Are you Listening?

I've come to discover that I have a knack for languages. I'm choosing to learn Korean, which isn't really that difficult when you know how it the language works. See, those funny little symbols that throw your western mind completely off are in fact not letters in the strict sense, but rather sounds! So if you learn to read the sounds, your half way there... well not really, but you get the picture.

I have a few Korean friends, which is a huge bonus (what's the use of learning a language if you're never going to speak it?). So we trade, I help with English, they help with Korean. And when i say that, i'm not just speaking of language, I include culture to that list as well.

I tend to think alot, and something that has struck me through all my processing is not languages in itself, but communication. Language was developed to articulate our thoughts, desires and wishes to those around us. We learn to speak to be able to be in relationship.
Relationship is at the core of our being, which makes me wonder why we let Language be a barrier to that. We've all learned a set of sounds that when arranged together in certain ways communicates the desires of our human hearts. Be that the need for something to eat, the desire to know how someone is "doing", the voicing of frustrations or the showing of affection.

It's sad to say, but sometimes I feel more at home with my Korean friends, Language "barrier" and all, because I'm forced to listen with more than my ears, and translate with more than my brain. It forces me to connect on a common level of humanity. I love writing, so naturally I love the English language, but when I'm around my Korean friends, or anyone of another language really, I don't care how they are constructing their sentences, or whether they use the correct form of a word, I'm listening to what they are Saying. Many times I've found myself sacrificing beautifully constructed sentences and phrased for simply what i know they will Hear. I also find that conversations we do have become less trivial because the emphasis is not in filling awkward silences, but in knowing who the other person is.

I do not deem my sounds for communication superior to any other nations sounds. I love my language, It's a part of who I am, but I won't allow it to exclude others from creating a lasting impression in my life.

The question I carry into every conversation now, is Are you Listening?

Incorruptible Beauty.

74. Go to the Zoo.

Yesterday was my sister Claire's 21st Birthday. As a surprise I organised with her best friend for us to all go to the Zoo. I've always been good at suprises, needless to say, this one was awesome!
There were eight of us that went to the Zoo; Myself, Claire, our Parents, Elizabeth (Claire's best friend), Dave (Eliz's husband), and Alison and Melody (Eliz's much younger sisters).

It was so beautiful to see my sister excited again, I know the last few years have taken their toll  on her. But seeing the absolute joy on her face at the prospect of a Zoo visit made me realise something profound: She is incorruptibly beautiful. NOTHING can take away or taint her beauty. Claire is a Strong, Intelligent, Young woman with the world at her feet. Claire is a fighter, I know that no matter what the world throws at her, she will not be overcome. Even when it's been Dark, Her Faith and Hope have kept her alive and sane. I have seen her stand against immense pressure. I don't blame her for the times she's lost her balance a bit, or been side-tracked by life's trivialities. the one thing I do know is She's still standing, granted with alot of cuts, bruises and broken bones, but she's still standing.

My Prayer for her this year is that she lets the wounds heal, that she lets Redemption be this Chapter title of her life. I learned a long time ago that when covered over and hidden, wounds fester and go septic.

Sometimes the Band-Aid does more harm than good.

The rawness of fresh air, although incredibly vulnerable, is the best thing for a wound. Nothing is too much to find Redemption. May 2010 be the year where the World tremble's at His Light, resonating from Claire otherwise known as His "Incorruptible Beauty".

Choosing Flowers.

36. Give Someone Flowers.

It's interesting how we stumble upon nuggets of God's genius in the most random of things. Wednesday night, after a meeting, I decided not to go home and rather visit a friend.

It was only really towards the end of last year, I think, that we really connected. I really like Maxine, She's awesome. Maxine is a gentle, but strong woman, there has been many a time when I've drawn strength from here attitude to life and the circumstances she finds herself in. Maxine, has overcome a lot in her life, I think that's part of what makes her so beautiful.

Anyway, as we talked, we began to realise how God is in complete control, always... even with us choosing every aspect of our lives. We both agree that there have been times when things have been really clear, like God has spoken directly into a situation and prepared us for it. We reminisced about how exciting it was to see the things God had promised actually happening. Sadly though, we also agreed, that even though God had always delivered on His promises, sometimes we had missed the mark.

Choice is our greatest weapon, because it's ours completely. Although we may be influenced by certain external factors and opinions, we are NEVER without choice. The action we decide to take is the action we decide to take. Where it gets complicated is in the interplay of our choices with those of the people in our lives, or any human being for that matter. The ability to choose is what separates us from every other living creature. The fact that we have Choice might make its way onto a list of what defines Humanity. The Sovereignty of God comes in in that He is still in complete control of everything. If our lives are surrendered to His Will, no err in judgment or choice on the side of another individual can deter God from providing for us what is Best.

Yes, we all bump heads with others, and people let us down. Sometimes we even let ourselves down, but along with Choice come God’s “Parallel Plans”. I name it so because He is not resorting to Plan B, C, or Z. Both Plans are equally Good, equally Best. Getting back to my conversation with Max, we were blown away, by the “Parallel Plans” she was experiencing. It’s as though God planned both of them to run at the same time, even though they have the identical objective. Both equally Good, equally Best. God knows the desires of our hearts; after all He placed them there. He continues to prepare multiple plans, knowing full well how it all pans out in the end, which one we do choose. But if He didn’t, where would be our Choice, our Humanity? We possess no puppet strings. There is no pre-decided ending to your Story. If your ultimate choice is yielding to the Will of God, every choice will be abundant in life regardless of the outcome.

So Maxine and I both rejoice in the fact that God has our back. We still Trust, regardless of disappointment and heartache. I chose to give flowers to Maxine because despite heartache, she stands, head held high, excited and trusting in His “Parallel Plan”.

One Down... Why am I starting a Blog?

1. Start a Blog.

God Knows the Desires of my Heart because He placed them there. The Beauty of His Love is shown in that I can Choose how to manifest those desires. I decided my favourite colour is Green. I've decided I like Cricket. I've decided i prefer small intricacies to bold overstatements. God Knows the Desires of my Heart. I don't want to be ashamed or afraid of them.

This year is about owning my desires, standing up for them, and living them out. Proudly. I am. Regardless of. I am.

I want to Live who I am to the edge of every boundary... and to Live that everyone can see. I want to Trust in what I see. My Dreams and Ambitions have grown cold and festered in the darkness long enough.

I Live in  Light... because the world needs to know who I am. i am no longer afraid of who I am... Are you?

101 things to do in 2010

1. Start a Blog.
2. Make Candles.
3. Climb a Billboard.
4. Go Blonde.
5. Make someone a Cake.
6. Go to the Drive-In.
7. Be Goth for a Day.
8. Buy an Orphan a Christmas Present.
9. Knit something.
10. Paint something.
11. Read the entire Bible
12. Read a Biography.
13. Go Camping.
14. Watch a Live Band.
15. Watch a Ballet.
16. Go on a Boat.
17. Make a Dress.
18. Play Golf.
19. Eat at a Greek Resturant.
20. Ride a Horse.
21. Play Paintball.
22. Make a Bonfire.
23. Go Busking.
24. Get an Autograph.
25. Read 'The Chronicles of Narnia' - C.S. Lewis.
26. Read 'The Confessions' - St. Augustine.
27. 20 Jump Photo's.
28. Sit in a Random Lecture.
29. Recycle.
30. Eat with Chopsticks for a week.
31. Visit another Country.
32. Bake Cookies.
33. Buy Lunch for a Homeless Person.
34. Make Paper.
35. Write a Song.
36. Give Someone Flowers.
37. Sing Karaoke.
38. Learn another Language.
39. Get a Pet.
40. Get False Nails.
41. Drive to Durban.
42. Wear Heels for a Week.
43. 500 Facebook Friends.
44. Have an Easter Egg Hunt.
45. Plant a Herb Garden.
46. Make a Jack-o-Lantern.
47. Have a Dinner Party.
48. Build a Puzzle.
49. Plant Flowers.
50. Sing 'Happy Birthday' to someone.
51. Watch entire Series' of 'Lost'.
52. Write Anonymous Letter to Someone.
53. Make a Mosaic.
54. Kidnap Someone.
55. Read 'A Pilgrim's Progress' - John Bunyan.
56. Post a Random Letter.
57. Go to the Botanical Gardens.
58. Enter a Poetry Competition.
59. Learn to Play an Instrument.
60. Shoot Something.
61. Read 'Paradise Lost' - John Milton
62. Eat Sushi.
63. Get another Piercing.
64. Wear Skinny Jeans (GAG!)
65. Do the Splits.
66. Be Silent for an Entire Day.
67. Make something with Clay.
68. Go Rock Climbing.
69. Go to a Museum.
70. Watch the Orchestra.
71. Buy Random Shoes.
72. Wear slippers to the Mall.
73. Do the 'Spar Ladies 10km'.
74. Go to the Zoo.
75. Do Something for Someone on Valentines Day.
76. Play Hockey.
77. Make a YouTube Video.
78. Sleep under the Stars.
79. Go for a Picnic.
80. Decorate Cupcakes.
81. Plant a Tree.
82. Buy a Ring.
83. Be on T.V.
84.Climb a Water Tower.
85. Visit Voortrekker Monument.
86. Design a T-Shirt Range
87. Fly a Kite.
88. Make someone's wish come true.
89. Watch a Live Sports Match.
90. Wear a Different Rainbow Colour each Day of a Week.
91. Learn to say 'I Love You' in 17 Languages.
92. Be Vegetarian for a Month.
93. Watch all the Star Wars Movies.
94. Get Braids.
95. Write a Book/Script
96. Swim in the Sea.
97. Write Something I'm Thankful for Everyday.
98. Play Tennis.
99. Visit the Union Buildings.
100. Give a Waitron 100% Tip.
101. Wear Wings for a Day.