The Rich & The Poor

One day a wealthy father of a family suggests that giving lessons on how the lives of poor youngsters.

After doing the course that's not what quantity, they keep many days at the family home of a poor farmer. This poor peasant's house situated in an exceedingly hamlet on the sting of the forest.

During the week the daddy and also the son of rich families reside there and live the lifetime of the poor. However, within the heart of the daddy was terribly stunned to check her son never complained and instead looked terribly happy if the poor enjoying life.

On the manner home the daddy asked his son, "What regarding our trip, my son?"

"Oh, terribly attention-grabbing, dad"

"You ought to see how poor folks live?"

"Yes, dad ..."

"So, what are you able to learn from our journey?" the kid answered, "What I learned:

We have a dog to stay our homes, they need four dogs for searching.

We have alittle pool within the garden, they need a river that has no boundaries.

we have lights to illuminate our garden, they need a star that shines in the dead of night.

We have alittle farm for a living, they live with nature.

We have a maid to serve us, they live to serve others.

We have a high fence to shield us, they need several friends who defend one another. "

We nearly never recognize the term 'provide', whereas they're happy within the 'give'.

The father was shocked silence being attentive to her answers. How youngsters will read a wider and additional distant from his own. In kebingunganya it, the kid then thanked his father for having shown how the poor themselves.

Similarly, the story is laden with an ethical message that we are able to feel pretty & happy for what belongs to us. By not invariably demand additional of everything that we've not.

Be thankful for what you have got, and never worry regarding what you are doing not have. Then you'll feel peace and happiness in life is larger.

Namo Amithofo ...

Three Injury Hearth

Isha Adhan reverberate, penetrate the walls that near each other in these densely populated settlements. Lena peek behind the blinds, making an attempt to find her husband's shadow. In vain. now let the blinds open and went over to her twin daughters are busy drawing.

"Disya draw what, dear?"

"Palace, Ma. There we are in it. "

"Oya? Where's mama attempt to see. "Disya handed the paper drawing. A palace complete with their inhabitants. Said Mom, Dad, Disya, Kesya become attributes under each image.

"The image is comparable birthday celebrations yesterday Disya yes." Disya nodded.

Such was the Disya, whenever an assignment to draw the court is his favorite image. Castle, a magnificent space and the image of a princess peach dress is that the main character in each sheet of drawing paper. a similar scenario when the party added that even seven years previous.

Lena shifting the main focus of view on Kesya. One daughter who has spent [*fr1] a dozen black crayon in this month. pictures are created far from the bright color image Like different children his age.

"Eum, if Kesya image what, dear?"

"Our house, Ma." Lena checked out the image on the front Kesya paper. Clouds of grey boxes that coincide, the flow of the river, dark brown. No blue color in there, his favorite color.

"These boxes what, Go?

"House of neighbor". Brief.

Lena sighed. both daughters were born identical twins. A hollow in the cheek Kesya have been the difference. they are physically identical, however the attitude they receive terribly completely different life currently. They build their own world while not disturbing each other, while not glancing at each other. there is pain in the pit of the stomach Lena.

Lena was ready to see how Disya still feel like life before, during Rasya, their father, still a vp of a number one cement company in this city. Disya still save what it looks like to be a princess. while Kesya, he tried to accept the truth of their lives currently, which is extremely a lot of completely different. And it describes a dark reception. Dark.

Views Lena back against the window. Still empty. The clock on the wall refers to the quantity thirty.

"Kesya, Disya, bobo yuk. Already half-nine. Mama incorporates a new story you know. "Eyes second twin daughter was bright. Immediately close up their crayons and drawing paper.

"Fairy princess and the palace again, well, Ma." Disya membola sulk with my eyes.

"Bored". Kesya now did not agree.

"Tonight, Mom had another story, titled Papa Giraffe. Hem, curious is not it? Let's to bed. "

Lena mendongengkan Papa Giraffe on Disya and Kesya until asleep. A hope teriring from the guts, could they be heartened to receive current troublesome scenario. situations that really a lot of completely different from the days when their fathers are still believed to be the right hand in the cement company. Happiness that may last their soy sauce could be a celebration of their age that even seven years. Disya with peach dress, Kesya with blue dress. both are sweet, beat angels image in TV. A month after a night of celebration, everything modified. Disya with a picture palace, Kesya with black crayon could be a monument to the amendment.

Back Lena sighed. it absolutely was 10 o'clock at midnight her husband had not come back home. come back home late, the same habits when Rasya still be important. Wandering lagikah where the hell? Lakukah all the merchandise he was carrying? Still fun to raise, he heard atiny low knock on the door. Steps hastily, afraid her husband was angry.

Big bag placed in the right shoulder Rasya to the floor. Relaxed his tie and went into the kitchen. A glass of water demolished. Lena approached.

"Mas, why you return tonight?"

"There are meetings with purchasers nowadays."

Back pain felt in the pit of the stomach Lena, is not your consumer has left you, Mas ...?

Letters that Never Up

Bamby Cahyadi

How do you alleviate the memories? Are the aperture and see the old photo albums? Or accept to backlash songs that arm-twist memories of your past.

Oh, could aswell watch a movie. Did Not like memories of old films that played repeatedly. But, not so for me. For me, memories accumulation up on the pages and pages of belletrist that never terkirimkan.

Maybe I'm too low self-esteem at that time. At that time, I'm a man who had no charm. So all my wishes, hopes and even my love, I address as a letter to anyone that I never beatific him.

Dozens, even hundreds of belletrist accept I fabricated at that time. And, it all just a accumulation of abortive papers. Yes, useless. Where anytime apperceive who I Surati, because the letter I never beatific him. So aswell in Olivia Soares.

Sweet babe who accompanied us, Student Regiment, who was accomplishing amusing account for a ages at Tim-Tim several years ago. Afore the arena through a election to be an absolute state.

***

I accord a letter anachronous May 19, 1994, is in my hand. "How Did I apprehend it for you?" I asked a little uncertainly.

The woman just blot smile and nod. "Read it for me," he said quietly.

***

Tasikmalaya, May 19, 1994.

To Olivia Soares. In Manatuto East Timor.

Hi Olivia ...! No added algidity adoration that consistently kumohonkan in God, but apprehend you and your ancestors consistently get God's protection. So too for your success in learning, in accomplishing your appetite and your love.

Oliv ... Soon I will accord with the division holidays. It was a relief, afterwards a few weeks to face a array of active assay and lab work. How about you? Vacation is not it?

Do you accept a barn affairs to ample the canicule off? Hopefully already. But if not, I accept a plan to yield on anniversary with me on the arena Parahyangan. In Tatar Sunda, in Tasikmalaya, my hometown.

Oliv, if a year ago, I never adore the attraction of alien littoral after-effects of East Timor who kissed beaches and apricot lips. My skin, broiled by the hot sun, dry Manatuto City. Fascinated with fabrics and knick-knacks tais sandalwood acreage of your birth. Even the winding-liukan I helped my body, affected to the Tebe-tebe ball in the courtyard house. Now, it's time you should adore the agreeableness that is in my hometown.

Oliv, my best friend, lover in my apperception ...

If you appear to my hometown in Tasikmalaya. Maybe I can adore those times with you liburku with action happy. Certainly not traveling to let you just lie on a auberge room. You accept to kuajak Tawulan adore the admirable Apricot Coast.

I know, even if you reside in littoral areas. But you will acquisition addition atmosphere at the Apricot Bank Tawulan it. The bank was, absolutely beautiful. If abandoned there was no island in this accompaniment map. Maybe the beach, it has been adapted into a bank of adopted travelers. Coast of the Gods.

To ability the beach, do not crave a continued time. We abandoned crave about two and a bisected hours to get there from my house. During the trip, you can adore the accustomed backdrop archetypal of West Java which is green, air-conditioned blooming eyes and of advance actual altered from attributes in your abode to grow.

Later, afterwards we are annoyed with adequate the adorableness of age-old apricot reefs in the Apricot Coast Tawulan. We can appoint in meditation, adequate the majesty of God in the bosom of a admirable little island on the beach.

Oh yes, you too would I allure to absorb the adorableness of the atrium of Mount Galunggung afterwards that.

Olivia, lover in my mind. Of advance we would not do this aural a day of anniversary travel. Still no tomorrow. I go aback to my house. You acknowledgment to the hotel. However, afore you go to bed, will kupetik strings harp and singing songs sunda. You'll like it.

To ability Mount Galunggung, we just yield it aural one hour drive. Forth the way afterwards on, you can see, how angry nature, the calefaction of the bedrock is ejected from the abdomen Galunggung bounce ago, has accustomed bearing to a beauteous accustomed beauty. Now, the adversity breadth that has become a admirable village. As if, me, us, us, them, accept forgotten, how the breadth was devastated during a adversity if Mount Galunggung erupted.

Ah, apologetic Oliv. I do not ambition to admire the disaster. Forget it.

There, now there is a hot bounce pool. We can absorb for hours, absolution fatigue. Or, if you're not tired, I'll allure you to ascend up to the top of the abundance and see the ocean like a baby atrium on top of the mountain.

I'm sure, you too will be afraid by the adorableness of edelweiss flowers are broadcast forth the road. Then, if we are still a lot of time. We will blow abreast a avalanche that consistently rumble, bergemericik and billowing smoke-ngepulkan.

Olivia, how tanggapanmu about vacation affairs that accept been kususun for you? Absorbing is not it? I'm abiding you'll absolutely adore liburmu happy. Ah, of advance I'm aswell actual happy, if the lover in my mind, absolutely ambition to appear accommodated my invitation.

I delay your answer. Greetings to ancestors and friends.

Yours consistently sweet.

I, who consistently absence you.

***

This letter, I acquisition in arenaceous in my mailbox. My mother put it in the warehouse. And, this letter is actual absorbing attention. In fact, added belletrist were lying in the box.

You know? Afterwards top school, I had formed in a telecommunication aggregation in Jakarta's largest. Two years I formed there. Then, a non-United Nations (UN), offered a job with acceptable accomplishment and acceptable career. Of advance the action was not kutampik.

Yes, once, in college. I am the man had no charm. Added precisely, I was a personality not confident, insecure. Following Menwa action at the time, one of the affidavit to annihilate aftertaste minderku. Maybe successful, maybe not. The proof, so far I'm the man who lived alone. Without a lover, let abandoned a wife.

So, I larboard the country, although with a abundant heart. I'm apologetic for abrogation the mother abandoned at home. But my mother accurate me. Assuredly I flew to New York. At UN address arresting that I served, as IT staff. If the beachcomber of ameliorate swept Indonesia, I did not move. I can abandoned abashed in foreground of the television, as she afford tears. I do not apperceive for whom.

Reform in Indonesia, abounding election for East Timor. Then, Tim-Tim independence, East Timor became a sovereign. Ability was accomplished by claret and tears, is not it?

Olivia Soares. The name was addictive and simple to pronounce. Unlike the added names. However, I acquisition it actual difficult. Seemed to access the bracken to acquisition the behemothic and meetings. Such as award a aisle in close forest. Or, like searching for all-overs in a haystack.

After the letter I beatific was never found, I'm absolutely sorry. Rice has become porridge. I do not know, whether he be a allotment of the pro-integration or who ambition an absolute and sovereign.

All answered already, afterwards a few canicule ago my anxiety collapsed on the airport of Dili, Timor Leste, a hot and dusty.

***

"May I see the letter?" Ask the woman in foreground of me.

"Oh, sure, abiding can" I tergeragap. Apparently I was absent afterwards account the capacity of the letter.

I handed the letter with abashed hands. He accustomed it with a smile at me.

"Your autograph so good. Actual neat, if I heard earlier, it is actual beautiful. Frankly I'm thrilled, "she said, searching at the cardboard whose blush is not white anymore, but brown.

"Thanks," I replied curtly.

"If this letter came to duke ...," he was blind sentence. "Of advance it did not appear like this," he went on sighing.

"Forgive me, Olivia. Yes, you are a lover in my mind, "I said with agitation lips.

Olivia afresh approved to sit. With abundant accomplishment and helped me, assuredly he could aswell sit down and leaned adjoin the pillow. He still holds the cardboard letter. His eyes glazed, like he was crying.

"I ambition to adore the adorableness of the Apricot Coast Tawulan. Do you ambition to accompany me? "

I captivated her hand, I capital to accord him strength. I capital to hug her. The physique is frail, attenuate physique ashamed cancerous blight that has ability over the fate of his life. That is why, afterwards accepting the account about Olivia from a acquaintance in allegation of UN agents in Dili. I asked for permission to leave, abiding to his citizenry and anon flew aback to Dili.

"Are you accustomed to leave the hospital?" I asked seriously.

"I'm apathetic here. Even if I accept to die, I ambition to die on the bank that you acquaint it. Or at the aiguille of Mount Galunggung. I ambition to die there. "

Olivia and rose. He captivated my duke to go. There is no footfall we walk, he fell down. Luckily I captivated it. Breakable body, I aces her up and I lay aback in bed hospital.

"So you're actuality just to apprehend the letter?" He asked, afterwards acquaintance baffled himself again.

"Yes, Oliv. I'm searching down to Dili, I ambition to yield you to adore the bank in West Java there. Yield you to the top of the mountain, "I thought. But attending at your condition, whether it is possible? No Oliv, I met to bear the letter. The letter bothers me.

"I'm sorry, yes. I can not vacation with you as you wrote in this letter. Can you bake this letter for me? "

I was shocked. Still with abashed hands, I accustomed my letter back.

"Burn," he said quietly.

I befuddled my head.

"Forget about me. Forget the capacity of the letter. Thanks been disturbing to appear here, "she said, sobbing. Tears flowed advisedly down her cheeks, she afresh rubbed with the hands.

The calefaction of blaze and bake the letter. Merenggas cardboard and the capacity therein. Undid all my memories of him, and ambition to allure Olivia vacation in my hometown. Cardboard is now angry into ashes, afresh destroyed dry wind whistling that access through the hospital allowance window.

Time is arresting everything. Absorb all the memories and reality. Olivia is a candied babe who had a cheerful, now lying low cat-and-mouse times of death. And I was the man who was block memories, through a letter that never terkirimkan. A letter to Olivia that never accomplished .***

Jakarta, 2009-2010

Inspired by a fragment of a letter: Affi Endah Navilah

Menatap Bulan dan Bintang di Langit

Odi Shalahuddin

Hampir setiap malam yang cerah, Joko selalu menengadahkan wajahnya ke langit, atau tiduran telentang di alam bebas. Ditatapnya bulan dan bintang bagaikan ia memandang gadis impian. Ia menatap lekat. Konsentrasi penuh. Melontarkan jiwanya ke sana. Dan hanyut. Ia nikmati dengan kenikmatan teramat sangat. Begitu terjadi berulang-ulang. Dan ia tergila-gila karenanya.

Setiap siang jadinya adalah penantian. Penantian adalah siksaan. Waktu terasa berjalan lambat. Pekerjaan yang dilakukan menjadi buyar karena hilang konsentrasinya. Ia menjadi pelamun. Wajahnya baru akan berubah cerah, langkahnya akant erasa lincah, kepalanya akan terasa ringan, bila malam telah datang.

Itupun bila malam dengan cuaca cerah. Bila tidak? Ia akan dirundung kesedihan teramat mendalam. Penantian seharian menjadi sia-sia. Bulan dan bintang tak terlihat, tenggelam dalam awan hitam. Penantian yang menjadi berkepanjangan.

Ketika ia mendapatkan seorang gadis yang menjadi kekasihnya, sang gadis ternyata adalah pengagum bulan dan bintang pula. Maka mereka bersama-sama menikmati malam-malam cerah. Sekarang Joko merasa mendapat kawan. Mendapat seseorang untuk mendialogkan perasaannya. Bulan dan bintang berganti-ganti rasanya sesuai hati. Mereka menikamti kegilaan bersama-sama. Ah, pasangan yang serasi.

“Kang Mas Joko, lihatlah! Wajahku dalam wajah bulan, tersenyum kepadaku,”

“Aku tahu, aku tahu, aku tengah berlompatan di antara bintang-bintang,”

“Mampirlah kau di bulan,”

“Aku di bintang dahulu,”

Sang kekasih cemberut. Joko terbahak, sang kekasih melayangkan cubitan. Joko tetap saja terbahak, meskipun meringis kesakitan. Joko lalu mendekati kekasihnya dan menjatuhkan bibirnya ke bibir sang kekasih. Gelepar hati bagaikan ikan kekurangan air. Terasa menyiksa namun bisa menjadi candu yang menggairahkan. Panas. Gelora jiwa. Tapi cukuplah sampai di situ saja. Kelaklah untuk yang lainnya.

“Aku menjadi sangat tersiksa,” demikian kilah sang kekasih kepada Joko suatu hari.

“Mengapa?” pertanyaan yang terlontar dengan mesra.

“Mengapa kita harus membuat penantian?”

“Apa yang sebenarnya kau bicarakan?” Tanya Joko heran.

“Bulan dan bintang-bintang,”

“Hm,”

Sang kekasih diam. Kepalanya ditumpangkan ke kedua tangannya. Matanya menerawang jauh ke depan. Menembus ruang dan waktu. Wajahnya menjadi cerah. Matanya berbinar-binar. Senyuman manis tersungging di bibirnya. Dalam suasana seperti itu, wajah kekasihnya terasa amat cantik.

Joko memuji dalam hatinya. Namun keheranan muncul atas sikap kekasihnya. Ia ingin bertanya, tapi takut mengganggu. Biarlah ia larut dalam kenikmatan imajinasinya. Demikian piker Joko. Dan ia menikmati wajah cantik sang kekasih yang terasa bagaikan dewi yang menyiramkan keteduhan.

“Seandainya bulan dan bintang bisa tinggal di Rumah ini, rasanya bagaikan sorga,” ia mendesah. “Kang Mas Joko,” ujarnya tiba-tiba. “Benarkah kau mencintaiku?”

Joko menangkap kedua bola mata yang indah berbinar mendesakkan sesuatu hasrat kepadanya.

“Ya,” jawab Joko mantap.

“Mencintaiku dengan tulus?”

“Ya,”

“Rela berkorban demi diriku?”

“Maksudmu?”

“Jawab ya atau tidak saja,”

“Ya,”

“Bawalah bulan dan bintang ke Rumah ini.”

Joko tercekat. Tubuhnya bergetar menahan gejolak perasaan yang muncul bagaikan kawah mendesak keluar.

“Biarkan saja ia di atas sana. Bukankah akan banyak orang dapat menikamtinya,” Joko mengelak seraya memberikan alasan.

Sang kekasih cemberut.

“Bawalah bulan dan bintang ke Rumah ini sebagai bukti kecintaanmu padaku!” sang kekasih dengan tegas dan mimic serius.

“Aa…” apa yang ada di kepala Joko tak dapat keluar menjadi kata. Joko termenung. Susah. “Bila kepalamu tertanam kepemilikan, maka keserakahan akan menguasai pikiranmu,” katanya pelan hampir tak terdengar.

Sang kekasih hanya menatap sekilas. Lalu hanyut dalam pikirannya sendiri. Membayangkan tidur dikelilingi bintang-bintang sambil memeluk bulan.

Joko pamit. Dan hari-hari setelah itu adalah keresahan. Ia menatap bulan dan bintang-bintang di langit. Lukisan sempurna yang tak tertandingi dari Sang Maha Pencipta. Bayang-bayang di Kepalanya membuat hatinya menangis.

“Tak mungkin, tak mungkin ia menjaring bulan dan bintang-bintang. Biarkanlah ia di langit. Dinikmati berjuta manusia. Biarkan ia milik semua umat manusia,”

Pada suatu malam. Awan hitam sama sekali tak ada di langit. Tapi kemana bulan dan bintang-bintang? Langit menjadi kosong. Sama sekali tak mengenakkan dipandang mata. Joko menatap langit dan batinnya teriris. Air matanya tumpah. Wahai, manusia mana tega mencurinya?

Sedangkan pada saat bersamaan, sang kekasih menatap langit dan hatinya berbunga-bunga. Impiannya terwujud. Sang kekasih telah berjuang, telah membuktikan cintanya. Entah dengan apa menjaring, itu bukan persoalan. Yang jelas, kini ia menanti Joko. Menanti persembahan cinta. Menanti bulan dan bintang-bintang. Ia menanti. Terus menanti Joko yang tak kunjungan datang.

“Jangan kamu membuatku marah!” Sang kekasih menghardik kesal kepada Joko yang muncul setelah ia mengetuk pintu rumahnya. “Mana bulan dan bintang-bintangyang kupinta.? Bukankah kau telah berhasil menjaringnya?”

Joko menatap kedua bola mata kekasihnya yang merah membara. Teramat mengerikan. Bagaikan bola api yang siap membakar.

“Masuklah dulu,” pinta Joko lembut.

“Mana bulan dan bintang-bintangnya?” sang kekasih tak beranjak.

“Entah,”

“Kau bohong!” mengalir kata-kata kemarahan yang membangkitkan emosi Joko.

“Masuklah dan geledahlah isi Rumah ini. Aku tak tahu sama sekali bulan dan bintang-bintang kita. Seseorang telah mencurinya lebih dahulu daripada aku,”

Sang kekasih tak mau peduli, pergi dengan marah. Joko merasa ditinggali luka.

Esoknya, ia dikejutkan oleh iklan Koran-koran. Seorang konglomerat menawarkan bointang-bintangnya dengan harga sangat tinggi. Sedangkan bulan bersinar di atas gedungnya, terekam dalam foto. Joko pun menangis tersedu-sedu.

Yogyakarta, 7 – 12 Januari 1994

http://baltyra.com

Old age, I decided, is a gift

I am now, most likely for the primary time in my life, the person I actually have continuously needed to be. Oh, not my body! I someday despair over my body - the wrinkles, the saggy eyes and also the sagging butt. and infrequently i'm stunned by that previous person who lives in my mirror, however i do not agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my wonderful friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for fewer grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become a lot of kind to myself and fewer crucial of myself. I've become my very own friend. i do not chide myself for eating that further cookie, or for not creating my bed, or for purchasing that silly cement gecko that I did not want, however appearance thus avante garde on my patio. i'm entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I actually have seen too several expensive friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the nice freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if i select to scan till 4:00 am and sleep till noon? i'll dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s & 60s, and if I, at a similar time, would like to weep over a lost love, I will. i'll walk the beach in a very swim suit that's stretched over a bulging body and can dive into the waves with abandon if i select to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, can get previous.

I know i'm generally forgetful. however there once more, a number of life is simply moreover forgotten and that i eventually keep in mind the vital things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How will your heart not break once you lose a loved one, or when a baby suffers, or perhaps when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? however broken hearts are what offer us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and can never understand the thrill of being imperfect.

I am thus blessed to possess lived long enough to possess my hair flip grey and to possess my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. such a large amount of have not laughed and such a large amount of have died before their hair might flip silver. I will say "no" and mean it. I will say "yes" and mean it. As you grow up, it's easier to be positive. You care less regarding what people suppose. i do not question myself anymore. I've even earned the proper to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, i favor being previous. it's set me free. i favor the person I actually have become. i'm not planning to live forever, however whereas i'm still here, i'll not waste time lamenting what might are, or worrying regarding what's going to be. and that i shall eat dessert each single day.

Most Important Question

During my second month of nursing faculty, our professor gave us a pop
quiz. i used to be a conscientious student and had breezed through the
questions, till I scan the last one: 'What is that the initial name of
the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some reasonably joke.
I had seen the cleaning girl many times. She was tall, dark-haired
and in her 50s, however how would i do know her name? I handed in my paper,
leaving the last question blank. Before category ended, one student
asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
Absolutely, said the professor. "In your careers you'll meet several
people. All are important. They deserve your attention and care, even if
all you are doing is smile and say hello". I've never forgotten that lesson. I
also learned her name was Dorothy.

How many marbles do you have?

The older i buy, the additional I relish Saturday mornings. maybe it is the quiet solitude that comes with being the primary to rise, of perhaps it is the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the primary few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, i used to be shuffling toward the kitchen, with a steaming cup of occasional in one hand and therefore the morning paper within the different. What began as a typical Saturday morning became one among those lessons that life appears
to hand you from time to time.

Let me tell you concerning it. I turned the degree up on my radio so as to pay attention to a Saturday morning speak show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. you recognize the type, he appeared like he ought to be within the
broadcasting business himself.

He was talking concerning "a thousand marbles" to somebody named "Tom". i used to be intrigued and sat right down to hear
what he had to mention. "Well, Tom, it certain feels like you are busy along with your job. i am certain they pay you well however it is a shame you have got to be aloof from home and your family most. onerous to believe a young fellow ought to have to be compelled to work sixty or seventy hours per week to form ends meet. Too unhealthy you missed your daughter's dance recital. " He continued, "Let me tell you one thing Tom, one thing that has helped me keep an honest perspective on my very own priorities." and that is when he began to clarify his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down at some point and did a bit arithmetic. the common person lives concerning seventy-five years. I know, some live additional and a few live less, however on average, people live concerning seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied seventy five
times fifty two and that i came up with 3900 that is that the variety of Saturdays that the common person has in their entire lifetime.

"Now follow me Tom, i am about to the necessary half. "It took me till i used to be fifty-five years recent to accept all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that point I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. "I need to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I solely had a couple of thousand of them left to relish. "So I visited a toy store and acquired each single marble they'd. I ended up having to go to 3 toy stores to round-up one thousand marbles. "I took them home and place them within an oversized, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. each Saturday since then, I even have taken one marble out and thrown it away.

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I targeted additional on the very necessary things in life. there's nothing like watching it slow here on this earth run out to assist get your priorities straight. "Now let me tell you one very last thing before I sign-off with you and take my pretty wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the closing marble out of the container. I figure if I build it till next Saturday then God has blessed me with a bit overtime to be with my loved ones...... "It was nice to speak to you Tom, I hope you pay longer along with your loved ones, and that i hope to fulfill you once more sometime. Have an honest morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show's moderator did not have something to mention for many moments. i suppose he gave us all plenty to accept. I had planned to try to to some work that morning, then head to the
gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, i am taking you and therefore the children to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special," I said. " it's simply been a
long time since we have a tendency to spent a Saturday along side the children. Hey, will we have a tendency to stop at a toy store whereas we're out? i want to shop for some marbles."

Kertas Putih dan Sebuah titik di tengahnya

Beberapa tahun yang lalu aku pernah mengikuti sebuah acara pelatihan di jakarta, pelatihan rohani ini dipandu oleh seorang acarya dari amerika.

Pelatihan rohani ini sangat mengesankan bagiku, karena materi-materi yang disampaikan sangatlah unik dan menarik, serta lebih merasuk dalam diri, karena materi yang disampaikan berupa materi melihat ke dalam diri sendiri.

Dalam materi yang disampaikan ada sesuatu yang sampai saat ini masih saya ingat, saat itu pemateri menunjukkan selembar kertas putih yang bersih. Dan beliau bertanya pada semua peserta, "apakah yang anda lihat di sini?", semua peserta menjawab "tidak ada".

Kemudian pemateri menulis sesuatu pada kertas tersebut dan kembali mengangkatnya dan bertanya, "Apa sekarang yang anda lihat?", semua peserta spontan menjawab "Sebuah Titik ditengah".

Pemateri menurunkan kertas itu, kemudian berkata "Kertas putih ini adalah diri seseorang dan bisa juga dilambangkan sebagai perbuatan baik seseorang, dan titik di tengah ini adalah sebuah perbuatan kurang baik seseorang. Apakah anda sekarang mengerti artinya?", semua peserta dengan kagum memperhatikan dan mulai menyadari.

"Inilah manusia, melihat hanya dengan mata fisik, merasakan hanya dengan pikiran, dan hanya dibutakan oleh apa yang terlihat. Seorang yang baik dan telah melakukan perbuatan baik sebesar gunung, namun karena kelalaian sekecil semut kemudian semua perbuatan baiknya lenyap dimata orang lain", pemateri melanjutkan penjelasannya.

"Kertas putih tetaplah kertas putih, hanya rusak dan hilang oleh mata"

Semoga bermanfaat.

Ajahn Brahmavamso

Pengarang Buku: World-Wide Bestseller,
"Si Cacing dan Kotoran Kesayangannya"
("Opening the Door of Your Heart") &
"Superpower Mindfulness"

Ajahn Brahm, lahir tahun 1951 di London sebagai Peter Betts, adalah seorang guru Buddhis terkenal dari Tradisi Theravada Hutan Thailand. Beliau pertama kali menganggap dirinya seorang yang beragama Buddha ketika beliau berusia 16 tahun. Minatnya dalam Buddhisme dan meditasi terus berkembang sampai dia masuk Universitas Cambridge. Setelah menyelesaikan pendidikannya dengan jurusan Teori Fisika, dan mengajar selama setahun, beliau melakukan perjalanan ke Thailand, tanpa terlebih dahulu mempunyai niat untuk ditahbiskan untuk menjadi seorang bhikku di Vihara Wat Saket di Bangkok pada usia 23 tahun. Beliau kemudian menghabiskan sembilan tahun berikutnya belajar dan berlatih meditasi dalam Tradisi Theravada Hutan Thailand di bawah bimbingan Ajahn Chah Bodhinyana Yang Mulia Mahathera.

Pada tahun 1983, Ajahn Brahm ikut membantu dalam pendirian Vihara Bodhinyana, sebuah vihara Tradisi Theravada Hutan Thailand, yang berlokasi di dekat Perth, Australia. Sejak tahun 1995, beliau telah menjadi kepala Vihara Bodhinyana, rumah bagi sekitar dua puluh bhikkhu. Beliau sekarang juga memegang posisi sebagai Direktur Spiritual Masyarakat Buddhis Australia Barat, Direktur Spiritual Masyarakat Buddhis Victoria, Direktur Spiritual Masyarakat Buddhis Australia Selatan, dan Pelindung Spiritual dari Buddhist Fellowship di Singapura.

Beliau adalah guru Dhamma yang inspiratif dan penutur cerita yang menakjubkan yang memikat pendengarnya dengan rasa humor, wawasan dan kebijaksanaan yang mendalam. Ajahn Brahm memiliki pengalaman yang luas dan pengetahuan yang mendalam tentang meditasi, yang tercermin dalam bukunya yang berjudul “Happiness Through Meditation” (diterbitkan dalam bahasa Indonesia dengan judul “Superpower Mindfulness”).

Karya tulis Ajahn Brahm, termasuk yang diatas, telah memberikan inspirasi bagi beribu-ribu orang di seluruh dunia. Khususnya, salah satu bukunya yang berjudul “Opening The Door of Your Heart” (diterbitkan dalam bahasa Indonesia dengan judul “Si Cacing dan Kotoran Kesayangannya”) adalahbestseller di seluruh dunia.

Links:
www.ajahnbrahm.org
www.dhammaloka.org.au

Once Talk, Face Crooked

Near my hut, there is a baby temple of adoration addition Tao "Xuantian Shangdi" as yidam, there is a middle-aged father, is allowance humans debris reinforcements, to calm the abashed children, see feng shui house, accepting consulting, and others.

Visitors in my abode exploded, every day 300 people, crowded, classified as actual successful.

While the place, in foreground of the aperture there are abandoned 2-3 kittens tail, on the beginning could bolt finches, and even the complete of drums was not there, silent. Although he affronted a red anhydrate on his head, bald chest, lower physique captivated brim god, a brace of easily captivation a brand fish, shark, atrocious to carve his back, claret flowed freely, like a medium, but the humans who amidst abandoned 2, one is his wife, one afresh is his son.

Pedestrians who saw him, abandoned his arch and just sighed.

Middle-aged father, the night bubbler wine, searching for accompany to chat, and accessible aperture of the Grand Master Lu was angry, "XXX, XXX, XXX, I do not accept what he had abnormal powers, he just relies on his mouth, allege abominably and nonsense."

Continuing, "What's Active Buddha, he was active monkey, monkey mask, allege carelessly, an imposter."

Continued, "He's a affected anything, I just genuine, the affected is abandoned temporary, the aboriginal is timeless. The bastard, I wish to exhausted him, for he was aching and died airsickness blood."

Continuing, "I wish to attach him with nailing Science with 7 Accouchement Asleep Arrow", so that he died after could cause aural 7 days, if he had not appear allurement to me, I accomplish him die and abatement into the Avici hell of akin 18 and can not reincarnated afresh forever. "

Continuing, "Whatever god Dharmapala that he has, I am not afraid, XXX, XXX ..."

His acquaintance said, "He was actual precise!"

"Right farts!" he shouted.

"He's actual powerful!"

"Sakti bird!" He said, "I gave him my bird feeder!"

Middle-aged ancestor was accepting to allocution added and added emotion, the eyes were red, his aperture chewing areca nut, the accent of abhorrence is not inexhaustible, afresh hitting the table.

Suddenly, her face cramped, agee aperture next. Her accomplished physique trembled incessantly.

His acquaintance was so abashed to see it, afresh collection him to the hospital for examination, the doctor said, "Conditions of facial aeroembolism .".....

Since then, his aperture was twisted, cryptic speech, saliva cloudburst was not conscious.

Friend brash him, "Find a Great Master Lu to repent! Grand Master Lu absolutely will advice cure you, Grand Master Lu's actual kind."

"XXX." He would get angry, her aperture added and added crooked.

Menasihatnya his acquaintance again, he insisted on not going, he said, "Even dead, I will not seek to alleviate me."

Middle-aged ancestor ask your doctor's instructions and the god, his aperture still crooked. After time went 2 months old.

Middle-aged ancestor brought her acquaintance to acquisition me.

Middle-aged ancestor nodded at me, no remorse.

I said, "I advice alleviate you, next time you do not abuse me anymore."

He nodded.

I said, "In my abode there is a charge to calm the abashed children, who charge to accommodate your name, who possessed, my advocacy to area you are!"

He nodded thanks.

I see it is absolutely sorry, and afresh advance Buddhism, demonstrating his abnormal powers, I recite:

Free from berlaksa mate, the alarmist was no problem.

Only sunyata alone, quiet by itself.

General Jirah Iron opened the padlock.

Face aback to normal.

"General Jirah Iron" that releases the lock, average aperture of the agee straight, middle-aged to be normal.

People who saw him cackle in awe, absolutely amazing!

Buku Mahaguru : 219_Kisah Aneh di Nanshan

Sekali Salah Bicara, Wajah pun Bengkok

Di dekat gubuk saya, ada sebuah kuil kecil beraliran Tao yang sembahyang "Xuantian Shangdi" sebagai yidam utama, ada seorang bapak setengah baya, sedang bantu orang tolak bala, menenangkan anak yang ketakutan, melihat fengshui rumah, menerima konsultasi, dan lain-lain.

Pengunjung di tempat saya membludak, setiap hari 300 orang, penuh sesak, tergolong sangat berjaya.

Sedangkan tempatnya, di depan pintu hanya ada 2-3 ekor anak kucing, di ambang pintu pun bisa menangkap pipit, bahkan bunyi tambur pun tidak ada, sunyi senyap. Sekalipun ia mengikat handuk merah di kepalanya, telanjang dada, bagian bawah tubuh dibalut rok dewa, sepasang tangan memegang pedang ikan hiu, mati-matian membacok punggungnya, darah mengalir deras, ibarat medium, namun orang yang mengerumuninya hanya 2, satu adalah istrinya, satu lagi adalah anaknya.

Pejalan kaki yang melihatnya, hanya geleng kepala dan mendesah saja.

Bapak setengah baya itu, malam minum arak, mencari teman mengobrol, lalu buka mulut marah besar pada Mahaguru Lu, "XXX, XXX, XXX, saya tidak percaya ia punya kesaktian apa, ia hanya mengandalkan mulutnya, bicara sembarangan dan omong kosong."

Melanjutkan, "Apaan Buddha Hidup, dia itu monyet hidup, topeng monyet, bicara sembarangan, penipu ulung."

Melanjutkan, "Dia itu apapun palsu, saya baru asli, yang palsu hanya sementara saja, yang asli adalah abadi. Si brengsek itu, saya mau pukul dia, agar dia babak belur dan mati muntah darah."

Melanjutkan, "Saya mau paku dia dengan Ilmu Memaku Arwah dengan 7 Anak Panah", supaya dia meninggal dunia tanpa sebab dalam 7 hari, jika ia tidak datang memohon pada saya, saya buat dia mati dan jatuh ke neraka Avici besar tingkat 18 dan tidak bisa bereinkarnasi lagi selamanya."

Melanjutkan, "Apapun dewa Dharmapala yang dia punya, saya tidak takut, XXX, XXX..."

Temannya berkata, "Dia sangat tepat!"

"Tepat kentutnya!" ia berteriak.

"Dia sangat sakti!"

"Sakti burungnya!" Ia berkata, "Saya berikan dia makan burung saya!"

Bapak setengah baya itu makin bicara makin emosi, mata pun merah, mulut mengunyah pinang, nada kebencian tidak ada habis-habisnya, berulang kali memukul meja.

Tiba-tiba, wajahnya kram, mulut bengkok sebelah. Sekujur tubuh gemetaran tanpa henti.

Temannya terperanjat begitu melihatnya, lalu mengantarnya ke rumah sakit untuk diperiksa, dokter berkata, "Syarat wajah lumpuh.".....

Sejak itu, mulutnya pun bengkok, bicara tidak jelas, air liur bercucuran pun tidak sadar.

Teman menasihatinya, "Cari Mahaguru Lu untuk bertobat! Mahaguru Lu pasti akan bantu menyembuhkanmu, Mahaguru Lu sangat baik hati."

"XXX." Ia mau marah, mulutnya makin bengkok.

Temannya menasihatnya lagi, ia bersikeras tidak sudi, ia berkata, "Sekalipun mati, saya tidak akan mencarinya untuk menyembuhkan saya."

Bapak setengah baya meminta petunjuk dokter dan dewa, mulutnya tetap bengkok. Setelah waktu berlalu 2 bulan lamanya.

Bapak setengah baya dibawa temannya mencari saya.

Bapak setengah baya mengangguk pada saya, ada penyesalan.

Saya berkata, "Saya bantu sembuhkan Anda, lain kali Anda jangan memarahi saya lagi."

Ia mengangguk.

Saya berkata, "Di tempat saya ini ada yang butuh menenangkan anak yang ketakutan, yang butuh memberikan nama, yang kerasukan, saya rekomendasi ke tempat Anda saja!"

Ia mengangguk terima kasih.

Saya melihatnya benar-benar menyesal, lalu mengembangkan Buddhadharma, memperagakan kesaktian, saya japa:

Bebas dari berlaksa jodoh, hati pun tiada masalah.
Hanya sunyata saja, tenang dengan sendirinya.
Jenderal Jirah Besi membukakan gembok.
Wajah kembali normal.

"Jenderal Jirah Besi" itu melepaskan gembok, mulut medium setengah baya dari bengkok langsung menjadi normal.

Orang yang melihatnya berdecak kagum, menakjubkan sekali!