Recently, a relative passed away. He lived a long life, over 100 years old. Yet, when I went to his service, it still felt bittersweet. He wasn’t a close relative. Nevertheless, there’s something about a person’s passing that is sobering since it heightens one’s sense of mortality. Perhaps I knew the family too well, I ended up paying very close attention to my grieving friends more than the service itself. The dead was at peace, but the living was not.
I just joined Instagram recently, and immediately, my feeds have been flooded with videos of watercolor brush lettering and calligraphy scripts. In the States, brush lettering and modern calligraphy have been making a comeback in the craft world. It is mesmerizing watching people create these beautiful and elegant artwork. These artists make the process look so easy. However, as I quickly found out, the basic strokes may look simple, but mastering them takes patience and practice.
Did you know that July 12 is “Simplicity Day”? Neither did I. 😀 In honor of the “Simplicity Day”, I’m going to remember to “Just be.” Honestly, I’ve been trying to work through a creative slump lately, and trying different things to get my muse back. But, I think that is my problem… I’ve been trying too hard. So today, I’m going to remember to stop striving, shut off any self criticism or expectations (from me or anyone else), and just be me. Can’t get any simpler than that. Enjoy! 🙂
There has been a flurry of discussions about femininity lately. Whether we realize it or not, we all deal with many cultural and social opinions on how we should behave as women. Growing up as a first generation immigrant in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was bombarded with conflicting expectations from all sides. East vs. West. Traditional vs. Modern. I felt like an “in-between” person in many ways, not quite belonging to any group. What does this mean for me as a woman? I felt confused and frustrated.
Photo by picjumbo.comWell, I thought I can avoid burnout by praying with crafted prayers. I was wrong. Continue reading
How do we develop persistence and longevity when praying for cases such as long-term illness or difficult relationships? What do we do when we are so emotionally attached to the people or situations that we feel drained and spent emotionally every time we pray? How can we pray in a sustainable way and not burn out?
We always make new year’s resolutions in January… and about a few weeks into the year, that resolution resolve quickly turns into resolution guilt. Do I hear an amen out there? Unfortunately, I know that cycle only too well. What if this year, we make new resolutions to not live in guilt nor be motivated by guilt anymore? What if we decided to live guilt-free lifestyles? Continue reading
This Sunday morning, I woke up with an unusual sense of Peace. Not wanting to wake up my husband, I took a cup of tea and sat in the study. Sunday mornings are often the most peaceful time. Why is that? Perhaps it is the lack of traffic zooming down the street. Sunday morning is simply a slower and quieter time for folks in my neighborhood. I’ve experienced this same quietness before. The stillness is similar, but on this particular Sunday, there’s an extra sense of hope and delight – a “smile from heaven” if you will.
This year, I was really looking forward to Thanksgiving and the positive attitude it brings. However, when Thanksgiving week came, I couldn’t connect with the sentiment. I didn’t feel thankful no matter how hard I tried. As it turned out, there is no “Calendar” app for your heart. You can’t just schedule your heart to feel grateful simply because it’s the 4th Thursday in November.
Photo by Viktor HanacekBack in January, I asked God what He had in store for me this year. And the theme He showed me was “Upgrade.” Sure enough, the last 8 months have been full of changes that turned out to be upgrades. Continue reading
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