5 Bites Friday (#30)

Empire of Tsars – a BBC documentary that covers the whole history of Russia’s ‘Romanov Dynasty’ from the power-vacuum 17^th century to their brutal fall in earlier 20^th century. Simple, comprehensive, and short (at just 3 episodes), a very good one for those interested in Russian History.

The Soviet Story – oh, this one is heart-wrenching! It tells the stories of barbarian Soviet Union and their grotesque brutalities in the 1930s and WWII under Stalin. Watching this documentary, one can see that Russia wasn’t even as little as merciless during the Romanov Dynasty as USSR was in the 20^th century only. Watch knowing you’re warned!

3: This Week’s Articles:

Know thy Selfie (@aeon) – a brilliant article that puts in perspective the increasing trend of taking selfies and people’s craze for superficial confidence and self-esteem. A must read!

Are We Trading Our Happiness forModern Comforts? (@TheAtlantic) – this article shows the contrast between the increasing comforts in our lives and declining happiness from our being. The antidote? Human connection and relationships.

4: A Poem: The Weighing by Jane Hershfield

The heart’s reasons
seen clearly,
even the hardest
will carry
its whip-marks and sadness
and must be forgiven.

As the drought-starved
eland forgives
the drought-starved lion
who finally takes her,
enters willingly then
the life she cannot refuse,
and is lion, is fed,
and does not remember the other.

So few grains of happiness
measured against all the dark
and still the scales balance.

The world asks of us
only the strength we have and we give it.
Then it asks more, and we give it.

5: This Week's Quote:

'When you accept your vulnerability, you’re also building the strength you’ll need to overcome it.'