2011! What have you in store for this writer???She is nervous,  anxious even..as she tries to look over the shoulders of 31st Dec 2010....and beyond.....what is the colour of the new 2011 horizon???

Oh Time! How swiftly, you fly past...seconds...minutes to hours, days to weeks,  months...and ....with a blink of an eye....a year passes by ......Too fast,  she laments...hei.. too fast! Time....She values your ticking seconds and minutes, she cherish your every  moment ! She is mindful of the setting sun as she hurries  to  make the most of the day light hours... Harvest  she must, her many heart's Desires......

Pray, slacken your pace a little....Father Time! Just a little!

Friends, Dear ones,....  Come .... have a cup of coffee or tea  with me. There are seats a plenty, in this hall of gracious harmony. Solitude and space to calm the spirits and inner being. .... Graciousness sits tall, soothing and  comforting. Come  open your hearts and ears to one another...speak, listen, share ....uplift one another!

Toast  a bonding, spread a cheer...... spirits  and minds uniting and  strengthen.... Communicate, forge understanding....break the ice, embrace; warm poor deprived hearts!....   Come, join hands , good people, sow good, healthy seeds , of love and friendship.....nurturing to  thrive , flourish and blossom into a beautiful garden!.
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Love! Kindred spirits!  How you capture to perfection , endearing and mesmeric moments,   crystallising  their beautiful images -that they sparkle and shine brighter- than precious jewels and gold...in memory's treasure gallery!   

Honour Thy Father & Mother

THE BOOK OF

ECCLESIASTICUS

Also known as "The Book of Sirach."

Children listen to me, for I am your father, do what I tell you and so be safe; for the Lord honours the father above his children and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons..Whoever respects a father expiates sins, whoever honours a mother is like someone amassing a fortune.

Whoever respects a father will in turn be happy with children;the day he prays for help for he will he heard. Long life comes to anyone who honours a father, whoever obeys the Lord makes a mother happy. Such a one serves parents as also the Lord. Respect your father in deed as well as word, so that blessing may come on you from him since a father's blessings makes his children's house firm, while a mother's curse tears up its foundation.

Do not make a boast of disgrace overtaking your father, your father's disgrace reflects no honour on you, for a person's own honour derives from the respect shown to his father and a mother held in dishonour is a reproach to his children.

My child, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life. Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength; for kindness to a father will not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.On your own day of ordeal, God will remember you: like frost in sunshine, your sins will melt away, Whoever deserts a father is no better than a blasphemer, and whoever distresses a mother is accursed of the Lord.

Sirach 3

Nothing is more beautiful than wisdom from the Book of Life....this writer finds  glorious light beaming out from  the very pages of the living book, because the words and teachings contained within , is timeless -without a season, growing and gaining in value as time advances...One- may be a baby now.....but One day, the baby will become an adult and he will become a parent himself. # Did he give due respect, honour and love to his parents to deserve the good blessings that come from being a parent, himself???

Keeping  and observing  the wisdom of God's teachings, brings solid  kins-ship, and loving relationship is built and preserved,  good family bonds and ties are fostered...and  the institution of marriage and family -strong and firm, ultimately, the gift of   peace and serenity.

p/s:
May this writer also add :- When one has inner peace and strong family values and ties..he stands on solid grounds  and  he  has the capacity to share his peace, instil good values to his own family..and in turn build meaningful relationship with others around him...his friends, associates etc...The blessings of the Holy Family be with you, folks! KEEP FAITH!!!

Peace Brethen! Merry Christmas!

Midnight and we relived the historic birth of salvation, we remember with deep gratitude ....The great love of God for mankind...The arrival of Reconciliation..., the return to grace...in   Jesus, the Redeemer! It was  splendours , it was joyous! It was hope fulfilled! Thank you God!

Merry Christmas folks, and have a very happy New Year!

Season of Advent

Let the Lord enter! He is King of Glory!! (Psalm 23)

Indeed! and He is Everything that lights up this universe! Open your hearts, let the good Lord enter  and fill you/us with the gift of peace....and everything good. Doesn't the very thought of  Peace filling us , add joy to this season of Advent???

Christmas...the story of God's promise holding true..in the form of a little innocent baby-Emmanuel...Jesus, the Christ...

bringing God into our midst and  our lives.......the trusting faith of  a virgin maiden who consented to God's call............ with that act of faith ...the never ending light and hope into the lives of mankind.....It is about re-conciliation with God,  the grace of belonging to His  household and  the precious right to call the power of Love  and Creation--our God and Father.

It is the joy of remembering that great promise and love of God..which makes Advent -a season of joy, peace and grace.....  actioning love and care for others........doing charitable works...a season of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Yes....It is  certainly a season of giving... making an effort to give happiness and joy to ...those less fortunate than us....

As Christmas draws near and we prepare to celebrate  and feast, .. Folks....let us pause and pray for those in war torn countries.....the homeless and the sick.....they who are grateful for JUST  a simple meal and roof over their heads....JUST  PEACE in their lives....

Year End Spring Clean

A week long spring cleaning ***pre-Christmas gift*** from the bosses, it was, at YT's work place-
The  Autumn Roses  worked hard, real hard..but five days into the task there is still a mountain to clear. The Spring blossoms were cool as cucumber, but they are warming up fast and certainly adding to the fun!

Yesterday, .....when the limbs were nimble and flexi active ...this Autumn Rose could practically bounce up and down effortlessly, stretch like Elastic man ...what's the problem?? Just-A, and B, and C......no creaking of bones no aches...wink of an eye and all was done.......but the last few days....what bounces and rebounces were groans and aiyoh! aiyoh.. ayiyakkkk.....echoing around the office walls......sigh!..... somehow, the bones needed oiling, re-adjustment, and re-alignment after each bending and squatting session....Even getting up from the floor is a...chore.....Now she know....what  means the words...., the spirit is willing but the body and bones groans... and protests!!!!

Good thing, there is  de-stressing therapy  called " mumbles and grumbles: ... ...ah! how clean and fresh the inside feels after each series of gun rattling.....

What she needs is a gadget which fully comprehends her mind...sorts, labels, dust, cleans  and put everything in order without her getting into physical mode...  Yah, cleans and sanitized the air -no dust ...no odour ...... 100% Mind control ... mind crystallising wants......So what  say  you Santa????... Still Working on that one...???? Then bring on Samantha, the good witch ..one, two and three....twitches of her nose and viola! it is done!



Merry Christmas Boss!!!!!

Lift me up Oh God.....Thy Shield,  Thy Peace , Thy Grace, Love, and Joy fill my days!

Happy the man, who has trust and faith in God.

More than true.. because , happiness is so relative, momentarily, occasional even...as long as the passion last and the heart is contented but contentment cannot be contained because the heart wants to conquer more territories and chart more boundaries. Unpredictability is the name of Human nature.. Greed, dissatisfaction... desires,expectations, wants-  somehow, they   keep on growing. Then there are the needs of others to think of..... in any relationships- our happiness, very often depended on their happiness, especially -off springs,  our partners , etc......

When she was young, this writer was so idealistic, to her love, happiness, relationship- is a forever thing, it is there for the taking, like plucking juicy pears from the fruit trees.....the world is so rosy and spells TRUE, SINCERE, and FOREVER -  but life's journey, has taught her that nothing comes easy, you have to work hard for everything, you have to learn to appreciate and value....just about everything...you have to compromise and give and give and give..... of course, you receive too, but it is in giving, you receive much more......Happiness takes on a different meaning...it becomes -the peace,happiness, success and joy of  others in our lives...our loved ones.....

The world is like a mirage, sometimes...a dream ...appearances can be deceiving, deceitful..... hurt and pain sometimes comes from the people closest to us. In the sixties and seventies...eighties even...friendships were purer but today....plastic has set in...everybody has their own agendas.. ...But when we place our trust and faith in God, we avoid the pitfalls, He leads us from  treachous paths to firm solid grounds...

Yes, as the evening sun start setting in.... God,  becomes more  prominent and meaningful. We begin to appreciate His Presence more....our eyes are more open but most importantly, God, is constant, consistent -always there for us....providing warmth....listening...comforting...guiding....and always giving....Take my hand, Lord and be there for me!!!

Grateful Thanks

Yellow roses, ...breathtaking, astonishingly  beautiful!    Petals....delicate , yet regal and fresh as the morning dew! How graceful, you stand to  honour the Holy Mother of God!And she smiles, gently approving and extremely appreciative of your marvellous countenance! Yes, yellow roses certainly becomes her, the golden hue of yellow blending in so well with her sparkling  holiness!

Grateful thanks Holy Mother ,for Intercession and Prayers answered.

Hello Bali!!



Bali is at its best during the  Galungan Festival - the New Year Festive for the predominately Hindu community  in this fabulous  Indonesian Island

God is very much in the centre of this Balinese community , especially where the farmers and rice planters dwells. This Writer marvelled, at the elaborate decorations, ritualistic  worship and thanksgiving on this auspicious  day. It was a full day affair starting- early morning till night. They  come in full traditional Sunday bests - baskets full of fruits and offerings,  perch firmly on top of their heads,  swarming into the numerous temples and places  of worship. And they worship with such reverence..., they do not care for the dusky floor....or fear soiling their beautiful clothes....kneeling and bowing with such heart.....it is so touching!

Temples were everywhere-huge imposing structures fronting roadsides- smaller ones  in the midst of sprawling rice fields, fronting the seas, even the compounds of homes -house elaborate but smaller structures of  worship......exceedingly amazing , and so uniquely Bali!

Overwhelming, the rustic charm, the feelings of  being in touch with God, the winds, the waves, the trees, the earth ,and nature !! Wow!  And YT loves the fresh, clean air ( you could almost feel it cleaning the toxin out of your lungs!!!) and the very peaceful country side atmosphere- it is extraordinary!   My! So green....so serene..... Ya! that's the  appeal of  Bali!!. There is the crystal clear  blue and green seas- the beautiful skies., with  white fluffy clouds....,  clear sandy.beaches....and jungle-cool, shady and relaxing greens -yes real jungle  -close-real close- touching distance....- creepers, bamboos, the works! and believe it or not fruit trees, nanka, bananas, coconuts.... ageless banyan trees ..flowering plants, all in the vicinity of shopping complexes.. and concrete! Funny, they actually add to the charm. There is a feeling that even if you were lost deep in the woods or jungle, you will not starve...there are plenty of fruits to sustain you....

Whilst travelling along tiny, narrow roads  (  one side is a steep fall ., so careful there!!..) snaking up and down the hills, thick with undergrowth and all types of trees, you wonder at the loneliness...whether it is safe to drive along such roads???? and then, suddenly, you see women folks, their heads laden with fruit baskets walking up the road and you wonder....where they came from and then... you spied those houses a midst the trees.....gosh! almost like they were from another dimension...you know fairies of the jungle...like the ones, you read in the story books.....How do they manage when dusk falls and night reigns??? Maybe, the jungle will be flooded with magical lights ...

Wonders of wonders....you get to see and touch awesome colourful corals just two feet into the water....All it needs is for one to wake up a little early and take a leisurely stroll along the sea shore and the marvels of  the sea reaches out to  greet you "happy morning"! Fishes swim around your feet  , as you stepped into the water. At the edge where the sea splash gently on to the sandy shore,  tiny and not so tiny crabs scattered  wildly, as you draw near to them..  ...and oh, they could be so shy!!!  This writer was so charmed,!!! She felt like a giggly five year old,  chasing after the tiny creatures, trying to stop their flight and disappearing  into their own  sandy world of refuge.

  

 It is a no wonder, they call this -The Island of the gods!!

The calm and serenity, thou has given me...smiles contentment and warmth, my autumn days and I glorify thee, My Lord God!

A lighted candle of forgiveness

The moment, she felt his touch, this writer knew, she had finally made peace with her God. The last secret door had sprung opened and   the bitterness , which had rusted, twisted and knotted within....freed itself  allowing peace to flow in.......forging understanding and love and that did not happened until, she had placed her candle among the others.....knelt down with an earnest prayer in her heart.... He is definitely present tonight! How many were touched, she does not know, but she is grateful for the healing grace, which fills her heart with forgiveness and in return..she felt forgiveness herself. Yes, she is ready to move forward...and ahead . Praise the Lord!