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The Power of Giving Back: The Joy of Helping Others

In a Sri Lankan village, lived a young man named Aravinda. He was known throughout the village for his vibrant spirit and a heart as wide as the Indian Ocean. Aravinda’s story begins on a bright morning, as he walked through the marketplace, his eyes catching the vibrant colors of fabrics and the lively exchanges between vendors and customers.

“Aravinda, my boy, how are you this fine day?” greeted Mrs. Perera, the owner of a small stall selling handwoven baskets.

“I’m well, Aunty. Just enjoying the morning hustle,” Aravinda replied with a smile, pausing to admire her baskets.

Mrs. Perera, noticing the genuine interest in Aravinda’s eyes, shared, “You know, these baskets are more than just crafts. They’re a lifeline for some families here. It’s their art and their sustenance.”

Her words struck a chord with Aravinda. He had always wanted to make a difference, to give back to his community, but he wasn’t sure how. Inspired, he spent the day exploring the village, talking to the artisans, understanding their needs, and witnessing the challenges they faced in marketing their crafts beyond the local marketplace.

That evening, under the shade of a tamarind tree, Aravinda met with his childhood friend, Chamari. “I’ve been thinking, Chamari. What if we could help our village artisans reach customers far beyond our village? What if we could tell their stories along with showcasing their crafts?”

Chamari, always a beacon of support, nodded enthusiastically. “That’s a brilliant idea, Aravinda! We can create an online platform, use social media to spread the word. We can bring the world to our village and take our village crafts to the world!”

Motivated by their shared vision, Aravinda and Chamari embarked on their mission. They started “Crafted with Love,” an online platform that not only sold the artisans’ crafts but also told their stories, highlighting the culture, traditions, and personal journeys behind each piece.

Months of hard work began to bear fruit. Orders from across the country and even overseas started pouring in. Artisans, once struggling to make ends meet, now found themselves part of a thriving community project that celebrated their skills and traditions.

The climax of Aravinda and Chamari’s efforts was a vibrant cultural festival organized in the village. It was a celebration of craft, cuisine, and community. Artisans displayed their crafts, shared their stories, and connected with visitors from different parts of the world. The festival was a tapestry of colors, laughter, and shared humanity.

Aravinda stood amidst the festivities, watching the joy and pride in the eyes of the artisans and the villagers. He turned to Chamari, “Look at what we’ve achieved together. This… this is the power of giving back.”

The festival, with its explosion of colors, smiles, and the warm embrace of community, perfectly encapsulated the joy of helping others. It was a testament to how a single act of kindness could ripple through a community, uplifting lives and weaving a richer, more vibrant tapestry of human connection.

Capturing the Essence of Love: A Portrait for My Best friend Dinithi akki and Her Newborn

As an artist, I have had the honor of creating many beautiful works of art, but none has been as meaningful as the portrait I recently drew of a mother and child. This special request came from one of my closest friends, a woman who has played a profound role in my life and holds a special place in my heart.

She and I have been through our ups and downs, but each time, our friendship has only grown stronger. She has been there for me through thick and thin, always ready with a listening ear and sage advice. I will never forget the time when I was struggling in college with my chemistry studies and she took the time to sit with me, explaining the concepts in a way that I could understand. She even went so far as to give me her own notes to study from, which was a testament to her kindness and generosity.

She was more than just a tutor and mentor to me, she was also a sounding board whenever I needed someone to talk to. Whenever I was heartbroken or facing a difficult situation, she was the first person I called, and she always listened attentively, offering words of comfort and guidance.  One particular instance that stands out is when I was having a hard time while living abroad alone, she went above and beyond as a friend, messaging with me for hours until I felt okay. I will never forget her kindness and support during that time and in many ways, in some ways she is like a combination of an elder sister and a mother to me. I am truly grateful to have her in my life and for all that she has done for me.

Admittedly, I wasn’t always the easiest person to be around. I made plenty of silly mistakes when I was in college, and she was quick to call me out on them. Despite that, she never lost her patience with me and always forgave me, offering guidance and support when I needed it the most. Every time when we became angry with each other for silly reasons and stopped talking for months, she was the first person to call me up and make things back to normal. Looking back, I feel so guilty about our arguments and the mistakes I made, but I am grateful for the friendship we have. You only get friends like her once in a lifetime. I know that she will be an amazing mother, as she has the ability to scold as she did to me😋, but also the capacity to love and forgive unconditionally.

When I approached this portrait, I wanted to capture the essence of her spirit and the love she brings to those around her. I spent countless hours working on it, carefully and meticulously crafting every line and curve, as I wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible. I am confident that this portrait will serve as a reminder of her positive impact on the world and the special place she holds in the hearts of those who know and love her.

And, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest congratulations to her on the arrival of her new baby and to wish her all the best as she embarks on this new journey as a mother. I have no doubt that she will excel in this new role and continue to bring joy and happiness to those around her.

Creating a Lasting Legacy: How to Build Something that Will Impact the World Forever

Have you ever wondered what kind of impact you want to make in the world? As humans, we all have the innate desire to leave our mark on the world, to make a difference, and to be remembered long after we’re gone. However, with the constant pressures of modern life and the ever-changing landscape of the world, it’s easy to feel like we’ll never have the time to achieve anything significant.

But here’s the thing – it’s not about how much time we have; it’s about what we do with the time we have. We can choose to let our fears and doubts hold us back, or we can use them as motivation to do something great. Personally, I’ve always dreamed of building something that will stand the test of time, even after I’m gone.

So, how can we create something that will last forever? It’s not easy, but it’s possible if we have a clear vision and a willingness to put in the work. For me, this means identifying the social or environmental issues that I’m passionate about and researching ways to address them. From there, I’m developing a plan to create a sustainable and scalable solution that can make a lasting impact.

One thing I’ve learned is that creating something that can last forever requires not only hard work and dedication but also collaboration with others. By working with like-minded individuals and organizations, I can leverage their skills, expertise, and resources to create something that is truly impactful. This collaborative approach not only allows me to create something bigger and better than what I could have achieved alone, but it also helps to ensure that my creation will last long after I’m gone.

Of course, I know that I won’t be around forever, but that’s not the point. The legacy that I want to leave behind is not just about me but about the positive impact that my creation can have on the world. Even if I’m no longer around to see it, I believe that my creation can continue to make a positive impact for generations to come.

But how do we ensure that our creation will truly last forever? The answer lies in building something that is sustainable and scalable. This means creating a solution that can adapt to changing times and circumstances, that can be replicated in different parts of the world, and that can continue to grow and evolve long after we’re gone. It also means creating something that is environmentally and socially responsible, something that will make a positive impact on the world for generations to come.

So, if you want to create something that will last forever, it’s time to start thinking big. Identify the issues that matter to you, and start researching ways to make a positive impact. Remember, this is not just about you, but about the positive impact that your creation can have on the world. Together, we can build something that will stand the test of time and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

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Dhanushka Koggala