Tesfa Talks

Biologically, most animals including humans, birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals have two eyes. But unlike other animals, humans possess something extra: a hidden “third eye.” This may sound strange, you might wonder, where is this third eye located? The great works of civilization, from the obelisk of Axum and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the wonders of world history, were born from the use of this third eye. Our physical eyes are limited. They allow us to see only our immediate surroundings. Animals, too, are confined to their physical environment. But humans have been endowed with something more. So, what is this third eye? It is imagination. Imagination, the mind’s eye, enables us to break free from physical limits. It is what allowed Mozart to compose timeless classics, Da Vinci to envision inventions centuries ahead of his time, and Einstein to make breakthroughs that reshaped science. If a person loses their physical sight, life certainly changes, but history s...

Growing up with siblings named Faith, Love and Peace, I never imagined how deeply our names would shape my understanding of life and why, in the end, Love is truly the greatest of all. There are things we cannot fully understand as children, truths that only reveal themselves when we grow, pass through the ups and downs of life, and walk the narrow paths of experience. This is my true story. In my family, our names carry a special meaning. My elder sister is Faith ( እምነት ) , I am Hope ( ተስፋ ) , my younger brother is Love ( ፍቅር ), and the youngest in our family, my sister, is Peace ( ሰላም ) . As children, people were often amazed to hear our names spoken together: Faith, Hope, Love and Peace. These three words are, of course, written in the Bible. But as a child, I thought the scripture was speaking directly about us, that our very names were recorded there. My mother often reminded us of 1 Corinthians 13:13 during our evening prayer times: “And now these three remain: faith, hop...

"Take care of your stomach for the first fifty years, and it will take care of you for the next fifty." – Dr. Steven Smith, on his 100th birthday Our One True Home Our body is the only place we live. It’s where our soul resides, where our whole being exists. Yet how many brilliant minds — people with extraordinary talents — have left the world too soon simply because they mistreated or neglected their sacred machine ? When Talent Falls Short of Time From Jimi Hendrix to Diego Ma radona to Whitney Houston , the world has lost countless icons — not because their talent faded, but because their bodies were damaged by: Alcohol Drugs Junk food Overeating Neglect of physical renewal (breathing, exercise, rest) How many loving parents have left their children too early because they didn’t know how to care for their bodies? The Cultural Disconnect In some cultures, the body is treated like a stranger — or even an enemy . It is punished. It is mis...

A mindful moment to appreciate the simple act of breathing, a precious gift we often overlook in our busy lives.   It’s estimated that a normal person breathes around 20,000 to 25,000 times a day - astonishing, isn’t it? And yet, we rarely stop to notice this silent miracle. Life begins with a single breath and ends when we take our last. The people we love leave this world the moment their breath ceases - and once it’s gone, there is no turning back. Many of life’s most valuable gifts are those we overlook until we lose them, and breath is perhaps the most overlooked of all. In our pursuit of material possessions, wealth, and social recognition, we often forget to appreciate the very thing that sustains us. We chase after the luxuries of life, caught in the noise and pressure of modern living, while ignoring the quiet rhythm that keeps us alive. Our entire existence is framed between two breaths: our first inhalation at birth and our final exhalation at death. What animates our ...