Do You Dare to be Great?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frighten us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marrianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela 1994 inauguration speech)

This is a very knock-out video to remind us that we are indeed capable to be powerful: Dare to be Great

Why would you not like Justin Bieber?

I was once wondering why some people I know, they dislike Justin Bieber. Or perhaps "dislike" is an euphemism, they "hate" JB. I think he is just too innocent to be mocked at, I've heard some call him "gay" or "too young to be an idol because he's not reaching puberty yet", I find it funny and strange though. I would rather respect those who might not like him simply because it's-not-my-taste-of-music reasons, than just hear some because-he-is-lame kinds of reasons.

It's not that I am his big fan but I mean, based on professional opinions, I think there is not enough reason to HATE him, why?

He can definitely sing. He can play guitar. He can dance. His music is groovy too. Here is my favorite music video of his : LOVE ME

All these reasons were apart from the facts: that the way he became so famous was one of a kind - he was found by his current manager in Youtube, he never conducts any crimes or bad reputation, he is cute and humble in living his life, when he once said "I am just an ordinary boy who lives his dream."

Or perhaps people in my age, they're just being too shy to acknowledge they fancy this sixteen-year-old boy? :D

This is such silly question, but seriously... it has successfully made me wonder.

Daily favorite quote 1

Dinda: Is Brad Pitt the ex-husband of Jennifer Anniston?

Me: WHAT? Yes he is! You don't know they were two married? It's been known sooo long time ago.

Dinda: No.. I don't *innocently*

Me: Geez... By the way Bruno Mars is coming to Indonesia, he's having concert here!

Dinda: Yes I know he's coming. It's been known sooo long ago though!

New Year’s Prayer 2011

Dear Lord,

It’s one hour to go before 2011. Yes Lord, this time I spend New Year’s eve at my parents’ home without going out like I usually did on the previous New Year’s eves.

You know honestly and humbly said, I am scared facing 2011. It is going to be my phase of life because I will be graduating in the midyear after my four-year-study of International Relations at Parahyangan Catholic University. I’ve been living in this very comfort zone for almost 3,5 years in Bandung. I’ve got great friends, great lecturers, great experiences and I thank You for giving me them all Lord! It was precisely like 3,5 years ago when I was twelve-grader and I was confused and not sure what the college life would be, but You were there to help me decide to jump in International Relations major at my current campus. It is only one semester left for me before I am entering new chapter in the book of my life, Lord. I have been wondering about post-graduation life. So many unanswered questions tangled up in my busy mind: Will I get a job as I want? What if I become unemployed? Will I get chance to chase my master degree abroad? Will my parents afford to support my master degree? Will I be able to get scholarship? Should I worry about this, Lord? I know You have been helping me through hard and good times for this 21 years of my living, and I should know that this case of post-grad life will be no exception for You to keep guiding me.

In terms of love stories, I am thankful because You have made me meet up some men in my life. From the ladies man, playboy, adventurer, to such smart ones. As You know Lord, one of my best friend just texted me 30 minutes ago “I wish you a happy New Year and that your list of boyfriends-to-be will be added up.” Isn’t it ironic that I know some men there but I am staying single until now, Lord? Am I a snob? Am I being too picky? Am I being playful? Is there anything wrong with me Lord? At some point I find it confusing, Lord, sometimes I’m not sure what I feel and who I want to be with. Perhaps I can be called as mean for being such heartbreaker, but I am a nice person, I just want to be with someone I feel sure of although it doesn’t necessarily mean that my boyfriend would surely end up being my husband because the idea of marriage itself is still long way to go. I believe that You would give me chances to meet several men just so in the end of the day I will be in the know of what I want in a man and what to expect from him.

Dear Lord, I will never know what lies in the year ahead, that I am facing the unknown, and that problems are inevitable. It’s ok to be scared right? That means I still have something to lose, right? What is relieving is the fact that You will never leave me alone no matter how I might lose my way, if I let You to get involved in my life. I believe that You will not give me something I can’t handle.

Great Lord, sometimes I wonder “What is the purpose of my life?” and perhaps it takes time for me to finally know what the answer is as I grow and I learn in this life. You know I am not a sacred person, I am just a lay person who still wants to enjoy worldly pleasure without violating my spiritual devotion too. So I can keep up the balance between these two areas of my life Lord. Among the very various ways of my life and the absolute freedom You gave me, please let me find the way You want my life to be according to Your plan. I have nothing but myself for You to use as Your “tool” in this world. I promise You that I will be better. That’s my mission and t will never end.

Amen.

DETERMINATION matters.

I have been learning lately about the urgency of DETERMINATION.

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, this word means:

1) Firmness of purpose

2) The controlling or deciding of something's nature or outcome.

Determination matters! Without it, you can easily loosen up and get distracted from what you earlier go for. With it, you can keep reminding yourself that you are up to something... that you cannot just give in in the middle of the way.

What I am trying to say is.. Determination Helps You Make Through Some Failures and Focus on Your Goals.

Personal experience of mine, I have been feeling so proud of myself these two days because I was able to resist myself for not going to the annual Midnight Sale at Paris Van Java.

(I've spent much money already at this early time of December due to some Christmas shopping, especially on cards and the international post fee to send Christmas present abroad.)

This feeling of jealousy came when my girls at my dorm came back from that Midnight Sale at Paris Van Java with some bags in their hands, labeling from one brand to another... but deep down at my heart, I am telling myself again "It's OK Dev... You must save more money. You must be determined to save for your traveling plans next year in 2011."

Strategic Studies or Foreign Policy? DUH!

16th October 2010,

13.45 at Daboem

Mas Banto: Your topic would be more on foreign policy analysis.

Me: No Mas! *insisting* I think it's more on strategic studies... military invention eh?

Mas Banto: Remember the title "US Foreign Policy towards Myanmar's Crisis 2007-2009 and the absence of humanitarian intervention" ???

Me: *loading....* Err... yeah you're right! *grinning*

Attach and Detach

Once upon a time there's this saying ...

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson- (Thanks to Dinda for bringing up this issue!)

I wonder sometimes how to limit myself in doing anything. It can apply for work, education, daily routine, and even men... (sorry I don't use the word "boys" here.)

Let's say you've warned yourself to not involve much feeling with a person even though you two would spend much time together... It doesn't matter how you label it as "fun time", "temporary togetherness", "summer fling", or whatever you name it.

The thing is... how do you know when to hold back? Because most time, the next thing you know, you just get carried away... You've been overwhelmed temporarily for a particular time. You two have shared experiences and built memories. The worse part, you unconsciously let your feeling take part in it... or in other way, you're emotionally in it without you realizing in the first place.

People say things like "Out of sight, out of mind", that when that person is gone, then he or she would be out of your mind too. I guess that could be right. But still, how to deal with memories? How to deal with those goddamn reminiscences popping up in your head suddenly, and let you flash back what was going on back then? For the answer, I believe that in order to deal with experiences, I guess we must see the bigger picture, that it's all coming to complete the whole puzzle of your life. I believe if people see the bigger picture of anything, there'll be less people on earth hate others and there'll be more people to make peace with themselves.

Well I'm a person who believes in such spirituality ( having coherent believes about higher purpose, the meaning of life, and the meaning of universe) that beyond this concrete world, there's another powerful universe above there. Some call it "Goddess", "Karma", "Universal Law", "Spirit" and I call it "God". I believe that everything happens for reasons. That God has set me up meeting some people and conditions because every people & conditions coming to my life must have special deep lessons for me to learn.... that makes me better, because life means developing.

Perhaps, no matter you realize it or not, CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT.

People, things, even weather keep changing- whether you like it or not. We cannot force some people or things to remain the same as they used to be. Sometimes it's just us that need to adjust with the new conditions... therefore it is true that we once attach, and the next time we detach. That's how it goes. (Psst I am not talking about the marriage life here, it's not my capacity to write how it would be for husband and wife to keep the marriage-life all the way and remain the same person that each fall in love with. I believe in once-in-a-life-time-monogamous- marriage. Maybe they'd unite and be seen as one body, so it's them that facing the changing surroundings. Still, I guess I'm way way way too young to figure that out... )

So in the time being, I think it is best for me to enjoy and taste life! Life can somehow spoil you til you forget how to wake up and let go... That's the harsh part but if it was for me, since I am no a quitter, I would like to play the fields! =)