THE PROVOCATIVE QURAN BLOG

DEBATE OVER DEFICIT

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:11:00 GMT

NPR Nov 22/10
by Frank James

Sometimes it seems like everyone's talking about the federal deficits and debt right now though there isn't widespread agreement on what to do about them. Turns out, a lot of people don't even know the difference between the two, according to Joe Minarik, a budget expert who worked in the Clinton Administration and now is with the centrist Committee for Economic Development.

It appears interesting that not a whole lot of Americans know the difference between deficit and debt. However, it is even more interesting that no one cares to know the difference between legitimate and illegitimate deficits and debts. Yet, that is what really matters. If you cannot distinguish between the two, you could be driving yourself into a spiral of self-destruction. Let us consider a simple illustration.

Yes, you may have to legitimately incur deficits and debts to feed your family, but it is morally illegitimate to mortgage the family house to gamble. Yes, it may be wise to incur deficit to boost the economy, but it is foolish to incur debts to fight foreign wars with a trillion dollars a year, wars which guarantee an increase in future terrorism. It is indeed a sadly funny picture of state governments scrambling in red ink when the federal government is lavishing unbridled sums on its war machine, and no one dares to object!

So is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, if you are willing to Self-build, and adopt the process of questioning yourself and those around you. Start with 'The Provocative Qur'an' and instigate yourself towards the path of Self-discovery. Then the false images of distraction will fall away and you will not only understand the difference between deficit and debt but also realize the difference between the legitimate and the illegimate fiscal burdens.

MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

Farooq Husayn — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:47:00 GMT

Everyone knows that memorial day is a day of remembrance for those who have laid down their lives for America to defend its freedoms. But are freedoms only for America? Isn't the whole world yearning to be free from oppression and tyranny? Let us then celebrate this memorial day as a tribute to all veterans, all over the world who have laid down their lives to nurture humanity.

DOCTRINE VS HUMANITY

Farooq Husayn — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:28:00 GMT

NPR 5/23/10
Sister Margaret McBride: Don't Confess
by Julianna Baggott

Sister Margaret McBride, excommunicated after allowing an abortion to be performed on a woman who doctors say would otherwise have died, shouldn't have to do penance to re-enter the Catholic Church, says Julianna Baggott... ...In November, Sister Margaret McBride, an administrator at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, made the decision to save the life of a 27-year-old pregnant woman. The woman, a mother of four, was 11 weeks pregnant, suffering pulmonary hypertension that would very likely kill her and, as a result, her unborn child. Sister McBride agreed to the abortion that would save the woman's life. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted has excommunicated her for it.

Life and death questions are always hard to answer, but choices are often less difficult to make. Was Sister McBride wrong in choosing to save one life instead of losing both? Most people won't disagree with her logic. The question in this case is therefore not a question of choosing life or death, it is about elevating dry doctrine above the Gospel's humanity. As the Provocative Qur'an explains, this lip service runs counter to the Messiah's message.

"Why is it that the brutality of the Cross—as recorded by the Crusades and the Inquisition—superseded the humanity of the Gospel? We now know the real reason. It is because the real message took a back seat to the imagined nature of Christ. The Christians became fascinated by their doctrines instead of obeying the precepts of their Savior; his teaching that being good is an action rather than a matter of his divinity has been ignored.
[Luke 6:46–47] “But why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?” “Whoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like” (the Messiah gives the example of a house founded on a solid foundation).

The results of this distraction have created a paradox. For centuries Christians have burnt each other alive because of doctrinal battles. Even today, Christians are more unforgiving towards each other than non-Christians; people who attend churches of the same denomination are ready to sue each other on the slightest provocation. What happened to turning the other cheek? On the other hand, those who wish to avoid the real-life Christian paradox cloister themselves like monks; those who strive to extend the universal love ordained by the Gospel have to become Mother Teresa. What happened to the practical Gospel for everyday Christians?"

BAD BUSINESS IN BANGKOK

Farooq Husayn — Sun, 16 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT

NPR May 16, 2010 Thailand's government insisted Sunday that a crackdown on red shirt protesters will continue despite their plea for U.N-mediated talks to end four days of street clashes with troops that have killed 30 people. A pause by the Thai military was unnecessary since troops were "not using weapons to crack down on civilians," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. The government maintains it is only targeting armed "terrorists" among the demonstrators. Panitan's comments dashed hopes of an end to Thailand's worst political violence in decades, which has spiraled out of control and raised concerns of sustained, widespread chaos in this nation of 65 million people. Thailand is a key U.S. ally and Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. According to government figures, 59 people have died and more than 1,600 have been wounded since the red shirts began their protests in March. The toll includes 30 civilians killed and 232 injured since Thursday in fighting that has turned parts of the city known for its nightlife into an urban war zone.

Yet another sad story of violence unfolds, this time in Bangkok. Have you noticed that all these unfortunate events have one thing in common: the lack of credible institutions to provide a peaceful voice to the uncontented. Unfortunately, all over the World special interests dominate the political and economic scene. This is but a collective manifestation of individual self-centeredness. The one approach that solves violence, prevents oppression and provides peace, is the approach of Selfless dedication to everyone's rights and prosperity. Where can you learn this approach? Start right at home, with yourself, and one day the street clashes will never happen.

APOLLO’S CHARIOT

Farooq Husayn — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:44:00 GMT

Whether you wish to become an artist or an architect, a career athlete or an astronaut, setting sights on your long term goals is necessary to drive you towards it. But our life does not run like water in an aqueduct; it is a mountain stream, which must cleave rocks to reach its destination. To see us through difficult challenges, dreams are not enough; we need a strong inner self to motivate and sustain us towards our goals. In ancient Greek mythology, Apollo blazed his way, each day, on a two-wheeled chariot. Your life-chariot also requires two wheels, the driven wheel of your chosen career goals balanced by the driving wheel of self help. But is self building more than just a do-good ideal? Join me to discover that self help is a practical event and many of us already benefit from it on a daily basis; however, by applying it purposefully, you can make it a powerful ally.

Almost everyone has a dream car. Usually you start the purchasing process, by determining affordability. The next steps are usually taking a test drive, negotiating a price, completing paper work, securing insurance and driving the car home. However, some of us add a few more details to the transaction. How about investigating different cars models to suit your needs? What about considering fuel economy and environmental impact? Would you like the sales person to guide you towards a better decision? Do you want the best price or just drive a hard bargain? Is this an opportunity to learn negotiating skills or just display a hard-nosed attitude? Are you going to remain thrifty through the closing process or mindlessly pay for unnecessary frills? Now, in the first scenario, you were driven on the single wheel of desire. In the second, you balanced yourself with an additional wheel of becoming a well-informed consumer, a sensible spender and a skillful negotiator. This is, as a simple illustration, self-help. If, through self building, you not only made a great purchase but also learned new skills, then why not make it a purposeful part of every life transaction?

All of us remember the unparalleled fun we had as children just playing together. That simple-hearted joy wasn’t driven by the incentive of making sales; it was produced by the rewarding experience of learning social skills. As grown ups, we don’t vacation to save money; instead we spend hard earned cash willingly to experience new sights and sounds. Marriage has it charms in the novelty of an exciting relationship; even jobs which promise new skills are more fulfilling than those which appear stale. If life’s chariot is designed to run on two wheels, then why does it sometimes veer away on just one?

Children learn quite early that to get an ice cream cone all you have to do is to pay a dollar (or more) to the vendor. Although parents encourage saying “please”, in due course “please” may become a formality rather than an opportunity to improve social skills. Relationships can become an exchange of favors rather than an opportunity to become a better person. Providing services to clients and customers can degenerate into a list item rather than to improve one’s job skills. It should come as no surprise, then, that many marriages fall apart, and work turns into a chore. However, if being driven on the single wheel of desire has become your habit, don’t be intimidated. Adding the second wheel of self help to your life is much easier (and less expensive) than changing the transmission of your favorite vehicle from a two-wheel to a four wheel drive.
Whether you set out for the local beach or a vacation to Tahiti, I bet you are looking forward to a new and different thrill each time rather than travel details. In the illustration of purchasing your new car, when you focused on the learning as the essential goal, the best deal followed. Practice the same prioritizing everyday and the path towards your goal will become more enjoyable and rewarding. If you are in a relationship, focus on becoming a better friend and you won’t be disappointed. Whether you sell homes or solar panels, financial products or health services, by first emphasizing the self building experience, you will not only turn your work into play but also make it more financially fruitful. In Greek mythology, Apollo rode a two-wheeled chariot to light up the ancient world. You already have the wheel of your goals. Add to it the wheel of self help and it will drive your chariot of success to benefit both yourself and those around you.

ECO DISASTER STRIKES AGAIN

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:49:00 GMT

NPR May 1, 2010
A massive oil slick is fouling the Gulf's fragile coastal ecosystem and taking aim at the industries that rely on it. Strong winds and rough seas have prevented skimming and burning operations designed to reduce the slick. Meanwhile, more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil a day are spewing unchecked from a deepwater well where an offshore platform exploded and sank. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was among the Obama administration officials who traveled to Louisiana on Friday to assure residents the government was doing all it could. "The response is strong. It's coordinated, and it's designed to minimize the harm to our coastal lands and that, to the extent there is harm, there is swift and effective cleanup," she said. But there's growing frustration over BP's inability to stop the flow and keep the oil slick away from land. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said containment booms designed to be a protective barrier have not been effective. In Alabama, residents are waiting for the damage to begin.

Everyone agrees that we need more energy to feed our technology. But off-shore drilling has its hazards of unwanted spills and the eco-woes that follow. I hope that everyone also agrees that safer drilling in the high seas must be developed. Progress and adventurism are often confused. For real progress one shouldn't sacrifice safety. This principle is equally applicable to our personal lives. Let me assure you that Self-building is building a safer person; integrity insures a safer journey to one's goals. With such an approach you will not only play safe in your personal enterprise but also in your commercial enterprise. Perhaps, then, the oil slicks of today can become a thing of the past.

DEEP OCEAN DIVING

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:46:00 GMT

NPR April 17, 2010 Almost a decade before man landed on the moon, two men went as far as they could go in the other direction. It was 1960 when Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and his co-pilot took a nearly seven-mile plunge to the deepest known point on earth -- the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific. That voyage remains the deepest manned journey in history, and this past week, Walsh was awarded the National Geographic Society's highest honor, the Hubbard Medal. It's a long way from the day the young submarine officer volunteered for a strange project with an even stranger name.

Intrepid explorers are inspiring. But did you know that you too can become an brave explorer to chart new territory? What's more, you don't even have to leave home. Your own mind is still uncharted. Explore to find its strentghs and weaknesses. You may be surprised by the potential for Self building. If you need a guide, please consider 'The Provocative Quran' as a trail blazer.

WEST VIRGINIA DISASTER

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:56:00 GMT

NPR April 9, 2010 The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has released hundreds of pages of documents detailing its last three quarterly inspections of a Massey Energy Co.-owned mine in Montcoal, W.Va., where families grieved the deaths of 25 miners. President Obama, speaking in the White House on Friday, said what miners' families know: Coal mining is dangerous work. "Their government and their employers know that they owe it to these families to do everything possible to ensure their safety when they go to work each day," Obama said. That's the question: Did MSHA and Massey do everything possible — everything they should have done? inspection reports indicate that the agency was closely watching the Upper Big Branch South mine. They just don't say if it was watching as closely — or pushing as hard — as it could have. In the past year, MSHA inspectors wrote up 68 instances of what they called "high negligence" at the mine and three cases of reckless disregard.

Isn't this both interesting and sad? Everyone in the business knew about the violations but did nothing to substantially improve the safety record. It was as though writing up the violation was sufficient. But, one may ask, why waste ink and paper when safety was going up in smoke?
As Self-builders, our first focus should be on possible consequences rather than ritual fulfillments; if we keep future problems in our minds then we will be more prudent today. The Provocative Qur'an explains this as the valuable concept of Taqwa. If Taqwa is ignored, then disasters are waiting in the wings. I encourage you to pursue Taqwa so that your personal life my avoid tomorrow's disaster.

PLAYING BY THE RULES

Farooq Husayn — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:26:00 GMT

Whether you play chess on a small board or basket ball in a court, there is always an exciting suspense as to who will win or lose. Of course, more than just luck is needed to win any game, big or small. Board games often involve out-smarting the opponent and the outcome of basket ball is often a matter of agility and physical prowess. However, there is another important yet often overlooked reality: All games are played by rules and the real winner is one who not only knows them well, but also uses them to his advantage. Join me to discover that life is no different; playing by its rules you will live healthier, become more successful and avoid frustrations. You will also learn that rules aren’t just a tiresome routine; instead they offer both challenge and excitement.

Everyone knows that eating a well balanced diet is good for you, that building an earthquake resistant structure protects your loved ones and that driving safely pays dividends. At its heart, this common sense is a recognition and acceptance of rules which govern your personal health, investments and driving record. And if you want to be successful in whatever is next on your goals, you had better keep learning more and more rules. As a child, you had to learn social skills; as a parent, you must explore parenting skills. If you wish to surf, you must learn about the waves; if you are a physician, you should keep abreast of cutting-edge research. But then, don’t just quit with a simple interest return on knowing the rules; there is a trick to compound your profit.

Gravity always pulls you down, consuming too many calories will swing the scale up and driving within speed limits will prevent a speeding ticket. These self-evident facts illustrate another reality: Rules do not bend, even though we often wish them otherwise. How is it, then, that people often escape the consequences of their actions or even benefit from rule-breaking? The answer is actually quite simple. Life is not ruled by just one principle but many. Although the Law of Gravity pulls us down, the rules of aerodynamics enable aircrafts to go up. You have probably read about drug-dealers who escape prosecution because their search and seizure was illegal; the rule against drug-dealing was neither bent nor broken, but instead trumped by the rule for conducting proper searches and seizures. Smart attorneys make their living by playing one rule against another; our modern advances, from airplanes to wind energy propellers, turn the disadvantage of one rule into an advantage under another rule. The spirit of being an entrepreneur is to put the conflicting rules of business on your side. Adopt the same spirit for your life-goals and prepare to soar.

But if rules are such an important asset, what keeps us from knowing, following and using them? If parents know about healthy food habits, why do some stuff their children with fatty foods? If drunk driving or piloting endangers lives, why do some people and pilots consume alcohol when they know that they have to drive or fly? The answer is again quite simple: We often focus on the pleasure of the moment rather than its future consequences; with this focus, the parent finds an excuse for junk-feeding while party-goers trivialize intoxication. But there is a better alternative: Focus on the consequences. After all, if your goal is to help your child’s health or to drive safely, wouldn’t you follow just about any rule to get there? Consider then the destination as you plan each itinerary for the day’s journey, whether it is a matter of personal choices or business decisions. Once you adopt this pivotal rule, the field is yours with just some additional hints.

Look for objective rules and not emotional conclusions. Although the safety of childhood vaccines is often controversial, seek out reliable scientific sources instead of anecdotes; it may be wise to fear rules but it isn’t wise to be ruled by fear. Respect the objective rules; build safer buildings while the earthquake faults are busy building tensions. Play with the rules; if we can harness the rules of solar energy to make life more comfortable and the planet greener, why not use the rules of our social being to make us happier and friendlier? Whether you admit it or not, you are in a game; the only suspense is whether you will win by the rules or be overruled by them.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:34:00 GMT

NPR March 19, 2010
President Obama held a big rally Friday just outside Washington, hoping to persuade the last few wavering lawmakers he needs to vote "yes" on the overhaul bill, with a historic House vote just days away. "I know this has been a difficult journey. I know this will be a tough vote," Obama told thousands of supporters inside a college basketball arena in Fairfax, Va. "I know that everybody's counting votes right now in Washington." Obama complained that many of the political media have covered the health care debate as if it were a sporting event. But he quoted from one his most sporting predecessors, Teddy Roosevelt, who said, "Aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords."

Not unsurprisingly, the delivery of health care has become so complicated that to fix its every aspect adds to the complication. Most Americans don't even have the time to read through and understand the proposals and their ramifications. However, one thing is clear: Without antitrust protections, the for-profit insurance monopolies squeeze both medical providers and their patients. When free market competition loses its bite, the market becomes predatory. But overhauling the market is difficult when greed is at stake. Like everything else, selfish special interests overinflate the dangers of reform and derail progress.

So what should we do? Let us first start with overhauling our own personal lifeview. If we have the sensitivity to realize that general human welfare should be placed above personal agenda, then bias will be replaced by interest. This will stimulate us to examine the proposals and weigh in, not with emotions but with reason. As in everything, Self-building precedes Health-building.

REPO 105

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:07:00 GMT

An Excerpt from NPR 3/12/10
Repo 105: Lehman's 'Accounting Gimmick' Explained
By Jacob Goldstein

As the financial crisis grew in 2007 and 2008, Lehman knew it needed to reduce its reliance on borrowed money. But it was a bad time to sell stuff off and pay back debts. So Lehman made special use of something called the repo market. Investment banks use the repo market all the time. It's basically a way for banks to borrow money from big companies that have extra cash sitting around. To make the loan safer for the big company, the bank "sells" the company some asset -- like a bond. That way, if the bank goes bankrupt before it repays the loan, the big company can sell the bond and get its money back.As part of the deal, the bank agrees to buy back the bond at the end of the loan, minus some small amount that the company gets to keep as interest. ("Repo is short for "repurchase.") The deals are short term -- the bank often buys back the asset just days after it sells it. During the boom, there was about $12 trillion (with a t!) loaned out in this market at any given time, Yale's Gary Gorton told me. Everybody knows the bank isn't really selling the bond to the big company -- it's really borrowing money. So under accounting rules, the assets a bank uses in repo deals stay on the bank's balance sheet.

But when Lehman Brothers wanted to make it look like it wasn't borrowing so much money, the company used a special technique to get around this rule. It did repo deals where it took slightly less cash than the asset was worth. For example: If Lehman owned a bond that was worth $105, it would "sell" it on the repo market for $100. (The "105" in Repo 105 refers to the fact that the assets were worth at least 105% of what Lehman was getting for them.) This gap allowed the company to record the transaction as if it had been a true sale of the bond -- despite the fact that, under the agreement, the company would repurchase the bond just a week or so after it had sold it.Lehman would take the money it got from selling the bond and pay off some of its debts. Then, after it had issued its quarterly report, the company would borrow more money to repurchase the bond.Lehman went big on this technique: In the second quarter of 2008 it used Repo 105 to move $50 billion off of its balance sheet, according to the Examiner's report.

"Lehman did not disclose its use ... of Repo 105 to the Government, to the rating agencies, to its investors, or to its own Board," the report said. One senior official inside the company warned that the use of Repo 105 would present "reputational risk" to the company if the public found out.

So now you have it! This is how a financial institution cheated itself to oblivion, its customers to distress and the entire world to financial collapse. But, isn't this the same way we cheat ourselves from emotional and personal well being?When faced with problems, don't we go often go around, instead of solving them? Yet problems are challenges; by tackling them we become better persons instead of emotional bankrupts. Why not learn from the financial crisis of yesterday, become a Self-builder today and secure a great tomorrow!

THE BEST PART

Farooq Husayn — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:11:00 GMT

No doubt you have a favorite sport which you either play or watch. Perhaps you were thrilled as the New Orleans Saints made their surprising victory, admired the Winter Olympic athletes whiz down the slopes, or perhaps you love soccer and look forward to make that next goal yourself. Whatever your motivation maybe, there is no excitement unless the terrain is challenging or the opponent formidable. Join me to discover that life is no different; it would be boring and dull without the difficulties ahead. Today, I will share three challenges which many of us face, day or night, as illustrations of how to transform uncertainty, chaos and danger into the best part of your future.

For the past many winters, I have visited Brighton, Utah, to enjoy its snowbound paradise. Once on the top of its many ridges, the view down is both beautiful and inspiring. Do you realize that every night when trying to fall asleep, you too stand like that skier on the highest ridge. Just as the skier rode to the top fighting a freezing blast, you too toiled uphill all day; now is the time for the ride downhill. However, you may be one of the many Americans, young and old, who cannot fall asleep, have trouble staying asleep or fail to be refreshed by it. If so, your first step is to admit the challenge. If skiers do not face the steep slope, how will they ever get to the restful base? If the cause of your insomnia is medical, consider getting treatment to either go around or over the hurdle; that is what skiers do with those big bumps on the slope. If you are a young person and fight sleep so as not to miss fun, then think again: Sleep isn’t a shut down mode. Think of it as a time for the mind and body to actively heal and rejuvenate; no different than snowboarders rebuilding their spirits as they twist and turn down the slopes. Whatever the reason for your sleep difficulties, don’t be discouraged by the uncertainty of success. From the top, even skiers are uncertain about the path and its obstacles. But, if they can make their uncertainty an inspiration to get to base, you should do no less!

Campus point, off the coast of Santa Barbara, is one of my favorite spots. Just south of its promontory, the waves beckon surfers to take their challenge. True, no one is looking for choppy water which can hurl wetsuits against barnacled rocks, but the last thing a surfer wants is a calm beach. The very turbulence, which others may view as nuisance, is their chance to catch the perfect wave. Similarly, your relationships, despite their occasional chaos, are life’s perfect wave to ride. When expert surfers observe a menacing wave forming, they don’t turn away, but instead anticipate it; so should you when threatened by an imminent disagreement with your loved ones. As the perfect wave approaches, the surfer turns around and paddles, paddles and paddles; you too must turn to work along and not against those you disagree with. Just as friends strive to ride the wave together, encourage your loved ones to stay with you while working out differences. I have seen expert surfers lead the wave, survive its crash and make it all the way to the shore. With a little practice, you can also lead your family’s turmoil, and not only survive it, but make it to the shore together.

My daughters love soccer. Like all competitive events it is more fun when the teams are closely matched in enthusiasm, skill and endurance. Sure, a strong defense counts; however, if you only defended yourself, you will neither score any goals nor their thrill. But young people face more than just opposing sport teams. The danger of substance abuse is universal; the possibility of a life-long dependence on drugs is very real. True, playing defense by avoiding drug abusing friends and their parties will help. However, it is even more rewarding to play offense: Think of drugs as so many opponents blocking you from your goal of a smart mind and a healthy body. With this mind-set, your life ahead will become a vast soccer field where you will dodge, cut and dribble past the obstacle of drugs, and score victory after victory.

If I have not mentioned your personal hurdle or favorite sport, don’t be disappointed. Apply my illustrations to your own challenge and preferred sport and you will discover inspirations to replace worry by anticipation, loss by gain. Perhaps, you will then discover that life’s challenges are indeed its best part. Perhaps, then, instead of just cheering your favorite team, you will also cheer yourself towards facing life’s steep slopes, riding the waves of its turbulence and making that final goal.

FROM INTIMIDATION TO NEGOTIATION

Farooq Husayn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:53:00 GMT

While the instructive guidance of the Noble Qur'an is well-received, its benefits still remain to be translated for the Muslim world. Is it because of lack of organic growth of negotiating frameworks, such as as empowered legislatures and effective self-governance? Does the Muslim World remains locked in a stagnant culture of intimidation, stifling new ideas and personal talent? What do you think? Join the discussion.

THE CHALLENGE OF AGING

Farooq Husayn — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:32:05 GMT

NPR February 22, 2010
by Patti Neighmond

As we age, our muscles deteriorate, and they don't repair as quickly as they used to. But the good news is that exercise and weightlifting can still make muscles stronger. It's a pretty common lament, the idea that you just can't eat what you used to. But why is that so? And is it avoidable? There are a number of reasons why we put on the pounds as years go by, but take heart: There are ways to fight back — and win!

There are some particular biological changes that happen as we age. For one, aging muscles actually contribute to the increase in the amount of fat we store in our bodies, says Cheryl Phillips, president of the American Geriatrics Society. "So, if you look at a woman who is 70 years old and compare her to what her body was like at 25 years of age, even though her weight may be exactly the same, she had more percentage of muscle in her body when she was 25 than she does when she's 70." In large part, that's because we lose muscle cells as we age. When younger muscle cells get damaged, they're quickly repaired. That's not the case with older muscles, according to UCLA researcher and geriatrician Jonathan Wanagat. He says we don't know why muscles literally shrink as we age. But there are a number of theories...

And that's where exercise comes in. Wanagat says countless studies have shown that exercise — even among individuals in their 80s — works. It actually helps the muscle cells get bigger. And beyond size, it makes the muscles stronger.

Just as physical exercise can keep our body fit as the years roll by, mental exercise can keep the mind healthy and strong. But mental exercise is not just for the elderly. Many young people may be building their bodies, but how often do they think about building their minds? Let us turn towards Self-building which will encourage us to keep attending the gym of our thoughts and the soccer field of good ideas.

THE CHALLENGE OF AGING

Farooq Husayn — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:17:00 GMT

NPR February 22, 2010
by Patti Neighmond

A VALUE FOR VALUES?

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:36:00 GMT

Trivialization Nation: Are We Devaluing Our Values?
by Linton Weeks
NPR February 12, 2010
A roll of U.S. Constitution toilet paper sells for $7.95 online. Certain TV shows arrange marriages. Other shows brush aside the horrors of serial killers or treat torture as a curiosity. It makes you wonder — have we become Trivialization Nation? Perhaps we've downsized the meaning of everything: Love. Death. Sex. Religion. Education. Civil rights. How sacred is life when in a recent episode of the widely watched and revered Oprah, a murderer on death row appears via satellite to speak with the children of his victims? How lifted up is love when a houseful of men and women vie on MTV's A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila for the favors of the self-promoting Web celeb?

This is an intriguing column. Is there such a thing as solemn values or is everything fair game for jokes? Although I recommend browsing the entire article at NPR archives, there is a simple question which can help you find the correct answer. If you or your loved one is in real pain, do you trivialize it or do you pay serious attention to it? If the roof falls down on you, do you just joke about it or do you try to pull yourself out of the rubble. True it is good to be lighthearted, yet I bet that you will never trivialize what is really important to you.

Does it mean that we only devalue things we deem important to others? Of course! But don't be surprised by this self-discovery. Self-centered thinking is what distorts reality, while Self-building restores it. Start self-building today and tomorrow you will discover the difference between the humor which uplifts from the crass comedy which devalues you.

AN INSPIRATION FROM ALL SEASONS

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:24:00 GMT

News reports, pictures and video clips of the recent Haitian earthquake haunt our troubled minds. We witnessed rescuers save lives even while looters pillaged around them. Earthquakes near or far, apart from such impressionable drama, also teach us about the importance of infrastructure. A building is only as strong as its foundation; the quality of communal or national response to a natural disaster also depends on its framework. True, most structures in Haiti were not built to withstand a 7.0 trembler; but neither did its national government plan resources to respond to such a calamity. While such sufferings make our hearts go out to others, they are also sobering reminders to check in on our own heart’s infrastructure.

Do you realize that you too may have to face unexpected life-shaking events, strong enough to turn your plans upside down? Do you have a mental infrastructure which can withstand such tremblers? How promptly and effectively will this mental infrastructure respond to your personal life-changing events? We do not, however, need to wait for natural disasters to start working on a better attitude and a successful outlook. Opportunities for self-help come in all seasons, whether your spirits aspire high, feel low or are in time-out.

All of us dream about our goals. Some are motivated to become artists while others train hard to turn their physical talents into star athletes; some are inspired to seek professional skills while yet others, step by step, build their political careers. However pop-stars, despite their fabled wealth, may only wear a shell of happiness. Famous athletes are often busted for taking illicit drugs. Even politicians, who spend their entire lives building popularity, suddenly pull the rug from out under their feet by giving in to corruption and scandalous affairs. We are so busy dreaming and pursuing our goals, that we ignore the need for a strong infrastructure to help us enjoy the fruits of hard work. So here is a tip for a soaring spirit: When you dream about your goals, also picture enjoying it with a healthy life style, responsible relationships and honest dedication to others. With this simple combination, you will unlock the motivation to not only become rich and accomplished, but also a happier person.

All of us are proud of our core beliefs, whether we are atheists or agnostics, religious or just spiritual. Yet, all of us have heard of people denying their cherished beliefs because of personal misfortunes; some of us, as soon as we lose the love of our life, go adrift and sink into irreversible depression, alcoholism and other addictions. It is as though our belief system was supposed to insure against loss and had failed its guarantee. But the sobering reality is quite the opposite: Like earthquakes, some losses are unavoidable. High risk investments may lose money. Children usually lose their parents; spouses will lose each other. Excellent physical health is not eternal. Your belief system is supposed to help build up your mental strength to face these losses, not help you ignore them. So here is a tip when worry strikes: Don’t shy away from your fears. They can inspire you to open the tool box of your beliefs and use it to build a stronger mental home.

All of us love vacations. You look forward to enjoying unusual places, meeting new friends, savoring exotic foods and indulging in fun activities. However, you may wonder what makes a vacation fulfilling? You have opened your mind to something beyond ordinary routine and become willing to share something unusual and different. You may not realize it, but even the infrastructure of your mind is rejuvenated through this experience. So here is a tip for time-outs: Expect not only to have fun on your vacation but also to return as a motivated person. If you leave your home with an open mind, you will return with an inspiration.

Sometimes I have sailed without an outboard motor, only to watch the winds drop, the sails turn lifeless and the boat toss about as a dead fish. Fortunately, life is an ocean where the wind never dies. Don’t be like a sailor who has the wind by his side, but lacks the motivation to trim the sails and hold the rudder. Use the countless opportunities around you to inspire yourself to become a better and stronger person. After all, in a real emergency, it is the infrastructure—your Self--that will decide whether your mental home stays intact and whether you pull yourself out of its rubble or get buried under it.

TAKING THE LAW IN YOUR OWN HANDS

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:25:00 GMT

NPR January 29, 2010
by Kathy Lohr

It took a Kansas jury on Friday just 37 minutes to find Scott Roeder guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the shooting of Dr. George Tiller. The prosecution said all along that this was a clear-cut murder case, and the defendant even admitted to the crime. The defense wanted the jury to consider a voluntary manslaughter charge, which carries a much lighter sentence than murder. But the judge ruled against that. Roeder testified that he believed abortion was murder and he needed to stop it by killing Tiller, one of the few doctors who provided abortions later in pregnancy. Roeder did not deny any of the facts surrounding the May 31 shooting.

I hope that you agree. No matter how upset we are with someone's conduct, it is wrongful to take the law in your own hands. If you disagree with the Law of the land, use the legislative process to change it, but don't turn into a public vigilante to become a self-appointed death squad. Just imagine if everyone decided to shoot down those whom they perceived to be wrongdoers. There wouldn't be anyone left alive! But how did Scott Roeder get to this point? The same way any good citizen can mutate into a murderer. Unless the Self is built towards assertive goodness and love towards the enemy, it can easily degenerate into a gun-toting criminal.

Are you interested in building your Self? Get your copy of The Provocative Qur'an today and join this blog's discussion.

THE FORMULA FOR THE PERFECT PARALLEL PARKING JOB

Farooq Husayn — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:53:00 GMT

NPR January 23, 2010
Credit: Alyson Hurt, NPR

Source: The Geometry of Perfect Parking by Simon R. Blackburn

The Formula

Does this sound complicated when you have but a few moments to parallel park? If it appears tedious, then recall that scientific explanations are often just that: explanations. In real life you will usually only have enough time to eyeball situations and apply your experience. Self-building is a similar task. It requires an understanding of self-help principles, but after that you will have to put it to work. It is your practical experience that will make you an expert so that the car of your life easily fits into its desired niche.

IMPORTANCE OF SELF BUILDING

Farooq Husayn — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

An introduction to The Provocative Qur'an

THE PROVOCATIVE QURAN BLOG

DEBATE OVER DEFICIT

MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

DOCTRINE VS HUMANITY

BAD BUSINESS IN BANGKOK

APOLLO’S CHARIOT

ECO DISASTER STRIKES AGAIN

DEEP OCEAN DIVING

WEST VIRGINIA DISASTER

PLAYING BY THE RULES

HEALTH CARE REFORM

REPO 105

THE BEST PART

FROM INTIMIDATION TO NEGOTIATION

THE CHALLENGE OF AGING

THE CHALLENGE OF AGING

A VALUE FOR VALUES?

AN INSPIRATION FROM ALL SEASONS

TAKING THE LAW IN YOUR OWN HANDS

THE FORMULA FOR THE PERFECT PARALLEL PARKING JOB

NPR January 23, 2010Credit: Alyson Hurt, NPR

The Formula

IMPORTANCE OF SELF BUILDING

NPR January 23, 2010
Credit: Alyson Hurt, NPR