REFRESHMENT

Growing a garden is liken to growing friendship. 
The nurturing process requires an immense amount of dedication, commitment, discipline, perseverance and enthusiasm. 
And even that, not all plants will blossom! Some inevitably get choked by weeds while others are starved for want of nutrition. A gardener can only do so much.

Loyal friends are certainly more precious than plants and need extra investment in time, effort and energy to sustain and thrive. Throw in respect, trust, admiration, affirmation and watch the friendship bloom. 
Never take important relationships for granted.

Bid adieu to shoddy friends and acquaintances who dropped off along the way. Save your time and effort for the ones who 'tarry'. You know them, there aren't many. The ones who are always present when your need is greatest. Critical. They who are last to leave.
Be refreshed in their good company, be wrapped in their warm embrace, be blessed by their love.

Go walk the garden and be intoxicated by the aromatic sweetness of the flowers in full bloom ...

KISS OR KICK ...

Loving someone could be the easiest or the hardest thing to do.
And it's because you don't know how the other person - the object of your desire - would react.
Would you get a kiss or a kick for your advances? 
Would you be damned for trying or triumph for daring? 

In the game of love, the chase is always more exciting and pleasurable than the catch.  The racing pulse, heightened heartbeat and adrenaline rush could well be the elixir of youth.  Who can explain love?  Wise men don't even try!

What's Love Got To Do With It? Everything!

As we stand on the threshold of the New Year, here's wishing you blessings of joy, peace and love in overflowing abundance.  Good health and prosperity too in 2014!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Cheers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

Today is as good a day as any to be giving, thoughtful and kind. 
It's a joy and privilege to spread goodwill in true Christmas spirit. 
What a wonderful feeling to love and be loved especially during this festive season. 

Giving thanks with a grateful heart.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014.

PACKAGING

Love was there all along. 
Just that we didn't recognize it because of the packaging. 
It was neither what we had imagined nor expected ...

PEACE AND JOY

Joy has to be pursued.  It doesn't come naturally.
Peace cannot be purchased.  It has to be grown.
Joy and Peace are naturally paired together.
When you have one, you'll have the other...

INERTIA

The first step is usually the hardest. 
Following that it gets a lot easier.


The challenge is to get started, then stay with it, get serious about it and finally see it through to fruition. 
However, we prefer to play safe, don't much like risk taking and hesitate to attempt anything new until we're sure of the results.
Well, sometimes we end up waiting forever and nothing gets done. 
Worse still, we get suck into the system and stuck in the rut!

Once we get a move on, momentum kicks in, things begin to look up and kind of just fall in place.
And soon the initial inertia is forgotten and we begin to wonder why we took so long to make the change 

Plant a seed. That's a good start...

MILESTONES

A wise person would turn misery and misfortune into milestones. 
Of what use is a pity party. Bad breaks, raw deals, and missed opportunities are part of life. 
Detour, deceit and deviation are to be expected and these are not always pleasant.
No one deliberately looks for pain or trouble but they come, sometimes in alarming frequency!

When a person is down, mostly he/she needs a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, a hearty meal, a nourishing word of encouragement, a good laugh and a gentle push to put him/her back on track again.
In this tiny act of kindness both the giver and recipient of grace benefit from the joy imparted; something that will be remembered long after the recovery process is completed.
And that makes it so worthwhile...

PERSONAL MISSION - NOT IMPOSSIBLE

It's useful to have a Personal Mission Statement (PMS) as a guide to set priorities and commit to meaningful activities that would add value to our lives.  It's not impossible!

My PMS: 
I purpose to Live Each Day As If It Were My Last. 
Seek That Which Nourishes The Soul Rather Than Appease The Flesh.

I translate that to mean: 

++ Be a mood setter
++ Give generously
++ Return stinginess with kindness
++ Accept challenges with courage
++ Serve without expecting any repayment
++ Be gentle as a dove
++ Be shrewd/streetwise as a serpent
++ Love unreservedly

Admitting that I'm still Work In Progress, often I don't measure up to my own expectation ...but constantly trying.

STORMS - WAIT IT OUT

Pity, things can never be the way they were! 
Even if the wounds heal, the scars would show.

The storms of life assail, causing damage, leaving a disastrous trail of dispute, disappointment and disillusionment. 
The hurt, agony and devastation are felt right to the core and leave one stunned and frozen. Incapacitated.

Every day we are being harassed, battered and assaulted in the inner man, suffering and succumbing to mental anguish. 
This stunt our growth and development to maturity and never realizing our potential.
Sad that we spend a lot of precious time nursing our wounds. A wounded pride mostly. 
Such a wasted life.

So, we can either sulk, punch the air and blame the world for storms in life ... storms of injustice, sickness, lack, loss and separation OR we can look those challenges in the eye, take them on with calm, serenity. patience and a smile knowing that they, too, like everything else, will pass.

REMINISCENCE...

You don't really want to give it up. 
Not when it was the best thing that has happened to you.
But that was so long ago. 
Still, you loathe to just throw it away. But you should. Blame it on misunderstanding, miscommunication and misgivings. 
It was a mistake to have given your heart. 

Drop it. Let it go. Good sense scream. Move on. Move away. Start afresh. 
Bury your heart.
And you have until someone talks about him at a party...or when you hear a familiar song played over the radio...or you stumble on an old photograph of a happy time together.
Reminiscence of oneness

Something stirs.  Emotions cleverly hidden are aroused.  The aching and longing returns.
You venture. How about giving that friendship another go?
Think it might work out better this time round? 
You won't know until you try.
Give it your best shot.

The heart searches for intimacy and shudders at indifference...

KEY TO HAPPINESS

Everyday can be fulfilling when we remember to live with divine purpose; love from the heart; laugh often and yes, leap for joy when we feel like it. Do a double somersault if we can! 

Some people may think we're nuts but we don't mind. 

It's hard to contain happiness. 

But why is it we don't feel that way all the time? Why is happiness so elusive? It seems there is always something; someone, some thought, some incident, some memory that is intent on robbing and killing our peace and happiness. 

Could it be we have forgotten that we hold the key to the door of our happiness? Could guilt, condemnation and unworthiness be stopping us? Could it be we are afraid? 

Happiness, like the air we breathe, is free. Receive it ... breathe and be joyous.

FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

The choice is yours.  
To believe or to doubt.
To stagnate or to grow.
To bury your head in the sand or to rise up and make a difference.  
To reach out or to hold back.
To stand for what you believe or to sway with every wind of doctrine.
To live as you were meant to with purpose and meaning or 
to die without knowing for what ...

There's a price though. This freedom.
And it's entirely up to you. Really.

PEACE & JOY

Peace cannot be purchased.  It has to be grown.
Joy is elusive.  It has to be tirelessly pursued.  

Peace and Joy are a natural pair.
When you have one, you'll have the other ...

HANG ON

Even when you don't feel like it, just hang in there. 
Life is a series of challenges, sometimes sweet, at other times, bitter. 

And if you hit bottom, cry a little, whine some, dust off and be hopeful; there is only one way - Up! 

If dirt is thrown at you, do what the donkey (which fell into the pit) did - use the dirt to make its ascend! 
Turn adversity into opportunity.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Caution: Person Under Construction, Work In Progress!

She doesn't always play by the rules, she tries.

Like everyone else she struggles with rights and wrongs.

She takes responsibility, not always easy.

She knows her strength and weakness and how far she can bend without breaking, mostly. 

But there are times when circumstances defy reason and she forgets herself...

She's not perfect but working at it.  

To err is human, 

To owe up, courage, 
To make amends, restoration, 
To forgive oneself, divine
To love, eternal ....

Beware: Person Fully Alive, Construction Nearing Completion!

ONE FULL CIRCLE

Once upon a time in our youth we were fearless - inquisitive, innocent, trusting, adventurous and naive.

Danger was never in our vocabulary.

Then we grew up and became suspicious, selfish, exacting and a pain!  

A natural course in a natural world.

We forgot what it was like to be uninhibited, genuine, daring and spontaneous.  Instead of being childlike, we became childish.

We got caught up with 'chasing after the wind', building a false sense of security around us.

Sand castles on the beach.

Amidst a lifetime of heartbreaks, headaches and hard knocks, we matured, mellowed and made changes.

The things that once consumed us don't anymore.

We learned to live with less, shed much of our naivete and made peace.

Embraced a new daring, renewed our faith, hope and confidence in readiness for the inevitable - secured and unafraid.

Age has a way of speaking to the heart.

Yes, to come full circle in life is an achievement - a declaration - worthy of applause...

CHILDLIKE FAITH

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."  
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, 
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles's.  
(Psalms 103:2-5)

COME ALIVE

It has happened all too often. 
Dreams die; plans aborted; aspirations short-lived and wishes never come true.
The spirit defeated; the inner man starved.

Fear reigns, lives ruin ... how sad.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Be of good cheer.  Take courage.  Step out in boldness.

Destiny is in your hand. 

Rise above the circumstances.

You can, you must, you will come alive ... how glorious.

LONELY HEART

Oh, to have the kind of stubborn love that refuse to leave even when shown the door.  

Often it's difficult to read a person's thoughts.  
He may say something and mean something else.  A harsh word spoken on impulse should not invite instant condemnation.  
After all, humans are controlled by emotions, environment and endless senseless jitters.

Things are not what they seem. 
A lonely person who outwardly rejects love, tenderness and kindness may in fact be yearning for the same. 

But for some reason cannot bring himself to admit it.

Be slow to pass judgement.  Avoid hasty conclusions.  Sometimes we need to read between the lines.  May I also suggest that we don't jump to conclusions.  
Seek to empathize and understand where he's coming from. 
Alone-ness does things to a person.  
Build bridges rather than erect walls.  
Look into the heart for therein dwells his real person - his wants, needs and desires.

His 'Go' may well be a plea to stay ...

DUTY NOT DELIGHT

Mostly, we go through the motion of living, doing things that are expected of us; fulfilling the different roles that are hurled our way. 

Merely acting out a part and playing along without engaging the heart. 

Out of Duty and not delight.

We have become very good at this through discipline and practice. 

People hardly notice anything amiss. 

In time we begin to search ... more earnestly ... what do we really desire out of life?

I enjoy my solitude, moments of quiet when I can be Me. 

Not afraid to entertain intimate thoughts, to agonize over dreams and hopes unfulfilled and wishing deep down from the heart. Re-living the magic of yester years.  

To bare the soul. To not be afraid.  To remember ...

To bask in joy, peace and contentment of loving and being loved. 

And yes, to know that God really cares.   That I matter to Him.

He is concerned for the well being of my heart.  My happiness is paramount to Him.

How amazing is His love and how wonderful His Plan for my life.

Is there anything more exciting, gratifying and rewarding than to live in His Purpose and Perfect will...

(John 10:10)

INCESSANT NAGGING

When we follow a persistent pattern of revisiting a certain time, place and person, there could be an underlying message. 

When memories evoke a sense of confusion, condemnation and corruption, quiet contemplation is insufficient. 

We need healing down deep.

Mostly we would rather sweep all unpleasantness in our lives under the carpet of indifference, ignorance and denial, pretend everything is okay and just move on. 

And if not for the incessant nagging in our inner man, we can.

Doctors would not think to use a flimsy bandage or plaster for a deep cut.

These are good on the surface but doesn't address the hurt which is much deeper.

Opening up an old wound is very uncomfortable and painful even just as in going back to an old dark episode in our lives but do it we must, if we are to experience complete healing and total restoration. 

At some point, we gave parts of our heart away, it's time to claim them back. 

It has been said that "God's glory is Man fully alive."

How can we be fully alive when we are at best only half hearted about coming alive ....

GUARD YOUR HEART ...

The heart of the matter is really about the heart.

It's the heart that hungers, hides, hurts and hates. 
Every intense emotion begins with the heart, from the heart.
Our desires, thoughts, actions; glory, shame is dictated by it. 

Every day we engage in fierce battles, against elements that are intent to 'kill, steal and destroy' the peace and joy that is ours.  We wrestle not with the seen but the unseen; not with the obvious but the subtle.

Brace yourself, be fully equipped, prepared and above all, guard the heart.
It controls your entire well being ...

MY TURN ...

Bliss is when you don't have to get up early in the morning, brave the traffic and rush to office.
Contentment is sleeping in and having breakfast in bed.
Happiness is tea with mum and outings with buddies.
Ecstasy is doing what you like, when you like and with whom you like.

Work is pottering in the garden and smelling the flowers.

It's my turn.... free at last ...

IF NOT NOW, WHEN

Discovering hidden talents never before put to use. 

Developing new interests.  

Giving up the old and embracing the new.

Dreaming bigger dreams.  

Building stronger character.

Getting closer to my goals.  

Finding pleasure in simple activities. 

Making each day count. 

Adding to the big picture.  

Seeing hope, applying faith, feeling joy and falling in love.  

Life is meaningful and rich with purpose.  

So blessed.  

A new beginning and am enjoying every moment of it.  

Been waiting a long time.  It's my turn...

HERE I AM, USE ME...

More than twenty (20) months had gone by and I'm still around and kicking!

(Sorry, if some of you are disappointed!!)

Sometimes I wonder why I've been spared but I don't ponder long over something that only God knows.

Am just grateful for another day and opportunity to speak of His great love, grace and mercy... 

As brain surgeries go, mine was certainly not the scariest or riskiest. 

Still the surgeon had explained that any procedure that requires 4-5 hours of intense pinching, prying and probing has some reason for concern.  Just a wee bit.  Nothing to lose sleep over!

The neurologist was a cheerful, kind and burly fellow; barrel chest with a boisterous laugh.  He was big in confidence as well; I liked that.

With a wicked wink and playful punch on my shoulder, he had jokingly advised me to put my estate and other pertinent matters in order.  Standard practice.

No hassle there, since I have little worldly possessions to bequeath!

When the time came I was all prepared.  Fearless really, even to the point that other doctors who attended to me were alarmed.  Come to think of it, I was cheerful, chirpy and confident.  Some said this was abnormal.  I should at least be showing some anxiety.  Sorry, but I couldn't fake even that!
Perhaps it was in defiance over the disease that made me put up this brave front, I don't know.  Or maybe an important sensitive nerve in the brain had gotten confused and'short-circuited' leading to such unnatural behavior?!?!?  Whatever the reason, I took the sudden calamity in my physical well being in stride and surprised even myself.  I refused to fall apart!
(Sorry again, if some of you are doubly disappointed!!  Seriously though if that is how you feel, we really must talk!!!!

In the OT, staring into the blinding bright lights above me, I whispered my final prayer just moments before falling into deep sleep: "Lord, thank you for the good life. Can't complain. Need your strength more than ever before.  Please guide the surgeons, watch over the nurses. Know they are very competent and will look after me. But I also know that things can go wrong in the best circumstances. So, God, if something should go wrong, it's okay...really. I'm not afraid to die."

I awoke but not at the entrance of the Pearly Gates!  
It seemed my time was not yet up.

Meeting Moses will have to wait.

There's unfinished work for me this side of heaven...  

God knows best: "Here I am, use me."