Deep Waters (Love Casts Out Fear)

I was twelve when my auntie nearly drowned. One minute, we were side by side lying on inflated tubes, bobbing gently above the calm waters, the seashore just a few feet away. The next minute, I saw her fall out, arms flailing, then quickly disappearing beneath the waters. Her tube had drifted farther out. I […]

Time to Breathe (Being Quiet and Still)

A few weeks ago, I temporarily parked my blogger’s ‘pen’ to take the time to breathe, to renew and refresh my spirit. Now I’m back! I would like to share with you what happened, why I chose to be quiet and be still. “The procedure went really well.” I heard the doctor say those few […]

All Things New (We Get Sharper With Age)

“How do you stay so positive in the middle of all these #*^&* Joyce?” said Joseph* who sat across from me. It baffles my colleagues when I turn up each morning and greet them with a cheerful “Good morning”, a brilliant smile, and an upbeat attitude. We worked in a very tough environment, with challenging goals, in […]

Like New Year’s Day

It was like New Year’s Day when I brought her home, my gorgeous first-born. When that child, now a woman, came out of surgery with a spirit and a smile unscathed by the scalpel. When ten days later I brought her home, my gorgeous first-born. I could have lit fireworks. It was like New Year’s Day! It […]

Making New Memories

“All these pieces Broken and scattered In mercy gathered Mended and whole … Amazing grace!” It was the end of winter, but the house and yard still looked bleak from the street.It was empty, of course. Which made it look more lonely, dejected.The shrubs were overgrown. The garden looked tired. I turned off the key in […]

It’s Just Another Chapter, Not The End Of My Story

Guest Post by Miriam Harkness “Completely horrible.” “Heartbreaking!” I can almost hear what others think about the major surgery I will go through this week. That is not how I see it. This marks a new chapter in my life, but not the end of my story. A chapter has ups and downs, sudden plot twists, […]

Her Father’s Eyes

“Look at those big eyes!” I exclaimed as I gazed into the beautiful orbs of my new-born daughter. No, she does not have my eyes. Mine are like my father’s eyes, with hallmarks of his Filipino Malay-Chinese heritage. My daughter’s eyes are huge for her face. They are like her father’s big, blue ones. […]

Crucible Moment

“Tell me of the time you experienced a crisis and how did you handle it?” Phil, the interviewer, asked me. “Do I tell you of the worst personal crisis I ever faced or do I just mention one of many I have handled well at work?” I thought. “The worst crisis I ever faced was not at work, Phil. Would you like […]

Welcoming 2015 (Readers Across 90 Countries)

90 Countries! In early July 2014, I opened my blog to the public, the big wide world. Six months later, my readership has spread across 90 countries, simply because people shared the posts with their social circles. The four largest reader groups come from the Philippines (Naturally! I was born there and I have family and friends who […]

Readers from 70 Countries! (Celebrating A Milestone)

When I wrote my first posts in June, in the relative isolation of a private blog only accessed by immediate family and friends, I dreamed that I would inspire a generation of leaders so that they pursue full and meaningful lives. I want to thank you for the gift of your time … Your story and your […]