A pinch of Katy Perry

A pinch of Katy Perry by itnarimuya featuring a cloche hat

Laid back summer

Laid back summer by itnarimuya featuring a lip gloss

Heartbreak is hard to heal

Heartbreak is hard to heal by itnarimuya featuring a brimmed hat

Inspiration from Sonia Choquette's "The Answer is Simple"

'Share your gift to the world’, a phrase that resonates in my head after I watched Spiderman. I believe that when I’m exposed to such line or phrase over and over again, it’s a message addressed to me.  

Noted.

According to ‘The Answer is Simple’, a book written by Sonia Choquette, your gift does not necessarily means saving the world from hunger or join Greenpeace. It can be as simple as lending a hand to your mom to clean the house, helping your nephews on their homework, or being true to your friends instead of talking about them behind their backs. It’s the simple things that’s done wholeheartedly that touch others and leave a mark that remain for good. Here are some of the things I captured from reading the book:

We can never ever share our gift if we don’t feel whole. That’s why, always always always give thanks. That way, we will always feel complete. Even if we can't find anything to be thankful for, thank your breathing...

Begin from the beginning of the day. Before running errands and distracted by anything else...close your eyes, breathe deeply and feel the peaceful sensation and give thanks (for your wholeness, for your functioning heart, your hands, your eyes, your nose, your legs, the chance to live another day). Nothing is ever too urgent. Nothing can hurt you. Enjoy the now.  As you have grasp calmness, slip in with your daily activities, nice and easy.

Don’t fight the flow of life. Learn to listen to your intuition, even if it doesn’t make sense. For instance, you suddenly have the urge to have avocado juice this afternoon. Follow it...you’ll never know, maybe you bump into an old flame and reconnect J

At the end of the day, take out your little book of gratefulness...and note down at least 3 things you’re grateful for that day. The effect is miraculous...you’ll feel like the luckiest person on earth. Seriously.

Picture courtesty of Claire HM (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairehm/4794380000/)

I, myself, have been skipping the routine for quite a while. However, I intend to pull it together again. Why? Because acquiring peace of mind is something that values more than anything in the world. I realized that i’ve been too occupied with work and been stretched way too far from the spirituality realms that makes me feel good no matter how chaotic life can be.

Being detached from the inner pilot frustrates me, because everything is so overwhelming...it's like having nothing to grasp onto. 

I trust that the best things in life are ones we feel – physical and non-physical. And I believe, the moment we feel completely safe and comfortable in our own skin is the moment we can start sharing our gift.

The Facebook Drama

I posted a new profile picture on Facebook the other day: a manga avatar that wears a cat mask, holding a popcorn bucket, as if watching a movie screening. A philosophy lies behind the post. Heck...everyone wears a mask, especially in Facebook. I’m 100% sure that I’m not the only one who un-tags an ugly looking picture tagged by a friend, right?

I think Facebook is all about creating an image. Like I said before, X on Facebook (and other social media network) and X in real life is most likely different from one another. So, there...I’m putting on my mask and post my happy-go-lucky holiday pics. Little do others know that I was a bit uptight during the holiday because I was afraid I’d be short of cash, got into a small clash with my bestie and was overwhelmed from getting lost on a bus trip. Oh well...a big smile was all it took to make it on Facebook. Haha...  

I noticed that Facebookers on my timeline regularly post pictures of their holiday or the time when they visit a new resto or such and such. I used to think that the gesture is a show off, it’s like saying: “Hey, my life’s better than yours. My days are filled with fun and parties, yours isn’t *stick out tongue*!” And, yes, I’ve had my jealous moments. Not to be a downer, I reminded myself that whatever people share on Facebook, it’s simply a tiny part of them. Surely, they don’t share their stressful moments at work, bad hair days, awful mom-in-laws or when dealing a difficult child. Heck, if they do, I would click ‘unsubscribe’ instantly.  

Then, it hit me...’twas an ‘aha’ moment. Why should I even bother to be jealous? It’s what Facebook is all about. Indeed, it wouldn’t be much pleasant to have a friend posting negative statuses or worrying images. Facebook is a social media to share our personal “good stuff” that makes us happy & glued to the computer at the first place. If we get too attached, then it’s another story. It’s not their fault that they met the right one before we do, it’s not their fault that they can experience Europe while (at the moment) we can only experience domestic traveling....neither it’s our fault.

It’s the ‘little me’ inside that says, “You’re not making enough money, that’s why you can’t go on fancy vacation” or “You’re messed up, that’s why you can’t get a boyfriend to last longer than a semester” all the way as we browse on those pics. It’s nothing personal...it’s just the way of a social media network. Be happy for their happiness. Don’t be too hard on yourself...you are perfect as you are, here and now. And the least thing you need is envious stares and other Facebookers approval to be grateful of your perfection.

Cheers!  

Jakarta's Governor Election 2012

Today (11/7) is the Jakarta’s Governor Election Day. Since my house is mapped as non-Jakarta, I’m not entitled to make a vote. Today’s election result, however, may give an impact on the politics and development of the area I’m living in. The event has successfully raised names (even unfamiliar ones who suddenly pop up  without a trace of capable track record whatsoever) and stirred arguments in social networks.

Rumour has it that the strongest candidate is the same person who governed the capital city in the last 5 years. Each of the candidates make their promises for a better Jakarta; all of which are too good to be true. I’ve been living all my life in Jakarta, and I swear the best period of government was when Soeharto ruled the country – sure, he’s had his flaws...but what the difference now? Politicians, Chinese mob, hipocrisy...same old, same old; even worse.    

I can’t lie, I’m pessimistic about the whole “election”. Let’s say that the so called clean-independent-candidates reach victory. I still don’t think that they’re strong enough to fight the mainstream politics...merrily polluted with corruption, collution and nepotism. We’re effed up.

Living in Jakarta is a hassle. It really is. The flood, sanitation problems, poor  transport, sprouting malls that literally eat up green spaces for water reservoirs. It’s sad, really. Knowing that each time I get out of the house, I’ll have to face traffic jams and possibility of either bag-snatchers, sexual harassments or pukes on buses. Huhu..

Of course, there are brighter sides of the Big Durian. Being the capital city of Indonesia, there’s nothing we can’t find in this city. Even Malaysians and Durians love to explore Mangga Dua, Asemka and Tanah Abang for affordable nifty clothes as well as quirky knick-knacks. And Indonesian food, they’re like no other. It’s the absolute homesick-factor for all Indonesians abroad. Vast and crowded, there’s everything for everyone.

It’s funny how the irony of love and hate for Jakarta orchestrate in my mind. To be frank, I dont give a sh*t on whoever wins. However, deep down I still that romantic hope that he who wins will actually make Jakarta a better place.  Luscious green parks, well-maintained public transports, condusive pedestrian walks and clean police officers, please? No matter how long it takes and how many more revolutions ahead, I hope I’d still be alive to enjoy it with my children (and grandchildren). Amen.

open for options

We all have our ‘highs’ and ‘lows’. It’s part of being human. Wise men said that the only constant thing about life: change. And I believe it’s true. I’ve read about it, seen it happened, and experienced it myself. One minute, we feel like our world’s fumbling down, the next minute we’re happily laughing all and about it.

Give thanks anyway…for the good stuff: the promotion, the fun vacation, the delightful delicacies; and the not so good stuff: the rejection, the heartbreak, the arguments. The not so good stuff may be a bit harder to swallow, but once we make peace with them and move on, the reward is priceless. It’s like stepping to another level of consciousness. Anyway, what is life all about but keeping our souls intact to God over our humanly-fears?

 

We must’ve had at least one ugly experience that’s glued so hard, it’s hard to be removed from our belief system. And it almost feels wrong that to not think the way we think, because we’ve been too attached to it. For instance, all our lives, we think of men as cheaters. Perhaps, we’ve experienced a few in our surroundings with similar characteristics. We get too occupied with that particular idea that it blocks our view that there is actually a larger picture in life.

It’s funny, really…‘cause I just figured an analogy for such concept through an experience of purchasing ‘hair-vitamins’. It all began when I got the chance to test a branded hair product made of Pracaxi, Argan & Maize oil – all of which are exotic oils extracted from many places throughout the world which work magically in transforming dull hair to magnificence. Also, it’s multi-functioned; can be used before (or after) blow-dry and before (or after) washing the hair. It smells so delish I want to give my hair a big wet French kiss :p Anyway, I fell in love with it and hoping to be able to purchase it one day. My hair is quite dry due to regular use of straightening iron and I feel that it’s necessary to have one of those to make my hair healthier and shinier. But the fact that the price is quite expensive hesitated me. Two days ago, however, as I was strolling down the alley of hair products in the supermarket, I saw small jelly-capsules labeled “Hair Vitamin”. It’s quite ‘down-to-earth’ compared to the exclusive oils I had in mind earlier, but I decided to give it a try. So yesterday, after washing my hair, I applied the capsule-contained oil on my hair thoroughly before using straightening iron. To my surprise, it smells great and give the shine and softness to my hair until now. Wow…I was really happy to know that opening up for more options can really boost my spirit.

 

I realize that I am sometimes rigid to options. Sometimes I'd say, "Fine, whatever" when my opinion is actually the other way around, but too lazy to argue. And when this ignorance-drama  I've been pulling seem to get me annoyed, I usually fume! And my friends and family would  react "WTH?"  Well, that's another story. In this case, apparently having an alternative apart from ‘what I had in mind’ can be fun. I’m not saying that we should settle for less than the best, but opening up and be lenient for other stuffs (that we’ve been resenting since we’re overly absorbed with a single item) can make life more exciting, too -  which includes grabbing the option to stay calm and take it easy when our desires aren't met. the way we want them to be. Why not make the best of our journey by taking a little bit of everything along the way?