Wisdom-to-share

Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice. Ayn Rand One dinner time, I listened to my husband story. He told me about our friend who has an economic problem. His friend thought he has no ability to work hard because of many reasons; such as it was hard for him to make decision in his life. The problem is we know him very well and we were sad to see that he struggled in his life. We talked about any possibilities to help him but I couldn’t find one. In my opinion we can not help people whom he or she never realizes that he or she has an ability to work in his or her life. We all know that our friend is a very talented person. He didn’t trust himself that he has those wonderful talents to make a living. We involved into a long discussion. I spontaneously said,” He doesn’t want to take his responsibility in his life. I enjoy working everyday” My husband didn’t agree with me, he said,” Only for you enjoy wor...

The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them. Ernest Hemingway One day, my husband and I went to meet his good friend. They were college friends when they studied abroad. We talked about random things until we ended up talking about our children’s education. We have children in the same age. We were ready to send our first daughter to go abroad for her education during that time. Our friend said that he worried to send his children to study abroad because of the culture differences and other life style issues. I am a simple person. In my opinion if we as parents already teach our children the value of our culture, the value of our family, the rest of that we just need to trust the children. My husband asked me many times about how much I trust my children to go abroad and to live by themselves. I said I have done my part and the rest of the part will be in the children’s hand. It depends on their decision and their choice of life. We can not do anything or w...

Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more. Tony Robbins I used to keep in touch with my old friends, one day I was online on Yahoo messenger and I found one of my friends also online. I started to type “Hi” and then we had a long chatting line after that. Even we live in the same city Jakarta; we haven’t met for such a long time. My friend told me that she was busy because that was a final exam at her children’s school. She was busy to help her children to memorize and to study all subjects from Math, Science and Social studies. She found out that I never helped my children to memorize before the exam. The big question was how I did that. The answer that I have in my life, I never taught my children or helped them to study. I just taught them “Life is responsibility and consequence” Their responsibilities in life, they need to do their best in everything, bring the best out of themselves, they have to us...

It was Tuesday morning, when I woke up and my brain was filled with my Develop your leadership seminar which I would conduct on that day. I saw my inbox, there was an email from someone whom I didn’t recognize the name. I saw the title of the email I even couldn’t guess who the sender was. I read the email and it was written in Malay language. I couldn’t understand clearly the meaning but I really could guest that the person said “I forgot how I suddenly visit your blogs. Continue following the articles one by one, I found the articles have good meaning. Even though there were only short stories but the moral of the story could be quoted. In this opportunity I greeted you and thank you for your writings. …. (He gave comments for some of my articles … I knew that he read all my articles) Wishing LK will always be in a good health and continuously was given the strength to write- my sincerely prayer … “The closing is Kuantan – Malaysia. I was surprised to read that email. Someone whom...

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything. -Anon. Two years ago, I met Mr. Peter Chia. The first time I talked with him, I was amazed with his eagerness to study and his great spirit to do good things for others. It built the great connection between us. The more I know Mr. Peter Chia I can see his vision and mission clearly in my mind. He built 10 schools for poor people in Indonesia. He is not Indonesian, but he cares… he spreads his love among Indonesian people. He shared with me, his dream to see people can say three powerful words “I love you” He believes that three words have a power to change people’s attitude to be more positive. I believe the same thing. By saying “I love you” we help the person to see that “He/ she deserves to be loved, he/ she is special, and he / she has a great thing to be proud of” Why we need to say “I love you” because people need acceptance, Love is acceptance … when there...

It was Sunday morning; we jumped into the car early in the morning. Rushing to Jakarta International School in South Jakarta, my husband started to worry that we would be late for the 5 K Race. I was worried as well. I asked my daughter many times, “Are you okay? Are you ready for the race? I think you didn’t have enough sleep last night. Please don’t force yourself to win the race”. Devina my lovely daughter replied, “Don’t worry mom. I am fine” As parents my husband and I tried our best to be her coach on that day. Actually we just showed our concern to her health and our worries. We made to come on time at Jakarta International School and Devina was ready at the start line. My husband with his camera was always ready to take any pictures of Devina. I was there in the start line to give support for Devina. I reminded her again not to force herself. And then the race started, many people in difference range of ages started to run. I couldn’t see Devina anymore. I started to wait ne...

I was looking for some documents while I found a blue envelope and there is a white card inside. I didn’t remember when I got that card. I tried to recall my memories back…It worked so slowly like an old computer. I think my brain is a little bit rusty now. I took the card and started to read: For my wife … You’re everything to me Dearest Lina When I look at you I see a wife Who’s everything a man dreams of… Thoughtful, loving and fun I see a mother Who gives so much of herself, Who knows how to make A child feel special But, most of all, I see the woman I love… The one who’s made My life happier Than I ever thought possible Happy birthday March 1995 Signed by my husband It was 15 years ago… I read that card again and again. My husband is a person who rare to show his feeling, but he always has some card that represent his feeling clearly. Reading that card brought a smile in my face. Yes indeed I am a funny person; I love to laugh out loud. I love to serve my family and take care o...

It was Tuesday, my lovely meeting day in public speaking club. Once again my friend Vine led the table topic question. The theme of the meeting on that day related to education. Vine brought the question which I thought it was a simple question but really deep in meaning. The question is “If you have only one chance to send your children to school which one you will choose between your son and your daughter” I have two lovely daughters and I promise them that I will do my best to support them in their education. That question didn’t really relate in my case. However the question reminded me of my husband statement, one day he returned home early and he had dinner with me, he told me that he had a discussion with his friends during lunch time. His friends gave comment why we need to send our daughter to study abroad, it is not worthy at all, it costs a lot of money and at the end usually women become a mother and stay home. Oh my goodness, I think where they have been in this emancipati...

It was Monday July 12, 2010 early in the morning, my family and I was already in the car. We had to come to scholarship awards in my husband’s office. One of my daughters won the dependent scholarship awards and we are very proud of her. We reached the office very early and we had to wait even longer than the invitation. In a very nice room, we saw many parents with their daughters and sons. Most of them already knew each other so they blended together. My daughters and I just sat and started to chat about random things. I always cherished every moment I have with my children. Finally after waiting almost 2 hours, there was an announcement the event would begin soon. No comment for the organizer for being late… this is Indonesia with a famous rubber watch. They started the Scholarship awards as usual with speeches. A speech from scholarship recipient was touched my heart. In his speech, he pointed out that he looked for scholarship because he wanted to see his mother’s smile; he want...

It is totally hard for me when one of my best friends said to me,”Lina you have a potential to be a bad person with all you have, you have confidence, you are a risk taker, and you are brave…” I was shocked to hear that. What is wrong to have a great confidence? What is wrong if I am brave enough to take a risk? Then the next question was, “Do you think you can be like someone like that?” I couldn’t answer it spontaneously. I answered that question,” I don’t think so; I had a father who raise me with a great value of life and he taught me well. And I have a wonderful mom who kept that value in me” My father came from a poor family; he had no chance to go to school. My mom just graduated from elementary school. For my parent the entire world is their classroom. They learned from their experiences, from no one to become someone. From mistakes to mistakes they built their character, their value of life, their world of wisdom. They made mistakes many times in their life but they kept them...

I was about to take a shower when my phone rang twice. I thought if that was an important call, it would ring again. Oops… it rang again and when I picked it up. I heard a familiar voice. He said, “Hi Miss… are you busy? Can we talk?” I replied,” Not really, but I need to take a shower first” He said,” Okay Miss. I will call you again in a few minutes” The caller was my student; he is a very nice boy and very good student. I didn’t talk a lot with him in the class room, but we chatted online sometimes to discuss about Accounting or just sharing about life. My mind kept wondering what actually I would need to discuss with him. My wondering time was over when the phone rang again. He was my student for one semester in one of the college which I taught before. I know him for only a short time, but we spent time to discuss about life sometimes. This time he called me just to share about his opinion about life. We talked about how people usually saw their problem, their life and their succ...

I read again the pink lovely card in front of me which I got it a year ago on the same date as today. The cover: Happy birthday Mother Each time I think of you I remember your acceptance, your patience, your love. Inside the card: Each time I think of you I remember How grateful I am That you’re my mother Those words are printed nicely from the card maker. I believe many mothers already received that similar card. I have something totally make that card so special for me. There were two difference handwritings inside the card and it wrote: Weehee mommy! Happy birthday Yes Mommy, you are getting old! But it’s okay because I still love you! And 2 love you even more each day! Remember mommy that you have been a terrifically awesomely amazingly unquestionably fabulous mom!! I love you even if you do not give me cookies! Ahahahaha …. There was another hand writing in the other side of the card “Things that keep you so close to our heart, you are our one and only loving mom, mostly though ...

It was Tuesday; I used to come to Plaza Senayan for public speaking meeting there. Part of the public speaking is a table topic session. My friend Vina Tan leaded the session and she asked many questions which one of her question was “Never… never give up” I was about to answer that but I already had a role as General Evaluator, so it was better to give the chance to others. Anyway my mind kept thinking about the question and I really want to write the answer here in my blogs. Never… never give up! I like that statement a lot. Once in my life I was about to give up my project for Advance communicator Bronze in Toastmaster International. I thought I picked a wrong manual. I couldn’t find any idea to write about the project and I didn’t know how to finish the manual. I was about to change my manual with another manual. I looked back and fort the manual and I thought over and over again. Actually it was simple thing to decide, I could change the manual without any problem but something b...

“Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more.” ~ Bob Talbert Sepuluh tahun lalu, seminggu sekali saya pergi berbelanja ke pasar swalayan di dekat rumah. Suatu kali saya melihat seorang anak berusia kira-kira sebelas tahun. Anak itu tampak mempunyai karakter yang baik dan berpakaian rapi. Dia tersenyum dan menghampiri saya yang agak kerepotan membawa barang belanjaan saya. “Bu, boleh saya bantu?” dengan tersenyum anak laki-laki itu menawarkan jasa kepada saya. Saya bertanya, “Siapa nama kamu?” Sigap dia menjawab, “Udin, Bu.” Sejak perkenalan saya dengan Udin, dia selalu ada untuk membantu saya membawa barang belanjaan saya. Walaupun hanya bertemu seminggu sekali, saya cukup sering berbincang dengan Udin. Saya suka bertanya uang yang dia terima dengan menawarkan jasa akan dibelikan apa dan bagaimana pelajaran di sekolah. Rasanya saya cukup mengenal anak itu. Saat itu bulan Mei 1998, terjadi kerusuhan di mana-mana. Beberapa hari saya tidak berani keluar rumahkarena begitu menceka...