Don’t Judge a Book from Its Cover but from Its Price

“How easy is it to judge other people? How often do we do it?”

Actually these questions came across my mind after watching Lima Elang the movie (Lima Elang means Five Eagles in English). The movie describes how five elementary school students coming from different background and get together at the end as a solid team. This article is not about the movie. Instead, what messages the movie has sent to the audience.

One thing I have learnt from the movie is that everybody has their own story. Nobody knows exactly what journey one has been into, even their closest family or friends. A person who always looks happy among friends might be the saddest person on earth. A man who looks tough might be the most vulnerable person. My point is that we cannot be 24/7 with another person and know exactly what really happens to him or her.

Nonetheless, we often judge other people as if we know exactly who he or she is, what he or she does do, what he or she really thinks and feels and what he or she has been through. Why do we do that?

We actually simply want other people do and think the same way as we do. We do not easily accept difference. Once they do different thing, we judge them as if they are wrong.

We can always learn from others regardless their ages, their experience, their background. One thing that I would like to remind us is that we are not always right. So never judge people.

Photo: bdlawhouse.blogspot.com

K.I.D.Z.

“They’re just kids. What do they know?”

Some might say that children cannot do anything as good as the adults. They are in the learning phase and that is why their skills are below the adults.

However, I found it was not entirely true. Recently, I watched Australia Junior Masterchef. It was an Australian TV show, a cooking competition among children age 8-12. In the competition, they were expected to do several challenges from Australian famous chefs and be creative in inventing their own signature dishes. Those children who age 8 to 12 proved that they were as good as adult chef. They cooked professionally and their dishes looked well prepared. I was so amused by their performances.

This show has taught me that we can really learn from everybody. What I learned from the Junior Masterchef children is that they are always positive and have strong can-do attitude. They always finish the challenges they have been assigned to. They always support each other even give compliments to their competitors. How many of us would do that in real life? Some of us could say it is being acted in the show. However the message is still there. We can win competitions without having to beating our competitors all the time (win-win situation).

Also, I learned from the show is that children need positive encouragement, instead of criticism. It will give much better impact on them. I realize that it is much much easier to criticize people especially children than to motivate them. Why do not we start right now? Hopefully to make their lives better and our lives better, too…

Photo: news.com.au

TGIE (Thank God It's Everyday)

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, my punishment is severe.' (Ibrahim: 7)

It is said that our Lord will add more things we enjoy in this world if we are being grateful. We never doubt on that. Yet, almost every day there are too many times we complain on practically everything.

“I hate waking up early in the morning especially Monday morning”

“Gosh, why are we stuck in this darn traffic jam?”

“Well he just got promoted. Why didn’t I? I have helped this company a lot in achieving its foals. The management is not fair.”

“Why didn’t my husband work harder so we can get more money?”

“Why does my wife keep nagging at me about money? Don’t we just have enough?”

“Oooh our national soccer team sucks. They played very bad. How can we compete in the World Cup?”

“I am too fat. Why can’t I be just thin as she is?”

“When will I recover? I hate being sick.”

“I have done my best to provide good education for my kids. Why aren’t they getting good grades?”

….and the list continues…

Complaining is a piece of cake. We can do it whenever we want and to whomever we want. There are plenty reasons why we should complain. Nevertheless, do we feel better after complaining? Do we really solve our problems by complaining? Does complaining make our world better? The answer could be yes or no but I am pretty sure that most of us answer no.

In my opinion, why we complain is because we always want to look for better things. We always wonder what it has been like if….what it feels like if… We are never satisfied. Some say it is natural for human not feeling satisfied.

However, if we really believe in the Quran verse I quote earlier, we should be grateful for everything we have had. There is always positive thing in everything. Silver lining lies behind the dark clouds we encounter in our lives. Therefore, stay positive no matter how hard it is. Stay strong for you and your family. Happiness is just around the corner.

Photo: idrischasbiy.blogspot.com

Speaking in public is scary...not

Imagine....a room, full of strangers waiting to listen what you are going to say. They can look attentively, bored or agitated. There you are standing in front of the room. Your heart is beating so fast. Your palms are sweating like a p*g. Can you imagine how you feel?

Yes, I might have just dramatized the situation. However, how many of you have ever been in similar situation? I believe there some of you, if not many, say "yes I have been there" or "yeah that is me."

What exactly are we afraid of? What is the worst thing can happen to you?

Some of us might answer "The audience might eat us alive (a bit of exaggeration)" or "What if I say wrong words? The audience can laugh at me" or "Nobody listens to me and I will be laughing stock."

Actually the real situation will not be that bad...as long as...we have good preparation.

Here are few tips of presentation I have from a great presentation skill training.

• Know your audience
• Know the purpose of your presentation
• Enter with a catchy opening
• Keep your eye contact with audience
• Rephrase questions from audience to understand them
• Give simple and concise answer
• Use words that can be understood by the audience
• Exit with a catchy closing
• Smile

These tips help me a lot in my presentations. Hope they work well for you too...:)

How, What and Why?

"Do I know the real meaning of my prayers?"

For the last 28 years, to be honest, I did not know the real meaning of my prayers. I just did what I had been told. I thought as long as I did it, I would be fine.

Lately, I was wondering what if my future children ask me "why do I have to say prayers? what does it mean?" A father does not know the answer to that significant question. That would be trouble for me, let alone my children.

Fortunately, my dearest grandparents gave a book for my wedding present. After sitting down on the shelf for three months, the book sent its knowledge to me. It does not tell me what to do. Instead, it gives several perspectives on 'why,' 'what' and 'how.'

Believe me it is not easy to understand. However, I have decided to learn step by step. Now I can say that if people really know the meaning of their prayers, they will be wiser and more peaceful than they are now.

Hope people in my country and around the world understand the real meaning of their prayers.... what about you? have you?

Go Get 'em, Heroes !!

Today..

It is one of remarkable moments for Indonesian badminton lovers. The final of Thomas Cup 2010. Indonesia vs China. Some of us might think that this is a one-sided game (for China). Some of us might not care about this event at all (and that is fine, I guess). Others might still hope that the Indonesian team can win this event.

I am one of the latest group of people. Based on historical events, The team have lots of skills and experience needed to win this game. The spirit and/or motivation might be down sometimes when facing very challenging teams such as China, South Korea, Denmark, even Malaysia.

Therefore it is up to us to bring up the spirit and hope for the best. Let's give huge appreciation to our Badminton team or shall I say our heroes. They (winning or losing) have done their best to fight for our country.

Knock on wood, if they did not win in the end, we should never disrespect or mock them. Imagine....how it feels to be mocked after you fight until the last drop for your country...it will be very bad...

Very bad....and you yourself do not want to feel that way, do you?

Alrighty, that is enough from me. Go get 'em, Heroes !!

Pic: http://www.pb-pbsi.org

Lesson of Life (from a taxi driver)

Everybody can be a teacher to others!

Yes, we can always learn from other people; no matter who they are. A few weeks ago, I took a taxi to go home because it was late. The taxi driver was around 50ish years old. Then, we had light conversation along the way. After 10 minutes chit-chatting with him, I asked a simple question -How can he always be happy with his job or life. These are his answers.

I have keys to my happiness in life, which are the 5 I-s:
#1 Impian (dream)
We have to set our dream first to reach our happiness. Dream here means stages or conditions that describe our happiness.

#2 Ikhtiar (endeavor)
We must put our best effort in every action to achieve our dream.

#3 Ibadah (prayer)
Human can only strive for the best. Eventually God decides the result is.

#4 Istiqamah (persistence)
Persistence is important in giving our best endeavor. Happiness or success does not come easily. It has to be earned.

#5 Ikhlas (still cannot find the suitable English word for this one)
Human strives and God decides! We have to believe in it. Ikhlas means we can accept whatever the result is although it is unfavorable for us. God knows what the best for us is. Ikhlas is always easier said than done. Still, it is the key of every single action of ours.

I really thank that Taxi driver who did teach me about life. God bless him!