Knowing the difference!

I have been told over the years that there is a big difference between real joy and mere happiness.
 between laughing and chuckling
 between singing and humming
 between smiling and grinning
 between crying and weeping
 between young and old
 between not having enough and not having
 between now and later
 between beautiful and fine
 between talking and whispering
 between blushing and beaming
 between love and like
 between a kiss and a peck
 between boys and men
 between a friend and a brother
 between being friends and more than friends
 between a yes and a maybe
 between me and you
 between His will and mine
Lord, help me to really know the difference!

Here I go again

If my first post sounded like a sermon, e ma binu (don't be angry). Most times when i write, there is a question at the back of my mind which i attempt to answer. So in that post i was just stating my stand on relationships. I think i am getting to old for nonsense and the constant emotional upheaval i have put myself through in times past as a result of 'pointless' relationships. The last one was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
So here i go again... forgiving myself for the crazy things I've done in my past and looking forward to the great future that waits. knowing fully well that yesterday ended last night and that my best is yet to come. so help me God to be strong and never settle for less...

I'm consistent and i take a stand!!!

I'm an advocate for meaningful relationships and purposeful relationships. i know that there are different kinds and levels of relationships (acquaintance, casual and intimate) and what each entails. But on the subject of opposite sex relationships, i believe in well defined, purpose driven and God guided relationships. I'm not against dating but i'm concerned about the context. Dating could be very good especially where there are well defined boundaries and same values. Apart from acquisition of interpersonal skills, dating allows you to learn how to be a friend and have a friend, how to be accommodating and how to be accommodated.   On the other hand, dating could be trouble. this depends on a lot of factors; the person you are going out with, the reason why you are in the relationship, external factors e.t.c. I believe relationships are precious and must be considered carefully before committing to it. I believe that you must (as an individual) know who you are, your goals, dreams, worth and driving force before going into a relationship. When you know who you are it is quite easy to identify what/who you are looking for and that is someone that is heading in the same direction with similar ideals and same/higher level of relationship with God. if you know your true worth you wont settle for less. SO DATE YES!!! but do so RESPONSIBLY and that is with *boundaries * same values *self worth and *God in the mix