July 15: Encourage One Another

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Elisa Choi

It’s a blessing to go back to Church. It’s been a while. We prayed for a Church that we can go to hear God’s Word and thankfully we have found it. My siblings and I are attending at Victory Malate.

All the singing, instrumental music, clapping and swaying of our bodies.
All for the glory of God.

Today we read Heb 10:19-25. We are encouraged to spur (provoke) one another into driving our good intentions and deeds inspired by God into meaningful actions. It’s one thing to ask God what He wants us to do in this life and think on what we can do to help someone or a cause but it’s another thing to make do what we desire to do in His name.

Whatever we plan on doing we need all the courage to drive the intention forward.
Most often all we ever need is an uplifting word from someone who says that we can do this.
Who believes in what we can do.
And that’s all there is. Just encouragement to spur us forward.

And as the pastor says, “Christianity is not only about our personal relationship with God but it also involves other people in our faith.”

Hope you have a blessed weekend everyone!

Inspiration Sunday

July 2: Don’t Get too Attached

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Elisa Choi

I am learning not to get too attached on earthly matters.

For all the bad things that have happened to me I offer them up to God to help me move on and learn from it. And if sometimes the old painful memories would revisit me I would acknowledge it and without harboring any negative feelings breathe it out.

For all the good things that have happened to me I offer them up to God as thanksgiving and praise. And if sometimes I would like to reminisce the good old times I will remember Him who gives those blessings to me. Hopefully I will be able to share it with others.

“Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His Love and the future to His Providence. ” ~St. Augustine

July Challenge 2012

The July Challenge

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Elisa Choi

July is a very special month for me. I guess because it’s my birthday month. But what makes it truly special is that it allows me to look inward. To pause. To find solitude. To do something for myself. To lend a hand to those in need.

And so starting today till the end of July I will be going on “trips”. It could be anywhere. It could be by myself or with someone special or with friends or even with a person I just met.

I will notice. I will be aware. I will listen.

I will capture a photograph to describe a feeling, paint a scene to impart a learning, scribble or doodle to share a thought.

I will share my adventure here. All these in hope of connecting with myself deeply. All these in hope of communicating with God meaningfully. All these in hope of living a peaceful and loving life.

But above all it is to search for ways on how to be a better steward of God’s gifts.

I pray for God’s guidance as I embark on this journey.

Painting Day 25: Creating in the Moment

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Today was a very random day of painting.
I created a paper cutting design in the past few days and decided to just use it today as a stencil for painting.
Not knowing what to do next I created prints from the top circle of a tissue roll cardboard which are now hidden in random tears of magazine pages that are colored and doodled with watercolor paint.

After bathing into the moment,
I realize that I am too absorbed into my own creation.
Not knowing the time and that the sun has been peeking already after a thunderous rain.

I look at my hands splattered with paint and Mod Podge.
The stickiness and dirt coil on my forefinger that is burning with a minor cut.

I am happy with the ways I have been spending my freedom days.
My class has been postponed yet again to a later date. I’m not furious (even if I can be).
Even if I have not been creating some masterpiece or important work that can help others,
I have started something for myself.
A simple thing. A simple gesture.

To simply create.
To simply paint.
To simply learn.
To simply be thankful for this life.

And slowly I believe that I can change the world.
Slowly I believe I can make a difference.
Slowly I believe that my purpose in life will be fulfilled.

***

My cleaned brushes. Welcome round 10 brush!

Lovely indoor succulents. I love them!

Praise God!

You are a Writer

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Elisa Choi

I had the wonderful privilege to read the very informative and personal e-book You are a Writer by Jeff Goins who writes for passion and living. This is a highly comprehensive compilation of practical tips, lessons and inspiration on believing in one’s capability, showing up on one’s important work, working for one’s passion, providing help to others, knowing the harsh truth about writing and so much more. After infusing myself in Jeff’s encouraging words comes the more “technical” aspects of getting writing on first gear which are the how-tos and tools. Reading this e-book I could feel as if Jeff is talking directly to me because his experiences and learning resonates to my inner core. This is not only a book for writers but it is also applicable to everyone fighting for their dreams. You are a Writer is simply a wonderful reminder for all of us to start and make our dreams come true today.

For details on the e-book and how to purchase please go to You are a Writer.

***

As an artist I am committing myself to paint something everyday starting May 1 2012 for 30 days inspired by Dana Barbieri when she commits herself to painting everyday for 30 days and Jeff Goins when he commits himself to write everyday. That simple act of commitment creates a routine and that routine becomes a habit and that habit becomes a part of you that you cannot live without. Painting one day at a time means a time well spent for myself. It means finding my inner child artist voice. It means making a lot of mistakes in order to pave way for learning. It means discipline. It is a process. I am not going to worry if I might miss a painting. I will keep painting.

River of Stones: Jan 1 to 8 2012

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Small stones is a short piece of writing capturing an observation of a thing, an event, someone and literally anything that you can see around you. The beauty of this is that we tend to pause for a while and slow down to notice one thing at a time and appreciate the wonderful creations of God.

My first time to join was during the July 2011 River of Stones. This will be my second time at the River of Stones January 2012. I am happy to say that I have done my part by asking others to join even if only one did (My Sister) and inspire someone to write small stones even if she does not do it daily.

In the meantime if you want to join Fiona Robyn and Kaspalita in the River of Stones, please go to the image at my sidebar or just click the link above for some sweet details.

~***I hope you enjoy my 1st week worth of small stones.***~

Jan 1: I felt that New Year is just like any other year but the only difference is that we are given a brand new life.

Jan 2: Dark purple hue sky at 6 am of 01022012 morning. Then it breaks into a pinkish purple hue. Then blue. First day of work under 2012.

Jan 3: Mind lost in reverie. Onto the street with people and garbage. Sun showing off gold. Almost lost on my way to the train station.

Jan 4: Midnight blue sky at 6am. Fades to dark gray mixed blue. Splatter of rain on the rooftop. Rainy blessings for Dad. Happy birthday Daddy.

Jan 5: Eyes on the world. Steady heart. Mind positive about everything positive. Hands on my side. Squared shoulders. The word is Courage.

Jan 6: Clock ticking along with my heartbeat. Faint whooshing sound of the fan. The roar of the motorcycle pass by. The right-left steps of my brother’s feet on the stairs. I sit still. Listening to all these wonderful sounds.

Jan 7: Old couple listening to each other’s souls. The wrinkled smile. The patient repetition. The nonchalant feeling over the passing of time. The sincere accompaniment of each other.

Jan 8: Golden ruffled glued in gel hair. Gray blazer over white shirt and red pants. Muscular feminism. A stylist who is better at words than action. Boost a spray of flowery words over my already dull hair. Mother unsatisfied over the results of just a short chopped hair.

Do what you love. Love what you do.

Category Archives: Photography from the Heart