Don't wait for the storm to pass. Learn to dance in the rain.

Take this not literally.

I am a teacher and a teacher is supposed to do a lot of talking (with substance of course). I enjoy teaching 35-40 students enclosed in a classroom. But talking to hundred plus people is a totally different thing.

I must admit I have a stage fright. I do not enjoy public speaking. I stutter. I find it hard to compose my thoughts in front of soooo many people. I don't like impromptus. They make me nervous though I may not show it. And tomorrow, I am going to face this demon called FEAR.

I am assigned to host an event for the school where I currently work. This task was given to me few weeks ago and so they assumed I am prepared. A dry run was held a while ago. I don't know if I was just not in the mood to do it or I don't really want to do it at all. Whatever that is, I don't like hosting. Why? I should avoid dead air and because of that, I have to think of lots of fillers and fillers are said right at that moment. It would be easier if there are sponsors to thank, people to acknowledge or things to remind audience. But in my case, I don't have an idea on what to say as my fillers. It's going to be impromptu. I hate impromptu. 

Telling you hate to do a task won't make you love it or make it love you. So I decide to think of a resolve:
To not wait for the storm to pass--- instead, to learn dancing in the rain.  I have been counting seconds, minutes and days until the day of the event comes. And that causes stress. Instead of doing that, I realize it would be better if I start to prepare for it and expect for the worse so that as it approaches, I know what to do. I will think of ways on how can I look and sound not nervous tomorrow. I will just enjoy the remaining hours of preparation by dwelling on the positive things that will happen in the event.

But above all, I will pray. I'll call out to Him not to take these fear away but to be with me as I conquer this one. I know with my own ability, I can't. But with Him, I surely can. For He is the Favor in my fear, the Strength in my weakness, the Calmness in my storm. As I pray, I'll let Him play His song of encouragement for tomorrow, I'll dance in the rain--- gracefully and with confidence. ^_^

Are you?

Stress Reliever

To ease away my stress, your stress and everybody's stress. 

Happy Thursday Busy people! ^_^

Photo Courtesy of demiismyworldbitches.

Gone for Good- more than just a GOOD book.

It was just recently when I decided to spend time reading novels. It was such a comfort to read a book for LITERATURE takes us into different worlds, allowing us to play different roles. 

So there. I just finished a novel by Harlan Coben. I have been a fan of him since I first read his novel entitled Long Lost. He is known for writing suspense novels- my favorite genre. He gives situations which happened in the past, which is unsolved in the present; thus complicates the future. He uses fictional characters whom one would think are not likely to involve in those instances. The plot of his works takes a reader to a roller coaster ride- it is ALWAYS full of one-would-not-dare-think-of revelations. And by the time you think everything is solved, when you think it's the denouement, Coben surprises you with another ending usually found in the epilogue. Such a master of his genre. 

The novel which I just finished, entitled Gone for Good, is a good book to read. (just like any of his works ^_^) It took me few weeks to finish it since I didn't actually make time to read it. (Trivia: I can finish a book in less than a day if I have the luxury of time.) But when I decided to read it continuously, I finished it overnight. That's how good the book it. You will not put it down once you started. 

The novel is a story of betrayal, of secrets kept, of one man’s search for his missing brother that spirals into a breakneck hunt for a killer, a victim, and the truth. Gone for Good is a powerhouse of suspense and a haunting tale of love—the love between brothers, between lovers, between family members. It is one of those rare thrillers that not only make the pulse pound, but stir the heart as well.

To excite you more, click here. Enjoy reading (and solving.ehe)

Dream Big to a Big God.

via bargainblessings.com

What are the dreams and desires that you have for your future? Maybe you had dreamed big dreams in the past, but unfortunately, things didn't go the way as you planned them to be. So you decided to put them aside and let them stay as dreams. We all have setbacks- dreams which we thought are impossible to happen. But today is a new day. Today is the day that God wants you to wake up so these dreams can come true.

Let me give you a challenge- THINK OF A DREAM WHICH DIED A NATURAL DEATH, A DREAM WHICH SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE, A DREAM WHICH WAS ONLY TRUE IN WISHFUL THINKING.

And as you dream, think of the God who has made all things possible. The God who carries you all throughout the seasons. Never forget that He is the same God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

Don't settle for mediocrity for you are not called to be a mediocre. You are called to dream big dreams; to do great things with God's greatness manifested through the things you will do. Ask Him to bring the right people, right circumstances and the right resources. Trust that He is working on your behalf. Behind every dream which come true is a God who makes all things possible in His perfect time. 

Dare to believe and dare to dream another dream because He desires to do big things to you and through you. 

25th of For-never

Because it's my most dreaded time of the year. And up until now, you keep on creeping up my thoughts. 

Note to Self

When the hands of time

evict the smile from the apartment building of your face

When you get punched in the esophagus by a fist full of life

Remember:

The human heart beats approximately 4,000 per hour

And each pulse,

Each throb,

Each palpitation is a trophy

engraved with the words:

"You are still alive..

.. so ACT LIKE IT."

The Black Spot Syndrome

Suppose that before this image was a piece of a white paper. Then, a drop of ink was placed in the center. Now, what do you see? You only see a dot- a taint on a perfectly clean sheet. You stare at it. You focus at it. And the rest just fades away...

This is a parable of a tainted piece of paper. Once something has been stained by any dark colored material, people tend to give focus on the stain rather than the surrounding entity. 

Same goes with life. 

When we meet someone, we see him/her as a person of possibilities. We believe in everything he/she does, most especially when he/she has shown the potential of being a trusted one. But once he/she commits a mistake, we tend to judge that person. We focus on the flaws, instead of the good deeds he/she has done. We tend to overlook that he/she is still that same old person whom we met; whom we believed in; whom we trusted. As one blogger mentioned, this is called the Black Spot Syndrome. 

The Black Spot Syndrome is a disorder which most of us unconsciously have. Admit it or not, when a person does us wrong, we are hurt. In effect, we easily label that person as the despicable one. We judge him/her right away. What's worse is when that person exerts effort to remove the "black spot", we still look at it as if that spot is all that matters; that it cannot be erased  with an apology and constant effort. The person is left with the question, "How will I make it right?". We know that right in the very corner of our conscience, we are just being stubborn. We focus on ourselves being the victims rather than the ones who must forgive. 

The Black Spot Syndrome is a disease and the cure lies upon our hands. If only we look at the good side of things; if only we recall all the good memories; if only we realize that it is just a dot compared to a vast white background. The dot is small and insignificant if we only just widen our horizon and take a look at the whole picture. 

If there's one person who hurt you badly, be it intentionally or unintentionally, try to look back at your shared memories- the good ones, the most remarkable events, the ones which took your breath away. Now could you still see the black spot?

*Disclaimer: I forgive you. Thanks for the peace offering. ^_^

Until there was YOU

As I lay here waiting to here from you, I can't help thinking about what my life has become
when you became a part of it. Waiting and wanting you has been the focus of my thoughts these days,
knowing that one day, all that I have envisioned of us being together, will finally happen, even if it's just for a moment.

You give me a reason to wake up in the morning and smile. Just smile for no particular reason except the fact that you are here.
As days go by, I feel myself growing closer and closer and my heart is suddenly coming out of its shy spot and wanting to feel
what it feels like to be loved again. I don't ever want to lose this feeling. I don't ever want to lose you.

When I hear your voice, it's like a feeling I don't want to leave; you give me comfort and joy. The sound of your voice is like my
favorite love song; I can listen to it all night until it puts me to sleep. Yet, still as I continue to lay here and think about everything you are to me.

Still, I just want you to know that wherever this road may take us, and how far it may be to finally get where we want to go,
always know that you are in my heart and in my heart is where you'll always be. Life hasn't been this grateful to me, until there was you.

Thank you for being you. What I'd like to say next, I'd like to say to you personally. Until then...

Normal Sentiments.

To anyone

who is hurt

or feeling lost, 

IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE STRONG RIGHT NOW..

It's okay to be broken..

It's okay not to know where to turn next,

it's okay to say

"I'm not okay.."

IT'S OKAY..