Mine your Mind

If you mine your mind you will feel fine,

If you close your mind you will feel morose,

Rewind your mind and don't leave it behind,

Most of all, do not bind your mind!

Hani Badawi

December 13, 2012

If

With apologies to Rudyard Kipling, here is my version of "If":

If you have a wish
and will not allow it to cause you anguish;

If you have a whim
and can subdue it by going for a swim;

If you have a prayer
and will not allow the outcome to make you swagger;

If you have a desire
and can make sure it doesn't lead you to a quagmire;

If you have a talent
and can use it without being flippant;

If you are caring
and are able to express it without yapping;

If you are facing a problem
and will not let it lead you to a bedlam;

If you are confused
and are able to remain unbruised;

If you are in love
and thank the Lord above;

If you are in need
and accept what you are dealt without greed;

If you are in a bind
and not cease to think about mankind;

If you are in frenzy
and not allow yourself to go crazy;

Then you will lead a life
without much strife!

 

Hani Badawi

October 6, 2012

Thoughts on Nations

If the question is : What is a simple description of the most important thing that defines the wealth of a nation? I would say: "It's people".  

 

If the question is:  What makes the leader of a nation succeed (or fail) in his/her mission to improve (or worsen) the living conditions of his/her nation? I would say: "It's people".

 

If the question is:  What makes people of one nation have an edge over people in other nations? I would say: "Education"!

Hani Badawi
September 30, 2012

Criticism

Whereas it is important to criticize what you don't like, it is more important to have an objective and responsible plan to demonstrate a process and action for overcoming what you are objecting to.

Subjective and irresponsible criticism is like a "hit and run" accident!

Hani Badawi
June 28, 2012

Theories and Theorists

Information for consideration if and when you devise a theory:

In the field of Natural Science theories are devised and tested and only the viable ones stand the test of time. Theories in that field (within its diverse disciplines) are proposed by specialized professionals after they conduct their research and provide proof in the form of technical publications. The technical publications, in turn, before they are accepted and before they finally find their way into the public domain, are rigorously examined by other experts in the pertinent fields.

Such is the way in the field of Natural Science!

Hani Badawi
June 27, 2012

Egyptian Presidents

Here is a fact that is worth reflecting on:

In the USA, in addition to the President in office (Barak Obama), there are 4 living ex-Presidents, namely: Jimmy Carter, George W. H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.  When George W. Bush became president in 2001 there were 5 living ex-presidents, namely: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

In Egypt after it became a republic in 1952, there were only 2 occasions when a President in office had one ex-President alive at the same time.  The first occasion was during Gamal Abdel Nasser's presidency when Mohamed Naguib was alive (albeit under house arrest!).  The second time was during Anwar Sadat's presidency when Mohamed Naguib was still alive. The third time may happen soon if when Mohamed Morsy is sworn into office the deposed Mubarak remains alive (albeit incarcerated)!

It is conceivable that, after the inclusion (in the constitution) of a maximum limit of 2 terms in office for the President, the future Egyptian generations will look back at history and wonder what happened to Egypt during the 60 years when the President served for life whilst imposing a life sentence on the population!!!

Hani Badawi
June 27, 2012

A couple of muses of the day

Muse 1:

Propaganda very often replaces information in the news media.
Politicians very often use propaganda for their personal benefit.
Question: Does the media serve the masses or the politicians????

Muse 2: 

When an education system fails to fulfill its role, self-appointed preachers and teachers will sprout like mushrooms!