Appreciation, there's so much to be Thankful

These days, I am swamped with blessings a.k.a 'Challenges,' if I was the person immediately a year ago--I'd say, 'I thrive in pressure,' but since then, things have changed..The statement could be true for something that I have been doing for years, but to be constantly exposed to new things and opportunities, that's when that statement fades away. There is no point in complaining since it's a waste of energy, so the best option will be to be simply 'Thankful.'

To be thankful or to accept appreciation is no small feat. It takes a while to realize and figure out that one is simply so blessed compared to others. This months, that I am learning a lot--and I mean a whole lot is something very priceless. Though in exchange for such priceless, awesome, rare information is of course money/income.

Not that I have to pay to learn these things, but I have to sacrifice 'employment' and not get paid (or a steady cash flow to survive), instead. So far, I am able to get by but of course there is that urge to be 'NOT a BURDEN' which crops up every now and again. Now that my time as a 'SPONGE' is definitely coming to a close or that I may need to turn down the level and start applying what I've learned, I am feeling an upcoming CHANGE~perhaps another phase in my life.

I have yet to figure out what happens next, but I don't really care now. I'll take one step at a time, I am enjoying these 'SURPRISES,' I'll figure something out along the way and let the Lord's Will be DONE whatever it may be!

I will be starting again, press the reset button--restore my enthusiasm, have fun, learn & absorb a lot, re/apply, pray and work hard! Let's GO!!!

He is Strong in You..
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness...”(Romans 8:26, NLT)

Sometimes, people get distracted by what they consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in their lives. It may be something about their personality or looks that they don’t like. Or maybe they’ve been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal or a bad break. We all have things that can feel like disadvantages; things that make it harder on us.

It may even be a physical handicap, and you can’t get around like you used to. But just because you have a “disadvantage,” just because you’ve been through a tough time doesn’t mean you’re supposed to sit back and settle where you are. God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you, and He’s given you His Holy Spirit to equip you in this life.

Today let the Holy Spirit help you when you feel weak. Let Him empower you with truth that will set you free. Stay in faith and don’t get negative toward yourself or your future. Let God take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset! Let Him take what you think is a disadvantage and turn it around to be an advantage! Remember, you are more than a conqueror today and every day because He is strong in you!

Also, I found this in my email archives which was forwarded and shared to me (This got me reflecting again).
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One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview; the director did the last interview.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?"
The youth answered "none".

The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"
The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my
mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked, "Where did your mother work?"
The youth answered, "My mother worked as laundry woman.
The director requested the youth to show his hands.
The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"
The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.

His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the young man.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mothers hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's e yes, asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'

The Director asked, "Please tell me your feelings."

The youth said:
1. I know now what appreciation is. Without my mother, there would not have been the successful me today.
2. By working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.
3. I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family
relationships.

The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my manager.
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of aperson, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the children instead?

You can let your children live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, you want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your children learn how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learn how to work with others to get things done.
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We can even add the lyrics to Josh Groban's Song 'Thankful':




Pardon the long post, but I noticed I haven't written anything personal in a while...so here you go! Hope it cheers you up! ALL IS WELL!!!
Appreciation, there's so much to be Thankful Appreciation, there's so much to be Thankful Reviewed by Vernon Joseph Go on Thursday, March 24, 2011 Rating: 5

1 comment

  1. Nice inspiring post! There truly are so many things to be thankful for. And I remember, it's not an option to give thanks, it's an order.. a life time order Eph. 5:20, In everything give thanks. :-)

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