A writer reflects

Some people live without working; others work without living. Speaking of...  if your heart catches in your throat, what do you do?

A writer-friend once suggested - simply, "to ask a bird how she sings." I might just do that. It makes sense. Often, we try to figure out things too much, we get wrapped up in analysis and figuring out. I was a lot like that moons ago whilst employed by giant multi-nationals in the information technology industry.

Well, birds sing all the time. They sing lovely too. The nightingale. The robins. Even the loud kookaburra makes sense. We need a release in our lives. Singing. Laughing. Letting go. *I found the last one most difficult those years when my grieving process was utmost.* This didn't mean that just because I temporarily withdrew or my posts sounded sad or depressed that I was being negative. The healing process must eventuate and be given a chance for the cycle to complete. Simple as that.

Even a sigh or rant to another person, if only to be heard. Not to dwell on it, but a release.

On the other hand, it doesn't necessarily mean that as a taker, if we are, that we need to respond or analyse in kind every action or word we receive. At times, we have to be sensitive enough when to talk back, what to email, or when to listen. For this may be what the other person wants or needs, just an active listening ear.

Today, I had a good time catching up with a friend.

What can we do worthwhile? Or, what despair can we turn into a song? Perhaps, whistle a happy tune?

When the Mind Strays

Others call it boredom

Suddenly, you are restless. Your pen pauses. It's not even mental block. You simply don't feel like doing anything. Your brain freezes, so does your being. What to do?  Practice that power of pause, a real cooling effect until your body balance normalizes especially your breathing fully restored.


We decide to take a break from our computer. We visit our diaries or journals. We are booked for an appointment with our GP or doctor, dentist, or other medical practitioners. Our diaries include a scheduled get-together with a former colleague, a good "mate" we haven't seen for months.  But what about our minds?  ... When we have those blues, those down moments.
Who’s going to correct the situation when our mind strays in a difficult or challenging situation? That even when we’ve tried to cool it and breathe easy, our mind continues to rebel.  Angst won’t disappear, instead, it keeps lingering.

We do need to talk to somebody, someone we can trust.  Got no one to talk to? There are always the good books, soothing music, a drift to the shops, walking the dog, or enjoying your garden. Even a brisk walk will do. Or email a good friend. I just did!  Or simply doodle.

How about thinking happy memories?  Do it!

Accepting Challenges and Challenging our Own

Someone once said that continuous effort, not intelligence or even strength, is the key to releasing our potentials. Well, perseverance indeed may well be our greatest asset - to keep going. We've always been told that quitters never win.

Each of us has something uniquely special to offer. At the same time, we also have the potential to offer it successfully, but often we don't always realize this. Consciously or not, we stifle our self-development or growth with fears, from low self-esteem, and  inadequacies sometimes assumed.

This doesn't mean that we refuse to accept our weaknesses, but at least we can try to do best of what we can offer to live.  As long as we persevere, our confidence and abilities will grow in concert with our progress, until we find that completion we work towards.

Thoughts before the dawn breaks...

Life Choices

Life is full of challenges. When we are faced with them, we have two choices: to meet them fearfully or to face them and do something about it.


To choose fear we simply avoid taking risk, but it is a way of already giving up, preventing ourselves from ever winning. If we choose to welcome challenges, we acknowledge that life is made up of win or lose, of joys and pains. We open up to the possibility of a winning, a victory.

Sometimes we feel in the cycle of circumstances beyond our control, underlying constraints that need to be considered. Making a choice resurfaces again. When this happens we can remind ourselves that we have the power to choose what our attitude will be towards the situation.

Life Challenges, and More 

It's never easy this matter of choices.  Always a challenge.

But it's a move forward to acknowledge and accept that life will always be made up of choices.  We build and decide on them.

We are all capable of far more than we think we are. It's in the toughest of times that we find out and realize how much strength we have.

How can we challenge our own challenges?

I'm at it now. I've been for a while, but this month has been toughest yet. Continuously seeking strength from God, then I'm stilled. What to do? Face the problems squarely (I know; easy to say but most difficult to handle.)   Touch base with caring kins and/or true friends, handful they maybe. They will offer support their own way. Be sincerely grateful for their offerings, expecting for nothing more.  Try to practice the old reliable time management, with realistic to-dos to avoid unnecessary stress... Prioritise.  If everything else fails - simply - take it easy. Relax. Have a drink of cold water or clear juice.  Then indulge in something you love to do and enjoy. Read a good book. Indulge in Sudoku. Watch stress-free DVDs, or play a musical instrument but only for your pleasure.  Or, simply remember your favourite things.

Are you experiencing your challenging times? I mean, really tough, dark days? Continue seeking strength and support from God or whatever you call your  Higher Power, even if what you need seems impossible. That's what faith means. You can revise my suggestions to your own needs.

Challenges Test our Strengths

It's during the tough times that we discover the depths of our strength. It's then that we know some power has enabled us to do what we thought we could not. Some call this a Higher Power. I call mine God. It is available when we need it; we only need to pray for guidance.

One hindrance I can think of is fear. That's why we need to have faith and trust in that power.

One of my favourite poets is Emily Dickinson. She beautifully and succintly put my thoughts to her words. 
Reflection:

"We never know how high we are
'Til we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies."

~ Emily Dickinson, American Poet

Every which way we turn we will have challenges. But we can grow on from these challenges by trusting that power whatever we conceive God to be.