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So this was what a friend of mine wrote: 

"I reckon you hear this every now and then but let me just repeat it- things are better said than done. It's easy to say "Don't let others' words bring you down"... but like an old cliche, there is only so much a man can take. 

You're not that pretty.

You're not that fair.

You're not that smart.

You're not good enough. 

Hearing all these negativity is not a joke. It's so hard to hold your head up high when people around you keep pushing you down."

Yes, there is only so much a man can take. But it is written; 

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." (Psalm 29:11/ NIV) 

It is true. Man is weak. We are weak. But there goes the good news! We can always ask Him for strength. And again, please be reminded that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). People's words may be too loud and negativity may blur that good news, but there's another good news! You can always have a reminder (The Bible is waiting to be opened and read). I can hear you repeating that easier-said-than-done crap but c'mon! You know you're more than that... the greatest Creator created you! How can you feel you aren't good enough. 

It just takes courage and yes, a whole lotta strength to be able to hold your head up high despite the negative whispers of the enemy. It is possible. You can do that through Him who gives you strength. 

Expanded version, click here 

Dear Daddy

I am sorry.  

I haven't been a good daughter. I said I'd follow You & that I'd die to my old self, but I still lived somehow on my own. I played deaf to Your voice. I took You for granted. I misrepresented You.

But You, Daddy, are good and ready to forgive; and Your tender mercies are over all Your works. (Psalms 14:5-9) 

No matter how far I've walked away, with just one call... You answer me. And that is, You welcome me with open arms. Not even once do You upbraid me. You release forgiveness freely. And despite the numerous times I've sinned, You gladly offer me the greatest love that surpasses knowledge. 

Thank You. 

Brokenness Aside - All Sons & Daughters 

Stories

The world is made up of stories. Some are history, some are now, and others to be told tomorrow. 

The birds' unending flight. A tiny sycamore seed planted on the ground which years from now will become a gigantic playground, perhaps a safe place for someone who wants to see what the world looks like from above. A small particle of a broken glass which was once part of a whole matter. A homeless man. A withered rose in a book's page. Unsent letters in a box. A frown. A smile. A scar. 

It is astonishing to know that every soul you come across with every day has his own story. Strangers walking and talking and performing their daily routine and carrying their own histories. We don't see it mostly. We just see covers. We just see the lead character but not know what his life is about. Strangers are unopened books.

The sad stories. Yes. 

It's not even just the books or the films with tragic endings. Fiction is bearable, because it is fiction. It is not really the stories you read, but the stories you are part of. They tell of pain, of suffering, or longing. It is easy to say to just turn the page and it's going to be alright. But mostly, the next page is the same as the previous one. Because pain is not just a one-page part of one's book. Sometimes it comes in chapters. And you know the difference when you're not and when you're part of a sad story? You carry and feel it. And even though it's not as depressing as Titanic, it weighs more than any other tragic books/films because you experienced it. 

Sad stories are sad. But why do most of us pamper and tolerate pain? 

Maybe my point in writing this is that everywhere we look, we find stories. And every second, every minute, every hour, a story is taking place. This is what the world is made up of; sad and happy stories. But you see, I only managed to write about sad stories. I am as yet in the process of knowing what happy stories are. I promise to write about them soon.