Category: be brave

A PART OF MY SOUL LIVES IN THE PAST

January 5th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
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I am the type of person who thinks more about the past. It happens naturally, maybe due to the age.

Some memories are indeed painful. I often recall them. The memories just come. Among all of them, the death of family members has a deep sadness on me, especially the death of my parents and my younger sibling. Among the three, my younger sibling’s death was the most painful. I blame my inability to help him in his last moments of life.

Things outside of death have less impact on me. Some even make me feel silly and embarrassed and remind me of my limitations as an ordinary human being who is not free from mistakes.

Taking time to remember things that happened in the past is beneficial. It can lead to wisdom and awareness of one’s position in the universe; we are just a speck of dust whose destiny is not entirely determined by ourselves; the rotation of the universe also influences it.

Returning to the death of my younger sibling, the sadness I feel decreases as time goes by. I am determined to help my late brother’s children complete their education. My sister and I worked together to help them, occasionally taking the deceased’s wife and children out for a family picnic.

I am the type of person who thinks more about the past. It happens naturally, maybe due to the age. A part of me still lives in the past. Anyway, I try looking at it from the positive side. It is beneficial for making more mature and less emotional plans/decisions.
JUST GIVE ME PERFUME, TOTE BAG, AND FLOWER

January 4th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
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I once asked my sons jokingly, “If one day you were going to give Mama a gift, what gift do you think I like the most?”

My youngest child, who was then in elementary school, immediately answered, “Perfume.” He guessed right. He watched me daily and knew my style.

Yes, I love perfume. It can lift my mood. I feel incomplete without spraying perfume after a shower, even if I was just at home all day.

The next gift I like is a large genuine leather handbag. The tote bag type is my favorite. A large handbag ensures that all the necessities are accommodated, including a laptop, cosmetics, and a tumbler. The bag adds to my self-assurance.

The next gift I like is flowers, especially the broad-leaved ones. This type of flower gives a classy and expensive impression.

By the way, among my family members, my youngest child and my sister understand best what I expect as a gift. Without previously asking, they surprised me with the gifts.

How about the others? They prefer to treat me to dinner out as gifts or ask first and then present the gifts.
VIRTUAL GIFT FROM MORNING WALK

January 3rd, 2025

I whispered, “We are the lucky ones who woke up this morning while others were still sleeping.”

On the first day of January 2025, I woke up early and started my morning walk. Some neighbors’ houses and windows were still closed, and the streets were quiet. Usually, when walking along the road, I worry that a careless motorcyclist will hit me from behind.

That morning, those worries disappeared. My feelings were so light. I enjoyed the tranquility. Passing by some people sweeping the front yard and watering the flowers on the porch, I whispered that we were the lucky ones who woke up this morning while others were still sleeping.

As the virtual gifts to all my readers, here are some wildflowers I photographed on my way home.

Cheers.
PLAYTIME FOR SENIORS

January 2nd, 2025

Daily writing prompt
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
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Sorry if I sound old-fashioned, but going to the pub or karaoke is no longer for me.

Playing for an adult means an activity that gives him happiness and joy, reduces stress, might stimulate creativity, or ties a relationship with someone new or refreshes the old one.

Not all plays known generally in Indonesia are suitable for adults. If insisted on, some would be considered childish. Games, including Lompat Karet, Petak Umpet, Ular Naga, and Congklak, are for kids. The seniors have their own choices.

Playtime is a time to have fun responsibly and thoughtfully. Sorry if I sound old-fashioned, but going to the pub or karaoke is no longer for me. I choose gardening, walking, and photographing the environment instead.

Now I play in stillness, no longer under night lights or in the middle of a crowd.
CULTIVATING PATIENCE, WISDOM AND HARMONY

January 1st, 2025
Daily writing prompt
What are your biggest challenges?
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Once you set a goal in life, that’s when you’ll face a mountain of challenges. The Quran says:
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Do people think that after they say, "We believe," they will be left untested?
(QS. Al-'Ankabut Verse 2)
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I have set a goal to live a peaceful and meaningful life. But at the same time, I asked myself, could I achieve it if my husband was not on the same path as me? When work life was so busy, and I was surrounded by ambitious and cunning people, could I maintain the peace I strive for? Or, when my economic situation was not good, could I pretend there were no problems?

Of course, my mind is disturbed when all of that happens.

But if I lived alone, far away at the foot of a mountain, and had everything to support my daily needs, would it be easier to achieve peace and a meaningful life? I doubt it. I might miss the hustle and bustle of the urban and the dynamic life in the working world.

Whether my life is peaceful or not lies in my mind. I should exercise the soft skills to regulate myself, what I should think about and resolve, and what I should let go of. I have not been able to set boundaries between the two areas. There are qualities that I have not fulfilled, including patience, wisdom, and physical and spiritual balance.

I am often tempted to act drastically, changing my lifestyle instantly. Finally, I am tired, bored, and restless again.

So, what is the biggest challenge in my life right now? Cultivating patience, wisdom, and the ability to balance the various aspects of my life.

This will be a long-term challenge, and I will take it slowly but mindfully.
WHEN NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE SPOKEN OUT LOUD

December 31st, 2024

I wonder where this writing habit will lead. Will it just be a hobby, a diversion in my life?

I have long dreamed of writing my own book with passion and love. A book that evokes memories, new thoughts, or freshness in the reader. It’s not too heavy but quite a good book.

Is that too ambitious for a beginner?

However, I asked mine; will readers like the book? How can I build my career as a writer if only a few people appreciate what I put into it?

If I followed those negative feelings, I would immediately stop writing. I then would spend more time scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc. I would feel tired and not get anything positive. In the long run, I might lose the skills I have acquired.

I have tried to keep writing on this blog in the last two months. At the same time, I continue to reject the negative thoughts that say out loud that I will not be able to become a professional writer. This is a struggle that I experience almost every day. I wonder if all aspiring writers feel this way? How many of them emerge victorious?

I still don’t know where this writing habit will lead. Will I be able to realize my dream of writing my own book? Or will this be a hobby, just a diversion in my life?

Although it’s not easy, I’m determined to do it in the new year 2025, writing my thoughts and life experiences into a book.

If I didn’t start, I wouldn’t get there, would I?
WILDFLOWERS AND LIVING A MEANINGFUL LIFE

December 30th, 2024

Wildflowers look lovely and strong simultaneously, while the flowers planted in pots look classy but fragile.

I love photographing flowers on the side of the road or in the bushes. I value them more than the pretty flowers in pots on a beautiful porch. They look lovely and strong simultaneously, while the flowers planted in pots look classy but fragile.

My friends often laugh at my crouching pose when taking these photos. An unusual hobby, they say.

I see wildflowers from a different perspective. Humans have been fooled by the flashy, bold, and dazzling appearance for so long. Something natural and easy to find in nature is often considered nothing special, without a price. I think that attitude is built by the industry that produces expensive goods and is supported by the human tendency towards luxury.

I like nice things (some of which are expensive, yes) but not in an excessive way. I am aware of my financial capabilities. Also, I know that peace and contentment can be obtained in other ways, such as finding beauty in ordinary places or on the outskirts.

Recently, I have been trying to develop more positive habits to make my day worthwhile. Photographing nature is one of them.

What are some others? Enjoying a sunrise or sunset, walking in a park or garden (I perfect it by walking silently while dhikr), listening to birdsong, and playing in the sand. Reading a favorite book, listening to music, and writing in a journal are also valuable.

Alhamdulillah, I have been doing some of them for a long time and will continue establishing and making them a part of my peaceful life.
HAPPY LIKE A CHILD. WOULD IT POSSIBLE?

December 29th, 2024
I blame the monotonous routine for the lack of peace in life. It’s time to cut back and welcome a more meaningful and joyful new year of 2025.

Why do I think that? I feel that I have a child’s soul buried inside me. When I let the soul of a child live for a moment, a feeling of lightness and happiness appears.

An article I read explains why children are happier than adults; (1) Children have less burden of thought and responsibility; (2) their curiosity and desire to explore the surrounding environment are high; (3). the ability to play and have fun without limits, and (4) their openness to new experiences. They experience very little stress and anxiety.

Of course, it is not easy to let go of my daily responsibilities at work and home. However, I must be selective in accepting those responsibilities and burdens and focus more on pampering myself.

There are some simple things that I can develop from now on.
- Building a more positive perception of the world.
- Reduce negative thoughts and pessimism.
- Continue learning and absorbing new information.
- Explore curiosity and creative and imaginative thinking skills.
If lucky, I’ll be a grown woman who can enjoy the little things with joy and happiness. Worth a try, right?
POLITIC GETS ME CONFUSED

December 28th, 2024

Daily writing prompt
How have your political views changed over time?
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Politics. I don’t understand how to interpret it to improve the nation’s welfare. Indeed, every five years, we Indonesians elect new leaders as president and vice president, governor and vice governor, and mayor and vice mayor. We also elect representatives who sit in parliament.

I should vote for someone who represents my point of view to build the country, but quite often, the person I vote for is carried by a party with a very different political view. Conversely, sometimes I like the political view of a party, but in the election, the party carries a gubernatorial or presidential candidate whose past and actions are not satisfactory.

So, I can’t write much about this daily prompt. I am also confused about my political views, which are always changing.

Unlike the United States, which has two political parties, Indonesia has dozens of parties. Their political lines are slightly different from each other and often show inconsistency in making political decisions.
GET MYSELF USED TO WRITING

December 27th, 2024

Daily writing prompt
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
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Writing and reading have different atmospheres to start with. Reading is easier. I can read highly literary literature like Pride and Prejudice anytime. However, I will not allow any conversation while I read such classic novels. It’s not the same when I read contemporary novels/books.

When I write a blog or any article, the situation is different. I need more; the tranquility of the surrounding environment, ideas for writing, and supporting data/information to develop the writing. Sometimes, in the middle of completing the writing, I need to watch TikTok, Instagram, or Netflix and click on related topics to give a refreshing touch to my writing.

I challenge myself to write anything daily, so I get used to writing. Writing and gardening are two activities that I plan to accompany my retirement days.

Do you know the challenging part of completing a writing?

Inserting the nuances of my feelings so that the writing is truly unique and does not only contain normative things. How about you? Is the difficulty the same with me?