< To those who are given more, more is expected >

I've been studying about . It's quite amazing that people like me could have gone on as long as we have without setting proper boundaries. Keeping the bad out and the good in. How to say 'Yes' with full freedom and not simply because I dont want to hurt the other person.

Just the other day, a friend requested if i could cut his hair. I dont know if he knew i had learnt it a long time ago. But I remember being very hesitant. Not because I'm not a professional hairdresser, not even because i had only cut 2 person's hair in my whole life... But i was afraid. If I say 'Yes' to this one, what if others wanted the same 'free' service. What would happen to my weekends? Do i really want to be so 'available'?

I had just started learning to say 'No' instead of ALWAYS saying 'Yes', and now i'm challenged to say my 'Yes's more fully, more freely, without counting the cost, without unneccessary fears.

As I decided to help my friend out, as i laid my fingers to the scissors, I felt more and more calm and joyful in my heart. The scissors went to work, none of what i learnt would apply here, I only learnt to cut the page boy, blunt, one length hair for ladies. But it became clear to me that what was happening right there was something of a revelation to me. I could cut men's hair. And it became even clearer later that this was to be my friend's best hair cut ever. I felt happy that the haircut session was rather enjoyable, no stress, and best of all, i never knew i could do it.

Upon reflection, I wonder how much more i'm holding back. What else was I not putting in. What other 'talents' am i still hiding from others for fear that I might be asked to do more. Probably some are on 'auto-pilot' mode to guard personal space and time.

< To those who are given more, more is expected >.

Prayer: Yes Lord, teach me to be discerning and not count the cost, to go the extra mile, to give when neccessary, to smile at all times. Help me to be a cheerful giver. Amen