Intimacy In Marriage

Imagine, if you will, two rowboats drifting
together on a choppy lake. A man sits in
one of them, and a woman rides in the other.
They have every intention of crossing the
lake together, side by side, because they
genuinely care about each other. But ever
so slowly, they begin to drift apart.

Each catches different currents and gusts of wind
that turn their little boats in opposite
directions, and before they know it, one
person sits at the north end of the lake, and
the other bobs along at the south.

They can hardly communicate with each other without
shouting from so great a distance. And by
that time, there are a number of little children
sitting in a third boat, little bewildered
children.

This is a dramatic analogy to the plight
of too many marriages today. Husbands
and wives begin their journey side by side,
with every intention of remaining together
for a lifetime. But the pressures of everyday
living turn them in their own directions and
toward their own pursuits, and away from
each other.

Unless a husband and wife are willing to row, to work together,
to talk through their difficulties and to compromise,
it's likely that they will not reach the far
side of the lake together. But it need not
happen. Their boats can remain side by
side, if each partner is simply willing to
row. Otherwise, the currents of culture will
separate them forever.

>> Article by Mr James Dobson

new beginnings

with barely 2 weeks to go, my baby will be leaving to pursue his dreams at australia... and it will be a new chapter for both of us in this relationship. much as i can't bear to see him leave, i can only pray and believe that we will be able to survive this long distance r/s. and without having my presence there, i oso pray that i will be able to continue to give him my support and trust.

lessons have also begun. yest was the first lecture on Leadership management. the lecturer was quite humourous, although sometimes the jokes he cracked are quite corny.. for a start, it seems that I am still able to handle and understand what is being taught. and also be able to relate it to my work environment. some of the similarities are simply uncanny. haha.

as for me being in a new team.. well, i guess the people around me would already have had enough procrastination from me. and im also at a point whereby i feel im complaining so much that it aint good for my health. so will take everything in my stride and hopefully am able to master that fcuked-up attitude which will then allow me to sail through the next 2 yrs peacefully.

Jan 2007 is already coming to an end soon; which reminds me that we should be getting our JLPT results soon. Hmmm, wonder if I will pass? Haha.

To Build A Fire

>> I couldn't have read this article at a better time. When you truly love a person, one should give him the trust and freedom that they need, in the hope that our partner do not abuse them. Then again, when one truly loves another, we should also know our own limits/ boundaries and stick to it; however strong the temptations are.

Jack London, in his wonderful short story
entitled To Build a Fire tells of a man caught
in a freezing blizzard. The temperature
dropped to 24 degrees Celsius below zero,
and he tried to build a fire to save his life.

He had only three matches, and the first two
were snuffed out by the wind. His life
depended on that one remaining match. He
managed to get a little fire going as he
cupped his hands, and he held his breath.

Just as it looked like he would succeed,
some snow fell from a limb overhead and
snuffed out the flame. The man was doomed
to freeze to death in the arctic night.

You know, there?s a lesson in this story
that applies to romantic relationships.
Nothing will snuff out the flickering flame of
love more quickly than hovering too close
and trying too hard to make it burn. You see,
the bonding between two people occurs
best in an atmosphere of confidence and
freedom. Those who reveal their insecurities
and attempt to force themselves on their
lovers are putting everything on the line.

That?s like tossing snow on a tiny fire. How
can you turn it into a roaring furnace? By
giving it plenty of oxygen and trusting the
combustion of the fuel. Love, you see, must
be confident; it must be free; and it must be
voluntary.