We were made for it!

Have you ever noticed how you start to feel when a cloud passes the sun and a ‘darkness” comes over you?

The other day I was sitting at my desk, working, and then a cloud passed the sun and in those few seconds my tummy was in knots. I got a sense that something bad was going to happen. It made me think.....why did my emotion change so quickly? 

Then it dawned on me.

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

We were created to walk in the light, God’s light and not the darkness. I think we get the feeling of fear when we sense any form of darkness as the dark usually brings uncertainty as we can’t see all around us and we don’t know what is lurking in the shadows.

God created us for light. That’s why we enjoy taking a walk in the setting sun, why we love wandering around a flower-filled garden and why our children love to play outside. It is also why our whole attitude and emotions change when we step out into the first summer sun.

“Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” Ps.119:105

God created the light so we could live in it. Maybe, God created the sun to remind us that we need to walk in His light and allow his Word be the lamp to our feet.

Think about it...we always feel safer, more at ease when we are walking around in the dark with a torch. Why - is it because we were created to always be surrounded by light at all times, God’s light?

“You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Pet. 2:9

If we trust in Him and have a firm faith then the darkness should not make us feel uneasy. We might not have a torch with us always but if our soul is filled with God’s light then the Devil’s darkness should never create fear in us.

”Light brings every kind of goodness, right living and truth.” Eph. 5:9

The light gives us hope, creates positivity in us and just makes us feel good even when we are going through a really tough time in our life. Light in any form makes us smile!

“God once said, ‘Let the light shine out of the darkness!’ This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is the face of Christ.” 2 Corin. 4:6

God has created us in light, with light, for light. Maybe we sometimes take it for granted what light really means, creates and intends for us.

Let God’s light be a reminder of your daily blessing, your forgiven faith and your saved soul!

“Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, so he divided the light from the darkness.”

Gen.1:3-4

Which one do you relate to?

I

Beauty and the Beast (Don't laugh!)

This week I started a counselling course. Well, actually a refresher course. 

We had to think of a story we relate to, freeze a scene from it and draw it. Then we had to go around the room and explain how we associate with one of the characters in the movie. 

As you can see, I chose Beauty and the Beast from the Disney version. I have to say it was quite interesting doing this exercise as you learn a lot about others but also about yourself.

I thought I would write about it, my association, in the hopes that it would make you think. What story do you like? Which character do you associate with? Why? And if you could, would you change the story and if so, how?

I love this movie. I associate with the special relationship created between two people completely opposite to each other. On the one hand, we have the beast, who is angry, miserable, unhappy with himself and on the other hand, we have Beauty, who is ordinary, loves reading, happy and seems to enjoy life. She also seems to make the best of any situation.

This particular scene speaks to me as it represents how I, personally, like to connect with a person's heart or their soul. I try not to judge their outside appearance as many times what is seen outside is nothing what is seen inside a person. I associate with both characters as well as the rose. The rose, to me, represents both of them. The rose is the beauty amongst the beast (i.e. beauty amongst the thorns)

It also reminds me of how as humans we judge people so much by their appearance without getting to know them or giving them a chance to let us in. 

It also taught me to try and not judge too often. To consider the fact that their heart could be very different to their head. It taught me to search for a person's inner beauty, their soul. This will not be easy especially if I encounter someone who I just can't get along with and that, I think is the true test. 

It also reminded me of a Bible verse I highlighted from 1 Samuel 16:7

"People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."

So.....who are you? how do you view those around you?

The inner will always outshine the outer!

God Bless.

Goal Day for 2014

We start off every new year with goals, resolutions and things we would like to do and accomplish but how often do we start off on a positive note and gradually get negative as our goals seem more impossible to achieve as time goes by.

Life happens and before we know it, another years has passed. But how hard are we REALLY trying to achiever our goals and follow our dreams? How committed are we to actually put in the work required to get there?

I am exactly the same. I set my goals and put them up so I can see it daily but certain things on that list start to seem impossible, I get negative and lazy and skip that one to the next one.

So, this year I am going to try a different tactic. This year I am going to have "goal day" every week. I have still set my goals and stuck in my diary but this year I will choose a day during the work week where my focus will be on working towards my goal.

What does this exactly mean?
This means once a week I will be doing something towards achieving my goal whether it is a short term or long term goal. No matter how big or small the task as long as it is related to my goals. It can be things like making a phone call for information, writing for an hour, sending an e-mail, anything that can help. Even popping money into the piggy bank for that overseas trip I dream of!

What do I have to lose right?
I am hoping by doing this, I am able to see progress towards achieving my goals. I am hoping it will help me to be pro active, stay positive and trust in God to help me.

So....here's to GOAL DAY in 2014!

May you all achieve your dreams, increase your faith in God and be blessed in 2014.

To Tango is To Love

To tango is to love

The story unfolding in your mind

The slow, smooth melody

The meeting of eyes

The smiles across the room

The courtship, gentle holding of hands

To tango is to love

The story unfolding in your mind

The dramatic, stern melody

The passion felt by man and woman

The gentle impatient exploration of skin

The act of love being played out

The uniting of two bodies until....

Passion is complete

Both are spent, sated

Satisfied, relaxed, tired by the last slow, smooth melody

To tango is to love

The story ending in silence

Shakespearean Flair!

Last night I attended my child's school's Shakespeare Festival. I am sure I speak for everyone who attended that we were absolutely flabbergasted. We had no idea what to expect and were we surprised!

It was a pure evening of childlike innocence yet with a flair of maturity and Shakespearean flair.

The festival started with a historical Maypole dance. As a parent, I loved it as I have heard of Maypole dancing but have never seen it actually done. It was lovely to see Grade 2 girls dressed like girls with pretty ribbons in their hair, weaving in and out, creating a twist of patterned colour. They weaved ribbons while skipping in between each other and showed their talents by unweaving it again still skipping in between friends. It took you back to that time and you could actually envision young girls laughing, skipping on fresh green grass in the sun.

After that lovely beginning, we were further enthralled by recitation of sonnets by Shakespeare. What surprised us was that from Grade 1 to Grade 4 children were standing confidently on a stage in front of a room full of adults, reciting these sonnets without fear, perfect pronunciation and smiles on their faces. I have no doubt that more than half of the audience did not know any of these sonnets and where surprised yet very proud that their children could stand in front of people and recite a sonnet without hesitation.

It also made us, parents realise that the new Ambleside curriculum is actually teaching our children more than just skills. It is inviting them into a world of culture, arts, knowledge and helping them realise that there is more to the world than hip hop, cellphones, movies and television.

Before getting to the main event of "Twelfth Night", we had an display of sword fighting. It showed and informed us of how sword fighting in the Elizabethian era was not about hurting people but proving your strength, courage and of course who was the better "person" as it were. It was quite lighthearted to see young men  fight for valour and honor and not just for the sake of violence.

Then "Twelfth Night" was upon us. The Grade 5 to 7 students put on a near perfect, eloquent show of a play known by many. It was wonderful to see young people able to act and display Shakespeare in its traditional form. I have to admit, it was quite nice seeing Shakespeare as it should be and not modernised. These young ladies and men performed with confidence and even though, I am sure  they got weary at some points, they never showed it. There were slight mistakes but they carried on with maturity and without making it too noticeable. I commend them on performing like professions and taking their job so seriously.

In closing, we had a very proud principal close to tears but with a big smile on his face. It is great to see teachers and a principal watch their students as if they were their own children. It gives me great pleasure to see teachers who are so committed, happy and willing to sacrifice for the sake of others.


So, as the great Mr. William Shakespeare asks, "To be or not to be is the question?"

And we reply, "To be it will be because God has made it so."

Achieving, reflections, 2013!!!!

Every year we find ourselves reflecting on it and most times we think of the things we wanted to achieve but didn't. It is rare that we ever reflect on our achievements.

Looking back on my year so far, I am amazed at how much I was able to accomplish in less than a year. I  got my driver's license (finally!!), completed my BA in Counseling, started a writing course (so exciting!) and did the "adult stuff" such as sorted myself financially and did my Will.

I do however, always keep in mind that I am not alone in this. God holds my hand, guides my feet and fills my head and heart with what I need to have achieved these goals and what I will achieve in the future. 

Of course, I didn't accomplish everything I set out to do but honestly, I personally think I have had a busy and great year so far.

It is interesting how much we can do if we commit ourselves to doing it, forcing ourselves to step out of our comfort zone and just try. By doing something small every day towards a goal and/or a bucket list can help you actually achieve it in the end and sometimes without you even realizing it.

So, what have you accomplished so far this year? Even accomplishing one small goal still makes you accomplished. Remember what is an accomplishment for one might not be the same for you but it does not diminish the fact that you have achieved it and/or working towards it.

We are often made to believe that we are only accomplished once we have the mansion on the hill, the expensive car or the big bucks in the bank but this is not true. Achieving something towards your inner happiness, your outlook on life and your spiritual beliefs can be much more important towards being accomplished.

So, I ask you again, what have you achieved? What are going to achieve?

And finally......WELL DONE!
 

Sacred, special......what's that?

A good number of years ago certain things were not spoken of openly in society. Things like sex, puberty, drugs, etc. Then people started saying that we need to be more open with our children, explain things to them. Then we starting having "the talk", generally telling our teens how their body will change, sex, relationships and how these were big decisions to make.

Back then, the children were young, innocent and willing to gain knowledge, not for use but just for knowledge gain sake.

Now, we have become so open that there really is nothing sacred, special, secret anymore. Sex in a relationship, no matter what the age, has become seen as "normal". I'm even wondering if some people, also young people, think sex forms part of the foundation of forming a long term relationship. It seems sometimes that a relationship without sex is not viewed as a "real" relationship.

It is no longer kept for marriage, love or even that someone special. I think our idea of love has become distorted too. It is quite sad to think something that can experienced wonderfully can be so "commercialized" (not sure if right word but giving it a go). How or when do people start realising that they actually like the person they with and not just physically attracted to them, especially if sex was the beginning basis of the relationship.

I think also the thought pattern is also that sex is not such a big deal especially when contraception is all around, meds easily available when things go wrong. I think many people do believe that there are "quick fixes" for "little" mishaps. Not many take the emotional scars left behind into account. Sex is fun.....right?!

Marriage, too, has just become something to do, just the next step in a long term relationship. Do people still envision actually getting old with their spouse, getting wrinkles and grey as a team? I think to many, marriage is the next step when you get to a certain point in the relationship. I think the thought is "Well, we might as well as we have been together for so long we are practically married". The sacredness and specialness of these vows have also become distorted especially since divorce is so easy to obtain. I know they say "change is as  good as a holiday" but does that include special unions such as marriage.

When did society stop taking these life changing decisions seriously?

We, as a society, are draining the innocence out of our children and replacing it with adult knowledge before they even become adults.

Knowledge is power but how much and by what age?