The Search for a Friend

I was searching for it for many years
As I walked alone in a silent winter’s path

I tried to approach people and asked for it
And yet I never knew how to describe it
I tried to look for it in people I knew
But it’s hard to find one that’s without pretense

I looked for clues in books, poetries, and stories
But it seems, that it’s nothing more than a myth
And just when I thought I finally found it
It cracked against the test of time

But when I closed my eyes and stopped looking
It reached out and finally found me
Like a quiet “oh” in one fine evening,
I realized that its warmth has saved me

And after all these years, I finally learned its name
It calls itself friendship.

We are: A Mote of Dust, Suspended in a Sunbeam

Who are you?

If I were to ask you that question, what would you answer?

Most probably, you would tell me your name, age, career. You might then describe your hobbies, your struggles, and even your goals.

But we often forget the bigger picture: our role in this brotherhood of humanity, who we are in the family of things.

Sometimes, when life gets really busy, I had to stop and remind myself: let’s not get too caught up in your own world. Because regardless of who we are and what our situation seems to be… remember that the earth and the universe are so much bigger than us.

Hong Kong Lights

There’s something about gazing at a city skyline from a distance, that makes me strangely contemplative.

When I was walking in the midst of a crowded city of Hong Kong, I felt as if I was swept away by the rhythm of the bustling city life. It was not unlike my home in Jakarta. But when you became a tourist… I guess you became a little more observant and pay a little more attention to your surroundings.

There were rows of designer skyscrapers standing so closely next to each other. And yet it’s hard to see the their shape from where I was standing. All I saw was just brick wall after brick wall, glass windows after glass windows, shop after shop.

And I found that it’s easy to lose myself in this kind of rhythm.

What Is Maturity?

What is maturity?

Am I mature?

Am I going to be mature?

Am I maturing?

Or am I just a kid?

Sometimes, I want to be a kid, you see. It’s much easier that way.

And I suppose, over the years… I did develop this persona of a youthful kid, full of harmless fun, joyful tone and colors. In some ways, it makes people less guarded around me, and also makes it easier to talk to them. (And yes, I guess it helps that I look quite young as well).

But the difficult thing is… I also want to be someone… who is… well, mature. Because who wouldn’t?

However, it seems that in general, the majority of people seem to measure maturity simply by how seemingly thoughtful you are.

In war, people inadvertently takes sides. Sometimes, because it’s expected of them. Sometimes, because they don’t know better. And sometimes, because it’s easier to see something as black and white.

But I remember Israel, and I remember the Palestinian territories from my trips many years ago… standing next to each other, crafted into beautiful pictures in my memories.

And despite of all the differences, is it so hard to believe, that all of the soldiers, fighters, parents, and children… are just fellow pilgrims in the brotherhood of humanity, searching for a purpose in this world?

Business Idea: Empowering the Disabled

Who says that a good, profitable business model has to be mutually exclusive with helping people?

I came across this video below, which I thought is quite a good example of a business idea that is not only able to differentiate itself from its competitors, but is also able to empower its employees.

“Your greatness is measured by your kindness,
Your education and intellect by your modesty,
Your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices,
And your real caliber is measured by the consideration
and tolerance you have for others.”

– WIlliam J.H. Boetcker