Embracing the Light

Sun Rays

Spirituality and religion has been on my mind a lot lately. Even though we are Christians and have been baptized since birth I feel that I am still on a learning journey regarding my own spiritual convictions. I guess that now that the kids are attending Sunday school I feel that I should follow up and enhance what they have learnt in the weekly 1 hour class. We all know that kids learn best from role models and the best way of them to embrace their faith is to see how we embrace ours.

Growing up in Catholic family I had been accustomed to the routine of Church and Sunday school. However, outside the weekend routine I don’t remember having regular family prayers or even devotion time. I do vaguely remember praying the rosary and also praying before meals though.

I’m not sure when we stopped doing so and the reason why it happened. What I do know that back then something must have occurred that made me lose faith. I have been questioning myself about the true meaning of being a Christian and how to have Emuna in my life.

I have been reading the book The Universal Garden of Emuna (The Garden of Emuna Series, 1) given by a dear friend of mine and find that it has really given me much more clarity about GOD The message is so simple. Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find. I have yet to finish reading the book but based on the two chapters which I have read so far that once one understands the purpose that he/she has been put on this earth for it is possible to find inner peace and happiness.

You do not need to rely on external material possessions/ qualifications etc to quantify your existence. All these thoughts of self gratification instead of showing gratitude to GOD is due to EL( Evil Inclination) messing with our minds. You can never be satisfied if you pursue the ways of the world instead of following GOD’s plan.

2014 will be a year of change for me as I fully embrace my spirituality and make a conscious effort to seek GOD and understand his plan for me.

How are you embracing the light?

January 1, 2014

Writer’s Workshop-Getting into 2014

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts resolutions

Mickey Mouse Statue

As we ring in the new year it is the time to set new resolutions. A few days ago I posted about my thoughts about 2013 and 2014. I had been focusing a lot on the family and this year my focus still remains the same. Last year I managed to cross out most of the items listed on the Resolution list. I am hoping to do the same this year.

This year I am intending to do more things for myself and pursue new areas which I have yet to try out.

Resolutions for 2014

For Myself

1. Try out even more recipes from the cookbook collection which I have in the cupboard. My aim is to eat more healthy which is to cut down on all the carbs, processed food and other unhealthy foods. I didn’t manage to lose any weight in 2013 and have still aim to get down to 60kg by year end.

2. Study/Read up more about photography and other techniques which I can implement to bring my photography skills to a higher level.

3. Brush up on my Chinese, French and Japanese.

For the blog

1. Increase readership and traffic even further. To concentrate on other social media outlets besides Facebook in my marketing efforts. With the constant changes in Facebook algorithm I have realised that it isn’t time effective to focus so much on that particular marketing channel and growth rate in the fan base there has been rather slow. My revised target would be to grow it to 12.5K from the existing 11.4K fan base.

2. To get more sponsors/campaigns and increase the blog earnings.

3. Start a new series on the blog

For the kids

1. Do devotional readings and exercises with twice a month.

2. Pray together before meals.

3. spend time with each kid 1-1 daily.

For us as a couple

1. Go on kid free dates as often as possible.

2. Spend more time communicating with each other.

3. Go on a couple holiday.