How did we even worry?
Lesson #1: “Worries come from insecurities; insecurities come from feeling inadequate; inadequacy comes from greed or not trusting the Supreme being” #simpleasthat The first day I arrived in Ambon, I met Chiko. He was a …
There’s more worrying than death
Lesson #2: “Our ultimate worry is not death, but how we die. Because death is certain, how we die is uncertain. And it is, to me, worrying.” PELNI has been a savior to many Indonesians …
Am I not Indonesian enough?
Lesson #3: “Sometimes I am worried that I’m not Indonesian enough to deserve living in Indonesia” Right after arriving in Banda, I chatted with Pak Dipi, one of the owners of The Nutmeg Tree (TNT) …
Falling again is better than not trying
Lesson #4: “We may learn from our fall and yet we may fall again. And again. It’s not fine, but it shouldn’t keep you from making another mistake.” I only went behind the bars for …
I was wrong about living abundantly
Lesson #5: “Living abundantly is not living lavishly. It starts with less-worrying days. It is led by courageously saying ‘enough’ to self and others. And it is ended by appreciating the Universe for whatever is …
Have them, flush them
Lesson #6: “Sometimes, what makes you worry are the insignificant people, experience, or both that you allowed to occupy your mind. Like a toilet, have them and flush them.” On my first trip to Banda, …
The subtlest worry
Lesson #7: “Memories and past achievements are the biggest sources of subtle worries: we tend to believe to outperform them. In fact, they’re there, in the past.” When talking to Pak Pongky, Pak Caesar, and …
Carpe Diem
Lesson #8: “Today is potentially the best, or the worst, day of my life. Work on it. Beat it. Learn from it. If both options are possible, what now to worry about?” Four hours before …