Home is...

...where the heart is,
and where the help is not where the "hurt" is.

The cycle of prosperity

I want to prosper! It's as simple as that. So I decided to pull together a few bible verses to guide me. 

I also want you to prosper so I decided to share this continuous cycle with you: 

Are you courageous?

A few years ago, my family and I had an opportunity to watch the film titled: Courageous 

together. It is a movie that I recommend that every family watch and learn from together not just for men to watch and learn from. 

The role of fathers can not be overestimated. Being a father is a lot more than passing on a sperm to your wife and expecting her as the mother to carry the child to full term and keep "carrying" and caring for the children till they are mature enough to start families of their own.    Far from it, it involves Courage - and a lot of it. Courage has to be the foundation of fatherhood. 

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, Courage is the "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." Being courageous is not easy but it is possible with God on your side - just as He promises in Deuteronomy 31:6. It takes courage to accept responsibility for contributing to the future i.e. by raising a child. As we know our children are our future. And it is well known that "if you do not train them, you cannot blame them."

The other way I see courage being a critical success factor for fathers is that they need to know how to lovingly direct and discipline their children. Gladly, even if they were there when their children were born, they do not have the "baggage" mothers have of having carried the children within them which unfortunately makes some mothers let their children almost become "garbage" because of how they spoil them.

Being a courageous father also means that with the first-hand experience of being courageous in the face of danger, fear or difficulty, that you can encourage your children to also be courageous.

I celebrate all courageous fathers. Thank you for who you are and all you do. Happy Father's Day!

Beware of wondering...

...then wandering.

Happy Parents' Day!

Yes you read right? Who knew that there was such a thing?

I was just about to write a piece about parenting based on a sermon* and wondered if there was a "Parents Day". And surprise!! surprise!!! - there's one. Funny and interesting if you ask me. Parents' commitment towards their children cannot be overemphasized or over-celebrated. And as you might have guessed, finding this out inspired me more to write up and publish this piece sooner than later.

Communication tips

Let me start by wishing you a "Happy World Communications Day"
(Guess what: I just found by chance - reiterating the importance of following the Holy Spirit's leading)

A lot has been said about communication and I can't help but wonder if anyone is listening. Personally, I believe we'll be effective communicators if we take Dianna Booher's advice on communication:

"When you listen first then speak your heart with clarity and courtesy, you can lead others to change attitudes, behaviours and situations."

Over time I've written about communication - starting with the Secrets of Success* series.

Indeed it's an open secret that good & effective communication is a key to success.**

Communication is basically the exchange of information...and to be effective you must: 

• Spend time to consider what is being said and what is not being send i.e. listen
• Speak from your core (heart) - be careful that what you feel is real
• Speak with clarity - ensure that you know and mean what you say
• Speak with courtesy - your words should be laced with kindness and "salt"

Better communication is not the same as more communication. We must focus on improving the quality, not necessarily the quantity, of our communication - here are a few tips:

Communication works for those who work at it. ~ John Powell

The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said. ~ Peter Drucker

The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, 

but they signify quite different things. 

Information is giving out; communication is getting through. ~ Sydney J. Harris

I also enjoyed reading this Message from Pope Francis as part of the celebration of this year's World Communications Day. It has so many nuggets of how we all can and should utilize and maximize this period of lock down - as we communicate through stories. Keep communicating.

References:

*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2009/10/esther-effect.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/secret-4-communication.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/secret-4-communication-speech.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/secret-4-communication-script.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/secret-4-communication-signals.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/secret-4-communication-silence.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/03/seven-sayings-on-speech-and-silence.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/04/secret-5-character-ace_23.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2010/05/secret-4-communication-addendum.html

**http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/12675/communication-most-important-key-to-leadership-success

Step out - and up

I had the privilege of praying with a couple of my high school mates where one of us, Dr B, shared something that I felt that I needed to share further.