YOUR PRESENT SITUATION IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION

Oh I know there are times in our lives when 'tough' isn't always a lovely go-to word. Sometimes that cliche is not a bit comforting to the weary mind and heart. Sometimes we need more than just that.
.
The thing is we won't get any other kind of comfort elsewhere. The real kind of comfort can be found from within ourselves. It is right here where we are-as we are. It is in trying, and I mean really trying, to understand that life is not the villain but just a vehicle on which rides the lessons we should be learning. And learning is what we are supposed to do on this planet.
.
Life will happen as it happens to us... mean, hard, nasty, bad, unfair, scary, desolate, dismal, biased, unkind, sometimes hopeless. Yet no matter how easy we may possibly fall into its trap or fierce grip, it cannot really snuff out the spark within that struggles to shine bright and even brighter regardless. May I nudge you to the thought that God knew we needed something to help us along with life and living, so He put that tiny spark there to help us through.
.
You see, I have learned that if the story of our life be bad, terrible perhaps, and that the common perception is because it is bad it will therefore mean it will also end bad...... Well, that isn't always the case. It does not have to end bad.
.
It is not what happens to you, them, us..... but how you respond to it that truly defines you. What we do with life is who we are. Allow that spark within to shine bright and even brighter out to the world.
.
As the cover photo says..... "Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come." And that, dear friend, is by God's design.

A FAMILY IS NEVER PERFECT - BUT IS GOD'S PERFECT GIFT TO US

-------------------
Just got back from my early morning walk. Actually, it's already 8morning now and I consider that quite late for a morning walk. The Philippine sun is already out from behind the mountains of Antipolo which does not entirely contribute to a comfortable cool walk around the village. Plus the fact that the village dogs are already out on the streets also getting their morning exercise.... vocals and paws. Maybe next time I will have Scruffy my pet dog along to ward off these pesky four-legged bullies. Now that seems to be a good idea!
.
This weekend that passed was spent in the lovely home of my daughter and her husband. It was a pleasant stay made so by the couple ... the loves of my life. Another love (youngest daughter) was there with me and another love (oldest daughter) stayed home with the pets and a much deserved me time. That is smart. We all do need ‘me- time’. I do. Yes, four loves of my life. My family.
.
Old folks say that you can’t choose your family. Some families tell of dysfunction within the home which cause so much pain and heartache to its members. Others add to say that you only get the family you deserve. That could perhaps also be true. Everybody is a story and has a story for us to listen to – tales of happiness and woe. And, life being what it is, shall continue to send us lessons for our learning. Much of these lessons are learned in the home with family.
.
Mother said these long ago….......... ‘A family is not perfect. It never is. Because each one (in it) is a different person... of different temperament... is shaped by its own acquired set of experiences- insights- perceptions… with his or her own good and bad… traveling his or her own road… and creating his or her own life story. In the natural nurturing order of things, they will expand or develop and in that process increase becoming finally their own person.... one day by Divine design.’
.
Now we know why God created families. It is the perfect environment for growth and the only thing that can bring this about is … love.  Where else in this big wide world can this great love be found... but with and in the family.  It's the greatest love of all. Truly God's perfect gift.
.
God bless all the families in the world!

 

 

 

YOU ARE LIMITED BY HOW YOU SEE THE WORLD. SEEK TO GROW.

 

  (This is from the other blog but I'm bringing it here too to share with you.)

 .....

 

What's on my mind today. Well, I was sorting through my files awhile ago and saw this piece of paper with a quote on it ... halatang luma na ... written from so long ago it seems. It says and to quote ...
.
"Interestingly, koi, when put in a fish bowl, will only grow up to three inches. When this same fish is placed in a large tank, it will grow to about nine inches long. In a pond koi can reach lengths of eighteen inches. Amazingly, when placed in a lake, koi can grow to three feet long. The metaphor is obvious. You are limited by how you see the world." -- Vince Poscente
.
Imagine these.....................
in a fish bowl = will grow up to THREE inches;
in a large tank = will grow to about NINE inches long;
in a pond = can reach lengths of EIGHTEEN inches;
in a lake = can grow to THREE FEET long;
.
Now why did I have to repeat that? Simple. It's to stress a very important point ... (and it's also for my own understanding and learning. Some lessons are worth learning again and again.) ...... which Vince Poscente summed up very well ------ 'You are limited by how you see the world.'
.
He is right. If we content or restrict ourselves to just our neighborhoods, or to our towns, or to our cities, or to our tiny corners of life alone, or to the I - ME - MY - MINE of living .... that certainly gives us no room for growth. Our likes and dislikes, preferences, insights, perceptions, attitudes, habits, store of information and knowledge will be as it all were maybe ten or twenty years ago.
.
But life keeps moving on; the world keeps on turning; people develop and change; systems are discovered and rediscovered every time; the beating of the drums call for progress; even Mother Nature renews herself each season. The children of our times are a far cry from the children of our forefathers and so will the children of our children be different from their fathers in their own time.
.
So.... the choice is there for us to make:
.
Shall we step along with life's parade........ or remain where we are and have always been since god-knows-when.
.
Break down the old barriers and walls now; junk the negativity of some people (and our own negativity, too) ... and then create new bridges and new roads to an awesome life. Let us then see the world with fresh new eyes.... minds..... hearts and work towards our highest potential and become the persons God designed and meant us to be.
.
And the time to start it is now. There is no eternity waiting for us in this life; what we have is today. Begin today.
.
God go with you in your journey. As I pray too that He does in mine.