Friends, I bet that you’re still working now, or at least you’re still try to hold on with your job now. For every employee, in any kind of company or institution, must recognize the words “Reward and Punishment”. This always stated clearly in the company or institution guidance book. Sometimes we understand this reward and punishment term in form of rules or regulations applied by the company or institution. But, have you ever realized about this outside the office space ? Friends, in ancient time, this term of reward and punishment has already applied very strict when we ever read about history book of ancient kingdom. It will stated in the form of norms and ethics that must be obey by all citizens in the kingdom. People always love to take reward than the punishment. Since we were young, we were always educated not easily punished by other of our own mistakes. In real life, sometimes we can’t predict what we’ll get today, either it’s reward or a punishment. Now, why we eager not taking the punishment better than a reward ? And sometimes blaming others to safe ourselves from the punishment ? In my view, people doing this because they’re not ready to be “wrong”. They ashamed being wrong. They’ll try to lessen this wrong thing to achieve the reward that being offer to us. This thing is a human nature, because we’re already told that wrong is bad and will get the punishment. But, being good will get the reward. Sometimes we’re not ready being punish by condition. We are always seeking for reward in this life. This mind setting for always seeking reward would led us into a snob, greedy, and irresponsible person. Reward and punishment should be balance in this life, because we know that there’s no perfect life in this world. If we’re always ready or set our mind to always taking the punishment, we’ll not afraid about anything that sometimes made us become wrong. In an easy definition, we can say, we’re not afraid to be wrong and taking the punishment. Basically, the existence of punishment is to give a lesson for us that something we’ve done before was wrong and not following the rules or regulations. Sometimes, we try to avoid the punishment, but we can’t force it. Human being always a human being that can’t runaway from the mistake. About the reward, basically it’s to honor our achievement in anything. I would like to say in here, to get a reward is a common thing, but to accept the mistake and take the punishment also, is a marvelous thing. Why I can say this ? Because most of us was “designed” by our norms in this life, always being the best in everything, not to accuse our mistake or taking a punishment. So Friends, now, are you ready to take the punishment either than reward ?

When I write this, suddenly I’ve no idea what will I write for you, Friends. I don’t have any fresh idea to write at this moment. My brain seems empty and stuck, seems that my brain doing a strike for me because I always use it for a hard and deep thinking. I bet that you ever through this “blank mind” in your life sometimes. But the question now is, what will we do with this kind of condition ? The condition that we were really didn’t have any idea to share or discuss with others. Sometimes, our mind need to take a rest for a while. Mind resting method for every person is different. One person need a certain sleeping hours that rest his/her body and mind. But others, can made their mind to relax by listening music or playing a game. When we seems “overloaded” anytime, try to make yourself comfortable by doing anything that you like. So that, your mind, especially your brain will refresh again and ready to give a fresh idea. But, other way to reduce this “blank mind” condition can by increasing our knowledge of everything. Based on our knowledge, you’ll find a better idea to share because you’ve added your capacity of understanding to higher level. Sometimes people like us, keep staying in “comfort zone” and never learn about something new that really can increase our knowledge and understanding. So that, our mind become lack of exercise and start to “blank” occasionally. This is very dangerous condition, because it’ll affect our work performance. We’ll become slow and lazy, and the most scariest thing is, Boss has give a sign to us that we are not creative anymore. What a dangerous condition. Friends, I’ve one note for you in this writing, please always exercise your mind, so that you can avoid the “blank mind” condition every time you get stuck in a problem.

Friends, I bet that you’ve at least one dictionary at your bookshelf. Most of you have an English Dictionary or Indonesian Dictionary. If you see the detail of dictionary, it’s arrange through the alphabet, from A to Z. It’s really easy to use and we can use it quickly if we need to find a definition of a word. Nowadays, dictionary become online. Anyone from every part of the world can access it through the internet. We don’t have to open page per page like common dictionary that we’ve in our bookshelf. Now, what’s the connection between dictionary and life ? If you curious to know what’s my idea in writing this. Friends, everyone in this world has an experience in their life. This experience sometimes carry a good or bad memories in our life. Through this experience, we can define what’s the meaning of our life. Good memories will result a good understanding to what good experience we ever had. That’s also in vice versa. Not like common dictionary that we often use, but a life dictionary much like a compendium of our experience, our mental exploration, or even our path to find a new knowledge. We don’t need to open it page by page, but it’ll suddenly come “online” when we try to seek or search for a problem that we may face. We can easily finding it when we face the same problem from our previous experience. This dictionary of life will never be too old and can’t be used anymore because the word has already out of date, but it always refresh by our new experience or knowledge, every time we learn something new. Amazingly, life dictionary never been too thick to read, though the pages increasing by our age. We can always refresh and open it anytime we want or need it. So, Friends, please keep your life dictionary always updated and refresh anytime .

I got this writing idea when I was trapped in an Internet Café yesterday. I was trapped because rain pouring down heavily and I don’t have any courage to go home at that moment. Wind blowing hard and thunder start coming also. I’m just wondering at that time, how destructive the wind can be. Near my rent room last week, there was an old tree that fell down because of the hard wind. All roots and the body of tree can’t resist because of the wind power. If you’re movie lover, I bet that you ever seen a movie titled “Twister”. In that movie, all the researchers, or I may say climatologists/weather expertise try to measure the power of twister or whirlwind and its pathway. So that, they  can predict when that destructive wind will coming and could lessen the victim because of this disaster. What a courageous spirit of chasing and finishing all the research about whirlwind. This kind of spirit really made me realize to what I’ve done now. On the other side of this “normal” life, other people still seeking and searching for uncertainty of something useful for humanity. The restless spirit to know each and every detail of climate behavioral that might be useful to others. If we want to look at ourselves right now, have we done and ever think about that also ? I’m not judging anybody in here that all we’ve done is not useful for others. The weather researchers never asked for a great reward in their research for humanity. They only want their research result could safe others and human existence in this world. They don’t want to be a hero in this world, but purely pushed by curious thinking about anything that wrong and how to mend it back. Now, I don’t want to talk about those research and researcher in here. I would like you to think, deep in your mind, have you done anything in this life based on projection or prediction for a better achievement ? The wind absolutely can’t be chased. It’ll come suddenly and gone quickly, but the effect of this could cause a lost of thousand soul. Chasing wind in here means the spirit to learn about anything that come uncertain and has a very high probability. So that, we can get any benefit for ourselves in projecting, or at least, have a prediction for anything. We must have a clear mind and observe about anything that uncertain in this life. Uncertainty sometimes made us uncomfortable, but we’ve to face it either we like it or not. But, the most important thing is, how to make the uncertainty become something certain. If you’ve succeed to know the pattern of this uncertainty, you’ll finally found the solution for that uncertain matter. The advanced process of this knowledge is developing an action to anticipate all the uncertain process or incident. That’s why we know the word “Planning”. In planning, we’ve a purpose to gain something and we already put our path where to go. But, a good planning will never run so smoothly, that’s why in the end of every process, we’ve an evaluation. This kind of spirit from the researcher always giving a good learning in planning, though there’s no good method invented already better than “trial and error” procedures. But, at least, we’ve a pathway to what we will do next if our plan is fail, this we can call a backup plan. So, Friends, are you ready to chase the wind now ?

Nowadays, technology has shown us many simplicity in life. Everything that seems complex and very hard to understand, now can easily understand by anyone. Tools and equipment were well designed and could increase the work performance that slow and take a long time to process before. For example, for making a delicious noodle, we don’t need to made noodles first, just use hot water and noodles will be ready to served. I’m really interesting to view this technology development especially in making something become instant and take less time to process. But, sometimes we forgot that not all aspect in this life can use this instant method. For example, gaining a knowledge by studying. This is not an instant process, but take a lot of effort, mind capacity, and a great will to do that. That’s why, knowledge that we’ve learn will last forever in our mind, because we know each and every detail to study the knowledge. Same thing happen when we’re going become a leader. The great leader not instantly born to this earth, or has destiny to be a leader. I was really interesting when I saw many campaign posters on street when I went back from my work place. My mind directly thinking about this instant thing. Become a political leader or even as a representative of people in this country surely not as easy as flipping our hand. The great leader has learn so many thing in this life, especially his/her own experience in developing mind and courage. Negative thing from an instant process sometimes bring us to impatient culture. We’ve to rush in everything every time. We’ve lost our culture in respecting others, for example, when we’re going to our office late, we always put maximum speed in driving our vehicle and non stopping push the horn. Instant condition or process sometimes not helping us much, but it only change our behavioural thing or shorten our process of working. In USA and Europe, people there start to reduce the instant food and instant eating, especially junk food. They realize that instant food will reduce their health and made them sick. People there are back to “long process eating”, not the instant thing, because medical data show that people with less consuming instant food get healthier life. I don’t want to say that all the instant thing is bad, but we must remember the power of Mother Nature. We can’t force to make flower blooming in one night. We also can’t force baby to born directly after 3 months. To be patient is a beautiful thing, because we can really enjoy the process of working. We can see the flower blooming from its initial bud for many days or month. So that, we can see the beauty of the flower in the end. We can enjoy the beauty of patient, not instant thing. So that, we can realize that Father Time is working for our better life/achievement. Nothing more beautiful then waiting for process to work and gaining maximum output. Waiting for some good reason is better than rushing it but we’ll regret it later. So friends, do you realize the beauty of process now ?

I almost 8 months following the orientation program in NLA. The concept of the orientation program is to give a global understanding of every part in NLA. All the new employees should follow this orientation program. Our background of education and especially our native place were different. We’re all selected from thousands applicants. Until now, I’m still feeling lucky that NLA chosen me as a new employee. Now, I’d like to share you about my experience many years before when I’m still joining in some private company. I was really idealist at that time. I can only work with my way and always chasing for a great performance and automatically follow by a good financial condition. I’m always feeling unsatisfied with my condition at that time. I never think to what I’ve right now and always uncomfortable with what I’ve now. Even, I never thank to God about all that already give to me. But suddenly, because life is never flat, my life change quickly. I’ve got fired from my previous job. I’ve nothing at that time, because I use my my money for useless thing. I never save my money well because I never think about my future. The company was broke because of economic crisis. But luckily, I’ve got money from my pension plan of insurance company. This unpleasant experience is giving me a good lesson in life. God punish me because I never thank to what I’ve now. I never think that life will never change if we still can use our ability and skill to gain money for our life. I got myself too much complaining in almost everything. Though now I already join with NLA, but sometimes that evil mind always keep coming anytime. I was really temptated to get another job and forget my status in NLA But I finally realize that I was chosen from more than 6,000 applicants. Like my best friend now in NLA and my wife always said, “You’ve to be more thankful to what you’ve now in NLA, because you’re here by the Hand of God that help you “. My best friend and my wife keep telling me about this all times when I almost take all the job offer. Thank to my best friend that give me spirit to be more thankful and become my spirit also in NLA. Though now I only have few money for a month living cost only, but I’m happy to what I’ve now. I never regret anymore that I join in NLA. My life has change, and I hope I can learn step by step for being a thankful person.

Friends, have you ever feel so drowning and blue, until seems that you can’t get up again ? It seems that you’ve never gaining back your faith anymore. Sometimes we feel that we’ve to runaway from this pesky situation. But, have you ever realize that this is only a test for us to make us stronger ? Please remember that life never been so smooth as silk. Every path that we take, could give us more option and choice. We must carefully think about every path that we must take in this life. Running away from problems, never made us grown up. The experience that we face in finishing problem, will made us rich mentally. We’ve already been hit here and there, but if we still stand up, it will proof that we’re mentally strong. Though many options and choices that we’ve made sometimes led us to misery, but at least it will give us a lesson for not doing the same mistake again in the future. There’s a moment for us in this life to take the reflection of what we’ve done all this time. I don’t mean to ask you about always mourning yourself for being so full of negative thing. This might be good to know your own limitation. But, if we’re always thinking about negative side of ourselves, it’ll result in running away from the problems that we must face. Sometimes we need to take a break for a while when we’re running our life in this world. Also sometimes, we must runaway from the problems. Not to avoid the problems, but more in finding way to finish the problems. Yes, we need to runaway for a while sometimes, just to clear up our mind, so that we can finish the problem in a descent way. We know that we can’t avoid the problems, because it’ll become a stacking of trouble. When the problems are stacking, we don’t have any time to solve it again, we feel that we run out of time. For me, better to retreat or runaway for a while than if we’ve to avoid the problems. This, sometimes never been thinking by us, but it’s good to take a break for a while and come back with fresh idea to finish the problem. When we’re going to finish the problem quickly and fast, sometimes we realize that we made a wrong decision. But, that’s fine, if we’ve to do like that, on that decision, we’ve already learn an important lesson in solving the same problem another time.

Dear Friends, I hope that you’re still with me and reading my writing today. I’m really sorry that I’ve not write for a long time, because of my limited time lately. Today, I’ll give you a special writing about The Eight Most Beautiful Gift. What are they ? Let’s find out…
The Presence
Availability or a presence of someone that we love or care is the most beautiful present and priceless thing. Yes, sometimes we can show our presence by phone, mail, e-mail, or anything, but if our presence is on the spot, I mean we’re really there, right beside someone that we’re really care or love, you can share your love and care directly. Let your presence bring happiness to someone thet you really care and love
I am Listening
Only few people can give this kind of gift. Mostly, because people love to be heard not listen to someone else. With paying our attention of someone say, indirectly, we’ve learn to be patient and modest. For listening very well, you’ve to be relax, so that you can catch each words and sentences said. Give full attention. No need to argue, criticize, or even judging. Let someone speak freely, so that you can make yourself easier to give an opinion later. It’s not always in the form of discussion or judging, but sometimes it’s only in the form of nice and warm words that we can tell to them.
Silence
Like words, silence also has a power inside. Silence can be use as punishment, or even make someone confuse. But, above all of it, silence can show our love to other or someone that we love. Silence give a “room” for someone that we love to “breath” and see the “mirror” inside their heart. Especially, if we often give an advice, criticize, or even complain about anything to someone that we really care about.
The Freedom
Loving someone not always means that we’ve a full authority to rule or own someone’s life. Can we be honest to ourselves that if we love someone but we always curbing or chained him/her ? Giving freedom is one of expression that we love someone. The meaning of giving freedom is not “do anything you like” but more on independency and responsibility of anything that he/she decide.
Beauty
I really like this word. Who don’t want to be handsome or pretty in this world ? I bet that anyone in this world love to be more beautiful and attractive. But more important is if we can show real beauty inside ourselves to someone that we really love. Means, we must have an “inner beauty” that can bring comfort to someone that we love
Positive Thinking
Sometimes, we have a bad or negative thinking to someone else. And maybe it can happen to someone that we love too. Seems that we’re always right and others are wrong. But, this time, try to change those negative thinking become positive. State it clearly and honest. Please remember, how many times you said “Thank You” to your beloved one after he/she help you a lot within this week ? Please remember also, have you already give him/her a praise or adore him/her ? These “Thank You”, “Praise” and also “Sorry” were easily forgetten by us, but these are a great gift for someone that we love
Modest
Not every problem can bring us into a fiery fighting. Especially if it’s a small problem that can easily solve without anger. If you’re ready to accept this condition, now you’re ready to give a “modest” gift for someone that we love. The way become modest is our cure for hurt feeling and understanding that nobody is perfect in this world
Smile
You may believe or not, a smile has an ultimate power. Smile, from our deepest heart, can melt an “iceberg” in a relationship, giving hope in a bad situation, bring happiness in sadness, and sometimes giving cure for a hurt feeling inside our heart. Smile can give signal that we’re ready to face the world and any kind of problems. Please remember, when did you bring your smile last time for someone that you love ?

Friends, have you define what’s the meaning of love ?
For those who didn’t like love, they call it RESPONSIBILITY
For those who like to play with love, they call it GAME
For those who didn’t have love, they call it DREAM or HOPE
For those who believe in love, they call it DESTINY
God knows which person is suitable for us, God give us a test, just to make us aware of the option for love in this life. God sometimes hurt our heart too, to give a lesson to us to be more patient in finding love.
When we lost our love, there must be a reason behind that. The reason that sometimes didn’t make sense, not easily to understand. But, we must aware of this, God has a better plan for us in our search for love.
Why we must waiting for love ?
The answer is….we don’t want to rush in love, though we’ve decide to find it. Though we’re “in hurry” to find love, but we don’t want to be careless. Though we need to find someone that we really love, but we don’t to loose our identity to find that.
If you want to RUN, learn to WALK first. If  you want to SWIM, learn how to FLOAT. If you want to be LOVED, learn how to LOVE someone. Like my friend ever said to me through SMS, in the end, you have to wait for the love to come, than try to make yourself comfortable with what we’ve right now. It’s better to wait the right person that we really care and love, than we choose the wrong person. Life is too short for us if we spend our life in misery, because of love. Waiting for love will give us a “room” to “breath”, and opening any possibilities for love, because love itself is a misery and sometimes illogical.
Flower is not blooming in one night. City was not built in one day. A great love will always grow as long as there’s life. Many beautiful thing in this world, need a certain kind of process and also take a certain time. Our process in finding love will not be a useless thing. Though waiting take a lot of effort, sacrifice, faith and hope, but we  know that God has prepared for us a better way in finding love. In the end, God made us to wait for love, for certain kind of purpose, for a better purpose. So, friends, have you find your love ?

Sometimes, in this world, we must choose for something or anything. Many option also come to us. Something or anything could be buying clothes, choosing a good PC, or even maybe, selecting our soul mate for a life time. It’ s easy to find something good for us if we’ve already know the quality of the goods itself. Our mind always keep thinking about basic economical law, get something in cheapest price, but must have a good quality. But, how about if we have to select someone for us as our husband or wife for a lifetime ? Are we still using the same term as if we want to buy something ? I bet the answer is NO. I’m  100 % sure about that, because human is a the most complex creature in this universe. Human has a spirit, has soul, has mind, and has passion to live. From this part, I want you think deeply right now, what’s your real purpose actually when choosing someone as your pair of soul ? I’m getting closer now to the title of this writing. Now, have you asking your heart and mind lately, was the person that you met lately and try to get closer to you now was the right person for you ? Just forget about anything that make you chained and framed, think freely, and listen to your heart and intuition now. The answer could be different from one person to another. At least, now you know what your heart and intuition said to you. Though it’s bad or good thing, we have to live with that heart and intuition. Try to exercise more in any kind of thing in our life. Heart and intuition are our closest friend and the most reliable friend in this world. They will tell the danger to you, they will make you alert anytime, they will tell the truth to you. YOUR HEART AND INTUITION NEVER LIE, EXCEPT YOU DENY THEM. Means, you’ll regret it sometimes if you’ve deny your heart and intuition. Try exercise your heart and intuition now, to make it sharper everyday, and you’ll never regret and feel better everyday, because you’ve release your feeling of guilty. Heart and intuition maybe a small thing for you, or it’s an abstract thing, something that we can’t grab, but we can feel it. Many great people in this world has prove it, and become success, because they’ve throw away unpleasant feeling of guilty not listening their heart said. Try exercise this in taking risk of your job, of course after you consider the data first, fool will act blindly if they don’t have any good data, though they’ve listening their heart. Remember, OUR HEART AND INTUITION NOT BLIND, THEY SEE WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE…PLEASE DON’T DENY THEM, OR YOU’LL REGRET IT LATER…LISTEN AND FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND INTUITION….