What goes around, comes around

"No need for revenge. Just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you eventually screw up themselves and if you're lucky, God will let you watch,"

We might have different names of it, I called it KARMA and you may have your own name of it (and yes, you can named it with whatever name you love)

"Do I believe in karma?"

Yes,I do! I believe it since my childhood. It was my grandpa who always remind me about it,

"This universal law states that nothing happens by chance or outside the universal laws. Every action has a reaction or consequence and we 'reap what we have sown', what goes around comes around... what ever you give to life, it gives you back. So don't hate anybody. The hatred that comes out of you will someday come back to you. Instead, love others and love will come back to you. You have to keep in your mind that karma is like a rubber-band, it can only stretch so far before it comes back and smacks you in your face,"

what a quote, uh???

It then changed the way I live my life.. 

Previously, I never thought that karma does exist, yet I thought it just exist in Hindus. As long as I remember, my teacher never told me that Islam has such rules according to karma, which then made me jump into a blind-conclusion that karma doesn't exist in Islam. Kinda naive, uh? but then I changed my mind on this karma thinggy. It did happen since the day my grandpa "slap me in face" with his words. I knew that karma does exist, even for me as a moeslem, yet both my grandpa and I have no idea what it called in Islam.

"Life has simply mechanism. If you treat people in a good way, universe will send it back to you. It'll surprise you with bunch of good things and vice versa. Once you hurt others, don't be surprised if then you found that you're life become so suck. Karma never loses an address. Its like a boomerang, you doing bad things to others, then it'll turning back double to you,"

However, we have our will, whether to spend the rest of our life with full of happiness or suffering in sadness. Again, as my grandpa said, it's not about how others treat us, but it's about how we treat others. All we need just doing good in every single things and make sure that we hurt no one and let the universe do the rest. Some of us may get the payback right away, but some others may have to wait for some times. It doesn't matter whether we believe on it or not.

"Karma has no deadline.., like gravity, karma is so basic we often don't even notice. Yet, it has no menu, we get served what we deserve.."

Life is Balance

"Which moment you regret the most in your life; when you meet the one who then be your love one or when he left you once you both broke up?"

I was in my favorite coffee shop, enjoying my green tea latte, once this girl came to my table and asked me that question.

I didn't know her and I never saw her before, not in this coffee shop. I am deadly sure about that since this place kinda "second-home" for me. I spent my eve in this place almost everyday. So, it wasn't difficult at all for me to recognize each person whom going to this place regularly.

"Sorry, but do I know you?" I asked her politely

"Nope in this present life, but who knows we knew each other in our past life.."

I grinned I knew that her answer is sounds weird but I love it.

"How can you be sure that we knew each other in our past life?"

"Well, I said who knows. Can't tell you how, I just feel that we connected somehow. So, may I sit here? I am sure you wait no one,"

She didn't wait for my approval. Yet, she pulled the chair and sat there calmly.

"Good point! Well, at least now I know why you come to my table randomly and give me that such of heavy question. Okay then, let's pretend that we knew each other in our previous life."

"So, you'll answer my question?"

I nodding.

"But  you have to tell me first, why you ask me that question and the most important is, I am curious about yours and why that question crossed in your mind?"

She smile on me...

"Because everyone seems busy with their gadget, unless you. I saw you watching the rain outside then you wrote something on your book. So, I think you kind of person that I can talk to. I don't need to know your name, you don't need to tell me your name and I hope you don't mind if I won't tell you my name. Is that okay?"

I nodding, again.

"I don't know why this question crossed in my mind. It just come in sudden, few minutes ago while I keep my eye on you,"

It surprised me! I didn't realized that someone, a stranger, just observe me!

" Wow, that's rude actually but I respect you because you dare to tell me the truth,"

Again, she just smile to me

"So, will you answer my question, now?" 

I shrugged

"Why?" she asked me

"Because I wanna know your answer first, then I'll give you mine. How about that? I think it's fair enough since I have no clue at all about you in this present life, so let me know you through your thought. Yet, I'll take it as an exchange since you intrude my me-time,"

"Okay. That's fair enough. Sorry for bothering you. IF I have to choose, then I will say that I regret the day I met him. I think, if I never met him, he would never  brake my heart and I won't be suffer, as simply as that," she doubtfully answered.

I look at her closely...

"What??" she asked impatiently

I smiled at her..

"Oh please.., stop! You make me feel uncomfort," she said softly

"Sorry, I don't mean to embrass you. However, If I have to choose between those choices, then I would say that I won't choose any. I love my life. I learned to not regret any single thing that happened in my life, not even when I met someone whom then become my partner in love nor even when he broke my heart. I know it sounds impossible, I won't said it's easy to do so. Yet, it's really challenging. It takes more than 20 years for me to have this value of life,"

"Do you have any experience on it?"

"What experience?"

"You met someone, you sure that he's the one you looking for. You both in such of relationship but then he decided to walked away,"

I nodded

"May I know? Mind to tell me?"

"Why should I? I didn't know you and it such of private anyway," I answered her politely

She shrugged but her eyes kept looking at me expectantly

"Okay, never mind. You don't need to tell me the story. You're right, I'm just stranger. How can you tell a secret to stranger. If so, you must be crazy,"

"Hey, please don't get me wrong. I can't share it because I respect him,"

"Okay.."

"Sometimes, in life, we expecting too much and tend to forget the rule, the simple one; life is balance of holding on and letting go. Sometimes, we have to hold someone on our path, but there's also possibility that things didn't work as we expected and we have to let them go,"

"How about sadness? don't you feel it once you let him go?"

"Yes, I felt it and struggle with it for couple weeks,"

"Only couple weeks? how come?"

"Because my grandpa always told me, once I was child, that there's no point to keep someone on my way if the universe conspire to make them go from our path. The hardest we try to hold them in our way, the more we'll feel the pain. All we need to do is let them go and be happy for it. There must be a reason why they came and crossed in our path. Sometimes it takes time for us to recognize but somehow God Almighty just make it easy for us; He showed us the reason right away. So, what we need most is patient. When the time comes, we'll know for what purpose the came and crossed in our path,"

She stared at me

"I am happy. We have great experienced. Having to know him is one of precious thing in my life. No matter that at the end he decided to walked awad and continuing his life without me. I don't mind. He must have his own reason and I believe the universe has a plan for me, for both us. By letting him go, it helped me to let myself free from suffering. Once you close a door, there's must be another doors ready to open. I always keep it on my mind,"

"That's really touchy. Don't you realized it? Thanks for telling me that story. I'm sure it's not easy for you to tell me that thing,"

I haven't had answered her once she stood from her chair, gave me ahud and walk away.

she left the coffee shop right away.

I froozed on my chair, no idea what should I do then. It's kinda awkward. 

Apparently, the oddity still continuing.

Once I ready to left the coffee shop, the barista just ran to me and gimme a paper note.

"The girl whom you talked with asked me to give it to you," said the barista.

I read it, speechless...

"Hate no one, no matter how much they have wronged you. Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become. Think positively, no mater how hard life is. Give much, even if you have been given little. Keep in touch with the one who have forgotten you, and forgive who has wronged you, and do not stop praying for the best for those who love. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life"

I didn't know who is she but seems she knew me. I'm sure that she didn't come to my table randomly, she must be crossed in my path by reasons. I'm sure she's kinda answer, a reminder for me, a messager from the universe. I knew that I have to move on..

Thanks to you, whoever you are..

*for the girl who came to my table randomly*

Be Crazy, Be You!

"There are moments when you must be prepared to take a risk to do something crazy!" - Paulo Coelho

2008, one of my friend invited me to join him on a meet up. Most of its participants are entrepreneur. My friend told me that this meeting was such of regular meeting and  during the meet up each participant had to share their story; their dream, their purpose of life, and of course their success story. Yet, anyone who looks for advice is welcome.

And, the story began!

It was eight people, including me. We sat on a circle, there are lotta food in front of us but seems like no one interest on those foods. Instead, most of them such more interest to talk to others, to share their story. For me, it made bored yet curious! I wonder why everyone looks so serious. No one made a joke. Well, actually there’s a man who tried to make a joke. Unfortunately, no one laugh. What a pity!!

Then I started thinking, what happened with these people? Don’t they know what fun and happiness mean? Do they feel happy with their live?

Well, don't blame me then if I jumped into conclusion that happiness no longer belong to them. 

Later on, the early 40's year old man started talking. He was opening the meeting. Told us about the rule and he led us to make such of vow. Once we done with it, he pointed another participant to tell us about his business progress. It happened until no one left, everyone had their time to speak, to told their story, except me!

Don't ask me what I did at that time. I was busy enjoying their story, even to be truth; I can't stop my mind to keep asking the same question, "Did they happy with their life? What happiness meant to them?"

Of course I didn't tell them about that. I just keep it on my mind.

I was so quiet until someone asked me in sudden

"What your purpose of life, Deedee? Do you have any specific plan on your 20's? Don't you have something that you have to achieve before you getting older, before you step your 30's?"

It shocked me!! 

Okay, I knew that someone will realize that there’s me on that room, but I never thought that I’ll get that question. However, that question sounds bit rude for me. But then, in the name of being polite, rather than got temper, I gave them my best smile ;) (my grandpa said that the best smile that I have could make boys out there melted! Geez!)

I look at my friend; asked him for help. Unfortunately, he didn't realize it. However, I have to answer that question, at least..

"My life's purpose is being happy, anytime-anywhere-in any situation. I never make any plan in my life since I'm such of spontaneous person. Yet, I believe that God Almighty knows better what I need in my life. And once He thought that I need something in a precious time, He always made the universe conspire to make it happened for me. So, why should I worry if I know that God Almighty always taking care of me? But, if you really wanna know what I want in life, simply, I just wanna traveling a lot, paid and to be paid for it. Yet, I wanna doing something in the name of humanity during my trip. Nothing less nothing more, as simple as that,"

None of them said anything after all. They just stared at me. I am sure they started thinking that I'm such crazy, irresponsible, and have no "bright" future life. Whatever!

"Sound crazy yet unreliable. Who will pay for your trip? And why they have to pay you for doing that? As a businessman, I think no one will interest to invest their money on you. Sorry to say, but that's the fact,"

I didn't remember that man's name. But my friend told me that his business growth well and he was on his way to expand his business. Above at all, my friend just chose him as his benchmark.

Geez!!

"Well, I don't know how and when. I don't really care whenever God Almighty will make it happen or whether He'll make it happen or not. But, I am sure, there must be a way out to make it real. It’s about time. I always believe that there's must be miracle. All we need just a belief that God Almighty will make it happen in real, if He think I worth enough to get that opportunity and I believe He will make it for me. Otherwise, I am sure He’ll give me much better than I asked to Him. But don't ask me how and when, let's make it as a surprise," I responded that man. 

No one respond it and I knew that might be happened. I don't care!

Time goes fly and I even didn’t remember about those statement, not at all. Things didn’t go as I thought but above at all, I have a happy life. I might have no frequent traveling as I wish, but I keep my belief that someday, there must be a way to make it happen.

Day by day, I posted a lot of interesting pictures, mostly about places that I want to visit. Till then I realized that there’s no space in my wall to posted more pictures. And when it happened, the universe conspired to make it real.

It started with the opportunity to move to Ubud, Bali in 2010. Work for the well-known international literature festival in Indonesia which gave me an opportunity to work in multicultural office. It shocked me for sure. Yet, it’s too fancy for me! But, how can I avoid Ubud? No one doubt that Ubud is so wonderful place to live and I posted it on my wall.

Seems like universe keep working on my side. Once I finished with this project, the universe then flew me to Bandung, I had to work with social entrepreneur within Indonesia and most of them still under 25 years old! Good thing from this job was the opportunity to frequent traveling within Indonesia. Yeah, it happened because one of my responsibility was to find youth social entrepreneurs across the country. What a lucky!

Luck then become my middle name. A year later, the universe brought me to Sumatera Island. Another project which offering frequent travel came to me in sudden. All I have to do is to educate people in 5 coastal areas in Sumatera; Padang, Bengkulu, Aceh, Nias and Mentawai Island about disaster risk reduction. What  a surprise!

Yes, I was thinking to go to Aceh after the tsunami. I was keen to apply as a volunteer at that time but unfortunately none interest to brought me as their time. In fact, I ended up spent my time watching my television to kept update with the latest news. Similar thing happened when earthquake hit Padang in 2009. I was ready to apply to be a volunteer but I can't found any organization who interest to brought me in as their team.

So yeah, once this opportunity came to me, it's such of dream come true for me.

The funniest thing happened last year, I met the man who said that my dream is impossible. Yes, I met him by chance once I spent my "me-time" in one of famous park in my city. It surprised me he still remember me and my "dream". In fact, he asked whether it came true or not and it's ended up with 3 hours chit-chat time. I told him the whole story and at the en he just said, 

"You're insane!! I thought you never made it! I thought you'll give up at the day I said that it's impossible. Instead, you made it! you prove it that I am wrong, that there's always possibility. You're rock!"

 

"You know what?" he continued "Sometimes all we need a brave and bit of insanity. The day I told you that you're dream wasn't make sense, it's not because I underestimate you. To be honest, it because I had the same dream as yours but unfortunately I didn't have your insanity. I am not that brave to brake the rules. I have to settled, especially in finance issue. I am sure that you must thinking that I am a jerk! I am so sorry, but I do really adore you for that matter! just keep it with you! I am sure there's lotta person who jealous on you, trust

 me!"

To be honest, it made me speechless. Instead of gave him response, I grinned to him..

ps: I wonder which part of the world that universe will bring to me for my next journey.. whenever is it, I am sure that there's must be lotta happiness, joyful, and insights for me :)