It is good to be afraid. I have been through many difficult situations in life, and every time I was deeply scared. I was watching the Last Samurai again yesterday and in there I loved a conversation between Captain Nathan Algren and Higen, (Taka’s Son)
Higen:
My father said that to die in a battle is glory for a Samurai
Algen:
Your father believed that…
Higen:
I would be afraid to die in battle.
Algren:
So would I.
Higen:
But you have been in many battles.
Algren:
...and I was always afraid.
Higen:
(realizing the nature of what could happen to Algren, the father figure he came to love) I don't want you to go.
There is nothing glorified about a battle, be it in real war, be it in your life. There is no glory in winning and there is no shame in defeat. The universe doesn’t care if you win or lose. Even worse, the universe doesn’t know that you exist. Only people who care for you in your loved ones and your friends. If they are your true friends, whether you win or lose in a ‘battle’ makes no difference to them. They will like you the same way as before, regardless of the outcome of the battle.
So instead of focusing on the outcome of the battle, just be in the battle. Face your fears. Be afraid! There is no shame in that. Whether you are successful or , matters not; it is just the quest that matters. As Lord Moritsugu Katsumoto said:
The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.
It's like floating in the wave of words that gave away a taste of poetry, the whole piece along with those beautiful verses painted an emotional journey that managed to touch the heart. Love, romance, promises and then, the thread of separation, a twist and turn that we all are more or less familiar with, and this week's featured author successfully managed to portray that feeling beautifully through their words.
Author: 
We are also delighted to announce two honorable mentions of the week.
| Authors | Highlights |
|---|---|
 @duvinca | New horizons |
| - | - |
 @cathgothard | Woodland photography and some deer |
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প্রায় ৩৯ মিনিট হবে, নাকি আরো বেশি? বারবার ঘুম ভাঙছে তবে আবার ঘুমিয়ে পড়ছে লীনা। একবার ঘুম থেকে উঠে মুখের উপর থেকে সাদা কাঁথা সরানোর চেষ্টা করলো সে। কাঁথাটা কোনোভাবেই সরাতে না পেরে আবার ঘুমিয়ে গেলো ও। আবার ঘুম ভাঙলো, কাঁথা সরাতে গিয়ে মনে পড়লো, আগের বার হাতই নাড়াতে পারেনি সে। হাত নাড়ানোর আপ্রাণ চেষ্টা করেও ব্যর্থ হলো ও। নাহ, একটুও নড়ানো যাচ্ছে না। বোবায় ধরেছে তাহলে।
আবারো ঘুম ভাঙলো। অবাক হয়ে লীনা দেখলো যে মুখের উপরের সাদা কাঁথাটা বেশ খানিকটা ছিঁড়ে গেছে। ছেঁড়া বললে ভুল হবে, ক্ষয় হয়ে গেছে। কাঁথাটা একবার একটু ধরে দেখবে ভেবে হাত বাড়াতে গিয়ে উপলব্ধি করলো হাতটা নড়লো না। কী হচ্ছে এসব! ভাবতে ভাবতে আবার ঘুমে ঢলে পড়লো লীনা।
নিয়ম করে আবার ঘুম ভাঙলো। কোনোরকম দেরী না করেই হাতটা নাড়াতে চেষ্টা করলো এবার সে। উঁহু, এবারো পারা গেলো না। অনেক কষ্টে চোখ বাঁকিয়ে নিজের হাত দেখে তাজ্জব হয়ে গেলো সে। হাতটার থেকে মাংসপেশী খুলে মাটির সাথে মিশে গেছে। সাদা কাঁথা, আরেহ কাঁথা না। এইটা কাফন। কাফনের নাম নিশান নেই বললেই চলে। হাড়গোড় স্পষ্ট দেখা যাচ্ছে। এই হাড্ডির নাম নাকি হিউমেরাস। নাকি পুরো ব্যাপারটাই হিউমেরাস?
আবার চোখ খুললো লীনা। ও এখন পুরো মাটি হয়ে গেছে। ওর উপর বিশালাকারের একটা বকুল গাছ। ও এখন বকুল হয়ে ঝরে, সুবাস ছড়ায়, বৃষ্টিতে ভিজে, ছায়া হয়, জলে ভাসে, বাতাসে দোলে।
ওর শুধু একটাই দুঃখ, ওর মা প্রায়ই আসে ওর কবরে। একবার যদি ছুঁয়ে দেয়া যেতো মা'কে।
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Who doesn't love a bit of appreciation? I know I do. It feels so good when someone appreciates the dedication you are putting into something, and I love every bit of it.
Last night, in a live class of around eighty students, our teacher mentioned a few names where I got to hear mine. It came as a shock, but I was happy to feel like a student on top of the line. I also enjoyed the smell of jealousy and appreciation from the other students, hehe.
It’s these moments that tell us that we are moving on the right track, and it's them which encourage you to keep going, showing you there's something good ahead of you after all.
When my teacher said my name, I knew my activities and performance had drawn their attention. In all honesty, this was all I was waiting for; an indication that I was on the right track, an appreciation that would make me a little bit more serious, and the advice he gave me to continue.
Motivation, advice, and guidelines are coming my way daily; no scarcity of that. I myself am a great motivator, as people say, but when they are directed at you by the people, you take as idols do feel special. They hit you differently, and work a thousand times better, at least for me. So this was it; all we need is to take them as fuel and keep hold of this progress. Hopefully, something good will be waiting in the end.
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Awakened by the rustle of your walking boots, I turned around— dry leaves crackling beneath my feet remind me of good old days in the forest; on the edge of the lake with finely tuned waves— crashing one after another.
Too persistent in moving that water strider; but, alas! It doesn't cherish any sentiment to move on— reluctantly sliding through every splash; barely giving the waves a chance to rejoice and summoning mates for pitching in.
Can you picture it, however?
Ah, you are there— I almost forgot your presence, but trust me, it feels like you just waltzed into my porch. I am sorry that I didn't welcome you yet; instead, burdening your tiredness with my rambling thoughts and my blabbering feelings.
Wait, what— no, don't sit here. The musty smell will make you throw up— the bugs with their buzz will deafen you, no— don't you dare sit here.
Don't worry about me; I am used to their screaming. Now that I think about it, Nah— they don't scream; they cling to their life as I cling to your memory.
Don't turn away now, please, for that I have something to tell you. I want to tell you how my heart yearns for you— your touch, I want to tell you how I felt when you weren't here, by my side when I needed you the most.
Fear not; I don't hold any grudge against you now. My body— it's so futile now; the feeblish self of mine don't complain you being hypnotised by all the snazzy things out there.
But I needed you back here— I needed you all the time; not that you are heart, but you are my desperation, I find solace thinking about you, your thoughts— before it shatters into a million pieces— before the sleepless nights overpower the throbbing pain in my chest. Once I could release them with tears, but now they are gone— they all are dried up, and they have become numb.
It puts me in pain knowing that we cannot be together— I can't stand my heart scarred with the feeling you have left in me. Wait— let me look at you, hold your hands— I know we can't, not anymore, for we have parted our ways. But let me hear your voice before I dozed off again— before my shallow breaths fizzle out in despair before my heart is pierced again with your departure.
Is that grass bothering you? Don't mind them— they just grew over me a few days ago; see how fresh they are? Touch them— the tantalising feeling you will get are from mine.
For some reason, I didn't stop them from growing over me; I knew you'd come and here you are— pluck a flower and set it in the stone; they won't mind. Touch them if you wish— they will pass it on to me; that'll be enough. Now that our actions don't influence each other, it won't hurt much to see you leave— but I am happy you are here. My memory can live with that for eternity.
Photo by
Daniel Gregoire
Unsplash
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The football transfer window opened last week, and since then, we have seen some big deals go through. A few transfers agreed upon in the past were made official in this period, and Real Madrid has pulled off some very good deals.
They have signed Rudiger on a free transfer this time. Which makes their backline more solid than ever before. And, in the middle of the park, they are looking to sign Modric and Kroos. Earlier this year, they had signed Eduardo Camavinga, and just days ago, they paid around 100 million for Aurelien Tchouameni.
As it seems, Real is looking to strengthen their team further while Barcelona is struggling in their mess. For the lack of liquidity, they are unable to sign many of their desired players, but they are still hoping to score both Lewandowski and Kunde.
The pair might cost them a little over 100 million, but for now, where's the money? They could generate that money by selling De Jong, but they don't want to go that route either. So Barca is, no doubt, in a sticky situation.
Moving on to England, the top two teams are on a roll. Manchester City has signed the exciting Erling Haaland for a mere 75 million release clause. Their target is to sign Marc Cucurella, who has been a bright prospect in the premier league. Manchester is looking to strengthen their fullback positions this time, and they have clarified that more signings are on the way.
While Liverpool has paid 100 million for the Uruguayan starlet Darwin Nunez, most people believe they have overpaid in this transfer. I agree too. But so did Real Madrid pay for Tchouameni. Also, that was because PSG was in the game too, and Liverpool faced no such competition.
Turning our attention to London. The unfair sanction and the forced sale of the club have kicked back Chelsea at least a year behind. Some structural changes at the club are coming before they sign any new players, as there are new owners. But in turn, no movement in the market is hurting them.
Bayern are also trying to keep Lewandowski, who is determined to leave. Marc Roca, too has been sold off as of reports. As Lewandowski plans to leave Bayern, they are expanding their searches for a new striker. Other than that, things are well below the radar in the Deutschlands.
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