To build a better relationship:

Remember to,
Eliminate hatred,
Learn to let go,
Accept if you made a mistake,
To feel better, forgive yourself and others and you will,
Incredibly feel the love of god, 
Open your heart and mind for him,
Never lose hope and faith and don't forget to,
Smile and share your,
Happiness, because it is contagious. You can be an,
Inspiration to others and finally, always,
Pray with your heart and thank god for everything.

By: Dora


THIS WEEKS WORD: LOVE

                What is love? I asked my grandma what love is and even she has a hard time describing it to me, you’d think she’s of old age and wise, but yet she says its indescribable, I had long hours of conversation with the topic of love with others and it’s just so hard to pinpoint into a few sentences. I guess it doesn’t really matter what age you are or how much you experienced because everyone will always have a different definition of what love is.

So what is love?:  that’s a question many of us ask and have a hard time defining, because the feeling of love is indescribable to put in a few simple words.

                The Google definition of love describes as:
-          An intense feeling of deep affection
-          A person or thing that one loves
-          A feel of deep romantic or sexual attachment

                To me and others, love can be described in several ways. Describing love can be received or given from a parent/grandparent, best friend/friend, sister/brother, wife/husband, your boyfriend/girlfriend, or even your pet dog, you name it, love can be received from many.
                Love can be simple as being passionate about something, simple as a hobby or job you love doing. Love gives you a sense of comfort, appreciation, stability, a feeling of having something secure like a treasure, but that treasure can be broken, taken away or lost. Love gives you butterflies, goose bumps and jitters, as you would go on a first date, or seeing your loved one after a long time, that’s love. It’s a sense of satisfaction that fills up your heart whole and you feel the need of not wanting anything else. Love lets you be yourself; it can make you smile for days. Love brings you trust, honesty, and believing in yourself, having faith and not giving up.
                Love can be scary and amazing, both positive and negative. Love is powerful like a magnet that you just don’t want to let go and is so hard to let go of. Love can be expressed in action, whether it’s a hug, kiss, an intimate moment between the two, when a mother gives birth to her child, a loving conversation with your family members, a laugh, a smile or touch, or even a gesture, simple as giving a gift or donating. Love can be a feeling of eternity, an infinite love which is never ending, and when it ends you feel your world just crashing down.
                Love is so many things, which sometimes we don’t realize it’s given to us in many ways, love is there. Many of us have those days where we feel no one loves us and we’re just in that mood, don’t ever feel that no one loves you because in the end of the day there is God, your family, friends, you’re partner, etc … Someone is always there to love you.
Love is special; it’s a gift that makes everyone come as one. Cherish it, thank it, and treasure it. And remember love starts from loving yourself and comes from within. Love is there.

Written by: Opola Karim


Have you ever gotten to a point in your life where you stopped to really think about what your passion is or even what your purpose in life may be? What does the word passion mean in the first place? Passion is when something or someone truly makes you happy and catches your heart. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement; passion is ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body, and soul into something as is possible. 

As my journey in high school began, I wanted to discover what my passion was. Why am I here on this beautiful planet? What is my purpose? What truly makes me happy? Is it art? Is it playing sports? Is it singing or dancing? As I was experimenting with different things that made me happy; I came to the realization that what caught my heart the most was helping humans and animals in whatever way I can; that became my true passion. As a young woman of south Asian decent my parents and society as a whole expected me to become a Doctor or an Engineer as that is the norm for south Asian children. However, prior to discovering that my passion was to help people; I enrolled in an undergraduate program for Social Work. I can’t begin to tell you how many people tried to bring me down. They were very judgmental and very biased towards my decision of becoming a Social worker. My own family discouraged me by saying things like “it’s a shame that your not becoming an Engineer like the rest of your cousins.” I did not let their ignorance bring me down and stop me from following my true passion; within an year I will graduate as a proud Social Worker and be happy in knowing that I will make a positive difference in a persons life. ​

Anyways, what I am really trying to get at here is no matter what anyone tells you, no matter how hard circumstances in life may be; if something or someone truly makes you happy, if your passionate about a certain thing; get off that seat, take the wheel into your hands and start steering your life towards the destination that truly catches your heart. I know you will not regret it. Finding your passion isn’t just about careers and money. Its about finding your authentic self. The one you’ve buried beneath other people’s needs and societal pressures. Go on, follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams. Spread your wings wide; and sore towards your passion; once you find it; you’ll be that much closer to feeling eternal happiness.

Gimhani Tennakoon.