Hear thee, hear thee?

We often take our hearing for granted.

We even get annoyed when we hear something unpleasant.  Here is a list of some of the things I don't like to hear:

1. Loud voices

2. Loud music/TV'S/films

3. Teenagers on the top of a bus (arrrrrgggghhh!)

4. Loud or buzzing machines/gadgets

5. Drilling

6. Arguments

7. Gossip

Did you know that the last sense to go when a person is dying is their hearing? This is very interesting because if you think about it, we seem to be so 'in tune' with our other senses! We use our sight, touch, taste and smell every day. We never eat something we do not enjoy, why? because our sense of taste tells us that we don't like that type of food! We look out the window to see the weather, and our sight shows us to bring out that brolly again! (Yes, good old Britain).

Don't think that because you can physically hear, that you are listening either. We hear many things throughout the day, but are we listening?

How often has your parents told you to do something, and you don't do it?

How often has a friend needed someone to talk to, but you were too busy with yourself, or only pretended to listen to her?

Throughout the Word of God, there is the instruction for us to listen, to hear what God is saying to us. The reality is however, we are just not that good at listening.

I don't know how many times people have told me, do this, don't do that (even God Himself), but I ended up doing the opposite. Why? because I was not listening. I only 'heard'.

If you want, you can make a list of what noises you don't like to hear. Afterwards, make another list of the times you heard good advice, whether from your family, the Pastor, or God Himself.  Can you guess which list will be longer?....uh oh.

You may come to see that you do not hear as well as you think.

The Truth; Part 2

Tip 2: Value it!

If you have the opportunity to have a loved one that does not mind to show you the way when you sometimes go off track, value it! Stay close to this person, as you have a true friend!


It is very boring and strange to only receive praise. Actually, its completely unrealistic.
If we only want to get praise and positive recognition then for sure we wont progress. We will develop this false sense of 'I am good, I am ok' and this is dangerous because the need to change will be less important to us.
This is also a problem as once all the cowards and false friends are gone,  there will be someone to knock you off that pedestal. Maybe you wont value their words. You will feel picked on, misunderstood, hurt etc.

As I said in part one, I am not suggesting by no means that you should listen to 'put downs' and negative criticism from negative people. I am talking about those who love you so much, they want to help you, and they have the decency to tell you to your face.


Thank God I have friends and family like this. I will be honest, its like medicine, it tastes horrible, but it makes us better!

I often take this medicine, and I know its good for me. I am learning and doing my best to put it all into practice, its not easy but I am not looking for praise, only results.

When is your next dose? :)

The truth......

Why do we find it so hard to tell the truth about what we think, what we like or don't, our opinions etc? Why is it hard to be 'the real me', the real you?

Well, this usually happens when a person is afraid to be criticised. No, please don't get me wrong. I am not talking about the criticism that  people use just to make themselves feel better. You know those ones who NEVER have anything good to say noway? and I am NOT talking about self Criticism either! This has NO benefit for you or others around you!

What I actually mean is when a person impedes themselves from being truthful through fear of being criticised or looking bad. Its when we try to hide our faults or the faults of others to be on 'safe ground'.
But this does not work!

We can learn from our mistakes, but only when they are shown. If we hide our frailties, how will we ever change? Like I wrote in my first blog post, we cannot be over sensitive when we are told something we perhaps would rather not hear.
When our mistakes are revealed to us, it is a beautiful stepping stone for us to jump on to continue our everlasting journey of change!

I remember when a family member of mine would always expose my mistakes. Not in a mean way, but in a way for me to see them, and change. However, I always felt 'picked on' (theres that sensitivity again!). Until one day, God showed me that this person was trying to help me. I no longer felt 'picked on', but I felt loved by that person because they cared enough to tell me the truth.

I will be sharing with you over the next few weeks tips on how to accept the truth gracefully and how to tell someone the truth gracefully. I hope it helps you and your friendships and relationships!


Tip 1:  If your first reaction is to lash back at the person giving the criticism, or to become defensive, take a minute before reacting at all. Take a deep breath, and give it a little thought.
Often, our first reactions are never the best ones, especially if we have just heard something painful to our dear egos.  So take time to understand what the person is saying. 
You may find it to be true after all!