Refugees in U.S. Have Contributed Nearly $124B to U.S. Government Budget, New HHS Study Reveals | The Administration for Children and Families

The study’s revelations are significant, illustrating a positive net fiscal impact of refugees on the U.S. economy over a 15-year span. Collectively, these groups have contributed a staggering $123.8 billion more than they have cost in governmental expenditures, showcasing their economic benefit. This figure is split between a $31.5 billion net benefit to the federal government and an approximate $92.3 billion boon to state and local governments. When looking at individual contributions made by refugees, they align closely with the income of the total U.S. population.  Overall, the U.S. government at both federal and state levels received a significant income from refugee contributions. Here’s how the details break down…

Source: Refugees in U.S. Have Contributed Nearly $124B to U.S. Government Budget, New HHS Study Reveals | The Administration for Children and Families

Sprinkled with Seeds, Rooted in Love | From Behind the Pen

Image Credit: RosZie/Pixabay

When I glanced at the thoughts I posted this week, I found my posts were ironically surrounded by the theme of “love.” The irony in this theme was that Valentine’s Day fell in the middle of the week, but this week’s posts weren’t planned or designed to fit into the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

I watch commercials advertising dating apps and ideas for the perfect Valentine’s gift, portraying a perfection in matchmaking to find true love that may be based on something that might resemble love but really isn’t.  All too often I know these gifts and dinners are overpriced and I would appreciate them better when I least expect a gift of caring. Perhaps it’s the idea of the passion we think love brings. Or is that notion based on a fantasy sprinkled with “lust dust?”

There is something about how love shoots like lasers and penetrates the hearts and souls of individuals, couples, and groups of people fighting to keep love alive without being suffocated by the fakery of superficial love. I see evidence of love being smothered by the devastation of carelessness, senselessness, bitterness, envy, and hatred. But at the same time, I see love rooted in groundedness, resilience, and growing majestically in fertilized fields of enduring strength.

It’s hard to give something if you don’t possess it. Even when we look inward to ignite self-love, we must remember that this is not the same as narcissism, but it is a sprout growing into trees nurtured from seeds of love planted in rich soil. Sprinkle seeds of love wherever you go today. Love, true love is sincere and deep. Say it and show it like you mean it.

Source: Sprinkled with Seeds, Rooted in Love | From Behind the Pen

मेरी कलम / My Pen – Kaushal Kishore

 

ठान लिया था मैं ने

अब और नहीं लिखूंगा

तुम्हारे बारे में… 

लेकिन जैसे ही भटकना 

शुरू करते हो तुम मेरे मन में, 

मेरी कलम विद्रोह कर बैठती है मुझसे…

🖋️ 🖊️ 🖋️ 🖊️ 🖋️ 🖊️ 🖋️ 🖊️ 🖋️

I had resolved 

not to write anymore 

about you, 

yet when thoughts of you 

invade my mind, 

my pen rebels against me…

*

–Kaushal Kishore 

Source: मेरी कलम / My Pen – Kaushal Kishore