know.
- You are from -
- Actually, I am from Bangladesh.
- Oh really? I was wrong. But you look like a foreigner, I mean, your pronunciations, gesture everything are different.
- I born in Bangladesh but I had been living in England for 15 years.
- Oh. It’s nice to meet you.
- Same here. Okay, I am little busy right now, I will see you later. Take care.
- Yes sure. Take care.

I came back but I visited the same place every day to see her but my luck betrayed me all time. I couldn’t forget her face, she is the first girl who made a scratch in my mind. I was so thirsty to meet her. I never stopped to take drugs in that time. Actually it was helpful for me to drag me out from her. But the girl may be made a permanent place in my mind.

It was a rainy day. I woke up from bed 10:00 a.m. I pulled the curtain and the drop of rain touched my face. I felt something sacred in my mind. I got ready and walked through the Sohrawardi Uddyan. It was raining in the field. Some university students were enjoying the rain. But my mind was not ready for enjoying. I was looking for something different. A sacred face.

Suddenly I saw that girl, playing with those kids in a shed. I could not believe my eyes. She was there, my new drug was there. I went to her with slow steps.
- Excuse me
-Yes
- How are you Nasa?
- Sorry. I can’t remember you.
- What? Okay, doesn’t matter.  I can help you, 14t February, Sohrawardi Uddyan, I met you. I was surprised to know you are a Bangladeshi.
- Oh, God! I get it. How are you? Your name is...
- Himel. My name is Himel.
- Yes. Himel, how are you now?
- I am fine. Can I talk with you for some time?
- Anything serious?
- No, nothing like that. Can you give me some time of yours?
- Sorry. I can’t. These kids will be unhappy if I leave. Next time hopefully. Please, don’t mind.
- Ok. No problem. You better take my card. I will be very glad if you call me when you free.
- Yes sure. Sorry again for today. Hope meet you soon. Bye
- Bye

I didn’t accept the refusal. It hurt me very much. I never thought she would refuse me like this. But I didn’t lose my heart. I tried almost five times after that day. One day afternoon I got a call from an unknown number.  I was surprised when I hear the heavenly voice.

- Hello.
- Hello. Am I talking with Himel?
- Yes, who?
- I am Nasa.
- Oh my god. Nasa? I can’t believe. How are you?
- Fine. Are you free today evening? I want to meet with you.
- I am absolutely free. Tell me where to come.
- Dingi. I will be waiting for you.
- See you there. Thanks.

Just like that, we were getting closer after the meeting. Just like a film.  Conversations, friendship, hang out, propose of my love to her, deny and accept. She did not know that I was an addicted person. Even I tried my best to hide it from her. Because she was a perfect girl, I did not want to mix her up with the dark world.

I was away from home. Sometimes I missed my parents, my mother’s kiss on my forehead. But Nasa pulled me out from the sorrow. I was happy with her. In the meantime, my friend left Bangladesh to the USA and I took the house in rent. After leaving home I created my new heaven in own hand.

My happy days didn’t last for a long run. Somehow she came to know about my addiction. She was thundered of my actions. She didn’t think about this. Then, she left me. My drug left me. It had been 2 months she was away from me. I phoned her many times but she didn’t receive. I stood in front her house but she denies. I wanted to see her, to talk with her. I promised to myself that if she forgives me I will not touch any drug again. But she didn’t forgive and I was swallowed by drugs. Suddenly, one evening she phoned me.

- Hello, where are you?
- In my room, why?
- Stay at your home, I’m coming.
- Why are you coming now?
- Don’t ask any question. I’m coming.
- Okay.

After half an hour she reached my home. She sat in front of me. She was looking exhausted. She said that she left her home for forever and wanted to live with me. I tried to know the reason but she denies to explain. I thought I will go to her home and talk to her parents but she told me to avoid this. I thought for some time. How can I manage with her? But I said to her “I can’t give you all the facilities of your home, do you still want to stay with me?” She said that it won’t create any problem. I made myself understand that everything will be okay, but my mind didn’t agree with me. I was scared of myself. But I left all on my luck.

Since then we are together. One day I went her home to know the reason for her departure but I was surprised to see the attitude of her parents. They were too rough to Nasa as if she is not their daughter. It was a mystery to me. Then I decided to live with her.  We were happy in the small house. I always kept myself busy with music and she was busy with designing dresses. Actually with the help of her friend she got a small work to design dresses for a boutique shop. By this, she earned a good amount of money. We were happy but I could not drag myself out from the drugs. Nasa tried a lot but failed. I promised her many times but I failed to keep my promises. She loves me a lot. Even I tried to avoid drugs for the sake of her love but every time I failed. I became a beast when I didn’t get it. I went out from my home because I was afraid of myself. I cared for Nasa.

To be continued ...

41

Story, Article & Poetry / Story - Black Hole (Chapter 1)

« on: October 25, 2017, 05:35:06 PM »

Dark night! I am sitting beside my window. Its 2.30 am now. Usually, I don’t sit here at this time because I feel bad. This dark view brings a dark scene in my mind - my father quarrels with my mother and beats her every now and then. They had huge wealth but on the other hand, their inner minds were so narrow. They always kept busy with themselves. They didn’t have enough time to take care of me and I brought up carelessly on the lap of our home maid. From then I introduced with dark. But I cannot be able to reach so close to dark. It always frightens me. But I’m feeling different tonight. The breeze blows my mind so cheerfully. I am very happy now. But I can’t find any source of my unknown feeling. I take a sip of my favorite drink. I thought it will work because I took many of my important decisions after taking this. I don’t feel any disturbance after taking this. It has been with me for long eight years. I chose it to avoid the everyday quarrel between my parents. I never know how much time I am taking to find the source of my happiness. Suddenly my eyes go towards the lady who is lying on my bed. How nicely she lies. I feel attracted whenever I see her. She embraces one of the pillows with her two arms and some of her hairs are lying on her face. it extends her beauty. It has been five years we are together but we didn’t marry. Actually, we didn’t get enough time to get married. Yaba, heroin and other drugs kept me far to marry her. But it's not a big deal. We are happy. We love each other and it is the main thing. But I don’t understand why she is looking so tired tonight. Maybe she is working hard nowadays. Sleep soft, beloved. 

Suddenly I look at the calendar, I feel extremely happy when I see the date because I have found the source of my happiness. Today we are going to marry. Last night we have taken the decision. How can I forget it so early? What’s wrong with me? It seems I am losing my memory every minute. Although doctors have said that something like that will happen. Tonight I want to see the lady who is lying on our bed. I won’t disturb her. I’ll just see her beauty. She looks as innocent as a newborn baby. I am fascinated by her innocence. All pasts are floating in my eyes.

I was then a young man of 20 years. I was surrounded by drugs every day. Before the class, after the class, in music class, with friends I was busy with drugs. Even at home, I secretly took drugs to find peace. My home seemed hell to me. That time these drugs were my closest friends. I was enclosed by the fence called drugs. Those were my only companion. I can’t even see any girl in an amorous way. I fell in love with drugs.

One day I reached home late and found my parents are quarreling with each other. It would be very normal to me but I was exhausted that day. I was refused from different music companies from releasing a song of me. They called it was a rubbish. What nonsense. They didn’t know about music actually. I insulted them with rough words and left the place angrily. I was so depressed then and I didn’t know what to do. And when I found them quarreling I become so angry and break some of the furniture and leave home. I decided to leave the place for forever. I didn’t find any peace in my home. It was getting worse to me. Rather than I was happy with my best friends. The drugs. 

After leaving home I took shelter in my friend’s home. Nirob, such a nice boy and very helpful. He was lonely in the city. He had a home of his home in Old Dhaka. His family left Dhaka two years back and permanently settled in the USA. He is living here to complete his graduation. After six months he will also fly to his parents.

Thinking about this I thought his home will be safe for me. When I requested him he agreed. From the mid of the year, I started living in my friend’s home. I concluded my study because it was not possible for me to continue. I kept myself busy in making jingle of the different TV commercial. It was my good luck that my friend gave many opportunities to make jingle of different TVC. By this, I earned money for myself. It was enough for me.

To be continued ...

42

Faculty Sections / How to use Mind Map to improve your mind’s capacity

« on: October 25, 2017, 04:35:14 PM »

Mind mapping is one of the best ways to capture your views and bring them to life in image form. Mind maps can help you become more creative, efficient, and sincere. Whether you're new to mind maps or just want a refresher, here's all you need to know about this technique.

A mind map is basically a figure that connects information based on a central subject. I like to think it as a tree which has branches, twigs, and every part is connected with each other. In Mind maps, your main idea will be placed at the center and other information related to this idea will be positioned at other branches in detail related to the center.

Mind maps can be used for thinking or learning task, from studying a subject to planning your career or even building better habits. There are some ways to use mind maps such as: goal setting, brainstorming about the topic, creating knowledge bank, identifying problems, finding way to solve problems, create book summaries etc.

Mind maps are better than taking text notes. Mind maps can be more effective than linear note – taking methods for a number of reasons.

Firstly, a mind map can incorporate words, images, numbers, and colors. So it can be more memorable and enjoyable to create and follow than other note – taking. The combination of words and images is better for recalling than a single word.

Secondly, a mind map helps to generate more ideas, find deeper meaning of topic, and also let you to add more what you have missed.
 
Thirdly, a mind map can give you a general idea of a bulky topic which holds a large quantity of information.

Fourthly, a mind map helps you to organize your thoughts rather than thinking linearly.

Fifthly, with the help of mind map you can generate ideas very quickly and are encouraged to explore different creative lanes.

You can create a mind map on paper because you can get your thoughts out more quickly and the act of drawing the branches out can assist remember. On the other hand, you can use the computer which can make your mind maps searchable and include attachments.
Once you've chosen your tool, follow these seven steps and tips for making a mind map, from British author Tony Buzan, who trademarked and popularized the term "mind map" in the 1960s:

1.   Start in the centre of a blank page turned sideways. Because starting in the centre gives your Brain freedom to spread out in all directions and to express itself more freely and naturally.
2.   Use an image for your central idea. Because an image is worth a thousand words and helps you use your Imagination. A central image is more interesting, keeps you focused, helps you concentrate, and gives your Brain more of a buzz!
3.   Use colors throughout. Because colors are as exciting to your Brain as are images. Color adds extra vibrancy and life to your Mind Map, adds tremendous energy to your Creative Thinking.
4.   Connect your main branches to the central image and connect your second- and third-level branches to the first and second levels, etc. Because your Brain works by association. If you connect the branches, you will understand and remember a lot more easily.
5.   Make your branches curved rather than straight-lined. Because having nothing but straight lines is boring to your Brain.
6.   Use one key word per line. Because single key words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility.
7.   Use images throughout. Because each image, like the central image, is also worth a thousand words. So if you have only 10 images in your Mind Map, it’s already the equal of 10,000 words of notes!

Actually, there is not any standard way to create a mind map. It is dependent on your creativity, thinking, will. Keep one thing on your mind that you should try to do something which is effective for you. 

Referrence: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-use-mind-maps-to-unleash-your-brains-creativity-1348869811