A Living Book

Another new week is here. Let us all greet this week with a fresh and clear mind. I came across the writing below. It's so good that I have an urge to share it all with you. It's about life, deep meaning of what life is truly about. It's a writing by Donald Miller, an American author. Hope the writing below can somehow bring the best of you so we can all live this life by always having a good feeling. Have a great Monday =)

“I'll tell you how the sun rose 
A ribbon at a time... 


It's a living book, this life; it folds out in a million settings, cast with a billion beautiful characters, and it is almost over for you. It doesn't matter how old you are; it is coming to a close quickly, and soon the credits will roll and all your friends will fold out of your funeral and drive back to their homes in cold and still and silence. And they will make a fire and pour some wine and think about how you once were . . . and feel a kind of sickness at the idea you never again will be. 


So soon you will be in that part of the book where you are holding the bulk of the pages in your left hand, and only a thin wisp of the story in your right. You will know by the page count, not by the narrative, that the Author is wrapping things up. You begin to mourn its ending, and want to pace yourself slowly toward its closure, knowing the last lines will speak of something beautiful, of the end of something long and earned, and you hope the thing closes out like last breaths, like whispers about how much and who the characters have come to love, and how authentic the sentiments feel when they have earned a hundred pages of qualification. 


And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?” 
― Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

(image via goodfon.com)

Emergency Recipe

This is an emergency recipe, suitable for those of you who are craving for some easy-to-make chocolate cake. I found this oh-so-simple recipe on Heather's Dish. It's called Flourless Emergency Chocolate Mug Cake. It's something you can make anytime..especially on weekend =) 

Ingredients: 

•  1/4 cup marshmallows
• 2 Tbsp peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 1 egg white

Directions: 

Mix everything together in a large mug.  Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring at the 30 second mark (helps mix in the marshmallows a bit more).  You want it to be a LITTLE bit moist in the middle still – that means it’s done but not overdone!  EAT!

(image and recipe by Heather's Dish)

Laugh

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of posts on the last two days. How do you feel when you spend a day without any laughter? Empty isn't it? I feel like something's missing when I past a day without laughter. Even the smallest laughter can lift up your happiness and also your mood. I am sure none of us want to spend a day being so grumpy. Hope you can be the kind of people like the quote below.

A person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed.

— Bennett Cerf

(image via favim)

Happiest People..

Here's a little something to boost your mood to start a fresh new week. Read the statement below and ask your self "Am I one of those happiest people?". Have a great Monday =)

(image source via)

Tiny but Cozy Home..

Found this very gorgeous and cozy home via design.org. It's not a big house, it's a tiny one. Often a tiny or small house can be more comfortable than the big one because the small one can give us a warmer feeling living in it. The house below is 540 square-foot house located in Portland. I'm loving every corner of the house...

(all images via design.org)

Fairy-tale..

I found the image below (via tumblr)and thought I have to share it with you all. It's about  the price we have to pay to get something we really want to. Or maybe we can say that often we have to go through a rocky and winding road before we get to see a good thing at the end of the road. Don't you think so? After all, there must always be a struggle thing we have to do to get what we've always dream of. 

(image via monster-art-freak.tumblr)

Five Question

I came across this article called "Five Questions for Champions" by Ron Kurtus via here. I think it's the right thing to do when we can ask ourselves those five questions just to remind us about what we've been through. Sometimes we didn't realize what we've got or what we've done when we don't spend time to review it or maybe even to contemplate it. So, here are the 5 simple but important questions. 

Five questions

Ask yourself the following questions every day:

1. What am I thankful for today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. Where did I do a good job?
4. Who was I valuable to today?
5. How did I take care of myself today?

(article source: school-for-champions.com - image via favim)

Yummy Milkshake...

It's time for a weekend recipe. Do you have any plan this weekend? Whatever it is, hope you'll have a great time so we can all have a fresh start for a new week. This time it's a recipe of a called "Nutella Milkshake" by The Little Kitchen. I love Nutella and I love milkshake, so I'll definitely try to make this milkshake. And the most important thing is that the recipe is soooooo easy. So, hope this recipe can lift your weekend mood. Happy weekend =)

Nutella Milkshake

(Yield: 2 shakes - Prep Time: 5 min - Total Time: 5 min)

Ingredients:

1/3 cup nutella

1 cup skim milk

3 big scoops of low fat vanilla frozen yogurt

Directions:

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend.

Serve immediately. Makes 2 10 ounce milkshakes

(recipe and image by The Little Kitchen)

Pay it forward...

Hi everyone =) What do you think about people who make changes in this world? In a good way of course. I really fond of those kind of people who can bring positive changes in society and of course lifted up the quality of other people. 

                     

A fiend of mine, Ayesha, is one of those people who has a passion to change people's life. Together with Zachs, they have their own way to bring positive impact to other people . Their way is by art and . Their project is called Make Mobile: Vehicle of Change (click here to check it out) and you can also click here to see their mission and video. Maybe you can vote for them if you really feel that positive changes are important to us and also to other people. Here are some 

You Are...

I found this article with the title "You Are Who Your Friends Are" by Jack Canfield from Selfgrowth. It's about our attitudes and thoughts that are contagious. Many times I've said about contagious positive attitude, which means that if you surround yourself with positive people, you'll become one of them. And that will surely do you good.  You can see my favorite statements below, the one in bold letters. 

You Are Who Your Friends Are

It's important to acknowledge the power of positive thinking. This goes not only for yourself, but also for the people you surround yourself with.

Attitudes are catchy. Whether they're positive or negative, they're rubbing off on you. If you're around people who complain, judge, spread ...It's important to acknowledge the power of positive thinking. This goes not only for yourself, but also for the people you surround yourself with.

Attitudes are catchy. Whether they're positive or negative, they're rubbing off on you. If you're around people who complain, judge, spread negative gossip, blame others, and play victim roles, chances are you do, too. (ouch!) Who are you around most? Are they achieving their dreams or complaining about their circumstances? Do they look up to others who are go-getters and high achievers, or do they make fun of them and roll their eyes? How do they treat you? If you're spending time with people who don't support your dreams and goals, it's seriously time to look at whom you call your friends!

Successful people surround themselves with successful people. Plain and simple. They want to be around others who're achieving goals and making things happen. They want to know their secrets and strategies for winning. They're not embarrassed to be hanging out with people who are studying for success and making good money.

You, too, need to surround youself with positive influences. Join the clubs that other successful people are in, learn what they're learning. It doesn't matter from what walk of life you are coming from. Show up and transform youself into an acheiver! Success isn't just for those who have had it easy, who came from supportive homes or had expensive educations. They're are so many successful people who rose up from very poor conditions and and overcame obstacles to acheive the goals they set their sights on.

But they didn't get there by hanging out with negative energy-drainers!

Have you been limiting your success by letting yourself be influenced by other people's negative energy? Make a list of all the people you spend time with and make a note of the kind of personality they have. How many negative people are you around every day? How many people on your list are achieving their dreams, supporting yours and taking responsibility for their lives? You're better off spending time alone than with people who hold themselves back with a victim mentality.

Simply stop spending time with the negative people on your list. Join the clubs that will put you in with a positive circle of friends. Set a new standard for yourself and don't become friends with people who fall below that standard. Invite your old friends to come with you and you'll know who has potential and who to stop being around entirely.

You have to take responsibility for this area of your life. Look around you at the people you call friends. Does it make you proud? Are you selling yourself short? Or are you on the right track?

Keep successful people around you and you will be successful! Be around people who can accomplish their goals and you will accomplish yours, too! The choice is yours to make.

(article source: selfgrowth.com - image source: fad3out.tumblr)

Live Over

I'm in love with this writing. It is called "If I Had My Life To Live Over" by Erma Bombeck. Erma Bombeck was an American humorist, columnist and also writer. It is said that the following writing was written when she found out that she had a cancer. I think we all agree that if we know that we wouldn't be long living this life, we would do anything we have always wanted to do. It's like writing an ending of a book. You have to put everything that come across your mind. Below is the writing...a very good one.

“IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER" 

by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculped like a rose before it melted 
in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more 
while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realising that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"

. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . . 
look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back.” 
― Erma Bombeck

(image source: favim)

Gain Back Your Confidence

There are times when we feel so down and so low, as if we have no self-esteem and no self-confidence at all. Do you know how it feels when you used to have high self-esteem and high self-confidence but suddenly you now have no esteem and confidence at all? I believe the feeling does not give you any strength to move on. How can we move on when we don''t feel confident enough to do anything? Here's a list on How to Gain Back Lost Confidence I found on eHow. 

How to Gain Back Lost Confidence

1. Look at the areas of your life where you feel confident versus where you lack confidence. Write down the areas of your life where you feel you need to build your confidence.
2. Examine yourself honestly. Was there a particular experience or a particular person that caused you to feel less confident?
3. Surround yourself with positive people. If your confidence level takes a nose dive when you are around certain people, avoid those people if possible. Instead, interact with people that give and demand a high level of respect.
4. Redefine your personal boundaries. If certain situations are clearly what causes you to doubt yourself or feel insecure, don't participate until you feel more safe and secure.
5. Volunteer some of your time to an effort you care about. This is a great way to add to your confidence. You will gain some insight as to how valuable and worthy you are when you give to others. It really is true, you sometimes get back far more than you give.
6. Seek the advise of a mentor or role model. This would be someone who has overcome many of his own obstacles or setbacks and carries himself with a high level of confidence. This person can provide you with some positives for you to build on yourself.
7. Set some very realistic goals that can be achieved in a short time-frame. Completing these goals successfully will add to your confidence level so that you can continue to build on this new-found confidence.
8. Make affirmations a part of your daily routine. Affirmations are positive statements that you focus on for a particular day. These should be written and said in present tense, and you should focus on believing what you say even if it isn't 100 percent true yet!

(article source: ehow.com - image source: favim)

Cottage House..

I am in love with this seaside cottage house. I am a more into beach person than a mountain person type. How about you? For me, you can do more things when you'r at the beach than at the mountain. I found this cozy seaside cottage located in Kalsvik, Sweden via 1Kindesign. The good thing about this cottage house is that it's not too small and it's not too big either. Just perfect, with the white cottage theme I believe I can relieve any tension going on when I'm there =)

(images via onekindesign.com)

Life..

Monday is back here with us =) The last few days I was thinking about the things of being too melodramatic. I admit sometimes I can be overly sensitive about something. Once or twice I've been too sensitive when people said something about things that hurt my feelings. But then I thought about it again, maybe it's just me and maybe it's not their intention to hurt my feelings. And as always, there's always two sides of a story. In this case, my side and other people's side. Well, that's just a short thought. Here's something to start a new week with good deeds...

Life's Instructions

1. Have a firm handshake.
2. Look people in the eye.
3. Sing in the shower.
4. Own a great stereo system.
5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
10. Whistle.
11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.
15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
16. When playing games with ! children, let them win.
17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
18. Be romantic.
19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
21. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for our convenience, not the caller's.
22. Be a good loser.
23. Be a good winner.
24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
27. Keep it simple.
28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
29. Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the
32. things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
33. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
34. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
35. Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
36. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
37. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
38. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
39. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
40. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
41. Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
42. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
43. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
44. Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
45. Become someone's hero.
46. Marry only for love.
47. Count your blessings.
48. Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
49. Wave at the children on a school bus.
50. Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
51. Don't expect life to be fair.

(list via amazingposts.com - image via colorfully.eu)