Geek Pride Day - May 25

Geek Pride Day is an annual humorous event organised every 25th of May since 2006, claiming the right to be a geek. This holiday was first celebrated in Spain (Día del Orgullo Friki) but it has gained recognition through the Internet and is now celebrated by geeks in several countries.

The date of 25 May was chosen in reference to various emblematic events in geek culture that took place on that day: the first screening of Star Wars in 1977, Towel Day in homage to Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchett's "Glorious 25 May".

What is the meaning of the word geek?

The meaning of the word geek has been used to describe people who have a somewhat eccentric behaviour and are therefore labelled as weird and quirky.

In the past, this term was used to describe people with a physical defect, but in recent years it is more commonly used to describe individuals with unusual behaviour, particular tastes and unusual hobbies.

Origin of Geek Pride Day

The origin of Geek Pride Day is due to the Spanish blogger Germán Martínez, who is nicknamed Señor Buebo. It all began in 2006 when this character made a series of events and celebrations throughout Spain and that they gave to know all the people of the geek community.

From that date, this day is celebrated in different countries, which brings together thousands of people who identify with this movement and is already part of world culture.

Since 2008, in the United States of America, the official celebration of the day has been made official with the participation of a large number of bloggers, who took part in a big parade, which took place on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Since 2009 and up to the present day, a series of programmes, festivals and parades have been held to celebrate this date in countries such as Canada, Hungary, Romania, Sweden and Israel.

The world of the Internet and social networks is a gateway for the entire geek community in the world. This is due to the taste and preference that these people have for comics, video games, anime and everything that is linked to the culture of the extravagant and fantastic.

Every year both the social networks and the streets of the big cities are the meeting place to celebrate Friki Pride Day. It is a custom that this community has carried out since its date was officially decreed. #GeekPrideDay

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World Africa Day - May 25

Few Africans care, but 25 May is World Africa Day, commemorating the founding congress of the Organisation of African Unity, the forerunner of today's African Union.

Why 25 May? Quite simply, this day commemorates the creation of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the patronage of Negus Haile Selassie. At the time, the aim of the nascent pan-African organisation was to unite the 32 newly independent states. But also to help the peoples who were not yet free to throw off the colonial yoke.

However, the idea had germinated a few years earlier. In 1958, when most of them were still under European domination, the First Congress of Independent African States met in Accra, Ghana, at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah.

On this occasion, the participants - just a dozen representatives of the future 54 African countries - called for the creation of an "African Freedom Day" to "mark each year the progress of the liberation movement and to symbolise the determination of the peoples of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation".

In this perspective, the day of 25 May is intended to symbolically underline the need to "strengthen the unity and solidarity of African states", according to the OAU charter, launched five years later.

This text was written by Sylvanus Olympio, the "father of the Togolese nation", who died a few months earlier, in January 1963, during the coup that brought to power his successor Gnassingbé Eyadema, who would remain in power until 2005.

On 26 May 1963, the OAU Charter was signed by all participants except Morocco. At this meeting, it was decided to change the name of "African Freedom Day" to "African Liberation Day", set for 25 May. Eventually, this day became simply "Africa Day".

Although the OAU disappeared and gave way to the African Union (AU) in 2002, 25 May is still celebrated today.

This "World Day" sees all sorts of initiatives flourish to perpetuate its pan-African character.

Africans, for example, are invited to denounce the injustices that affect them by wearing a red scarf, at the initiative of the South Africans of Africans Rising, a movement that defines itself "for peace, justice and dignity". #AfricaDay.

A changing continent

Africa is a unique continent. The cradle of humanity, it is today a melting pot of peoples, languages, religions and traditions. Unfortunately, this should not hide the sad records Africa has broken: the lowest GDP per capita in the world, a very high debt, water shortages, not to mention AIDS, which affects more than 10% of the population. Today, encouraging signs are beginning to appear and the international community is showing a growing interest in Africa.

Films about Africa not to be missed:

1. Out of Africa (1985)
2. Blood Diamonds (2006)
3. Invictus (2009)

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Panic attacks: what to do?

It is estimated that 21 out of every 100 people will experience a panic attack at some point in their lives. It is therefore worthwhile, especially if you are a person who is highly exposed to stress, to be familiar with the sudden reaction that is a panic attack. It is the symptoms that accompany the attack that aggravate the fear and fuel the attack.

Give yourself a massage

Massages are known to be effective in reducing stress1,2. When you feel panic coming on, think about self-massage. If you are in public or don't want to draw attention to yourself, choose the hands:

To massage your hand, open it and massage the palm with your thumb in a circular motion. Start the massage in the palm of your hand and gradually work your way outwards, applying more and more pressure. Then smooth each finger, pressing gently and without cracking. Then move to the other hand.

At the same time you can repeat soothing phrases to yourself.

Try Autogenic Training

This is a closely related deep relaxation technique that uses suggestion and concentration to eliminate stress. To work at its best, it requires real training that demands regular and sustained practice. Here is the recommended exercise:

Sitting or lying down, close your eyes and repeat inwardly and slowly "my right arm is heavy" while visualizing the arm becoming heavy. Breathe deeply.

The more the body weighs, the more it spreads out and the more it relaxes the muscles.

Now repeat inwardly and slowly "my right arm is warm" while visualising the gentle warmth spreading. Breathe deeply.

This visualization allows a very slight vasodilation of the blood vessels, which promotes better oxygenation of the body.

Always keep your eyes closed and then repeat inwardly and slowly "my heart is beating gently" while paying attention to your heart rate.

This formula calms the heartbeat and leads to general relaxation.

Finally, focus on your breathing and your breathing alone. See how deep, calm and gentle it becomes as you pay attention to it.

Perform a visualisation (guided or not)

Visualisation or guided imagery is a very effective practice for responding to a panic attack, but it requires solid training. It consists of closing your eyes and picturing or constructing an image or scene that calms you.

Use your breath

The next time you feel very stressed, get into the habit of taking deep breaths.

Start by breathing in through your nose and then place one hand on your stomach, which should rise, and another on your chest, which should barely move.

Then breathe out through your mouth and push out as much air as you can, while contracting your abdominal muscles.

Continue to breathe in the same way, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.

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The false master - Stories for Reflection

Recursos Educativos en Inglés - Stories in English - Cuentos en inglés

The false master - Stories to Think About

He was a renowned teacher; one of those teachers who run after fame and like to accumulate more and more disciples. In a huge tent, he gathered several hundred disciples and followers. He stood up, raised his voice and said:

-My beloved, listen to the voice of him who knows.

There was a great silence. You could have heard a gnat flying.

-You must never associate with another man's wife; never. Nor should you ever drink alcohol, or eat meat.

One of the assistants dared to ask:

-The other day, weren't you the one who was hugging Jai's wife?

-Yes, I was," replied the master.

Then another listener asked:

-"Weren't you drinking in the tavern the other night?

-That was me," replied the master.

A third man questioned the master:

-Wasn't it you who were eating meat in the market the other day?

-Yes," said the master.

At that moment, all the people present were indignant and began to protest.

-Then why do you ask us not to do what you do?

And the false teacher replied:

-Because I teach, but I do not practice.

Anonymous Hindu

🔆 Otros cuentos:

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European Day of Parks - May 24

24 May is the European Day of Action for National Parks, Biosphere Reserves and Nature Parks. The day was established in 1999 by the European Parks Federation EUROPARC and has been celebrated annually ever since.

The date was chosen to commemorate the creation of nine national parks in Sweden on 24 May 1909, the first such protected areas in Europe.

A large number of parks in the Alps (and, of course, beyond) use this anniversary to inform the public about their tasks and objectives. Numerous activities and events are planned for the week of 20-28 May. On 27 May, for example, the Triglav National Park in Slovenia is organising a free guided tour and a photography workshop.

Theme of the 2121 issue: "Parks: the new generation

2020 was a year of great challenges for parks across Europe. From lack of visitors to overflow, from floods to droughts and from invasive species to declining biodiversity, the challenges are many. However, if nature teaches us anything, it is that to survive, we must adapt.

The pandemic has once again highlighted the need for green spaces in Europe. What have you learned from the challenges of 2020? What will the next generation of parks look like? That is what we want to discover and celebrate on this year's European Parks Day.

It is time to rethink the offer of parks, to adapt to new modes of communication, new infrastructures and new visitors. Of course, when thinking about the next generation of parks, the involvement of young people is absolutely essential, at all levels of park management. After all, they are the next generation of nature professionals. However, keep in mind that "The Next Generation" is not just about young people. It can also be about new ways of working, management changes or adaptations due to the coronavirus crisis.

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Self-discipline linked to asceticism: Its benefits

Asceticism is a discipline of life that consists of exercising one's will against natural tendencies of the body or the mind. Self-discipline is said to make one happier. But why? And how can we achieve more self-discipline?

What is asceticism?

Asceticism comes from the Greek word askésis, which was originally part of the sports vocabulary and refers to the demanding lifestyle adopted by athletes: diet, sleep, exercise, etc.

Asceticism implies renunciation and deprivation. It is a discipline of life. It is about imposing discipline on oneself (self-discipline) and thus exercising one's will against natural tendencies of the body or the mind. Meditation and fasting are thus ascetic practices.

This exercise of the will and discipline of life remains mostly in measure and balance. There are more extreme ascetic practices with mortifications and penances.

Self-discipline linked to asceticism: Its benefits

Self-discipline is the ability to resist impulses to achieve one's goals.

Many American psychologists and coaches have written that self-discipline makes you happy.

Self-discipline and self-care can lead to more positive emotions and general satisfaction with life.

Self-discipline allows you to give up habits that make you unhappy (eating too much sugar, staying up too late...).

Moreover, being able to delay the satisfaction of some of one's needs simply in order to achieve certain goals leads to a real feeling of self-control and this makes one happy!

How to develop more self-discipline?

Willpower works like a muscle. Self-discipline can therefore be developed like a muscle. With practice, it becomes easier to resist impulses.

Developing new habits (food, activity, method) to achieve your goals is the essence of self-discipline. It takes a little over two months to automate a new behaviour. Once it's almost automatic, you don't need to do anything else.

To motivate yourself, think of the benefits of your new lives, not the constraints!

Meditation for more self-discipline

Meditation increases willpower. This has been proven by science. A study conducted by an Italian neuroscientist has shown, for example, that people who meditated regularly for 8 weeks had strengthened the part of their brain responsible for self-control.

So to resist impulses more easily, meditate!

For example, you can practice a simple meditation exercise called mindfulness breathing.

Sit comfortably with your hands on your thighs, eyes open or closed.

Concentrate only on your breathing. Be aware of the movement of your chest and belly as you breathe, and the air that comes in and out of your nostrils. When your thoughts drift away, gently return to your breathing.

Start with a 1 minute exercise to begin with, then gradually increase to a 2 or 3 minute exercise.

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Aquaphobia: Why am I afraid of water?

Aquaphobia comes from the Latin "aqua" meaning "water" and the Greek "phobia" meaning "fear". It is a common phobia. It is characterised by a panic and unreasonable fear of water. This anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as hydrophobia, can be disabling in everyday life, and in particular can interfere with the sufferer's leisure activities. A person suffering from aquaphobia will often not be able to get into the water, even if they have feet, and being near water will be an ordeal.

What is aquaphobia?

Water phobia is an uncontrolled fear and aversion to water. The anxiety disorder manifests itself in large bodies of water such as an ocean or a lake, but also in watery places that are under human control such as swimming pools. In some severe cases, the aquaphobic person is also unable to get into a bathtub.

Aquaphobia manifests itself to different degrees in different patients. But it should not be confused with a simple feeling of insecurity because one cannot swim or does not feel comfortable when one is not on foot, for example. In fact, in this type of case, it is a legitimate apprehension and not an aquaphobia.

Causes of aquaphobia: why am I afraid of water?

The reasons that can most often explain the panic fear of water in adulthood, are most often related to a psychological trauma dating back to childhood:

• An accidental fall into the water ;
• a drowning in the child's environment
• a memorable story overheard during a meal;
• or a parent with aquaphobia.

Often the trauma occurs when the child does not yet know how to swim, which further increases the feeling of insecurity and loss of control. Being pushed into a swimming pool at a young age or holding one's head under water for a long time as a child's "game" can sometimes leave traces in adulthood.

The symptoms of aquaphobia

Disproportionately high levels of anxiety in the vicinity of water indicate that a person is suffering from aquaphobia:

• The idea of being confronted with swimming or going out to sea on a boat puts you in a state of high anxiety;
• When you are near water, your heart rate increases;
• You have tremors;
• Sweating;
• Buzzing;
• Dizziness;
• You are afraid of dying

For some aquaphobics, the simple fact of being splashed or hearing the splash of water can trigger a state of acute stress, leading the person to decline all water-related activities.

Swimming pool courses to overcome aquaphobia

Lifeguards offer courses for adults adapted to the different degrees of aquaphobia in order to overcome the fear of water. These small group sessions are also open to people who simply want to become more comfortable in the pool.

Each participant, accompanied by a professional, will be able to tame the aquatic environment at his or her own pace thanks to breathing, immersion and floating techniques. Over the course of the lessons, some aquaphobes will be able to put their head under water and overcome their fear of depth.

Contact your local swimming pool or town hall to find out if there are any swimming lessons or aquaphobia courses near you.

What treatments are available for aquaphobia?

Cognitive behavioural therapy can also be effective in gradually improving tolerance to stressful situations and reducing the level of anxiety linked to fears.

Psychotherapy can also be useful in understanding the origin of the phobia and thus succeed in overcoming it.

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