Sunday Reflection - This Life

This Life
...by MercyMe

It's been a whirlwind of a week. Having to section off my life into 3 or 4 sections on a weekly basis is pretty intense and can be a bit disorienting.

It's the jobs I have to do, the roles I have to play, things I have to get done.

I don't presume that I am the exception in the daily grind of our earthly life.  I do affirm that life can be uneasy but necessary for many.

I love the title of MercyMe's current album "The Generous Mr. Lovewell."
That is who leads me as I walk this journey of life. He is generous enough to give me strength on a daily basis. Yet understanding enough to know that I won't be perfect.

Sometimes, the discomfort in life are meant to remind us that we don't belong. We are created for something more. But until then, we are to make the best of us and make This Life meaningful.

This Life by MercyMe - with Lyrics 

Movie Night - Hugo

Hugo (2011)
...a Martin Scorsese film

A Great Adventure for the senses.
It's sad to have to see the many child-stars playing orphans lately in the movies.
It always grips at my heart to feel the loss and the grief. Yet that seems to bring out the most of the human spirit, when one is faced with loss.

How to persevere?
To overcome?
To find hope?
To rebuild?
To dream again?

Official Trailer

Trailer 2

Featurette with Martin Scoreses

Narcissism Defined

Narcissists around us are more common than we would like.
If they don't impact our lives, they are actually pretty interesting kind of people.
Unfortunately, by the nature of a Narcissist, he/she will make sure to "make an impact" in our lives.

The 4 key characteristics include Grandiosity; Need for Admiration; Lack of Empathy and Aggression/Rage when the grandiose self-image is disputed.

The Mayo Clinic described it this way:

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they're superior to others and have little regard for other people's feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

Many of the people we meet do not meet the criteria of the actual disorder, but possess the "Traits."  Which means they behave and demonstrate the four key characteristics to a lesser degree.

You may have try to talk "sense" into them; You may have try to "logically reasons" with them; You might even have "Plead to appeal to their Feelings." And find that these common sense methods do not work.

It's always important to realize that it's not about how your present or even how you try to work things out.  Because, unfortunately, it will always be "About Them."

Good Eats - Chinese Soy Sauce Chicken

Chinese Soy Sauce Chicken
...easier than it looks

I have use the Soy Sauce recipe for a whole chicken, quarters, legs, wings, even for soy sauce eggs.

The key is to boil, simmer, then leave the chicken alone to sit in the sauce.  "Don't peek and never open the lid!"  

If you can follow the golden rule, then this is a no fail recipe.

Chinese Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

4 chicken leg quarters
2-inch ginger (peeled lightly crushed)
4 cloves garlic (lightly crushed)
2 stalks scallions (cut into 2-inch lengths)
2 star anise (for optimal flavor, can purchase at Asian market)
1 cinnamon stick (about 2-inch length)
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup dark soy sauce
3 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (I actually prefer Japanese Sake)
1 teaspoon white pepper powder
4 oz. rock sugar (or 4 tablespoons of Dark Brown Sugar)
4 cups water

Add all ingredients (except the chicken) into a deep pot and bring it to boil on high heat for 15 minutes. Add the chicken quarters into the pot and boil over high heat for about 10 minutes. Lower the heat to simmer for about 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let the chicken steeped in the soy sauce mixture for 1 to 2 hours to soak in the flavor.

When ready to serve, chop into pieces and serve with Ginger and Scallion dipping sauce.

(Soy sauce chicken is usually served at room temperature or just slightly warm.)

You can also use the same recipe with 3 lbs of chicken wings.

Ginger and Scallion Dipping Sauce

1 oz. ginger (peeled, finely chopped)
1 scallion (cut into thin rounds)
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil

Method:

To prepare the ginger and scallion dip, place the ginger, scallions, salt, and chicken bouillon powder into a heat proof bowl. Heat up 2 tablespoons of oil in a small pot/pan until it starts to smoke. Pour the oil immediately into the bowl and blend well. Set aside.

Dinner is Served (with a side of veggies)

The Soy Sauce Wings...Oh So Good!

Sunday Refresher - Learning to Be the Light

Learning To Be The Light
by newworldson

Part of the Transformational Vision I seek is to be a Light that Shine on the Love that is always around us.

One line in the song said,
"when all came crashing down
there was only darkness all around
but in a distance I could see
A Flame.."

Learning To Be The Light - newworldson

The band NEWWORLDSON is new to me, here is their website info
Nice sound and Great message!

http://www.newworldson.com/newworldson/index.htm

Turning Vision Into Mission

Vision >>> Mission

Vision defined:  the ability to perceive future development; the act of anticipating what may be to come

Mission defined: a calling of occupation; operational tasks; summary of aims, values, an overall plan

Not sure why this has been on my mind. The values of personal vision and mission.

I don't make resolutions, but I do like to think about Visions for one's life and transforming them into Life Mission.

I have always had tons of ideas about things and life in general.  I live in the world of  "possibilities." But, I have learned long ago that I should never follow my "great, ingenious" ideas immediately. Many of these possibilities are not practical. For many people, having a vision for one's life is not difficult.  Transforming vision into a plan of actions, a mission of sort is where the real work is.

Someone had once said that there are 6 qualities to a transformational vision:
1. Imaginable - You must be able to picture it
2. Desirable - You must really want it
3. Feasible - You must be able to do it
4. Focused - You must be able to break it down to steps
5. Flexible - You must be willing to change it
6. Communicable - You must be able to talk about it

That's what a Life Mission is: a Personal Mission Statement
What our Life Goals?
What do we Stand For?
What are our Values?
What are we Willing To Do?
What will We Communicate?
What Legacy Will We Leave?

Family Movie Night - Dolphin Tale

Dolphin Tale (2011)

The storyline far exceed my expectation.
Inspired by real life story, quite moving.
Wonderful message about disability and never giving up.

Lots of big name actors, but the stars remained with the main character Sawyer Nelson and the dolphin Winter.

Introduced my kiddies to the issue of physical disability. The emphasis on friendship is refreshing and heartwarming.  Ultimately a community came together, people bonded and lives are changed.

Trailer - Dolphin Tale

A Symbol of Hope

The Inspirational True Story of Winter