Archive | April 2016

Circle and square

Sometimes when we are facing interpersonal problems
We forget that most likely
We are part of the solution
That learning to thinks and act differently
Can change the dynamics of the situation

We tend to want to tell others how to live
To make things easier for us or remove our hurt and pain
We don’t realise that sometimes
It’s us who has to change
We have no control over other people’s actions
But we can determine our own response and attitude

In trying to fit a square peg through a smaller circle
We can complain that the circle is too small
Or we can shave off the edges of the square
April 11th, 2016

What I tell my kids

Did you have fun?
We sometimes ask our kids when they come home
The subtle message being life is supposed to be fun

I’m not trying to be a downer
And say life is always hard
But I feel our children should know
That life is often hard

We don’t learn much when everything goes our way
Not that there is anything wrong with that
But life is so much more than idyllic days when all goes well
And in all the hardship and heartache there are lessons to be learned

So, I tell my kids
Life is full of ups and downs
And they should not be surprised when
Difficulties come along
I tell them that they can learn from challenges and grow
Life is fun, but in reality, it’s often hard!

April 8th, 2016

Serenity

What brings us joy and serenity
Is a sense of purpose and meaning
Waves of happiness and sadness come and go
But underneath, the ocean is calm

Pleasure is like bursts of bright light
Serenity a soft light that always shines

Our response is what gives a situation meaning
A positive response to a harsh situation
Comes from wisdom
April 4th, 2016

Our insecurities

It seems that we all have insecurities
We think others can do things better than us
If we only knew what went on in other people’s minds…
They surely have some of the same thoughts

Most people put on a happy, confident front
They want to be accepted and loved
But most people doubt themselves

I think the best we can do is
Give something our all
If it’s accepted, great
If not, at least we have tried
April 3rd, 2016

The long view

One must learn to live with uncertainty
Some problems take months or years to resolve
If one is not comfortable with uncertainty
Those months and years will seem so long

One must find peace in a chaotic world
One must find some joy in sorrow
Life is full of ups and downs
Joy and sorrow come and go

Patience, perseverance, reliance on God
These are good provisions for our journey
And it’s good to remember that
When one problem is solved
There sits in wait, another one…

 

April 1st, 2016