BE WARNED

Recent local news - Cyber crime has increased by an alarming reported eight thousand cases in the last one year.  And this is after repeated warnings issued by the relevant authorities reminding people to be wary of scams, frauds, thefts etc.
unquote.

Don't know which is worse - robbed by strangers or by friends?
OUCH!

A SPARK

It only takes a spark to get the fire going.
Love happens at the most unexpected time under the least likely circumstances.
Seize the moment...

HAPPY

She's happy as a lark ...

EVOLUTION

A long time ago I started out into the world, a gauche and gawky teenager quite lost, forlorn and lonely.

You took me under your wing and taught me precious lessons in integrity, fairness, sensitivity, resilience; to be strong, steady and always to stand for my beliefs.  These shaped my character as an impressionable young adult.

I like best your sense of humor - the ability and spontaneity to laugh at yourself.  Your hilarity is contagious and that inherited trait from you has seen me through many, many, disastrous situations and I have laughed away a lot of my challenges.

I've tried to live my life based on those invaluable principles you taught me as best I could.  Sometimes I excel but at other times, I fail miserably. 

You said never to dwell in the past or let it overtake my present or haunt the future.

Get up, dust off and move on.

Through all the blunders, blisters and boos boos, I blossomed.

I love how you fuss over me.  You are my protector and my provider. All the dramas that have taken place in my life have taken their toll but never once did you leave me to face them alone.

Neither did you judge, condemn or criticize me. You are Divinity.  I see a loving God in your eyes, in your gentle smile, in your generous spirit. God is evident in your words and deeds.  Through spiritual understanding, I now see that the hand you offered to wipe my tears and the shoulder you volunteered for my comfort were those of a loving God.  The warm embrace that drew me close to your heart were the extended arms of  divine love; amazing grace calling out, truly, how sweet the sound.

REGRET

If you can make someone, just one someone happy, risk it! 
Don't count the cost. There's no debt like regret. 
Your action may well make him or break him.

POPULARITY CONTEST

Everyone loves a cheerful giver! 

One who is always with a ready smile, helping hand, listening ear and generous spirit. People gravitate toward kindness, tolerance, compassion and understanding. 

We meet people from all walks of life daily and have the amazing opportunity to use our influence positively and share our resources willingly. 

You might not care to run in a popularity contest but in some ways you will surely stand out. 

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

RIP

If you knew what they have done to the people and things you loved, you'd turn in your grave!

Or would you...?

FATAL

It takes unusual courage and a spark of madness to keep going especially when the scales are tipped to your disfavor. 
Weigh the consequences. 
Quitting is an option and perhaps a reasonable one. Going the way could mean fatal defeat or... sweet triumph. 

Giving up is self-disqualification. 
Moving ahead is thinking in motion. Belief in oneself is a prerequisite to victory's march. 

It's never an easy choice to make.

BE ENCHANTED WITH LIFE

Freedom from an imprisoned mind and caged spirit is achievable with changed thoughts and a renewed heart. 
Tomorrow comes with new opportunities and fresh beginnings. Bask in the light and radiate its brilliance.
Find your niche. Keep at it. 
Attempt the impossible. Stretch your faith.
Drink in the beauty around you and immerse in the wonder of creation.
Seek the Creator.
Be enchanted with life ...

WALK AWAY

by Matt Monro

Walk away, please go
Before you throw your life away
A life that I could share for just a day
We should have met some years ago
For your sake I say
Walk away, just go

Walk away, and live
A life that's full
With no regret
Don't look back at me
Just try to forget
Why build a dream that cannot come true
So be strong, reach the stars now
Walk away, walk on

If I heard your voice
I'd beg you to stay
So don't say a word
Just run, run away

Goodbye my love
My tears will fall
Now that you've gone
I can't help but cry
But I must go on
I'm sad that I have been searching so long
You, I love you but told you
Walk away, walk on, walk on

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE ...

Love unlocks the heart caged in misery

Love frees the tormented mind

Love undo hurts and restores

Love overlooks flaws and put matters right

Love unleashes the power, potential and passion to start over again

Love makes a man a king

With love all things are possible.

PROFITABLE BUSINESS

It takes years to build a profitable business. 

Success doesn't just come by itself over night. 

People made sacrifices, toiled long and hard to make it happen. To sustain the growth of an organization requires more than wishful thinking, good intentions and foolish sentiments. 

There has to be strong leadership, wise management, competent managers and reliable staff to pull it off. 

Otherwise it's only a matter of time before the company folds up and such a pity and injustice that would be to the people who gave their all to build the company in the first place.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN

With moral sensitivity and conscientious thinking, it becomes easier to say what we mean and mean what we say. 
The propensity to exaggerate and make excuses will only worsen an already soured relationship.
 
Don't have people pore between the lines and draw wrong conclusions. 
Never assume.
Let our Yes be Yes and No be No. Keep it simple.

Disputes, arguments and conflicts can be minimized when we take responsibility and accountability for our words.

ROLE MODEL

Everyone has different talents suitably bestowed on him/her for a unique purpose.

You may have the gift of teaching, public speaking, creating, acting, dancing, singing, writing, baking, cooking, organizing, building and a host of others. 

Everyone has at least one great talent that stands above the rest and when in use would be life changing. 

Gifts are not only for our pleasure but greater good of the community, to enhance our influence and impact the corner of the world where we are as parents, children, employers, professionals, care-givers, service providers etc.

You might not have signed up as a role model but you are one already...

ON HINDSIGHT

People may reject us because they consider us less than (their brand of) perfect and do not fit into their rigid mould. 

Although saddened by their rude dismissal, we can only grimace but can do little to reverse their thinking and action.

After all it is their prerogative to behave in that manner.

On hindsight, it can't be all bad. 

Imagine how it must feel to have your hands and feet tied, eyes blind folded and mouth gagged when you're around such people ... tragic! 

So instead of being frustrated and even angry, lets be glad for the 'rejection and dismissal'. 

We are finally free to be ourselves.

IN LIMBO

Words are powerful. 
They cause us to fall in love in an instant and transport us to a state of euphoria.
In reverse, they kill relationships just as quickly and leave us in limbo. 

Words carelessly uttered may cause irreparable damage that lasts a lifetime. 
In contrast when graciously delivered, words can lift our spirits so high we forget ourselves ...

CYCLE OF LIFE

When wrong relationships are removed from your life, right relationships will surface.
Often times the old, the obsolete, has to make way for the new.  That's just a natural cycle of life.

Rather than resist change, embrace it...

SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE

An excellent spirit cannot be forged or bought. Neither can it be forced. 
An attitude of excellence can be adopted as a way of life. 
When harnessed and nurtured at an early age, the desire to do the best, give the best and be the best can become the driving force to excellent living. 

You alone set the standard.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

(4th April 1928 - 28th May 2014)

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? 
Why are you beset with gloom? 
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? 
Bowed head and lowered eyes? 
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you? 
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? 
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs? 

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

BE GRACIOUS

Why debate over a glass that could be viewed as either half empty or half full!

Both observations are correct anyway.  Depends on the mood that one is in!

A quarrelsome spirit only widens the rift between friends.

Did he not go out of his way to be generous, helpful, accommodating and hospitable?

Even had his hair cut so he would look more presentable.   That certainly took a lot of effort especially for a man such as he, who doesn't care very much for appearances.  But he was intent on making a good impression.  And so the unruly locks had to go!

Despite the careful preparations and planning, their time together was a disappointment.  Although things didn't quite turn out the way they had planned, it could have been much worse. 

Still, for his efforts, the man should be appreciated and applauded.

Every act of kindness, whether big or small, should be received in the same gracious manner in which it was delivered.

I WIN

Love lifted me when nothing else could help.  

When I was caved in, enshrouded in misery, and wallowing in self pity, it was love that intervened.  Love that knocked furiously, and at other times gently at the door of my heart and rocked the sanctuary of my mind.
"To be right or to be kind?"  
"To win the battle and lose the war?" 
"To live in the past or build a better future?"
"To cut loss and retreat or insist on return?"
"To spare or take them on?"
"An eye for an eye or be gracious and merciful?"

Love says to let go.  
Free your spirit.  
Free his spirit. Free their spirit.  
Let him go.  Let them go.  
The score is settled.  For you at least.  You've seen the light.  The destroyer - the joy stealer - brings only division,  darkness and devastation.  Move to a higher level.  That way, the view is better to see the big picture.  In willing submission put down your defenses.  
Let them have their way... their need is greater.

Of course in reality everything remain the same.  The change is only in your mind but that's already sufficient.  
Enough to put matters in the proper perspective.

Everyone has to deal with his own demons of jealousy, envy, anger, strife, greed and others.  They will have theirs to contend with. 
You've dealt with yours.   Keep going.
Exorcism is a daily process.

Victory is not when you can control or lord it over another person.  That is quite simple with the use or rather misuse of power, money, muscle and authority.  
True victory is when you can control you. When you can look at and live in total peace, harmony and synchronicity with the man in the mirror.  That is when you're truly one up on the other.

Love can put things. Too much drama in the theatre of the mind opens too many options. Love throws them all out; the confusion, chaos and conflicts.  Love functions best when you are a willing partner.  

Yes, it was love that came to my rescue; raised my sinking heart, calm my raging spirit and stilled my despairing cry.
So long as I allow love to reign, I win...

PERFECT UNION

There's no pretense or hypocrisy between us.  We're not a separate act.  We don't need a quick change in public or in private.  We synchronize flawlessly.

We withhold nothing - good or bad, happy or sad - from the other.  We take pride and delight in each other's company no end.  Together we've overcome obstacles, faced challenges, taken the beatings, endured hardships and braved the storms.
But we've also done the impossible, scaled new heights, seen our dreams fulfilled and helped others fulfill theirs.  

Although one is seen and the other hidden, we are undeniably one, in perfect union.
And for certain that is good. 

I am my best company...

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Think out of the box.  Search for a different perspective.
There's always one.
Find the balance and when you do, the tightrope of circumstances on which you tread, albeit precariously, becomes a personal platform for your life's finest performance.

For isn't life a stage ...?

MOLEHILL

How exhausting it must be to spend one's resources, time and energy being angry at another person.  It can't be much fun living that way.

Why turn a molehill into a mountain?  Storm in a tea cup.

Enmity causes a great divide which is senseless.  

Hard to believe but staying angry-displeased-dissatisfied is a comfort zone for some.  

People who bull doze their way through.  People who rather hide behind a tough demeanor rather than confront their wounded spirit, the stigma of rejection and furious frustrations. People who don't like to be exposed, to have their faults pointed out to them.  People who choose to suffocate their emotions.

Pain is manifested in many different ways.  How an individual respond to pain varies.  

Where one would choose to boldly address these inner demons that cause untold emotional turmoil, another would hide and bury himself/herself deeper in oblivion.  One chooses escapism, the other examination, self-examination.  The latter may be more bothersome, painful and revealing but it's the better way to address the issues for correction purposes. Know from where you're coming from. 

Mental pain and anguish is the distinct signal that something must give.   Psychological, physiological and sociological disorders can trigger a series of physical illnesses from heart attacks to certain types of cancer.

Pay attention.

Happy is the man who has made peace with himself.  Thereafter making peace with others is a lot easier.

P    -  Patient with yourself and others

E    -  Empathize

A    -  Accept what cannot be changed

C    -  Carry on

E    -  Enjoy; you've earned it

Everyone has great value although this thought may be alien to many of us still.  Disbelief in our 'greatness' is probably the single most crippling setback to help us achieve the greatness for which we were created. 

And so rather than aspire to be all we can be, we settle for average and mediocrity, wrapped in false modesty! We become small in our thinking; trivial and petty.  And this would be fine if not for us being the selfish creatures that we are, we want it all!  How typical. On one hand we are thinking we aren't good enough but on the other hand, we blame the universe, God, and everyone around us for our lack, loss and loose behavior.   We feign holiness and humility but in reality we all want to be gods!

This is a step-back.  I know (and so do you) people who have been angry at the world their whole lives. In essence they are angry at themselves for the thousand and one reasons they could not get their way.  There has to be a scapegoat.

Rather than reflect, review and revise their outlook of life, they take their fury out on others. Doesn't seem fair but this is a fallen imperfect world we live in.

If you choose anger, animosity, alienation over fairness, fellowship and forgiveness because it suits your purpose, so be it.

But don't at the end of the day realize that your contempt, hurt and hate have been hurled at the wrong people.  Remorse comes too late when you discover you have crucified the wrong person.

Conscience has a way of making you pay... heavily.

THINK CORRECTLY

When you realize how small and fallible you are, it's much easier to understand and forgive the failings and smallness of others.

Expect to make mistakes.  Blunders can't always be avoided.  It's okay when you fail and mess up.  Just be 'man' about it.

A grudge carried to the grave does no one any good.  So what if you've been wronged.  We are living in just such a world, full of injustices, misgivings, loss, lack and sad endings.
It's not the end of the world!

Create your own reasons to be happy and be free to feel exactly how you want to feel.  What others think of you don't matter.  What they don't approve about you is none of your business!
Work on quieting your thoughts and calming your emotions.  Don't allow anyone to steal your peace and rob your joy.  Guard your heart.

You can't prevent thieves from breaking into your house and cleaning you out.  That's something beyond your control.  They come without your invitation.

Worse still is the other type of robbers who wreak havoc in the theater of your mind.  These are more destructive than the former.
Unseen robbers who comes to rob, steal and destroy not your physical properties or possessions but your tranquility, mental wellness and peace of mind. 
Beware these ruthless 'intruders' who can do much more harm to you psychologically and emotionally.  
They lie, cheat and raise your level of fear, panic, insecurity and anxiety.  Very subtlety they invade your thoughts and make a playground of your mind. 

An alarm system may be a deterrent to break-in and safe guard possible loss but unfortunately doesn't guarantee good sleep.
Be mindful of who you take to bed with you .....think correctly.

RESURRECTION & LIFE

He was faithful to her; she remained fiercely loyal to him for as long as they were together.

She kept him in line; he kept her in love.
Theirs was the ideal - strong and enduring - relationship.
An alliance-an agreement.
One that had weathered many storms.

Bound by duty and responsibility; fueled by affection, admiration and affirmation.
They held their ground and withstood the test of time. 
Inseparable - nothing and no one came between them.

Or so they thought...
The immortality of Man is but a subtle lie.
For death came unexpectedly and took him away.

She grieved for the loss of her trusted ally; her long time companion and confidante.
Missing his laughter, his teasing and sometimes serious demeanor, she mourns.

Despairing but only for a season; she awaits the promised resurrection where death is overcome and life is celebrated in full measure...
Hope springs eternal.

IT'S ALL IN THE MIND ...

Filter your thoughts; scrutinize them.  Don't hesitate to shut the door of your mind to negativism, self hate and condemnation.
Contemplate beauty, be beautiful.  Embrace all that is good, pure and lovely.
See the world through the eyes of a child.  Vibrate with enthusiasm and zest.  
Celebrate life.
Don't become old before your time.

What goes on in your mind can be the loveliest garden of your wildest dream OR the stinkiest sewer of your worst nightmare.
You can retrace, rewrite and reedit the story of your life.

You're the master of your destiny ...

SMILE ...

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

SURVIVOR

I am a survivor of depression.

I don't say this loosely.  Depression is real and it kills.

Statistics remind us that one out of three persons suffer from some form of depression whether it's psychological, physiological, biological or sociological.   Whatever the cause may be, the price we pay is high - self hate and self annihilation.  No joke!

Anyone who has been there can relate.

Experts go on to say that at some point in every person's life, he/she would carry or display symptoms of either severe, mild, acute and chronic depression.  The degree of a person's suffering would depend largely on circumstances and the patient's ability to 'handle' his problems.  There are many who live in denial; sort of putting up a front, a charade.

So no one is exempted.

However there is hope.  Depression can be treated with expert counselling, therapy and medicine. Thankfully with early detection and appropriate attention, the percentage of patients full recovery is encouraging.

A small circle of supportive and genuine friends helps.  

Gravitate towards people who can deposit positively into your life. 

In our biological make-up we each have an 'emotional tank' - an indicator of our mental state - and when that is empty, for sure, we can't get very far.  A breakdown is imminent!

Make sure you don't run on empty.  That would be very stupid indeed.  You are inviting trouble, big trouble.  

Imagine travelling on the highway in pitch darkness all alone, not a single car or soul in sight for miles, with your fuel gauge indicator blinking frantically RED!  Ever had a panic attack? 

Well, this is it. 

You don't have to fight depression alone.  You're not meant to.  

Move with people who makes you feel good about yourself.  Steer clear of people who only befriend you for their own personal agenda and selfish reason.

Don't apologize for letting go of people who do you more harm than good.  The toxic they inject into your system is devastating.

It's sickening to think that some people are rammed with a constant supply of nonsense - words and actions that tear at a person -  as if it's mother's milk!  No wonder over a period of time, their depression level plunges from mild to hopeless!

Seeking help to overcome your mental anguish and disorder is not a sign of weakness.  In fact, to acknowledge your condition, couple with the desire to do something positive about it is an act of great courage and deserves commendation.

Depression kills which is bad but it also drives one insane which is even worse ...

DYSFUNCTIONAL...

Today's dysfunctional individual may be the product of yesterday's failed relationship.

Yours was the love withheld; the kind word withdrew; the tongue lashing; the shoulder never offered; the phone call that never came; the broken promise.
He/She never knew affection, appreciation, affirmation, adoration and admiration. 

And you wonder why the poor soul is dysfunctional.
OUCH!