It’s already 3rd of January, this year has started its journey. Like the sound of train tracks approaching a station, we’re truly and well on our way, exploring the unknown.
The unknown stretches far into the horizons
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, rather I live one day at a time, committing everything into the Hands of my creator, God Almighty, who gives me wisdom and strength. To anyone reading this who doesn’t believe in God, you can still make your days worthwhile by being a better ‘you’. ‘Every Little Helps’, says the Tesco slogan, and I agree. A little here, and a little there, we can make positive changes in our world.
I wish you love, peace, and blessings☺️
I wish all my friends around the world, a happy and prosperous year. Be kind to yourself and others.
Embracing Kindness with Jesus at the Center is the True Meaning of Christmas.
As the world transforms into a festive wonderland, we should remember that it’s not just about the glittering lights and wrapped presents. Christmas, at its core, is a celebration of kindness, and there’s no better reminder than the heart-warming presence of Jesus. He is the reason for the season, although many have conveniently forgotten that in the feverish gift buying, adverts and consumerism that seems to have pervaded our society.
The True Gift: Kindness Beyond Wrappings
It’s true that the anticipation of wrapped surprises is undeniable, but let’s not forget the real magic – kindness. It’s an intangible gift that doesn’t need fancy ribbons. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture – that’s the essence of a Christmas well-celebrated.
Jesus, the Anchor of Compassion:
In the hustle and bustle, pause to remember the true reason for the season – Jesus. His birth and life are the spirit of Christmas, encouraging us to love one another and extend kindness in every interaction.
A Resolution for Eternal Joy:
Life is temporal and things can change swiftly, so let’s love truly, and forgive quickly, that’s the true meaning of Christmas.
From me to you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your days be filled with the warmth of Jesus’ love, and inspiring acts of kindness that create a ripple effect of joy in every corner of your life.
My daughter wrote the poem below on my birthday, and she gave me the permission to share it. If only we have love in the world, we will dance on the streets rather than raining bombs on ourselves. Our souls will have dwelled in safety, not fear.
I hope you’ll all enjoy reading the heartfelt love from a daughter to her mother.
Two Hands
Strong and Firm
Cupping and moulding a shape.
Spreading out a piece of Eternity
Your love, more priceless than
Moonbeams, and fickle dreams
And troubles that dissolve
In times steady pace
Providing a sense of security
Two Hands
That cup my face.
Providing an unexplainable
Yet undeniable sense of place
Apparent in shape and constitution, and beauty
Two Hands with concrete
And resolute wisdom
Pointing beyond the Earth’s clouds
To the Author and Finisher of our Faith
Pointing and providing
Undeniable direction and words of gold from your breath
Though my human and
Simultaneous half girlish and half grown.
Nature may blindside those hands.
You wait, arms and hands outstretched.
Hold within those hands
The love that moulded me
The love and the piece that was.
With you, becomes a part of me.
Resolute and strong, beckoning
Me forth with those Two Hands
Two Hands that lead mine to
The right path, advising, adjusting.
And teaching to pursue beyond
This world
In your embrace, my visage is filled with your warmth.
A cover provided, and obstructing the view.
Of deep and embedded scars of effort
And experience within your
Two Hands
And so, with my own Two Hands, connecting.
Extending out from my arms
I trace the scars.
Interlock fingers and once again
We embrace, but from I to you.
I love you ❤
As I read the poem again, my heart flush with pride and love for my daughter but it was quickly dampened by the wars raging around us. As the world rabbles with overwhelming hatred, I pray and hope we’ll find a way to truly love each other, eschew war, and our world will prosper.
Thanks for reading dear friends and please, stay safe, wherever you are in the world.
We live in a world often marred by conflict, disease, and negativity, finding peace can seem like an elusive dream. So, how do we find peace in such a cacophony of negative events? How do we keep ourselves grounded? I’ve decided to do five things:
Limit News Consumption: While staying informed is essential, constant exposure to negative news can be overwhelming. I have decided two set boundaries on my news consumption to prevent information overload.
Positive Meditation: I am a Christian, and I realise the more I read God’s Word, the calmer and peaceful I am. This world is full of negative things but the more we read, and pray and focus on positive things, the more we’ll have power over negative thoughts and influences. One of my favourite scripture quote is below:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
If I want to make myself sad, I’ll just dwell on the things that I think are not working in my life, or think of a past traumatic event. But when I realise I don’t have control over certain things, but I have control on my reactions. So, I do what I do best: pray and trust God to do what only He can do.
Be Kind: Kindness doesn’t take anything from us, rather, it makes us better people. I treat people the way I want to be treated, with kindness and empathy, and by doing that, I realise I am peaceful and can navigate through this cruel, complex world. I love the quote below:
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Help Others: Volunteering or helping those in need can be immensely fulfilling. Acts of kindness not only benefit others but also bring a sense of purpose and inner peace. When I help people, I forget about my problems and in a strange way, God always resolves them when I least expected.
Focus on Self-Care: I prioritise self-care activities such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. Taking care of my physical and mental health is crucial for maintaining peace. Taking care of ourselves is crucial, a sick person can’t take care of others. So practise self-love.
There are several ways we can find peace in this chaotic, tumultuous world of ours, but practising the above has helped me, even when faced with circumstances beyond my control.
I wrote this article on Friday, and woke up on Saturday to news of Hamas attacking Israel. I pray for peace in our world.
Take care of yourselves wherever you are in the world.
While I was working as usual, I had my music playing underground—it helps me when I’m writing and editing. The music’s rhythm matched my creative work well. A captivating melody danced into my ears, its beauty too fascinating not to share. It’s incredible how great music can make us feel strong emotions and touch our inner selves.
Photo credit: Marc Girard. Our Beautiful World
As the notes enveloped me, I couldn’t help but envision the scenes painted by the music, a vivid landscape of awe-inspiring beauty that beckons us to pause and contemplate the intricate masterpiece crafted by the divine hand of our Creator, God Almighty. At this moment, wherever you may be, I hope that your day is going on well. With Stive Morgan’s enchanting compositions as the backdrop, may we all find ourselves awestruck by the boundless magnificence of the world we call home.
In the midst of the cruel and tumultuous era of war, there are stories that transcend the boundaries of time and place, touching the depths of human emotions. “Pictures of Anna” is one such captivating tale that weaves together themes of love, trust, and sacrifice against the backdrop of the horrors of war.
This captivating tale will transport you to a bygone era of war and unveil the profound human emotions that transcend time and place. “Pictures of Anna,” written by Sam Martin, an award-winning British author living in Germany, is a spellbinding tale that cleverly blends the themes of love, trust, and sacrifice with the brutal backdrop of war.
Sam Martin, author, Pictures of Anna
In a quaint old Norman church, under the golden rays of the late morning sun, a young bride named Anna anxiously awaits her groom. Her journey is one of escape, a desperate flight from the horrors of her past as a German of Roma origin during the dark days of 1930s Germany. London becomes her sanctuary, promising a new life free from the terrors that haunted her.
Sam Martin unfolds a powerful narrative, revealing a tapestry of emotions that resonate with readers. Through his gritty prose, Martin paints a sensitive portrait of Anna’s life, entwined with hope and heartbreak, love and hate, anger and confusion. The story becomes a poignant exploration of blind prejudice, intolerance, and redemption.
Martin skilfully brings to life the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of the home front. He delves into the prevailing opinions of the time and illuminates the seismic decisions made by those in positions of power. In doing so, he creates a well-rounded view of the era, shedding light on the struggles and sacrifices of everyday people caught in the turmoil of war.
Anna’s journey resonates deeply with (me) readers, reminding us of the indomitable human spirit. Her story serves as a stark reminder that the effects of war extend far beyond the battlefields, impacting lives in profound ways. It challenges us to confront our prejudices as we witness the consequences of blind hatred and the power of love to overcome adversity. The fate of Anna is an unfortunate reflection of many lives still facing prejudice while searching for safety from war.
As you delve into the pages of this remarkable novel, you will be transported to a world where the past collides with the present, where Anna’s story becomes a universal tale of triumph over adversity. Through its pages, we are invited to witness history through the eyes of those who lived it and to cherish the freedoms we enjoy today.
I enjoyed reading and editing this story of hope, heartbreak, and redemption. The lady who inspired the author, Sam Martin, is still alive, and through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to guide us through the darkest times.
Pictures of Anna is available wherever books are sold, and can also be purchased directly from the publisher here: https://arrowgatepublishing.com/store/
The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth, the very thing the whole story has been about.
C.S Lewis
There is always hope for a better world!
The key to Christmas is Jesus Christ, and He is the reason we celebrate. The world may have commercialised the most significant event in history, but I believe in Jesus and the eternal hope He offers.
I wish all my friends Merry Christmas, and for the remainder of this year, may you have peace, joy, and hope that there is always a better tomorrow.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Everyone knows how difficult 2020 has been and I won’t keep writing about that, but things are still so difficult for so many people. Anxieties, fear, loss and uncertainties pervaded the seconds, days, and months of that dreaded year.
Photo by Julia Volk on Pexels.com
There’s hope again. I believe in renewal and second chances and that is the reason we have new days. In a few hours, we will walk into the unknown that is 2021 and my prayer is that we will breathe freely and live with fresh hopes.
It’s time for a positive outlook. I believe it. I have not made any new year resolutions, but I have a vision of what I want to achieve. Here’s to a year of possibilities friends, believe it and let’s work into 2021 with hope in our hearts, strength in our bones, and dreams in our eyes.
(Photo credit: Lizabee – The end. The artist spent hours working on this stunning image.)
Life is in stages.
Just like an artist drawing a picture, the images alwayscome in asequence of thoughts, and then the sketching takes place followed by shading the lines to bring the perfect vision to life.
Books are the same. A writer has an idea and as thestory takes shape, unfolds, and the plots unravel, we see the overarching purpose of the book. But by the time we come to the climax of the story, we can then exclaim with signs of relief. In some unresolved cases, it may cause pangs of disappointment.
Creative people, especially writers, are always keen to share their experiences through words using different genres to reach their audiences. Artists, writers, filmmakers, poets and everyone working in the creative industries all have a singularity of purpose; to reach audiences who would read, enjoy, and maybe critique their works.
But it all starts in stages.
Let’s learn from creators by not being in a hurry to reach our destination. Every experience in our lives has a purpose, to either break us down and make us better, or to build us up, and strengthen us, then we can be kinder to people in a weaker or similar state.
There are several reasons writers create, some write for themselves, but others write to teach us patience. Unfortunately, we live in the ‘now’ generation where we always want a quick-fix to everything.
If it were possible to get pregnant and the child will get to the stage of babyhood, then adulthood and leave our home before nightfall, some people would prefer that experience.
We should learn to find the reason things work, and the reasons some things don’t. And that takes patience and a lot of learning. Some school of thought might argue that some things are best when they happen at once, but where is the joy in savouring a tasty meal when you swallow it whole? Books could change our lives, and if it does, we should not forget the core themes in the narrative and the patience it took to write it.
A book that ends with the beginning, the middle, the end, teaches nothing. However, some people might still argue that it does.
Don’t be in a hurry. Patience is an important virtue we should all learn.
Much love, always! 🙂
Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in your mind.” David G. Allen
No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible
George Chakiris
As 2021 draws to a close, it has been another extraordinary and challenging year—a replica of 2020. I have taken stock of my life, and I am grateful and blessed to be alive, surrounded by love. Many people aren’t so lucky, and that’s not lost on me.
Our world has changed in more ways than one. We are still battling a pandemic that has taken over millions of lives; I have lost count of the dead. Yet, our world finds a way to renew. When a new day dawn, we repeat living all over again. People fall in love; they fight, bicker, and save lives. People have just been, well, human.
I love the peeping clouds!
However, I am determined to live my life as part of a positive movement of change. I want to make a difference and foster love rather than hatred, encouraging generations of people who are determined to preserve life, not destroy it.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. we are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day
Edith lovejoy pierce
I will not make a new year resolution. Instead, I want to put a smile a people’s faces. We all need to laugh more and enjoy every moment of our lives. Why? Because our time on this part of heaven is so short.
Happy New Year to all my friends and everyone reading this. May God bless and keep you all!
S. S. David 