Minimalism Minimalism The concept of Minimalism became popular around the mid-eighties. It is a notion whereby people live intentionally limiting their buying and spending. It also means engaging in only necessary life activity. Salem’s parents are from the middle-income group, both employed at the government office. Through the financial challenge, they got experience leading a family with the limited resource without knowing the concept of minimalism. However, she now leads an independent life and earning income; recalls how they were wisely prioritizing spendings to manage and keep the family needs. Following-her parents’ footsteps, she is conscious of her finances. She spends only on the items that she needs rather than wants. In her perspective, owning fewer things enables her to have meaningful life experience, human interaction, and also is her way to contribute to the ''Green Living''. She highly discourages the current trend whereby the youngsters are indulging in excessive shopping and are hoarding unnecessary items. Her advice to friends and family is not to be taken away by the swamp of promotional sales and miss on the quality of life as they are distractions.

Self care Self-care Over the last fifteen years, we have seen quite a lot of TV programs and articles about wellbeing and self-care. Many professionals and others with a mere passion for the topic became wellbeing coaches promoting and advising different routines to bring a good quality of life. I am sure it was not only me who has found it hard to identify which of the methods are the best that suits them personally and physically. I remember, there were times that I have made myself a guinea pig with the main expectation to get a quick fix for the issues that I had on my health. Thankfully, I had not faced bad results as I was very selective in my trials. Earlier last year, I made a very wise decision not to follow any guru who proclaims s/he has the best with alternative solutions. I started to listen to my body, hydrate it with enough water, eat lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits. To top it all, I started to do moderate exercise. After consistently following these simple routines created and used me, I was able to see progress on my health and overall wellbeing. All the changes that I was looking forward, was achieved through my dedication. I now practice these routines daily and have a good quality lifestyle. If you think you are struggling like I was, learn from me. I once was there in the same position and was able to reverse my health condition. If I can do it, I am sure, you can also do it!

Online Presence /Personal observation / Using social media is a new trend and in fact it has become an extension to human’s daily life. In the old times, humans used to either go to their friend’s and family’s houses or go to café, park, etc… to meet, mingle with each other. As life became challenging and with the rapture of the internet, people no longer have time freedom for social engagement. We have witnessed the old trend of meeting face-to-face fading away. Humans have developed the feeling that through posting, following, talking, and seeing over the different social media platforms, that their relationship is maintained. Some even argue that they have got an array of opportunities to meet, collaborate with people from the globe. Today, I would like to single out its negative effect and would like to say a few words. From my observation, I am seeing people being married to social media. I am not saying this despising marriage. It is the best social relationship that God has created for humans and for those who chose to be in it. In my opinion, for this generation, social media has become an idol, water, and air to some. People are attached to their phone's main reason being they have a piece of handheld equipment that gives them access to social media. The young generation is always wondering about what people would say in the comments section and how many likes they are getting after a single online post. The same group of people is taking pictures with the main aim to post online seeking for attention by many. Where is this excessive self-conscious attitude heading? How much time is the youth spending on learning, researching, and proposing a solution for the uncountable problems that we are facing in the world? The social media boom is taking an unacceptable amount of productive time from this generation. We all have a role to play to educate others, to teach the youth to start fasting from it, evaluate priority and most of all learn the discipline to be social human, a social human that uses modern tools in moderation reminding that personal & physical relationship is precious.

Long for life in the modern city Long for life in the modern city Thomas School break time was mostly indoors, glued to the TV watching movies, latest to old. This habit has sparked a wish to live in a city, thinking that his life will be easy and fancy. Little did he know the flip side of the coin. In his early twenties dunning college years, he tried all the possible ways to migrate to Europe or other western countries. However, the lack was not at his favor, he could not get the chance. After years of losing hope, he settled in his hometown moving up in his career ladder. Last year, as a reward for his great achievement at work, he was nominated for an opportunity to travel to Asia, Singapore, for a 2-year fixed-term work deployment. He was trilled for his dream come true after a long wait! He moved to Singapore with excitement and passion to know what his new adventure would look like. Blending to the culture and the people was a great challenge. All his life, he considered that he would withstand all the hardship to live in a modern city. He did not expect the culture shock to disrupt his mental health in such a way he would re-consider his perspective about living in a modern city and overall moving from close friends and family. After repeated visits to the physiatrist for consultation, he survived the first six months and is now able to put his heart at peace and also focus on his work. He gives credit to his colleagues that made him welcome and later became friends. They were by his side helping him coup with his homesickness and anxiety to call the new country home. Now in his new hometown, he is exploring his life adventure. His life is a true testimony that we all need people that have a good heart who's actions and wisdom that help us walk each day.

Is education and earning constant income life’s ultimate goal? Daddy’s girl raised repeatedly being told the only way to face life as a woman and in a developing country, is through education and being employed to secure a stable income. Andria's father is a survivor of a hard life; sometimes not eating the basic meals in a day, walking long distances to school, studying with candlelight, etc. At a young age, he confronted life challenges for his survival and his family that permitted him to go to school. The long journey paid off, he completed his university study and joined the government workforce and later got married, and got children. After this tough experience, he raised these children preaching to them that the only means to beat the odds in life is through education and constant earning. Andria and her siblings, as his children, as instructed took their studies seriously and managed to get employment. However, they always had a question at the back of their mind, if it’s life purpose and their mission on Earth is only what they had been thought by their father. For Adria, the soul-searching process has been cumbersome. she no longer wants to live the same cycle as her father did. However, she also doesn’t know what she wants in her life. She longs for the day she gets clarity on her gift and life purpose. To serve her God with the blessing and live a happy life. For those who know their passion in life and are working on that gift, every chance she gets, she advises to hold with care, make use of it wisely, and enjoy life.

Understanding diversity- my perspective Humans are the luckiest creations on earth being made in the likeness of God. They are ought to be put in the equal foot with each other irrespective of their race, gender, and background. However, in history and even today, we are observing actions that do not portray the will of God. We are living in a world where we have much more understanding and education than the old ages but are living in the time of darkness. This raises a question- when this is mentality to come to an end? What are we doing to break the cycle? Born from parents who were from a different tribe and brought up in the city, I am the people who made me. Going to my school years, I was part of a system that accepted every child form multitude of tribes, economic backgrounds, religions, etc. This has helped me to have a broad awareness of how to live with people around me. It was also a priceless opportunity to learn moral values as part of the curriculum that shaped me to love, be the helper and keeper of my brother. As I stand today, I ask how many in my country are lucky who have this understanding? Contrarily to my home and school environment, the world outside was quite different. In my lifetime, one political party got power by overthrowing an oppressive government. It campaigned for hope, equality, and freedom for many. Many sacrificed blood for what they sought was unity through diversity. It was not long enough; the rulers of the new political power used their authority for their selfish needs. They started to chase money for personal gain, indulged in corruption. They oppressed other nationalities and treated other tribes unfairly. As this is happening, the nationwide broadcasting channels, the officials in charges at different minister offices, and the party recruits tried to overshadow the facts of reality. The people witnessed the collapse of promises, the death of many, the rise of impulsive youth, poor relations among regions, etc… What an irony? All this is a reminder that we have forgotten what God has been telling us in his word, that we’re image-bearers of the Lord. We may look different from each other, but we have one thing in common - all have equal value, purpose, and we are all part of his plan. We lacked the understanding to come before him for forgiveness and wisdom on how to live through our differences. Have mercy on us! Help us to carry the burden of our brothers and sisters. Tune our thinking and outward expressions so we walk as your plan.