SAMA

If you don’t have a target, you will get nothing… This is a shining truth… If we don’t put spiritual targets to our life, our progression will be minimal… and we will be lost in the absolute values… we will pass from a trial to another one without any benefit… A Christian without target is just like Alice in wonder world… where she asked the cat: “can you please help me to choose the way to take from here?”, and the cat answered: “it is up to where you are going…” She said: “it doesn’t matter”… the cat said again: “then, there is no problem which way you choose…” This is applicable in wonder world but not in ours… It is not enough to say I want to be a “good Christian”… I must say I am…

For a while, someone will think that it is the day of lights, colors and new things… it is the fiesta of children… or the day of sweet gifts… It is imperative that we need to change… to go out of routine… of usual boring life… No one hates to get chocolates, new clothes, many gifts… a lot of kisses… a lot of hugs… but what else? All these things may give us a temporary smile… but do we know that there is an eternal one? This birthday was to release us from our mortal materialism… What did we do with time? We made this day the one of materialism and we forgot the essential… while all our days are full with super care for earthy life, we forgot always to live… Maybe the error was to give the holy child that is born everyday in our hearts, just a day to celebrate… What is the story of this day? The lord came to our earth… he was born in the poorest place… with just one star… not five ones… all in nature… even for air conditioning… As a king in his simplicity… he was announced to the ones ...

Sassine El Nabbout Photography It was not that difficult to choose… it is the one that pleased our eyes… The river was calm… the winds were soft and somewhat cold… but who cares… we were together… We looked at the boat bottom… there were water… A feeling of trouble filled us… we checked the other boats… "they are all the same"… You said: do you know how to swim? I said: yes… and you? You said: if you know, I have nothing to fear… You were the first to enter… moments of disequilibrium… I hold you and the boat with all my power… When it was my turn… I thought I can do it alone, but it was worse… when it calms again, a smile was drawn on my face… your hands was holding me and the boat… We were hiking… your eyes were mine… Go to the right… go to left… turn around… watch out… I remember every word… every smile… The orchestra of birds was around us… I never heard them singing that much… They said that this day will be a bad one… but it was the best day… Sailing to where we don’t k...

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks.” “They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" T...

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?" The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it." Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?" The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son ? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university." Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair ?" the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it mi...

The time is moving on, and we are not seeing the sun anymore… Even if she appears… as soon as we look at her, she hides herself behind a cloud… Days are becoming lazy… We feel that there are no more things to do… Ah! It is really cold… Look at humans and animals… everyone below is collecting… working hard… Winter is knocking on the door… Do you think that we can continue working?! Without rays?! We think that our factories will be closed for a while… We have to free the way… the incoming leaves are younger… What to do until we leave… Why are you looking red?! Why are you looking yellow?! I told you… I’m closing my factories… Oh my God! I’m afraid from death! Don’t be afraid… it will be so smooth… Why we live in a temporary fashion? Why we can’t stay forever? Don’t be afraid! Even if we die, we will be the power of the next generations… Our good ingredients will resuscitate again… while our unusable body will stay in the soil… Why is it like that? They said: everything is made for the g...

Photo From Lelici On Webshots Even if your colors resembles to the way ones, you are still special and I will easily find you…

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." Cherokee Wisdom

KAMOUA NATIONAL PARK, AKKAR SAMA PHOTOGRAPHY I can’t wait for you November… I miss autumn… I miss his moments… His scenes… I miss home… The home of every season… but specially his one… I can’t forget these moments… When I reached this place, I covered my eyes while saying: who am I to deserve seeing all this beauty? How could an ugly like me touch this ground by his feet? I heard a lovely windy song… and I saw the leaves dancing in the sky above me… it was saying: the eyes are made to see God’s beauty… the feet are made to walk on me… I like the sensation you make when you walks… keep going… open your eyes to see God’s most beautiful creation… I opened my eyes… I saw God’s hand made wonder… and I said: how can I walk on this… I will distort this beauty… I heard the wind saying again: walk… walk… move on… I did it… and my footprints disappeared under a new collection of yellow leaves… Then I found myself in the middle of this forest… as if I came from nowhere… as if I was born that mome...

Pelican Eating... Lakes Entrance (Victoria, Australia)

Photo For Janine Russel I asked God to take away my habit.God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted,it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings youcloser to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, no. You must grow on your own,but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia

In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, Sometimes, a hug is all what we need.

Video taken during a trip to the Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia... It is one of the most beautiful and calm scenes i ever saw...

Wadih El Safi Sings Lebanon Paints from M. Faroukh

Photo From National Geographic Article from National Geographic: Macaws are beautiful, brilliantly colored members of the parrot family. Many macaws have vibrant plumage. The coloring is suited to life in Central and South American rain forests, with their green canopies and colorful fruits and flowers. The birds boast large, powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds, while their dry, scaly tongues have a bone inside them that makes them an effective tool for tapping into fruits. Macaws also have gripping toes that they use to latch onto branches and to grab, hold, and examine items. The birds sport graceful tails that are typically very long. Macaws are intelligent, social birds that often gather in flocks of 10 to 30 individuals. Their loud calls, squawks, and screams echo through the forest canopy. Macaws vocalize to communicate within the flock, mark territory, and identify one another. Some species can even mimic human speech. Flocks sleep in the trees at night, and in the m...

Melbourne Coast, Australia Sassine El Nabbout Photography Look far… Even oceans in their deepest points, stay on a land… as everyone of men stay in the heart of a woman… So don’t think you are the biggest or the most powerful…. Blow… Blow the wind to comb the grass on her surface… Make her coast a face of eternal beauty… Surround her by clouds… kiss her with every rain drop… Say to her I love you… every moment… and never stop...

While walking on the streets of Paris, you may encounter a special gallery near Saint Sulpice Church... a long white table all over the street length... composed of so small, raised and smooth blank or filled surfaces... giving the ability to everyone to see, but surely to draw anything passing in his mind... Isn't something good?!... In Paris you may see everything... and this is just one of the beautiful things there... just express your feelings... write a small letter of love to someone... say what you want... no one will blame you... They offer you kindly all the materials to draw what you want... and a pen to write on an honor book... and all this will be presented one day in a governmental place... I couldn't hide my childish love to draw... i paint all what i thought about at this moment... that was it... by sassine100 To see the entire album click on this link: by sassine100

I Love You Humanity... I Love You Brothership... I Love You Love...

by sassinabbout Several thousand years ago, when much of Mount Lebanon was covered by cedar trees, the groves of Jaj were one of the first forests to be chopped down. The profitable cedar wood was exported to Egypt and later to Jerusalem. Splendid survivors of this forest are still scattered on the peaks above the town of Jaj. They are easy to spot. Rounded in shape and very dark green in color, the trees are not readily confused with the much smaller pines at lower elevations. For the best view go to the top of the town and look up. Trails exist up to these cedars, which grow out of what looks like bare rock in-groups of two or three.

So small, that's true... but Lebanon is still the most beautiful... and if you don't believe ask your mirror...

Who said they forgot?! Who said they don’t want to return?! Who said they don’t miss Lebanon every second?! Do you think there is something that can stop them? You doubt?! Open Asda’ Tv and see what they do beside working hard, collecting money and sending them to their parents in Lebanon! While seeing them I remember every word of our national hymn… I don’t know so much about the cedar’s club in Canada, but what is special are the juniors, learning everything beautiful about their country, while not looking about their religion and political parties… they just dance, hand by hand, just as one… just because they are one lebanese… Look in their eyes, all what you can see are the reflections of our white beautiful snow, our martyr’s blood, and our eternal cedar… Wherever we are, we are the same… we love life, and life loves us… No one can put us under the ground… why? because we will resucitate again in seconds… A wish that the eyes like Asda’a Tv will be wherever there are Lebanese in t...

Poor families afraid to look outside Seeking only for a place to hide Hear a bomb here, another there Causing this war was just not fair Blood of innocent people flowing on the streets Blood of others underneath our feet Over stupid political immature crap Like who should be noticed more on the map Innocent lives being taken away Trying to find an explanation was difficult to say Islamic, Christian, Buddhist or Jew Doesn't mean you see everyone's point of view Religion is sacramental not a reason for war Not a reason to look up to the rich and down on the poor It's sad to see such a beautiful country lose its respect When people hear "Lebanon" they hear a country that's been wrecked We used to be noticed for our large mountains and beautiful trees Now we're only known for flying over seas Far from home, settling somewhere new Working day night to make enough to buy a pair of shoes Depressing as it may seem this story is true As much as you hear, you'll...

The Misty Times Are A Typical Spring Start In The Kamoua National Park in Akkar North Lebanon. Enjoy

It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. While walking, you can't close your eyes for one second or you will miss a scene of sacred beauty. This is Lebanon...

Sassine El Nabbout Photography From the first days of life, we open our eyes to see our family and a room fulfilled with flowers… Do we love flowers because of that? It may be a cause, but just one of the causes… What is a flower? Why flowers were created? Why they have an impact on us? Does someone on earth hate flowers? They fill the life… and no one can imagine life if there is no flowers… A flower is a mixture of colors… odor(s)… touch(s)… form… Just a small creature, so simple… with an eternal cycle of life… Did someone imagine? When a man loves a woman, he says to her: "you are the flower of my life"… when a man or women say to their daughter: "my little flower"… when a newborn enters the family, they say: "a new flower is in our garden of love"! Can we imagine? In our best stages, we are flowers or compared to… Looking around, we can see that a flower, as simple as it is, accomplish the roles of inter human signal… and the inter God and human signa...

In every part of Akkar North Lebanon, almost in every village , valley or mountain , you can find water springs & rivers. Yes, they are the smallest, but they are the most beautiful in this world.

Wish I Could Be With You In Your Happiest Moment

Pictures taken in Kamoua & Kobayat National parks, north Lebanon. Im really jealous from each tree living there. These was shots taken by moments. What can see each of them every moment?! Will i live eternaly in this peace? in this heaven? Can i live in heaven while beeing in this world?

What you are seeing is not a bloody scene… it is not the first time happening on the small land of humans… as if the universe is with them… the nature is with them… there is nothing to worry about but their own interests… There is nothing to work for but wars… The humans are just fools… it is the best word to describe them… even a chimpanzee is smarter than them… a donkey is better… these animals commit the error one time… but the second time they pass the experience without making the same "joke"… When will the "human" beings see that all the wars they conducted were nothing? There is no race that can be ended… there is no religion that will be shut off… there is no loser other than them and God… When will they understand that having all the earth money and power, will not make a "human" bow in face of them?!... There is no one of their empires that didn't fall… but what about the human empire?? That's the minimum that happen sirs when the hate fi...

¿Por qué Líbano? // Pourquoi le Liban ? // Warum Libanon? // Perché il Libano? // // Waarom Libanon? // Por que o Líbano? // почему Ливан? // Hvorfor lebanon? // // WHY LEBANON? // // ليش لبنان؟ //

While the sound of peace seems to be the weakest, or even forgotten, the gladiator’s arena is full of sounds: kill, kill, kill… the walls are full of blood, specially the innocent one… everyone’s blood… fire, rockets, destruction in every way, equivalent or not… and the circle of evil continue saying: kill, kill… they are away, high, looking from their seats while relaxing… why? Just to choose and honor the best killer… or just for the fun of cards game… kill, kill, kill… Before entering the arena, a devil said to the first fighter: fight the devil that will come outside now, fight for your God… fight for your good… let us see a good game and you will be honored in the end… On the other door, the same devil said the same thing to the other fighter… For everyone he gave a type of arms… specially the most destructive ones… Fight, kill… kill for your God… The war started, while all devils are laughing… sure they are happy… who will be happy if the hate fills the earth… the unfair win… chi...

From The Lebanese In Paris, Our Bleeding Hearts Are With You All

Street Of Arts, Mont Martre Sassine El Nabbout Photography Visit with me Paris, the world's number one city of tourrism & art. Click on the link to see the album: http://community.webshots.com/album/551271224YzyRwo

One day he started to feel a difficulty while swallowing… It was not important in the beginning; until he started feeling that the food is stuck in the middle of his chest… he could not support neither solid nor fluid nutriments… the gastroscopy was done, and showed an invasive tumor… with a poor prognosis… limited chemotherapy or radiotherapy… no one can do something… specially now, after that his cancer metastases to his head and liver… what to do now?!... The pain is not stoppable… morphine is making him sleepy all the day… no one activity… Day after day the things are becoming worse… finally the tumor extended locally, and everything he take by mouth enter to the lungs… He is feeling the cancer eating him… A doctor visited him and said: I can do nothing for you… The patient said: well… then what I can do?!... The doctor said: nothing… you will wait until the death comes to take you… “Did someone of you saw the lips shivering?!... The eyes looking white... a frozen unique tear…” The...

Sassine El Nabbout Photography Sully sur Loire, a small beautiful village in the Loire Department (Center of France), living peacefully on the side of Loire River. It was so cool & Romantic, specially with this lovely medieval castle and it's reflections on the surrounding water. Wish you will enjoy the album. To see it, click on the link below: http://community.webshots.com/album/551067557ojYdxE

Sassine El Nabbout Photography "I missed you like death" said the flower… "Where have you been all this time?"… "I waited until I lost my faith"… "Why were you late? My petals lost there brightness… my odor is barely sensed"… "I don't want to die like someone who came for nothing"… "Oh! My sweet flower of life!" said the bee… "I missed you so much"… "I left my home to come & see you"… "You were the most beautiful one on earth & you are always the same"… "But I see you are misevaluating yourself"… "Don't you see everything is ok?!"… "I felt the time eating me my little bee" said the flower… "I felt the seconds a day, & the day a year when you were away"… "When I was born I sent you a message with the soft breeze… and since then I'm hearing your sound around… filling my ears… but even I couldn't see you… I heard your voice even...

Music Fiesta, Paris, France Sassine El Nabbout Photography She moves... goes up and down... and every beat of our heart follows her... With her, our soul wears wings, to fly in the world of feelings and imagination... How many times we thought that she is just a musical instrument sound?!... Instead the reality that she is the holy feeling that affect every feeling... that she is the expression of expressions... She is contradictory as us... She is a laugh and a tear... She is a love and a hate... She is a time of peace and a time of anger... She helps the melting of our crystallized tears... and moving rapidly our dance of happiness... She is the friend of solitude... She is better sometimes than a word or a sentence... We hear her not only by our ears, but by our heart and body... We touch her... she touches us... How and why?! Just because she enrobes us, since our first breath and cry... she follows us in all the moments of our life... and at requiem, she covers us with the most c...

Aadbel From Above, Satellite Pic I used every night to watch the sky... my back touching the ground... and i don't stop counting the stars... every light amazes me... every color... I stayed for long hours, followed the lights dancing in the horizon and disappearing above the clouds hitting my atmosphere... It is what i did, instead of sleeping early... we were not supposed to have a normal life, to leave our houses at night... the war was guarding the roads of my town and country... These stars were my only dream at night... my only space to go out... i was a prisoner of the time and the place... While i didn't choose to be a Lebanese, neither to be born the first days of the civil war... I used to cry in the darkness, in the loneliness... while i know that no one can see me... No electricity, no television, no radio, no music... and sure no money... We missed the life while we didn't knew what is it... we had the fear of death, while we didn't know also what it is......

Photo By Soledad Alvarez Paris, France I was always amazed by the power of nature... Not only the destructive cyclones, nor the sky lightening… I love this silent power… that can sometimes pass without interest… It is really a miracle happening beside us everyday… How can a dry branch be full of these beautiful colors? I feel the angels being hyperactive, painting every scene in our life garden… Knocking on our heart door while saying : wake up, it is another day…

That is the difference! no one country can have all this beauty in the same time! Yes Lebanon is different, just because it is a sacred ground!

Sassine El Nabbout Photography I had really the chance that day to assist to this "medieval celebration". In the background was the Chambort Castle, the known house of all the kings of France having the name "Louis". The colors were amazing. I stayed on the road side, a little high, and i took this album. They transported me back to one of the beautiful walks that happened long time ago. It is very normal to feel that because of the well done design. To visit the entire album click on the link, wish you will enjoy it: http://community.webshots.com/album/551041907ApORJM

An 11,400-year-old fig found near Jeriha City (left) may be the result of the earliest known form of agriculture, scientists say.The ancient fig is similar in size to a variety still cultivated in Iran (middle) but is considerably smaller than a more common Turkish type (right).

From The Album: Emotions By Hildegunn, A Norvegian Artist To see the entire album click on the link below: http://community.webshots.com/album/550057776PfYERv

Made By Sasmen

Sassine El Nabbout Photography You are welcome to my village. Click on the link to view the photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/550806766KdtiHu

Photo by cluggish-Webshots

A new and important discovery, an underwater volcano in Northern Mariana Islands near Guam. It has been going through nearly constant low-level eruptions since at least 2004, when it was first observed, Embley says. It could potentially keep erupting for decades, giving scientists the opportunity to monitor its growth. Two other surprises were seen by the scientists: communities of microscopic bacteria and two species of shrimp living at the volcano. Origin: www.nationalgeographic.com

Sassine El Nabbout Photography Versailles castle one of the most famous in Europe... surrounded by big gardens... it is so vast, making a complete visit almost impossible in one day... If you visit it, don't miss to use the small boat, so you can see almost all the garden & the castle from the center. Wish you will enjoy this album that is a small reality: http://community.webshots.com/album/550655824LcZSyh

Photo By Jhonny Hanna Lake Rastan is one of the biggest Syrian lakes... that is made by the collection of Assi River water (origin: Bekaa, Lebanon). Jhonny Hanna is one of my friends, an environmental activist, and a member of the " Conseil de l'environnement-Kobayat ". A comity that is working hard to conserve all this beauty and heritage to Lebanon. A big thanks for the nice work, and may God help them to accomplish their issues.

Sassine El Nabbout Photography A small beautiful village in the Akkarian heights (900m above sea level), mixing the natural beauty and the peaceful nature of it's people... and for sure another successful example that Christians can live side to side with Muslims... you really can see the mosque near the church... as they stayed like that even since the bad civil war... and I'm sure that she will stay lifelong... Bazbina, a prototype of the majority of Akkarian villages, has many sons in the Lebanese Army, many agricultural fields, but a majority immigrating to outside Lebanon ( www.bazbina.com ). I encourage you to visit their site witch contain many news and memories. Something to remember there is the national reserve, witch is so rich in water (draining the Kamoua heights), flowers and the most beautiful scenes. Enjoy it's album: http://community.webshots.com/album/115311537vuHnvX

Sassine El Nabbout Photography A lovely french city, in the massif central, surrounded by one of the most beautiful forests; It's fame is well deserved because of one of the biggest castles. Wish you will enjoy the album. http://community.webshots.com/album/151875925GQgmPY

You must know that the dryness already started in many countries... Urgent attention is to be taken...

This false-color NASA image shows the approximate retreat of the Gangotri Glacier (source of the Ganges river in India) in the Himalaya mountain range between 1780 and 2001. Because of global climate change, the glacier has been retreating at a rate of 23 meters annually, according to a WWF report. Due to the global warming effect, (as many hundreds millions Tons of carbon dioxide and many other industrual gases are diffused in the atmosphere each year), glacial melting will increase the volume of water in rivers, causing widespread flooding. "But in a few decades this situation will change, and the water level in rivers will decline". Until when we will continue to destroy our earth?!

Sassine El Nabbout Photography This is not snow... these are flowers petals... Why are they on the ground?! There is many reasons... someones i know, but the others no... Why?! Is the spring ending? Are the flowers pregnant now with fruits? Is it just an endless cycle with temporary ends?! Does someone shakes the mother tree? Is it the wind? the rain? A human?! Does their role finished? No need to more attraction?! Why?! Is there one reason! What we know now is the effect! The petals are covering everything! They are dead! but even with their death they are a scene of beauty! Why?! Also many reasons... Because there will be a next spring and a new age... Because they are simply beautiful in every way... Sasmen