Tag Archives: disability

Day 2050: Impatience and Me

Patience is not one of my virtues – that’s what I keep realizing.

 

It’s 12 : 27 PM on day 2050 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Psalm 23, have breakfast, learn one new thing – When charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state. When the electrons drop back to a lower energy state, they release a photon: light. This process creates the beautiful aurora, or northern lights. –  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 540 only $710  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today I realized yet again that patience is not one of my virtues I want what I want and I want it that second which works well in some situations and not so well in others maybe I should take up chess or checkers and hope I grow in patience.

Day 2049: Enjoying Life and Time

Life’s too short to waste your time doing things you don’t like doing (if you don’t have to) – that’s what I realized today.

 

It’s 10 : 07 AM on day 2049 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Mark 12, have breakfast, learn one new thing – In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and sexual rapture. According to Hesiod, she was born when Uranus (the father of the gods) was castrated by his son Cronus. –  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 540 only $710  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today I realized that life’s too short to waste your time doing things you don’t like doing (if you don’t have to) so from now onwards I won’t continue reading books I’m not enjoying simply because they’re on my reading list really life’s too short to endure the suffering of your own choosing.

Day 2048: My New Morning Routine

Whatever happens or doesn’t happen today I’m blessed because I’m alive – that’s what I tell myself in the morning.

 

It’s 12: 32 PM on day 2048 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Romans 12, have breakfast, learn one new thing –Elizabeth Ann Seton is canonized by Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in Rome, becoming the first American-born Catholic saint. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth Bayley was the daughter of an Episcopalian physician. –  and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign –  yesterday David Boutin donated $34  (thanks SO MUCH  David your ongoing support means A LOT :) )  which brings the total raised to $5 540 only $710 more to raise before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far 🙂

 

Recently I started a new morning routine  first I pray, second I list (out loud) ten things that I’m grateful for, third I say (again out loud) whatever happens or doesn’t happen today I’m blessed because I’m alive and lastly I read a Bible verse it really helps start my day off right.

Day 2047: Earth Day 2016

“As we celebrate #EarthDay we must also acknowledge individual role we play in building a sustainable future for all, forever.” – Catherine Constantinides

 

It’s 12 : 07 PM on day 2047 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Proverbs 13, have breakfast, learn one new thing –  moss grows predominantly on the north side of trees depends on where you live. “There is a tendency for moss to grow on the northern side of a tree—in the northern hemisphere,” he says. “In the southern hemisphere mosses would have a tendency to grow on the south, shady, side of trees.”–  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today is Earth Day – a day that aims to raise environmental consciousness throughout the world – being environmentally conscious is not about saving the planet it’s about saving ourselves because at the end of the day there can be no people without planet (thank you Ella for making me realize this I really get it) so if we were smart we would tread lightly on the Earth. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Respect. Happy Earth Day everyone.

 

For tips on how to tread lightly on the Earth visit the Green Tips page on the Miss Earth South Africa website. Shoutout to Catherine, Ella, Carla, Ilzé  and all the other wonderful women at Miss Earth South Africa thanks for all the trees planted and all the other awesome stuff you guys do your legacy will endure forever.

Day 2046: Prejudice and Me

Despite my best efforts to be open-minded and accepting I’m more than a little prejudice – that’s what I realized this morning.

 

It’s 12 : 00 PM on day 2046 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Proverbs 16, have breakfast, learn one new thing –  Monogamy is rare in mammals. Approximately only 3-5% percent of mammals are considered monogamous (Nair and Young), compared to about 90% of birds (Alcock, 366).–  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

This morning it made me uncomfortable to realize that despite my best efforts to be open-minded and accepting I’m more than a little prejudice I guess all I can do is learn about the things that make me feel uneasy and hope that knowledge will crush my fear.

Day 2045: 15 Memorable Bible Verses

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.” – Billy Graham

 

It’s 12 : 17 PM on day 2045 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 22, have breakfast, learn one new thing – Roosevelt is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On December 10, 1906, Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to win a Nobel Prize. Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work surrounding the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. –  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

This morning after years of reading the Bible every day I finished reading it (from beginning to end) (I may have accidentally missed one or two scriptures but for the most part I read the whole book) and to celebrate that I’ve written down some of my favourite Bible verses. Take a look:

15 Memorable Bible Verses

  1. Romans 12: 9-21 (these verses are like the rules for life)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  1. Matthew 6: 33

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

  1. Matthew 23: 12 (whenever I read this verse I think of Catherine Constantinides she has worked her butt off for years serving the planet and its people and finally, finally the world is starting to notice her hard work and I,for one, couldn’t be happier for her)

12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

  1. James 3: 9-13

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

  1. John 9: 1-3 (Note to self: Make sure mommy sees this)

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

  1. Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.

  1. Proverbs 14: 23

All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

  1. Proverbs 13: 11

Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

 

  1. Proverbs 13:20

Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.

  1. Proverbs 13: 3

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

  1. Proverbs 16: 4

The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

  1. Mark 12: 41-44

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

  1. Matthew 25: 40

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

  1. Mark 2: 17

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

15. James 2: 14-25

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Day 2044: Water Appreciation

You don’t know what you got till it’s gone – that’s what I keep realizing.

 

It’s 12 : 00 PM on day 2044 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 21,   have breakfast, listen to The Good Stuff – a radio show that brings us good news stories from around the globe  – learn one new thing – Sharks have a tongue referred to as a “basihyal”. The basihyal is a small, thick piece of cartilage located on the floor of the mouth of sharks and other fishes. It appears to be useless for most sharks with the exception of the cookiecutter shark.  –  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign –  raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Yesterday one of the water pipes in our town broke and since then nobody in town has had water I have always appreciated water but now I appreciate it even more doing the most basic things without water is a challenge. Conserve and appreciate water it is one of our most precious resources.

Day 2043: Our Internal Dialogues

Our internal dialogues determine our states of being – that’s what I realized today.

 

It’s 12 : 27 PM on day 2043 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 20, have breakfast, learn one new thing – Newborns are “obligate nose breathers.” This means they can’t breathe through their mouths in the first few months of life. Because babies have small nasal passages, they sound stuffy when they breathe. –  and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  ( still SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today I realized our internal dialogues determine our states of being whenever I catch myself whining I say to myself they’re lots of people going through worse than you or I say there are people who would give an arm and a leg to be where you are the truth of those words makes me snap out of self-pity immediately.

Day 2042: “Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Chris Tomlin, “Whom Shall I Fear”

 

It’s 12 : 15 PM on day 2042 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 19, learn one new thing –  Australia became an independent nation on 1 January 1901. The British Parliament passed legislation allowing the six Australian colonies to govern in their own right as part of the Commonwealth of Australia.- have breakfast and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today I heard “Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin again after a long time and I still loved it so I’m sharing it. Listen to “Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin below:

Day 2041: Embracing the Unbalanced Life

If you love what you do and do what you love balance is of less importance – that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 12 : 36 PM on day 2041 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 18, have breakfast, hang out with family, learn one new thing – When Louis Braille entered the school for the blind in Paris, in 1819, he learned of a system of tangible writing using dots, invented in 1819 by Capt. Charles Barbier, a French army officer. It was called night writing and was intended for night-time battlefield communications.- and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – yesterday Anatoli donated $25 and Benjinchachen donated $25 (thanks so much Anatoli and Benjinchachen :) ) which brings the total raised to $5 506 only $744  more to raise by 10 Jan 2017  (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far :)  ).

 

Today I finally accepted that I would never achieve perfect balance in life trying to achieve balance would mean cutting into the time that I use to do the things that I really love doing and I won’t do that especially not in the name of living a balanced life.