Expansion of Idea - Knowledge is Power

One can gain power through knowledge. Knowledge of something allows one to become powerful. It could be anything you are good at. A particular talent defines a person's skills in that area. Any specialization could help one overcome boundaries and attain success. Enough knowledge of something or anything can make a person dominate over others in his area of expertise.

A person who has acquired skills in any domain is self-sufficient enough to conduct his duties and affairs efficiently. Same could be said about a painter who knows how to get his work done, or a student who is well-read and is respected by his fellow students and teachers; or even a farmer who has knowledge of his farm and the climate. Such skilled personnel can maneuver their tasks seamlessly without any help from others. That is the case of an individual who acquires knowledge about something or anything he feels is important for him.

An avid reader gains knowledge through his reading and has his own speculations about the things happening around him. A person with knowledge does not believe in superstitions or beliefs which are presented to him but are not supported with real facts. Hence on the basis of his knowledge he could eradicate superstition from people's mind and create awareness among them. Such people with great knowledge have the power to become great leaders. Power of knowledge could make this leader respectable by his followers. They would look up to him for ideas and suggestions. But the same could not be said about a leader who himself lacks knowledge and is not well-read. And hence one can say that 'Knowledge is Power'.

Don't Quit Poem

The poem 'Don't Quit' is a beautiful, motivational poem which inspires us to keep going even when we are worried about the obstacles and feel like giving up. The poet of this poem is quite unknown. It is said that this poem was written by Edgar A. Guest and was originally renamed as 'Keep Going'. But this poem is also attributed to be the work of John Greenleaf Whittier or even William Murray Angus. Truth about the author of this poem still remains a mystery, yet one cannot deny that this poem is a beautiful piece of work. 

Don't Quit

         -By Unknown

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeeded with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit -

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Expansion of Idea - Failures Are The Stepping Stones To Success

To achieve success one has to face failure. Success is achievable only when we walk upon the path of failure. Each and everyone has to go through this stage where they have to face failures. Each of us wants to be successful, but not all of us get success in the first try. But does that mean that it is the end of the  world? Does that mean we should give up on our dream and go back to the life we do not wish to live? Definitely we should not give up. 'No' should not be the answer for such circumstances.

Failure teaches us how to achieve success. Those who can face failure with a smiling face can only achieve success. Because they have the courage to face challenges and use failures as stepping stone to attain success. Determination of a person play main role in an individual's life. If you have determination and believe in yourself then nothing is impossible. One should not be demotivated by the failure that he faces. We are not good enough in everything we do and we do have our own faults. Embracing faults and trying to overcome it requires great courage and strength. Reaching the goals after overcoming the obstacles is the biggest victory in itself. The equilibrium of failure and success is what makes our life wonderful. So one should never give up, but make it a point to fight the failures in order to achieve success. Because as it is rightly said, failures are the stepping stones to success. 

How to Make a pH Indicator at Home

As summer vacation nears, parents wonder how to keep kids busy at home. The best way to keep children busy during vacations at home is by allowing them to conduct kid-friendly experiments that not only allow them to pass time, but also teach them new things. Science for kids is an enjoyable and great learning experience. Science can be well-learned not just by reading textbooks but by experimental method. pH Indicator can be made at home with material easily available. With parent's supervision and help, a child can enjoy this scientific experiment at home and have fun.

Materials for making pH Indicator

Filter paper
Beetroot - 1
Mineral water
Strainer
Paint brush

Method for making pH Indicator

1

Peel the beetroot and grate it. Place the grated beetroot in a vessel half filled with water. Boil the water and simmer for 20 minutes on a low flame. Allow it to cool.

2

Filter the beetroot water with the help of a strainer. Collect the water in a tray and throw away the beetroot remains.

3

Take filter paper strips and dip in the beetroot water tray. Allow it to soak till uniformly colored.

4

Your pH Indicator is ready.

Take the Test

You can take the pH Indicator and start testing on various kind of liquids such as lemon juice, sour milk, milk, or even vinegar. To carry on the test, take the paint brush and dip in the liquid of your choice. Now with that brush dip paint on the pH indicator. The color on the pH indicator would change depending on whether the given liquid is an alkaline or acidic.

Tip

You can be innovative with various solutions instead of beet root for making pH indicator. Some other liquids include grape juice or even turmeric solution.

How it Works

The pigment present in the beetroot, known as Anthocyanin acts as the pH indicator and changes it's color according to the presence of alkaline or acidic nature of the liquids tested.

Expansion of Idea - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The essence of a particular written matter can be improved if it is converted to a virtually relaxing object. This same aspects directly corresponds with a picture. A picture is a virtual representation of any event which has occurred or can take place in the possible future.

The synopsis of a particular incident by a painting is infinite. A painting also provides various perspectives to a particular event or a situation. Let us take the example of 'The Jewel of Paintings' which is the 'Last Supper', which is  a 'Magnum Opus' of Leonardo Da Vinci. When art or historical aficionados glance at the picture, many perspectives of the Last Supper start generating in the brain. These perceptions can be greatly varied and may describe the entire plot in different ways. This can be considered the 'alchemy' of paintings. They have the ability to hypnotize an individual and trap him into thinking about that particular painting.

Before the concept of painting or other form of it was invented, matter was only available in the written form. As a result, imagining a particular scenario has a limitation and were not analyzed clearly. However, the invention of paintings in the form of arts paved the way for clarity of information. Individuals were able to understand concepts more clearly. As a result, a picture is really a divine art form. By this, I conclude that 'A picture is worth a thousand words'.

Expansion of Idea - Playing Safe Gets One Nowhere

Most of us believe in the policy of playing safe. As kids we felt safe holding our parent's hand while walking or crossing the road. Safety keeps us at peace. The thought of getting into trouble does not go well with most of us. As kids too we were taught to play safe. Our instinct tells us to ensure our safety first then think of everything else. As we grow as adults, we take this teaching very seriously. We rather prefer playing safe then taking risks as we fear of failure.

But consider what would have happened if none of us had the courage of taking risks. If the stone-age man had not taken risk and continued to live in the provided circumstances, what would have happened to our development as a human being. If he had not shown the courage to try out new things and learn new techniques, we may have ended up dwelling in the caves even today. Similarly consider the risks scientists take for the development of mankind, or astronauts take to learn more about the space and life around us. They do know that every step towards the unknown involves risk and threat to one's life but unless they go for it, how would they achieve success and gain new parameters in life.

All the progress that we see today, is a result of someone somewhere taking on certain challenges and risks for the betterment of the society. Agreed that, playing safe would keep you away from dangers and certain risks in life. Yet playing safe would also make your life dull and stagnate your growth. And hence one has to agree that 'playing safe would get one nowhere'.

A Complaint Poem By William Wordsworth

A Complaint is one of William Wordsworth's romantic works which deals with the loss and grief. In this poem the poet reveals his loss and suffering that he has gone through, - loss of someone he cared the most, may be a friend, or someone he loved. This loss has led his heart through a great mental distress and left him broken..

A Complaint

       - By William Wordsworth

There is a change—and I am poor;

Your love hath been, nor long ago,

A fountain at my fond heart's door,

Whose only business was to flow;

And flow it did; not taking heed

Of its own bounty, or my need.

What happy moments did I count!

Blest was I then all bliss above!

Now, for that consecrated fount

Of murmuring, sparkling, living love,

What have I? shall I dare to tell?

A comfortless and hidden well.

A well of love—it may be deep—

I trust it is,—and never dry:

What matter? if the waters sleep

In silence and obscurity.

—Such change, and at the very door

Of my fond heart, hath made me poor.