The phrase “took an arrow in the knee” is old Norse slang for getting married?

The origins of many marriage-related rituals are known by very few. One searches in vain to find any references in Norse languages or mythology that links the phrase ‘took an arrow in the knee’ to the concept of marriage, so we can safely rule out this explanation.

The phrase “took an arrow in the knee” is actually of fairly recent vintage, a line popularized by the role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Then, where did the tradition of getting down upon ones knee to propose marriage come from? No definitive historical explanation exists, but as many sources have posited, the practice is likely related to customs involving kneeling as a demonstrative act of both supplication and respect; During the Middle Ages, chivalry was not yet dead and formal courtship was the medieval version of modern-day dating. Kneeling was also the protocol for many ceremonial rituals and rites of passage, including those of the romantic kind. Medieval artwork and literature shows knights genuflecting before their feudal lord as a sign of honor and respect, or kneeling in front of a noblewoman to express their eternal servitude and admiration in a show of “courtly love.” Nevertheless, religion play a role as well. Many faiths, like Christianity, Buddhism and Islam, have their worshippers kneel in prayer to express their devoted service and everlasting respect for their God.

In today’s world, kneeling has connotations of complete submission, giving yourself to the mercy of the other person who has the power to do whatever they desire. So when we propose in this way, we are showing that we truly trust our partner, and that we are completely committed to intertwining our life with theirs. It is also a respectful thing, which is nice, and shows that we are willing to break down our walls and be truly intimate;-As kneeling is placing yourself in a vulnerable position with all power to the person standing.

In short, offering a ring upon bended knee to propose marriage is a symbolic manner of expressing a fervent desire for a positive response, and of demonstrating that your beloved is deserving of your honor, respect, and love — not due to an old arrow injury.

A joke by comedian Tim Vine about a vacuum cleaner has been voted the winner of the Funniest Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe Award 2014.  See the full top 10 list above.

The Eyes – Your Eyes may be giving away more than you know!!

Little things matter. Never underestimate even the simplest acts of kindness and love. The author of  Dilbert ,  Scott Adams, says:

Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

Another one of my favorite quotations comes from the highly-celebrated poet, William Wordsworth:

The best portion of a good man’s life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

There are beautiful random acts of kindness that we can do everyday. All it takes is to have some consideration for others, and to look for opportunities to make the day a little happier and brighter for someone else.

I am not sure whether you do recall this lovely little poem by Mrs. J. A. Carney that you would have probably learned as a child. Though these words have the innocence of childhood in them, they are, nevertheless, timeless and very profound.

Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the beauteous land.

Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.

And the little moments,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages,
Of Eternity.

One of the things that modernization and technology have done for us these days is to give us many options in life. For example, when we purchase things, whether it is food, vehicles, computers or cellphones, we are confronted by an expanding array of brands, flavors and options. Take milk, for example. If we only had just plain milk in the past, now we have skimmed milk, calcium-enriched, vitamin-enhanced, high-protein and etc.,

Similarly, we have more options in our choice of careers and lifestyle, and this can make our lives more complicated than before. However, I do not deny that choice can be a good thing. But, sometimes too many options become a source of distraction and frustration, and we lose our priorities and maybe even forget what our original objectives are.

How to combat this malady of modernity? Do not get caught by discounts so that you will not end up with things that you do not need. This resonates well with my preference not to browse and window-shop. Get to the shop, choose from what they have, buy it and go home.

Consider the wise words of Baloo the bear in The Jungle Book, when he taught Mowgli how to survive in the jungle.

Look for the bare necessities,

The simple bare necessities,

Forget about your worries and your strife;

I mean the bare necessities,

That’s why a bear can rest at ease,

With just the bare necessities of life,

Don’t spend your time looking around,

For something you want that can’t be found,

When you find out you can live without it,

And go along not thinking about it,

I’ll tell you something true,

The bare necessities of life will come to you,

They’ll come to you.

In this regard, I am certain that Baloo the Bear would heartily shake paws and hands with the great sage Lao Tzu if he hears him saying this:

Be content with what you have,

Rejoice in the way things are;

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

The whole world belongs to you.