Love is ALL there is!

 My heart is so FULL as I conclude this week feeling abundantly grateful and reveling in the aha-mazing synchronicities that I have received this week during my trip to Baltimore. God has so graciously blessed me with uplifting soulful friends, overwhelming support, unexpected divine miracles, powerful shifts and beautiful hearts only to remind me that love is ALL there is. We are so deeply connected through the infinite power of love in this Universe. And when we choose love above everything else in all of our challenges, we can intensely connect with the true ultimate power of God. Profound joy is what I feel when God moves through me to love as He loves, to forgive as He forgives and to extend grace just as He does. Oh, what a glorious life I live!

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Thoughtful Thursday: Life is too short

Clouds with heart shape

Life is too short. I often personally have to remind myself of how unpredictable life can be and sometimes, the reminders are so naturally manifested as I’m going about my day. We never know what will happen from this moment to the next. All it takes is a second for our world to turn inside out. All the plans for the future that we make in life to feel like we are somehow in control may never be accomplished. All the dreams we wish to fulfill may be left unrealized. We may be surrounded by our loved ones in this very moment and in an instant they may vanish from our lives. Yet how often do we tell our loved ones what they mean to us and how grateful we are for them? How often do we willingly forgive those people that have betrayed or hurt us at some point in our life? How often do we remember that our loved ones will not remain in our lives forever? People have an innate tendency to take life and the people in our life for granted. We may lash out in anger and express some harsh remarks to someone we love over a trivial situation or even stop talking to them. And we may think that tomorrow we will apologize or reconcile with them. But we forget that tomorrow is not promised and it may be too late to make amends.

So while we are still living our life, let us…

…never stop saying “I love you” to those that are near and dear to us and most importantly, show them how important they are or how much we love them.

…never stop saying “thank you” to those people that are truly blessings in our life.

…not lose sight of all the people that we have encountered in our life and be grateful for the lessons that we have learned from all of them.

…appreciate the people in our life for who they are as well as for the time we have spent together with them even if they are not around as much.

…forgive those that have wronged us and put all those unpleasant memories behind us.

…rekindle bonds that have been severed before it’s too late to say “I’m sorry”.

…enjoy every moment and live every day as if was our last.

And remember, we often don’t realize the value of someone until we lose them. A moment now spent cherishing those around us, loving and forgiving them can make a difference in our own life. This thing called life is just that it goes by so quickly and tomorrow may not be ours to see. All we really have is this moment to express our love so why not start now?

When it rains, it pours.

As a child, I remember singing the nursery rhyme, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day” and it almost felt like I could shoo away the rain clouds and they would disappear instantly. But that has not been the case recently while some massive storm clouds have been hovering over my life. Over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself in some very heavy downpours. It’s true that when it rains, it pours. There have been times when the rain would start suddenly without warning. And sometimes, just when I thought the storm was nearing an end, it would only get worse! Life is so simple but amid the raging storms of life, it can seem so complicated.

The truth is that it’s always raining somewhere. When the rain is headed my way and I wonder when the pain and heavy moments would end, I only know that by weathering these storms, I will come out stronger than before. So I continue to cling to my faith even when I feel so hopeless and helpless because I know that there will always be a beautiful rainbow after the rain.

As I was enduring my own trials, I stumbled upon the words below and was reminded of a friend who has had his share of storms and times of distress lately. Knowing just a part of what he is going through, I could not have conveyed these words any better to him myself:

“I wish I had a big yellow umbrella
that would keep away all the rain in your life.
I would hold it over your head,
and the drops would splash, splash, splash
and you would never even feel it.

But I don’t have a big yellow umbrella…
so I’ll walk through the rain with you.”

-Holley Gerth

It is said that “Friends are the umbrellas in the storms of life.” Sometimes, your friends may need you to walk with them during the storms they face and other times, they may just want to walk alone. Nonetheless, a little bit of support and encouragement goes a long way.

So who will you walk with through the rain?

Thoughtful Thursday: Truly Great Friends

People in my life, the friends that I call my family – they sometimes stay; they sometimes vanish. I try to give my best, my heart and soul to the people I love. And when they are not actively present in my life, it’s painful to leave them and let go, especially that one person, a dear friendship that changed my life the most. I often find myself reminiscing the beautiful memories of that friendship, savoring the jovial conversations and the smiles that were once exchanged, even the times when the smallest deed was appreciated. That friendship will always be a part of my existence because I would not be what I am today if that particular friend did not cross my path. So I reckon that it would be wise to let go and take a moment to pray for that friend because I was destined to meet this soul who will remain a blessing until the very end.

My Brother, My Angel

Many years ago, I took great pleasure in writing poetry to express my deepest desires and emotions about people who were very dear to me. Today, on this special day — my big brother’s birthday — I have once again renewed my desire to write poetry. I firmly believe that God brought my big brother into my life as my angel when I was struggling and in dire need of “the wisdom to know the difference”. My brother has been the most sincere and thoughtful friend for which a little sister can ask. He explains life to me like no one else has ever done before. I pray that may he have the bestest of the best happiness in the many, many more years to come. Here is a poem for my big brother who is truly a special blessing, one that I hope will always remain with me. 
 
My Brother, My Angel
 
My dear and precious brother,
You’re so much more than words can say.
You mean still more and more to me
With each and every passing day.
 
You are my hero, my angel,
My savior and much more,
My God-sent blessing
That I very much adore.
 
It was you who believed in me
When I had lost all hope.
During my troubled and turbulent times,
It was you who helped me cope.
 
I feel so very fortunate
That I have you to talk to and laugh with.
You are a true friend, my confidant
Whom I trust and can find comfort with.
 
I can always count on you for support,
You know just when I need you the most.
You are one whom I will forever
Keep in my heart very, very close.
 
Though I haven’t known you for very long
As you aren’t my brother by nature of birth.
I could not have chosen a better brother,
You really are the best one on earth.
 
If God gave me a real brother, then I may not have found you.
With you, I can sense a very serene connection.
Some of your greatest virtues that I admire
Are the rare qualities of caring and compassion.
 
My life would surely be bare
Without your extraordinary presence.
My dear and precious brother,
YOU are the light that truly makes a difference.