5 ways to be mindful - Leisure - W.H Davies

Source - https://news.stonybrook.edu/homespotlight/make-mindfulness-part-of-your-mental-health-plan-this-year/

Mindfulness while brushing your teeth

The old way: Vague awareness of picking up your toothbrush and moving it around the mouth on autopilot as you wander around the house, tripping over the cat, looking for your keys, mentally preparing for your first meeting of the day. The new way: Being mindful of your feet on the floor, the temperature and texture on the soles of your feet; mindful of the appearance, smell, flavour, and texture of the toothpaste; mindful of the arm moving from side to side and the sound of the brush against your teeth; mindful of each and every tooth and the sensation of the brush against your gums. 

 

Mindfulness while taking a shower

The old way: Acute awareness of scolding hot water alternating with freezing cold water until you find the sweet spot. From there, the mind wanders off as you sing your favourite tune into the shower head. The new way: Being mindful of the need to set the temperature before getting into the shower; mindful of the wave of pleasure as the warm water washes over you; mindful of the smell of the shower gel, soap, or shampoo; mindful of the mind jumping forward, imagining conversations that have yet to happen; mindful of the amount of water you’re using; and mindful of the sound of the water coming to a stop. 

 

 Mindfulness while commuting to work

The old way: Standing like a sardine squashed into a tin can on a train or bus, resenting anyone who has a seat, feeling nauseous at the potent cocktail of perfumes, aftershaves, deodorants, and hairsprays, while trying to keep your cool as a stroller rocks back and forth into your shins. Alternatively, sitting in the relative comfort of a car, but in traffic so slow that you fear you might actually have to put the car into reverse. The new way: Being mindful of your environment and the tendency to resist it; being mindful of the emotions as they rise and fall, come and go; mindful of all the different senses, but rather than thinking about them, judging them, or analysing them, simply acknowledging them; mindful of wanting to be somewhere else, of wishing time away; and mindful of wanting to scream out loud or put your foot down in the car. Bonus: The other people around you will almost certainly appreciate your lack of road-rage, train-rage, or bus-rage and, you never know, you may even find yourself turning up to work with a smile on your face.

 

Mindfulness while washing the dishes

 

The new way: Being mindful of the very first moment when your hands meet the water; mindful of the warmth and the transference of heat to the body; mindful of picking up one thing at a time and taking just an extra second or two to clean it thoroughly; mindful of the passing thoughts and of letting them go; mindful of seeing people come and go through the window without getting involved in any storylines; mindful of wanting to get on and do something else; and mindful of feeling satisfied when you’ve finished. 

 

Mindfulness while waiting in line

The new way: Being mindful of the sense of urgency with which you enter the bank; mindful of your reaction when you first see the line; mindful of your posture as you stand there waiting; mindful of your breath as you focus on the physical sensations in the body; mindful of your reaction each time the line creeps forward; mindful of the tendency to keep looking at your watch, checking your phone or looking for some kind of distraction; and mindful of your interaction with another human being when you finally get served. 

Source - https://www.headspace.com/articles/5-ways-to-get-mindfulness-into-your-everyday-life#:~:text=Remember%2C%20mindfulness%20means%20to%20be,apply%20mindfulness%2C%20to%20be%20aware.

RIP Kundera

 

Unit 1.1 - Science and Humanities - Dr. S Radhakrishnan - Super Summary

Unit 1.1 - Science and Humanities - Dr. S Radhakrishnan - Super Summary

S Radhakrishnan was the second President of India.

His birthday is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India. 

The three obstacles in the path of India’s progress are ignorance, disease, and poverty. 

It is important to remove ignorance so that the other two obstacles will disappear. 

Every Indian should be educated, should have the necessary skills, and a sense of purpose. 

This will help India to transform into a better country and change the world. 

Technology should be studied in relation to humanities. 

Dr. S Radhakrishnan recommends an integration of humanities and science.

Science is important because it has knowledge, power, tolerance, open-mindedness, it is non prejudiced, and open to new ideas. 

Science should  move in the right direction for the betterment of the world.

Humanities helps us to improve the quality of life. It gives us wisdom and humanism.

 

India is famous for rich wisdom and traditional knowledge.

Religion helps us in searching for the ultimate truth. 

Science and religion should work together.

Universities should produce scientific humans or humanistic scientists.

 

Self awareness is the greatest knowledge that an individual can gain in a college.

Unit 1.1 - A Patch of Land - infographics and how to use it in the classroom.

A Patch of Land by Mahakavi Bharathi 

Activities which can be planned around this infographics

Can be used as a cue card for speaking.

Can be used as a cue/ prompt card for writing.

Can be used as a tool for vocabulary enhancement especially for emerging learners. 

To inspire students to create their own digital posters. 

To conduct a poster making contest in the classroom. 

Strengths of a College Student

What should be the strengths of a college student? 

 

There are several strengths that can benefit a college student. Here are some key strengths to focus on:

 

Intellect and Academic Ability: 

College requires critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to grasp complex concepts. Strong intellectual abilities and academic aptitude are crucial for success in coursework.

 

Time Management and Organization:

College life can be demanding, with multiple assignments, projects, and extracurricular activities. Effective time management and organizational skills will help you stay on top of your responsibilities and meet deadlines.

 

Self-Motivation and Discipline: 

College often involves independent study and a higher level of personal responsibility. Being self-motivated and disciplined allows you to stay focused, complete tasks, and pursue academic goals.

 

Effective Communication: 

Strong communication skills are essential for collaborating with peers, engaging in class discussions, and building relationships with professors. Good communication abilities encompass listening, speaking, writing, and nonverbal communication.

 

Adaptability and Resilience: 

College life can present unexpected challenges and changes. The ability to adapt to new situations, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive mindset is important for navigating the college experience.

 

Collaboration and Teamwork: 

Many college assignments and projects involve working with others. Being able to collaborate effectively, contribute ideas, and work well in a team setting will enhance your academic and interpersonal skills.

 

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: 

College education emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These strengths enable you to analyse information, evaluate different perspectives, and propose creative solutions to complex problems.

 

Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: 

Cultivating a sense of curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning is valuable in college. Being open to new ideas, seeking knowledge beyond the classroom, and embracing intellectual growth will enhance your educational experience.

 

Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: 

Developing emotional intelligence allows you to understand and manage your emotions and empathize with others. These skills contribute to healthy relationships, effective teamwork, and a supportive college community.

 

Resourcefulness and Initiative:

Taking initiative and being resourceful can help you make the most of your college experience. Seek out opportunities, utilize campus resources, and actively engage in extracurricular activities to enhance your personal and professional development.

 

Remember, strengths can vary among individuals, and it's important to focus on developing and leveraging your own unique set of skills and attributes to thrive in college.

(Source - ChatGPT) 

Obstacles to Personal Growth

https://drstanhyman.com/top-10-barriers-to-self-growth/

When considering the obstacles to growth for an individual, several factors come into play. Here are some common obstacles that individuals may face when trying to grow personally or professionally:

 

1. Lack of education or skills: 

Insufficient education or skills can hinder an individual's growth potential. Without relevant knowledge or expertise, it can be challenging to advance in a chosen career or pursue new opportunities.

 

2. Limited financial resources: 

Financial constraints can impede personal growth. Limited savings or access to credit may restrict an individual's ability to invest in education, start a business, or take advantage of growth-oriented opportunities.

 

3. Fear of failure or risk aversion: 

Fear of failure can hold individuals back from taking risks or pursuing growth opportunities. The fear of stepping out of one's comfort zone and the associated uncertainty can prevent personal and professional development.

4. Lack of mentorship and guidance: 

Absence of mentors or role models who can provide guidance and support can be an obstacle. Mentors can offer valuable insights, advice, and networking opportunities that facilitate personal growth and success.

 

5. Negative mindset and self-doubt: 

A negative mindset, low self-confidence, or self-doubt can hinder personal growth. Believing in oneself, developing a positive mindset, and building self-esteem are crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving personal growth.

 

6. Limited networking opportunities: 

Networking plays a significant role in personal growth. Lack of access to professional networks or limited social connections may hinder opportunities for career advancement, skill development, and personal growth.

 

7. Work-life balance challenges: 

Balancing personal and professional commitments can be a significant obstacle to personal growth. Limited time and energy due to overwhelming workloads or personal responsibilities may leave little room for self-improvement or pursuing new opportunities.

 

8. Lack of clear goals and direction: 

Without clear goals or a sense of direction, individuals may struggle to identify growth opportunities or take meaningful steps towards personal development. Clarity of purpose and setting achievable goals are essential for sustained growth.

 

9. External societal or cultural pressures: Societal or cultural expectations can limit an individual's growth. Pressure to conform to societal norms, stereotypes, or traditional roles may restrict personal and professional aspirations.

 

10. Health issues and personal setbacks: 

Health problems or personal setbacks can hinder personal growth. Physical or mental health challenges, family issues, or unforeseen life events can temporarily or permanently disrupt an individual's growth trajectory.

 

Overcoming these obstacles requires self-awareness, resilience, continuous learning, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Seeking support from mentors, developing a growth mindset, setting clear goals, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are crucial for personal growth. ( Source - ChatGPT)  

3723 - ams - commemoration digest - Mordecai Richler - The Novelist and the Critic

 

02723 - ams - commemoration digest # 1

 

On Teaching by Khalil Gibran

Then said a teacher, Speak to us of Teach-

ing.

    And he said:

    No man can reveal to you aught but that

which already lies half asleep in the dawn-

ing of your knowledge.

    The teacher who walks in the shadow of

the temple, among his followers, gives not

of his wisdom but rather of his faith and

his lovingness.

    If he is indeed wise he does not bid you

enter the house of his wisdom, but rather

leads you to the threshold of your own

mind.

   The astronomer may speak to you of his

understanding of space, but he cannot give

you his understanding.

   The musician may sing to you of the

rhythm which is in all space, but he cannot

give you the ear which arrests the rhythm

nor the voice that echoes it.

   And he who is versed in the science of

numbers can tell of the regions of weight

and measure, but he cannot conduct you

thither.

   For the vision of one man lends not its

wings to another man.

   And even as each one of you stands alone

in God’s knowledge, so must each one of

you be alone in his knowledge of God and

in his understanding of the earth.

 

30623 - ams - commemoration digest - Life and Times of Czelaw Miloz

 

29623 - ams - commemoration digest - The man behind 'The Little Prince', Michael Madhusudhan Datta - The Polyglot, and the life and times of Vasko Popa.

 

1.1 A Patch of Land - Subramania Bharati

A patch of land I want, Parashakthi –

Give me a patch of land. 

On that patch of land, Parashakthi, 

I want a house built for me. 

Its pillars decorated, Parashakthi, 

And balconies painted white. 

Palm tress beside the well, Parashakthi, 

With long fronds and tender nuts

Ten or Twelve. Those palms, Parashakthi, 

The coconut trees, I want nearby. 

Moonlight should descend gently, Parashakthi, 

Casting a gleaming veil of white. 

The soft cooing of the cuckoo, Parashakthi, 

Should fall light on my ears. 

A gentle breeze should blow, Parashakthi. 

And bring pleasure to my soul. 

A young wife I want, Parashakthi, 

To share all these with me. 

Our joyful togetherness, Parashakthi, 

Bless with poetry. 

Living in that open land, Parashakthi, 

Be there to guard us. 

With my power of my songs, Parashakthi, 

Enable me to defend this earth. 

26623 - ams - commemoration digest # 2 - Who is Laurie Lee?

 

26623 - ams - commemoration digest - Aimé Césaire Remembered

 

25623 - Commemorative Digests - Yann Martel, George Orwell, Ana María Matute

 

24623 - ams - commemoration digests - Three Writers - Julia Kristeva, Anita Desai and Ernesto Sábato

 

ams - commemoration - The People's Poet - Anna Akhmatova

Anna Akhmatova begins Rekviem with these lines: “No, not under a foreign sky/ Nor in the shelter of a foreign wing,/ With my people, there stood I / With them, in their suffering.” Akhmatova spent 17 months waiting in long queues outside a jail in Leningrad to find out what had happened to her son, picked up during a purge. The lines above are based on that experience. Her son’s arrest may have led Akhmatova to write Rekviem, but by doing so she was also giving voice to countless mothers whose irreparable losses must be remembered forever. It is said that Akhmatova composed Rekviem, in her mind. The ideas are based on the thousands of people rounded up and sent to the Gulag, it survived only in the memory of a few close friends she narrated it to. It was first published in 1963 by the Society of Russian Émigré Writers. It never saw the light of day in the Soviet Union till it's dissolution. Anna Akhmatova is one of the best known and most loved Russian poets. In addition to poetry, she wrote prose including memoirs, autobiographical pieces, and literary scholarship on Russian writers such as Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin. She also translated Italian, French, Armenian, and Korean poetry.

 

22623 - ams - commemoration - Feel inspired by Octavia E Butler's life

Butler was raised by her mother who worked as a maid and her grandmother. Butler remembered accompanying her mother to work at wealthy homes in Pasadena and having to enter through the back door. Her mother, who only had three years of formal schooling, worked incredibly hard to make sure Butler had more opportunities and a better education than she had.  At school, she was a shy and  lonely student who struggled with dyslexia. The school library was her second home. She had an endless hunger for stories and frequently made up her own while sitting on her grandmother’s porch. By the age of ten she could be found carrying around a large notebook, writing down stories whenever she got a free moment. When she was 13 years, she submitted her first story for publication. She used to get up at two A.M. every morning to write and went on to do a series of odd jobs for livelihood. She once told PBS that her life motto was, “Do the thing that you love, and do it as well as you possibly can and be persistent about it.” Since 2008, Butler’s annotations, notes, research materials, and drafts of novels have been housed at the Huntington Library in California.  You may visit this link explore the world of Octavia Estelle Butler 

 

https://huntington.org/exhibition/octavia-e-butler-telling-my-stories

 

 

21623 - ams - Creativity and Anne Carson

Anne Carson is a lover of classical literature and her translations of classical writers such as Sappho and Euripides are popular. A high-school encounter with a Latin instructor, who agreed to teach her ancient Greek over the lunch hour, led to her passionate embrace of classical and Hellenic literature. Carson is a private person. She prefers to be alone. When her husband is traveling, Carson will call and tell him, “I miss you, but I’m having a great time.” Carson’s most popular book is the “Autobiography of Red,” which takes its cue from the legend of Hercules. The story is retold as a modern times and Carson makes some significant choices. In 2001, Carson published 'The Beauty of the Husband: A Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos' , a verse novel which was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize. Carson continues to be an important and exciting translator of classical writers. Carson considers herself as a visual, not a verbal, artist. It is interesting to note that a new comic-book version of Euripides’s classic 'The Trojan Women', is published which us collaboration between the visual artist Rosanna Bruno and Anne Carson. It is a genuine representation of how human beings are affected by warfare.

 

21623 - ams - Ian McEwan and Lessons

 'The Cockroach' by Ian McEwan borrows heavily from Kafka's 'Metamorphosis'. The opening lines of the novel is a testimony to this - “That morning, Jim Sams, clever but by no means profound, woke from uneasy dreams to find himself transformed into a gigantic creature.” Ian McEwan is also inspired by the satirical tradition of Jonathan Swift when he compares politicians to cockroaches. It is a 'toxic metaphor' used to describe the British politics during the Brexit-era. Ian McEwan has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize six times, winning it in 1998 for 'Amsterdam'. McEwan’s new novel, 'Lessons' was published on September 13, 2022. The story is told through the experiences of a single man, and it covers a lengthy human timeline from post-WWII to the pandemic. The book explores memories of love and scars of childhood trauma. The publisher Jonathan Cape describes 'Lessons' as "a powerful meditation on history and humanity through the prism of one man's lifetime". Ian McEwan denies that the book is autobiographical but says that he had 'raided bits of his own life'. He wrote it during the three lockdowns and the politics of the lockdown finds a place in the novel.

20623 – ams – commemoration – Vikram Seth’s Chinese Connections

Vikram Seth likes to do different things. He developed an interest in Mandarin which drew him closer to China. During that time, he read Chinese literature and explored the art of calligraphy. 'Three Chinese Poets' is a book of poetry translated into English from Chinese by Vikram Seth. The three poets in the title are, Wang Wei (699–761 AD), Li Bai (701–762 AD) and Du Fu (712–770 AD). They are regarded as the greatest literary figures not only of China, but also the world. Wang Wei with his quiet love of nature and Buddhist philosophy; Li Bai, the Taoist spirit, with his wild, flamboyant paeans to wine and the moon; and Du Fu, with his Confucian sense of sympathy with the suffering of others in a time of civil war and collapse. They all belonged to the T’ang dynasty. The originals were written in the Northern Chinese, a language that is lost today. In the introduction to the book, Seth talks about the collection of Chinese poetry translated by Ezra Pound labelled as 'Cathay' which was noted for its errors. "The famous translations of Ezra Pound, compounded as they are of ignorance of Chinese and valiant self-indulgence, have remained before me as a warning of what to shun". Vikram Seth also mentions how difficult the process of translation was. "I have tried not to compromise the meaning of the actual words of the poems, though I have often failed".

 

20623 - ams - commemoration - Lillian Hellman - The Socially Conscious Dramatist

 

Lillian Hellman was the first woman to be admitted to the club of American dramatists, writing a hit play when she was 29. She was a playwright, a screenwriter and a memoirist and a political activist. Her popularity is based on the two enormously successful plays from the 1930s: 'The Children's Hour' (1934) and 'The Little Foxes' (1939). 'The Children's Hour', was Hellman's first play. It is the story of two women running a school for girls whose lives are ruined by a malicious student spreading the lie that they are lovers. The play was banned in London, Chicago, and Boston. 'The Children's Hour' was considered too scandalous for the Pulitzer prize. It was an immense hit in Paris and New York running on Broadway for almost two years. Like many writers of her generation, Hellman was an outspoken leftist in the 1930s whose political convictions often landed her in trouble. Towards the end of the career, she began writing the four volumes of legendarily unreliable memoirs, 'An Unfinished Woman', 'Pentimento', 'Scoundrel Time' and 'Maybe'. All four were critical and commercial successes, 'An Unfinished Woman' winning the National Book award in 1969. Hellman's plays are still frequently staged around the world.

Smriti - the weekly e- newsletter from ams - Issue 5

19623 - ams - commemoration # 2

 

 

"This Boy's Life" explores Wolff's experiences growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily focusing on his time with his mother and his relationship with a volatile and abusive stepfather. The memoir offers a candid and introspective account of Wolff's troubled childhood and adolescence. The memoir has resonated with readers around the world, earning critical acclaim and establishing Wolff as a masterful memoirist. Tobias Wolff also wrote other works that incorporate autobiographical elements, blurring the line between fiction and memoir. For instance, his short story collections, such as "In the Garden of the North American Martyrs" and "The Night in Question," draw from his personal experiences and offer glimpses into the author's own life. 

19623 - ams - commemoration # 1 - The World of Salman Rushdie

 

Just nine days after the publication of his novel 'Satanic Verses', a fatwa was issued against Salman Rushdie. The Japanese translator of the work, Hitoshi Igarashi, was stabbed to death in 1991. Italian translator Ettore Capriolo and Norwegian publisher William Nygard were also targeted, surviving the attacks with severe injuries. Rushdie's father was a successful business man and the family could afford to send their son to a British boarding school at the age of 14. In 1964, Rushdie became a British citizen and took up English as his preferred language to write in. He studied history at King’s College in Cambridge and took courses in theatre before graduating in 1968. He has written 12 novels and many collection of essays and non-fiction. His second book, 'Midnight’s Children' won him a Man Booker Prize and became a bestseller in the US. Rushdie, in 2021 said that he will set his next novel in India. He is planning to return to India after many years. The author last came to India for the promotion of Deepa Mehta's 2013 film "Midnight's Children". Rushdie has worked with artist Ai Weiwei and writers Margaret Atwood and Isabel Allende on a worldwide campaign by the PEN International writers association to support writers in exile. In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II knighted the award-winning author and freedom of expression warrior. Recently, Rushdie was honoured on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Order of the Companions for his services in the field of literature. 

17623 - ams - commemoration - Sara Lidman - The True Voice of Swedish Literature

Sara Lidman as a child suffered from tuberculosis and spent some time in a sanatorium, where she read a lot and listened to the radio. She had worked working as a waitress and post office worker and as a theatre trainee in Stockholm. Her marriage and the publication of her first novel (The Tar Still) happened almost at the same time. In 1960-61, she spent some time in South Africa, where she got to know Nadine Gordimer. She was involved in politics during her stay in South Africa and was imprisoned. She was released on the condition that she will never return to South Africa. She took up other causes such as opposition to the Vietnam War and opposition to nuclear weapons. She wrote some twenty novels, often about her home region, as well as articles and plays. Lidman was interested in reporting social conditions rather than writing fiction. She was one of the first Swedes in the 1960s to promote solidarity with South Africa, for example with 'Jag och min son' (N), 1961, and with Vietnam in her travel book 'Samtal i Hanoi', 1966. Her works have been translated into several languages, and she was the recipient of several literary awards. Her last book was “The Root of Life” in 1996.

17623 - ams - commemorations - The life and times of Dorothy M Richardson

 

Almost a hundred a years ago, a publishing company brought out a little book about a student teacher in Germany. The name of the book was 'Pointed Roofs' and the author's name was Dorothy M Richardson. The story was narrated through the consciousness of the heroine. This new style made the readers perplexed. Critics found it difficult to convey the charm of the book. It was the first book to be labelled stream of consciousness, even though Richardson hated that phrase. But the stream of consciousness became a literary genre which was later found in the novels of Virginia Woolf especially Mrs Dalloway. Today, four authors are interlinked because of this literary genre - James Joyce, Woolf, Marcel Proust, and Dorothy M. Richardson. 'Pointed Roofs' was the first of a series called Pilgrimage, a gigantic 13- volume semi-autobiographical narrative. Her novels can also be treated as a slice of history. She always portrayed the struggles and the joys of a lonely female worker in London. H.G Wells was her friend, and it is presumed that they had an affair. Today we can witness a blue plaque at Woburn Walk in Bloomsbury, where she lived, opposite Yeats, in 1905 and 1906. She has mentioned that across the alley from her flat, she could see W. B. Yeats writing by the light of "two immensely tall, thick white candles." She died on June 17, 1957, alone, greatly forgotten and in poverty.

Our World Daily Digest 16-6-23

 

15623 - ams - commemoration # 1 - Issa and the Healing Power of Art

 

Kobayashi Issa reminds us that the realm of sympathy and concern is limitless. He is a Japanese haiku poet from the late 1700s. 'Issa' in Japanese means 'Cup-of-Tea’. He is regarded as one of the four haiku masters in Japan, along with Bashōō, Busonand Shiki — "the Great Four. His catalogue of poems is vast – some 20,000 haikus. Issa wrote 54 haiku on the snail, 15 on the toad, nearly 200 on frogs, about 230 on the firefly, more than 150 on the mosquito, 90 on flies, over 100 on fleas and nearly90 on the cicada, making a total of about one thousand verses on such creatures. Issa was a lay priest in the True Pure Land Buddhism school. Issa’s mother died when he was young. He was perpetually impoverished and sick, occasionally homeless. He was a widower and the father of three children who perished in infancy. Issa lost his house and was forced to live in a windowless storehouse. This building was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1933. Just before his death, his disciples asked him to give them a last verse, he opened his eyes and murmured 'A bath when you're born, a bath when you die, how stupid.

Our World Daily Digest 15-6-23

 

14623 - ams - commemoration # 2 - Borges remembered in in Buenos Aires

 

There is a Borges Cultural Centre (CCB) in Buenos Aires. Bearing the name of Argentina’s most famous writer it reopened its doors this March 2022 after a two-year pandemic closure. One of the objectives of the centre is to bring Borges’s work closer to readers who have not yet found the entry point. "Funes the Memorious" is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges and it is the tale of one Ireneo Funes, who, after falling off his horse and receiving a bad head injury, acquired the amazing talent—or curse— of remembering absolutely everything. Jorge Luis Borges has received universal acclaim for the depth with which he approached matters of philosophic and scientific import in his writings. His writings explores themes like eternity, pain, time, and metafiction. Jorge Luis Borges received the Miguel de Cervantes Award for his global work in 1980, the most important literary award in the Spanish language. Borges's mother translated William Saroyan, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Virginia Woolf, and Herman Melville into Spanish. Borges had an aversion to politics which is one of the reasons why he was not awarded the Nobel Prize of Literature.