Enkounters

I set a goal this year to read at least two self-improvement/business books per month. Below are some insights from one of the self-improvement books I read  in April- 'The Compound Effect' by Darren Hardy: Insight 1 Small daily seemingly inconsequential choices repeated (compounded) overtime leads to long-term success. In the moment, these good choices or habits (similar to bad habits) may not seemingly have any effect but weeks/months/years down the line you'll begin to see the difference or reap the reward. This first insight or principle applies to all realms of life whether relationships, health, finance, business - you name it. Tip : Hardy recommends writing down small changes you can make in your daily routine that overtime can lead to success. Insight 2 Adversity is the fuel for success. Like many other self-help gurus before him, he recommends failing big and failing fast in order to achieve great success. The principle is that the more effort, time and...

Recently, I was having a conversation with some of my sisters about gifts we received from non-immediate family members growing up. As I was trying to reflect and relate to this experience I realized that I never received these specific gifts they spoke about. So I declared," Well, I never received any of these gifts but as the bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive." Looking back, this declaration may very well have been a triumphant way out of playing the role of victim but the words challenged me and caused me to reflect. In my reflection, I thought of the multitude of people; family, friends, acquaintances and strangers who gave me gifts of time, friendship, love, knowledge, opportunity and resources.  I also thought of the many others I encountered and gave gifts of time, friendship, love, knowledge opportunity and resources.  When we are out of balance the temptation is to look at 'What's in it for me?' or 'What can I...

Before the grumpy cat gets under your skin this Valentine's Day, here are my FIVE favourite quotes from Dr. Guy Winch's TED Talk: "We all know how to care for our physical health but what do we know about maintaining our emotional hygiene?" "We sustain psychological injuries (failure, rejection and rumination) even more than we sustain physical injuries." "Once we become convinced of something, it's very difficult to change our mind." "You cannot allow yourself to feel that a situation is helpless. You have to fight for control over the situation and break the negative cycle before it begins." "When you're in emotional pain, treat yourself with the same compassion you'd expect from a really good friend." For more great quotes listen to his 17 minute talk below: What are your favourite quotes? ~Love God,Live life,One Enkounter at a Time~

In  a society that lives from holiday to holiday by now you would have realized that Christmas is long gone and Valentine's Day/ Singles Awareness Day is right around the corner. In honour of the season treat yourself to some chocolate and a good read for the successfully single lady: 1. Happy and Successfully Single by Tina A. Swain. This is a relatively new addition to the singles library but a very quick and real read. There is nothing better than getting advice from someone who is living out the single experience. Even better to have it sound as though you're getting advice from a close friend. You can grab this book for as little as $15 on Amazon. 2. The Single Woman by Mandy Hale. Everyone who has been single for a while has come across her quotes on social media at some point. If you're new to the singles game and haven't noticed her stuff - you're welcome. This book is available in almost every book store and for as low as $9.50 on Kindle. You ca...

A thought came to me today while visiting a family member's church and hearing the age old and simple message of salvation. The thought was about the basic principle of 'belief' which is a principle of both the physical world and the spiritual world. For example, in the physical world we prepare for the next day believing we will live to experience it. We plant and nurture flowers believing they will grow. We board a plane believing the pilot/plane will get us to our destinations safely and so on.  Similarly in the Christian faith, in order to have a relationship with God we must believe. There are at least 36 bible verses referencing belief. Top of the list is that we must believe that Jesus Christ existed, died on the cross for our sins and is our ultimate connection to God. We must believe all of these things that we've never seen in order to have a relationship with God - hence why Christians are also called Believers.  I was reflecting on how much...

There was a time I used to think single and alone is the worst thing a person could be. There were days I would sit on my teenage bed staring at the ceiling wondering why I wasn't desirable and I could hear my mom outside my window getting on with life - busying herself with laundry and other household chores.  Since my mother's death I have realized that the worst thing a person could be is ungrateful. Everyday there is something or someone in our lives to be grateful for.  The next worst thing a person could be is regretful. When you lose a loved one it's all you have - regret. I was so close to my mom yet I still regret the moments I wasted on the imaginary whos that were never in my life when I could have spent that time goofing around and learning more from my mother. Takeaway : Life is a gift and so are the people who were placed in our lives. Treasure who is in your life as tomorrow is promised to no one.

1. "We can hide behind the word 'Christian' because it has no concrete meaning. The early 'Christians' considered themselves Disciples - learners, pupils, apprentices, adherents or followers." Andy Stanley on #BrandRecognition 2. "Love for God and for others is the number one indicator that someone is a Disciple." Andy Stanley on #Quitters 3. "Love one another and stop judging non-believers." Andy Stanley on #InsidersOutsiders 4. "Jesus called sin...sin and then he paid for it and having paid for it he didn't condemn anyone." Andy Stanley on #GracieMetTruthy 5. "Salt always preserves and light always points the way forward." Andy Stanley on  #ShowUp 6. "Anger about sin, instead of compassion, comes from self righteousness." Andy Stanley on #AngryBirds 7. "Following Jesus means having no loopholes. His command to love is too simple, too direct to be ignored, avoide...