fun without drinks or drugs

all went well at the ceremony
the bride looked beautiful
the groom was suave
no dancing, smoking or drinking of alcohol
their religion does not permit this
nevertheless lots of people and even youth
having fun with happy laughter
enjoying the celebration

it was a religious ceremony, penticostal at that
friends of mine who had struggled to
get accepted in a new country, Australia
and as I observed their joy, it was a relief that people
could have such fun without drinks or drugs
so natural and healthy and happy

because our focuss has been on the problems of society
have we forgotten that the majority of the population
in fact enjoys life without help from drinks and drugs?
it’s not impossible to do and results in good health and happiness
consequently this does not mean that
such clean living people don’t face Life’s problems
some are very serious, sad, and full of injustice
this happens to the best of us
but the solution is there with the support of the
like minded supportive fellowship we belong to
and its program or philosophy

a wedding tomorrow

what is a miracle?
it doesn’t have to be
something supernatural
just everyday happenings
that have turned your
life around noticeably

for some people it means
freedom from a situation full of woe
a relationship
a way of life
or even
from a troubled country

today at the preparation for
a wedding tomorrow of
one of the daughters
a dream comes true
the happiness is obvious
however, only a few years ago
these people were struggling to be
accepted as citizens in this country

so hopeless it seemed at the time
but they are determined people
of good character and integrity
which led to their acceptance
but the father used to say that
he dreamt that God spoke to him
and it would come true someday
so they thank God for their miracle
and minimise their own mammoth effort

completion or closure

completion or closure

we have a vital task to complete
which we put off because
we are waiting for when
the time is right and
when we feel stronger

what really matters though
is that we take care of
unfinished business
otherwise known as
completion or closure

once that takes place
life seems so much easier
less complicated
a new beginning is close at hand
or so it seems

procrastination thwarts the growth

creativity nourishes the process of Life
we accomplish amazing heights with it
on the other hand
procrastination thwarts the growth
as it freezes any potential achievement
when we give into its immobilising effect

there are many ways to
shed ourselves of procrastination
make a plan
chunk the work down into doable bits
make a small beginning
then the bug to finish takes hold

it is with pride that
the completed task is reached
even if it is not to our utmost liking
nevertheless the fact that it is finished
far outweighs the perceived imperfection

which is second nature to us

love is such a therapeutic process
it relieves loneliness
it heals sickness
it resolves conflict
it inspires us to achieve great heights
it softens the blows of failure
or the inevitability of certain sadness
and the losses which Life can
sometimes serve us

nevertheless we don’t appreciate
this resource we have
which is second nature to us
but when we do then
Life becomes such a dream
because everything is more manageable
and Hope enters our domain
promising situation improvement
at every level

stops the compulsion

the morning starts off fine
my plan to eat healthy
carry out my exercises
write and read literature which is
pertinent to expressing and releasing my
inner most turmoil is also happening
then by afternoon when my work takes the focus
I am struggling with my food plan
and temptation raises its ugly head

it’s not as though I’m not enjoying my tasks
but rather that I feel controlled by outside forces
well at the time it feels that they are unknown but it can be
the boss, the family, the therapist or the uni lecturer
whichever power is running the show at the time
it cannot be done otherwise for there is always
a power controlling the progress of life’s activities

even the powerful and wealthy have to meet
the requirements of some controlling power
it’s just that way – Life is the ultimate power
but there can be a power greater than myself which
is useful to my inner peace and stops the compulsion to eat or whatever
a program, a fellowship can be just what is needed to be a higher power

take heart that it happens to the best of us too!

“why me?”
“I thought I learnt my lesson last time!”
“why am I attracting the same again?”
“how can I change to avoid it in the future?”

it’s fine to take responsibility for what we can do differently
nonetheless we need to also remember
that we belong to humanity and that
everyone has their imperfections
which can affect us dramatically
both directly and indirectly

therefore there is no guarantee that
doing it better will avoid trauma
the only hope is that should it happen again
we need to have transparency about the situation by
reaching out for support about how we feel in the here and now
sure, learn how to deal with it better and not take it so personally but
take heart that it happens to the best of us too!

nevertheless it will go away


sometimes life’s events
leave a mark on us
in the most remarkable way
affecting health, happiness, finances
and our relationships
traumatically so!

our skills that
were once talents
now become lost or weak
with the lack of motivation
or is it lack of confidence
without some sort of
intervention from the outside like
counselling, supportive family and friends

no need to feel ashamed
this is the lot of a human being
surviving life’s ups and downs
and its impact on us when
the bleakness appears to be
permanent, never-ending helplessness
or at least it certainly feels that way
nevertheless it will go away

being proactive is the best answer


Life’s process waxes and wanes
and this becomes so hard to remember
good follows bad, up follows down
and vice versa as the case may be

when isolation closes the door on sociability
loneliness threatens to rule the roost
being proactive is the best answer
they say “act as if” and it will happen

stop waiting for others to show they care
how are they to know how much you need them now
if you are just quietly waiting at home?!