life – Lainey Loves Life

Lainey Loves Life - coffee - intelligent convos

a beautiful mess…

This week was unlike any other week. I barely went out but I spent quite some time chatting with friends online since I’m confined here at home due to health reasons. Few months back when the word “busy” was underrated, I barely had time to check on my friends. I only squeeze a coffee date with the ones who live nearby in between my trips and life events. Looking back, I realised just how quick life can change because of one decision and I’m happy with how my life turned out. 🙂 These days, I have plenty of time to say hi to them and start a short conversation. Things just seem to get better every day.

Since today is a Sunday, I would like to share the important life lessons I learned in the past week from my friends and I hope that you’ll find what I’m sharing helpful. I call them intelligent conversations (mixed with spiritual lessons and by spiritual please keep in mind that I’m not even referring to religion).

On money…

On my friend Xai‘s facebook timeline, I saw a post about scratch cards and lottery. She discussed it so well and a lot of her friends left comments on that particular post. I felt the urge to write something. People have to know this:

Do not spend or lend money that you can’t afford to lose. Also, do not borrow an amount you can’t afford to pay.

Gambling is usually a “one-off fun” that could result to addiction. Excessive spending is a conscious choice that also turns to addiction and before you know it, you’re already spending more than your allowance for leisure. Should there be an urgent need and you’re short financially, follow your payment plan. This is the only way you can keep yourself out of debt and also the only way to earn people’s trust. Many of us trust in “luck” when we should trust in God. And many people also slack off and ask God without using their God-given talents to earn a living. If you want something, ask God, work hard for it and do not forget to thank God for all the blessings you receive.

Ask and it will be given to you. Matthew 7:7

On optimism and resilience…

I was chatting with Jill this afternoon and we were talking about blogs – what to write, what not to write, why start blogging again, why now, why not? During our convo over facebook I said something she really liked:

I believe that when there’s something you feel bad about, pray and let it go. Don’t write it on your diary because that’s like giving a bad thing an anniversary.

…and I mean it. There will always be something that will remind you of the pain and the best way to let go is to forget when it happened and you’ll eventually forget about the feeling too. Sure, you’ll remember it from time to time (you might even cry) but things change, you know? Things get better. Help yourself let go of the negative feelings and you’ll be surprised with how positivity can teach you resilience.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

On friendship…

Choose your friends wisely. You don’t need a lot in this life, only the loyal and truthful few.

I haven’t spoken with Katia (my friend and former boss in Doha) in ages and what we had was a great one. Our conversation was energising and she’s a breath of fresh air. I remember when my love asked me where my friends are because he wants to meet them and I giddily said, “They’re scattered all over the world!” It just came to me that we should find time to talk to our friends no matter how busy we are or where in the world they are and remind them of why we love them and how their friendship changed our lives.

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Proverbs 18:24

On family…

Family is family no matter what. Do not disown or speak evil about them.

I had a long spiritual conversation with my cousin Beth and we discussed so many things. The most important among all of the things we talked about was sticking to your family no matter what happens. We all go through conflicts and disagreements but at the end of the day, when we’re in need, it is our family who will stand by our side and help us get through the toughest time in our life.

Keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 6:20