10 reasons Why I DREAD being a woman

1) I stand more chances of getting killed even before I'm born.

2) In the middle of the night, if I get an inspiration to write something, I can't go for a stroll in the park to get it done.

3) All sacrifices are defaulted to me.

4) In the name of marriage, I have to play savior in the lives of immature men. 

5) Quite often, I seem like an object.

6) It's always me who's expected to follow all 'protocols'.

7) If he's in a fit of rage and is speaking trash.. "C'mon he's a man", but if I stress out, I'm hysteric and I need therapy.

8) Loads of technical issues.

9) If some one has been led astray, then I'm accused as the tempter.

10) The beauty of my heart is seldom known.

10 reasons Why it's GREAT to be a woman

1)  I can make a home or break a home.


2)  I have the freedom to cry. I don't have to pretend dry-eyes to show that I am bold.


3)  I only need a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates or in some rare cases a diamond necklace ;) to    overlook a mistake. Bottom line - I can forgive easily.


4)  If I can't do something, I can ask for help, No one is gonna tell me, "C'mon, be a MAN.."


5)  I can multi-task. Strict-cool mom, beautiful-patient wife, Wise-warm colleague, Tough-talented shopper, fun-forever friend, generous-understanding sibling, Obedient-loving daughter, Caring-Careful daughter-in-law.


6)  The devil is scared of my ability to travel on my knees.


7)  With or without Paychecks, I always have loads to give.


8)  I know how women think.


9)  It doesn't matter how much fathers slog, kids love their mothers more.


10) I can wear a sari, a skirt, a jean, a maxi, a salwar, trousers or a frock. One dress for each  day for a week. My choices are many.

Happy Woman's Day ! What's your list??

What makes me proud to be a working woman?

(I won a prize for this write-up in the place where I work)

There is quite a lot of emphasis on how a working woman gets financial independence, and a chance to prove her skills in a career of her choice. But work for a woman, means more than just that.

The roles that men and woman ought to play in the world are entirely different. Therefore, I take no pride to say that I am able to do something which was once thought, could be done only by men. However, I take pride to say that work in its own way has helped me realize my own unique, intellectual, emotional and physical capabilities.

I’d give myself a pat on the back when I realize that being a working woman has helped me completely utilize the potential that’s been placed in my life. Work provides for numerous opportunities to discover myself and pursue my purpose.

A job and a work title have more significance than just getting me a paycheck at the end of a month. It is a way to uncover secret skills and untold talents. The joy and the pride that swells my heart when I get a job well done, fills me with enough confidence to continue moving forward to grab my destiny.

The test for real potential lies in the opportunities in which it is used. Being a working woman, helps me find a way to be a part of the lives of many people whom I meet and interact with everyday. Not that we always get a chance to strike a great friendship. But in almost every work relationship, I get a chance to identify my strength and sometimes my weakness too.

I am fortunate enough to be relieved from doing household chores, because I have the comfort of my mom doing all the work. Being a working woman herself for more than 25 years now, she has learned to alternate gracefully between her career roles and her duties as a mother, wife, and daughter.

In addition, I greatly admire many colleagues at my workplace who do a splendid task in seamlessly handling a client, a team, a manager, and to top it all, check on their child at home, enquiring about school, homework, music classes, and telling him to drink his milk and relish the chocolate cake that she baked for him. Then, she talks to her dad’s doctor enquiring about his health. She then gets back to the monitor screen; taps the return key to resume her work. She multi-tasks and travels across different worlds with great effort, but for the spectators of her life, it seems like a cake-walk.

The working woman lives a life of style. When a woman dresses to work, she appends several interesting traits to her personality, making her professional, smart and approachable. The same life, in a different package.

Many, who look at the life of a woman in the cubicle, look through rose colored glasses. “It’s the money, the glamour”, they say. Partly it stands true. Every working woman faces new challenges tirelessly, climbs the career ladder, and makes her mark, only to leave a legacy for her family. She strives hard to give her children a life that she had only dreamt about. The working woman today rolls up her sleeve and gets down to work to help her family build castles on firm ground. She does not look around for support; she puts her own skillful hands at use. She supports, sustains and succeeds.

Being a working woman helped me realize my ability to work with focus, achieve excellence, and work in a team. It is indeed true that we do get opportunities for the same at home, but never as versatile and dynamic like those at work. There is no greater pride when you do something without realizing it, and suddenly it strikes you that you’re a star.

The things I learn at work help me become a better and stronger person at home and in the society. My vision has broadened. I have become more tolerant. The way I look at people has changed. I can now see needs beyond the obvious. I have learnt to understand expression, read between lines and obey authority. These things are invaluable, and I am proud to have gained them at work.

Proverbs 32

The book of Proverbs ends with 31 chapters. Proverbs 31 speaks about the qualities of a virtuous wife. What if there was a Proverbs 32 ???

Proverbs 32 - A husband of noble character

An excellent husband, no one can find
To his value, all money resigns.
He's forever calm;
In her love, that remains.
He trusts in his wife
Beyond all other gain.

When she gets angry
And she’s fuming out stress
Her crazy moods
He doesn’t mind
So strong is his love
That is patient and kind.

He does not complain
about her choices.
And he doesn't take for granted
Her generous sacrifices
He values her life,
More than the money she brings
His favorite music
Is the song she sings.

He is her best critic
The anchor for her dreams
He’s proud of her achievements
He knows that she’s unique.

The beauty he sees,
Is the beauty that never fades.
It's her heart that charms him
Today and always,

As her waistline broadens
Her body loses grace.
Years begin to creep in
And draw indelible lines on her face

But he loves her even more,
This wife of his youth.
Each day, he learns her better.
And remains to her, forever true.
_____________________________________________________________

From the lives we’ve seen;
We know...
That only a woman can make a home
And it is her,
who builds her husband's throne.

Husbands can’t be everything you need.
Poor guys!! they don’t have a clue..
Because,
There is no Proverbs thirty two :D :D

____________________________________________________________________


Image Courtesy
http://life-nolimit.blogspot.com/2010/06/proverbs-31-man.html

How to start writing?

I attended a writers' workshop and I realized that the problem for many was not their dislike towards writing, rather it was an inability to start it off. I'm not an accomplished writer, but I've written consistently, so maybe that qualifies me to talk about how you can start off writing.

1) Ego-Writing

Start with lines like these, "I love to ....", "I don't like people who .." ,"I hate..." "I wish..." , "I'm a .... kind of person", recount your parents' experiences with you as a mischievous child, express your lost dreams, write your favorites and your dislikes and write all that you feel about yourself.

Writing happens only when there is an active thought process, and that's why this exercise works because we're always thinking about ourselves. Therefore, it is very easy to put down thoughts about yourself on paper. Once you've done it, read it, and re-read it and let your mind know that you can write.

2) Write sermon notes

Write down what you hear at the Sunday Service and transcribe it when you return home and post it on a blog, or forward it to church members and friends. After you've done this for a while, you could probably graduate to write your thoughts on the sermon, and how it helped you.

3) Get Observant

The most important quality for a writer is to be observant. The more you observe, the more you find stuff to write about. Again, this comes by practice. Choose a specific thing that you're going to observe more carefully, for instance, start observing how people say "thank you" or "bye", if you travel a lot by bus, look carefully at the expressions of people as they enter a crowded bus. Observe a lot, and make it a point to jot down each day's observation (not more than a line) somewhere, with time you'll find that your capacity to observe has increased and you'll have lots of subjects to write about.

4) Write about photographs

Pick up pictures from your album and write about when it was taken, what you think about the people in the photo, and how you felt when the photo was taken. If you took it in a special place, maybe you could give some background information of the location as well.

5) Rewrite Bible stories

Personally, this exercise helps me a lot. Rewrite bible stories as if they were narrated by a different person. For instance, write the story of Joseph, as if it were narrated by the Potiphar's wife. Write the story of the iron axe floating (Elisha's miracle) as if it were told by the axe. When you do this, you don't have to think about creating new content, instead you would just be thinking in a different dimension and doing some research to create continuity. And in the end, you would be satisfied with a unique piece of writing.

6) Write to appreciate

To be appreciative and critical is a very essential quality for a writer. And most importantly, when you're appreciating something, it's important that you don't use tired words like "amazing", "awesome", "great". Get a little descriptive and write what you really liked about it. For instance, I once stumbled upon an unknown blog (long ago, even before I started blogging), and I wrote a personal mail to the author.

"I want you to know that I really like your blog and appreciate your writing. I read a few of them and I especially like 'Making my Creator Proud' very much. I understand that it requires a lot of discipline and listening to be able to write such good work and kudos to you;you are doing a great job.

Continue writing and inspiring lives for God."

Once you've become really good at appreciating, start critiquing work. All of this spurts the mind to think, and the more you think, you can't stop yourself from writing.

7) Write letters (emails)

I bet there are lots of friends out there whom you haven't been in touch for a while. Start writing personal mails them. Write about how you've been, bring back some memories of your good times, write about how much you think of them. Include lines of best wishes and be sincere in what you're saying. This is a great way to get rid of the "I can't write" blocks.

8) Read

The urge to start writing comes when you read good books. Reading is just a habit, it isn't a special skill endowed to a select few. If you don't have the habit, hang out with people who read a lot. This works like charm, the influence would just rub on you. If you're the won't-read-anything-but-the-Bible kind, I suggest that you read a lot of Psalms and start writing your own psalms.

9) Find someone who can encourage you to write

I hate to accept it, but when you start writing, you need someone to keep pushing you to do it. Someone, to just read your work. It's a little hard to be self-motivated to write. I'm grateful to God, that I have a sister who constantly encourages me in what I do. Whatever I write, she reads. Sometimes, she doesn't say anything more than just, "it's nice", but through the years, I've learned to distinguish between her different "it's nice" tones :)

Maybe, if she wasn't around, with no other encouragement, and everyone either too busy or too critical (don't get me wrong, criticism is necessary, but is harmful if lots of doses are given in the beginning itself), I would have probably stopped writing. Find someone who can encourage you and thank God for putting them in your life.

If you're unable to find anyone, drop me a message, I'll be very glad to read, re-read, and be your buddy as you progress in your writing journey.

10) Pray a lot

I'm not a great writer, neither do I pray a lot, but most of my sensible writings have come from my conversations with God. I'm not talking about having a book of prayer or a petition list or reading 1000 praises, but a proper conversation where you communicate with God.

Nothing, opens up your mind like this. Even when you have to thank God, don't use some clichéd verses. Instead, think of specific things that you're grateful about, and say it to Him. Talk to God, as you would talk to someone looking at your face and listening intently to your words.

The more you talk to Him, more you'll find the right words to write.

Affectionately,
Callie Ariel

Image Courtesy:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/writing-color.html

New pals

I have great friends. But my bestest friends have always been books.

I read practically every genre, however, deliberately avoiding romance (because I can't bear it). I don't like romance novels, not because I don't like a good love story, but because I don't have the patience to read unrealistic prose descriptions glorifying each other more than what they're worth. I'd rather read a cryptic romantic poem ;)

My favorite fiction authors are Jefferey Archer (I like his choice of words) and Robin Cook (He helps me delve inside the world of Medicine which is where I once wanted to belong to).

My favorite genre is the Christian one. But then, it's easy to write a Christian book, and very easy to write a bad-bestselling Christian book. Because of this, I am very choosy about the Christian books I pick. In the ocean of the millions of books out there, I have few authors whose books I've picked and never regretted. One of my future posts would be about these authors, and why I like them, and why I like their books.

My favorite authors

1. King David
2. The unknown author of Job
3. Dr.Luke (The one who wrote the Gospel and the Acts)
4. Apostle John
5. Selwyn Hughes
6. CS Lewis
7. Ravi Zacharias
8. A.W Tozer
9. Bill Hybels
10. Carole Mayhall
11. Tommy Tenney
12. J.N Manoharan

While I have many favorite books, I do have a very personal book.

And that's my Bible.

Let me confess, I haven't got up every morning, reading the Bible and always feeling like I had a helping of honey. Sometimes, I dread having to read the Bible, sometimes I sleep when I am reading it, sometimes, I frown; sometimes, I cry; sometimes, I'm enlightened; sometimes I laugh out loud, and sometimes I'm just too amazed for words.

Nevertheless, it is my Bible and it is God's personal message for my life.

I love scribbling on the pages of this Personal book, my deepest thoughts, and penning my insignificant words near the Words breathed by God. You can find smiley faces, angry faces, question marks, exclamations, stars, and so many different remarks in this Personal book of mine. My Bible is unique to me, and my bestest friend.

I've grown only 2 Bibles old until now. The first Bible that I started reading was my parents' gift on my 13th birthday. It was an NIV Teen Study Bible. I've written audacious notes on that Bible such as "Today, God cheated me :( ", "Is God over-reacting here ?"

I started growing up, and my Bible started falling apart, so I wanted something that would give me more insight when I read a verse. So, I asked my daddy to buy me an Amplified Bible. With this Bible, I could never read more than 2 chapters a moment. Simply because, there was so much in the brackets. But this Bible was my closest confidant, especially because; in this phase, my life was racing across different terrains. This Bible helped me see and saw with me the faithfulness of God. There were times when I hit rock bottom unable to talk to anyone. Those days I would curl up in bed hugging my Bible close to my heart. It was also during this time in my life that I was introduced to studying the Bible. And so you would find, many papers stuck on the pages containing exegetic and hermeneutic notes.

I now discerned that I needed to further mature my understanding of God's Word. I so believe that the Master wants me to step into another dimension that I haven't yet explored. I therefore wanted a fresh start, a cleaner Bible :) with more fresh space to scribble. So, almost after a satisfying 6-year journey with my Amplified, I bought a TNIV Bible last week. I actually bought two, a pocket size one and a bigger one with lots and lots of margin space.

I signed my name on my new bibles, thanking God silently for the tremendous sacrifice of the numerous people who labored to bring God's Word to an ordinary person like me. I tucked my older bibles back to the bookshelf, contented that the Master in His grace let me hear His voice. Each of those bibles bring memories of a life now left behind.

I am ready to continue running with my new Pal, my new BIBLE.

Hoping to hear more of the Master's Voice,

Callie

Yokebreaker 2010

After close to a month of tedious praying, planning and preparing, we got yet another chance to have our yokes broken. It was time for Yokebreaker 2010.

Last time, we discussed on Bible Reading, Honoring Parents and Sex. This time, by divine purpose, our folks planned the event along the lines of Decision Making and Disciplined Life. Several young people who are in the cross roads of making crucial decisions, get several yokes fastened on their lives due to wrong choices. Consequently, it retards the speed at which we're heading to achieve God's goal. With time, we rust, stagnate and suffer. Instead of living, we just exist.

Can we get rid of these yokes, by making the right decisions ? If yes, then how do we do it?
The first session by Pr Charles Dawson, helped get to the HEART of decision making.

The second session by Bro Prince, dealt with how a DISCIPLE ought to lead a DISCIPLINED LIFE . We did have some sound Biblical pointers, which when applied, would liberate us from the Satan's yoke of always looking busy, but doing nothing productive.

And we had some really cool team building games. In addition, we had one rib-tickling Bible trivia quiz.

Hosea was the prophet who got to marry the prostitute. But did I forget that Hosea was also the real name of Joshua who gave good report about Canaan to the Hebrews. Man!! it was disheartening to know how much of detail we skipped when we read the Bible, but then the playing was fun. I guess, some of us would have taken some real resolutions to raise their Bible IQ!!

Chicken biryani, and a great deal of snacks. I must say that every detail was carefully planned. Time was perfectly managed.

Our church planned to have the venue out of the church. We had it in a place called Dash n Splash. It's filled with trees and extremely shady. Nature cooperated with us, by restraining the rain, yet keeping the weather absolutely cool and breezy. In our worship sessions, I guess the trees clapped their hands and the winds sang praise too. It was just the perfect place to get ourselves restored and refreshed.

Did I forget to mention that we did get to end this great day with a dash of splash in the water slides, pools and games that were there around in this place ?

Swingin, playin, runnin, jumpin, slidin, dashin, we all had a great time. By 6 pm we left the place, leaving behind our yokes, moving forward in freedom to love Him, know Him, and live for Him.

And that's the only decision we would ever have to make.

Excerpts coming soon.