Be Inspired and Enriched!

After a very hectic Summer holiday period, today marks the last day to enjoy the company of friends and nature. Today is also Australia day, a day to rediscover and appreciate all the beauty and privileges that this rich town offers to its residents. The boys went cycling, swimming, playing Wii and PS2, hitting balls in the driving range, visiting family and friends. We also had a lot of time playing in the backyard and on the floor tickling each other and singing nice and sometimes silly songs. We had time to go to church and to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. We also celebrated birthdays, baptisms, New Year and welcome relatives from overseas. We had some time to review and consolidate financial circumstances. It is also the time to renew and fortify our goals and dreams. We had time: to pray, to listen to God and to people around, to read, to plan, to be reminded to focus on our dream and mission. But most of all, after the noise of celebrations, I had the time to journ...

Sydney's weather today was that of a perfect summer's day. What made it more perfect was that my husband Raj finally found the time to spend about an hour in the golf driving range with our eight year old son, Rafael. Just the two of them - Mum and little brother were not there. When Rafael came back to the place where they left me to do some tasks, he looked a bit exhausted. But I could see in his eyes a feeling of pride and inner joy. His face beamed as he smiled shyly. As if saying, "Papa spent some time with me, just me! My day rocks!" Rafael wanted to get his own set of clubs, hoping perhaps that he will spend more time with Papa. Just him and Papa in the big boys arena: the driving range. For now. Raj is always strict with him. But today was different. It was bonding time. Let's have more summer days. And even more bonding time between the father and the son.

Is it really possible to live a joyful life? How do we live a joyful life? During tough times, it is very easy to get washed into the tide of doom and gloom, of hopelessness and despair, of depression and helplessness. One of the early Christians instructed at Phillipi: 1 - Show a gentle attitude towards everyone 2 - Don't worry about anyting 3 - Ask God for what you need 4 - Have a thankful heart 5 - Fill your mind with good things He even added that if you put these into practise, your hearts and minds will be safe. And the God who gives peace will be with you. If we strive to think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable, we shall be able to live in joy. Indeed, inner joy and peace are possible. If you decide, first of all, to live a joyful life. Decide then to live joyfully, and all else will follow. Some writers say, if you regularly and consciously think of joy and peace, you will attract joy and peace into your life.