Why Sit We Here Until We Die?

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? (2 Kings 7:3, KJV).

 

I love the way that these men reasoned out their situation. It's like they said, "What have we to lose?" Where they were wasn't good. They were hungry. They could either enter the city and find some food; or not find any food and die there. Or they could stay where they were and die just the same. They had nothing to lose.

 

The fact that they went and found an abundance of food was amazing. But not only did they find food and eat until dem belly full, they found a whole 'eep of silver and gold and other things! It's so sweet, mi haffi chat likkle patwa! I love it!

 

Now just imagine. You are stuck in a situation. You either stay where you are and never come out of it, or you try something and see what happens. If what you tried didn't work, at least you can be comforted in knowing that you tried. But what if it worked? What if you don't need to stay in the rut that you are in? What if some gold and silver are awaiting you but you need only to take the first step?

 

What a waste it would have been if these men hadn't decided to move from where they were. What  a good thing they had said, "Why sit we here until we die?"

 

Nothing beats a try!

Make Your Wants/Thoughts Known To The Lord

A few days ago, a teacher asked me what it is that I am always writing. LOL. I told her that I write about my thoughts, dreams and other things. She told me that it is easy for her to talk about what she feels. I told her that it is easier for me to write my thoughts. I shared with her that expressing my thoughts verbally is something that I'm trying to work on. She said that she's often wondered what people truly feel - people who don't express themselves.

I thought about our conversation and said to myself, God must be saying the same thing, too. He must want to hear what I'm thinking. Of course, He knows all my thoughts, but He wants me to TALK to Him. I need to let my wants, desires and thoughts known to Him.

I have trouble expressing myself generally, and I take that same approach in my relationship with God. Some time ago, I was talking to the Lord asking Him what he wanted me to do with my life. I felt like He asked me, "What do you want to do?" I didn't really have an answer.

I think I'm getting better at it though. The first step in growing is recognizing that you have a problem and then taking steps to correct it. That's how we grow.

I still have to work hard at saying what's on my mind and letting God know (verbally) what it is that I'd like Him to do.

Perhaps you have the same problem. Perhaps, it comes from feeling as if there is no use in asking, God won't hear or answer. But that's not true. God does hear us when we pray. He hears every prayer and He sees every tear. He might not answer us the way in which we hoped, but the answer He provides will always be what is best for us.

Meet Norman Munroe: A Jamaican Entrepreneur in Japan

Hello, friends!

Here is another individual here in Japan who has launched a business here. He is our second guest in this newly added feature to my blog.

Welcome, Norman! Please tell us about yourself. 

My name is Norman Munroe and I’m from Chapelton, Clarendon. I’ve been living in Japan since 2003 having come here as an ALT on the JET Programme. I started cooking and messing about in the kitchen when I was a child and my mother encouraged it, so I pay tribute to her for that. My form teacher at school, Mr. Paul Reed, who was also our church organist, made an outstanding banana bread and was a pretty good cook himself and he was also a source of inspiration. Plus, I loved then and still love to watch cooking shows.


So you moved from playing around in the kitchen as a child to an actual business making money in the kitchen. Cool! How long have you been operating Sweet Jamaican Things?

I’ve been operating SJT for about three years now and I started doing this mostly at the prompting of former Jamaican Ambassador to Japan Claudia Barnes. On a couple of occasions I made some stuff for the Embassy, they loved it, and the Ambassador was quite surprised when I told her that I only did it as a hobby. She suggested that I think about turning it into a business and I took her up on the suggestion. 

SJT's Bread Pudding

Interesting. Your business idea came from someone taking interest in what you did. Tell us, how do you run your business?
I make Jamaican pastry to order and I sell them via my website, www.sweetjamaicanthings.com, and also my SJT Facebook page. I also occasionally go on the road and sell at festivals and other events. It is a one-man operation and sales are up and down. My busiest time of the year is Christmas when many Jamaicans want to get their hands on traditional Jamaican Christmas cake. Easter buns also sell fairly well, too. Among my other items are Jamaican favourites like sweet potato pudding, bread pudding and banana bread. I deliver all over Japan, via parcel delivery services.

SJT's Sweet Potato Pudding

Rum cake, anyone?

Sounds yummy! Any words for someone wanting to start a business here?

If someone is thinking of starting a business here, make sure you have drive, determination, patience and also the ability to innovate. All these, of course, plus the necessary capital and the assistance of Japanese speaking people who can assist you to tap into markets that you may not be aware of, as well as with things like translations etc. There is a market for Jamaican goods and if you can tap into it then so much the better.

Sweet Jamaican Things’ mission: “To provide the finest quality, authentic products to our customers, in good time, at a reasonable price.”

Thanks, Norman! You've also given me something to think about. What's next for you?

My dream is to see Jamaican sweet treats with my brand on them in pastry shops and supermarkets all across Japan and also further afield. That and also a successful chain of pastry and coffee shops, although that side of the food industry is particularly competitive.


Well, I hope you enjoyed meeting Norman. Do head on over to his page for Sweet Jamaican Things at, https://www.facebook.com/SweetJamaicanThings. いただきます！

Forget Not All Of His Benefits

Before going to bed one night, I picked up the Bible and randomly flipped the pages. Psalm 103 was the scripture I read. 

It was a reminder to bless the Lord. It was a reminder to not forget all His benefits. 

He forgives. He heals. He redeems. He extends mercy. He satisfies us with good things. 

While at work the next day, I tried to reflect on the good things that God has brought into my life. My journey here in Japan. My husband. Being able to help others. 

It helps to make a day less 'miserable' when one can reflect on past blessings. It's easy to forget them, especially in seemingly dark moments. But even dark moments seem not so dark when you can recall good things. 

This reflection was particularly good for me because I reflected on how I even got to Japan. I know it was of the Lord's doing. He made the way available and provided the finances through the generosity of family and friends. It was good for me to remember this because I have been feeling like I don't want to be here anymore. It can be overwhelmingly lonely. 

Remembering that it was God who took me here, gives me the confidence to know that He will keep me. It is an empowering feeling knowing that He is on your side and He is your sustainer. 

I was glad therefore, for the reminder to not forget all His benefits. 

Getting Unstuck

I think the process of getting unstuck has begun for me. I've moved to a new apartment and I'm so grateful and excited. 

My husband and I had been living in an old Japanese house. Yes, I can say that I've lived in a Japanese house! Through a very good Japanese friend of ours, who sadly is now deceased, we were able to meet the lady who was to become our friend and landlord. 

Throughout our time living in the house, however, I've seen some of the most hideous insects ever! I don't know how I managed for so long but it got to the point where I was terrified to be alone at home. 

And you know what's strange, I was afraid to move. When I decided that I was going to love myself enough to move away from something that was making me so uncomfortable, I was scared. 

Change and the unknown become scary when we've become so comfortable where we are. 

I wondered how we'd commute, I thought about the extra rent we'd have to pay (our rent was really, really cheap!), I thought about how our living space would be smaller and so on. 

But you know, now that we've moved, I look back at the experience and I'm able to see how we can get stuck in life. And we usually end up in a place where we stop growing because we get accustomed to our everyday routine. We fear interrupting this routine. We want to try something else, but we are afraid of the new things that'll be required. 

But guess what! Don't be afraid! Or better yet, go and do it afraid! Change is good and can help to refresh us. I am glad that I went ahead and did what I had to do although I was so scared. Even when I was supposed to make payment, I almost didn't. I stood outside the bank for a few minutes, afraid to go in. And even after all was said and done, I still felt afraid. Being inside our new place however, makes me so pleased. Everything is new and fresh.

Can you think of a change you can make in your life? A little something (or big one) to get you unstuck? I'm happy with the decision I've taken to make a change. I'm sure you'll be blessed too. 

Anxiety

You never really come to understand what other people are going through until you've dealt with it yourself. 

I've had problems with anxiety for as long as I can remember. I don't know why I'm only just trying to figure out what's going on with me. My internet searches have revealed to me just how 'common' a problem it is. I'm surprised at how many people struggle with anxiety daily. 

I'm hopeful that I can be set free from it. I don't like to be dependent on medications but I realize that of I need to take them I'll just have to. I'm also trying to accept me as I am, weaknesses and all. I've got lots of strengths too! So I'll celebrate those even as I accept those things I can't control. 

Who knows what my experience with anxiety can lead to. All things ultimately work together for good. 

Free E-Book and Apps That Pay You

Hello again, friends.

My friend just provided me with the link to a free ebook entitled, "Midas Touch. Why Some Entrepreneurs Get Rich and Others Don't", by Donald J. Trump and Robert T. Kiyosaki. The offer expires on September 28, so you need to act now. You may find it here: http://www.richdad.com/promotions/midas-touch-2014

I'm learning so much about the fact that there are so many ways to make money on the internet. I hope for the day that I'll be able to work from home! I'm doing my research and I'll share my finds with you.

Here are 15 apps that pay you, as found on the website, Bit Rebels. I have never tried any of these, but perhaps you have. If so, please share your experiences in the comments below. Thanks!