Hope

Read more about the article Delight in each moment of your life…
Courage / Healing / Hope

Delight in each moment of your life…

Each moment is just what it is.  It might be the only moment of our life; it might be the only strawberry we'll ever eat.  We could get depressed about it, or we could finally appreciate it and delight in the preciousness of every single moment of our life.  (Pema Chodron)   It's the small things that can sometimes make the greatest impact!  The fleeting moments can become a beautiful memory. Life can be as simple as eating the first strawberry you find or as complicated as trying to find one to eat.  Whichever leads to happiness, enjoy the process and remember it.  Don't overthink or oversimplify it.  Happiness is within your grasp if you learn to enjoy the moments you have right now - not those you've left behind or even those that have yet to happen.  Be present.  Enjoy the now!The strange co-relation between living and time is that when…

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December 7, 2021
Read more about the article No medicine like Hope!
Courage / Hope

No medicine like Hope!

There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.(Orison Sweet Marden)  What is the purpose for our lives?  Oftentimes when we hit a roadblock in our life or are at a crossroad, we either give up or carry on.  Whichever course of action we take often depends on how much hope we have.Hope is a choice.  It is not something you can see or at times even feel.  Your hope can come from what you've experienced before or based on what others have gone through. However you choose to see it, ultimately you're the only one who can make that choice - to believe that hope exists no matter what situation or circumstances you find yourself in.Hope keeps you going even when you no longer believe that the situation can be salvaged.  Hope becomes that beacon of light in…

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October 18, 2021
Read more about the article Light in the storm
Courage / Hope

Light in the storm

 It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light!(Aristotle)   When we're in a storm it is hard to believe that it will pass. But just as the sun rises from the east, the truth is that the storm will end! So focus on not being overcome  by the storm. Everyone experiences adverse situations in their life. There is no exceptions to the rule. These stormy situations are often completely out of your control.  Be brave, face it head-on if possible.  If not, wait.  Take a breather.  If you believe in God, focus on Him rather than the circumstances. Circumstances change with time.  Sometimes issues resolve by itself. Breathe.  Do some physical activity to help clear your mind.  It is okay to take a break and wait out the storm. Keep your peace of mind. Listen to soothing music.  Relax. Make a craft, cook, do anything to…

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August 8, 2021
Read more about the article It’s familiar, is it safe?
Change / Courage / Hope

It’s familiar, is it safe?

Sometimes, it takes more courage to keep moving forward even away from what's familiar.  (Anna G.) Are you clinging onto something familiar? Do you believe that it's better to be safe than sorry? Is the familiar always safer? You're scared, so filled with fear and doubt. You look around desperately for something familiar to cling onto. Even if it is an abusive relationship, where what's good in it is long past. Are you looking for a way out? Sometimes it's found in the way forward.  So don't keep looking back.  While whatever is ahead may be uncertain and feel unfamiliar, but as long as you are still alive, there is hope. Don't give up!Have you discovered the purpose you're here on earth for?  You never really know what you are truly capable of. That's why, all the more, you need to take the time to look for the answer.  That's what you do when you're playing a…

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July 28, 2021
Read more about the article Made different… to make a difference!
Acceptance / Courage / Hope

Made different… to make a difference!

  If everybody were like everybody else, how boring it would be.  The things that make me different are the things that make me Me!     (Piglet with Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh) "Fear has no hold on me! I'm not going to let fear silence me. I tell myself it doesn't matter if I'm different."   Why do we allow ourselves to fear what others think of us? You see, everyone has a heart beat. Indeed we are more alike than we are different.  Are they really as fearful as we think they are? The only thing that really matters is our attitude.  Not only our attitude towards others but also our attitude towards ourselves.Why cower in fear or turn away in shame? Just because you're different from other people does not make you any less precious.  We can make a difference for ourselves and others when we face our fears, whatever that may be. Don't turn…

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June 10, 2021
Read more about the article Whose shoes are you wearing?
Acceptance / Change / Courage / Hope

Whose shoes are you wearing?

When you spend all your time imagining yourself in other people's shoes, your own story goes unwritten, and there is nothing more painful than that. (Amanda Lovelace) Don't you sometimes wish you were someone else? Especially when you see the lifestyles of the rich and famous flaunting their wealth, or undeserving people getting away with 'murder' Unbelievable! How is it that we live in the same world?  It shouldn't matter! Everyone, even the rich and famous, struggle with challenges and anxieties. Everyone on earth has a burden he or she is carrying.  If you can actually read the mind of these people, you may even think you're better off being yourself.   What we see on the external, does not tell the whole story.  So don't desire to be in the shoes of others!  You never know what is seething beneath the veneer of "all's fine and great".  They may need…

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May 31, 2021
Read more about the article What really counts?
Healing / Hope

What really counts?

What counts can't always be counted, what can be counted doesn't always count.   ( Albert Einstein) What really counts? Money, time or relationships? Have you been chasing after what can be counted but really doesn't matter at the end of the day? The latest fads, brands, material possessions. Or even just pursuing your work.  All for the sake of the people you love?  Think again, if you're not guilty of this, perhaps someone you know is preoccupied with what doesn't really count?Time passes whether you use it wisely or not. Money? Never enough of it, right? But how much is enough? If you have the right attitude towards work, there will be opportunities that will come your way as long as you don't give up.  Relationships? Family or even friends, do they matter? Have you made that call? What you don't spend time nurturing, will grow cold. Have you taken…

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May 6, 2021
Read more about the article Behind the cloud…
Courage / Hope

Behind the cloud…

Behind the cloud, the sun is still shining.    (Abraham LIncoln) Today's clouds may look heavy, tomorrow you may have a good day, but who can tell which cloud contains the rain. Just by looking at the clouds, we can oftentimes tell what the weather is going to be like.  If we see advancing dark clouds, we can expect a heavy downpour on its way.  When we see the sun shining, we will not think to carry an umbrella.  Even then, the weather can change suddenly.  The heavy clouds may be hiding the shining sun or the clouds in a bright shining day may camouflage an oncoming storm.  The weather conditions can change in a day or in some places, several times a day.Likewise, when you are facing challenging circumstances, you really can't tell if the worst is over or if the challenges have just begun. But how you respond to these…

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April 14, 2021
Read more about the article Why? Why was I born?
Hope

Why? Why was I born?

The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.  (Mark Twain) Why, why, why was I born? You may be asking yourself this question, especially if you are struggling, feeling unwanted or even questioning your existence? Have you ever wondered why you're here on earth at wherever place you are, or even why this particular time in history? According to Mark Twain, the two most important days of our lives are the day you were born and the day you find out why.  We all know the day we were born, that is, someone must have informed us or it is captured on an official document. The fortunate ones, enjoy birthday celebrations from their first year till present. The slightly fortunate ones, get their birthdays celebrated throughout their childhood or at least until their teen years.  The less fortunate, perhaps…

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April 9, 2021
Read more about the article Shattered but restored…
Healing / Hope

Shattered but restored…

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.     ( Anne Frank ) It's difficult.  When you're hurting, it is hard to see beyond what you're feeling right now.  Your emotions are so raw that you think you cannot ever feel again.  It's like your heart and mind have exploded into a thousand pieces and you're not sure that they'll ever be whole again.  You've shed so many tears that you don't think you've any more left in your well.This reminds me of the nursery rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty". Humpty Dumpty had a great fall and even the king's men couldn't put him back together again. As you know, Humpty Dumpty is an egg.  And when a raw egg is cracked or broken, there is no way to glue it back together again.But we're not Humpty Dumptys.  We are stronger than we think we are.…

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March 19, 2021
Read more about the article The oak sleeps in the acorn…
Hope

The oak sleeps in the acorn…

The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg,... Dreams are the seedlings of realities.    ( James Allen) Have your dreams like acorns fallen on the way side, all forgotten?  They were never able to spread their wings because they're entangled in life's challenges. You've been told that you can't make it because you're too old, too young, stupid or even too ugly.  Reject that! Don't believe that lie. Each of us, at one time or another, would have harbored a dream, even nurtured it.   But your dreams got mixed up with your fears and worries. You must have thought dreams are best enjoyed while sleeping.  Because no one told you, you have to fulfill them right? They're just supposed to take flight on their own?Added to this, you allow the fear of failure to steal your dream. Failure if learnt, can become the mother of success.  Your…

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February 14, 2021
Read more about the article Making a living or life?
Hope / Thrift

Making a living or life?

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.   (Winston Churchill) What's your attitude toward money? Not many of us can say we have more than enough money. Money can bless or money can severe relationships and destroy families. It's a topic some would rather not talk about it at all.  But cultivating a habit of giving is about choosing to adopt an attitude of caring and looking out for others.  It doesn't necessarily require you to give money all the time. Otherwise we would all think that giving is reserved for those who have more to spare.  That would rob us of the joy that only those who give to others can experience.  Giving can be about gratitude as well. We give because others before us have done so. It can be about perpetuating a good deed.  I know that…

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January 25, 2021
Read more about the article Sitting and waiting…
Hope

Sitting and waiting…

Don't sit around waiting for someone who has taken a walk 'off' your life, to come back.  (Unknown)   "If only, if only I've done this or said this... I should have... I wish I did this...". These thoughts keep going round and round in your head.  You waited and waited, hoping that the person will come back.  You're so filled with fear... doubt?  Wondering where that person is.  Your heart is troubled.  But seasons passed and time passes.  Still no news... So does this mean no news is good news? You feel as if everyone who means something to you leaves you.  You feel so ashamed.  You feel as if the whole world walks away from you. No! Don't believe that! You're precious! Even if you don't feel it yet. Just don't get lock up in the hurtful past.  Let it go, let the person go.  Whatever the reason…

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December 22, 2020
Read more about the article Seeds of change.
Hope

Seeds of change.

Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed and nothing ever changes without a dream.   (Debby Boone) You don't believe in dreams.  You can't afford to dream. You're too busy earning a living. You believe dreams are only good for those who can afford to take a break. Too old to dream? At 10 years old,  you've seen it all. Nothing fazes you. Dreams belong to 'lala land' and they'll never come true for you, and you're not going to trust in dreams. It's precisely for all the above reasons that you have to keep on dreaming.  Dream -because you're busy so that you don't lose focus on the important things in your life. Dream - because no one is too old to dream.  For the young, it means you have not seen it yet. Dreams do come true but it may just take some time. Like the…

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December 15, 2020
Read more about the article Hidden to shine…
Hope

Hidden to shine…

Beautiful gems can emerge from dirt. Struggle can teach you self-discipline and resilience.(Dipa Sanatani) How many times have we found ourselves ignored or rejected as if we don't matter or exist? Too many to keep count? You're not alone. Many of us at one point of our life or other, would have experienced this. Sometimes, we try our best yet we don't seem to be appreciated. Give in and give up?There is always hope even in hopeless situations. We don't always see or know everything. We may be in a very dark place right now and cannot see any hope in it.  Perhaps you're just being trained for something far greater than you can ever imagine. You've been under the radar, so that away from the limelight, you can take your time to develop and mature through the trials you've been experiencing.  Otherwise you'll be even more stressed, having to cope…

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December 10, 2020
Read more about the article Never give up your dreams!
Hope

Never give up your dreams!

Never give up what you want to do.  The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts.     (Albert Einstein) What do you water your dreams with?  Be careful what you water your dreams with.  Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream.  Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success... Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream. (Lao Tzu) Day dreaming again! Stop wasting your time! Dreams won't feed you. Come down to reality. Have you heard these words said to you, too often for you to be comfortable or comforted by it.  You feel you just don't measure up. You are filled with doubts. You feel that dreams are an indulgence you cannot afford. Your life is choked with worries and you have so many…

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November 30, 2020