my thoughts on the environment, travel and life reflections

ONE PROBLEM IS TOO MUCH FOR AN OLD SOUL

May 8th, 2025

Never stop learning to become mature and wise, regardless of your age. Wisdom and maturity come not with age but through self-training.

Why did I suddenly say this?

I experienced how my initial perception of a problem was sometimes excessive and pushed me to speak rashly (which may hurt others), or my attitude became rude. That’s not the way to solve the problem. It will lead me to become more anxious and regretful. I must stop it and correct myself. I could be a better person if I were calmer and wiser.

Will I lose if I appear slow and calm, especially when facing a vocal opponent? Not necessarily so. When someone is more aggressive in a conflict, he tends to bring up many irrelevant things. In fact, it can be evidence to weaken himself.

If I was cornered and had lost materially, I still gained an advantage: a feeling of relief. Finally, one problem is eliminated. You know how fatal problems can be for an old soul.

In my opinion, material losses are nothing compared to problems that burden the soul. God will replace the material loss with something more valuable. I believe that.
BE KIND AND AVOID GOSSIP

May 7th, 2025
Is there an ideal community where all members are kind, refrain from preaching, do not think they are the most correct, and avoid gossiping?

I don’t think so. If you were in a community where all members were blood relatives, there would be more conflict and personal interference. Rules are often interpreted according to one’s wishes, sharpened by the characters’ differences among the community members.

Even if the community is formed from the same hobby or interest, there will always be problems. Would joining a community make your life more comfortable? Not that good. However, we need a community as social beings.

The three principles that I hold in interacting in the community are:
1. Be kind and do not discriminate against others based on their social status.
2. Be generous by engaging in activities that involve physical help or donations.
3. Avoid gossip and do not discuss personal issues.
A PROFESSIONAL CLEANER

May 6th, 2025

Being a house cleaner for just one day would be interesting. However, with one condition: I am given the authority to throw away rarely used or unused items in the house.

I noticed old houses around me or the houses of friends I visited. The impression was that the house was gloomy, dull, and artless. All led its occupants to a boring life. The house was clean, but too many items or cardboard boxes piled up there. Why keep those items if they no longer function?

Disposing of old items can be a difficult process. I have experienced this myself. My husband and I often have different opinions about what items should be removed from our house. These objections are certainly also felt by other couples.

Hiring a professional cleaner can help you declutter hoarded items and offer suggestions on the benefits of adopting a minimalist lifestyle.

Once you succeed in overcoming hoarding disorder, it feels relieving. The positive energy of the house is restored.

Cleaning services are needed here.
FAVORITISM KILL SMALLER INDUSTRY

May 5th, 2025

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite brands and why?
View all responses

My loyalty to some favorite brands has been fading lately.

I asked myself, what is the benefit of using the same product all the time? It is just a matter of feeling comfortable and prestige. I let myself be too lazy to look for and try other products. If I keep my mind open, I can find other products with the same quality (even better) at a cheaper price. Right?

I will provide an example. I like Maybelline lipstick. The colors are soft, high in moisture and vitamin E, and durable (not easily broken). However, many Indonesian lipstick brands also have the same qualities and are offered at a lower price. Consequently, I chose to purchase these more affordable local products instead.

I also apply an open mindset when choosing food, clothing, and home furnishings. This openness can stimulate the development of new industries in our country, allowing them to compete and demonstrate that their products are worth buying.

Favorite products are usually controlled by large companies. They are already rich and have many customers. Don’t let them kill smaller industries through our favoritism.
IT’S HARD TO FIND A PERSON WORTHY OF ADMIRING

May 4th, 2025

During my 30s and 40s, discussing personal problems with friends or family felt easy and helpful. It seemed like a natural thing to do.

As I got older, I became more withdrawn. I rarely talked about that. I did occasionally, limited to my younger sister or my son.

The change in my attitude was influenced by age and maturity. Sharing my problems with people outside my own family was becoming uncomfortable. They might not be trustworthy and keep their mouths shut. How embarrassing it would be if they shared our chats with the others.

Asking others for advice can sometimes lead to unsatisfactory answers. The person being consulted may not be an expert, and her perspective can differ significantly from yours. Additionally, she might become annoyed if her advice is not followed. This can lead to a new problem.

If I admire someone, I prefer to follow her lifestyle and principles silently. A good and exemplary person’s aura is immediately visible, and she usually avoids boasting herself. You should learn without much asking.
RIGHT TO VOTE, NEVER MISS IT

May 3rd, 2025

Daily writing prompt
Do you vote in political elections?
View all responses

I always participate in general elections because they are important. I have rights that I must use as best I can, choosing the right figure to lead the next five years.

I admit, that not all of my favorite candidates won. Some lost. But I was consistent, not badmouthing other people’s choices. Everyone has the right to choose and believe in their political decisions.

If some still clamor not to accept the victory of their political opponents, they are unwise. Why not wait and prepare for the next election period? That’s more sporting, right?
LET RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS AND COMMON SENSE GUIDE YOU

May 2nd, 2025

I heavily rely on religious teachings as a guiding force in my life. Everyone should be connected with God through religion, belief, philosophy, or something else. Without such guidance, relying solely on oneself can lead to restlessness and frequent doubt.

In addition to religion, I rely on common sense and the whispers of my heart. However, for the direction from my mind and heart to be correct and provide solutions, I must nurture and give them good nutrition, for example, by praying, reading, reflecting, developing empathy, etc.
A REFLECTION ON LABOR DAY

May 1st, 2025

Hello, Happy International Labor Day.

I’m enjoying a day off at home. How about you?

Let us reflect on our life as employees. Indeed, many employees have not received their full rights and are even paid very low wages. I agree that the struggle to get an ideal life as a worker is still long. But while we are fighting for those rights, we should introspect and correct ourselves, don’t we?

Frankly, I see many things that need to be fixed in workers’ behavior. Almost everyone thinks that physical strength determines success, but that is wrong. Your ability to develop intellectuality, understanding of the needs of boss, craftsmanship, and politeness must grow together with physical strength. When you are getting older, non-physical strength will increase your value. You will be more appreciated with the plus build-in in your professional.

Below is essential, too.

About income, assets, and health management so that they can be used and developed for the future. I often advise my staff to manage their finances well, adopt a minimalist lifestyle, and maintain their health by eating nutritious food and living a healthy lifestyle.

In my eyes, they still practice otherwise. Many of them buy expensive cars by loan. The others hang out until dawn, which wastes money and degrade health.

Female employees are no better with their self-love and narcissistic thoughts. Buying expensive items or beauty treatments that drain half of their monthly income. Frankly, I am sad about this phenomenon. No wonder, when they retire, they have no money and rely on their children or relatives.

This cycle has to stop, do you? The money you earn during your working life should be used wisely. Life will not be too harsh when you are in old age or in a tough economy.

The May Day actions are expected to raise issues like this. Not just blame the company or the government.

Do you have another opinion?
HAPPY ALONE AT HOME

April 30th, 2025

Weekends and holidays set by the government are all my favorite holidays. They are not because of the many attractions I can enjoy during the holiday but because I am free from all weekday obligations. I can be longer in, in the garden, watch movies and so on. I can be with myself without being disturbed by other people.

So, every time a holiday comes, I seem to cheer happily. I don’t need to be accompanied. If my husband wants to go out, he should just go with his friends. To the extreme, I don’t need to be invited to a party, social gathering, or mere chatting—Just let me alone.
PROJECT TO SAVE MY SOUL

April 29th, 2025

New projects can make my soul young again. Do you feel the same way?

My junior colleagues and I are working on writing an article to be published in a scientific journal. This is not an office job. It is our initiative to disseminate government data and information so that scientists can read it. We even fund the publication costs together.

I used to do scientific writing activities, but I left them for years. Now, I’ve started them again with my juniors, and thank God for the excitement we experienced. This activity really makes me feel young again. My junior’s spirit seems to flow through me.

Below is another project.

I am currently working to build an apartment for myself near campus. With the help of an interior designer, I have designed the space according to my personal taste. It truly feels like a home that I have created myself. The apartment features a mini balcony, a workspace, and a small kitchen. Although it’s only one bedroom, it’s compact and efficient. I could see myself spending two or three days a week here, reading and developing my writing. Constructing a building from zero to one will be an exciting experience.

Friends, what personal projects (outside of earning a living for your family) are you working on right now?

Can the project divert boredom from your monotonous life?