How Do We Say It?

           It always makes sense if I put it in words. There seems to be something lacking when I don’t write down what I feel, what I learn, and what I pray. There is something in putting these thoughts and feelings in tangible form that gives it more value and impact.

            Through my growing up years, I had been jotting down my feelings and prayers in tiny notebooks and pieces of paper. Now that technology has gotten the best out of these hard copies, online devotion and Bible Study seem to lack more impact on me. I miss my silent moments of contemplation and my oral prayers, intensified or otherwise.

            I started journal writing way back 2005 to 2008 but it was very irregular and was limited to special occasions and deep moments of trials. I hope I can go back to this habit for it really brings great results.

            There are a number of benefits from keeping journals, such as: getting a release from an emotional experience, having a reminder of the event/feeling, keeping a proof of God’s faithfulness, setting an inspiration for the days/years to come, and forming an example to others who may happen to read what we have jotted down.

            Actually, for the most part of the writing experience, it is the writer who gets a large portion of the advantages.

Getting a release from an emotional experience

            It is a common experience that no one can understand us fully and will bear with us all the time. Once we have told our story to someone, it would be unkind to tell it to him/her again. We would be burdening others with our own struggles and fears if we repeatedly tell them about these. They are not God; they also have their own share of troubles and cares.

            Talking it over to God is the best option. He never gets tired of us and He lovingly anticipates our communing with Him any time and all the time. Writing down these conversations with God gives us great relief in addition to the peace that comes whenever we pour out our hearts to God. It makes us look at life in a different and more positive perspective.

Having a reminder of the event/feeling

            Souvenirs are amazing. They give us a pleasant recurring of the incident and make us experience it differently. Such is the effect of a journal entry when we read it sometime in the future. We remember the feeling or incident and feel differently about it, marveling at how we have changed and being thankful to God for such an experience.

Keeping a proof of God’s faithfulness

            In addition to being reminded of the past experience, seeing our present compared to the past gives us a picture of how faithfully God has orchestrated every area of our life to bring us to a much higher level of maturity and growth. We can trace God’s faithfulness crafted in each passing moment of our lives.

Setting an inspiration for the days/years to come

            The same encounters with God and with life’s challenges can give us inspiration to move on with a positive attitude. These victories written on pages of the past can be our guide to go on the right direction and can also be our motivation to follow the right path because we have been there before and we have survived.

Forming an example to others

            Finally, keeping a journal make us models for others to follow. They will not only write their own stories but they would also find inspiration in what we have been through. Last year, when I was packing my things away, one of the junior faculty came to help me. She was able to steal a peek into these tiny notebooks and learned a little about me – like, I also experienced what she is going through now, in other words, letting her realize that I had been in her shoes before and that I am credible when I give her my insights and my advice. I become more real to her, not just a mentor but a real flesh and blood sinner saved by grace.

Home Remedies for Cold Sores

Cold sores is a viral disease and is contagious. Since anyone catch this ailment, it would be wise to be forewarned and to know what to do about it. Several suggestions have been recommended by both medical experts and former victims on how to treat this kind of sickness.

The most common one is to use ice. Just rub ice on the infected skin for a few minutes and repeat it every hour. Another remedy is to use tea bag. You have to apply a tea bag for few minutes on the blisters and repeat this every hour. Pressing a warm tea bag on the blisters for approximately 30 minutes will also be helpful.

Other remedies include: applying Witch Hazel on sores; dipping your moist index finger in powdered common salt and pressing the sore for 30 seconds using this index finger; gently rubbing aloe vera gel or oil on the sores; and using lemon balm extract can help reduce symptoms and speed up healing.

Moreover, it is not advisable for one to be exposed to sunlight since it will aggravate the condition, thus in case exposure to sunlight cannot be avoided, use a good quality sunscreen on your lips. Also, make sure that you do not simply attempt to disguise the cold sores by using makeup and other cosmetic products because most often the chemicals in them will just cause further irritation to the skin.

In addition, according to many researchers licorice can actually help inhibit the development of cold sores. The glycyrrhizic acid found in licorice is helpful. You could also simply buy some licorice powder and sprinkle it over the sores. Naturalists, on the other hand believe that cold milk can provide relief and even promote healing. You may simply soak a cotton ball or swab in some cold milk and dab it or apply gently over the sore.

It would be wise to avoid picking or pinching at a cold sore in order to avoid bacterial infection. Touching the cold sores and touching the genitals and the eyes can spread the disease to these parts so always make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer after touching a cold sore.

Persian Rugs and their Colorful Revelations

Every time I go to the Mall, I am always attracted with these rectangular and oval rugs on display; and I plan to make them a part of my newly-acquired house soon. I am usually fascinated not only by their intricate designs and colors but also by their prices that are mostly sold at big discounts. It makes me wonder how much do these rugs really cost. Out of curiosity, I asked the salesman why one kind has a higher price than the other when they are both of the same size and thickness. Vaguely, he answered, it was due to the origin. One is locally made while the other one is imported.

            This interest brought me to the realization that these rugs have stories to tell too. They may look innocent and mute but their place in the house signifies more depth and meaning. Actually, they are not simply rugs to be stepped upon and to wipe one’s feet on. They are decorations that speak of the value and economic status of the owner.

            For the Iranians, these rugs are valued possessions passed on from generation to the next. They are woven intricately and have been a part of this Middle Eastern culture for more than two thousand years now. They were originally used as floor coverings of the nomads to protect them from the cold and damp ground; but later on their value increased as they became part of palaces and courts as decorations. From the nomads, these are now owned by wealthy people including kings and noblemen.

            The variety of color, design, size and weave speaks of the diverse culture of the villages that they originate. They are a showcase of the indigenous culture that produced them as “Each rug's particular pattern, palette, and weave are uniquely linked with the indigenous culture, and weaving techniques are specific to an identifiable geographic area or nomadic tribe” (Beringer).

            By looking closely at these beautiful creations, one can guess that the culture and the people that created them are also equally colorful and fascinating. The intricate designs and combination of colors speak of a people rich in creativity and passion. They are showcasing to the world that they are unique, diligent, passionate and beautiful in their own ways.

            The gravity that draws customers from other countries to these Persian rugs is amazing. It is like a potion that fascinates and glues them to acquire these colorful items and make them a permanent part of their beings and their heritage as well. 

Sources: 

Persian Rugs, Persian Carpets & Oriental Rugs – History (Susie Beringer at Texas Christian University).  <http://www.farsinet.com/persianrug/history.html>

Persian Rugs, Persian Carpets & Oriental Rugs . <http://www.farsinet.com/persianrug/>