Mommy Therapy

Mommy therapy?? What IS that? Well, I have my own definition of it. It's all about making the most of your time with your loved ones and enjoying it :)

I look at it as me relishing the times I get to spend time with my daughter, when it's just us. Most times I really do enjoy it. It's like everything else takes a backseat except for us together.

Being a mom is challenging in soooooooooo many ways but if one doesn't live in the moment, a lot of great moments are lost. When I spend time with my daughter I look at her and am amazed by her growth, physical and otherwise, her personality, her quick-thinking, her creativity and her sense of humour. She's really a joy to be around. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments BUT overall, I think she's growing up quite well.

As a mom, I love being able to take care of my family. I really enjoy those moments where I can provide a home-cooked meal and do some cleaning. Even though I may not enjoy those things all the time, I really appreciate the end results.

Every mom needs these times. More importantly, every mom needs to treasure those bonding times spent with her children. I think all housework need not be done in one day. The day should be sectioned out that some housework gets done and more importantly, time with one's children, just doing stuff that they may want you to do with them.

Of course, I only have one child and therefore it may be easier for me to get it done, but who's to say it cannot be done in larger families where there's 2 or more kids. It just means the planning needs to be worked out better ;). Hey, I'm no 'perfect, organized to a tee' mom but my point is if one understands the importance of such times, it can and will be done. As the saying goes, "where there's a will, there's a way". Some may just have to look harder to find the way.

Bottomline: I love these times at home with my daughter. It's really a great opportunity for us to bond :D

Loving butterflies ;)

Well, by now you should realise that I LOVE butterflies!! Hmmm....I can't remember when my fascination started but all I know is that I love what it is and what it represents.

First of all, a butterfly's lifespan is rather short, ranging from a few months to a year or two, depending on the species. I'm fascinated that it starts, in my eyes, as a little bug that transforms into a creature of beauty and majesty. Think about it! It starts off as a caterpillar that eats through all leaves that they can find, gets really fat, goes into a cocoon for hibernation and presto, a beautiful butterfly emerges. And the cycle repeats itself.

During a butterfly's short life what happens? Well, it looks for its mate and in so doing help with the pollination process, that continues the life cycle of plants and flowers. Short, sweet but quite purposeful! And this is what God created it to be :)

So are you going through any trials? Do you think the lessons that you learn from them will make you a better person? Do you see yourself transforming to be a better person? And what about your purpose? What are your gifts? Do you have any influence on anyone? What are these influences? Hmmmm....sounds like some things to ponder.

And who knows, just maybe you are living the life of a butterfy and you just don't know it ;)

By the way, butterflies represent freedom as well ;)

FREEDOM!!

I just had to write about what I studied today!! I mean it was just too funny!! God is funny!! I do so love His sense of humour :)

Well, I am studying another book too at the same time as I'm studying the one mentioned in my previous blog. This one is entitled "And The Angels Were Silent" by Max Lucado. Basically, Max walks with Jesus on his journey to the town where he is arrested and crucified. He shares or rather highlights some of Jesus experiences and interactions along the way. Quite inspirational, I must add :)

I just finished Chapter 9 'Courage To Dream'. It highlights the fact that God wants us to fly, to go for our dreams. And Max mentions an incident where Jesus told a fig tree to shrivel up because it wasn't bearing fruit. And Max emphasizes that Jesus wasn't angry at the tree but that it wasn't fulfilling its purpose, which was to bear fruit. Max also went on to liken this response to how God feels when the church is lukewarm or when the church focuses more on putting on a show and ignores the service. Hmmmm...very interesting,huh? Somestimes we are so wrapped up in our presentation that we don't do what we need to do with the right heart.

Max went on to say, and I quote, "In fact, when Jesus said, "You will be able to say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea,'" he was probably looking up from the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount-the temple known to many as Mount Zion. If that is the case, you have reason to smile as Jesus tells you what to do with the church that tries to cage your flight, "Tell it to jump into the lake." " , end quote. Do I dare say anymore after such a quote? For sure!!

I believe as a human being I DO have the right to speak out and share my opinions. Whether they are right or wrong, the right is that they CAN be shared. And I think I should be afforded a hearing. Yet, again, I've come out from a situation where this was not really possible: i.e. to air one's opinions. On the surface it seems so but start questioning a position/ a thought or an action and efforts are made to quell you, to quiet you, to shut your mouth. And I say to all who do that : GOD WILL DEAL WITH SUCH PERSONS & ORGANISATIONS!!

NO ONE should curtail my freedom or attempt to 'destroy' my dreams just because it may not go with 'their' plan or vision for my life. I tell you since I've freed myself, I 've felt so much happier and many blessings have come my way and the way of my family. To God I give the glory!! Thanks to Him, my dreams have been revived and opportunities are presenting themselves.

Food For Thought

I have been studying a very interesting book which has given me a lot of 'food for thought'. So I wanted to share some of my revelations, questions and thoughts on something I recently studied.

First of all the name of the book is The Secret Things of God by Dr. Henry Cloud. I'll be discussing some points that was raised from a chapter entitled 'Your thoughts affect the way you feel'.

In his discussion, the author shared about a researcher named Martin Seligman who was actually conducting studies to show that this was true. This researcher was able to identify three characteristically negative ways that some people interpret, or explain, the things that happen in their lives. I will list them out:

(1) Personal explanations: where when something difficult happens, it's because something is 'wrong' with you,

(2) Pervasive explanations: where you take one incident and convince yourself that it's happening throughout your life,

(3)Permanent explanations: where one incident is seen as something permanent in your life & will never change.

To me, these results were very eye-opening because I was able to see where my thoughts were affected by what I had experienced in being mentored. I think all three was used in some form or fashion to convince me of how wrong whatever I had done, made me a 'bad' person. As a result, I've had to do a lot of re-wiring in my mind, to not only change my own thoughts but how I think about others. It's been a difficult process but the positive results are so worth it!

The cool thing about this chapter is that the author then went on to explain how God does not not use explanations like that to judge us but takes one incident at a time, as it is. Truly this is unconditional love!

What if God did treat us like that though? Imagine Jesus speaking to the adulterous woman & when she decides to follow him, says to her, "Well I'm not sure you're suited to be part of my crowd because you seem to have some commitment issues." Or in the parable of the prodigal son, the father tells him when he returns, "I'm not sure you should return because you've spent all your inheritance & it may happen again." It just goes to show that Jesus didn't dwell too much on the past but rather on moving forward.

It's challenging to be like Jesus in that sense! It's so hard because we dwell on our feelings of hurt & betrayal, anger even, especially when we're trying to help others. I think at times we make it personal. But if we truly love others & have a vision for them, I think the decision to love like Jesus would go a long way in helping them.

So think about your thought processes: are they positive or negative? And if negative, what has made them so?

I hope that we will take captive our thoughts & make them obedient to Christ, so that we will be positive about, not only our lives, but those around us.

Xmas is around d corner!!

What kind of Xmas will you have this year? Are u really gonna be full of the 'Xmas spirit'? Are u gonna manage your spending this year? Hmmm....that's a lot to think about.

Personally the 'Xmas spirit' is already attacking me,lol. I think having a toddler & one whose b-day is at the beginning of December expedites these feelings. I'm experiencing lightness of spirit already. I'm feeling happier & looking forward to end of term. The end is in sight of a long work term,lol!!

Of course at the same time I'm quite aware of the world economy & its effect on my country. I'm aware that quite a number of persons may not have such a bright Xmas because of the flood. Hmmmm....so what should I do: mope around with the world on my shoulders or enjoy the season in moderation? The second choice is quite appealing to me.

So I encourage others to do the same. Spend in moderation. Be grateful for what u have because there are others who have very little.

Transformation

Transformation: what is it? Is it important?

To me, transformation is all about changing one's habits & actions. Of course there are some who transform themselves into something better & others who get better at doing bad things.

Which one are you? Do you have a picture in your mind of what you want to see yourself becoming & that of your life, being transformed?

Let's talk images. When I think of transformation, I think of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly. What's the process? The caterpillar feeds itself until it's time to wrap itself in a cocoon, on the way to becoming a butterfly. In the cocoon, no doubt change is still taking place. Even when it is exiting the cocoon, change is still taking place. The end product is something that awes us & fills us with wonder at such a pretty sight.

Look at your life now. Do you want to become beautiful? (We're not talking superficial/outward beauty) Do you want to become a better living, breathing person? If yes, what are you doing to improve yourself? How are you working on your transformation? Or are you waiting patiently for others, external forces to change you?

For me, transformation is important. I believe that every year, month, week, day & hour is an opportunity to grow, to do things differently. Being a teacher, I change my method every term. The topics & lessons may remain the same but my method of teaching varies. I love doing this so that students can't share each other's work from year to year but also I, myself, don't want to become bored teaching the same things the same old way. As a result, I continue to enjoy what I do & take real pleasure in my students' work & projects.

Personally, I believe in bettering my character. I go to the Bible because it works for me. In fact, the Bible does speak on transformation too! I also use other inspiring books & devotionals to get me where I need to be. I love reading how people have accomplished much in their lifetime & try to learn lessons through their lives. Everyday must have something inspiring or encouraging for me.

I also believe in breaking the cycle. As I learn & grow & remember what I've been taught by my parents, I change the method of how I teach the very same lessons taught to me. Most lessons have been good but the method needs to change because of the ever-changing world we live in. So my daughter will learn the same lessons but in a different manner. I've already started doing it & seeing good results too :)

Don't forget that challenges lie in our paths. Are we going to make them into stepping stones to becoming transformed? Or are we going to be paralyzed by them? Remember the caterpillar may have had a tough time in the cocoon, that small enclosed space. Or even when the butterfly is emerging from the cocoon, there is a small opening at first & then the butterfly fights its way out.

Our challenges & obstacles are just that, a way for us to fight to stay on track & push towards our goals & dreams. Are you willing to fight? To stretch out to grasp what is yours?

If you are, I wish you all the best! You can do it! Go for it!

If not, I hope that someday (not too late though) that you will awaken to the strength that lies within your soul, mind & body.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Being a mom :)

Being a mom surely has its challenges BUT more than that it has soooooooooo many fun moments, special times & incredible lessons about oneself & of loving others.

Most women dream of being a mom to the extent that they yearn for it. Others shrug & think that it may be cool one day. I just hope one day is not too late!

Personally I think every woman should experience motherhood. It's like a rite of passage. It definitely reveals how much your body is able to withstand & how big your heart truly is. I also think some women should seriously ponder why they want to become a mother. It is NOT a trend!! No matter how many celebs seem to be having babies, it's not a whim or a fancy!!

I love being a mom. I have learnt so many lessons already - too numerous to count! And my daughter is only 2 years old! I adore her! I adore her spirit & energy :) I can't imagine life without her ever!

I believe I'm learning to love more, to truly care more. I'm learning about my body & how much I can do with very little sleep/energy. It really is amazing what happens when another life besides that of your partner, is involved.

My daughter is quite a chatter box BUT again I'm not surprised, being a teacher and all. She has heard me talk alot! Also, it's really cool hearing her express herself & mimic what she has heard. She is quite the adventurer, linguistically speaking :)

Stay tuned for more stories at a later date ;)