Kidding: Childlike Solutions to Bullsh*t Adult Problems (2018) by Laura Jane Williams, Brief Review

I decided to make a very brief review of this one. I bought it from BookXCess last week and finished it during my wait for a delayed and turbulent flight from KL. It was a good read. Fun, light, and direct, and I already believe the core thesis of the book, namely, connect with your "inner child to make your mundane, complicated adult life much simpler (and happier)." At least, on the non-life-and-death stuff, I say, why so serious? It's NOT about being childish but childlike.

What I like: The author's storytelling ability, conversational writing style, vulnerabilities, and practical wisdom. Simple writing/thinking exercises inside the book are also very helpful for self-discovery. And, of course, hardcover.

What I dislike: Feminist-bend is obvious on this one, although very mild. Fault language. Very minimum backup research to support her claims, most are based on her experiences.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #Kidding #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Extreme Smile (Romania: Milan Haimovici) #PersecutedChurch

The cold, dark prison cell was crowded with Romanian Christians who were determined to bring the light of Jesus into the darkness. One of these prisoners was Milan Haimovici. While he was witnessing for Jesus, he was asked, "How can you say that you walk and talk with him?" This was his reply... #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

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The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

Angelus' Quote: Count Your Garden by the Flowers, Never Leaves that Fall

Count your garden by the flowers 🌹 Never leaves that fall

Count your days by the golden hours 🕘 Don't remember clouds at all

Count your nights by stars ⭐ not shadows

Count your years with smiles ☺☺☺ not tears

Count your blessings 😇 not your troubles

Count your age by friends 👭👫👬 not years

(by Unknown) #GrowingLeader

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

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Letters to Annie: Understand the Importance of Encouragement in Relationship

Dear Annie,

            I did it! Oh, no, Jesus did it! Sharing last night was good and I’m satisfied with what I shared. I know that since yesterday God’s spirit is working in their hearts and God’s Word faithfully preached will not return void but will bear much fruit. Amen. Thank you for your encouragements. I like it when you said, “clear your heart… clear your mind and share sincerely… put God first and pray is the important thing…” Thank you I appreciate it. I read: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb. Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Your words strengthen me.

            I see us as a team sport, and you and I need occasional pats on the back from one another.  We are a couple and a partner, brother and sister in Christ, we are lovers. As Christians, we are called upon to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and we are also to spread a message of encouragement and hope to the world. But first, it must start with us. Again, thank you for your encouragement.

            Whether we realize it or not, many people with whom we come in contact every day are in desperate need of a smile or an encouraging word. Our colleagues in office, family at home, friends we hang out with, and strangers we walked by. As I realize the important of encouragement to me from you, my love one, I can extend it to others. Barbara Johnson writes, “We can never untangle all the woes in other people’s lives. We can’t produce miracles overnight. But we can bring a cup of cool water to a thirsty soul, or a scoop of laughter to a lonely heart.” You see, since we don’t always know who needs our help, the best strategy is to try to encourage all the people who cross our paths, will all that we have in God’s wisdom.

            Let’s encourage one another. Let’s use pleasant words to lift up our spirits. If in the future we argue about certain issues, may we never speaks the word that we will regret later. Even if we want to correct or give advice, may we speak it all in the spirit of love. Sometimes, even very few words can make a very big difference (for better or worst). As Fanny Crosby positively observed, “A single word, if spoken in a friendly spirit, may be sufficient to turn one from dangerous error.”

When I said I don’t earn much, you encouraged me about how privilege my calling is; when you said you’re not perfect, I over and over again said to you that you are; when I’m lack of confidence to share the Word, you reminds me to not to use my own strength but God’s; and when you were thinking of joining a competition, I said go for it! We are at our best when we encourage one another without having the desire of becoming greater. I love you. You’re the best of me.

                                                                                                                        You’re special in my heart,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Letters to Annie: Your Smile Is Contagious

Dear Annie,

The most bankrupt person in the world is the one who has lost his joy. Decide to become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. In the recent survey, two hundred national leaders were asked what makes a person successful. Eighty percent (80%) listed enthusiasm as the most important quality. A person who is enthusiastic soon has enthusiastic followers.

How many people do you know who became successful doing something they hate? “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work another day in your life,” says Harvey Mackay. Thomas Carlisle said, “Give me a man who sings at his work.” That’s the kind of people I want to work and be around!

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow,” said Helen Keller. The unwise person seeks happiness in the future; the wise person grows it today. There is no sadder sight than a Christian pessimist. Your world will look brighter from behind a smile. A smile is the shortest distance between two people.

Happiness is always an inside job. Our first choice is to rejoice. “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans” (Romans 8:28, Living Bible). “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 144:15). God’s joy is contagious. Greet the unseen with a cheer, not a fear. “Laughter is a form of internal jogging. It moves your internal organs around. It enhances respiration. It is an igniter of great expectations,” says Norman Cousins. God says in His Word, “If you don’t praise me, the rocks will.” Let’s not be replaced by a bunch of rocks!

For every minute you’re angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. Two things contribute to happiness: What we can do without, and what we can do with. People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. Happiness can never be found, because it was never lost. Be like the steam kettle! Though up to its neck in hot water, it continues to sing. Smile, it adds to your face value (by John L. Mason). Annie, your smile is contagious. Your smile makes me happy.

Regards,

Richard the Poet

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Kuchingnites, You Can Make a Difference this Christmas: Give Gifts to the Needy

God has given us two hands – one with which to receive and the other with which to give. What if this Christmas instead of waiting for people to give you gifts, why don’t you give? What if you take initiative and start giving with what you already have instead of making excuses and delay your action? What if you be the change rather than asking for things to change and be the worship song that you sing and be the answer to your prayer to make a different in someone else’s life? What if – regardless of your race and religion – you embrace the spirit of Christmas that is the spirit of giving for the good of your community? What if your gift can make those who are less fortunate smile this Christmas, would you like to do that?

Here is (one of) your opportunity to do so. BB Love Box, a community project by the Boys’ Brigade (BB) in Malaysia (2^nd Kuching Company) is organizing a project that is design to collect and distribute gifts to the less fortunate people during Christmas Season, irrespective of their races and religions. BB mission is to share LOVE and JOY with the needy. The Boys are passionate to promote the spirit of CARING and SHARING among the people of Kuching. The recipients are identified with the help of welfare and social organizations/groups, religious and voluntary bodies. It consists of children (from infant to 17 years old), families and elderly folks from various villages around Kuching area, old folk’s homes and ophanages.*

There are three categories of recipients in this project:

1)    Children. Their wish list range from toys, school stationary, school bag, exercise books, colouring books and story books.

2)    Elderly folks. Biscuits (in tin), beverage (min. 500g/ in packet or tin), milk powder and bath towel.

3)    Families. Rice (10kg), canned food (halal) and instant noodle.

WHEN, WHERE and HOW can you fulfil the recipients’ wishes?

BB Love Box gifts collection booth and wish trees will be set up from 1^st November to 7^th December 2014, 10.00am to 8.00pm at Crown Square and Plaza Merdeka, Kuching. Go there and pick up a Wish List (or more) with the recipient’s name and wish item from the wish trees provided. Shop for the gift stated in the list(s) that you choose. Then, wrap and return the gift(s) to the booth where you pick up that list(s) together with the Wish List(s) securely attached to it. Easy, right? You can do this.

What are you waiting Kuchingnites? Come and fill BB Love Box booth with gifts, joy and love! John Bunyan writes, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.” Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour is the reward of what one gives.” “We make a living by what we get,” remind Winston Churchill, “but we make a life by what we give.” Kuchingnites, we can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Blessed are those who give with love! Amen.

Imagine the children’s smiles

Picture the elder’s gladness

Don’t you want to see a family having a dinner together this Christmas?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

What If I Tell You that Jesus Loves to Smile

Henry Ward Beecher writes, “Nothing on earth can smile but man. Gems may flash reflected light, but what is a diamond flash compared with an eye-flash and a mind-flash? A smile is a light in the window of the face by which the heart signifies it is at home and waiting.” Yes, a smile can add a great deal to one’s soul, feeling and mind. Plus, a smile can make people happy, which in turn makes you happy. It’s a win-win situation. Try it.

Let me ask you, if you could do something that would make others happy, and it would cost you neither money nor your life, would you do it? If that same thing also make you happy, would you do it? If it will brighten your day and the days of people around you and there is almost zero risk involves, would you do it? What is this precious thing? A smile. Yes, a smile. Sad faces evoked more sad faces, but a smiling faces evoked smiles and joyful hearts. Try it.

I love to read the Gospel stories and imagine Jesus. Jesus is God and man. If I see Jesus, I see God in actions. I think Jesus must have been a warm man on occasion because the children loved him (Matthew 19:13-15). Children are never attracted to bad-mood, always serious people, but the children must have loved the sparkle in Jesus' eyes, his warm open smile, and yes, his contagious laugh. Children loved to be with him, even trying to find ways to get to him in the midst of the crowds. Jesus was a busy man but who thought Jesus had more important things to do than hold a child on his lap – laugh and smile. Jesus even recorded as saying, "Let the children come to me, and don't hinder them" (Matthew 14:19). God smile? Of course, “The one who rules in heaven laughs” (Psalms 2:4). Try it.

Christians have more reasons to smile than anyone else.

Life is hard, God is good – therefore, smile.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Week 1:Smile- Costs nothing, creates much

 

One day, I decided to smile to everyone I meet no matter what happen. First I tested it to my mom before I went to church at hometown Sarawak. She said ‘OK, bye bye’ maybe because she thought that I want to bribe her on something. 15 minutes after, there I was... at the church. There I begin my experiment; to 1st usher standing at the stairway- I smiled, 2nd usher at the entrance - with my high pitch voice said ‘Good morning!’ and give her extra smile. Both of them in an instant with the high speed responded consciously smile back at me. ‘It worked!’ I said as I want to conclude the experiment that morning with a sense of success.

Not until I met a guest pastor who will deliver a speech that morning. I shakes his hand, a good morning greeting and of course a smile at him - (I’m about to change my mind on the conclusion though) He shook my hand, say ‘good morning to you too’ and… he was not smiling. I thought; what happen to him today? Am I not smiling sincerely? Ya maybe I thought. So I smiled for a second time and showed him my thumb up and said, ‘Thank you for being here.’ His respond was still the same.

Right after he finished his sermon, I came to him and with curiosity asking him,
‘Pastor, this is between you and me. Do you have any problems? Maybe I can help you.’
‘Why do you think I have a problem?’ He said.
‘Oh, this morning I greeted you. But you aren’t smiling.’
Then, in the twinkling of an eye: He smiles at me. He said, ‘it’s my face. Happy or sad, my face expression is like this.’ He seems like smiling.
Yes, I know now. Even he was sincerely wanted to smile; I can see that he force his face muscles to create the expression of what we called: Smile. But there’s another reason he don’t smile- it was kind of ugly. (Ha ha). It ends up with a great conversation. I joke about his smile, and he jokes at me back about my Maggie mee’s hair.

Smile can make your day much much better. Your smile is a messenger of your good will. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it. David Schwartz said ‘When you smile, smile. Show few teeth. Maybe your teeth aren’t attractive, but that’s really unimportant. For when you smile, people don’t see your teeth. They see a warm, enthusiastic personality, someone they like.’ Unless you have a face muscles problem like this pastor I’m writing about or you are born with no lips- I urge you to smile. If you’re not in the mood to smile, just smile. No one can be angry and smile at the same time.

Say to yourself: I have no silver and gold, but what I have I give to you (others): my smile.

Start your day with a smile. Maybe you can brighten up those people around you today. God bless you.