Life Lessons 6 Things I Will Never Do To My Future Kids 6:00 PM They say that parenting is like dancing. You take one step, your child takes another. -Michael Jackson They say "never say never". They also say no book nor class can ever prepare you for motherhood and raising kids. But reading mommy blogs and talking to my mommy friends made me also realize that it is a deliberate decision how you want to talk to or act around your kids. Not just an instinct-driven choice. And it inspired me to write this post. I salute all mothers who use all their willpower to control their temper and not lose their ish when things go really loud and wild inside the house. It's funny how they write about their experiences, but I'm sure it's not funny at all when chaos happens. You are all real heroes! 6 Things I Will Never Do To My Future Kids Compare I will never compare my kids with another, even with their siblings. I'm sure some parents mean well and think that comparing their kids would motivate them. But the subliminal message of comparing is: "You are not good enough". Or "unless you be like or be better than this kid, you will never get my approval." I will, through God's grace, make it clear to my children that they are beautiful and worthy of love. They may have to change and improve some areas in their lives but that is part of growing and coping. The only person they need to compete with is themselves. The only record they need to break are their own. They must know that they are loved by me and by God exactly the way they are. Laugh at them I will never laugh at my children's dreams and mistakes. They may go through a stage where they will have crazy big and even silly dreams (my friend's son wanted to make finding spiders in the woods a profession when he was around five), but they will either outgrow them or they would know better soon enough. Besides, isn't that what being a child is all about? Working with your creativity and seeing the world with wonder? For children, anything is possible because no one told them yet otherwise. And I believe we should never stop encouraging them from honing their creative side. Children are bound to make mistakes because that's how they'll grow and improve. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. The important thing is that they learn from it. We all had one ridiculous dream when we were kids. We all made mistakes. We all are still making mistakes. But we all turned out okay, right? Make them feel alone I will never make my children feel alone as long as I'm there. The worst kind of loneliness is feeling alone while you're surrounded by people. I vow to make my children feel secure, loved, and cared about as long as I'm alive. Maybe even after that. I want them to know that they can always count on me to be there, to listen without prejudice or criticism. They will always have a place to come home to, and that someone's there waiting for them and ready to welcome them with a hug no matter where they've been or how long they've been gone. Having encountered different kinds of people from school to work, I've realized that the reason many kids feel lost and take the wrong path so to speak is because they don't have a sense of belongingness. They don't know who to turn to when things go wrong. They don't have a home to welcome them where they'll feel safe and loved. Shelter them I will never shelter them from reality. Some children grow up as brats because that's the way they were raised. Their parents managed to block the truth from them and filter the negativity. Of course it's natural for parents to be protective but we should never underestimate the children's understanding and wisdom. I think exposing them to the truths in life earlier will make them open-minded, cautious and empathetic. Example, bring them to outreach programs, let them see that poverty is real, educate them about the state of the planet or how cruel some people could be to animals and people. They must know that not everyone they meet have good intentions. Friends may betray them. Some people are broken and it's not their job to fix them. They have to know that a rose may be beautiful but it also has thorns that can prick if they're not careful. Shame them I will never shame them especially in the public. Shaming your kids in public (or even in private) is the same as taking away their self-esteem, making them question their self-worth and killing their self-respect and dignity. One time I was dining out with my sister and 3 tables away from us is a mother chastising her teenage daughter, calling her stupid repeatedly. They seemed unaware that all eyes and ears were on them. Who knows how long that girl would carry the label "stupid" around and live up to it? Stop sharing I will never stop sharing my faith with my kids. I will introduce them to Jesus, make Him real to them, talk about Him like He's some cool friend they could always run to and follow as an example. The reason why most people don't feel a connection with God is because they see Him as a distant, cruel king sitting at his throne the whole day waiting for someone to punish. They don't know that Jesus will never condemn them (John 8:11). God loves them more than they could ever comprehend (John 3:16). And that His love for them is always fresh (Lamentations 3:22). Not just crumbs or leftovers from yesterday but always whole and new. With these guidelines, by God's grace, with support from the people around me, reading mommy blogs all the more, and lots and lots and LOTS of trial and error, I think I can manage to raise children well enough. So help me God. Got parenting advice? Gifs from Google images Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? 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Listicle 5 Reasons To Love Michael Jackson 11:32 PM Love, joy, and peace for the world, that's what I want… peace for the world and love. -Michael Jackson If you love music and arts, you'll love Michael Jackson. There is no reason not to love the man. My most-read posts, and so far the ones that have gotten the most negative feedback are posts about Michael Jackson. Though billions admire him, there is still a minority who believes in the tabloid junks. meme But let me focus on the reasons why I and the rest of the Moonwalkers in the world love Michael Jackson. There are a LOT! Let me sum it up and give you 5 good reasons to love Michael Jackson. 5 Reasons To Love Michael Jackson 1. He's the greatest entertainer of all time. Watch his live performances, listen to his songs, read his poems and reflections. He gives his 100% and more and you can see it. Remove your prejudice when you watch him perform and you'll be in awe. I'm really very self-confident when it comes to my work. When I take on a project, I believe in it 100%. I really put my soul into it. I'd die for it. That's how I am. -Michael Jackson 2. He's a true humanitarian During his Dangerous tour, he earned $100M. All of which went to Heal The World Foundation. When Pepsi paid for the damage when he got a 3rd-degree burn while shooting a commercial, he put everything to Michael Jackson Center for Burn Victims. He bought an oxygen chamber for the victims. He was listed in the 2000 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for breaking the world record for the "Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star". He had supported 39 charitable organizations either with monetary donations, through sponsorships of their projects, or participation in their activities. He remains to be the most charitable person/artist in the Guinness Book of World Records. When he shared his time and resources, he went big. Neverland was not just created for his own entertainment, he created it for the children to enjoy. I'm saying heal the planet, heal the world, save our children, save the forest. There's nothing wrong with that, right? -Michael Jackson 3. He's got the most beautiful smile in the world. Google says so. 4. His empathy and the way he used his influence and fame. He wrote songs about love, unity, peace, equality, saving the planet, saving the animals, saving the children, healing the world. In one taped conversation, he was heavily sedated and was talking to his doctor while waiting for sleep. He was still talking about helping the children of the world, saving them from pain and suffering.If you haven't yet, read the wonderful collection of his poems and reflections in Dancing the Dream. I've always believed that the real measure of celebrity success was not just how famous he becomes, but what he does with that fame and fortune. -Michael Jackson 5. He broke barriers and records. He was the first black artist to have been featured on MTV. His album Thriller is still the biggest-selling album of all time. He showed the world dance moves that inspired all other dance moves. His number of awards will speak for him (last count: 750). Michael Jackson created history and was selfless enough to encourage everyone to do the same. He wanted to change the world for the better. In all he did, he gave his all. He wouldn't release a song unless he thinks it's perfect enough. He wanted to give the best to his fans, which is evident in his achievements. Yet despite his achievements, the guy remained grounded; never attacked another artist, was never arrogant. The negative publicity and allegations put him into his ordeal but despite it all, he's given us his all and he never stopped giving. When you watch interviews of people who know him personally, they would say that Michael Jackson is the epitome of love. I guess that's why many people hate him.They can't stand Michael Jackson because he represents what they don't believe in or what they have a hard time grasping---love. When you get to know Michael Jackson onstage and behind the camera, there really is no reason not to love him. Michael Jackson is the brightest star to have ever shone in the world of music. Images from Google Some of the posts here may contain affiliate links. Meaning I get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. This helps me maintain my site.
People This World Was Not Ready For Michael Jackson 7:00 PM I'm feeling like God brought him here, gave him to us, and God took him back. This world was not ready for it. -Jermaine Jackson A Michael Jackson fan thinking out loud: This World Was Not Ready For Michael Jackson We are all put on earth for a purpose, for a mission. Some of us spend our whole lives looking for it, some don't even care what their mission is. They don't search their soul. Content on living day after day on autopilot, walking around like zombies. Some people are blessed enough to have the clarity and vision of what they are here for at an early age. Michael Jackson is one of those blessed few who has always known his purpose. That is, to share to the world the union with the divine which he claims he gets in his music, to share his talent, to spread happiness and love to everyone, especially to those who need it the most. It's a shame that those who couldn't figure out what their lives are about or what their purpose in life is, made him the target of their empty lives. They tried to suck out all the energy he had. They tried to steal from him the light that he saw which they couldn't have. I think more than anything else, it's envy. They couldn't handle the thought of someone as great as Michael Jackson walking on earth with them while they go around figuring things out, frustrated. They didn't know how to deal with this phenomenal being with clarity and passion, with a quiet powerful force in him. They couldn't handle it. They hated that Michael Jackson reminded them of their emptiness and mediocrity. And I'm sorry that an innocent man like Michael Jackson had to suffer their uncontrollable, senseless, childish, miserable act of envy; despite him giving the world his all, his best, his life. Sad. See also: Ramblings Of A Neophyte Michael Jackson Fan 5 Reasons To Love Michael Jackson Photos from Google images. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
