Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

In My Hands Today…

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The Angel Makers: Arsenic, a Midwife, and Modern History’s Most Astonishing Murder Ring – Patti McCracken

The horror occurred in a rustic farming enclave in modern-day Hungary. To look at the unlikely lineup of murderesses–village wives, mothers, and daughters–was to come to the shocking realization that this could have happened anywhere, and to anyone. At the center of it all was a sharp-minded village midwife, a “smiling Buddha” known as Auntie Suzy, who distilled arsenic from flypaper and distributed it to the women of Nagyrév. “Why are you bothering with him?” Auntie Suzy would ask, as she produced an arsenic-filled vial from her apron pocket. In the beginning, a great many used the deadly solution to finally be free of cruel and abusive spouses.

But as the number of dead bodies grew without consequence, the killers grew bolder. With each vial of poison emptied, a new reason surfaced to drain yet another. Some women disposed of sickly relatives. Some used arsenic as “inheritance powder” to secure land and houses. For more than fifteen years, the unlikely murderers aided death unfettered and tended to it as if it were simply another chore–spooning doses of arsenic into soup and wine, stirring it into coffee and brandy. By the time their crimes were discovered, hundreds were feared dead.

Anonymous notes brought the crimes to light in 1929. As a skillful prosecutor hungry for justice ran the investigation, newsmen from around the world–including the New York Times–poured in to cover the dramatic events as they unfolded.

International Yoga Day

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A practice originating in ancient India, yoga today is popular worldwide because of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits it provides to its practitioners. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Yoga promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being.

Yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that promotes flexibility, strength, and balance. The practice of yoga involves a series of physical postures or asanas that help improve muscle tone, increase range of motion, and improve overall physical health. Regular practice of yoga can also help improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Yoga is known for its ability to promote mental clarity, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health. The practice of yoga involves deep breathing exercises and meditation that can help calm the mind and reduce stress levels. Yoga can also help improve mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and promote overall mental well-being. Yoga is deeply rooted in spirituality and promotes a connection with the inner self. The practice of yoga involves developing self-awareness, compassion, and gratitude, which can help promote spiritual growth and well-being. Yoga can also help individuals develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. The practice of yoga promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being, which encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual health. Yoga can help individuals develop a healthier lifestyle, including healthier eating habits, improved sleep quality, and reduced stress levels. The practice of yoga can also help individuals develop stronger social connections and a sense of community.

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In addition to the above benefits, yoga is also a highly accessible practice that can be adapted to suit individuals of all ages, fitness levels, and abilities. Yoga can be practised at home, in a studio, or outdoors, making it a highly flexible and convenient form of exercise. Other than the obvious physical benefits, yoga is also known to promote mental clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being. The deep breathing exercises used in yoga help calm the mind and reduce stress levels and make the practitioner sleep well. Yoga also helps improve cognitive function and mental clarity as the practice involves focusing the mind on the present moment, helping to improve concentration and focus as well as memory and cognitive flexibility, essential for mental health and well-being.

Yoga is also known to boost the immune system, which is crucial in these trying times. A strong immune system plays a vital role in protecting the body against infections and can help prevent or reduce the severity of infections. Yoga can help boost the immune system by reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and promoting overall physical health.

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The importance of yoga has been recognised by the United Nations, which declared June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014. The idea of June 21 came from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in his UN address in 2014, suggested the date June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world. In Indian calendars, the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. The second full moon after the summer solstice is known as Guru Poornima. In Hindu mythology, Shiva, the first yogi or Adi Yogi, is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the rest of mankind on this day and became the first guru Adi Guru.

To achieve a healthy life, the theme for the 8th World Yoga Day 2023 is Humanity. This theme is relevant in the current pandemic where the practice of yoga is very beneficial in promoting mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being. COVID-19 has impacted millions of people, both physically and mentally. Daily routines have been disrupted and stress and anxiety levels have skyrocketed and so in these times, yoga can be an effective tool to promote mental and physical health.

In My Hands Today…

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Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty – Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe

When eleven-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt began to work on his father’s small boat ferrying supplies in New York Harbor at the beginning of the nineteenth century, no one could have imagined that one day he would, through ruthlessness, cunning, and a pathological desire for money, build two empires—one in shipping and another in railroads—that would make him the richest man in America.

His staggering fortune was fought over by his heirs after his death in 1877, sowing familial discord that would never fully heal. Though his son Billy doubled the money left by “the Commodore,” subsequent generations competed to find new and ever more extraordinary ways of spending it. By 2018, when the last Vanderbilt was forced out of The Breakers—the seventy-room summer estate in Newport, Rhode Island, that Cornelius’s grandson and namesake had built—the family would have been unrecognizable to the tycoon who started it all.

Now, the Commodore’s great-great-great-grandson Anderson Cooper, joins with historian Katherine Howe to explore the story of his legendary family and their outsized influence. Cooper and Howe breathe life into the ancestors who built the family’s empire, basked in the Commodore’s wealth, hosted lavish galas, and became synonymous with unfettered American capitalism and high society. Moving from the hardscrabble wharves of old Manhattan to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, from the ornate summer palaces of Newport to the courts of Europe, and all the way to modern-day New York, Cooper and Howe wryly recount the triumphs and tragedies of an American dynasty unlike any other.

Written with a unique insider’s viewpoint, this is a rollicking, quintessentially American history as remarkable as the family it so vividly captures.

World Refugee Day

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A refugee is someone who leaves their country due to the ramifications of war, conflict persecution and violence that they have faced within their home country. Through undertaking the process of crossing international borders, some refugees often leave everything behind carrying only minimal clothing and possessions; with the plan to find safety and haven in a different country.

World Refugee Day which took place yesterday is an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations and is designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. The day was first established on 20 June 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The 1951 Refugee Convention acknowledges a refugee as an individual who is unable to return to their country of origin owing to the founded fear of being affected by their race, religion, participation of a social group or in different political opinions.

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The number of refugees worldwide has been steadily increasing over the past few years. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were over 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide by mid 2022. This includes over 32.5 million refugees, 4.9 million asylum seekers, 53.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 5.3 million others in need of international protection. 72% of all refugees originate from just five countries with Syria at the top and Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan, the other four countries. 36% of all refugees are hosted in five countries with Türkiye hosting the largest number of refugees, at 3.7 million people and Colombia is second with more than 2.5 million, Germany with 2.2 million, Pakistan with 1.5 million and Uganda hosting 1.5 million refugees. At the end of 2021, of the 89.3 million forcibly displaced people, an estimated 36.5 million or 41% are children below the age of 18. 1.5 million
children were born as refugees and between 2018 and 2021, an average of between 350,000 and 400,000 children were born into a refugee life per year. 204,500 refugees returned or were resettled with some 162,300 refugees returned to their countries of origin during the first six months of 2022 while 42,300 were resettled. 74% of refugees were hosted in low and middle-income countries with the least developed countries providing asylum to 22% of the total. Data on some 4.3 million stateless people residing in 95 countries were reported as at mid-2022. The true global figure is estimated to be significantly higher. 69 per cent of refugees and other people in need of international protection lived in countries neighbouring their countries of origin.

The event aims to recognise the strength of the refugees who have fled the conflict and persecution of their country in hope of finding sanctuary and living a better life. World Refugee Day builds the concept of understanding their plight which shows one’s resilience and courage in rebuilding their future. The day is seen as an opportunity for everyone to experience, understand and celebrate the rich diversity of the communities of refugees. World Refugee Day is also celebrated through World Refugee Week and is designed to provide an important chance for asylum seekers and refugees to be seen, listened to and valued by the community they are living.

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This year’s World Refugee Day comes at a time when the global refugee crisis is at its worst. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation for refugees even direr. Many refugee camps are overcrowded, making it nearly impossible to practice social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Refugees are also more vulnerable to the economic impact of the pandemic, as many of them rely on informal and low-wage jobs that have been affected by lockdowns and other restrictions. The theme for Refugee Week 2023 is Healing and hopes to help imagine a world where healing replaces harm, and care becomes the world’s shared currency.

In addition to education, refugees also need access to healthcare, housing, and other basic needs. Many refugees live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which can lead to the spread of diseases. Providing refugees with access to healthcare can help prevent and treat illnesses and improve their overall quality of life. Housing is another important issue for refugees. Many refugees live in temporary shelters such as tents or shipping containers, which are not suitable for long-term living. Providing refugees with safe and affordable housing can help them feel more secure and stable, and can also improve their chances of finding work and integrating into their new communities. Refugees often face discrimination and prejudice when trying to settle in new countries. Integration programs can help refugees learn the language and customs of their new home and find work and housing. These programs can also help to educate the local community about refugees and promote greater understanding and acceptance.

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Refugees play an important role in the globe as when they have access to legal employment opportunities in their host country, they can utilise their knowledge to assist in filling the gap in the country’s labour market. These inclusions in society create a more diverse culture and multiculturalism which provides the community with the opportunity to learn from each other. The majority of refugees come from backgrounds where they have been formally employed and can assist their new country in contributing to the security of the country as well as their revenue. They are also able to create the ability to contribute to society by acting as a mediator in different intercultural exchanges, and the host country will be able to experience more effective socio-cultural diversity within the community.

Despite the many challenges they face, refugees are some of the most resilient people in the world. They have survived war, persecution, and other forms of violence, and have often been forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. On World Refugee Day 2023, it is important to remember that refugees are not just statistics, but individuals with unique stories, talents, and aspirations.

In My Hands Today…

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STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World – Dan Lyons

Our noisy world has trained us to think that those who get in the last word win, when in fact it’s those who know how to stay silent who really hold the power.

STFU is a book that unlocks this power and will change your life, freeing you to focus on what matters. Lyons combines leading behavioral science with actionable advice on how to communicate with intent, think critically, and open your mind and ears to the world around you. Talk less, get more.

That’s what STFU is all about. Prescriptive, informative, and addictively readable, STFU gives you the tools to become your better self, whether that’s in the office, at home, online, or in your most treasured relationships. Because, after all, what you say is who you are.