The golden moments
Sunrise and sunset are often referred to as the golden moments in photography.
I wonder when the last time I did nothing but embraced these golden moments.
When did you?
Sad, isn't it?
Me and books
[Bahasa Indonesia]
Me and books go a long way back. They are among my best friends in the world. They have taken me further than I can even imagine. I thank them for it. I thank my mom and dad for it.
I was at a friend’s place. She has opened a small library for children in her neighborhood. I shared with her my love for books. I told her when it all began.
When I was little, mom used to take to the market several times a week. She almost always left me in a nearby local bookstore.
The owner kindly allowed me to roam around the store and read whatever my heart pleased. Comics, atlas, history, geography, general knowledge, anything. My love for books grew.
Dad too nurtured my love for reading. Even when I was still in elementary school, he almost obliged me to read newspapers before I left for school.
He discussed several issues from the papers with me. My love for reading grew. And so was my ability (and keenness) to analyze things.
Me and books go a long way back. We have a long way to go, still. I just hope that every kid has the same opportunity. If only they realize how far they can travel, intellectually and imaginatively speaking.
I thank the books for many things. I thank my mom and dad, too.
A refresher course
[Bahasa Indonesia]
I had a long hour chat with a friend last Saturday. One story I told her was about another friend. A friend that was a super busy person with quite a complicated life, to say the least.
I referred to her as one of my greatest teachers. And a dearest friend.
Whenever we wanted to meet, there was always something. Her meeting was extended. The restaurant in which we were supposed to meet was closed and her mobile was not functioning so she could not contact me. She had sudden assignments from her boss(es). She had to run some errands for her family. Etc etc.
So one or two hours delay to her arrival was “normal”. It was actually good, compared to the three or four hours delay. Or a no show. Or a no show with no notice.
Needless to say, I--who practically uphold the sacredness of promise and punctuality--was almost always upset when she was late. Yet, somehow, I kept (or keep, present tense) making appointments with her, and she with me.
I did not realize the lesson that I was undertaking until one day, we made another appointment. I visited her town and we were supposed to meet after work. When I SMS-ed her once I had arrived at our meeting point, she responded by saying, “Sorry, got to buy something for my daughter.”
Amazingly, all I said (and felt) was “ok”. Then I picked up the phone, called another friend, and said “looks like we can meet after all tonight.” Life went on. With little resentment, if at all.
As I was praying and contemplating after that incident, I realized that I have passed an important lesson. That lesson of being (un)emotional when somebody changes her/his mind, when somebody suddenly has other plan, and when somebody does not keep their promises.
I started to view this from her/his perspective. She has complicated life. And so has everybody else to different extent. It might be selfish for me to be upset. Perhaps it was just not meant to be.
Last Saturday night, I was supposed to meet another friend. Funnily enough, that friend too did a no show. No phone calls. No nothing. And I felt fine. “Ok, I can take some rest and finish my book then,” I thought. Turned out that the friend was sick as a dog, or so the sms in the morning said.
The story I told my friend that very afternoon now seems to be a refresher course of what to come the evening that followed.
I was reminded of my past lesson and the milestone that I have successfully passed, just before a similar incident came along. A kind reminder to not fall into the same trap twice. Thank you.
What the river has shown me
[Bahasa Indonesia]
My friends and I were discussing the poem It’s a pleasure to be a student. One asked about the line “Rivers show me the nature of myself.” What can rivers show us? She asked.
It brought me back to when I was in Anahata, Ubud, Bali.
Towards the end of my stay there, we went down to the river just below our resort.
I dipped my feet in the river. I moved my feet around and played with the water. The feet, naturally, moved and it was a nice sensation.
Then I suddenly stopped moving my feet, while still leaving them in the water. And what I saw, moved me, inside.
I saw my feet kept moving. It was moved by the river water, rather playfully. It was a grandeur sensation.
Perhaps that’s how we should live our life as well. If we surrender to nature, then the nature will gracefully and lovingly (and sometimes playfully) move us.
We do not have to try to fight or move against it to get that grand sensation. Perhaps there is such thing as trying too hard.
Instead, we just appreciate, surrender, and flow with it. Experiencing, enjoying, an even grandeur sensation.
And that, I told my friend, was what the river has shown me.
Pic: From Anahata Spa & Villas Resort.
Oh Ahmad
By Narda Dalgleish.
O Ahmad
There is nothing I can do or say to prevent your intention
To blow yourself up
with those you hate.
But I would like you to know anyway
That at the end of your last prayer
when you turn your head to the right
and say
assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
you have greeted me too
as I am there, right beside you
with the whole of Mankind
because your Lord is my breath.
Then when you turn
your head to the left
and repeat for the last time
assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
I am there too, with the whole universe
because everywhere you turn
there is His face
And your Lord is my breath.
Even when
your hands and forehead touch the ground
and you say to your Lord with a deep sense of fulfillment
Hu
We are all there
right beneath you
with our forehead and hands and knees and toes
touching yours from the ground.
So just before you press the button
with your call Akbar
know that we are always between you and your Lord
because
He is our breath.
Now. What if I tell you that the poem is written by a mother who has lost her son to a suicide bomber?
One, one, one
From Rumi. It's been a long time.
One, One, One
The lamps are different,
But the Light is the same.
So many garish lamps in the dying brain's lamp-shop,
Forget about them.
Concentrate on the essence, concentrate on Light.
In lucid bliss, calmly smoking off its own holy fire,
The Light streams towards you from all things,
All people, all possible permutation of good, evil, thought, passion.
The lamps are different,
But the Light is the same.
One matter, one energy, one Light, one Light-mind,
Endlessly emanating all things.
One turning and burning diamond,
One, one, one.
Ground yourself, strip yourself down,
To blind loving silence.
Stay there, until you see
You are gazing at the Light
With its own ageless eyes.
.I'll stay. snif.
Travel to Bromo
[Bahasa Indonesia]
I have not been traveling for traveling sake for quite some time. Recently when I traveled, it was for business, a course, or family. So I did not know what made me say yes to last week’s travel to Mount Bromo, East Java.
There were four of us. Ex-colleagues of mine. Well, not really. I only worked with one of them while the other two came in after I left the company. But somehow I did not hesitate for a single second to say yes to the invitation. And I am so glad I did not.
The trip was great. The weather was not ideal but that did not stop us from having fun. We visited several places, ate more than enough meals and snacks, and practically laughed all the way. We chatted about nothing and about everything. We had a blast. I certainly had a blast.
I remember my teacher said that we should not travel to get away from our problems and seek peace. Because peace is within. 
Have peace within you. So by the time you travel, you will not be running away anymore. You travel to appreciate the beauty of nature and to enjoy the company of the people you meet along the way. You are glorifying God.
Thank you. And You. For the glorious scenery, the beautiful friends.
Refreshing
[Bahasa Indonesia]
I was sitting in a restaurant waiting for a friend. I have finished my first drink and have declined an offer from the waiter for the second one.
Then suddenly the waiter came to my table and gave me a complimentary glass of fresh water.
The water was refreshing. In more ways than one.
The 5W1H of the day
Written on my last day in my then-project.
A good press release should be able to answer the 5W1H questions: Who, what, when, where, why, and how.
It also has some must-have elements, like the logo, time and date, quote from spokespersons, boilerplate, and contact info.
So below is my 5W1H for the day. Click the pic for larger image.
Take good care.
To our dear child:
[Bahasa Indonesia]
A friend has uploaded the poem below, taken from a website titled parent's wish. Beautiful.
To our dear child:
On the day when you see us old, weak and weary,
Have patience and try to understand us.
If we get dirty when eating,
If we can not dress on our own,
Please bear with us and remember the times
We spent feeding you and dressing you up.
If, when we speak to you,
We repeat the same things over and over again,
Do not interrupt us. Listen to us.
When you were small,
We had to read to you the same story
A thousand and one times until you went to sleep.
When we do not want to have a shower,
Neither shame nor scold us.
Remember when we had to chase you
With your thousand excuses to get you to the shower?
When you see our ignorance of new technologies,
Help us navigate our way through those world wide webs.
We taught you how to do so many things,
To eat the right foods, to dress appropriately,
To fight for your rights.
When at some moment we lose the memory
Or the thread of our conversation,
Let us have the necessary time to remember.
And if we can not, do not become nervous,
As the most important thing is not our conversation,
But surely to be with you and to have you listening to us.
If ever we do not feel like eating, do not force us.
We know well when we need to and when not to eat.
When our tired legs give way
And do not allow us to walk without a cane,
Lend us your hand. The same way we did
When you tried your first faltering steps.
And when someday we say to you,
That we do not want to live any more, that we want to die,
Do not get angry. Some day you will understand.
Try to understand that our age is not just lived but survived.
Some day you will realize that, despite our mistakes,
We always wanted the best for you
And we tried to prepare the way for you.
You must not feel sad, angry nor ashamed
For having us near you.
Instead, try to understand us and help us
Like we did when you were young.
Help us to walk.
Help us to live the rest of our life with love and dignity.
We will pay you with a smile and by the immense love
We have always had for you in our hearts.
We love you, child.
Mom and Dad
I love you too, Mom and Dad. I am so sorry for my ignorance, disrespect, rudeness, selfishness, thoughtlessness, thanklessness, and impatience.
In memoriam: Pak Lukman
[Bahasa Indonesia]
Yesterday a colleague and friend, Ahmad Lukman, passed away. He was just 32 years old, a father of one cute son. He had been unwell for quite some time and the condition had gotten worse during the last several months.
Yet he was full of spirit. He was a diligent worker, was a great person to chat with about everything, loved reading books, and was an activist in his community.
He had lived a full life. And he never complained about his life or about his illness. Of course he said things about how he felt, but I don't consider that as a real complain (or as another friend put it, the most unfortunate person in the world syndrome). He was a strong person, with an eternal smile on his face.
All I could think of as I was heading for his house last night was: he has done well in this life. Perhaps much better than many of us.
Salaam, buddy. You really did well. We'll help take care of your family for you. You need not worry about anything.
MMD - Meditation to know self
[Bahasa Indonesia]
On Dec 24 2007-Jan 1 2008, I attended an eight-day meditation program called Meditasi Mengenal Diri (MMD, loosely translated to Meditation to know oneself), facilitated by Hudoyo Hupudio in Mendut monastery, Central Java.
MMD aims to free oneself from attachment. The rules are simple. The only ‘task’ we have is to be aware. To be aware of all our thoughts and actions. The only thing requested from us is not to bother anybody else. Simple, but not easy.
My days were full of ups and downs, full of various ridiculous thoughts to physical sensations, such as sore back and itches. But I was determined to discipline myself and not to give in to the sensation, thoughts and boredom.
Time flew, relatively speaking. I started to enjoy the meditation sessions. This so called enjoyment in itself is a golden trap. Mr. Hupudio reminded me to be careful, “Be aware that you are enjoying the meditation, until the time you feel neutral about it.” How cunning our brain is.
In the last day, the head of the monastery joined us. He reminded us to always be aware of and to pay attention to every move, every second of our life, including the times when we feel bored or frustrated why we cannot meditate.
Our mind is used to searching, demanding, and getting. It is difficult for the mind to give and let go. Even when we think we do good deeds, the mind keep thinking “What do I get?” From getting recognition from other people, good karma, prosperity and peace, to heaven. The mind still demands something in return.
Or subtler still, we often think “I give so that I feel fulfilled.” There is still hopes. The mind is having difficulties in letting go.
Even when we meditate, we often hope for ‘progress’. So when we feel at peace, we are happy that we feel at peace. We feel we are progressing. There is still expectation.
The habit of searching, demanding and hoping are the result for ego. The mind constantly demands. This creates unease, restlessness and dissatisfaction.
To overcome this, we only need to pay attention, to be aware. The method is so simple. Each of us has the capability to attend to our mind and physical condition.
Our thoughts, desires and plans in the everyday life should be filtered. Is it a good thought? Will it hurt us, other people, or other being? Is it feasible or am I being too ambitious, pushing it too far, or wanting too much? All has its own portion. If it is good, then we need to be consistent, should be loyal in executing the plan.
Our everyday life is our meditation. So let this kind of attention be present, always. Attend to all our physical and mind movement, to the mind that keeps demanding all things to everybody, including to self, other people, and God.
Complete note (in Indonesian) is here. You can also read a friend’s experience of MMD (also in Indonesian) here.
Understanding autism
[Bahasa Indonesia]
Last weekend I helped my friends from MPATI (Masyarakat Peduli Autis Indonesia - Care for Autism Indonesia) in conducting a training session on public speaking for its pioneers.
About 15 people from all walks of life attended the training. Parents of autistic children, therapists, psychologists, and youth from Miss/Mr. Jakarta (I wonder if this is the correct translation of Abnon Jakarta). They came from Kalimantan, Solo and various places in Jakarta.
I can only say: Amazing people. People full of enthusiasm and commitment to share their understanding of autism and to help autistic children and their surrounding create a better future.
Thank you, Gayatri and DY, for allowing me to participate and for such a wonderful initiative. Thank you, MPATI pioneers, for your enthusiasm and patience.
Thank you, Mbak Lita of Maverick, for willing to help without any single hesitation. I cannot imagine doing this without your help.
I want to share the presentation of the training here. Unfortunately, it is still in Indonesian. Let me know if you are really interested and want to have the English version.
For more info, contact Ms. Tini or Ms. Reni at the MPATI Secretariat at
Jl Warung Buncit Raya 99, Wisma Yaqif, Jakarta Selatan. Tel +62 (21) 799 1508, hp +62 (813) 8074 1898 or e-mail yayasan_mpati@yahoo.com.
Happy birthday, Mom
[Bahasa Indonesia]
The only words I can think of are "thank you."
Thank you for, literally, everything.
I can dedicate my life to you as a payback, but it would still be nothing compared with all the things you have done for us.
How about a song for today? I think this one fits well.
Don't Forget To Remember Me
By Carrie Underwood
18 years have come and gone
For momma they flew by
But for me they drug on and on
We were loading up that Chevy
Both trying not to cry
Momma kept on talking
Putting off good-bye
Then she took my hand and said
'Baby don't forget
Before you hit the highway
You better stop for gas
There's a 50 in the ashtray
In case you run short on cash
Here's a map and here's a Bible
If you ever lose your way
Just one more thing before you leave
Don't forget to remember me'
This downtown apartment sure makes me miss home
And those bills there on the counter
Keep telling me I'm on my own
And just like every Sunday I called momma up last night
And even when it's not, I tell her everything's alright
Before we hung up I said
'Hey momma, don't forget to tell my baby sister I'll see her in the fall
And tell mee-ma that I miss her
Yeah, I should give her a call
And make sure you tell Daddy that I'm still his little girl
Yeah, I still feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be
Don't forget to remember me
Tonight I find myself kneeling by the bed to pray
I haven't done this in a while
So I don't know what to say but
'Lord I feel so small sometimes in this big ol' place
Yeah, I know there are more important things,
But don't forget to remember me
But don't forget to remember me
I will never forget. Promise.
How to Find Leaders
A simple copy and paste from the toastmaster website.
Want to find leaders for your organization?
John Maxwell, Ph.D., is an expert on leadership and author of more than 30 books on that topic. In his monthly e-newsletter, Leadership Wired, he answers the question, “How can I be sure to hire the right person?”
To accomplish anything of significance, you must have the right people by your side. Finding a great hire often goes hand in hand with identifying potential leaders. Maxwell credits his friend Fred Smith with helping him arrive at these 11 questions to ask when looking for a leader:
* Does the person question existing systems and push for improvements?
* Do they offer practical ideas?
* When they speak, who listens?
* Do others respect them?
* Can they create or catch a vision?
* Do they show a willingness to take responsibility?
* Do they finish the job?
* Are they emotionally strong?
* Do they possess strong people skills?
* Will they lead others with a servant’s heart?
* Can they make things happen?
Good one.
Lesson learned from the funeral
[Bahasa Indonesia]
Last night I went to friend’s family funeral.
I was amazed by the condolence flowers his family has received and the number of people attending the funeral. I did not realize that his family was that popular and part of that ‘it’ society.
My respect grew tremendously for him last night. Not because I now I realize how well off his family is. But because how grounded he is despite of his family status.
It takes a lot of maturity, self confidence, and awareness to be as humble as he is. I am honoured to be his friend.
Thank you for the lessons learned. Peace and love for your family always.
Job: Homepage and News Country Editor for MSN
Homepage and News Country Editor (3x)
Reports to the Executive Producer
We're looking for someone who is passionate about their local audience, can pick out and follow a good story, and can meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
An MSN Homepage and News Country Editor will have the following responsibilities:
- Editorial Management. Identify the best stories to feature on the most highly-trafficked areas of the MSN Network; primarily on the homepage but also within Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. Ensure this content is timely, accurate and locally relevant. They must be passionate about local, regional and global news and current affairs;
- Content updating and integration. Aside from the above, other Editorial areas need to be updated and kept fresh & relevant in order to engage the audience. Other duties help to ensure our pages are easily crawled by search engines. Duties can include updating news polls, maintaining a professional blog, updating search metadata, picking out and publishing editorial search highlights, selecting and publishing News Special Reports, and updating cross network assets;
- Establish, protect and put forth the Editorial Voice. The MSN Editorial Voice is to inform and also be provocative. It is important everything that we do editorially on the homepage and News channel is aligned with that Voice. We do not cover stories normally; we find a different way to approach a story that is captivating to our users. As we relaunch new media channels for MSN it is important that the editorial team can take this Voice and implement and extend this across many categories.
- Analysis & continual improvement. Part of our philosophy is to analyse the data we receive to continuously improve our message to our audience. We take advantage of the near-time nature of our medium so we are constantly reviewing how our editorial content performs so we don’t repeat mistakes, we can learn more about our users, and so we can build on the success of our “big-clicking” content.A Homepage and News Country Editor will scan the web for news that is relevant for their users with the objective of attempting to find content that will keep users on our homepage and channels as long as possible.
We are looking for three News & Homepage Country Editors. One editor each will be assigned to Singapore and Malaysia individually. The remaining editor will cover both Indonesia and the Philippines. All will be initially based in Singapore but should be very familiar with their respective markets.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree ideally in Journalism;
- Fluent in English and Bahasa
- 2-3 years editorial web experience in a large portal or media web site where display advertising is the main source of revenue;
- Passion for the Web, digital content, and customers;
- Strong communications skills;
- Comfortable with working with numbers, analytics & measurement;
- Self-directed with excellent organizational skills;
- Knowledge of and interest in local, regional and global news and current affairs;
- A true multi-tasker;
- Ability to set and maintain deadlines;
- Must possess excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
- Understanding of Web development technologies (i.e. HTML, XML, AJAX, JavaScript, …) is an advantage;
- Comfortable with image editing tools such as Photoshop
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with 3rd party content providers;
- Strong work ethic and a high level of professionalism;
- Creativity, intelligence, and integrity;
Interested? Email me at general.online@mac.com.
The Anahata Villa and Spa Resort
[Bahasa Indonesia]
I went to Ubud last weekend for the healing power of ikhlas program, co-managed by True Nature Healing and Kata Hati Institute.
I want to tell you more about the program but I am waiting for the handout to be distributed by e-mail. I want to be as exact as I should be. So for the time being, I will share with you the beautiful place that I stayed in: Anahata Villa & Spa Resort.
This is the first paragraph the resort uses to describe itself.
“Nestled in the lush landscape of the Petanu River bank, Anahata is a world class Bali hotel villa. Surrounded by verdant tropical forest and restful waters, visitors to these Bali vacation villas experience the tranquility of a pristine environment with all the amenities of luxurious living.”
You can read more about the resort on its website. But I want to tell you something that is not written in the website or the brochure.
The name. According to the ever-dependable Wikipedia, the Anahata chakra is physically positioned at the heart region. Anahata is associated with the ability to make decisions outside of the realm of karma.
In Anahata, one is making decisions, 'following your heart', based upon one's higher self, and not from the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature.
The wish-fulfilling tree, kalpa taru, resides here, symbolising the ability to manifest whatever you wish to happen in the world.
It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others, and forms of psychic healing.
Wow what a great choice of name.
The people. I had the pleasure to meet Onie Djatmiko, the owner of Anahata resorts. She—and all her staff, and I do mean all—are so into servicing the guests. And if you know me in person, you know this is a huge compliment.
Can I have hair dryer? Certainly. How do you make this soup? Oh we do this and that. Would you like the recipe?
I left my empty bottle of mineral water on the bar table because I wanted to go the toilet nearby. When I returned, the bottle was already filled in with fresh water. 
“Your shuttle to the airport would not leave for another hour. Why don’t you have another cup of tea? On the house.” Enough said.
The river. Oh the river. The resort sits by the junction of two clean clear fresh rivers. The Balinese believes such junction to be a pure and powerful place, an abundance of energy. You have to be there, really be there, to believe it.
My favorite place, the river bank. Early in the morning (or all day, I don’t care). Alone (or with somebody else, does not matter).
Onie, you have one great place. Thank you for sharing.
Pics courtesy of the Anahata resorts.
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