LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #102. Rumi’s Little Book of Life: The Garden of the Soul, the Heart, and the Spirit

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#102. Rumi’s Little Book of Life: The Garden of the Soul, the Heart, and the Spirit (translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Meita Kolin)

Rumi, born with his original name Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, was a famous 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic.

Born in 1207 in Central Asia, he spent most of his life in Anatolia, which explains the name “Rumi,” meaning “Roman.” His life changed dramatically when he met the wandering mystic Shams Tabrizi, inspiring him to explore spiritual love and poetry. Through his poetry, Rumi takes us on a journey of self-discovery, helping us appreciate who we are and the beauty of being part of the universe.

 

“Separation bends the back of hope

Cruelty ties the hands of longing

yet the lover never despairs.

For a committed heart

everything is possible.”

ð     Being apart from someone we love can make hope feel heavy, fragile, and sometimes meaningless. It is simply because pain and obstacles may prevent us from following our deepest desires. But a devoted heart continues to hope, even in the darkest moments of our lives. Genuine love and determination can overcome even the greatest obstacles. No matter how much pain and hardship may test us, they cannot easily defeat a heart filled with true love, devotion, and hope.

 

“If you only knew what bliss I found in being nothing

   you would not advise me how to live.

When the sword of nothingness ends my life

    I will laugh at those who mourn my death.”

ð     This poem is telling us about how we could find genuine peace. When the ego or selfish desires die, the fear of physical death loses its power. Rumi sees ‘death’ as some kind of a joyful return to the divine source. That is, when we finally stop worrying about wealth, status, and others’ opinions, we can discover a deeper sense of peace in this life. Rumi suggests that people often give advice based on worldly fears, but spiritual joy lies beyond material concerns.

 

“One early morning in the garden I picked a flower

     The Gardener suddenly appeared and I panicked.

    “Why worry about a flower, when I have given you the entire Garden!”  “

ð     This poem reminds us that we often focus too much on small desires, trivial mistakes, or temporary possessions of ours to care the infinite love and abundance of the Divine. Instead of worrying about our small flaws or attachments, we can trust in a greater love and appreciate the vast beauty and abundance that surrounds us.

 

“Heart, be considerate

     Soul, be tolerant

Patience, run if you cannot bear grief

Reason, go and play your childish games.”

ð     This poem lets us see that deep emotional pain can be too overwhelming for logic, reason, or even patience to handle. Sometimes, the only way to survive grief or sorrow in life is through gentleness, surrender, and simply allowing ourselves to feel. Be kind to yourself while carrying the pain and try to endure the sorrow without letting it break you. When the burden or sadness feel unbearable, it is okay to let go rather than force yourself to remain strong. Logic cannot always make sense of deep sorrow. Sometimes, we simply need to feel and accept it.

 

“When you bury your secret deep in your heart

    your wish will come through more quickly.

     The secret of seeds buried in the ground

        Manifest in the flourishing garden.

         If gold and silver were not hidden

          how could they age in the mine?”

ð     In this poem, we learn that sometimes, the best way to nurture a dream is to keep it quietly in our hearts until the right time comes to let it bloom. Keeping our dreams and intentions private can give them time and space to grow stronger before we share them with the world. Like a seed growing quietly beneath the soil, our dreams need time to develop before they bloom. It is probably because revealing our plans too soon can distract us or weaken our focus.  Just as gold and silver gain their value deep within the earth, our dreams can become stronger and more meaningful through time, patience, and perseverance.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

Reading it piece by piece, page by page, I felt as though I had received a precious gift—one I could return to throughout my life as a guide to finding peace within. Rumi’s poems offer food for thought, not as lessons to teach or enlighten us, but as gentle companions for soothing and searching the soul. This collection captures Rumi’s timeless message through a few powerful themes: peace, love, unity, and respect.

As a lifelong worrywart, I have come to realize that true peace begins when we let go of our false identities, attachments, and egos. Freedom comes from recognizing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. Otherwise, we risk becoming puppets or avatars, controlled by illusions created by forces we may not even recognize unless we stay strongly impervious to what is going on in this world. It must be miserable to quietly quit life by becoming what the world expects us to be. I believe we become truly ourselves when we break free from the illusions of this world.

When it comes to love, as Rumi describes in his poems, it is the deepest force in life that already lives within us. We do not need to search for love outside ourselves. Love in our hearts is waiting for us to remove the walls of fear, anger, and ego. True love goes beyond logic and transforms us by teaching us to surrender, accept both joy and pain, and recognize our profound connection with everything around us. Furthermore, when grief becomes too heavy, we don't always need answers or explanations. Sometimes, we simply need to be gentle with ourselves and let the pain pass through us, hoping it won’t pass like a kidney stone, though.

If people today truly lived by Rumi’s spirit and teachings, perhaps there would be far fewer wars and divisions. Rumi reminds us that everything comes from one divine source and that the boundaries between people, religions, and nations are ultimately illusions. Like drops of water returning to the same ocean, we are all part of a greater spiritual unity. We may appear separate, but deep down, we are invisibly connected. You deserve my respect, just as I deserve yours.

Time to have fun with the latest NPR Puzzle!

 

Today's theme is MBAs, as in the business degrees. Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase or name in which the first word starts with M-, and the second word starts BA-.

Ex. a little of this, a little of that --> Mixed bag

 

1. Something a Boy Scout earns

2. Piece of playground equipment that kids climb on

3. Group of musicians following a drum major

4. Strip on top of a computer screen from which you can pull down to make selections

5. Dumpling in Jewish soup

6. New England colony established by the Puritans

7. Financial institution for private companies and wealthy individuals

8. Place where soldiers train

9. Container for a postal worker

10. Health treatment in which a person sits in a tub of hot, wet earth

11. A commercial pitch on TV might offer a _____ guarantee

12. Terse admission of error

 

 

Answer Keys

1. Merit Badge

2. Monkey Bars

3. Marching Band

4. Menu Bar

5. Metzo Ball

6. Massachusetts Bay

7. Merchant Bank

8. Military Base/ or Marine Base

9. Mail Bag

10. Mud Bath

11. Money back

12. My bad!

 

 

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #101. Seeing Allred (documentary, 2018)

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#101. Seeing Allred (documentary film, 2018)

This documentary follows Gloria Allred, the women’s rights attorney (pro bono) widely regarded as one of the most outspoken, tireless, and inspiring activists of our time. She has devoted her life to fighting for justice, equality, and the rights of people regardless of gender or identity. Among the many battles she has taken on, two of her most high-profile challenges involved Bill Cosby and Donald Trump, whose sexual misconduct allegations brought Allred even further into the national spotlight.

 

“People say “she’s loud, she’s got an ego, she must just love the camera”, and then I just sort of pause and say “haven’t you met any men like that?”

=>This quote points out the double standard faced by powerful women. When women are outspoken, confident, or assertive, they are often labeled as loud, arrogant, or attention-seeking. Yet men who display the same qualities are often praised as strong leaders. She challenges this unfair difference in the way society judges men and women with double inequal standards for the same behavior.

 

(Gloria Allred said): “Let’s dispel this myth of the wonderful traditional family. That was the family in which women have to obey their husbands, that was the family in which women had no property rights. We don’t necessarily want the traditional family, which didn’t even allow inter-racial marriages, which sir, were a crime even up to 30 years ago in this country. And just because it was a crime didn’t make it right. It meant it was prejudice!”

=> Gloria Allred argues that the often-romanticized image of the “traditional family” was not always based on equality or harmony. Instead, many historical family structures were shaped by legal and social systems that limited women’s rights and reinforced racial discrimination. She reminds us that, for much of history, women had fewer legal protections, less personal autonomy, and were expected to obey male authority. She also emphasizes that laws do not automatically reflect justice. For example, bans on interracial marriage remained legal in the United States until 1967. The existence of such laws shows that what is accepted by society or protected by law at one time can later be recognized as unfair or discriminatory.

 

(Gloria Allred said): “Women are now empowered. And they will never be silent again. I didn’t have an end-game. Speaking out for women in and of itself is an empowering experience.”

=> This quote means that women are finding their voices and refusing to remain silent in the face of mistreatment or injustice. For Gloria Allred, speaking the truth is itself an act of strength and a form of victory, even when there is no guarantee of a particular outcome. Women are recognizing their own strength and worth and are no longer willing to hide abuse, discrimination, or unfair treatment. Telling the truth can be empowering and healing, regardless of what happens afterward.

 

(Mariann Wang, NY Co-counsel, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg said): “There’s nothing shameful about the fact that Gloria held a press conference about this issue, and there’s nothing shameful about a woman describing being sexually assaulted.”

    =>  Mariann means to say that there is always the stigma and public backlash often faced by survivors of sexual assault and the attorneys who support them. She emphasizes that speaking openly about sexual violence should never be a source of shame. The shame belongs to the perpetrator, not the survivor. She urges people to know that speaking out about sexual violence is an act of courage, not something victims should feel ashamed of. Therefore, as Allred had been doing, using the media and press conferences to bring allegations to public attention should be seen as a legitimate legal and advocacy strategy.

 

(Gloria Allred said): “As lawyers and as legislators, we should ask who benefits from a relatively short statute of limitations from rape and sexual assault and who is hurt.”

=>Gloria Allred argues that short statutes of limitations for rape and sexual assault can unfairly protect perpetrators while denying survivors a chance to seek justice. She points out that survivors may need years to process their trauma and find the courage to come forward. By the time they are ready, the legal deadline may have already passed. On the other side, perpetrators can avoid legal consequences when the deadline expires. Allred calls for lawmakers to reconsider or eliminate these time limits so that the legal system gives survivors a fairer chance to pursue justice.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

I have heard people say that women’s worst enemies are sometimes other women. But if they had ever heard of or witnessed the work of an attorney like Gloria Allred, perhaps they would think twice before making such a sweeping and dangerous generalization about women.

Allred has said that she becomes deeply emotional and personally invested whenever she takes on cases involving women who have been abused or sexually assaulted. Her passion comes partly from her own painful experience. In her twenties, she was sexually assaulted and later underwent an illegal abortion that nearly cost her life. Rather than allowing those traumatic experiences to leave her in despair, she chose to transform her pain into a source of strength. She dedicated her career to helping women facing the kinds of desperate situations she herself had once endured.

In the past, the United States was no exception to the widespread idealization of the so-called “beautiful” or "picture-perfect” family. Allred’s message encourages us to look at the past critically rather than view it only through the comforting lens of nostalgia. Many families certainly experienced love, stability, and strong values, but the social systems surrounding them also contained deep inequalities based on gender and race. Recognizing both the strengths and shortcomings of the past can help us build a fairer and more equal society. Gloria Allred’s lifelong work has contributed greatly to advancing women’s basic rights in America.

Moreover, Allred helped bring sexual violence into the open. Speaking openly about abuse can help survivors reclaim their voices and encourage others to break their silence. In high-profile cases involving powerful individuals, media attention can give survivors a stronger platform and make it harder for their experiences to be ignored. But Allred’s work has never been limited to famous cases. She has devoted countless hours and enormous energy to helping women who have suffered domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the often-quiet but deeply traumatic harassment and assaults that occur in the workplace.

While watching this documentary, I found myself thinking not only about allegations of sexual misconduct involving the current U.S. president, but also about a recent controversy surrounding the minor Rebuilding Korea Party in South Korea. The party’s former spokesperson, Kang Mi-jeong, resigned in protest over what she described as the party’s lukewarm response to allegations of sexual harassment and workplace bullying within the organization. The party’s members and leadership were criticized for appearing to distance themselves from the scandal. What saddened me most was the apparent lack of wholehearted support for the spokesperson and the victims. What can we expect from politicians who cannot even stand up for victims within their own party?

I sincerely hope that women, including myself, will continue to take pride in speaking up—not only for themselves but also for those who are too frightened or powerless to raise their voices. We can all become our own Gloria Allred. 

POEM full of OXYMORONS

Quite often, it feels as though we live in a world full of oxymorons. An oxymoron combines two words with opposite or conflicting meanings, often adding humor, irony, or emphasis. In other words, perhaps life needs a little irony and humor to help us survive the daily stress!

Think of phrases like “pretty ugly,” “working vacation,” “only choice,” and “awful good.” And the list goes on!

So, why not have some fun and write a poem using oxymorons? Let me share mine with you.😉

 

Meditation on My Morning Run

By Jean J. Lee

 

My friend asks me why I run

I say that I do for the bittersweet pain that feels so good and hurts so bad

My standard super shoes help me stay calm with their loud silence of strides

Yes, running seems like a demulcent for heartaches and a nettlesome trigger of fatigue.

The passing runner I met on the road was wearing a beautiful natural make-up

I was like ‘She must have spent an hour to put on a make up to look natural.’

Her invincible smudge-proof eyelines might need some all-melt remover in the end!

I love all runners with cool passion in this world

With every stride, the darkness visible in this world would be dislimned

If my friend asks me again if I’ll get in another run tomorrow morning?

I’d say “definite maybe!” if I wake up in a mood of festive tranquility!

 

Focused Words from the latest World News Updates

Are you a doom scroller or just a daily follower of world news updates? Today, let us explore the latest headlines and discover useful words in context.

 

    1.  adroit: (adjective) cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious

Thanks to an adroit air traffic controller, a potential disaster was narrowly avoided when two planes at Phoenix International Airport were mistakenly assigned the same flight number. As one American 2482 flight was landing, another was taking off. The quick-thinking controller skillfully kept the planes safely apart and quickly cleared up the confusion by calling them “2482 on the arrival” and “2482 on the departure.”

 

    2.  cache: (noun) a hiding place for food, treasures, money, etc.

Construction workers drilling beneath a former Belgian brewery made an incredible discovery: a hidden gold cache worth about $10 million. Inside a small brick cellar, they found 49 gold bars and more than 4,000 gold coins dating back beneath the 19th-century building. The treasure is now in police custody while officials investigate its origins and whether it was stolen.

 

    3.  to entice: (verb) to lead on by exciting hope or desire

A trial against Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, began August 18. Attorneys general from four states accuse the company of enticing children on their platforms by using features like the “like” button and algorithms to keep children scrolling longer, while failing to do enough to protect their safety and mental health.

 

    4.  to gainsay : (verb) to deny, dispute, or contradict

As more states adopt traffic speed cameras, some drivers question their privacy and fairness. However, safety advocates gainsay these concerns, pointing to studies showing that speed cameras can slow drivers down and reduce serious crash injuries.

 

    5.  keystone species: (noun) an animal or plant species that is critical to the health of its own ecosystem

The Samish Indian Nation is teaming up with scientists to save the endangered sunflower sea star, a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest. A new DNA-based tool is helping find survivors of a disease that has wiped out billions of these 24-legged predators. By keeping hungry sea urchins under control, sunflower stars help protect kelp forests and the ecosystem around them.

 

    6.  nuanced: (adjective) expressing or involving subtle distinctions

Experts say AI can handle basic financial questions, but it often bumbles more nuanced and complex ones. Although 40% of people have recently asked chatbots for financial advice, these tools can confidently give incorrect answers and fail to ask important follow-up questions about complicated situations, such as business restructuring or job loss.

 

    7.  philanthropic: (adjective) pertaining to charitable giving

Last Mile Health, a philanthropic bringing healthcare to remote communities in Liberia, has won the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton Prize. Founded in 2007 with just $6,000 in donations, the organization now receives one of the world’s largest humanitarian awards. It trains community health workers to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses and provide other essential care.

 

    8.  primogeniture: (noun) the system of inheritance or succession by the firstborn, specifically the eldest son

Tiny Liechtenstein is ending centuries of primogeniture royal succession. Under the new policy, the oldest child in the royal family—regardless of gender—will inherit the title of Prince or Princess. This makes Liechtenstein the last European monarchy to move away from a strictly male-heir system.

*word source from dictionary.com

Let us practice some vocabulary in sentences!

Are you interested in learning or playing with words? How about filling in the given blanks below, using the clues for each vocabulary in the parenthesis.

 1.   Annette loves to write a long piece of poem in her small cabin. She says the sou_______ing (*meaning “to make a rushing, rustling, or murmuring sound”) and whistling of the leaves outside inspires her to picture a beautiful suburban life in her poetry.

 

    2.   Mr. Milton’s lecture was too abs________________ (*meaning “arcane/ incomprehensible/ too difficult”) for the freshmen to fully understand.

 

    3.   The show host’s rebar______________ (*meaning “causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent”) attitude and stuck-up style in leading a talk made it hard for every guest on the show to be honest with him.

 

    4.   Your mom looks so n_______y (*meaning “neatly or trimly smart in dress or appearance; spruce”) and sassy in that gorgeous summer dress!

 

    5.   The current president of South Korea, Lee Jaemyung, is respected for for his genuine leadership and down-to-earth personality. His diplomatic capability leaves him without a comp______________ (*meaning “an equal in rank, ability, accomplishment, etc.”) among world leaders.  

 

    6.   There’s a scuttle________ (*meaning “rumor or gossip”) going around the office that our director would soon be demoted to the position of leading the most tenu________  (*meaning “weak or insignificant”) project.

 

    7.   Can’t you just quit the naïve way of thinking that you had back in your sa_________ days in such a Halcyon year?!!! (*meaning “immature days”)

 

    8.   No doubt the corrupted congressman is trying to hide all his p__________ that he has illegitimately accumulated for all these years. (*meaning “derogatory money or wealth, esp if dishonestly acquired; lucre”)

 

    9.   On the interview, Michael Jackson claimed, _____________ in cheek, that he loved to tour. All his staff laughed out loud when the camera was off. (*meaning “(as an adverb) speaking or acting as a joke, not seriously”)

 

    10. It is time for you to arti_____________ a message clearly to solve your team’s chronic problems. (*meaning “to put a thought or point into clear words so that people understand it well”)

 

 

<Answer Keys>  

    1.  sough

    2.  abstruse

    3.  rebarbative

    4.  natty

    5.  compeer

    6.  scuttlebutt, tenuous

    7.  salad days

    8.  pelf

    9.  tongue in cheek

    10. articulate

EXPRESSIONS AT FAST-FOOD CHAINS

LET’S TALK ABOUT FAST FOOD!  

Are you familiar with these fast food slogans?

"I'm lovin' it," "Have it your way," "Where's the beef?", "In Sight, It Must Be Right.", "Finger-lickin' good," "Eat Mor Chikin", "Live más", "Eat fresh", “It just meals good”, “Quality you can taste”, "We have the meats", "America runs on Dunkin'", and you name it. These memorable catchphrases make your favorite food brands instantly recognizable.

How often do you eat fast food each week? Do you ever swing by a drive-through for a quick bite? Whether you’re a fast-food fan or rarely order takeout, let’s explore some easy-peasy expressions you’ll often hear, see, or use at fast-food restaurants.

 

    1.   For here or to go?: Asking if you wish to dine in or take it out?

 

    2.   (on college campus) Staff or student?: Many campus stores, cafés, and software programs offer special discount rates and deals for students and staff.

 

    3.   I’d like a cheeseburger all the way.: I want to have everything (e.g., lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayo etc) in your cheeseburger.

 

    4.   Please, hold the lettuce for mine.: I don’t want lettuce in my sub.

 

    5.   Please, don’t scrimp on the mushrooms.: I want a lot of mushrooms in mine.

 

    6.   Is it made to order?: Is the food prepared fresh after you place your order—not pre-cooked, sitting under a heat lamp, or waiting in a warming tray?

7.   There’re a lot of campers with their laptops in that café.: A camper is one of a busy restaurant’s least favorite customers. It’s someone who has finished and paid for their meal but continues to linger at the table, chatting or working at his/her laptop. When a restaurant is crowded and tables are in high demand, campers can leave other hungry diners waiting even longer.

 

    8.   Let me have it as a basket/ as a meal/ as a combo.: It means that I want the main food item served together with extra side items, like fries and a drink, packaged as one complete group for a single price, which is normally a value meal that costs you less than ordering individual items.

 

    9.   May I have/get your name for this order?: At some fast-food chains, the team member asks for your name when taking your order.

 

    10. Please make it two. Or Please, double the order.: It means you’d like twice the amount of the same item or meal.