THANKFUL

The lock down has eased substantially and with increased mobility; restaurants are opening up to customers. After more than three months confinement at home, I've almost forgotten how and what it feels like to dine out... adjusting to the new normal takes some practice.

PRISONER

You know you've healed when you no longer dwell on past hurts, grievances and wrongs. Allow no room for destructive introspection, self condemnation or character assasination. Think kindness, compassion, grace and forgiveness toward those who have dealt harshly with us even though it goes against our natural inclination. Rejoice and celebrate freedom. Liberty has come to the prisoner of thoughts...

DURIANS

Durian...you either love or hate it!
Haven't had this king of fruit for a long time. Finally succumbed...a tad expensive but it sure tasted darn good! Perut kenyang memang tapi dompet sakit. Craving satiated... wallet hurts. OUCH!!

GOD IS GOOD

I am naive enough to believe that all things are possible when we trust God. I am naive enough to hold God at His promise and expect Him to fulfill every single one of them. I am naive enough to walk into my Abba Father's arms with childlike confidence and know that He will never push me away.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing and no one!
God is good all the time!

CHARACTER

Who we are matter more than what we do!
Our character carries more weight and value than the carat we casually don!

Vision produces character;
Patience sharpens character;
Perseverance strengthens character;
Endurance sustains character.
Character is who we are!

C - choose wisdom
H - hidden talents revealed
A - anything but average or mediocre
R - relax and breathe
A - apple of God's eye, you are
C - carry yourself well
T - think before you leap
E - enter in style
R - rebuild...restore...rebirth

PROMISE FULFILLED

How are we ever going to have a dream come true if we do not first have a dream!?
Wish it ...will it ... make it happen. Be bold to dream God sized dream and see Him turn your vision into reality ...

CHILDHOOD

A blast from the past...sweetened condensed milk on plain biscuits. As children we loved our plain crackers thickly coated with this runny goodness so much till it dripped all over! We'd lustily lick off the sweet temptation from our sticky fingers and slowly relish every bite. Simple pleasures but so delightful.

Today I revisited this long buried childhood memory ... reached for a cracker ... had my fill and was totally satiated...

SENSATIONAL

Life is short; lets make it sensational:
S- secure in your faith
E- enlarge your horizon
N- never give up
S- sing like no one's listening
A- arouse your passion
T- take calculated risks
I- initiate change
O- others first
N- now or never
A- arise and aim high
L- let go and let God

All worthwhile goals and ambitions always start with a desire. Dream a dream. Live that moment when you are more than you thought you could ever be.
Ask God for a new vision. He is compelled to answer you! 

IRRESISTIBLE

Gardenia - my favorite flower from my garden.
She's enchanting, elusive, exotic, enigmatic and extremely shy.
She emits an alluring aroma which is totally captivating. Once you've had her, you cannot have enough of her...

BE STILL

It really doesn't matter what the future holds as long as we know Who holds the future! With God at the centre of our lives we can fear less and move on with confidence, comfort and calmness.
Fill your mind with happy and positive thoughts; dress up to please yourself; engage in activities that give joy and delight; pamper your family.
Remember the good times; relive the sweet memories; create new memories.
Spare a thought for the less fortunate and try to help alleviate their hardships in any way we can.
God has the solutions we don't see yet. He'll speak the word and the storm will calm ...be still!
What's coming will certainly be better than what's happening now!
Blessings to one and all.

GRACE

As important as it is to dispense grace, of greater significance is, to be willing to receive grace!
By definition, grace includes but not limited to unmerited favor; unearned reward; unwarranted acceptance; unsolicited kindness; undeserved forgiveness!
A critical, accusing, condescending and judgmental approach in dealing with people may very well stem from the inability of one to accept his/her own failings, mistakes, shortcomings, weaknesses etc. Often when such a person is hard on others, he is even harder on himself!
Harshness turns people away and causes hate, rejection, fear and forced compliance which are negative and destructive. Alternatively humility emits a sweetness which attracts and exudes a powerful aura.
Harshness vs Humility. Destroy vs Build. Unity vs Dispute. Legacy of love vs a legacy of hate. The choice is clear and simple but the work is hard, tedious and laborious. May God grant us divine Wisdom.

REALITY

Faith is like muscles.
When we work our muscles, they become strong, supple, steadfast and surefooted! When we strengthen our faith, it will take us further even way beyond our natural ability. Faith is not magic...it has no mystical secret code. Exercise our faith; work at it and surely what appears impossible will then naturally be a reality!
Blessings to one and all...

NEW NORMAL

At this particular time and season, we learn to adjust and adapt to our circumstances and environment. Despite the many uncertainties that affect people and economies globally we remain flexible, focused and full of hope. Inevitable changes are underway. We've started new routines; acquired diverse skills and polished up familiar ones. Family has become priority. Work from home will be trendy. Expenses are more controlled. Money mostly go to groceries. Extravagance and frivolous spending don't augur well during this frugal time. We've learned to make do with less. It hasn't been easy but we plod on, confident that normalcy will soon return and yes, we'll emerge a better people; a better nation...fully restored and running over with joy, gladness, thankfulness, overwhelming abundance and prosperity in every area of our lives.

CHERISH THE MEMORIES

On days when we're running low or on empty, we need to fall back on the serenity, strength, surety and sweetness of happy memories and recollections. These may comprise of passionate people...picturesque places...pious pilgrimage...poems...praises...parties etc. All of these and many more multiply to an unending stream of refreshing unforgettables!
While this pandemic continues to rage and cause fear and panic, we choose to remain calm, careful, cheerful and hopeful for an accelerated comeback!
Let there be peace, joy and contentment...gratitude for provision and protection...praise and co-operation for people in the front lines...help for the needy...compassion for the infirmed. Stay abreast...stay engaged...ZOOM to connect. Get acquainted with mounting technology; embrace change and prepare for the new normal! Sing out loud; laugh often. Create moments even in this lock down. Trust God; believe in his unchanging promises.
Soon the storm will cease and the rainbow will appear. God is on the throne. It is well with my soul..