Being Balanced

There’s always something happening – every day. And if you’re like me, now and again, things seem out of whack and you feel “unstable” – aka as out of balance. That’s partly why I haven’t been blogging for a while. Let’s get started…

Need more "Mike"

From time to time I see someone I used to ride the bus (an hour-long ride) with a few years ago.

How attractive...

...are you?

This verse speaks volumes.

Genesis 12:11 - As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. (NLT)

The first thing that crossed my mind was whether Abram had ever complimented Sarah on her beauty before or even after that time or if he only said so for selfish self-preservation reasons. The second thing that a dear friend had pointed out to me a few years ago, is that Sarai was over 70 years old at this time and was still so attractive - not just in her husband's eyes but in many men's eyes as we see what actually happened in Genesis 20, when they moved to Gerar.

As I thought about this post, I felt led to talk about 5 things we should WATCH.

Don't smile for me...

...smile for yourself.

Ok let me explain where I'm coming from so I don't sound rude as that's not my intention.

Surprise! Surprise!!

When you finish reading this post, you may call me extra-funny or extra-ordinary...I won't be offended both fit.

Smile...

"Nice top..."

One evening, on my way home, a lady's black-and-white top caught my eye. It was simple and nice...yes, and suited her. I actually considered walking over to her to say "Nice top." (Yes, I've been know to compliment total strangers.) As I got closer to her, the more familiar it looked. Oh - I then realized I had the same exact top which Beryl had complimented a few weeks earlier.

It’s not mutual

A few months ago, I bumped into someone I try to connect with from time to time. With each time we catch-up, I’ve always made the first move. In fact the last time, the person said, or more accurately promised, “I’ll look you up the next time I’m in town.” Well, guess what? Yes, of course, the next time the person was in town, I found out...

You're being watched...

...with every movement or lack of movement.

A few weeks ago, I thought about giving myself a gift. Everyone deserves a "gift" now and again.

Well I decided to give myself a gift of not doing any exercise. Reason? Of course there was a reason - and it was because I was celebrating someone's birthday and so felt entitled to a gift. Now the question isn't whether or not I gave the celebrant a gift - that's besides the point at least this time. :) Ok to clear that, I gave the celebrant more than one gift...let's go on.

Oh my home...

"Oh my home...

When shall I see my home?
When shall I see my nativeland
I will never forget my home."

This song (> 30 years old) came to mind as I wrote this piece.

My mind is made up...

...so I celebrate the best husband (@adelekelani) for me.

Uncle?

I wrote about this* over 3 years ago and I was reminded about it again last Christmas... while watching Mammoth Christmas. 

I smiled when Manny's daughter, Peaches refer to Sid - her parents' friend - as "Uncle Sid." These days that more and more people call people older than them by their first name it can be an uphill task to help children refer to their elders respectfully. There are many ways to teach a child how to do that. One way I've found to be effective is when they are still imitating and repeating everything - or almost everything you say, I refer to other adults as "Uncle" or "Auntie" so and so.

 

It has worked rather well with my children such that the only name they know for that person is "Uncle this" or "Auntie that." It's almost funny - but great - to hear them correct themselves when they unthinkingly refer to the person as "Brother" or "Sister" as I would. 

 

When the school year started, it was nice almost startling to see the switch when one of my children's teacher was introducing himself to his students. He was clear on what they should call him - "Mr. so and so." Without missing a heartbeat when he turned to introduce himself to me, he said my name is "So and so" - yes his first name. So the distinction was clear and reinforced my resolve to help children in my sphere of influence understand that.

I know it's not easy for some children to understand why they should call someone that isn't on their family tree "Uncle" or "Auntie" however, it is important for them to understand that it's about the bond not just blood.

I know about this from personal experience. I have an Auntie who has been and continues to be a superb blessing to me and my family. In fact my children, know her as "Grandma." Auntie T, I love and appreciate you more than words can ever say. May God continually bless you and yours.

Reference:
* http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2011/04/uncle-auntie.html

A bit about love...

Looking through some of my old stuff, I found these 3 statements on love by Jesse Duplantis:

Love is far too amazing and too good to be kept as a private possession.

Learn to be generous with it to yourself and others.

What love is, hate can never be...


Love is a central part of our lives and we must get (& give) it right in order to have a good quality life.

I'll never forget this song by B.J. Thomas: "Using things and loving people."* One of the lines in the song says: "loving thing and using people always leads to misery."

God shed His love in our hearts so we share it with others - not with things...

A bit of love will make a big difference in many lives. Spread His love and spread the word!

References:
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cEZjSp0ZSQ

P.S. Just researching some more  and found out that BJ Thomas turned 70 a few days ago...

House of Mirrors

"All of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." (2 Cor 3:18 - NLT)

Author unknown: Long ago in a small village [or so the story goes] there was a place known as the House of a Thousand Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit.

When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the door with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as he could.

BEAR Hug

I've previously written about how much of a "hugger" I am.*I love to give and receive hugs...and without pushing it, I encourage those around me to show me the same courtesy.

When you think about it, there is just something so heart-touching about hugs. Of course there is - since you get to "touch" the other person's heart with a hug that's from your heart.

A recent email prompted this...so I looked up quotes and pictures to buttress my point.

Mummy merry-go-round

A few days ago...actually one early morning (@3.30am), I was chatting (IM) with my cousin - who's in a different time zone. When she asked and found out what time it was for me, she was wondering why I was up so early (or is it up so late). I explained that I needed to stay up in order to do things I couldn't get to do when my children were awake. When signing-off, I said to her that I needed to go to bed and rest before it's time for

 "Mummy merry-go-round."

Some more about Purse-onality...

Recently, I was thinking about buying a new purse and it occured to me that our career &/or calling in life have a big part to play in our choice of purses. I'll explain...

The colour of your purse-onality

Another aspect of purse-onality is the colours of purses. Years ago, I was a one-purse lady...in fact I loved every bag once it was black. Yes, black was (& still is) beautiful for several reasons...

For starters, it’s a neutral colour and will go with any and every outfit. I didn’t believe there was any reason to move things from one purse to another just because it needed to match with my shoes. Who said shoes and purses had to match? In fact, who was looking at me anyway? (I got the answer to that question later)

The second reason is: it is dark enough not to be stained...or tainted by dirt or dust - which almost makes it ageless. If and when it ages (and if you must), it's easy to get the right colour of polish - for the edges at least...if you decide not to buy another black bag to replace it.

And then...I met Beryl (another of my best friends); she was (and still is) always so colour-coordinated - don't know how she does it. So I decided to try it out...tried to get more bags to go with my black, brown and navy blue shoes - well who needs more than 3 colours of shoes? Clothes can always be made to fit the accessories - won't you agree? I know more ladies do it the other way around - I guess that's why I'm so unique.  Ok back to purses...

What's your purse-onality? (2)

Talking some more about purses and purse-onality, have you noticed that some ladies have practically anything you'll need in their purses. It's almost like an overnight bag - hmm does that mean they are prepared to spend the night wherever? I don't think so and definitely hope not. Well, when you ask them the last time they used an item e.g. that sewing kit, the response is "you never know when it could come in handy." Again that is so true - but your shoulders and back may not agree with you.