ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE ...

If only to testify that all things are possible for those who believe and continue to hope. 

Never mind that some people might ridicule, steal and kill your dream; rob you of your joy.
It's their prerogative.  You can't stop them. 
But what you can do to thwart and frustrate their plans is to never give up, hang on and refuse to let hope die. 

Rest and wait for the right timing.  
Meanwhile prepare yourself, work hard and smart; enhance and sharpen your skills, get connected with the right people; help as many individuals/groups to achieve their goals.  They in turn will help you achieve yours.
Be available, have empathy and LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN!
And the most important of all, I feel, is to commit "your ways to God". (Psalms)
He alone will give you divine wisdom, understanding, discernment and ability that are required to see to fruition all your undertakings.  
And the good thing is HE adds no trouble to your success.  
Can't say the same for the individual who made it by 'self effort though!'  I applaud the achievements of self-made men and women but at the same time do feel sorry for the great sacrifices - health, family, relationships, morals, etc - they have had to make in the process of gaining fortune, power and praise.
But this is the way of the world and we are very much a part of this belief system and world order.

In contrast if one listens hard enough, one will likely hear HIM.
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
In your heart, you will know His Voice.

Time to rebuild, to restore. 
Arise to a new beginning.

Hands on ... having fun ... seeing our new venture taking shape...looking good...

DISTURBING...SHOCKING

Soul searching may reveal certain things that are disturbing and even shocking. Things you loathe about yourself.  Things you never want others to know.

One may not always agree with oneself but that is not to say that one should love oneself any less because of these discoveries.  

Be comfortable in your own skin.  Come to terms with your imperfections and learn not to be too hard on yourself.

Cut the hypocrisy.  Who are you trying to impress or kid anyway?
No one cares, not really.  
You don't need to try so hard to be someone you're not.  No one is going to notice.  
People are too wrapped up in themselves, their own troubles and idiosyncrasies to bother about yours!

Removing another layer; confrontation and acceptance are positive steps towards self actualization; discovering who you really are and what you want out of life.
Keep it simple.

MY HEART WILL GO ON ...

Every night in my dreams 

I see you, I feel you, 

That is how I know you, go on 

Far across the distance 

And spaces between us 

You have come to show you, go on 

Near, far, wherever you are 

I believe that the heart does go on 

Once more you open the door 

And you're here in my heart 

And my heart will go on and on 

Love can touch us one time 

And last for a lifetime 

And never let go 'til we're gone 

Love was when I loved you 

One true time I hold to 

In my life we'll always go on 

Near, far, wherever you are 

I believe that the heart does go on 

Once more you open the door 

And you're here in my heart 

And my heart will go on and on 

You're here, there's nothing I fear, 

And I know that my heart will go on 

We'll stay forever this way 

You are safe in my heart 

And my heart will go on and on

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Teaching children is just as challenging and enriching (and sometimes frustrating) as in teaching grown-ups. 
Terminologies differ when we work with adults - coaching, mentoring, building, training - but it's still about helping people change the way they think, feel and behave. 
Helping men and women to develop their potentials; stretch their resilience, explore and harness their inner strength to achieve self actualization.

With children it's nurturing, caring, guiding, protecting and loving.

(see photo) 
Kids - teenagers -  from the Myanmar Refugee Learning Centre where I am a volunteer teacher in collaboration with UNICEF/UNCHR.  I've been with them for almost a year and have really grown accustomed to my 'brood' in total of about 45!

I love my time with the kids.  They are such a joy to work with, so talented, spontaneous, entertaining and a few really cheeky!
These kids between the ages of 12 - 14 years come to the Centre daily for food, recreation and learning.  Some are orphans and stay at the Centre full time.

All of them await relocation to developed countries and it is their desire to go to America, Europe and Australia.  Meanwhile they get an education and learn to read and write English.  They are also schooled in other subjects such as Maths, Science, Geography, Arts and others.
Most are hungry for knowledge, very receptive and responsive.
Of course there are some playful ones who are not much into classroom learning but these too have their uniqueness.

Learning is a life long process.
I am glad for the opportunity to be an influence in these young lives.  I may not have the privilege to watch them grow into adulthood but hope that in the short time we have together, I will be able to instill at least one significant strong desire in their hearts to DREAM AND DREAM BIG.
For now, I would consistently fill their young minds with inspiration, love, hope and faith to never give up on themselves or their dreams, no matter what the future holds ...

They are teaching me a few things as well.

TWIST OF FATE

It's not easy to let go.   
But we must when the cruel twist of fate strikes assisted by human hands!
We make excuses and give explanations for temporary relief, to pacify ourselves and give false hope and false sense of security.
Buy time to postpone the inevitable.

How can we demand what was never ours in the first place?

Expectations unfulfilled need not lead to disappointments once we understand that we are merely stewards.  Nothing really belongs to us.  Not people, not property, not power.
  
Emotions aroused are powerful and feelings equally strong. 
Humans are creatures driven by instincts seeking instant gratification; dreamers swept by fertile imagination. 
Time to wake up to reality.

Like a dog going back to its vomit we too re-visit the past which are not always pleasant.  Sometimes repulsive even and yet we choose to go back.

Perhaps there really is pleasure in pain and so we continue to wallow in self-inflicted agony.
We hang on to the remnants of broken promises for all the wrong reasons.  
Depriving and robbing  ourselves of progress as people, setting limitations and missing out on some of life's greatest adventure.  
We remain in bondage to emotional shackles that stunt our growth and kill our spirit.

Do yourself a favor.
Break free to move on so healing can begin.

When a dream dies dream another. 
Never stop dreaming.  When you do, you'll die...