Postscript

thank you

for showing me your vulnerability
i too, am frail mustard
leaf swept by cold wind, gnarled

by doubts and scarfed by guilt 
many a night
i too, am needled reed
bent by unanswered prayers
and clumsiness of legs

you remind me to
summon the courage left behind
what has faded, tarnished, passed 
is over 

i can finally accept what is
weary, tedious, ordinary looking, everyday
me
with a cup of bubbling chocolate

thank you



Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Hosted by Bjorn Rudberg on Metaphors.  Join us when the pub doors open by 3pm EST for some poetry writing and reading.

A grateful heart

A blessed beautiful day to everyone ~

quote source:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/08/01810.html

Worth loving

Write a poem.

Learn to dance.

Travel to a new place.

Forgive yourself.

Love yourself. 

HAPPY WEEK ~

Start today

Life is so precious. 

 Some days you want to go back in time and relive all the beautiful moments. 

Or even redo some missteps. But the challenges make us stronger and a better person. 

 Start today; its another day.

Have a wonderful weekend ~

quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/07/01686.html

Happy Father's Day

I am free to be who I am, and be the person I want to be.

A special person who is part of who I am today is my Dad.  

Happy special day to all the fathers including my hubby!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Full of sunshine

I was expecting a lot of sun and warm weather lately as it is summer.  But on some nights, it is still cold, along with the rain and dark clouds.

I guess that's the way life is...  you expect certain events and situations to happen, and sometimes it doesn't turn out to be like that.       This is applicable  to my life right now as I didn't get the job post I was applying for last week.  I was disappointed but I think I made the right decision to stretch myself to see what is out there.  I am thankful I do have a stable job and love the people I work with right now.   As to my recent exam results, I will know in about 2 weeks. Hopefully I pass, and I can move on to another challenge.   

All in all, the past few days wasn't too bad.   I was expecting sunshine all the way through, but the rain has been good for Mother Earth.   I see the trees in their full splendour and the garden blooming with flowers (specially my red roses). Yes, life can be full of sunshine.  


So, how was your week?   Hope you all have a good weekend ~
  

picture credit:    happythings.tumblr

Hello summer~

Finally summer is here.   And what a blessing to have the warm weather, hot sun and bright sky. 


The garden of flowers and the leaves in the trees are a sight to behold.  Knowing that we only


have a few months of this sunshine makes me appreciate  this beautiful weather.    


Hope everyone is having a lovely week~

Quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/04/01180.html

Allow Me

I learn a lot of things about myself today.

I learn that it is okay if I don't keep my house in perfect order.  It is home.   

I learn that I don't have to be a chef for my family to like my food.  It is home cooked - that makes it special.

I learn  to trust in myself,  my creativity, my unique gifts.

Most of all, I learn to love and accept    

me.

photo credit: shetakesflight.tumblr

Footprints in the sand

I came across this poem when I was a young girl.    I thought then that when God carries me, that he will magically solve all my problems and all my cares will be gone.   Now that I have a family and daily challenges to cope, both at home and at work, I know realize how fortunate I am to have a Divine Hand to guide me, comfort me and hold me close to His Bosom.   Not that all my problems will disappear like magic, but it is comforting to know that there is someone helping me carry my burdens and cares.   Through the kindness and good deeds of loved ones, friends, and even strangers, we can feel His comforting and merciful Hand. 

One night I had a dream.


I dreamed I was walking along the beach


with the Lord.


Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..


For each scene, I noticed two sets of


footprints in the sand,


one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,


I looked back at the footprints in the sand.


I noticed that many times along the path of my life


there was only one set of footprints.


I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest


and saddest times in my life.


This really bothered me


and I questioned the Lord about it:


"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,


you'd walk with me all the way.


But I have noticed that during the most


troublesome times in my life


there is only one set of footprints.


I don't understand why


when I need you most you would leave me."


The Lord replied:


"My precious child, I love you and would


never leave you.


During your times of trial and suffering,


when you see only one set of footprints, it was then


that I carried you."



poem by Mary Stevenson


Picture credit:   Luke Tscharke

http://www.luketscharke.com/index.php?showimage=14

Love is beautiful

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.


- Courtney Kuchta -

Keeping the trust

Take care of the trust given to you


by your child, your spouse, your friend or your neighbor.


Honor your commitments and promises, even if it is the last thing you need to do at the end of the long day.


Affirm their faith in you by looking out for their welfare,  as if they are yours.


Hold it in your hands like it is a precious gem or glass.


Because once it is shattered by doubts, dishonesty or lies,


it is hard to gain it back.  




gif credit: http://cristania.tumblr.com/post/3823928897

Love is spelled T-I-M-E

It is spring break and the snow outside has melted.


At this time, spending time with our children and loved ones


are blessings we are thankful for.   Whether it is biking, walking,


baking or watching movies together,  we are creating and stamping


our "memories" with them.


Specially to a child, time spent with him or her is L-O-V-E.


Here is beautiful video from Simple Truths - To a child, Love is spelled T-I-M-E.


Simple Truths - We Hope You Enjoyed the movie!.

Photo credit:

http://photo.rodrigogomez.com.mx/index.php?showimage=507

Young at heart

If 

you want to be 

 young at heart,

then

LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE.

A heart that loves is always young.   

-Greek Proverb

picture credit:  happythings.tumblr

A stroke of good luck

Every week when we buy groceries, I always see a line of people buying lotto tickets in the lottery counter.    I can see their hopeful faces, young and old, milling around the counter and jotting down what is hopefully a "lucky number."   Some are already in dreamland, thinking of what to do if they hit the jackpot.... buy a big house, car, clothes, pay off the mortgage and credit cards debts, travel every year and buy more gadgets... the list does on.   The harsh reality comes the next day, when we find out that none of our numbers didn't even show up, or that someone is luckier than us.   Okay, back to reality, back to work, back to studying, and back to the work grind.  We are not lucky at all, we sigh.

Sometimes it is a blessing that we didn't get what we wished for, as pretty much some of us asked for things or events for selfish reasons.   Imagine if we give in and grant our child every toy, wish or new gadget that they want.    We will end up spoiling our child and giving him or her a self-centered and unrealistic view of life and the way they relate to other people.

I would like to think that not winning the top prize or any consolation prizes in the lottery or contest every time,  is a stroke of good luck.   Adversity, challenges, disappointments and setbacks, makes us humble, diligent, stronger and more passionate about living.  And when we do prepare, work and get the top prize or reward, it is more satisfying and meaningful because we have earned it.   Finally, Lady Luck is on our side.

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."  - Dalai Lama

Picture credit:   Frank Boenigk

http://www.photoschau.de/index.php?showimage=499

On motivation and children's dreams

When my 11 year old daughter told me that she wanted to compete for her track and field in her school's activity next month, I was happy for her.

When she told me that when she is in secondary school, that she will try out to be part of the school sports team like volleyball, soccer, and basketball, I was happy for her.

When she told me that she plans to be a vet or an architect or an interior designer, I was happy for her.

Not because she is my daughter.

But because she is an ambitious young lady with big dreams. I admire women who can dream big. And I know that she will accomplish whatever it is that she wants to do because she works hard at it. Right now, she has been running outside with her older brother for training for the competition in next month's track and field. "I want to win Mom. " she told me.   "If I win, I get a medal and ice-cream."

We had a tougher time motivating and encouraging her older brother, at the same age, years ago. He had no motivation and interest to do well in school, despite our pleadings and even threats to transfer him to another school. You can imagine our frustration every time we get his school grades - they were low. Through all his challenges however, my husband and I encouraged him and celebrated his success in other fields where he excelled like drawing, playing the violin and sports. He eventually did well academically because his girlfriend excelled in school and he didn't want to be embarrassed about his school grades. On his last year of high school, he found out that he likes numbers and did well in his accounting classes. He then decided that he was going to university, major in Business and Finance. He had found his career path which now motivated  him to excel in the field.   These days, he is the one encouraging and coaching his younger sister to excel in school.

It is a challenge for parents to create an environment which our children will be motivated to do well in whatever it is that they want to do. Some children will find their "inner" fire earlier than others, while some may take a longer time. But the ingredients are the same:

1. show our unconditional love and support
2. celebrate their success, however small, and in whatever field they excel in
3. tell them that they are valued and important individuals with special skills and talents
4. listen, encourage and support them through their challenges
5. believe in them, and in their dreams.

Even if a child comes from a broken home or unhappy family circumstances, as long as one parent or family member loves him or her unconditionally, the child will grow up to be a responsible and highly motivated individual. Dr. Benjamin Carson comes to mind, as narrated in his book, Gifted Hands.   (please see my blog post on this.)

I believe that when there is love, our children will dream, aspire and work to be the best that they can be.

I hope you all have a nice week.

Beautiful Photo:  credit to Paolo Micheli

http://www.get-a-glimpse.com/atomPhotoBlog.php?do=show&photoId=569

Where are you heading to?

As long as you know what you want, and where you want to go, it doesn't matter where you started. For some people, this may take many years as it takes a lot of courage and faith in oneself to know where you are heading to.

"It's not where you are today that counts. It's where you are headed." - Arthur F. Lenehan



Photo credit:   http://www.get-a-glimpse.com/atomPhotoBlog.php?do=show&photoId=881
by Paolo Micheli

The courage to continue

When you see a "dead end" sign,

it doesn't mean "the end" of the road.

It only means that we might have to re-evaluate, maybe adjust our plans, go back a few steps, and find another way to get there.  It might take us a little longer to reach our destination, but we will get there eventually.

''Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.'' - Winston Churchill



Picture credit:  http://www.laszlo.se/exposure/p/151

Always bring your own sunshine

We are in the middle of winter with temperature dropping below zero (C).    Sometimes the sun is out shining brightly, giving warmth to a cold and chilly day.   The weather outside is something we can't control given that we now live in Canada.   I used to live in a tropical country where there was just 2 kinds of weather, sun or rain.   My mood for the day was affected by the weather - I get grumpy when it is cold and wet, and happy when it is sunny and bright.

Now, I don't have that luxury anymore as our summer here in Canada is so short (just 3 months).   I realize that I need to have an "internal weather" in my mind, regardless of the weather conditions outside.  If not, and I let the weather and external conditions affect me, I will be grumpy person most of the time.   I know that it is not easy to be always  cheerful and upbeat  specially when you have problems in your life.  It takes a lot of effort and persistence to be cheerful and have a sunny disposition despite the challenges you have at home and at work.   But I find out that once my mind is set on having a "summer weather", that it becomes easier to share a laugh, a kind word, a helping hand and even an encouraging  remark or comment to others.

To help me have a "summer weather"  mindset, the colors in our home and in my room, are bright and warm; and in my office, I have pictures of flowers and beaches in my wall and in my computer.   If I feel grumpy and depressed, I talk to my family and friends, watch funny and light hearted movies, do my yoga or any physcial activity, or listen to upbeat songs, to shake off the "bad" mood.    And most importantly, I read a lot of stories specially inspirational  and uplifting articles to keep my thoughts focus on the good and blessed things we have in our life.

What about you?   What do you do to "bring your own sunshine"?

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -Anthony J. D'Angelo

~ Hope everyone is having a good week~

picture credit:  happythings.tumbr

Happy Family Day !

What entails your "family day" ?

In Canada, we are celebrating Family Day on Monday, Feb.21, 2011.

Though this is a nice excuse to have another holiday and have a long weekend, spending time with the family is a good break from work and school schedules.    The "family time" may be as simple as reading the book together or sharing the meal together as everyone is home, or going for a vacation.

Whatever is your type of "family day", enjoy the time with your loved ones specially when the children are young.   Children may not always remember their toys or clothes or room or the places they have been or their friends during their childhood years.

But they always remember the happy times spent with their family.

Family Day is observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan on the third Monday of February. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.

~ HAPPY FAMILY DAY EVERYONE ~

Picture credit:  happythings.tumblr

The obstacle is the path

We can get lost and go into many stumbling blocks in our journey through life.
But if we believe in ourselves and in the Divine Hand that guides us, we will always find our footing, pace and direction.   Oftentimes, the path becomes clear after going through the challenges and “obstacles” along the way.

“The obstacle is the path.”

Zen Proverb
Baltic Sea Picture

Picture credit: http://anton-agarkov.livejournal.com/65726.html?view=881854#t881854