"Don't Think. Just Do."

"Jangan pikir, Lakukan saja" Itu yang dikatakan Maverick kepada anak angkatnya Rooster pada saat mereka menjalankan misi penyerangan khusus, dalam film Top Gun (2022).

Terkadang kita ragu untuk bisa melakukan sesuatu yang sebenarnya sudah terlatih untuk itu - seperti tokoh Rooster.

Namun karena kelihatannya sulit, tidak berpengalaman, kita tidak percaya diri untuk melakukannya.

Yang pada akhirnya membawa kita tidak melakukan apa-apa. Dikarenakan tidak melakukan apa-apa, tentu kita juga tidak akan menghasilkan apa-apa.

Lebih baik kita lakukan, walaupun gagal, kita mendapatkan pengalaman, dan masukan - sehingga kita bisa memperbaiki diri untuk menjadi lebih baik di masa yang akan datang.

"Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway". - Susan Jeffers, Phd.

Intermezzo menjelang akhir pekan: Tahukah Anda?

Sudah hampir seminggu Senzhou-14 diluncurkan untuk Proyek stasiun ruang angkasa "Tian gong" (yang artinya: Istana Langit).

Sejak tahun 1999 Senzhou-1 diluncurkan, Negara Tirai bambu ini menamakan awak kapal ruang angkasa ini dengan nama "Taikonaut".

Lalu apa perbedaan "Astronaut", "Cosmonaut", dan "Taikonaut"? bingung?

Itu semua adalah istilah untuk awak kapal ruang angkasa, hanya beda negara, beda penyebutannya.

Astronaut sebutan oleh Bangsa Amerika, asal kata "Astronomy" - Ilmu perbintangan dan "Nautes" - Pelayar.

Cosmonaut sebutan oleh Bangsa Rusia, asal kata "Cosmos" - Alam semesta dan Nautes.

Taikonot sebutan oleh Bangsa Cina, asal kata "Tai kong" - Angkasa Luar dan Nautes.

Ini adalah tiga negara di dunia yang pernah menaklukan penjelajahan Ruang Angkasa Luar, dan yang terakhir masih aktif dengan proyek besar membangun stasiun ruang angkasa "Tian gong" - yang diproyeksikan akan selesai di tahun 2023.

Mengapa Cina sangat berambisi untuk membangun Stasiun Ruang Angkasa ini. Hal ini disebabkan karena persekutuan negara-negara barat tidak mengizinkan Cina untuk ikut dalam Aliansi Penjelajahan Ruang Angkasa.

Peristiwa yang mirip juga pernah terjadi ketika Presiden Amerika Donald Trump, memblokir Huawei - Perusahaan tersebut malah berhasil meluncurkan teknologi 5G untuk pertama kali.

Suatu semangat yang perlu dicontoh - Semakin dibully semakin menjadi. Bagaimana dengan kita?

Ketahanan dan Kekuatan Berpengharapan.

Dalam suatu seri eksperimen yang di lakukan oleh Dr Curt Richter pada tahun 1950-an.

Walau eksperimen ini kontroversial, karena dianggap melakukan kekejian terhadap hewan, namun eksperimen ini memberikan temuan yang luar biasa.

Yaitu pelajaran yang berharga tentang harapan.

Beberapa tikus liar ditempatkan dalam toples berisi air dan dibiarkan berenang sampai tikus itu menyerah.

Peneliti mencatat waktu rata-rata tikus tenggelam dan mati dalam waktu 15-20 menit.

Dalam eksperimen selanjutnya, tikus-tikus dimasukan ke dalam toples berisi air dan dibiarkan berenang.

Namun kali ini, tepat sebelum waktu rata-rata mereka menyerah dan kelelahan, peneliti mengangkat dan mengeringkan tikus tersebut dan membiarkannya beristirahat beberapa saat.

Kemudian tikus tersebut dimasukan kembali ke dalam toples untuk putaran kedua.

Coba tebak berapa lama kali ini tikus bertahan berenang dalam toples tersebut?

15 menit seperti sebelumnya? 30 menit? 1 jam? 5 jam?

Yang mengejutkan tikus-tikus tersebut rata-rata mampu bertahan berenang 40 hingga 60 jam.

Mengapa di putaran kedua ini, tikus tersebut mampu bertahan lebih lama.

Perbedaan mendasarnya ialah, bahwa tikus pertama lebih cepat menyerah karena sadar tidak ada jalan keluar, sementara tikus kedua diselamatkan sebelum mereka menyerah.

Hal ini membuat tikus tersebut berenang hingga batas kemampuan terakhirnya, karena adanya sebuah harapan. Tikus percaya mereka pada akhirnya akan diselamatkan. Memaksa tubuh mereka melewati batas yang sebelumnya dianggap sebagai hal yang mustahil.

Para peneliti sampai pada kesimpulan bahwa kematian lebih bersifat psikis daripada fisik. Mereka menyerah secara mental walau fisik masih memungkinkan.

Mental adalah pondasi dasar setiap manusia dalam mencapai tujuan.

Harapan dan keyakinan adalah bahan bakar seseorang untuk terus optimis dan terus berusaha.

Jadi apakah Anda masih memiliki Harapan dan Keyakinan? Di mana Anda meletakkan harapan dan keyakinan Anda?

Wow Memalukan?

Setiap menjelang 17 Agustus, sekolah kami menyeleksi personel untuk Paskibra, selain itu juga Paduan Suara untuk Upacara di tingkat Kabupaten.

Ketika itu saya kelas 1 SMP, dengan postur kurus dan tidak tinggi sudah pasti saya bukan kandidat untuk Paskibra.

Jadi murid-murid selain yang terpilih Paskibra, ikut seleksi untuk Paduan Suara. Tiba lah giliran saya untuk ditest.

Saya menyanyikan sepenggal Lagu Nasional, yang berjudul "Dari Sabang sampai Merauke".

Setelah selesai, beberapa waktu kemudian Guru yang bersangkutan mengumumkan siapa yang terpilih ikut dalam Paduan Suara tersebut, yang akan bergabung dengan Sekolah lain.

Dan ternyata semua teman dekat saya terpilih, kecuali saya. Ini bukan nyanyi Solo, tapi Paduan suara loh. Itu juga berarti saya tidak akan ikut upacara di kantor Bupati.

Ada rasa sedih, koq saya tidak terpilih, seburuk itu kah? Saya diam untuk beberapa hari, tidak cerita apapun di rumah.

Saya tahu saya punya kelemahan, namun dalam benak, saya selalu ingin mendapatkan Pengakuan. Dengan postur yang kecil, olah raga juga bukan keahlian saya.

Dalam bidang akademis, saya juga bukan seorang Jenius, tapi jika saya memberi waktu dan usaha belajar, saya yakin saya bisa. Itu lah awal saya belajar untuk 'Move forward' - fokus pada hal yang bisa saya lakukan, dari pada terus meratap pada kelemahan.

"Focus on your strengths, Not your weaknesses.
Focus on your character, Not your reputation.
Focus on your blessings, Not your misfortunes."
- Roy T. Bennet, The Light in the Heart.

Way to be Happy?

Memiliki sifat "Perfeksionis" dulu sering kali membuat saya cenderung sulit untuk memutuskan beberapa hal dalam kehidupan.

Sebagian itu juga karena takut membuat kesalahan. Padahal membuat kesalahan itu biasa, merupakan bagian dari suatu pembelajaran.

Untuk mengatasinya, saya diajarkan Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy (CBT) dalam sebuah konseling.

Metode ini mengajarkan pemikiran logika dapat digunakan untuk mengidentifikasi dan membuang keyakinan palsu yang mengarah pada emosi destruktif.

Emosi destruktif ini dalam jangka waktu yang lama, jika tidak terurai bisa memberikan kontribusi pada gangguan kecemasan dan depresi.

Contohnya: Seseorang memutuskan untuk pindah kerja, lamar kerja, dan akhirnya mendapatkan kerjaan baru.

Sebelum pekerjaan baru itu dimulai, timbul pemikiran seperti:
- Bagaimana jika tidak bisa mengerjakan tugas di tempat yang baru?
- Bagaimana jika atasan kurang bersahabat?
- Bagaimana jika tidak bisa beradaptasi dengan lingkungan baru?

Daftar pertanyaan tersebut bisa terus bertambah, sehingga bisa membuat orang tersebut cemas.

Untuk mengatasinya, menggantikan pertanyaan dengan solusi:
- Jika tidak bisa mengerjakan tugas, maka masih ada waktu tiga bulan masa percobaan untuk belajar.
- Atasan yang kurang bersahabat mungkin karena tugas tidak diselesaikan sesuai standar. Kalau bekerja sesuai standar, Atasan pasti senang.
- Beradaptasi, memiliki waktu tiga bulan untuk mengenal kolega-kolega, membangun relasi melalui makan siang bersama.

Konon Aspek Fundamental tertentu dari CBT teridentifikasi berasal dari Tradisi Filosofi Kuno, khususnya Stoisisme.

Terdapat satu buku Berbahasa Indonesia yang menjelaskan Stoisisme dengan gamblang dan ringan berjudul "Filosofi Teras" - karya Henry Manampiring, penerbit Gramedia.

Buku ini sangat direkomendasikan, jika teman-teman ingin belajar mengendalikan Emosi destruktif - sehingga hidup lebih BAHAGIA.

"You can't always be perfect".

Itu adalah teguran dari seorang counselor kepada saya dalam sebuah konseling.

Sebagai seorang peserta penerima Beasiswa S2 waktu itu, kami diberikan privilege untuk konseling.

Konseling tersebut untuk membantu kami bisa menetap di Sydney dan beradaptasi di perkuliahan dengan baik.

Dua bulan setelah perkuliahan, saya mendapatkan jadwal konseling. Dikarenakan saya merasa kesulitan dengan satu mata kuliah wajib di Faculty Economics & Commerce, yakni Accounting saya langsung curhat.

"What score did you get in the Mid Semester?" - tanya si counselor. "I got 75 for the subject" - jawab saya.

Ibu counselor hanya tersenyum dan berkata, "That's a very good score, what did you expect?".

Sebagai seorang perfeksionis saya punya standar atas nilai yang harus saya capai.

Namun saya lupa, dengan background pendidikan S1 - Sistem Informasi, tentu saja Accounting adalah hal baru buat saya.

Jawaban selanjutnya dari Ibu Counselor, "Definitely you don't have any problems with your academic. You can't always be perfect, you just need to make progress".

Bertarget untuk mencapai suatu kesempurnaan itu baik, tetapi jangan sampai itu membuat kita tidak bisa menerima kesalahan ataupun menghindari pembelajaran.

Hal tersebut juga kadang bisa mendatangkan stress, karena tidak bisa menerima kelemahan diri kita sendiri.

Memang tidak mudah bagi saya untuk merubah mindset, belajar untuk menerima ketidaksempurnaan, menerima bahwa tidak ada kata gagal, yang ada hanyalah pembelajaran - artinya saya harus coba sekali lagi.

You try, you fail.
You try, you fail.
The real failure is when you stop trying!

PS: In the light of May - Mental Awareness Month.

Kegunaan Hewan Peliharaan.

Hewan peliharaan bisa sangat membantu mengurangi Tingkat Stress, serta meningkatkan Hormon Oxytocin.

Hormon ini juga dikenal dengan Hormon Cinta, sehingga kita punya perasaan cinta, kasih sayang, emosi yang baik, dan keterikatan antar manusia.

Berikut beberapa cara hewan peliharaan membantu kesehatan mental Anda:

1. Hewan peliharaan dapat membantu meningkatkan produktivitas, di mana pun Anda bekerja. Ketika seekor anjing bergabung dalam pertemuan virtual, anggota kelompok memberi peringkat yang lebih tinggi kepada rekan satu timnya dalam hal kepercayaan, kohesi tim, dan persahabatan.

2. Hewan peliharaan membantu mengelola kecemasan. Sekarang lebih dari sebelumnya, banyak orang merasa cemas atau berjuang dengan kesehatan mental. Hewan peliharaan memberikan persahabatan dan dukungan.

3. Hewan peliharaan dapat membantu Anda menjadi lebih aktif. Mereka memberi Anda alasan untuk keluar, mencari udara segar dan aktif, yang terbukti meningkatkan mood, tidur, dan kesehatan mental Anda.

4. Hewan peliharaan memberikan rasa kebersamaan. Ikatan dengan hewan peliharaan membantu Anda untuk tidak merasa sendirian. Ketika pemilik melihat, menyentuh, mendengar, atau berbicara dengan hewan pendamping mereka, itu membawa rasa niat baik, kegembiraan, pengasuhan, dan kebahagiaan.

Source: www.heart.org

PS: saya yang tidak pernah suka dengan hewan peliharaan, sekarang jadi suka anjing.

Berhenti Sejenak dan Nikmati.

Empat atau lima kali seminggu saya melewati jalan ini pada waktu mau ke Gym. Setiap kali lewat ya biasa aja.

Namun hari ini saya memutuskan untuk berjalan lebih pelan, mecoba melihat ke sekelilingnya.

Saya tidak menyangka, ternyata banyak hal-hal yang indah di sepanjang perjalanan, hanya saya tidak pernah mengambil waktu untuk menolehnya.

Terkadang kita berjalan terlalu buru-buru, dan terlalu cepat sehingga kita melewatkan banyak hal-hal yang baik dalam hidup kita.

Terkadang kita lupa untuk berhenti sejenak untuk menikmati hal-hal yang indah di sekitar kita. Lupa untuk beristirahat sejenak untuk mengisi energi kembali.

Menjelang Libur Lebaran saya berharap sebentar lagi Teman-teman dapat berhenti sejenak dari kesibukan rutin, berkumpul-kumpul keluarga, menikmati waktu berkualitas dan disegarkan kembali.

Where is your Ability Come from?

When you believe in your ability to achieve anything you want, that idea is not only embedded in your subconscious, but also strengthens your belief.

When you believe in your own abilities, part of what you believe is the possibility of you drawing on the power of unlimited intelligence.

And because you believe you can do it, your conscious mind won't hesitate either. When the conscious mind is not resisting, the subconscious mind may send creative ideas to the conscious mind more easily.

Then once you can see that power getting stronger in your life, the easier it will be for you to act on that belief on a day-to-day basis.

Can you do it? You won't know the answer unless you let go of your defenses and believe that you can.

The belief also comes from the One who gave us the source of life. 😊🙏

So do you believe that you can do it?

Can you do multi-task?

"Apakah kamu bisa multi-task (mengerjakan beberapa hal dalam satu waktu)?"

Ini adalah pertanyaan yang sering ditanyakan pada saat dulu saya melakukan interview kandidat Auditor atau pada saat "performance feedback" dengan team.

Istilah ini sering kali dipakai untuk menunjukan kompetensi seorang auditor. Namun, apakah secara realita multi-task itu memungkinkan untuk direalisasikan?

Pada waktu dulu kuliah ada satu mata kuliah namanya "Sistem Operasi (Operating system)" - itu mempelajari seluk beluk cara kerja Sistem Operasi Komputer, seperti DOS, Linux, Windows dan sejenisnya.

Walaupun tampaknya Komputer itu menjalankan banyak aplikasi dalam satu waktu, sebenarnya memory di dalam prosesor itu terbagi-bagi kapasitasnya untuk memproses instruksi yang diberikan.

Alhasil proses setiap aplikasi itu menjadi lama. Otak manusia itu Ibarat Super Komputer, dan memiliki cara kerja yang mirip.

Para Psikolog dan Neuroscientist melalui penelitiannya menyatakan bahwa melakukan Multi-task akan menyebabkan otak lebih cepat lelah dan sering lupa.

Alih-alih para ahli menyarankan Pola Mindfulness - fokus pada satu pekerjaan untuk satu waktu. Cepat selesaikan, lalu beralih ke pekerjaan berikutnya.

Saya mencoba hasilnya lebih memuaskan dan lebih relax. Namun, tantangan terberatnya adalah apakah kita bisa tidak terganggu atau terdisrupsi oleh hal lain seperti bunyi telepon genggam, pesan dari sosial media?

Apa pengalamanmu mengenai Multi-tasking?

Believe in Yourself!

Kemaren Sabtu seorang mantan murid sekolah kami mengirimkan pesan kepada saya.

"Ms I need your advice and Insight".

"Yes, (sebut saja namanya 'Mawar')

Mawar sudah pindah dari sekolah tempat saya melayani, ke Sekolah International dekat rumah barunya di Sentul.

"Aku lagi ngerjain suatu project sekolah, dan project itu diperkirakan berhubungan dengan Jurusan yang akan dipilih pada waktu kuliah".

"Okay, lalu apa masalahnya", jawab saya.

"Saya bingung mau kuliah apa, Ms lihat aku cocoknya jadi apa?"

"Bukannnya waktu itu kamu pernah cerita sama Ms, kamu ingin masuk Jurusan Hukum?", kata saya.

"Tapi aku merasa orang-orang yang mengambil jurusan Hukum itu pinter banget, aku merasa belum sampai ke situ, Ms".

This is my next reply:
"Sometimes it is not the Smartest who can achieve the highest career - That's the fact".
"As long as we have the strong will to learn and improve, then we can achieve the level that we want - That's what I believe".
(diam sesaat)

"So do you believe in yourself? believe that you can achieve what you want in the future?" - lanjut saya.

"Yes Ms".

"Then I believe you will get there" - Tutup saya.

"Thanks for you help, ms".

Don't be pushed by Your problems; Be led by Your Dreams. - Unknown.
(Jangan termotivasi karena permasalahan; Pimpin dirimu dengan Mimpimu).

Knowledge is Power?

This phrase was first coined by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England.

Sir Francis meant by this phrase that having and sharing of knowledge is the foundation of reputation and influence, because it all begins with knowledge.

But is it true that "Knowledge is Power"?

Since my school days I like to read, I feel that I can explore a lot of understanding and knowledge through reading.

But one time when I was in college, a problem occurred, sometimes I quickly panicked.

Then my sister said "ah it's useless, you read a lot, you just encounter this problem, you immediately want to give up. It's useless you know a lot".

Similarly when I re-started my career in the Insurance industry, I wanted to learn everything first until I feel confident, took a lot of training.

However, my leader Gui Mei rebuked, "You can't just keep learning, but you must also practice and work on it if you want the results."

Power is Power. The ability to Act from what is known is more Powerful.

Generally people only knowing, but do not have the ability to act on it.

"Faith without works is dead". - Put your knowledge into action.

Yes, Knowledge is Power, but acting on your Knowledge is Much More Powerful.

The Power of Mindset.

Many may not know who Edwin C. Barnes was, but many people must have heard of Thomas A. Edison.

When he got off the freight train in West Orange, New Jersey, Barnes might look like a bum, but he had the mindset of a King.

Despite being penniless and not acquainted with the inventor, Barnes came to Edison's Office with a passionate desire to 'cooperate', NOT 'work for' Edison.

There were two problems: He didn't know Edison, and he didn't have the money to buy a train ticket to Edison's lab in West Orange, New Jersey.

Problems like these are enough to make people generally back off from pursuing a Desire or a Dream.

Barnes did not get a partnership with Edison in the first interview. He got the opportunity to work in Edison's office for low wages.

Month after month. Although no progress brought him closer to his Dream, Barnes continued to strengthen his desire to become Edison's business partner.

It took five years before this GREAT opportunity he had been looking for appeared before his eyes.

Edison had just finished perfecting a new office equipment known as the Dictation Machine. Salespeople were unenthusiastic and unsure of how to sell this tool.

Barnes knew he could sell the Dictation Machine. He offered himself to Edison, and was given the opportunity by the Inventor.

He managed to sell the machine, and gained big Success. Then Edison gave him a contract to distribute and market the tool throughout America.

He managed to become Edison's partner and made a big profit.

Besides that he achieved something greater, He proved that the power of mindset and persistence can bring success.

"When someone is really ready for something, something will come." - (quoted from the book "Think and Grow Rich" - Napoleon Hill)

Tune in to Channel P.

In my association I sometimes feel uncomfortable with a handful of people.

If there is such a person in an event that I am attending, it can sometimes make the mood go away. Or if there is an important event, and those people are present I will try to avoid. That sometimes make me have to pass on some important meetings.

One day I had a chance to talk to a leader that I respect, he advised, "You should focus on the positive things of that person, if he can be in that position, apart from things you don't like, there must be positive points that you can learn from the respective person".

That advice made me realised, why should I focus on the negatives of these people, thus avoiding me from taking the positives out of them.

That avoidance also cost myself, no chance to participate in an important event I was supposed to attend for building my network.

"Tune in to Channel P, The good thoughts Station. Find Qualities to like and admire in a person, not things to dislike. Think Positive Thoughts towards people - and get positive results"- from the book "The Magic of thinking Big" by David Schwartz.

Start Small.

If it is mentioned "Ingvar Kamprad" - probably many do not know who this figure is. However, if it is called IKEA probably almost everyone knows it is the name of the world's leading Furniture Company, which originated from Sweden.

The founder of this IKEA company is Ingvar Kamprad. Actually IKEA is an abbreviation of the name (I)ngvar (K)amprad who was born on a family farm named (E)lmtaryd, and near the village of (A)gunnaryd.

Ingvar Kamprad started his business by selling matches at the age of five. At the age of seven, he started selling to his neighbors by bicycle.

Then they started selling fish, Christmas tree decorations, pens and pencils. When he was 17, his father gave him a cash prize for completing his studies.

IKEA was founded in 1943 by selling the kitchen table, which made by his Uncle Ernst. Then in 1948, Kamprad expanded its production by venturing into the Furniture Industry. Then began to spread to countries in the world.

From this story, I learned that something big starts from small. Not infrequently I can't wait to achieve something big, but don't want to do the "Homework" just yet. Of course with such an attitude that great things will never be achieved.

There is a saying "Whoever is faithful in small things, he will also be faithful in big things". This means that if we do small things seriously, that attitude will be judged and people will trust us more. From there it will produce bigger jobs.

"A thousand miles of journey always begin with one step". - Lao Tzu

What do you think?

Turn Failure into Opportunity.

Post-it-Note is a small piece of paper that is usually affixed to a document as a marker or reminder.

The invention of Post-it-Note started with a failed product. In 1968 Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at the 3M company, is trying to develop a super-strong adhesive.

However, he accidentally created an adhesive that comes off easily and can be reusable.

For 5 years, He tried to convince this discovery in the company, but gained low support.

It wasn't until 1974 that his colleague, Art Fry, came up with the idea of using the adhesive to attach small pieces of paper to his Hymn book as markers.

In 1977 the 3M Company tried to market a product that was then called "Press 'N Peel" in four cities in America, but failed.

A year later 3M gave free product samples to customers in Boise, Idaho, 94% of those users were satisfied and said they would buy the product.

In 1979 the product was sold under the name "Post-its", and sold throughout America on April 6, 1980. A year later it was launched in Canada and in European countries.

Until now "Post-its" is one of the most widely used office tools.

Sometimes we see a failure as the end. If seen from this story, sometimes failure can be a new opportunity to something bigger.

In addition, Post-Its takes more than 10 years to succeed, so success always need a process.

Success is Not Instant, Embrace the Journey.

The Gift of Pain.

It is human nature, we do not like painful things. As much as possible we avoid experiencing pain in both physically and mentally.

Sometimes we think, maybe it would be better if there is no pain in this life. Pain only brings suffering.

Dr Paul Brand, a British doctor, who became a pioneer in surgery on leprosy. Together with his wife, Margareth Brand, an ophthalmologist - became a missionary in the medical field in India, to treat leprosy sufferers.

Dr Brand stated, "Thanks God for the pain, If only I could give one gift to my leprosy patients, that gift would be Pain".

Dr. Brand's view emerged after he learned that leprosy attacks and kills the nerves on the surface of our bodies, so the sufferer does not feel pain, even though his body parts are bitten by pests or exposed to other sharp objects.

This often causes lepers to become stupefied. Pain exists, aims to give a signal to avoid danger and survive. The problem is sometimes the signal can't tell if it's a real danger or just imagination. This is what makes us overreact.

Lesson Learned: Everything that God has given has a purpose, only if we want to embrace it and learn to control it for the sake of our lives.

If you would like to watch Dr Paul's Story - The Gift of Pain, please follow the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXS2oTFE7Ho

Merajut Impian.

Drama "Layangan Putus" yang akhir-akhir ini viral membuat saya tergelitik untuk memposting tulisan ini.

Jujur saya tidak menonton film itu, hanya baca sinopsis, nonton cuplikan dan meme yang viral terutama tentang "It's my dream Mas, not hers".

Terlepas dari semua prahara rumah tangga, saya hanya ingin meng-highlight mengenai DREAM, Impian.

Mungkin hampir semua orang punya Impian, atau bisa disebut dengan cita-cita, keinginan.

Sering kali mendengar kalimat:
"Coba saya punya fasilitas seperti ..., saya pasti bisa ..."
"Mungkin kalau saya dapat dukungan ..., saya bisa mewujudkan ..."
"Jika saja saya tidak ada halangan ..., hal itu pasti sudah saya dapatkan."
dan seterusnya, dan seterusnya.

Mungkin harus ditekankan "Your dream is Your responsibility", stop menyalahkan keadaan, orang lain dan faktor eksternal lainnya atas sesuatu yang belum kamu capai.

Lebih baik tanyakan "Apa yang dapat saya lakukan untuk mencapai ..." - "Success depends on you asking the right questions".

Tidak selalu mudah, tidak selalu mulus, jika sudah mencoba walau belum berhasil, kita mendapat pembelajaran. Keep Trying, Keep Learning & Keep Improving.

Ada pepatah cina yang mengatakan "长的漂亮很重要, 活的漂亮更重要" (read: Zhang de piàoliang hěn zhòngyào, huó de piàoliang gèng zhòngyào), artinya It's important to look beautiful, and it's more important to live beautifully.

Ps: the Photo was taken at Capadocia, April 2013.

The Fear of Fear.

Decades ago, scientists experimented in the Arizona Desert, they built "Biosphere 2" - A large steel and glass enclosure with purified air, clean water, nutrient-rich soil, and lots of natural light.

It is intended to provide ideal living conditions for the flora and fauna in it.

The conditions worked in several ways but faced absolute failure in one.

Many times when the trees within the Biosphere reached a certain height, they would simply fall over.

At first, the phenomenon confused scientists. Eventually, they realised that the Biosphere lacked the most important element needed for trees to grow which was Wind.

In the natural environment, the trees are blown by the wind. They respond to the pressure and shaking by growing stronger bark and deeper roots to increase their stability.

We waste a lot of time and energy trying to stay in our own cosy bubble Biosphere.

Sometimes we fear the pressures and challenges of change, but those pressures and challenges are the wind that makes us stronger.

Or on the other hand, many also choose to give up and withdraw.

Then which one would you choose?

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein.

Boost Your Confidence in 5 Minutes.

There are times when we lose ourselves, even though we already know what to do.

This sometimes happens when you want to do a presentation, facing a job interview or hard exams.

If you are a fan of the Grey's Anatomy series, maybe you remember a scene where Amelia Shepherd before going into the Operating Room to perform surgery on her mentor dr. Herman, you can see the snippet below.

https://youtu.be/cdNDa-cUrtM

Amelia Shepherd did the "Super Hero" pose to build her confidence before the major surgery.

The "Super Hero" pose is a "High Power" pose consisting of standing tall, legs apart, chin up, hands at waist with elbows bent.

This "High Power" pose was first introduced by Amy Cuddy in 2010, stating that by doing the "High Power" Pose for 5 minutes it can increase Testoterone and decrease Cortisol levels.

After knowing this simple method, many times I applied it together with taking a deep breath and then exhaling, it feels like I can conquer the World.

It's worth trying and doesn't cost a penny.

"Fight until you can't fight anymore". - Amelia Shepperd

Mission Possible.

Sometimes in setting targets, many say has to be realistic.

After taking a deep thought, "What does Realistic mean in this context?" "Does it mean something that can be achieved?"

Or "Does it mean something that has been achieved by someone else before?"

Sometimes setting a Target that is too high is considered Unrealistic and we afraid that the Target cannot be achieved.

In 2017, Alex Honnold shocked the world when he became the first person to climb a ropeless rock (Free Solo) - a nearly 3,000 feets climb to the top of the Legendary National Park, Yosemite's El Capitan. Honnold's remarkable feat was the subject of the award-winning documentary Free Solo.

In the film Honnold is asked How he controls himself knowing that when he does Free Solo, his choice is Perfection or Death.

"People talk about trying to suppress fear," he replied. "I tried to look at it in a different way - I tried to expand my comfort zone by practicing the movement over and over again. I tried to feel the fear until it wasn't scary anymore."

Honnold's fear prompted him to put in some focused effort before committing to Free Solo. Making his fears productive was an important part of his training, and it propelled Honnold to the top of the mountain.

If we can stop viewing stress and fear as negative and instead see the potential benefits, we are in the process of changing our relationship with fear.

Remember that what makes the target realistic is the amount of effort and skill to achieve it.

So want to set realistic or Fantastic target?

"Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you". - John C. Maxwell

Walk away...

from arguments that lead you to anger.
Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.
Walk away from pleasing people who never see your worth.
Walk away from any thought that undermines your peace of mind.
Walk away from from judgmental people who do not know your struggle or what you've been through.
Walk away from your mistakes and fears, they don't determine your fate.
The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier you will be.

Sebuah Jalan

Aku menyadari ini setelah lama merasakan luka
Namun luka itu dapat menjadi sebuah jalan
Jalan untuk mengenal siapa Engkau Tuhanku

Tidak ada kehidupan tanpa tiupan angin
Angin harus bertiup, agar pohon dapat mengakar
dalam pada tanah sehingga tetap kokoh

Itulah sebabnya angin mengayunkan pohon
Itulan sebabnya angin mengayunkan kita semua
Supaya kami bersandar hanya pada-Mu
Supaya kami tidak mengandalkan kekuatan sendiri
Supaya iman kami bertumbuh menjadi kuat
untuk menjalani kehidupan bersama-Mu

Luka dapat menjadi sebuah jalan
Kesedihan dapat pula menjadi sebuah jalan
Jalan untuk lebih dekat kepada-Mu Tuhan

The Power of Vision

Florence Chadwick, American Women's Open Water Swimmer, set a goal to swim from Catalina Island to the California Coast, 20 Miles.

By 1951, she was already practicing. It was a cold day, the water was also cold, the air was foggy.

There were two ships following her. One ship brought a coach and her mother, who gives encouragement. The other boat brought a number of gunmen to keep the sharks from getting close to it.

It's not a happy situation, but she has a goal and a big desire to get it done.

He started swimming! Seven, eight, nine hours had passed, and the land was still nowhere to be seen. Twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours later still nowhere to be seen. Finally after fifteen hours of swimming, Florence returned to the boat saying "I can't go any further!".

Then Her Mom and her coach pulled her into the boat, and actually less than a mile after that they reached the California coast.

How do you think Florence feels? All the practice, all the energy, all the effort, she's just a little less to reach her Goal.

While on the mainland the reporters asked him "What happened?" Florence replied "If only I could see the Target, I would have succeeded!".

Fortunately Florence was not a Loser, she trained and tried again a few months later, and she managed to beat the Male Swimmer Record.

What's the difference? Despite the foggy, cold weather, surging waters, and threatening sharks, similar situation like before - she visualized the California Coast clearly, brushed aside any adversity and succeeded.

Having a goal alone is not enough to make someone successful in her endeavors, but visualizing and believing that she will succeed in achieving it is the key.

Are you sure about achieving your Goal?

Small things give an impact.

In the mid-19th century, many mothers died after childbirth due to Puerperal Fever.

Puerperal Fever is a bacterial infection that attacks the female reproductive tract, after childbirth/miscarriage. At that time no one knew the cause of death of the mothers.

It was Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818-1865), a Hungarian doctor of German descent, who observed that the mortality rate at birth was higher in the doctor's ward than in the midwife's ward.

The clue that helped Semmelweis solve the mystery was the death of one of his colleagues who worked at the Clinic, due to an infection after his finger was pierced by a student's scalpel during an autopsy at the hospital.

The doctor's autopsy itself revealed a common cause of death with the women who died during childbirth.

He understands the diffrences of the Clinic of doctors and medical students dissecting corpses and then assisting deliveries with the same hands. Midwives, on the other hand, do not participate in autopsies or make contact with corpses.

Then Semmelweis experimented with having doctors wash their hands with a solution of chlorinated lime (now known as a disinfectant) before assisting in childbirth, and this drastically reduced maternal mortality.

Sometimes small things can have a big impact and even save lives, but these little things are often overlooked.

Small things like being on time for work, exercising 15 minutes every day, reading a 2 page book every day, 10 minutes for prayer and read the words of God, and much more can have an impact on our health (physically as well as mentally) and success at work.

However, do we care to do or ignore it?

On March 20, 2020, the Google Doodle featured Semmelweis to show how to wash hands properly during the 2020 corona virus pandemic.

Everything Happen For a Reason.

God breaks us with a purpose...
His purpose is not to break us but to mould us...
He loves beyond any measure....
He doesn't want to see you being hurt...
When you are broken, the lesson you learn would turn out to be a blessing to many....
In every trial we only see the pain in it.....
But God sees the blessings it will bring forth...
Yes, through all that you go through, God is moulding you to be a better person!

2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

BROKEN WITH A PURPOSE! YES, HE ALONE COULD CHANGE OUR TRIALS INTO TESTIMONIES!! REJOICE IN YOUR TRIALS! GOD IS MOULDING YOU TO REACH THE NEXT LEVEL!!!

Keep Going?

 

You started well but how are you going to finish it?
If you are planning to quit just think why you started.....
Don't you think it was God's plan? Why did God bring you this far?
Before quitting cling on for a while and rest upon His shoulders....
In your insufficiency trust in His strength....
He will carry you through to the end!
Before you quit pause for a moment and rethink about your decision....

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE QUITTING JUST DON'T GIVE UP! RUN TO THE ONE WHO INITIATED IT!! YES HE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH!!!

Ketika Agen Asuransi Berhenti Mengejar Anda (Part 1).

Ditulis oleh: Gusnul Pribadi.

"Suamiku baru saja divonis kanker..."

Tubuh saya sontak lemas.
Siska bercerita kondisi Roni, suaminya.
Sampai akhirnya dari pemeriksaan diagnosa mengarah ke kanker.

Memori saya berkelebat cepat ke beberapa bulan belakangan, masih tercetak jelas raut muka kurang senang ketika saya menawarkan asuransi padanya. Entah karena menurutnya saya terlalu bersemangat, terlihat memaksa, mengganggu, apa pun itu saya sudah tak lagi pedulikan pandangan dia pada saya. Saya hanya bisa mengutuki diri saya mengapa saya tidak memaksanya dengan lebih keras!

Waktu itu Siska bilang bahwa semuanya akan baik-baik saja, bahwa mereka sehat-sehat saja, dan sudah ada asuransi dari kantor Roni. Singkat cerita, aplikasi asuransi selalu saya bawa pulang kembali dalam keadaan kosong setiap kali saya bertemu Siska. Bahkan sampai saat ini, mereka tidak pernah memiliki asuransi.

Seminggu yang lalu motor dan perhiasan emas termasuk mas kawin sudah dijual untuk menjalani rawat inap, kemoterapi dan transfusi...

Ini baru bulan 3 bulan sejak pertama kali dia divonis sakit, dan rumah yang telah mereka cicil dalam 24 bulan terakhir pun terancam di over kredit.

Dan, spontan saya pun menceritakan hal ini kepada teman-teman saya yang juga sahabat-sahabat dekat Roni di kampus dulu. Saya pun membuat inisiatif untuk menggalang dana untuk bisa membantu meringankan beban Roni dan Siska.

"Titip salam ya buat Roni..."

Itu yang dikatakan Sandy, Tika, Rendi, Selly dan Husni pada saya. Mereka berlima sahabat karib Roni.

Dada saya berdesah, "Kawan, salam itu takkan bisa membantu sedikitpun buat dia, tapi mudah-mudahan bisa menguatkan semangatnya bahwa masi ada teman-teman menitipkan salam."

Sebagai agen asuransi, fungsi saya seperti sudah mati di depan dia. Saya seperti sudah tidak berguna lagi untuknya. Sebagai sahabat pun saya hanya mampu memberikan jumlah yang tidak banyak dari sisi materi. Selain tentunya kekuatan, dan menyediakan diri untuk mendengar keluh kesahnya tentang keluarga dari suaminya yang bahkan tidak memberi dukungan secara moral sekalipun. Dan sampai saat-saat kepastian itu tiba, kami akan selalu berusaha keras menjalankan misi kemanusiaan kami sebagai agent asuransi.

Karena kami sayang kalian.

Ketika Agen Asuransi Berhenti Mengejar Anda (Part 2).

Ditulis oleh: Gusnul Pribadi.

Hanya bulan berselang setelah Roni terdiagnosa kanker. Dia meninggal dunia. Semua berasal dari Tuhan dan kelak akan dikembalikan kepada-Nya.

Siska dan anak-anaknya, yang sudah tidak dinafkahi Roni sejak terakhir saya jenguk, sudah pindah ke rumah orang tuanya. Sejak Roni sakit, tidak ada lagi biaya untuk mereka melanjutkan hidupnya. Terutama setelah aset-aset utama mereka seperti rumah dan mobil sudah dijulai untuk biaya berobat beberapa bulan saja.

Tak lama setelah Roni sakit, Siska langusng mencoba melamar kerja dan dia sudah bekerja saat ini. Bekerja bukan menjadi keinginan Siska. Karena Siska tahu bahwa sepeninggal Roni, dia adalah sosok yang paling dibutuhkan anak-anaknya. Dia ingin menemani anak-anaknya bertumbuh.

Saya coba berhenti menyesali ini, memberitahu diri saya apa yang dulu seharusnya saya lakukan. Tapi itu tidak akan mengubah kenyataan apapun bahwa Roni telah meninggal.

Almarhum meninggal di sebuah Rumah sakit di Jakarta, di sebuah KURSI di Instalasi Gawat Darurat. Saking penuhnya rumah sakit tersebut. Ada ketakutan dari orang tua mereka kalau dibawa ke rumah sakit sejak awal akan menghabiskan banyak uang. Praktis, sejak terdiagnosa kanker, Roni tidak pernah mendapatkan perawatan yang layak.

Satu-satu kertas yang saya pandangi saat ini adalah formulir aplikasi asuransi kosong yang seharusnya menjadi biaya hidup Siska dan anak-anaknya.

Siska, maafkan saya. Kertas ini seharusnya menjadi payung untuk kalian. Saya tahu bahwa payung ini takkan menghentikan hujan, tapi payung ini bisa membantu kalian tetap berjalan menembus hujan menuju tempat tujuan.

Asuransi tidak akan mengubah keterjadian segala sesuatunya, tapi asuransi akan membantu meringankan resiko keuangan mungkin terjadi ketika sesuatu harus terjadi.

Maafkan,
karena kali ini saya harus benar-benar berhenti "mengejar" suamimu.

TIPS INVESTASI ALA WARREN BUFFETT - (Source: Phillip Sekuritas Indonesia)

Warren Buffett adalah salah satu dari sederet orang terkaya di dunia. Buffet merupakan investor ulung yang memiliki banyak cara menanam uang. Dengan pengalamannya yang banyak sebagai investor, maka banyak ilmu yang dapat diambil. Salah satunya melalui kutipannya berikut ini "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when other are fearful." Yang bila diartikan adalah belilah saham ketika orang banyak menjual dan jualah saham ketika banyak orang membeli. Dengan kecerdikannya dalam berinvestasi yang menjadikan Buffett menjadi salah satu dari segelintir orang terkaya di dunia.

Bagi Anda yang ingin berinvestasi, Buffet adalah contoh seseorang yang tepat bagi yang ingin berinvestasi saham. Berikut tips investasi ala Warren Buffett :

1. Putarlah uang dengan mengalokasikannya secara efisien Jika nilai saham Anda saat ini kurang bagus, langkah terbaik adalah menjualnya dan membelikannya dalam bentuk saham baru yang prospeknya jauh lebih bagus sekaligus menguntungkan untuk jangka waktu yang panjang.

2. Jangan hanya membeli sahamnya, tetapi beli juga bisnisnya Cobalah untuk mengetahui lebih dalam perusahaan yang Anda beli sahamnya. Serta mengetahui bisnis apa yang dijalankannya, karena Anda pun turut memiliki bisnisnya dan turut bertanggung jawab atas perkembangan usaha yang dijalankan.

3. Pastikan keamanan dari uang yang Anda investasikan Jangan mudah tergoda dengan imbal hasil yang besar, apalagi yang mencapai 200 persen pertahunnya. Dalam berinvestasi Anda harus menganalisis dengan teliti investasi apa yang akan memberikan keuntungan dan menjaga keamanan uang Anda.

4. Hindari berhutang dalam berinvestasi Uang panas tidak akan membuat investasi Anda terus berkembang. Kecenderungan yang dilakukan para penghutang demi membeli saham adalah menjual sahamnya ketika harga naik. Hal ini sama saja seperti gali lubang tutup lubang tanpa mendatangkan kekayaan yang signifikan.

5. Pentingnya percaya diri dan hidup sederhana Hidup sederhana dan tetap percaya diri akan menjadikan Anda tetap merasa nyaman sekaligus menerima apa yang Anda miliki. Begitu juga dengan berinvestasi, Anda harus percaya diri agar tidak mudah terpengaruh oleh dunia luar yang mampu menjatuhkan nilai saham Anda.

(Penulis : Nita Novita - 2 Januari 2019)

DEPRESI, apa yang anda ketahui tentangnya?

Ketika anda mendengar kata "depresi," pemikiran apa yang langsung muncul di benak anda? Beberapa orang menggunakan istilah "depresi" untuk menggambarkan suatu kondisi stres. Namun, apakah penggunaan istilah itu benar? Asosiasi Psikiater Amerika (American Psychiatric Association) mendefinisikan Depresi (Gangguan depresif utama) sebagai penyakit umum dan serius yang secara negatif mempengaruhi perasaan seseorang, cara berpikir seseorang dan bagaimana seseorang bertindak.

Depresi adalah penyakit kejiwaan yang serius

Berdasarkan definisi di atas, kita dapat memahami bahwa depresi adalah penyakit kejiwaan yang serius, bukan suatu perasaan yang dapat ditimbulkan atau tindakan yang dilakukan. Dalam artikel ini, saya ingin berbagi beberapa fakta mengenai depresi, dan hal-hal yang dapat saya petik setelah saya pulih dari depresi.

Orang-orang menghindar untuk berhubungan

Depresi menyebabkan perasaan sedih dan/atau kehilangan minat pada aktifitas yang pernah dinikmati penderita. Ini dapat menyebabkan berbagai masalah emosional dan fisik, sehingga dapat menurunkan kemampuan dan kinerja penderita di tempat kerja dan di rumah. Karena alasan-alasan ini, kebanyakan orang enggan berada bersama seseorang yang menderita depresi. Seringkali, orang berpikir bahwa penderita depresi menolak untuk memperbaiki diri dan tidak mau keluar dari kondisi depresi mereka. 

Diperlukan perawatan

Jika kita melihat kembali definisi di atas, jelas bahwa depresi adalah penyakit serius. Seperti halnya penyakit serius lainnya, baik fisik maupun mental, depresi memerlukan perawatan. Kita tidak dapat mengharapkan seseorang yang menderita depresi pulih dengan sendirinya. Dalam beberapa kasus, saya berpendapat bahwa depresi lebih mematikan daripada penyakit kanker atau penyakit kritis lainnya, karena depresi dapat mendorong penderita untuk melakukan tindakan bunuh diri kapan saja.

Untungnya, depresi adalah salah satu gangguan mental yang dapat diobati. Statistik menunjukkan bahwa delapan puluh hingga sembilan puluh persen pasien yang menderita depresi merespon pengobatan dengan baik (Sumber: Asosiasi Psikiater Amerika/American Psychiatric Association).

Depresi dapat terjadi pada siapa saja

Ketika saya menderita depresi, beberapa teman atau orang yang pernah mengenal saya sebelumnya, tidak percaya bahwa saya menderita depresi. Mereka selalu berpikir bahwa saya adalah seseorang berkarakter yang cukup kuat, dan sepertinya tidak mungkin menderita depresi. Selain itu, beberapa orang mengira bahwa penyebab depresi adalah karena kurangnya iman dan kepercayaan. Ini jelas tidak benar.

Ditekankan kembali bahwa, depresi adalah penyakit umum, serius dan bukan kelemahan pribadi. Ini berarti bahwa hal itu dapat terjadi pada siapa saja, pada usia berapa pun, dan pada orang dari ras atau kelompok etnis apa pun. Pada bulan Mei 2017, menurut Eka Viora, Ketua Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kesehatan Jiwa Indonesia, mengatakan bahwa di Indonesia terdapat 3,7 persen dari populasi menderita depresi, artinya ada sekitar 9 juta dari 250 juta orang di Indonesia yang mengalami depresi. 

Orang-orang terkenal menderita depresi

Berikut adalah beberapa karakter dari Alkitab yang menderita depresi seperti Daud (Mazmur 69: 3), Ayub (Ayub 3:20), Elia (1 Raja 19: 4). Orang-orang hebat seperti Billy Graham dan Ibu Theresa juga pernah menderita depresi. Namun, dengan pertolongan dari Tuhan, mereka menjadi orang-orang hebat seperti kita mengenal mereka. 

Dampaknya dalam hidup saya

Depresi bukanlah musuh terburuk saya, tetapi depresi memainkan peran penting dan positif dalam membentuk saya menjadi diri saya sekarang.

Ini mungkin terlihat aneh, tetapi saya bersyukur bahwa saya memiliki kesempatan untuk mengatasi depresi yang pernah terjadi dalam hidup saya. Menaklukkan sesuatu yang pernah melumpuhkan hidup saya, telah memberikan kekuatan yang luar biasa. Mengalami depresi telah membuat saya melihat hidup dengan perspektif yang benar dan belajar untuk menghargai bahwa setiap peristiwa buruk yang terjadi dalam hidup saya, tidak sesulit dari apa yang sudah saya atasi. Oleh karena saya telah mengatasi depresi, saya ingin berbagi hal-hal yang saya petik dalam pengalaman ini.

Hal-hal yang saya pelajari

Pertama, menghargai mereka yang mendampingi saya di saat-saat terendah saya. Ketika saya memasuki fase gelap dalam hidup saya, saya kehilangan teman-teman terdekat saya, komunitas, dan hubungan saya dengan beberapa keluarga menjadi tidak harmonis. Hal ini memotivasi saya untuk mencari lingkungan baru, komunitas baru dan kegiatan baru. Saya mengembangkan keterampilan yang memungkinkan saya untuk dengan cepat mengevaluasi siapa yang saya bisa dan tidak bisa dipercayai. Sebagai hasil dari pengalaman saya, saya sekarang memfokuskan energi saya untuk membangun dan mengembangkan ikatan yang mendalam dengan orang-orang yang saya yakini setia dan tulus. Kesetiaan adalah salah satu sifat manusia yang paling diremehkan dan juga merupakan salah satu cara terbaik untuk membangun hubungan jangka panjang dengan orang lain. Beberapa pertemanan saya menjadi solid, biasanya diperkuat ketika saya datang untuk membantu mereka, atau mereka datang untuk membantu saya. Orang tidak pernah lupa siapa yang telah membantu mereka (dan siapa yang tidak) ketika mereka membutuhkannya, jadi berbaik hatilah dan menjadi orang yang setia.

Kedua, anda tidak bisa mengendalikan apa yang orang lain pikirkan tentang anda dan bagaimana mereka memperlakukan anda, tetapi anda bisa mengendalikan reaksi anda terhadap mereka. Sebelum saya menderita depresi, saya tumbuh dari orang yang introver menjadi orang yang cukup percaya diri, karena apa yang saya raih dalam catatan akademis dan karier saya. Orang-orang mungkin menghormati saya karena apa yang saya raih. Namun, pada saat saya depresi, saya kehilangan kepercayaan diri dan semua prestasi yang pernah diraih menjadi tidak signifikan karena kondisi depresi yang diderita pada waktu itu, sehingga mempengaruhi cara saya berpikir tentang diri saya sendiri. Dikarenakan tidak dapat bekerja dengan baik pada saat itu, orang-orang mulai kehilangan kepercayaan dan rasa hormat terhadap saya. Saya menyadari bahwa cara orang lain memperlakukan saya di luar kendali saya, tetapi peduli terhadap apa yang mereka pikirkan tentang saya adalah pilihan. Saya juga belajar bahwa ketika orang memperlakukan saya dengan buruk, itu lebih merupakan cerminan dari karakter mereka, dan bukan karakter saya.

Ketiga, hidup dalam kondisi yang anda harapkan, bisa membuat anda lebih bahagia terlepas dari anda kaya atau tidak. Sebelumnya mungkin saya telah mencapai di atas rata-rata dari orang seusia saya. Namun, saya merasa terjebak dengan pekerjaan saya yang sebenarnya tidak saya sukai karena banyak tekanan telah diberikan kepada saya. Saya tidak dapat mengembangkan potensi saya sepenuhnya. Hari ini, saya merasa menjadi versi terbaik dari diri saya dan menjalani kehidupan yang penuh sukacita. Penjelasan terbaik tentang akar penyebab kebahagiaan dan ketidakbahagiaan yang pernah saya temui adalah karena saya hidup dalam situasi yang saya sukai dan senangi.

Akhirnya…

Selalu ada pelangi setelah hujan. Saya tidak akan menukarkan setahun masa depresi saya dengan apa pun, karena itu telah membentuk saya menjadi orang yang tak kenal lelah, bersemangat, bahagia, dan setia seperti saya hari ini. Saya mencintai kehidupan dan saya berharap bahwa pelajaran yang saya petik dan akhir yang bahagia dari kejadian yang saya alami membantu siapa pun di luar sana yang sedang berjuang untuk optimis di masa kegelapan.

Translated is assisted by Google Translate.

Depression, what do you know about it?

When you hear the word “depression,” what thought comes directly into your head? Some people use the term “depression" to describe their stressed condition. However, is the use of that term correct? The American Psychiatric Association defines Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) as a common and serious illness that negatively affects how a person feels, the way a person thinks and how a person acts.

Depression is a serious psychiatric illness

Based on the definition above, we can understand that depression is a serious psychiatric illness, rather than just one of those feelings that you can act on. In this article, I would like to share some facts with you about depression, and my lessons learnt after I recovered from one.

Other people may avoid contact

Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities the sufferer once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person's ability to function at work and at home. Due to these reasons, I learned that most people hesitate to be with a person who suffers from depression. Often, people think that sufferers from a depression refuse to improve themselves and are unwilling to come out from their depression. 

Treatment is required

If we look back to the definition above, it is clear that depression is a serious illness. Like any other serious illness, whether mental or physical, depression requires treatment. We cannot expect a person suffering from depression to help him/herself to recover. In some cases, I might say that depression is more lethal than cancer or any other critical illnesses, because it may drive the sufferer to commit suicide at any time.

Fortunately, depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Statistics show that eighty to ninety percent of patients suffering from a depression responded well to the treatment, and relief from their symptoms (Source: American Psychiatric Association).

Depression can happen to anyone

When I suffered from depression, some friends and other people that knew me before couldn't believe that I was suffering from it. They always thought that I was a person with quite a strong character, and it seemed impossible that I would suffer from depression. Furthermore, some people accused me that my cause of depression was a lack of faith. This is definitely not true.

To emphasize it again, depression is a common, serious illness and not a personal weakness. This means that it could happen to anyone, at any age, and to people of any race or ethnic group.  In May 2017, according to Eka Viora, Chair of the Indonesian Mental Health Specialist Association (Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kesehatan Jiwa Indonesia), said that in Indonesia, 3.7 percent of the population suffers from depression. Therefore, there are about 9 out of 250 million people in Indonesia that are depressed. 

Famous people suffer from depression

Here are some characters from the Bible that suffered from depression such as David (Psalm 69:3), Job (Job 3:20), Elijah (1 King 19:4). Great people such as Billy Graham and Mother Theresa also suffered from depression. However, with the help and assurance from God, they became great people like others know them. 

The impact on my life

Depression isn’t something that I would wish on my worst enemy to have, and it played a significant and ultimately positive role in shaping me into who I am today.

It might seem strange, but I am thankful that I had the opportunity to overcome depression which came into my life at one time. Conquering what was once crippling my life has given me incredible strength. It has put my life in perspective and I have learnt to appreciate that every bad event in my life is now isn’t as hard as to what I’ve already overcome. As I have overcome depression, I would like to share the lessons I have learned.

Lessons I learned

Firstly, cherish those who will stand by you in my lowest of times. When I entered this dark phase of my life, I lost my closest friends, community, and my relationship with some of my family faltered. This is a lesson that reinforced me to look for new environments, new communities and new activities. I developed a skill that allowed me to quickly evaluate who I can and can’t trust. As a result of my experiences, I now focus my energy on building and developing deep bonds with people whom I believe to be loyal and genuine. Loyalty is one of the most underrated human traits and it’s also one of the best ways to build lifelong relationships with others. Some of my strongest friendships were permanently solidified when I came to help them, or they came to help me. People never forget who had helped them (and who didn’t) when they need it, so be a kind and be a loyal person.

Secondly, you cannot control what others think and how they treat you, but you can control your reaction towards them. Before I suffered from depression, I grew from an introverted person to a confident one, due to what I’ve achieved in my academic record and my career.  People may respect me because of what I’ve achieved. However, during my depressive period, I lost my confidence and all my achievements seemed insignificant because of my condition at that time, which affected how I thought of myself.  Not being able to work properly at that time, people start to lose their trust and respect to me. I realized that how others treat me is out of my control, but caring about what they think of me is a choice. I’ve also learned that when people treat me poorly, it’s more of a reflection of their character, and not mine.

Thirdly, living in a condition that you expect, can make you happier regardless you are wealthy or not. I might have achieved more than the average person at my age in work, which gave me the advantage to earn more than the average salary. However, I felt trapped with my job which I actually didn’t really enjoy because a lot of pressure has been placed on me. I wasn’t living up to my full potential. Today, I feel very close to being the best possible version of myself and thus living a joy-filled life. The best explanation of the root cause of happiness and unhappiness that I’ve ever come across is because I live in a situation that I like and passionate about.

And finally…

There is always a rainbow after the rain. I wouldn’t exchange my one year of depression for anything because it has shaped me into the relentless, passionate, happy and loyal person that I am today. I love life and I hope that my lessons and a happy ending will help anyone out there who is struggling to be optimistic during dark times.

Edited by: One of my smartest students: Joceline Geulista (Grade 10th, Beacon Light Community School)

Wrong design?

In my previous article titled "Are you a winner or a loser?” I stated that God designs people like you and me, with a potential to be a winner. It is proven by the process of how a human is formed, 300 million sperms and only one will survive, fertilize the egg, become an embryo and born as a baby.

After I shared the article, I received questions such as “Does God always design His creations correctly? How about children who are sick, disabled, or mentally ill at the moment they are born?", "Haven’t some people got a better starting position for example born in a rich family? Isn’t the likelihood for success depending on the circumstances in which you were born?" These questions have thrilled me to write another piece of reflection.

The Book Genesis Chapter 1:24-31 (NIV):
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 
25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Before we discuss further about God’s designs, let’s read the following passage from Genesis 1:24-31. In the biblical account of creation we read how God made everything, He looked at everything he made and found it very good (Genesis 1:31). In the case of humanity, we read that God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:27). In other words, God always makes everything in a good condition, no matter what, He does not know how to make bad designs.

The next question is, what the proof that God’s creations are good. Years ago I attended a seminar about whether creation based on Bible is true or just a fairytale. During the seminar one of the discussions was that our solar system demonstrates remarkable evidence of intelligent design. If taken separately, each object and its characteristic are highly improbable by random chance. When taken together, the probability is so small as to be impossible—by random chance. For example: the Earth where we live, until now is the only planet that has living creatures. The composition of Earth’s atmosphere and the distance between the Earth and the Sun need to be precise, if it is not, then it is impossible that Earth can host billions of living creatures. We must admit that we are a product of a miracle—either a miracle of chance or a miracle of design; and all of these amazing designs are created by a Divine Creator, God.

Continuing to the subject of those who are born sick, disabled, or mentally ill - it seems that it contradicts with my statement that God designed humans with a potential to be a winner, because they seems does not as competent as a normal healthy person. I disagree that it contradicts with my statement. I believe we have seen a lot of people who are disable that had achieved a lot in their life. You can see people winning in the Paralympic Games, or Got Talent Shows. Or if to name an inspiring person, Nick Vujicic. He is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, causing him has no arms and legs. Although it may not be easy for him to live as a disabled person, you can say that he has achieved a lot in his life, maybe more than an average normal person.

Answering the previously asked question if people born in a more fortunate condition have a better starting position. Isn’t the likelihood for success depending on the circumstances in which you were born? I would like to start my answer with the following illustration: When someone is asked, "Why do you have a curly hair?" He would answer "My parents and grandparents had curly hair, so I have it too". However, if he was asked why he is poor, people would laugh if he said “My parents and grandparents are poor, and genetically we are poor”, because everyone knows no matter how poor our parents and grandparents were, we are given opportunities to improve our condition to a better one.  

If opportunity arises once, it could be luck, if twice, coincidence. If third time, then it is a pattern. Luck is great, but I believe that most of life is hard work. Let's look at most of the success and well known people, such as, Thomas A Edison, President Jokowi and Jack Ma etc. These people were not born in a wealthy family and yet they achieved a lot. On the other hand, I had seen examples where people who were born rich but unable to continue their parents’ business, because they did not work hard and incompetent. You can predict how they ended up being.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) – "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.

To sum up, I believe God never make mistakes in His designs. The human body is the most complex and unique organism in the world, and that its complexity and uniqueness reveals the mind of its Creator. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cells, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). Although, in some situations they may not seem perfect on the surface. We have a finite mind, which cause us impossible to understand everything about the infinite God (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, in our worst situation, God is always in control and promise to be by our side to the end, so never lose hope to fight and achieve what we are intended to. Keep going… Just like what Dory said, “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”. ^_^

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.

Edited by: One of my smartest students: Joceline Geulista (Grade 10th, Beacon Light Community School)

Are you a winner or a loser?

I searched in Google, what does a winner and a loser mean? Here is the result, Winner is a noun, which means a person or thing that wins something. The synonym of winner is champion, conqueror, and victor. While loser is also a noun, which means a person or thing that loses or has lost something, and the synonym of loser is defeated person.

Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us".

According to the verse in Romans 8:37, God designed you as His child, not to be a loser in your life. The verse affirms that God designed and created you with a potential to be a winner. Let’s have a closer look at the story about you and me: during sexual intercourse, about 300 million sperms fight the battle of conception, and only one will survive, become an embryo, and born as a baby. In other words, you and I are winners, even before we were born.

Then if God has designed human being with a potential to be a winner, but after they grow mature, some of them have not become "something" that they are intended to be, what is the root cause of it? I believe all people in this world does not like to lose, and never plan to be a loser in their life. However, somehow some people end up in this unpleasant condition.

Based on my experience winning is not an instant thing. No one in this world, directly can run right after they are born. Babies need to go through a series of processes and growth before they can walk their first step, then many steps - with unbalance walk then stable ones and eventually they can run. During this learning process, they experience many unpleasant situations, such as falling to the ground, stumbling against the wall or tripping over other hard objects, not only once but hundreds, or may be thousands of times. However, whenever they fall, they have courage to try again, again and again. Until finally they are strong enough to stand, walk and finally run.

I don't know when exactly a person develop fear to fail and give up attitudes. Being a senior high school teacher, I often heard that my students complain that they cannot do this and that, because it is difficult. Instead of trying to go through the learning process, they’ve just given up. In fact, some of them have not reached their 17th, they've already felt defeated when encounter difficulties. One thing I always remind my students, a theory that I usually call it "50% winning" theory. The theory is like this, when we give a try we’ve already gained 50% of chance to win, then we only need to earn another 50%. On the other hand, if we refuse to give an effort, it means we never have a chance to win.

What actually that made people refuse to give a try? Here are my guesses, first, maybe because they hesitate to give a try, second, maybe having difficulties to let their faith win, and the third, one maybe afraid to fail.

What's wrong with these three points? First, hesitate to give a try, see in Proverbs 10:4 (NIV) say that, "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth", so, if we develop this character we definitely would end up with losing in our life.  There is a Chinese saying, 努力不一定成功，不努力一定失败 (Nǔlì bù yīdìng chénggōng, bù nǔlì yīdìng shībài) which means “Work hard does not necessarily can bring you success, but if don’t work hard, you will fail”. Hence, doing nothing will not help our life progress.

Second, difficulties to let their faith win, which means, we may have lack of confidence that our God is able to help us succeed? One of God’s character is Omnipotent, which means having unlimited power, able to do anything. One of the reasons maybe we have not known our God better, hence we hesitate to ask for help to our God.

The last one is afraid to fail. From the fact of how a baby learns to walk, we know that winning is a process. Throughout the process, it is highly possible that we would encounter obstacles and hardship, so it is useless to avoid it. Hence, it is better we make an anticipation action to encounter these obstacles.

In summary, a winner is not a person who never fails or a perfect person or a person who never had a problem in his/her life. A winner is a person who fails but has the courage to rise and fight until he/she succeeds. So why should we be afraid to fail, as long as we want to rise again, it will not be a matter anymore. A winner is a person full of perseverance through every test in his/her life without complaints, until he/she redeems what God has promised. Becoming a winner or a loser, I would like to open those options for you to choose. 

Choose wisely. (",")

"WINNING IS NOT A SOMETIME THING; IT’S AN ALL TIME THING. YOU DON’T WIN ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU DON’T DO THINGS RIGHT ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU DO THEM RIGHT ALL THE TIME. WINNING IS HABIT. UNFORTUNATELY, SO IS LOSING". - Vince Lombardi.