The meaning of happiness

The girl was only sixteen who fell in love with a boy. The boy was tall, had a low voice and always the top student of the class. She was not shy, but did not want to express her love for the boy. She felt lucky keeping this secret in her heart and seeing the boy from a distance. At the time, even a Hello turned the girl on. She who had learned how to make a paper sky, every day wrote one sentence for the boy and folded the paper like a pretty sky and put in a big bottle. Whenever she saw the physique of the boy, said a boy like him would love a girl whose hair is long and eyes big. The girl had very black hair, but short ; and whenever she smiled; her eyes were as thin as a line. At 19, she entered a mediocre university, and the boy was admitted into a prestigious university at the capital with a high rank. One night, while all the girls of the dormitory were writing a letter for their boy friends or talking to them on the phone, she looked at the long-time memorized number of the boy in silence. That night, she felt the real meaning of missing for the first time. The days were passing, and she was spending the colorful days of university regardless. During these four years, she was just thinking how she can be admitted into the university the boy will enter for M.A. Within this period, she never once got haircut. She was 22 that as a top student entered the boy’s college, but the boy graduated that year and got a job in school. The girl’s life went on like the past, and the number of her bottles had become six. She graduated from the university at the age of 25, and found a job where the boy lived. Through the contact by her friends, she could realize the boy has opened a company and set up in big business. A couple of months later, the girl received the boy’s wedding invitation card. In the wedding ceremony, the girl was only staring at the happy and lucky faces of broom and bride and intoxicated without drinking any alcohol. A couple of years elapsed; the girl was no longer young. She married one of her colleagues when she was 27. The night before wedding party, she wrote again on a piece of paper: I’ll marry tomorrow, but my heart is all for you…and folded the paper like a beautiful star. Ten years later, she happened to figure out the boy’s company is approaching serious problems and is being bankrupt. His wife has drifted apart and creditors are pestering him. She got upset and went in search of him. One night, she found the boy drunk at a wine bar. She did not say a lot, just gave him her credit card in which all her savings were stored. The boy held the girl’s hand tightly, but she rejected and said: you are drunk, take care of yourself. She turned to 55, broke up with her husband, and lived alone. During these years, he could save his business by her money. One day he found her and wanted to pay back double amount of his debt along with 20 percent of his company’s stock; but she refused to accept and said: we’re friends, aren’t we? The boy looked at her for along time and then smiled. Several months later, the boy married again. The girl sent him a nice letter of congratulation, but didn’t make his wedding party.  After awhile, she became ill severely; on her final days, she used to make a nice star every day in the hospital. At the last moment, she recognized the boy among her friends and relatives and said: in my room, I‘ve got 36 bottles; could you take care of them for me? The boy’s answer was so, and then she passed away with the smile of relaxation. The 77-year-old-man was resting in his yard that suddenly his grandson handed him a beautiful star and said: what does the writing on it say, grandpa? He got astounded by reading the words on the opened star and asked: where did you find it? He said: I found it in the bottle on your bookshelf. Grandpa, what’s been written on it? What are you crying for? The paper dropped. He read out the words, the meaning of happiness is that there is one in the world loving you with no regard to its consequences

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari.

How to teach speaking

  
      Are you pleased with your students' speaking capability? Do you think the progress they are making is perfectly satisfactory? If so, congratulations. If not, take your time reading this essay and try to put what you are told into practice. As far as teaching speaking is concerned, all language teachers are expected to acquire a set of highly influential and carefully planned strategies in which help students with their speaking proficiency. In theory, mostly language teachers are well aware of various proposed methods, but they cannot observe them appropriately in practice. Considering the most advantageous class activities, free discussion, idiomatic expressions, and storytelling could be included.   

       What some teachers mostly complain about is that some of students do not involve themselves in class activities. However, they are trying their best to provide them with authentic materials. The truth is these kinds of teachers have not tried to get students participating actively. One of the finest activities in which majority students take interest is free discussion. Students do enjoy having an opportunity to express their opinions about highly controversial subjects. Avoid talking about clichés, as they send students to sleep. You need to ask each and every students for their views, and by getting them challenged, make them speak as long as they can. Do not interrupt them while speaking. Accuracy must be ignored especially at the beginning levels. Correct their mistakes (vocabulary use, Grammar usage, and mispronunciation) kindly after they finished speaking.

       Another way, facilitating oral proficiency of language learners is commonly used idiomatic expressions. Conclusively, mostly learners are enthusiastic about learning them because idiomatic expressions help them sound more native. You need to exemplify in order to let them know how authentically they are used in a context. Without delay, ask students to contextualize them and correct if they use them wrongly. It is more than ok if you are able to provide the class with some films in which native speakers use these expressions in real contexts, because the process is easy to figure out when it is demonstrated visually.   

          In the end, storytelling is considered another helpful activity, addressing student's speaking ability. Moreover, it is figured to foster creative thinking and imagination. Going through it, the teacher may call a few students at the beginning of each and every session in order to tell a story which they have read in advance. In order for it to be more entertaining, amusing anecdotes is suggested. Interestingly enough, students would better be allowed to make stories of their own, as visualization would get their thinking bettered.

       To finalize, the most significant part of language teacher's job is to better student's communication faculties. Teachers are supposed to generously supply the maximum opportunity to students to speak the target language by providing a rich and challenging environment that contains cooperative work, authentic materials and task, and shared knowledge. Communication skill would serve its purpose if learners express themselves without anxiety and embarrassment.

Written by: Majid Ja'fari

The cause and effect law

      Thinking about people's lives, I made up my mind to write an article with which one of the finest success laws is concerned. I think today many people are not enjoying their lives and actually do not know how they can lead a life of joy. This article, if profoundly read, could be a turning point in your life and it can lead you to move up in the world. The law I just want to touch upon has unfortunately forgotten by many of us and what we all need is to believe it and by a careful planning, start putting it into practice.

       We all have heard that in order for something to take place- e.g. passing an exam- some events must come about beforehand. What I am going to elaborate on is the law of cause and effect. It simply means effects turn up for some causes. Suppose you want a cup of tea, or juice now, how this inclination turns out to come true? Can you get it if you just think about it and do nothing to reach it? Obviously Not.

      The problem is that many want to achieve their objectives without any attempt to attain. Do you think it is ever possible? There is a law telling us for gaining something, you need to accumulate its causes and juxtapose them in order for it to take place. Potentially, a baby is not born with just a woman or man. Eternally, if causes are not put together, effects are not to happen. In my opinion, it is apparent that we can expect nothing to take place unless we act. This is one of the certain laws of the world; any reaction needs an action. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is concerned with their manner of acting. Putting knowledge into practice is the only quality differentiates between people. Therefore, from now going on, let's start keeping our life controlled and organized in order to see the unexpected results of this law.

       Do not think of a specific thing for along time, because thought is always looking for a way to shrink from responsibilities. Procrastination provides the chance for the thought to find a reason not to do the things you need to. So do not hesitate and start acting. Consider this fact and read the following. It is about the effects of the cause and effect law on our thoughts. I take it for granted that by doing what you are told, you will transform into a highly successful person.

      According to the cause and effect law, if we do something good, the result we get is certainly good. If you say salaam to somebody, he/she will say it back to you. Accordingly, the result of a bad deed is bad.

      Today, all of us are well aware of the effects of thought on our lives. The cause and effect law within the domain of thought is highly influential as it is within the domain of material. Optimistic thought is followed by a positive consequence and a negative one unquestionably is a result of pessimistic thought.

      This is the strength of the cause and effect law and if you appreciate it but observe it not, no one is held responsible for the consequences you get, but yourself. Although many people know this reality, they do not follow it and just complain God of their wretchedness and bad luck. That is because this law says if you intend something bad, what you reach is bad. If one says I am wretched, wretchedness is the sure thing penetrating into his/her life. If you follow the article, I promise you I am able to turn you into one you deserve.

      Majority of us say how can I feel happy and relaxed by these hardships and adversity? How can I feel wealthy when I cannot afford to eat?

      Never is it possible to feel fortunate overnight, and it is also impossible to feel as you are capable of anything overnight. We can achieve our goals in the shadow of effort. Let your day pass the way it does. I do not care to what extent you feel wretched. But I need to have your word, i.e. not to work outside 18 hours a day to succeed.

      The only promise that I want you to give is to work on your thoughts. The only effort one must make is in the field of thoughts, not anywhere else outside. If you work full time outside, you will not feel wealthy because you do not from within. Only put all your efforts on your thoughts and do it as long as you succeed.

      In order to be motivated to act, you need to suggest yourself that you are smart, talented, and ingenious. Refer to the things you know, and little by little, try to change your thoughts. After a period of time, unintentionally, you will change. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Never forget cause and effect law and never think pessimistically. Start practicing right now and be the witness of changes in your life. You will certainly taste the real joy of life.

Today, I ate meal with God

Knowing that reaching God needs along distance to be passed, a little boy wanted to meet God. For that reason, he packed some sandwiches and sodas into his suitcase and without letting others know, moved on. Passing some alleys, he arrived at a park, spotting an old man feeding the birds. He came up to the old man and sat next to him on the park bench. The old man looked like he had been starving, the child hungry too. Therefore, the little boy opened his suitcase and gave him a sandwich and soda. The old man got the meal and gave the boy a smile. It made the child happy and both started eating. They spend all the afternoon feeding the birds and having fun without conversing with each other. When the sky darkened, the little boy knew he should go back to home now, after taking some steps, he returned and hugged the old man tightly. The old man kissed him kindly, and dedicated a smile to him.

When the boy got back to home at night, his mother asked him worriedly: where have you been up to now?

The boy who seemed happy, answered: before God

The old man also got home. His old wife asked him shockingly: why are you so happy?

He responded: today was the best day of my lifetime ever. Today, at park, I ate meal with God!

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari

BOX

''I have no free time. I cannot receive anyone.'' All day long, dad had a lot going on. He did not answer the letters for ages. He ate both his lunch and dinner in his room and had no time for anything. Therefore, my mother was fed up with his behavior. She decided to send him a different box in order to be able to talk more to him. As usual, I took the box for my dad. He had a glimpse of the box and me from under his glasses and then said ''that is a big box. Open it, surely an important thing is inside Open it.'' It was written on the box: ''please open it before the window.'' Shockingly, dad got the box from me and opened the window in order to open the box. He saw my mom from the window, waving her hand to him. At the time, a white dove jumped out of the box and flew

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari

Oh, father! The savior of our faith 

Oh, father! The remembrance of our God

Oh, thy word is the meaning of our quran

Oh, thy reappearance is the termination of pains 

Oh, thy look is the warmth of cold hearts

Oh, thy hug warmly for the poor 

Oh, father… the keepsake of the sky

Oh, father…the remembrance of our God  

Thy word is the interpretation of beneficence 

Is the life at the top of humanity

Your job is not with sword, blood, and blade

Your job is not with killing, bugging, and oppressing

Your job is nothing but benevolence and tact

Your job is nothing but giving, and act

Oh, the lord… alas… alas    

Woe! Our meaningless thoughts

 Woe! We know you not   

You are aware of us and we, ignorant

You with us but we, unaware

You see us but we, blind

You love us but we, blame

We are sinners but you sorry

You do penance for we sin

You do pray when we sleep

You come so the earth to be beautified

Kindness to be the logic of hearts

Whoever believes it not, may he be dumb

 His status in the worst conditions

My eyes are rainy again

When you come, the kindest father?

Do a favor, hasten, and come

Peace, and justice thee waiting for    

Translated by: Majid Jafari

Dedicated to: Dr. Shafieyan

Dear all friends,

Having been asked about the good methods for language learning, today I have made a decision to write an article about how to improve English-speaking capability.

A lot of nice methods and techniques regarding English-speaking improvement have been proposed so far, but today I want to let you know my personal experiences and procedures I have been through.

 Fluently and accurately speaking English is a kind of dream for all language learners. I think all of us are capable of it, but it is not achieved without making efforts. Things I want to touch upon today are worth thinking and trying. Therefore, read it profoundly with an open mind, and try to do whatever you are asked to.

Annually, many people emigrate to America and Britain only for learning the international language common all around the world, English. As I am sure you know, the number one way in order for all non-native speakers to elevate their capability of English speaking is to be exposed to the environment, in the first place. In the environment, since, to survive, you are obliged to communicate with people, you will inevitably do your perfect to master the language. Despite the fact that exposure to the authentic context is the finest factor facilitating language learning, this is not an opportunity available for all. Therefore, here, we want to go through the techniques helping you be good at English-communication even at your mother country.

Attending English institutes is one of the common ways, majority of people pick. I personally do agree with it, but sometimes it does not work unfortunately. Its reasons may be the students themselves, or even the teachers. Depending upon the level students are at, teacher's methods for language teaching must differ. Teachers are highly influential in supporting or demoralizing students for learning. I personally believe the teacher's methods must be mostly based on speaking. My suggestion, if you think your teacher does not have a good method for teaching speaking, do not squander your time, energy, and money. Abandon it for a better one as immediate as possible.

In parenthesis, I should add that a good teacher is one, trying to get students stimulated to speak by having free discussions, and teaching useful expressions.  Discussions must be of student's favorites. Highly controversial and challenging issues taking place in the world, or the country in which learners have different views about are the best choices. I think language teachers must let the learners express themselves without any restrictions. It helps students be motivated in class activities and not send learners to sleep during the class time.

Although, today, learning English is a necessity for all, being busy, some people do not have enough free time to attend any classes. For that reason, self-study, now, is the best option they get through. They think by watching movies, listening to radio, and even reading different English texts, they can make substantial improvement in speaking. To some extent, some of them improve, but it is a big mistake to suppose one is able to reach fluency and accuracy by self-study at the beginning levels. Unfortunately, for not getting the results, after a short period, some get bored and quit studying.

For your better conversation improvement, first of all, you must be enough motivated and determined. Then, choose an institute to attend. Like I said, teacher, in your selection, must be of highly significance. The books you are taught are also important. I do not want to give my personal suggestion about it, but Interchange books are more common and authentic.

 Many language learners do not feel good about their accents and pronunciations. They are looking for some ways to make it sound native. Actually, there is no good or bad accent. Its acceptance by native speakers is the whole point. In order for you to speak with a natural accent, imitation of an American or British one, whichever suits you well, is obligatory. To put it simply, I mean we must pick a native speaker we are interested in his/her pronunciation, accent, and speaking manner, and then mimic them. At the beginning stages, it is sort of ridiculous, and may others poke fun at you. However, by every day practice, you will approach what you already have aimed at.

 Few hours' exposure to English class does not suffice for authentic language learning. At this stage, your main job begins. Frankly speaking, if you want your speaking capability to improve, you need to speak a lot. Here, a very typical problem arises, that is having no one to talk to out of the class. Do not make this mistake; you have yourself to talk to. Speak by yourself about whatever in which you take interest. Doing it in front of a mirror has a major impact. You just need to let the words come out of your mouth regardless of whether the sentences you produce are grammatically well formed.

 Another aspect concerning with speaking efficiency that is worth mentioning is vocabulary learning.  Memorizing words in isolation does not work. You need to learn them in context. After you learned the usage of a word, place it in context by your own sentences. It helps you both converse better and activate words.

Written by: Majid Ja'fari

من خدایم که همه کوی مرامیجویند  

همه ذرات فلک حمدمرامیگویند

من خدایم که همه راه مرامی پویند

همه جانها به یدقدرت من می رویند

همه چیزوهمه کس درهمه جا مال من است

دل هر جامد وجنبده بدنبال مت است

آن زمانی که زمان یادندارد چه زمان

درمکانی که مکان یادندارد چه مکان

نه شبی بود ونه روزی و نه چرخی به جهان

نه پری بود ونه جبریل نه دوزخ نه جنان

دل من درپی یک واژه ی بی خاتمه بود  

اولین واژه که آمد به نظر فاطمه بود

ز تفیل گِل او ساخته ام دنیا را  

من به عشق رخ او ساخته ام طه را

میل او بود بسازم علی اعلی را 

جبریل و ملک آدم وپس حوا را

از ازل تا به ابد هرکه و هرکس هستند 

همه مدیون رخ فاطمه من هستند

به خداوندی خود فاطمه ام بی همتاست

فاطمه چون من تنها به دو عالم تنهاست

ای پدر ای منجی ایمان ما       ای کلامت معنی قرآن ما

ای ظهورت معنی پایان درد       ای نگاهت گرمی دلهای سرد

ای پدر ای یادگارآسمان       ای که آغوشت پناه بی کسان

حرف توتفسیررحمانیت است       زندگی دراوج انسانیت است

کارتوشمشیروخون وتیغ نیست       کارتوجزرافت وتدبیرنیست

آه آقا وای ما و وای ما       وای ازاین افکاربی معنای ما

وای ما آتش به خرمن میزنیم       تهمت گردن بریدن میزنیم

تو زماآگاهی و ماجاهلیم        بین ماهستی و ما بس غافلیم

نیمه شب های تواشک است و دعا       تودعاگویی براین احوال ما

تومیایی تازمین زیبا شود       مهربانی منطق دلهاشود

حرف توتفسیررحمانیت است       زندگی دراوج انسانیت است

هرکه گوید غیرازاین است لال باد       حال اودربدترین احوال باد

بازبارانی شده چشمان من       کی می آیی یوسف کنعان من؟

مهربانی کن بیا کم ناز کن       راه دیدار خودت را باز کن

شاعر: پرویز قره باقری

شاید آن روز که سهراب نوشت

تاشقایق هست زندگی باید کرد

خبری ازدل پردرد گل یاس نداشت

باید این طورنوشت

چه شقایق باشد چه گل میخک ویاس

جای یک گل خالیست

تانیاید مهدی زندگی دشوار است

I am fed up with…

I am fed with the people, those who forget God, and those who believe in Him, but have no faith. While knowing He is highly influential and all-powerful, ignore his muscle and authority. I am fed up with the men, when being in trouble; ask others for help, and even for a moment, they do not turn to God to help them overcome their problems. In contrast, God never ever forgets his creatures, but He considers even tiniest ones spread out all over the place. He has created all His creatures with a great discipline, and has put all of them in their right place. As a case in point, a research on penguins inhabiting minus 50-centigrade degree conducted by scientists indicated that when the female penguins lay eggs, they give them to the male penguins in order to take care of them. Since the climate in South Pole is frigid, they do not put the eggs on the ground even for a moment as it is frozen solid. Therefore, they have to keep them warm on their legs for four months, and surprisingly enough, they even eat nothing during this very period. They do tolerate all these hardships and suffering only for love. They do not leave their eggs on the ground; they do not go for food. At last, after 4 months the females get out of the ocean and feed their offsprings. How amazing they live with love, kindness, and self-sacrifice for their children. God does not forget the animals even in the farthest parts of this very planet, so is it ever possible to forget His most privileged and number one creature, human being?

God has dedicated love, affection, and self-sacrifice to animals. Providing you with another interesting example of animal's love, it is worth mentioning that one day a female zebra and her offspring were in the field. Suddenly a leopard ran after them, trying to hunt one of them down. Since the child was little and could not run as fast as his mother, was about to be hunted by the leopard. For that reason, the mother slowed down just to protect her little baby.  She sacrificed herself for her child so that the leopard caught her and the child survived. These events do not happen accidentally and are not only stories written in books. They are all realities of creation and prove that God ignores none of His creatures.

God granted wisdom to the humankind in order to love each other and live with harmony. Quite apart from that, He also sent down 124000 prophets and 12 Imams to guide us in the straight path but unfortunately, we did not value these very great gifts of God and right from the very beginning of the creation till today have been killing, disgracing, and humiliating each other. And two great world wars leaving over 85 million innocent people killed with no reason in particular, the wars in Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and many other places all over the world are the legacies we hand down to our descendants. We can simply see that by these kinds of deeds, we have clean forgotten God, but He did his best, and even today, He has appointed a leader, a savior for contemporary age.  He has got different names in different faiths such as Mahdi, Messiah, Jesus Christ etc. I think the only one who can restore this world to peace and tranquility is the remainder of God living on the planet. He is absent, but alive. We do not see him, but he does. Some of us have forgotten him, but he has promised even not to forget us, but to take care of us. He is absent because we do not ask God sincerely for his coming. If you really want Hope and Opportunity penetrate into your life, the only way forward is to beg God from bottom of your heart to hasten His coming.

Imam-Mahdi is our kind father, and is ready to respond to our requests. Turn to him in all various circumstances in your life asking him to help you. Do it right now while reading, he is listening to your words. Even if you do not believe in him, give it a try even once in your life. I am sure he does not leave you unanswered as I personally have tested it many times.

May God help us practice what we preach.

Written by: F. Nazari

Edited by: Majid Ja'fari

Today I have had an ambiguous feeling that cannot describe it…I know these days elapse, and when looking back, you see how soon they went by.

Oh,…people are very different and eccentric.

Today, they wish time passes very soon and tomorrow they wish to go back to these days.

Today they sacrifice their health to be rich and tomorrow, in order to restore their health, they will have to spend it all.

They don't value each other today, and tomorrow they know how disloyal they were to each other.

They live today in a way as if they will be alive forever, and tomorrow die in a way as if had not been alive one day.

Today ………..oh

I've got a big question mark in mind that I am sure no one except for myself is able to respond it.

However, I have not got the exact way to arrive at a response so far.  

Perhaps I need to get help from someone, but….no….

Who can be trusted then?!

Sometimes I hear words….sometimes I see some things causing not even depend on myself….

Sometimes I am upset about myself….since I become dumbfounded sometimes….since I sometimes become so naïve and believe others very soon ….and since sometimes I am upset about myself….and again sometimes……

I love these words very much

Today no one is confidant of the secrets of others

I have experienced that no one helps others

Do not spend time on friends uselessly

Spend it on one whose heart is for no one

Forget it….

To make a long story short,

If I become lonelier than lonely, God exists forever

He suffices for whatever I lack.

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari

A fisherman

Two men were fishing near a lake. One of them was an experienced and skilled angler, but another knew nothing about it.

Whenever the experienced one caught a big fish, put it in a container filled with ice that was close to him. However, the amateur one threw it back at the lake as soon as he caught a big one.

The experienced angler was very shocked why he loses the fish. Therefore, after a little awhile asked him surprisingly:

How come do you throw these big fish at the sea?

 The man answered: because my pan is small.

Off and on, similarly, we do not take up the big chances, big jobs, big dreams, big opportunities dedicated by God, as we do not have faith in God.

We do ridicule a man whose only need was a bigger pan, but we are not aware that our only need is to trust in God.

God never ever grants you something you do not deserve.

 It truly means to try to utilize whatever meeting in lifetime with an absolute confidence.

Nothing is impossible for God.

Bear it in mind:

Do not tell your God how big your problems are.

Tell your problems how big your God is.

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari

Expressing love

One day, a teacher asked his students at the class, can you say a way of expressing love which has not been done by anyone else before, I mean not repetitive one?

Several students said forgiveness would be the best way of expressing love. Some of them mentioned that ''giving flowers, presents,'' or ''lovely word'' would be a good way of that. Moreover, some other students pointed out ''being together, tolerating the hardships and enjoying happiness'' is a good way of expressing your love.

Suddenly, one boy got up and before suggesting his own way of expressing love, shared a short story with the class:

one day, a couple who were both biologist, as usual moved to jungle in order to do research. When they reached the top of hill, shockingly, confronted with an atypical situation in which made them have no movement.

A big tiger, standing in front of the couple and was staring at them. The man had not a rifle with him and had no way out.

They were both panicked and they did not dare to move away in front of the tiger. The tiger approached the man quietly. At the time, the biologist man let a shout out and abandoned his wife. Immediately, the tiger ran after him and some minutes late, the wife could hear the whines of her young husband. Then the tiger left there and the woman survived.

The narrator's face was drenched by tears, then continued: all the biologists know that tiger only attacks one who has a motion or run away. My Dad at that terrifying moment sacrificed himself before my Mom to survive her. It was the most sincere and faithful way of my Dad to express his love to me and my Mom.

Translated by: Majid Ja'fari

Ladies and Gentlemen

Salaam.

Do you know what the greatest favor of God for humanity is? Sun, water, love, or food? Which one do you choose?

So far, have you ever thought about it even for one minute?

This post, over again, translated by Majid Ja'fari, is trying to respond to this question. Therefore, read it carefully, think about it with an open mind, and ask if you doubt.

May God guide us in the straight path.