This year started well......but have had lots of bumps (especially for my family members ........i am trying to make them understand that making proactive choices rather than ignoring things until crisis is good coping strategy). Then of course there is my health....
For once i would like to have a year only filled with loads of fun, great success in everything i do, good health, and lots of travel around the world (just for pure exploration and to know interesting cultures, historic sites and people).
When o when is this going to happen?
Is this wanting to run away?

Anyhow.....i did read a book called Three cups of tea (about Pakistan) that gave me tons of inspiration. A book called 'Dallits' made me sad and determined to see justice for the untouchables of India. A book about two young American women captured in Afghanistan made me appreciate safety at home.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (and his other 2 books) made me determined to practice, practice, practice for 10,000 hours so that i can be skilled at something and achieve high (if you read the book you would know.................that Bill Gates etc. were not born geniuses ....they got skill this way).
The Food Network and other cable tv channels made me see exotic places and food. My own building has people from many parts of the world.
Mmm........don't know how to find goo health. Where do i look? I know many people have been healed by reading the Bible (and Derek Prince's book 'God's medicine bottle' has given keys that caused him healing in 6 months.....and for someone that read this booklet and practiced the same healing came in 2 days.......all based on the Bible).

So.....there is hope after all!

New Year 2009

Happy New Year to everyone.

I hope 2009 is a better year for everyone than 2008......that the Global Economy gets better....families are united......warmth and love is felt in every heart.....that we all become greater overcomers and exude optimism.

I have been lax in updating my blog site....but i will try my best to come back to writing again.

An update of my 2008: The year started with me having a dream that i was going to get answers to some life's challenges. I am waiting for it to be fulfilled.

In the mean time...I went to a Seminar in January that talked about 'Pursuing, overtaking, and conquering' adversities in our lives. Through the year i worked on my book, had a booth at Missionsfest where i presented a poster that i had commissioned (It was a miracle that i had a booth there cos it is very expensive; but i didn't have to pay that much). By the end of this year about 170 posters were given to the artist...and about 330 have gone to different parts of Canada, a few places in the US, Asian countries, Africa, and one or two even to Europe. A few posters were supposed to be in Mexico but it was lost at the Airport.

In June i went to see my family for 3 weeks (i had not seen them for 3 years)...and came back...and within a few days i had to rush there again cos my father discharged himself from a hospital in Asia even though he needed quadruple heart bypass surgery then got on a plane and came to Canada...subsequently was rushed to hospital for the surgery. We did not know if he was going to survive....and thankfully he did.

This past year i have been fasting and praying for my family and myself.....and have seen quite a lot of prayers answered....and even some of my heart's desire granted. But once again i am pressing in with prayer and fasting to see more breakthrough in my family.

Lots of obstacles have happened.....but books, teachings, etc. came into my hands that showed me the same exact message about faith and healing. Now i am practicing those things because it is no coincidence that the same message came to me from every side within a span of a few months.
Much snow has come and gone....and i overheard on the news channel that more is to come. But i need to keep working on my book instead of getting distracted by the holiday family movies and cooking shows on tv.

I am thankful for more reconciliation with my family....................as i have practiced 1 Cor. 13 (Love is patient, love is kind....etc. ). Great appreciation goes to my friends that also fasted for me and at times one or two of my sisters.

This year as i heard that the price of rice and other food went up and up ....and in Africa and Asia people were hard pressed to eat even one meal ....i am thankful for the food on my table and the roof over my head. I am thankful that i live in a country that has a medical system (even though many cuts to that health care system caused much suffering to many we still have a health care system). I am thankful that i can enjoy music, and friends, and movies, etc. I grieve for esp. children in the world that have never experienced simple joys in life ...instead that they have experienced more than most would ever in the Western world. May God's mercy and care go to those ones. I will never stop praying for them.

Happy Valentines Day!!

(Image from http://my.opera.com/magic_mania/albums/show.dml?id=37023 )

Domestic Abuse Safety Plan

(From the Oprah show)
Safety planning for someone involved in an abusive relationship is a necessary and important step. Planning can begin while you're still with your abuser or after the relationship has ended. While still in an abusive relationship, your safety is of primary importance.

Keep these tips in mind when planning to leave an abusive partner:

Before you leave…
Get help to make a plan.
Create a code word.
Document your abuse.
Pack an emergency bag.

Document your abuse by…
Keeping a journal.
Seeing a doctor.
Filing a police report.
Taking photos.

Pack an emergency bag with…
Money
Your checkbook and bank info
Credit cards
Identification for you and your children
Car keys
Court papers
Medications

After you leave…
Tell family and friends.
Get an order of protection.
Put 911 on speed dial.
Change your cell phone number.
Change your daily routine.
Avoid being alone.
Find a safe place to stay.


To find out more about creating a safety plan, visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline's website or call 800-799-SAFE.
To find out more about creating a safety plan, visit www.ndvh.org/help/planning.html or call 800-799-SAFE.


*Information from The National Domestic Violence Hotline, www.ndvh.org. Copyright © from The National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Is running away worth it?

First have to ask the question why are we wanting to run away?
1) Is it because of boredom? (eg. from doing chores etc. ) Then we definitely can do something about it. Think creatively. Problem solve. Do things in new ways. Do things that would uplift you. Do things with others.
2) Is it because of frustration or fear? Then talk to lots of people (your school counselor, friends, relatives, religious leader, …..ah the list goes on). What can you change and what can’t you? Change the things you can. Find information and ways to handle things you can’t change.

3) Is it because of no money? Don’t need money to find happiness. Your brain is your best asset. Think of free things. Think of ways you can get what you want (positive ways…..without harming others). Nature is free. Library books are free. Friendships are free (relatively).

4) Are you in a life threatening situation? Then get out of your situation in a safe way. Get information (books, from organizations that give free help, support groups etc.). Find some positive solutions before you leave your situation. Don’t wait till it is too late. But don’t ‘jump from the frying pan to the fire’. Make sure you have a plan before you leave the situation. Get support from people. Even us ones that come from ‘saving face’ cultures can do things so that we don’t loose face. Do what you have to do. For goodness sake don’t just wait and do nothing till it is too late.
Life is precious. There is beauty, happiness, everything at our fingertips………..we only have to take a step.

People………..don’t watch others suffer and do nothing. Everyone’s life influences and impacts everyone else’s in some way (especially in our sphere of influence). Sooner or later you will need someone else’s help. So…maybe today you can help that person that needs your help. Lets change the world (and in the process ourselves) one person at a time.

Canadian author
life story
overcoming trauma
Canadian immigrant
South Asian culture
child abuse
recovering from abuse
physical abuse
emotional trauma
children's rights

Song: Because of You by Reba and Kelly Clarkson

Reba McEntire Because Of You (kelly Clarkson) [LyricsYouLove]

Domestic Violence in India and S. Asia (Al Jazeera-English tv)

I found this on You Tube............it is an expose done by Al Jazeera-English tv. It is truly eye opening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQW3Cc7kU94 (part 1 of 'Witness the Violence' video)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtmaC4xiLqM (part 2 of 'Witness the Violence')

Please, please watch it. It will change how you view domestic violence in the world (It exposes cultural attitudes, stereotypes, etc.).

Mother Theresa type family

(Darrel's India photo)

I saw an amazing program on tv this afternoon. They talked about a Canadian family called Monique and Stewart Shaw that have gone to India and are working with child sex slaves, thrown away street kids, prostitutes, etc. I think they themselves have kids....but have sacrificially gone to work with these destitute people. They need for helpers to come and volunteer........or send funds....or send supplies to help children etc.
They truly go to lice infested, wound infested, ill or beaten and battered children and women, and show care and love to them. I know that i could not face this kind of desperation. I have never met these people..........but the least i can do is share their website so that people can go check their site out.
http://www.atthewellministries.net/ourministry.html

And here is a blog account (that i found on the web) of someone that did go and help short term : http://hannahprice.blogspot.com/

And this is the program where i first heard about Monique and Stewart Shaw: http://www.livingtruth.ca/