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That existential question .
After living many years away, places I call home, clear and blue sky, a more than normal degrees higher sun, old mates, and old habits soothed my pitchy, weary eyes. Above, the pink-golden April light grew brighter, and the seven per cent alcohol-content beers started to occupy our minds. “Why do we celebrate life?” my…
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Win or Loose OR win or learn?
Yesterday, I saw a documentary about Manchester City Football Club, the only FC I have ever batted an eyelash for. I am a fan of all sports, individual or team sports. I have always been sporty and have engaged in various sports activities since childhood. Swimming and horse riding are my true loves, but soccer…
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Apology & Time
Throughout our lives, we have made many mistakes, intentional or not. In our lifetime, we ask for apologies, in person or not. Apologies are important. But life isn’t always graceful. Often, we can’t accept or give apologies in person, and we only have our best intentions. Our intentions, though only in mind, are also energy.…
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Can we talk about death?
One thing we humans fear the most is fear. Our desolations distinguish our statuses, achievements, and happiness. They dissolve all things we think we are—our mind and body. Talking about death is like pricking needles onto a delicate baby. It scars us, wounds us, indeed, because death is what we value the most. As humans…
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Friend: A timely reminder
I met an old university friend for a morning coffee today. The sun shone brightly outside, and the wind breezed, signalling spring. The police horses ducked their heads into the water fountain, one horse playing merrily, splashing its hoof inside. At the same time, tourists gathered around, watching from the sideline. Inside, we chatted about…
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Spring baby
And just like the movie, it is Spring. Gone are the dreadful wind, heavy clouds, and suffocating air, allowing new prospects to emerge. I was born a day before spring. My constitution is also like that new fresh air; some people saw me as the sun shining brightly—a human sunshine. I can’t help it; people…
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Winter to Spring feeling
This winter is not much different than the winters before. Dreary. Cold. Uninspiring at times. Each year, I struggle to leave winter and into spring. Don’t get me wrong, this winter, I have been creative. I finished painting an old mirror, mending the shower room and the dishwasher, clearing more space and organising my home,…
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Dawn of a New Day
Here in the West, spring brings people outdoors from the cold and into the warmth. The sun, symbolised by the God Ra in ancient Egypt, lures people out of their comfort zones and into the light. Our association with light is no rocket science. Light is a part of us, as is darkness. In my…
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Tolerance & Unity in Diversity
It is now the holy month of Ramadhan in my country, a significant month for most Muslims in Indonesia and around the world. This month is a time to surrender to God’s will, accept and forgive those who wronged us, and seek forgiveness from those who wronged us. It is the time to return to…
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Riding the Spiral
It is the end of February, and the year is 2025. I feel both relief and despair. Looking at the state of the world today, I can not stop myself from feeling burdened, tattered, and even slightly broken. I often wonder how far humanity has to fall before it rises back. Or whether I will…