Taylor Swift - Enchanted

 

This is me praying that this was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again
These are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you
Please don’t be in love with someone else
Please don’t have somebody waiting on you.

This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go
I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I’ll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don’t you let it go
I’m wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I’ll spend forever wondering if you knewI was enchanted to meet you.

I Want To Grow Old With You

Next To You

 

The Splendid Food of Life

Teacher: Power of Your Actions

Stories like this, always have a way of putting the right perspective on life.

Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkept and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant.

It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise. His first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh." "He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."

By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem, but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy Stoddard.

Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular attention to one they all called "Teddy."

As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days where there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.
A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher, but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like...well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.

(source: http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/teacher.htm) 

This story really inspires me, how by your daily life, you can made up someone's day or either you can break them up. You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture through life. Make an impact, and start a difference!

Paintbrush

I keep my paint brush with me
Wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up
So the real me doesn't show.

I'm so afraid to show you me,
Afraid of what you'll do - that
You might laugh or say mean things.
I'm afraid I might lose you.

I'd like to remove all my paint coats
To show you the real, true me,
But I want you to try and understand,
I need you to accept what you see.

So if you'll be patient and close your eyes,
I'll strip off all my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts
To let the real me show.

Now my coats are all stripped off.
I feel naked, bare and cold,
And if you still love me with all that you see,
You are my friend, pure as gold.

I need to save my paint brush, though,
And hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy
In case someone doesn't understand.

So please protect me, my dear friend
And thanks for loving me true,
But please let me keep my paint brush with me
Until I love me, too.

Bagian Tubuh yang Terpenting

Ibuku selalu bertanya padaku bagian tubuh apa yang paling penting. Bertahun-tahun, aku selalu menebak dengan jawaban yang aku anggap benar.

Ketika aku muda, aku berpikir bahwa suara adalah hal yang paling penting bagi kita sebagai manusia, jadi kujawab ibuku dengan lantang, “telinga, bu”, akan tetapi dengan lembutnya ibuku menjawab, “bukan, nak”, banyak orang yang tuli dan hal itu tidak menjadi hal yang terpenting bagi dirinya. Tapi teruslah memikirkannya dan ibu akan menanyakanmu di lain waktu”.

Beberapa tahun kemudian, sebelum ibuku bertanya padaku lagi; sejak jawaban pertama, kini aku amat yakin bahwa jawabanku kali ini pasti benar. Jadi, kali ini aku memberitahukannya dengan penuh kepastian, “bu, penglihatan sangatlah penting bagi setiap orang, jadi pastilah begian terpenting itu adalah mata kita”.

Ibuku memandangku dan berkata, “kamu belajar dengan cepat, tapi jawabanmu masih salah karena banyak orang yang buta namun hal itu tidak menghambat kehidupan mereka untuk tetap hidup”.

Gagal lagi, aku meneruskan usahaku mencari jawaban baru dan dari tahun ke tahun, ibuku terus bertanya beberapa kali dan jawaban ibuku selalu, “bukan, tapi kamu makin pandai dari tahun ke tahun, anakku”.

Suatu ketika yaitu tahun lalu, kakekku meninggal. Seluruh keluarga bersedih, semua menangis; bahkan, ayahku menangis. Aku sangat ingat itu karena itulah saat kedua kalinya aku melihatnya menangis. Ibuku memandangku ketika tiba giliranku untuk mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada kakek.

Ibuku sekali lagi bertanya padaku, “apakah kamu sudah tahu bagian tubuh apa yang terpenting, sayang?”

Aku terkejut ketika ibuku bertanya pada saat seperti ini, pertanyaan yang ia lontarkan di tahun-tahun yang lampau. Aku berpikir, ini hanyalah permainan antara ibu dan aku.

Ibu melihat kebingungan yang menyelimuti wajahku dan akhirnya ia memberitahuku, “pertanyaan ini penting, ini akan menunjukkan padamu apakah kamu sudah benar-benar ‘hidup’. Untuk semua bagian tubuh yang kamu beritahu padaku dulu, aku selalu berkata kamu salah dan aku telah memberitahumu kamu Kenapa. Tapi, hari ini adalah hari dimana kamu harus belajar pelajaran yang sangat penting.”

Ibuku memandang wajahku dengan wajah keibuan dan aku melihatnya penuh dengan tatapan yang tergenang air mata. Ibuku melanjutkan pembicaraannya, dia berkata, “Sayangku, bagian tubuh yang terpenting adalah bahumu”.

“Mengapa bahu yang terpenting? Tidakkah ada organ lain yang lebih penting selain bahu?”, pikirku dalam hati. Ku balasnya dengan penuh tanda tanya di kepalaku, “apakah karena fungsinya untuk menahan kepala?” Ibuku membalas dengan suara tersedu-sedu, “bukan, tapi karena bahu dapat menahan kepala seorang teman atau orang yang kamu sayangi ketika mereka sedang menangis. Bahu juga adalah tempat dimana kita bisa ditopang ketika masalah datang. Kadang-kadang dalam hidup ini, semua orang perlu bahu untuk menangis. Ibu hanya berharap kamu punya cukup kasih sayang dan teman-teman yang cukup agar kamu selalu punya bahu untuk menangis kapanpun kamu membutuhkannya”.

Akhirnya dengan penuh ketenangan aku tahu bagian tubuh yang ‘paling penting’ adalah bahu; tidak menjadi orang yang mementingkan diri sendiri, tapi simpati terhadap penderitaan yang dialami oleh orang lain.

(source: unknown)

“Orang akan melupakan apa yang kamu katakan..

Melupakan apa yang kamu lakukan..

Tapi, seseorang tidak akan pernah lupa

bagaimana kamu membuat mereka berarti.”

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Stop Blaming, and Solve!

I had been ‘operated’ (underwent surgeries) for three times, and those three different times were, to say the least -especially on the first round.

                The first tragedy happened to me about 4 years ago. That night at about 8pm, I was working on my homework; making a scrapbook. The time I cut a piece of cardboard into half, I accidentally cut my left thumb with the cutter on my right hand. Blood flows down from my thumb and I began to cry, as I knew it was a mess and something terrible could happen after that. My father heard my cry, and that very second, he brought me straight to the hospital in Siloam Hospital (UGD).  When I arrived, I was left with no choice and the doctor start the operation. He inject some medicines right at my thumb which was bleeding. Then he do everything he wants there. (so scaryy -,-)

                Then on one Tuesday morning (a year ago), a hectic and frantic morning, I rushed through the stair, and I fell on the end. I fell forward with my face bump the floor. It attacked my chin and caused it to bleed and torn, as it hit the floor border. That time, my mother was the one who calmed me down and brought me to Siloam Hospital (UGD), the same hospital as before. It was the second time I had my operation. (so bad experience)

                This is it! (I really hope this accident will going to be the last! :’)) And here’s my story. :)

                A few months ago I joined a camp, it’s like a character buliding camp and held 3 days and 2 nights. At first, I wasn’t allowed to go there because some reasons that I cannot state one by one, but one of them was because my parents were worried about my health and guess that I couldn’t made up until the last day, but then I insist and everything went well. At this point, I see that God had already planned something that He could just simply turn over something to possiblity, that in reverse with my own thought, which was thinking those were impossible. (Remember! If God brings you to it, He will also bring you through it! :D)

I wasn’t feeling well on the day before I went to the camp. And after all, I didn’t really enjoyed all those games and simulation there, but I got so many important lessons to learn from those 3 days. So, yeaa, normally I felt contented. We stayed at the tents overnight. Each day, we woke up early and were to do simulations (most were outdoor and need a strong physic) with our groups, with a strong and prepared mental and physic, too. But after all, with His grace, I ended the camp smoothly. But then I started to felt some sore on both of my toenails.

When went back to my house, that 2 toenails were broken. It might be caused by that camp but maybe it wasn’t also, but I don’t know why. Then I told my parents about it and we all seems to delay it and thought it was fine. But sooner or later, I knew that time would reveal everything, and something would be done to it, cause it just can’t be that way. So, I talked again to my parents and discuss about it. The more I delay it, the more hurt it was too my feet. My dad suggested me to take an small operation. However, I was already been terrified by that word -operation. I had two bad experience with it. My mind directly fly to stuffs  in the surgery room; scissors, needles, and other terrible stuffs. I said no. Absolute no. I thought that nothing’s going to change my mind.

My dad faithfully told me how it is better for me to lower the risk for any other sickness by taking the operation. After about 3 days, I began to listen all those words and trust him. He is my father and I know that he won’t harm me for any reason and everything he told me was the best he could tell, so I trust him and underwent the operation (Remember! The best proof of love is trust!). July 26^th, 2011, when I arrived at the hospital (same hospital hehe),  I was still feeling scared and afraid. Only courage and love from Him that could sustained me that day. The doctor injected some medicine to make me ‘senseless’ (mati rasa hehe).

Days after that, I really learned some great lessons. Out of those many, I would like to share to you guys how it is important to trust and not blaming other people (BEJ=Blame, Excuse, or Justify). Mostly, when we encountered some problems, we usually like to refer it as the mistake of other people or person, rather than focusing what is our mistake and thinking of steps to solve it! So, stop blaming, stop justifying yourself, and get up to the solutions! :))

What Are Words

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
Anytime you whisper my name, you'll see
How every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

What are words
If you really don't mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they're only for good times
Then they don't
When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

And I know an angel was sent just for me
And I know I'm meant to be where I am
And I'm gonna be
Standing right beside her tonight

And I'm gonna be by your side
I would never leave when she needs me most

What are words
If you really don't mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they're only for good times
Then they don't
When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
And I'm gonna be here forever more
Every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

I'm forever keeping my angel close






"2011 American Idol castoff Chris Medina - the guy who touched everyone's hearts and possibly made us shed a little tear with his heartbreaking love story about his girlfriend who currently suffers from brain injury due to a car accident - is the first example of the new partnership between American Idol and Universal Music Group. Chris Medina has been given the opportunity to release his debut single online. "What Are Words" which hit iTunes on February 24th is a beautiful ballad, inspired in his AI story, written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins."

Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give 

And we are sure that the song has ended, 

When our day seems over and the shadows fall 

And the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength 

To valiantly keep on trying? 

Where can we find the hand that will dry 

The tears that the heart is crying? 

There’s but one place to go and that is to God, 

And dropping all pretence and pride, 

We can pour out our problems without restraint 

And gain strength with Him at our side.

And together we stand at life’s cross roads 

And view what we think is the end, 

But God has a much bigger vision, 

And He tells us it’s only a bend. 

For the road goes on and is smoother, 

And the pause in the song is a rest, 

And the part that’s unsung and unfinished 

Is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger 

Let go and let God share your load. 

Your work is not finished or ended 

You’ve just come to a bend in the road.

LIFE IS A THEATER Invite Your Audience Carefully!

Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives.

There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a DISTANCE.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of, or at least

minimize your time with, draining, negative, incompatible,

not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships.

Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention.

Which ones lift and which ones lean?

Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?

Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse?

Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?

The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of Your Life.

"If you cannot change the people around you, CHANGE the people you are around."

Remember that the people we hang with will have an impact on both our lives and our income. And so we must be careful to choose the people we hang out with, as well as the information with which we feed our minds.

We should not share our dreams with negative people, Nor feed our dreams with negative thoughts.

It's your choice and your life.. It's up to you who and what you let in it...

God Chose Me First

Growing up in Bandung, Indonesia, I often wondered about the future. What could I expect from my life? What lay ahead for me?

I pondered the pattern that I could predictably follow. I would grow up. I would go to church. I would go to school. Eventually, I would go through high school, get my diploma and graduate. I might go on to university or other higher education. Then I might get married and have a family. And then I would die.

Life seemed pretty short that way. There might be different landmarks along the way, but looking at what could be considered a “normal life” I had to ask: “Is that all there is?”

I was very disappointed. I knew there had to be some higher purpose–some reason that Crissy existed in this world. I entertain myself a lot, but in a good way–I just wanted to have fun and enjoy what my life appeared to be. I had no real sense of commitment.

But even my home began to seem too small for me. As much as I knew that there had to be more to my life than what I was living, I knew there had to be more to my world than just Indonesia. I was looking for answers. I was seeking direction.

About a year ago, my cousin invited me to an event, more like a ‘concert’. I love music, so I said, “Sure. Why not?”

As the music played, I noticed a man standing in the crowd. He had his hand above his head and he was holding a book. “I know the plan for your life,” he declared confidently.

This certainly got my attention, but I was a little displeased. How did he know the plan for my life–for anybody’s life?

“I know God’s plan for your life!”

God’s plan? For my life? I had to have that book!

I approached him after that event and asked: “The book that you had in your hand–can I buy it?”

“What book?” he responded.

“The book that you had–that you said had the plan for my life!”

“Oh,” he replied. “You mean the Bible.”

The Bible? I stared at him. But I already had the Bible. I had grown up in a Christian home–a nice church and all the nice Christian activities. I knew that there was someone out there far bigger than myself, but beyond that I hadn’t seem to realize much meanings in my life.

I thought that this man was offering the blueprint I had been looking for, but it was a book I already knew. Or did I?

“I already have the Bible,” I said.

“Have you ever read it?” he asked me. That was a challenge I could not ignore. I had gone to Sunday School and read the Bible “here and there”, but did I really BELIEVE it?

“Do you know what you will happen to you when you die?” he asked.

“Yea, a bit,” I replied. “I mean, no one can know.” I was fairly skeptical. I grew up in a religious home, but all my friends were religious too. I rarely believe in absolutes.

“The Bible says that you can. Do you think that God would lie to you?”

“No,” I said. “But you might.”

Patiently, he showed me the verses in the Bible that explained that Jesus Christ had died to give me ETERNAL life. I could know with certainty what would happen to me not only in this life, but after my death. Jesus–the one and only way to God–had already paid for my sins.

All these years I had been devoting my whole life to Him, I knew He died for me thousand years ago but my life was still simply like those unbelievers, though not that direct. 

Jesus died for me. The life that I looked ahead to with such apathy was so important to Him that He gave His life for me. He chose me.

I gave my life to Christ that night. I knew that I had found the destiny that I had been seeking. I know now that I’m more than just an insignificant speck among so many. Christ gives my life purpose and meaning–my relationship with Him provides the significance that I once believed could not exist.

Take a look at your life.  How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times.  There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget.  In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new.  What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean schedule?

Living with hope If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

“Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.”
(Our Daily Bread)

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it at any time, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He has promised. 

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest. His promises are sure.. He loves you more than your earthly father does and He wants each of us to receive the best thing He could give! :D