I am with you

WISDOM FROM GANDHI

- The good man is the friend of all living things

- Common sense is the realized sense of proportion

- Those who know how to think need to teachers

- Nobody can hurt me without my permission

- In a gentle way, you can shake the world

- Self-respect knows no considerations

- Poverty is the worst form of violence

- Where there is love there is life

- Peace is its own reward

- My life is my message

(Mahatma Gandhi)

Love came down

THE ABC'S OF GENUINE HAPPINESS

A-ccept your reality

B-e present.  Be bold

C-reate something exciting

D-rink plenty of water.  Dance

E-xercise daily.  Eat fresh foods

F-eel your emotions.  Face fear

G-o outside and observe nature.  Faith

H-ug often.  Help others

I-gnite your passions

J-ump through your comfort zone

K-iss passionately.  Keep looking forward

L-augh.  Love.  Learn to let go

M-editate daily.  Make goals

N-ever give up on what you want

O-wn a pet.  Observe beauty

P-ray.  Paint.  Play an instrument

Q-uit a bad habit.  Quiet your mind

R-ead.  Relax.  Reinvent yourself

S-mile.  Sleep.  Simplify

T-ake power naps.  Talk wisely

U-nleash your strengths

V-ent.  Visualise your dreams

W-alk.  Write.  Watch the sun set

X-erox your smiling face

Y-ell less.  Yield to your ghouths

Z-ap negativity

(Anonymous)

Love

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR THOSE WHO MARRY

- Keep God first!

- Respect and honor each other!

- Encourage each other to grow together

- Read the Bible together as much as possible

- Be swift to hear and slow to speak

- Take time to communicate with each other

- Understand that love is a choice, not merely a feeling

- Have a "mission statement" for your marriage and family

- Do not let others come between you and your spouse

- Protect and honor your marriage vows

(Anonymous)

Teach me

7 WAYS TO POWERFULLY LEAD THROUGH PROBLEMS

1. Be transparent.  Everyone know profits are down.  They are waiting for you to name it

2. Create a "we"

3. Talk with people at the center of the storm.  Ask them to:
- Explain the situation
- Define success
- Identify and describe behaviors that create forward movement
- Describe how committed they are to finding and implementing solutions

4. Begin with problems remain, remain focused on solutions

5. Commit to quickly making things better.  The longer you wait the more difficult solutions become

6. Set expectations.  Complete resolution takes time

7. Ask them to solve it, when appropriate.  Stay available.  Don't hover

(Dan Rockwell)

Worship

7 GOOD THINGS...TO SET YOUR HEART UPON

Knowing Him (Philippians 3:10

Loving Him (John 15:9)

Pleasing Him (Colossians 1:10)

Obeying Him (John 14:15)

Trusting Him (Psalm 91:2)

Thanking Him (Psalm 92:1)

Enjoying Him (Psalm 16:11)

(Roy Lessin)

Why pray

HANDPHONENYA DITARUH DI KOTAK

Di salah satu rumah makan di Singapore, di setiap meja makan disediakan satu kotak untuk menaruh handphone dari pengunjung yang duduk di meja tersebut.  Rupanya pemilik rumah makan tersebut melihat adanya kebiasaan dari pengunjung untuk terpaku kepada handphonenya daripada berbicara dan berkomunikasi dengan rekan mereka di meja makan tersebut.  Tujuan dari pemilik rumah makan tersebut adalah untuk mendorong pengunjungnya untuk berfokus dan bersosialisasi dengan rekan mereka di meja makan.

Rupanya manusia seringkali terlalu sibuk dan bergantung kepada handphone mereka sehingga mereka tidak bisa dipisahkan dengan handphone mereka.  Malahan seringkali adanya kerusakan hubungan dalam rumah tangga karena adanya anggota keluarga yang terlalu berfokus kepada handphone mereka, sehingga hubungan mereka terganggu.

Saya juga berpikir dalam kehidupan kita, perlunya kita mengambil waktu khusus untuk bisa meluangkan waktu dengan Tuhan.  Seringkali kita terlalu berfokus akan urusan kita sehingga kita mengabaikan hubungan kita dengan Tuhan.  Seperti di rumah makan tersebut, biarlah kita mengambil waktu untuk menaruh urusan dan kesibukan kita supaya kita berfokus untuk bisa bersekutu dan berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan.  

Seringkali kita mengabaikan Tuhan oleh karena kesibukan kita, tetapi seharusnya kita berfokus kepada Tuhan yang sanggup menolong kita akan semua kesibukan dan permasalahan kita.  Marilah kita selalu ingat untuk selalu bersekutu dan bergantung kepada Tuhan, dan Tuhan akan terus menuntun dan menolong kehidupan kita.

"Orang yang mengenal namaMu percaya kepadaMu, sebab tidak Kautinggalkan orang yang mencari Engkau, ya Tuhan" (Mazmur 9:11)

Trust

MENYAMPAIKAN KABAR BAIK

Kalau anak saya mendapat nilai yang baik dalam ujiannya, dia selalu langsung menelpon saya untuk memberitahukan kabar baik tersebut.  Dan biasanya dia menceritakan mengenai hasil ujiannya dengan semangat dan penuh sukacita.  Lain halnya pada waktu dia mendapatkan nilai yang kurang baik, dia biasanya menunggu sampai malam hari dan melihat suasananya sebelum menceritakan hasil yang didapatnya.

Saya pikir memang salah satu kebiasaan dari manusia adalah suka mengabarkan kabar baik kepada orang lain.  Contohnya pada waktu mereka memberi kabar kalau mereka mau menikah, mendapatkan pekerjaan, menerima kelulusan, mengalami kehamilan, dan lain-lain.  Kalau seseorang mengalami hal demikian, sepertinya susah untuk menahan dirinya untuk tidak menceritakan hal tersebut kepada orang lain.

Kalau kita pikirkan, apa yang kita alami dan terima dari Tuhan juga merupakan suatu anugerah dan pengalaman yang luar biasa.  Kasih karunia, pertolonganNya, penyediaanNya, tuntunanNya, semuanya juga merupakan hal yang luar biasa bagi kita.  Bukankah seharusnya kita menyampaikan kabar baik ini bagi orang-orang di sekitar kita, dan supaya orang lain juga bisa mengalami apa yang kita alami.  Marilah kita menyampaikan apa yang kita alami pada waktu kita berjalan bersama dengan Tuhan, dan Tuhan akan memakai kehidupan kita untuk membawa orang lain untuk masuk dalam rencanaNya.

"..Ia telah mengutus aku untuk menyampaikan kabar baik kepada orang-orang sengsara, dan merawat orang-orang yang remuk hati, untuk memberitakan pembebasan kepada orang-orang tawanan, dan kepada orang-orang yang terkurung kelepasan dari penjara.." (Yesaya 61:2)

Shine

7 WAYS TO SUCCEED WHILE UNDER PRESSURE

1. Identify the smallest problem that requires a solution

2. Focus maximum energy on the simplest short-term solution

3. Never expand problems; shrink them

4. Clarify what you don't need

5. Keep everyone focused on current issues

6. Lower drama by speaking calmly but acting aggressively

7. Take charge, but stay open.  An emergency is not the time for team meeting

"When failure is imminent, solve essential issues as quickly as possible.  Let everything else go"

(Dan Rockwell)

Precious in my eyes

SEVEN REALITIES

1. God is always at work around you

2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal

3. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work

4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways

5. God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action

6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing

7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you

(Anonymous)

My grace is sufficient

TOP 5 REGRETS OF THE DYING

- I wish to had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

- I wish hadn't worked so hard

- I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings

- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

- I wish that I had let myself be happier

(Marc Chernoff)

Worry

10 THINGS I KNOW ABOUT YOU

1. You are reading this

2. You are human

3. You can't say the letter "P" without separating your lips

4. You just attempted to do it

6. You are laughing at yourself

7. You have a smile in your face and you skipped no. 5

8. You just checked to see if there is a no. 5

9. You laugh at this because you are a fool and everyone does it too

10. You are probably going to share this and see who else falls for it

(Anonymous)

God, prayer, forgiveness

I SAID A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY

I said a prayer for you today

And know God must have heard

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke not a word

I didn't ask for wealth or fame

(I know you wouldn't mind)

I asked for priceless treasures rare

Of a more lasting kind

I prayed that He'd be near to you

At the start of each new day,

To grant your health and blessing fair,

And friends to share your way

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small.

But that you'd know His loving care

I prayed the most of all

(Anonymous)

Let hope rise

VIRTUES: THE GIFTS OF CHARACTER

Assertiveness
Caring
Cleanliness
Commitment
Compassion
Confidence
Consideration
Cooperation
Courage
Courtesy
Creativity
Detachment
Determination
Diligence
Enthusiasm
Excellence
Flexibility
Forgiveness
Friendliness
Generosity
Gentleness
Helpfulness
Honesty
Honor
Humility
Idealism
Integrity
Joyfulness
Justice
Kindness
Love
Loyalty
Moderation
Orderliness
Patience
Peacefulness
Perseverance
Purposefulness
Reliability
Respect
Responsibility
Self-discipline
Service
Tact
Thankfulness
Tolerance
Trust
Trustworthiness
Truthfulness
Understanding
Unity

(The Virtue Project)

You must try

WHAT DOGS TEACH US ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST

- Live in the moment

- Overcome fear with love

- Don't hold grudges

- Play every day

- Jump for joy when you are happy

- Accept yourself

- Enjoy the journey

- Drink lots of water

- Be loyal and dependable

- Love unconditionally

(Debbie Gisonni)