my thoughts on the environment, travel and life reflections

A DEVOUT MUSLIM, BUT NOT FANATIC

May 29th, 2025

I am a devout Muslim but not a fanatic. I practice my religion moderately. I believe Islam is a religion that brings balance to life. I can’t achieve balance in life with fanaticism.

Sometimes, people confuse obedience with fanaticism. If someone is devout, he must be fanatic. It is not like that, dear. In fact, a pious person will develop a wise and loving attitude within himself. He is worried about hurting other creatures. If he does not perform worship, he sins only to his God. He can apologize from a hidden space or silently, and God will forgive him. Because God is most loving and merciful.

If he causes harm to other beings—whether humans, animals, plants, or the environment—he must apologize to many of them, with no guarantee of forgiveness. Creatures have a natural tendency to harbor resentment and seek revenge. Once conflict arises, its effects can endure for a very long time.

So, It is better to protect the feelings of others than to hurt them. You will not enter heaven until your problems with other human beings are resolved properly.

I practice my religion’s teachings willingly, seeking guidance for improvement, happiness, and forgiveness.
MORE MEANINGFUL

May 28th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
Do you remember life before the internet?
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Life without the internet used to feel slow. Just imagine. The only entertainment I liked was watching television. Television broadcasts containing films and entertainment only started after 8 p.m. and ended at 00 a.m.

Unlike my brothers who liked to hang out until late at night, I would daydream alone if I couldn’t sleep. Luckily, I was not a night owl. If I couldn’t sleep, I would read until I felt sleepy.

Sometimes, I’d join my neighbors in watching folk entertainment. But my mother disliked it. She was strict about guarding her daughter, so I had to go home before 10 a.m.

Fortunately, I liked reading books and started learning to cook. Besides studying, meeting friends, reading, and cooking became my other entertainment.

Overall, life without the internet was good. More meaningful. There are many things that I still remember. It’s different from life with the internet. I read and learned a lot, but it’s also easier to forget. The flow of information is too strong. Like a flood, more is thrown into the gutters and rivers than is absorbed into the ground.
I AM NOT SURE

May 27th, 2025

I’m not confident in saying that I’m skilled at anything.

As I get older, it becomes harder to say that I excel in one or more things. The world has become more open. The mass media reveals people with superior abilities, for example, making crafts, giving speeches, giving motivation, or arranging their homes and gardens.

If I compare myself to them, I feel like I am nothing.

I can accept my shortcomings. Although I’m not particularly skilled in one area, I’ve managed to navigate the working world without feeling stressed or depressed. That alone brings me satisfaction while I continue to strive for self-improvement.
IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE IT ALL

May 25th, 2025

Having it all. This expression is often conveyed to other people who are very lucky in life, who have wealth, good looks, and a rising career. Cheap romances usually depict characters like this, who meet other characters who live simple lives but have good and beautiful natures.

Well, that only exists in novels or movies. In real life, there is no such thing. I am very sure. The person we think has everything is most likely suffering psychologically. These worldly advantages cannot cure the pain in his heart.

But why does he look so happy? He has the luck that he uses to buy that joy. However, it is only temporary. When he is alone, his suffering soul will again take control of him. It is not surprising if we hear a famous artist or a millionaire’s child decide to end his life tragically.

In my opinion, humans must be humble and admit that having everything in this world is impossible. This humility will help him get out of sadness. And he will be much wiser.
MY OLDEST SON

May 24th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
Who would you like to talk to soon?
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I don’t have a daughter, so I share stories primarily with my two sons. My eldest son is more responsive and sensitive to my problems or lighter stories, so he’s the one I call most often when I want to share something.

Many people ask me whether I feel incomplete because I don’t have a daughter. I really feel fine. My two sons have different characters and complement each other in their roles as children. The eldest tells a lot of stories, and the youngest is quieter and works a lot. The eldest is a bit emotional, while the youngest is like a deep sea. It’s hard to guess what’s in his heart.

Every once in a while, I reach out to my second son to check on how he’s doing. Since he tends to be less responsive, I often end up writing him a lengthy WhatsApp message, almost like a letter. In these messages, I share my hopes for him and offer gentle guidance regarding his attitude. I believe that some of what I write must resonate with him, and for the rest, I leave it to my prayers. Only God can turn people’s hearts, right?
MY TOTE BAG

May 23rd, 2025

Daily writing prompt
What personal belongings do you hold most dear?
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I am currently obsessed with my large tote bag. Whatever outfit I wear, that bag is always suitable. I often place it on my lap when I sit down to cover my midsection.

I am the type of person who always carries a large bag. My confidence increases when I hold a large pouch. In it, I put items often needed, such as powder and lipstick, a wallet, a cell phone, a pen, a laptop, supplements and snacks, and other small items.

At home, I place my bag near my bed for easy access. If I suddenly want to take or put something, I can do it effortlessly.

My habit is different from those who never take bags when they go out. They only carry a wallet and a cell phone.

I often wonder if they feel confident enough to engage in activities outside with just such minimal belongings. Aren’t they annoyed if they suddenly need a pen or handkerchief, but there isn’t one?
USED STAMP COLLECTION

May 22nd, 2025

I admire individuals who collect antiques or art. Such people are diligent, have refined tastes, and possess significant financial resources. When they become interested in an item, they actively seek it out, negotiate, and ultimately acquire it.

Collecting precious things is not for me. I have no money. I love to watch the collection, though. Once, I visited my friend who has a collection of Batik from all over Indonesia. She is really a beautiful and high-fashion lady.

I had a keen interest in collecting stamps. I still keep my album on the bookshelf. However, as I grew older, I lost interest in my collection. It’s been tens of years since Indonesia stopped using stamps, so I can no longer continue collecting used stamps.

I was not alone in collecting stamps; my classmates in elementary school were also collectors. It seemed silly when we all ran to our grandmothers’ houses to search for old letters. What a lucky and proud moment when I found one or two old stamps as if I was going to be a millionaire.
LET THE OTHER DECIDE

May 21st, 2025

This question often weighs on my mind. It’s natural to want to leave behind something meaningful. I won’t be remembered as just dust in this world. A legacy doesn’t have to be a physical object; intangible or non-physical contributions can also be considered a legacy.

I still doubt whether my right-doing will be a legacy for my children, grandchildren, or those around me. For instance, my habit of turning organic waste into something useful, like compost, herbal soap, or eco-enzyme liquid, could be considered a legacy. However, I wonder if it truly counts, as many others have done similar things, often with higher popularity over a longer time.

I should not target any legacy. Let everything go with time. The most important thing is the desire to do and leave the good habits and useful goods before I die. Let my descendants or others decide whether it is worthy of being considered a legacy from me.
COLD IN MOUNT BROMO

May 20th, 2025

I live in an area with very hot weather. Although the rainfall is moderate, it doesn’t really affect it. Even when it rains heavily, it doesn’t feel cold. Just a little colder.

However, there are other areas in Indonesia where the weather is always cold. For example, the highlands of Mount Bromo in East Java. When I traveled there, I shivered with cold. Even though the sun had risen, the cold still felt thick. It’s just that there was no snow there.

I don’t seem to like cold weather. That condition makes me busy looking for a comfortable position and wearing thick clothes. My skin color becomes darker (so it’s not good for taking photos), and I also become unproductive at work. Moreover, I easily catch colds and asthma, which is very risky to recur if the air is too cold.

Occasionally, going to areas with cold weather is okay for me. I like flowers, plants, and beautiful mountain views. Areas with cold weather spoil me with views like that.

Living in a cold area also makes me lazy about bathing. I like bathing, not only for its cleanliness and fragrant body but also as a way to freshen my mind and feelings. However, the cold was unbearable.
AMBITION MAKES YOU HATE MONDAY?

May 19th, 2025

This morning, I went to the office feeling calm. I’m not pressured anymore by the Hate Monday mood.

Hi, You’re my age…, do you feel the same way? Do Hate Mondays decrease as you enter a less productive age?

I am not the only one who ever experiences this feeling. Almost all workers hate this day because the unpleasant routine and work pressure reappear after they feel free on the weekend. Young people may feel it even harder. Just look at the handsome faces that look shabby, wrinkled, grumpy, or indifferent as an expression of hatred for Monday.

Older employees actually look fresher and calmer. Their faces are full of smiles. They seem to miss the workspace and their colleagues. What is the difference between the two?

The older generation may have given up their ambitions. They are happy to still get a monthly salary, have a job, and have friends to chat with while working. They go to the office without any burden at all.

The situation faced by the younger is different. As younger employees strive to achieve their ambitions of high salaries and a luxurious lifestyle, they must become exceptional in their roles. The greater their desires, the tighter the competition, which places more pressure on them.

I see ambition that makes a difference. What do you think?