masterwordsmith-unplugged

In life, some people may misunderstand who we are, our motives etc. and may withdraw or redefine boundaries in a relationship. I have seen it happening in my own life and that of my loved ones. Whereas in the past I used to get upset, I don't anymore because I have learned not to sweat over small stuff and I don't take offense like I used to do. I cannot deny that in the process of learning, I do remember the pain of disappointment from the past and for self-preservation, have changed in some ways.

I shared this with a dear friend who left Penang recently and she responded with a beautiful piece of advice and reminded me about my qualities and reminded me that if and when people don't appreciate or give time to really get to know me, it's their loss and if I can move on without feeling bitter, then I am on the road to recovery!

A beautiful piece of advice indeed. Thank you dearie...At the same time, I admit I try to understand people and to see their worth for who they are. Yet, when I share this with them, despite the positive comments, some do not believe my sincerity and in the past, it used to hurt. Not any more though. I realize that if I can see the worth of a person, it is good for me...but if they don't believe that I do, it is their prerogative.

I am not bitter about people but rather, am very hard with myself, kicking myself for this and that and for my reaction in the past but I am letting it go and moving on...I have not fully recovered but I believe I am in a better stage than where I was. Someday, I will reach full recovery..Another dear friend who has enriched my life in so many ways, reminded me not to be so hard on myself. I guess I am my own worst critic and the self-bashing that I used to do left wounds that are still in the process of healing.

To be honest, I can handle disappointments that I encounter now and in the future but, it is the emotional baggage that I carry with me which I have to let go...and let go I must and am letting go...In the mean time, I tread very carefully...as if walking on eggshells...

Blogging has certainly been good for me although it has taken a different route from when I first started this blog for obvious reasons. Because I have a very active mind and always want to learn and to know more, I give myself projects to do for my blog and in the process, enrich myself with the knowledge gained, release myself in the cathartic outpouring of my writings and hopefully reach out to other readers who may be in the same shoes. And I know that I am in the recovery stage because to be honest, I have never felt happier than how I feel today. Yet, I must confess that I wish certain dreams of mine (largely business in nature and where moving is concerned) may come true but even if it does not, I know I am at peace with myself and that in many ways, I am blessed.

I came across the following story about half an hour ago and I thought it quite uncanny because it echoed what my girlfriend had told me...so I am posting it to share with you...after which I must confess that I cannot wait till the weekend so off I will go to visit Island Plaza again for the book sale :-)...but I will be a good girl and only buy what really interests me :-). Thank goodness book sales are not held too often in Penang! Have a nice day and may God bless you!

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ALWAYS LOOK ON THE INSIDE - Author Unknown-


I remember reading a story once about a man who was exploring some caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled up some clay and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man so he took the bag out of the cave with him.

As he strolled along the beach, to pass the time, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could throw.

He thought little about it until he dropped one of the balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone. Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left, then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have had tens of thousands, but he just threw it all away.

You know sometimes, it's like that with people.

We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it; we see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.

But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us.

If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

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May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay.

May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

May you see me as who I am, and how God sees me. May I do the same to my loved ones and friends.

God bless you and have a great day!