Memorable Moments

Hello everyone! I’m back from the void! I feel sad that I haven’t written  anything here since October. However, my life became really crazy in the latter half of the semester with all the assignments and studying for exams.

I will strive to change this in the new year. It’s one of my goals to organize myself – my priorities, etc. – and to schedule and plan better.

There have been many hard and painful moments of this year. Yet, I will still look back at 2015 with fondness. It has been fun and encouraging to make some new friendships. I also feel like I’ve personally developed and grown significantly. Everything considered, I look forward to this new year with hope and excitement. I’ll trust God and await to see what lies in store for me. Whatever happens, I know I’m not alone. I’m loved and surrounded by a community that cares for me.

I enjoy this season of the year because it’s a time when family comes together. Joy, hope, peace and love are in the air. However, let’s also remember to be thinking of and praying for those who will have a difficult time dealing with pain and loss.

What are you looking forward to over this Christmas and holiday season?

 

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What If We Were Bold?

It’s story time! So get comfortable, listen and prepare to be challenged.

A girl sits in a coffee shop. Visibly upset, she fumbles around on her phone texting. She leans back in the chair and stares hard at nothing in particular. Giving up, tears fall down her cheeks and she looks down in defeat. Frustratedly she checks her phone again, swiping back and forth to different pages. Momentarily she notices two women sitting in a booth beside her. She doesn’t pay much attention to them, but soon enough she notices they’re talking about faith. Time feels like an eternity as it passes by. Still struggling, she gathers her things, disappears into the washroom and wipes away her tears. Then she passes by the women, still talking about church and faith, and leaves the coffee shop.

This story really struck me hard today. Know why? It’s because that’s actually my true story. I am that girl, struggling and crying in the coffee shop, feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of life. But how many times have I been like those women? Have I talked about my faith with a friend or family member, when there is someone around me hurting? I’m sure there have been times I haven’t noticed or even ignored people.

We’re all so busy now that we don’t have time for others. We don’t notice. Now in order to get help we have to book an appointment with someone whose job IS to listen to you.

The challenge for myself and for you all is this question: what would happen if we were bold? What if we took time to look around us? If we listened to others, and reached out, despite it being abnormal or awkward, what impact would we have on our neighborhoods and cities? What if you are the one, that by reaching out, changes or saves someone’s life?

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ~Gandhi

-A

Exercise Goals

I’ve never been the most active person, but since getting asthma, exercising is a must for me. I’ve heard many times now about the importance of strengthening my lung capacity. I was doing well at first; however, like a lot of good intentions, after a while I fell out of practice. Fast forward to recently, I’m starting over with trying to form this habit.

End goal: for regular exercise to become habitual and last for the long-term.

I thought a good way to accomplish this goal, and to be accountable to someone, would be to blog about it.

(Image from Pixabay)

So here I am… actually on Day 6 right now, because the idea of blogging about my goals only recently crossed my mind.  I thought it would be best to post sooner rather than later, before I lost my mojo.

Besides my body being sore, it’s going well. I’ve mostly been using an elliptical, today though I wanted to switch it up and do some weight lifting instead. I know strength training is good and healthy to do, so my dad was kind enough to guide me through some different exercises to strengthen my back and arms.

Though I am sore and tired, I’m sure that’s normal when you’re just starting out. However, I’m hopeful and optimistic for the future. If I put in the effort, I’m sure to succeed! How do you like to stay fit and active? What helps you stay on track and motivates you to keep exercising?