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!