Time For A Childhood Dream?

When I was young, I used to dream of wanting to be married to my childhood playmate (playtime games). And we'd imagine we were animals, or we'd have imaginary friends, or we pretend to be cartoon superheroes, or anime and manga characters, or we'd act in a role play game.

We'd imagine so many games to play, so many things we'd like to be. But, as we got older, dreams became childish play, and I guess I stopped dreaming. There were things that I remember I told my grandma or my mom that I'd like to be when I grow up, and when I think back, I wonder why?

My grandma is like my hero to me, a strong and courageous woman that I aspire to be like. She married at an age a year younger than what I am currently now (two decades old), and she didn't even know who her groom was, neither did her groom know her until that wedded date. She worked hard after that and had many bitter moments, yet she was an obedient and submissive daughter and wife. She is a loving and caring mother and grandma too, and she always tells us that a girl ought to be able take care of her household.

I remember when I was little, I told her I would like to be a dentist so I could take care of teeth. She was laughed in agreement, wouldn't that be nice she said. Now I am nowhere near becoming a dentist, yet my grandma still approves of what I am doing now. I realised, that my time with her was all that she wanted, nothing more, and I am closer to fulfilling my dream knowing that I have the time to take care of her simple needs.

My mom would have to be like my best friend if not just a mom. After all, she did tell me it was hard to utter the first words to her firstborn child and it goes something like this: "Mama is here, don't cry". She never did manage, but she did try. Now she tells me, it felt really weird to repeat that line after grandma. So it was grandma who saves the day.

So I remember telling my mom I wanted to be so many things. A graphic designer? An architect? A hairdresser? All art-related subjects knowing that my mom encouraged anything artsy because she was quite the designer herself, in fact she did a string of odd jobs in the art-related field of creating and designing. And was I to aspire to be like her, maybe I had her same drive flowing through my blood? No. I gave up and threw it all away when I hit walls and complained I wasn't creative when forced to be. Nevertheless, she helped me through all the way and what I learnt from the journey down that road is that common interests allows for more quality time together.

Maybe this last dream wasn't so childish and I actually thought I was all grown up when I made the decision. I wanted to be a podiatrist. Why? Because I want to. Hmm...not really. Because my friend told me so. So much of me wanted to believe I made the decision for myself, my future. I could help people-elderly people with problem feet or children with bad shoes. I could earn quite a living and build up a nice reputation for myself as the not-quite-doctor but close enough anyways. The only thing was, this was my friend's dream, not mine. I only wanted to accompany her as far as I could go because she was a close friend.

Now I wonder is there any time left for a childish dream? Whatever has happened, it has been a extraordinary journey up until this point. And I think...yes, there is time to dream some more, but there must be also time to make them come true.

Possibilities

Some people like a bowl of cereal and milk,

while others like a cup of milo for breakfast.

Some people like porridge with fish and vegetables,

while others like a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

Some people like toast with different toppings,

while others like plain bread for breakfast.

Some people like fruits and salads,

while others like pies, pizza and garlic bread for breakfast.

Some people like just a simple cup of milk,

while others like a fancy cup of coffee, tea or even smoothie for breakfast.

Some people like rice and noodles,

while others like little biscuits or baked things for breakfast.

Some people don't even like breakfast,

while others look forward to breakfast.

In just one event there are so many possibilities,

and so many choices that one can make,

but even before we begin a new day,

there is something much more important,

that should be done straight away.

Say a prayer of thanksgiving and supplication.

And don't keep dreaming of tommorrow,

or waste today in sighing for things of yesterday.

We cannot change what happens ahead or behind in time,

but we can choose be happy with today.

...

Current favourite breakfast recipe by J. (above)
Serving suggestion...be creative (; 

Like A Little Child

One day a little child was playing with her toys.
She was so happy and occupied in her own world of joys,
until it happened that her favourite toy just broke.
She looked at it with a sad face and gave it a gentle poke.

So she carefully held it in her arms and stood up,
then she thought of one person who could fix it..."Yup"!
She suddenly cheered up as she seeked her father's being.
And she found him in the room with books...reading.

With innocent eyes and a sweet smile,
she stood before him for a while.
He put down his books and with a gentle voice he said,
what can I do for you today instead?

He was busy always but he took the time;
the time to listen to her as if it were his favourite pastime.
So she told him everything like a very long sad story,
yet he simply listened and he was in no hurry.

So he promised her to fix the toy,
and again she was filled with great joy.
She watched and waited as her father worked,
then she would tug at him and at his table she lurked.

Finally she grew tired of waiting,
and impatiently and insistently she kept asking,
"Is it fixed yet...is it fixed yet?
I want my toy...did you forget?"

Then he turned to her and with loving eyes he told her,
"I've been fixing it this whole time as it were.
But you've been tugging and lurking around.
How can I finish it if I am bound?"

She did not understand so he had compassion on her,
so he explained it to her using a different word.
Be still my child and know that I will fix it,
do you trust your father and promise to do your bit?

She promised to be still and trust him.
She waited and walked around supressing any whim.
And he fixed the toy and returned it to her.
As a little child she trusted her father. 



   

That poem "Broken Dreams" happen to cross my mind today,

where the little children bring their broken toys to God,

while the writer brought their broken dreams to Him to fix.

So with a little time on my hands I decided to write something.

Today was a good day to just chill and catch up on things,

and I realised that I've got a lot of growing up to do and choices to make.

But I know it will take time to learn and understand.

Choices define us, they don't dictate us...

Joy Is At The Door

The Joy of Living

Do something today to bring gladness

To someone whose pleasures are few,

Do something to drive off sadness -

Or cause someone's dream to come true.


Find time for a neighborly greeting
And time to delight an old friend;
Remember, - the years are fleeting
And life's latest day will soon end!


Do something today that tomorrow
Will prove to be really worth while;
Help someone to conquer sorrow
And greet the new dawn with a smile -


For only through kindness and giving
of service and friendship and cheer
We learn the pure joy of living
And find heaven's happiness here.


-Author Unknown-
...

I found this placed at heart's door, and it's a wonder how He knows when to come knocking on our doors to let Him in. In dwelling on precious memories and countless blessings, I can only offer up songs of thanksgiving...a Psalm would be good.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

And to sing praises to Your name,

O Most High;

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,

And Your faithfulness every night,

On the instrument of ten strings,

On the lute,

And on the harp,

With harmonious sound.

For you, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;

I will triumph in the works of Your hands."

-Psalms 92:1-4-

Who's At The Door?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Who's there?

edirP.

Who?

Do I know you?

...

You lurk at heart's door,

seeking whom you may enter today.

And if I am not careful I will be at your mercy,

for you will have consumed me until I am lost in the dark again.

So I will flee from your grasp,

but I will fight if I must face you.

You are a frightful enemy,

because you befriend me so easily.

Yet fear,

fear will keep you locked away.

But I know you will come looking for me,

seeking any chance to come by.

You leave hearts empty and souls lost in the dark.

So many have become broken because of you,

but there will always be a little light in the darkness.

As long as we choose Him,

we can find Him again.

,yarP dna hctaW"

.noitatpmet otni retne uoy tsel

,gnilliw si deedni tirips ehT

".kaew si hself eht tub

)83:41 kraM(

...

As one door closes,

another one will open.

You can't be in two different rooms at the same time right?

When Words Don't Seem Like Enough

I woke up this morning hoping to find certain words to fill my hungry heart.
But I found these words heavy for me to take in:

"...'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
And the second, like it, is this:
'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
There is no other commandment greater than these."

None of the people 2000 or so years ago dared question this,
and I wonder with all and everything that I have...can I do it?

Sometimes I am self-seeking,
only looking for certain words that I want to hear,
but that in itself is pride so I must learn to open my ears and my heart more.

When words don't seem like enough to satisfy the hungry,
He will provide and He will feed us according to our needs.

Sometimes I know I try to decorate my words and make it seem like a lot.
Sometimes I think I compare my words to another and think if I add this and that,
then I will have enough.
But am I really giving a share to you, I wonder,
or am I putting it before us to satisfy myself?

Therefore I need this reminder that words are enough,
that I have to exercise self-control and remember...
who are the words given to?
And all I really need to do is to offer what I have and leave the rest up to God.

Sometimes it's better to just dwell on His words:

"...In quietness and confidence
shall be your Strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

Dwell In Peace

When I first aspired to write a blog,
I didn't know what the purpose of my writing would be,
I didn't know how much commitment it would take,
I didn't know how much time I would spend on it,
and sometimes I didn't even know how to write.

I think it's been almost two years since I started out.
And many a time,
I threatened to do away with the recordings and everything I've marked here.

Yet it still remains.
I really wondered why I chose to put it at dwellinpeace.blogspot.com...
and I might have thought about it then,
but when I think of it now...
this space is just a place where I can dwell on my thoughts.
To me, 
my thoughts are my own,
where I can take time out,
where I can contemplate,
where I can reflect,
and where I can find some peace of mind. 

But I am still seeking the peace that the world cannot give...
Peace that He gives to us.

...One more reflection of the day.

None of Self, All of Thee

"All of self, and none of Thee."
"Some of self, and some of Thee."
"Less of self, and more of Thee."
"None of self, and all of Thee."

-Hymn 101, Hymns of Praise-


This hymn played repeatedly in my mind this evening,
and I thought about my resolutions for this year,
the main resolve for me is to "change".
"Change", to become a better Christian,
but that is no one's day worth of work but a life long mission.

Change is like a journey.
At first we only think of ourselves and not so much of others.
Then when we come to know God more...we start to think some more,
we begin to think less of ourselves and more of another's need.
And one day there will be none of self but all for Thee.

Like the Wind...

The wind seemed to catch my attention today.
It was a really gusty day today,
and despite it being hot and sunny in the day,
right now it's a little chilly and a lot windy.

I like to listen to the sound of wind,
maybe hoping to hear something.
Sometimes I feel as though it's trying,
trying to whisper something into my noisy head.

It reminded me of God's presence somehow.
God's presence can be like the wind,
we can feel Him when He is around,
and we can hear Him when it seems obvious.

But then what about the quiet days?
When the wind is not around,
does it seize to exist and is nowhere to be found?
Wind does not disappear from the earth.

God is not just a mere feeling for us.
Just because we cannot hear Him or feel Him,
it does not mean He has abandoned His little ones.
But He is just like a parent..a Father to us.

As a parent helps their little ones walk for the first time,
they constantly hold their hands and walk by their side.
The little one relies on their parent's support entire,
as they walk they feel comfortable in their parent's hand.

Until one day the parents step back and watch.
And the little one feels insecure for a moment,
but the parent's efforts pay off with excitement,
to see the little one walking all on their own.

And that's how God works in our lives it seems.
He is our Father in heaven and He is always there.
He is like the wind which is constantly in the air.
And still the wind is whispering at this moment right now.

Tragedy, Brisbane Floods

It came to me as a shock that the flood would be this bad in Brisbane.
Seeing the news flash hour after hour and interview after interview,
it is quite saddening to hear and witness such a tragedy.
Yet it's amazing and it must be God's grace that my loved ones are on a mountain.

I might have been there at this moment caught up in the waters,
but I'm here safe at home.

God promised us He would never again destroy the earth with great floods of water.
I hope He will see this event through and may His grace be sufficient for those victims.
May our prayers reach out to those who are caught in this event.

About This Place I Call Home

I've missed the countless stars that paint the black canvas night.

I've missed the quiet roads and silence of the night in the neighbourhood.

I've missed the tall trees and the front yard gardens and the spaciousness.

I've missed looking out my window at the backyard.

I've missed reading at my own leisure at my desk in the comfort of my room.

I've missed the gatherings we'd have when the big family is together again.

But it doesn't really matter all that much... it's just a moment, it's only temporary...

Just helps me to count my blessings more each year and as often as possible.

Where Did Time Go?

It seems that we can be lost in time when it passes by,
from the time we all meet to the time we part,
but we can find it again in memories locked away in heart.

Now lies before us time to look forward to and grab a hold of.
What time shall bring within it..we do not know,
but I do know Someone who knows where and what time holds tomorrow.

So we only know where and what time holds for us today,
and today is all we should need to do the things we need to,
any more or less would make us out of control or a fool.

In the time that we know of today,
let's keep on moving forward whether it may be waiting or hoping,
praying or learning because there is a plan and a purpose for our enduring.

---
I would be lost on a small island if I didn't have a tour guide hahs. There was much to see and much to do yet time seem to disappear just like that and now we must return to our places. But a retreat is a good place to go if we ever have the chance and choice.

Change of Choice

A new year has begun and another has ended.
The year 2010 was an eventful year for me;
it brought many joys yet some of sorrow.
And that seemed to make many changes follow.


I think I made a lot of mistakes last year.
A lot of poor choices and indecisions.
But the thing I've learnt is that choice leads to change,
while mistakes help us to learn to change.


In every circumstance we face,
we can choose to stay or run.
I hope that this year I will choose to stay,
and share more with you of the adventures of today.