LITTLE REGRET

Five years ago when I left the employment market, I didn't have a clue to which direction I was headed. 
Frankly I wasn't prepared for retirement. Everything changed and there was a trying time when I felt like a fish out of water!

Anyway fast forward five years later today, I think I'm the jolliest retiree around! In all that time I have had no lack and everything I needed was within reach, with many extras thrown in!  I was really given a new lease of life.
My heart is at peace; joy is my constant companion; fueled by hope and Faith, although as tiny as a mustard seed, sufficiently holds all of these together. 
There's little regret. The years have been very kind. 

God is loving, gracious and generous. He sees to it that we get the rainbow after the rain.
Blessed ... and blissful.

NEGOTIATION

Recently I heard about a negotiation for a marriage deal! Yes, a marriage DEAL. I was told this is quite normal nowadays.

The girl wanted from the boy: cash - car- chauffeur- condo - credit card - carat - cruise - (overall) control. 
The boy was silent. Mother of the boy stepped in and asked the girl what she would give in return. Girl turned to her mother who virtually yelled at the boy's mother to mind her own business...adding that her daughter was marrying the boy and not his mother! Whaaaaat????

Both women then started shouting, arguing and quarrelling; virtually going for each other's throat! Boy walked off. Mother went after her son. The other two sat stunned.
Needless to say the wedding's off!

The moral of the story: In any negotiation one party can demand all he/she wants. It's his/her right. But also remember the other party can state his/her expectations as well. It's his/her right! 
If both parties refuse to budge, then, so be it. The deal's off!

No one is wrong and no one is right. Both are just exercising their so called rights!
Remember a negotiation needs the consent, co-operation and blessings of all parties concerned. Otherwise it's doomed before any alliance is forged!
This principle applies to all types of relationships; personal and business.

PAST

Selective memory is possible just as is selective hearing!
I've put away a lot of my past simply by choosing to do so. What I don't want to keep, I delete from my mental vault. 
What good is:
P - painful recollections
A - arrogance and pride
S - selfishness and plain stupidity
T - temporary gain of no eternal value

I spring clean frequently; throwing out or giving away stuff I no longer use. I'm done with hoarding and glad to have a cleaner house and more space after the exercise. Let the light come in!  Even the air is fresher!
I do the same with my thoughts and feelings...declutter the unwanted and unused emotional toxic refuse that no longer serve me. Throw them all out! And come away happier, lighter, refreshed, rejuvenated and renewed.
What a bargain!

PRICELESS

Our lives are given to us free. Even so we are by no means cheap! 
If a Rembrandt fetches a handsome price in recognition and appreciation of the awe inspiring work of the artist, how much more is our worth? 
We, who are the handiwork of the Master Creator of the universe. 
We, who are fashioned in His likeness; in His image. 
We, who are the visible representation of the invisible God; the masterpiece that brings honor, glory, power and praise to His holy name. 
Surely, our value is infinite! Our worth beyond comparison; beyond comprehension.
Infinite...immortal.

Priceless!

PRAY

An excellent spirit cannot be forged or bought. Neither can it be forced. 
It takes unusual courage, extra dose of humility, loads of compassion and mostly a spark of madness to plod on when circumstances are intolerable. 
Persevere, it's always too soon to give up ...and 

P - promote peace, harmony, joy, unity
R - release anger, bitterness, and all negativity
A - accept that which cannot be changed
Y - yield to all that is good, noble, pure and wholesome

Learn to mend what is broken rather than throw it away, especially relationships.

GULLIBLE

We cannot love others if we do not love ourselves! 
Until and unless we appreciate, accept, affirm and are comfortable with ourselves, we're going to be very awkward, anxious, doubtful and nervous around others. 
Love is service and servant-hood; regarding others as more important than ourselves. That is never going to happen if we view people with suspicion and feel threatened by them. 
When we love we become vulnerable and this vulnerability is sometimes translated to mean submission and gullibility. In this weakened state we're open to attack.
A healthy and balance love for self - devoid of selfishness, greed, shame, guilt and self centredness - builds confidence and deposits self esteem which in turn gives us a right standing with ourselves.
When we are right with ourselves, we are then not afraid to give in to love.
That's how it works!

VIRAL

Unresolved issues? Yes, I have them.
Hurts, heartaches and hidden unwanted feelings and thoughts? Yup, those too!
Honestly who doesn't? Just that some are better at concealing them. 
It seems everyone is unhappy or angry with someone for some reason or even for no reason! 
It's viral! 
Until the day we die we will always have issues. Our resolutions, responses and reactions determine our maturity. We grow at our own pace.
None of us is going to come out of this life alive!  What's the fuss, anyway?!
We're mere pilgrims passing through.
So, loosen up, LOVE and live another day; hearty, healthy, happy, hopeful and hugely grateful. 

L - look within ourselves
O - overlook the flaws of others
V - visualize the effects of our words & actions
E - empathize

BLESSED AND BLISSFUL

It's anniversary month and I'm in the mood...
Once upon a time he swept her off her feet. They went into this thing called marriage - as blur blur as can be!
Many decades later they are still in this marriage thingy but with a little more clarity. Love redefined!
These days both of their feet are firmly planted on the ground. Surprisingly this supposedly unromantic stance and status turned out just as exciting, invigorating, exhilarating and stimulating as being swept off one's feet! 
Now I don't believe entirely what fairy tales tell me!! 
Blessed and blissful...

Happy anniversary, CS!

TRUST AND OBEY

God doesn't operate on human rules or regulations! 
He does as He wills and pleases. He cannot be rushed or blackmailed. He is God. 
His timing is always perfect even if it was four days late as in Lazarus case! You see, the guy had been dead four days! And still there was no sign of Jesus, the healer; Lazarus only chance TO LIVE!
Absolute silence. Imagine the anxiety and disappointment at the no show. 

This seems so very much like our own cries, pleas and prayers for help and solutions which appear to go unheard and unanswered. But is it?! Could it be that the delay is for the perfect reason...
Continuing the story ... Lazarus was eventually raised from the dead by Jesus! On seeing this miracle, many believed and was saved.

Whatever trying issues or circumstances we may be facing now and feeling God has gone on vacation, we can take heart. We are as precious to him as Lazarus, Martha, Mary and the believers in those days were. He may still raise the dead!

"Trust and obey" is possibly the key to our breakthrough...

SECOND CHANCE

In the past when I was building a career, an ordinary day would be full of work, work, work and more work. I didn't complain much. Bills have to be paid!
Those were meaningful times too despite the constraints!

Today the pattern is somewhat different. A normal day would include: 
...conversation and more time with God
...cuddles and play time with baby Tim
...coffee time and lunches with buddies
...caring for our home and garden
...curling up with C.S. Lewis
...cruising the internet
...cooking for the family
...enjoying Hong Kong series
...bedtime stories with Alicia
...more cuddles with baby Tim 

Making up for lost time and doing things that I've missed out on while chasing my corporate dream. I'm entering into a new season...love my life now and am grateful for second chance.
Thank you God!

WEIRD

If, at times, I appear wild...willful...whimsy and weird, that's because I am!!
Still love me...?!

C.S. LEWIS

I'm in love!  Unfortunately it's a one sided thing and my affections will never be returned.
Though I've never met the man in person, I feel I've known him all my life through his writings; an extraordinary gentleman, he certainly was.

I'm dying to meet CS LEWIS someday. We have so much to talk about ...

KISS

I'm quite happy with my ordinary life of family; some reading - writing - teaching - gardening - some travelling - meeting with friends - bonding with family - watching our grand kids grow. 
Boring life by all standards but suits me fine, for now!

Keeping It Simple; Less Is More.

SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS

When we walk with wisdom ... discernment ... understanding ...knowledge ... courage ... and common sense, we can expect happiness, harmony, health, longevity and prosperity to follow.

Success is good.  Significance is better.

Significant success is best!

MIND SHIFT

Much of our anxieties and worries are mostly storms in a tea cup! Looking back, these same troubling concerns never come to pass and yet we virtually allow them to ruin our lives and relationships.
Time for a mind shift...

DEPOSITS

Just thinking of you makes me happy!
Thank you for consistently depositing into my life. Your affirmation; your gift of love and concern; your many deeds of kindness; your warm embrace; the quality time all add up to empower and enrich my life in more ways than you imagine possible.
And I sincerely hope in some small way, I make you happy too!

Life is really about relationships...

COMPLIMENT

A friend remarked: "Of all the happy people I know, you're by far the happiest of them all."
What a compliment! I'm thrilled that's the impression I project.. Every so often I'm just bursting with joy and overcome with gladness; mostly over small things. I believe many of you can relate.

Seriously, I view   h a p p y   seriously! 
The last thing I want is to come across as a grouch, sour puss, sore loser and a pain in the you-know-where. Kill me!
Thanks again for the compliment, dear friend. I shall do my best to stay happy always!!! 

INDULGENCE

McD drive thru' is fun and fine but once in awhile, I like to indulge...

EDEN

I'm positively influenced and inspired by all the strikingly beautiful garden posts flooding the internet, especially the ones put up by my good friends May and Peter. Their garden is so Eden! 
How often I've walked the length and breadth of their floral and fauna paradise, in my mind; leaving permanent footprints; admiring the work and toil of their hands.

For years, I've never even ventured into my own backyard let alone grow anything. But  my friends who are garden enthusiasts, including my sister, called out to me persistently and persuasively. 
Very soon I was done in! Totally smitten, consumed with passion I hopped on board with a vengeance. 
My friends spurred my interest, weeded out my scepticism and planted me firmly on hallowed ground!
I'm delighted to share that today I have my own little Eden ... my sanctuary. 
Nice huh!

FAIR LADY

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?"

Vain and wanting? Maybe, but is that all bad? Healthy competition never hurt. It shouldn't anyway.

Mother was woman! (AS IF WE DIDN'T KNOW. DUH!) I mean WOMAN. She was vain and wanting, sure. Mother refused to leave the house without lipstick on her luscious lips. She wore proper shoes always whether to the dance, doctor or the market. She was particular with how she looked; never a hair out of place. Mother was eighty one when she passed away. A few days before her demise (as if she had planned it) she asked for a hair perm, her long manicured nails to be varnished. She had a complete spa treatment (at home) insisted for her hair dyed black and given a facial. That was mother.

Sorry, I never intended to glorify my mother but it seemed so natural to equate mother with WOMAN and it was my intention to write about WOMAN! Excuse me, if I've missed the mark. 

Asian women maintain that particular reserved air about us. For example we don't take compliments well! Every time I sing praises about mother to her face, she would inevitably end up belittling herself and insists she's a nobody.

Time we realized our true value and self worth.

So, MIRROR ON THE WALL, what do you say to the legions of women who stand before you every second of the day? Women who are a little unsure of themselves; a little beaten, battered perhaps and needing a boost...

MIRROR, with an enigmatic smile, replies: You, fair lady are keeper of your destiny. Be all you can be... spicy, spunky, sensitive, sexy, sensual, sensational and YES, secretive. That is WOMAN'S prerogative. You are competent, capable, competitive, compassionate, caring, curious and YES, controlling. That, too, is WOMAN'S prerogative. 

Never settle for less. 

Listen and heed the wisdom of MIRROR.

INSTINCT

We like nice things said to and about us. The moment we hear some thing nasty, untrue, unkind and unwarranted, our antennae come up! Our basic instinct is to retaliate by shooting verbal arrows and rushing to 'set the record straight.' Some others resort to suffer in silence and burst a blood vessel as a result! Whatever, this is not the time to introspect and be overly critical of one self. If at all possible, just walk away from the drama; mentally and physically. 
Save the battle for another occasion!

NOSTALGIA

The long serving ferry service which has been in operation for decades is an enjoyable and effective alternative to using Penang bridge. A hassle free fifteen minute cruise plying the island to mainland and vice versa. Certainly an iconic marvel of Penang to this day! Nostalgia....just being on board one of these.