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 …