SMILE

It is interesting to note what a simple gesture such as a smile can do. A smile is given and received back with no charges. Young or old, small and big, short and tall, regardless, everyone has that gift to give and receive. It costs nothing but gives out much.

Lately I have learnt the power of just a smile. Little did I know that a smile could heal a hurting heart. A person whom I have recently come to know was hurting inside not known to anyone. I did not know her at all but I see her pass me by everyday. All I did each time we met was to give a sincere smile. After weeks, then she approached me saying, "You always have a smile on your face. Please don't lose it at any time. I love to see your smile everyday and it brings cheer to my heart....". She went on to pour out her heart. I was amazed!

I find it hard sometimes to smile especially when I am feeling down myself. But I too have learned that when I smile, I actually rock my blues away without realizing. A smile is something that brings a blessing to others without making the one who gives poor. Another thing about a smile is, it does not cost a single penny but yet it is priceless.

You know what?! Everyone looks beautiful when they smile. There isn't such a thing where someone looks hideous when he or she smiles. What more when we are all made in the image of God. He is beautiful, so are we! We are all wonderfully made! Just a simple in a blink of an smile, can last a lifetime. Smile goes beyong the boundaries of language, beyond the boundaries of anything. It is a universal language that join hearts. My personal favourite quote, "Smile and the whole world smiles with you!"

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta~

"May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you." ~Numbers 6:25~

An Interesting Sight

I was on my way to work this morning. Car came to a halt...stuck in a jam. My usual thing to do, look at my surroundings to spot anything worth the sight. Something did catch my eye. I turned to my left and I saw a couple of kids aged 5 to 8 years playing in the compound of their day care. There was particularly two boys who were playing kicking around a beach ball. A few others joined in then left leaving back the two boys at their play. All of a sudden, they broke into a fight. They were hitting each other, pushing each other to the ground. It lasted for about a minute. I was like why are they fighting when they were playing just fine. But what took me aback was they were fighting for a minute, the next thing, they held each others hands, in a blink of an eye, like when we play 'London Bridge is Falling Down' then hugged and went back to laughing at the same time returned to kicking the beach ball. They simply went back to having fun playing!

It was a simple act of forget about the conflict and just continue having fun together. The simplicity and innocence of children, a priceless lesson and example for grown ups!

Time Passes

It's three months now since I have started working in the real world. Looking back in time I still can remember the day I stepped into kindergarten. A day filled with smiles and the excitement overwhelming. Then the time came when I started primary school. Those times were just being with friends, playing, homeworks and recess. Playing "police entry", "champion", then falling down and scraping knees and elbows. When I was a kid I just wanted to grow up fast. Seeing all the adults and working life...I just wanted to get there. Then moved on to secondary school days. Teen life began. All the ups and downs of the adolescent age which pretty much is a carefree life. Never realized it then.

Became a kindergarten teacher awhile. I love kids!Moved on to college met interesting people. Life was still not so bad. The most interesting part of my life was to deal with a bunch of youths soon after that!! When I became a youth pastor! Man, that was tough. But sailed through. The memories are ever so precious.

Went back to college again and it was a beautiful time. Met great friends who are now my close friends. Miss the times of getting crazy together, crying on each others shoulder, burning midnight oil to get done with assignments, hair pulling moments preparing for exams, the movies, ice skating, shopping and so many things. We all have come through that.

Life back then was much easier though at that time it felt like the greatest challenge ever. Now working for real is not easy. It is a different road by itself. The challenges are even greater. There are times I feel like giving up. Just throwing everything aside and running off to a solitude. But then again it is those challenges that is maturing me each day. In a way I am afraid to face what is ahead of me. I am not sure whether I am able to live up to the expectations. There is tiny part of me that looking forward to the adventure ahead. Hmmm...confusing. Well, life goes on. So I shall just push forward.

A Special Person

On Sunday a very special person arrived. Was very much looking forward to his arrival and he came finally. My wonderful brother, Joey, came back from the US! Three years and two months since I last saw him. To see him made me realize he is the same 'little' brother I love and care. He is only going to be around for a week. It feels so short wish it was longer. Then again, it is better than no stay at all.

For the past couple of days with him being around it truly got me thinking of how much do we appreciate the people we love and care for. Do we spend time with them, talk to them or even just sit with them in silence? Without realizing we a space is created and the worse I guess we can become strangers who know each other. Many times I know personally that I have taken it for granted. But I have come to realize I need to change. I know it is not going to be easy to devout time but it is a challenge of initiative. Everything starts with a first step. I want to start with it. How about you? Show the ones you love and care for that you do!

Small gestures shown with TENDER LOVING CARE makes a huge difference.

pic: me, joey, tabitha & joy

REASON, SEASON or LIFETIME

People come into your life for a

REASON, a SEASON or a LIFETIME.
When you know which one it is,

you will know what to do for that person..

REASON
When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically,

emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a God send and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part

or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something

to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

SEASON
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real.
But only for a season.

LIFETIME
Relationships teach you LIFETIME lessons.

Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson.
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Picking up...

To pick up one self up after a fall can be hard. It has taken a couple of years to pick myself up and to say Lord, You are in control of everything. Past hurts, mistakes made, decisions....to walk past all of it really is to rely on God's strength. In my weakness He is made strong. God is gracious and merciful that He never allows His child to fall on the ground but instead lifts His child up with His loving hands.

It has not been easy. There is the tendency of wanting to take control of everything. But a reminder...God is my Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Author and the Finisher of my life. All I want is to be a blessed child of His.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Friends...

Just sitting by the window and looking at the photos of friends. Interesting to know the once best friend is now so far apart..once enemy is now one of my closest friend..there are friends who have promised to always be there, now no sms-es or replies to the emails I have sent. Wonder do they even remember me? People change as the days go by. People mature day by day. But what I believe is, no matter what, friends are important. Pretty much most of the time they know who you are inside out. They are the ones with whom one can be his/her true self. There are no fears of sounding silly...looking weird...being cranky...they just accept you.

In this it makes me wonder how faithful of a friend am I?

To all my friends out there...who once knew me...still knows me...I am still here as a friend to you whenever you need one..let it be for laughter...sadness...or just for quietness.

Dear friends,

If I have not said how much I am grateful for you, here I am saying it now. Thank you for making my world special and colourful. You make a whole lot of difference to me and you are important. Thank you. Love you all sincerely.