WELCOME 2019: The Resolution Formula

New year and new resolution! That's we used to hear many people talk about resolution in New Year. So, what's your resolution? My husband and I have small resolutions. He will do better diet and I will have more rest. I used to sleep 4-5 hours/day. This year I want to reach 5-7 hours/day (my doctor recommended me to sleep 8 hours/day. With many activities, I have to be disciplined to make it happen. To make it happen, I must have a good habit. Good habits can happen if we are healthy, physically and spiritually. All can happen because of God's grace. According to e-Renungan Harian, people who succeed in carrying out their resolutions have prominent characteristics. They regard resolution as a serious matter, as a vow before God. A sacred commitment. As well as a longing to please God. Therefore, they rely on God's help and grace, and discipline themselves to fulfill it. (Please, read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 to understand/appreciate it) Don't you agree with those statements? I do agree. We can make a simple formula from those statements:  Resolution = God's grace + Discipline
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ONE CHOICE

You're always One Choice away from changing your life

One... One tree can start a forest, One smile can begin a friendship, One hand can lift a soul, One word can frame the goal, One candle can wipe out darkness, One laugh can conquer gloom, One hope can raise our spirits, And...one choice can change your life. Think about that. One choice, just one, can change your life forever. Simply put, your life today is what your choices have made it, but with new choices, you can change directions this very moment. (Mac Anderson, Founder of Simple Truths)

I ever had the huge choice in my life almost 11 years ago and this changed my life since then. From having life as like living in the hell to have a happy life.  Making a huge choice was not easy as like as I write it here but I had belief and faith: If he wanted me to take that choice, everything would be fine because I believed He would take care of me and because I had faith in Him. And YES, he has been taking care of me in every condition and situation.  Have you seen it?  I'm sure you will see it if you have close relationship with me. My second novel will present of how GREAT He is, greater than what we ever thought.   If you have ever read Enthusiasm, you would love the second book of Enthusiasm Saga. The story will move your heart up and down and you will feel as like the author tells in every word and sentence. Please, stay tuned for the updated news about this book.  Thank you for your interest.(*)  
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Still Standing

I have been having cough since in the beginning of April 2013.  It was the stupidest thing I ever did.  I dusted basement without wearing mask.  After finished, I had cough right away.  On Thursday in this week I'll have an appointment to see doctor.  I hope everything will be fine.  It has filled my mind, so worried about my cough and other health problem meanwhile I'm still busy with my work, my online activities, and my study.  It seems I will be late to finish my study by the end of June or before the end of summer.  I scheduled for 7 months but it seems it would be late till 8-9 months.  That's OK: slowly but I'm sure I'll get great result.

This afternoon I got a new blessing.  Still Standing, a song by Israel Houghton gave me the strength.  Day by day, month by month, year by year, the temptations never stop and we have to face them--like or unlike. When I said to my friend, "What God will give me in this year or next year? You can't imagine how tired to face them every year."  And she replied, "I pray this year.  It will be the blessing year for you and family."

That was a very sweet thought.  Thank you.

The devotional message on last Sunday mentioned: We still stand is not because we are strong but he sustain us. (Amen)

Still Standing by Israel Houghton

Verse One: You gave me courage to believe that all your goodness I will see 
and if it had not been for you standing on my side where would I be

Chorus: If not for your goodness, if not for your grace, I don't know where I would be today
 if not for your kindness I never could say I'm still standing
if not for your mercy, if not for your love, I most likely would have given up
 if not for your favor I never could say I'm still standing but by the grace of God

Verse Two: To you I lift my offering and set my heart on higher things for if it had not been for you standing on my side where would I be

Vamp: I'm still standing, I'm standing, I'm still standing but by the grace of God (*)

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Complete Independence!!!

Today, August 17, Indonesians are celebrating their 66th Independence Day! Happy Independence Day to all Indonesians around the world!!!

What I would love to share in this special day?
From e-Daily Devotion written by Indonesians, I got a really good source for all Indonesians who confess that they are the part of the nation who put God in number one in their way of life should read this, especially for Christian. Attached, I tried to translate it in English. For Indonesian version, you can visit this link.

In 1942, in the early days of Japanese occupation, Amir Syarifuddin Harahap spoke in the Christmas celebration (of the Preparatory The Christian Unity). This Christian leader who later became RI's prime minister had appealed to Christians not only thinking about the afterlife, but must stand with both feet on a society in turmoil. Amir said that because most Indonesia's Christians at that time tended to apathy on the dynamics community. They prefered to focus on spiritual things.

Decades later, after Indonesia became independent, the same problem apparently still wrapped around Christians in Indonesia. Many churches claimed to "uphold the Bible", but unfortunately tends to apathy to the problems facing the nation. They prefered to focus on things related to spiritual worship and evangelism. The problems of filling Indonesia's independence with involvement in all areas were almost never studied or emphasized.

Of course, worship and evangelism are needed. But if that's all Christians do, we are not yet fully understood God's heart's content. In the book of Isaiah that we read today (Isaiah 58:6), God obviously wanted the worship of His people have an impact on social change. Issues of justice (verse 6) and poverty (verse 7), specifically concerning the political, legal, and economic, should be our concern.

Today, let Amir Syarifuddin appeal reminds us of Christian vocation in the ommunity. Let us be encouraged back to participate actively filling the nation's independence - ST

MAKE TRUE WORSHIP THE NATION BLESSED!!!

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Learning To Have Faith from Seven Years Old Girl

Last Sunday I got a surprise from my daughter's Sunday School teacher, Sandy. She asked me if she had a brother who just got lung replacement. I wondered how she knew it. Then she told me when she asked the children if they had their own faith story, they should raise their hands. My daughter was the one of some children who raised their hands. She told about her brother who just got lung replacement and her visiting to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania several weeks ago. She prayed and had faith that her brother would get better soon. Sandy was amazed that she knew what the faith was when she was still seven years old. And I'm as her mom, of course, I'm so proud of her and thank God that she grows well with her faith.

Sometimes we need to learn from a little child how we put our faith in God. It's not only from what we express through what we say in our prayer only but in our action, too.

Below I just want to share several pictures and videos when they both were having fun together last summer in the glades in MA; playing chest together and he taught her how to play guitar.

Yes, I also have faith that someday they both will have fun soon as they spent time last summer together. (*)

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NEW YEAR REFLECTION (11): Keep Moving Forward

My little daughter when she was five years old had made a surprise. In just several weeks she tried hard to be able to play hula hoop. She kept trying and trying till one night my husband showed me a video he took as I attach it below.

Then just several months ago in 2010, she made another surprise. I heard someone playing a song on the keyboard and I was sure there was nobody at home except me and my daughter. So I turned my head and saw her playing that song. I was so amazed. She did it by herself. When I asked how could she play it, she showed the light instruction on it and she kept practicing to follow it until she did it independently. I'm sure it would take some time till she was able to do it by herself without I knew. Below I attach one of the videos I ever took.


What we have learned from her? Sometimes we need to learn like a little child when we are pusrsuing our goals or dream. A little child mostly never gives up until she/he gets what she/he wants. Even a baby who is learning how to walk. I still remember when she was still a baby. She kept trying to stand up and walk, stand up and walk, and kept moving like that till she felt tired and at other times she would try it again. Again and again. And when she was around one year old, she was able to walk.

We've known already evertyhing isn't instant to reach our goals/dreams but needs a process and sometimes will take a long time. What we need to do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

Do you ever watch the movie of MEET THE ROBINSONS?? If you haven't yet, watch it!! This movie has a message to us that we should keep to move forward to reach our goals/dreams and also it will entertain you and your family!!! Don't give up! That's what this movie is trying to tell us. If we fail, it shows that we are getting to close to the next level. It means we have learned what the things that make us failed and we should not do it again but try other ways.

Below I attach the movie trailer MEET THE ROBINSONS!!! This is one of my favorite movies from Disney production.


And below is Little Wonders song, a soundtrack music for the movie MEET THE ROBINSONS. I love it!!! And it's also one of my favorite songs ever.


Little Wonders
Singer: Rob Thomas

Let it go
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Ref:
Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours
These small hours
Still remain

Let it slide
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine,
Till you feel it all around you
And I don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by
It's the heart that really matters in the end

(Ref)

All of my regret
Will wash away somehow
But I cannot forget
the way I feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Yeah, these twisted turns of fate
Time falls away
Yeah, but these small hours,
These small hours
Still remain

Yeah, oh they still remain
These little wonders
All these twists and turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders
Still remain

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NEW YEAR REFLECTION (10): Celebrate Your Victory!

After long and hard work to pursue our goal or reach one step of our goals at the time, we deserve to celebrate it. Celebration doesn't mean we have to spend a lot of money for foods, drinks, etc but even with a small tea party with our team/friends/family is a great way to celebrate. We celebrate it because we respect our hard work we have done and as a reflection of grateful feeling we give to ourselves, to our team/friends/family who have worked together or supported us, especially if we believe that every step we reach, it's because of God's help.

Today I celebrate ONE YEAR of ENTHUSIASM!!! One year journey of Enthusiasm!!! No special food, no special wine and no special guest I invite. But this post is as a SPECIAL CELEBRATION of it so I might write little bit longer than I used to.

(Thank you to Jawaban.com for designing this wonderful picture)
Today I feel grateful because I believe everything might happen because of God's purpose that I still don't know what exactly of the end. But since I looked back again when the first time I had desire to write this novel till publication and marketing process, I had seen and felt God's companion. Although Enthusiasm isn't a best seller of self-published book but as a winning book is a marvelous! A marvelous book doesn't have to be a best seller but more than that, it will show how a book itself has a power to influence its readers. That is the most important, then to be a best seller will be a great bonus to increase more its value and esteem!

In this special day, I would like to thank everybody/every reader who has given great interest to read ENTHUSIASM!!! Enthusiasm has been so wonderful and influenced positively almost its readers. I have gotten so many praises from them that Enthusiasm has opened their mind, given inspiration and motivation to reach more their dreams. Since then, I think I knew why HE wanted me to write this novel, even when I got pro and contra from some reviewers who said this book is kind of a memoir book or something like that. They are right, but I reserve it in the novel style and follow the novel writing rules. Whatever they mention, I still call Enthusiasm is as a novel (non fiction literary--I pick these words myself so please, don't judge me, he he . . .) and that was why Enthusiasm deserves a winning book in category of Novel although we know the definition of a Novel is a fiction literary but I'm its author, I could write its style whatever I wanted to. Well . . . so I used to mention a special genre of this book is as an Inspirational Novel (because it has inspired many readers, he he . . .). Am I wrong? Well, if I'm wrong, then you may mention it as an Inspirational Book (ha ha ha!!!)

Although it has aged one year already, Enthusiasm still has long journey. I'm excited waiting for publication in Indonesia. How Indonesia readers will respond it, what kind of marketing the publisher will use, how many books will be sold, etc, etc. Whatever they will be, I hope the publisher will do the best as they can. I'm here and would be ready for any interview if possibly taken, by radio, television, talk show, seminar using long distance online communication tool. If you are from an art or a writing organization/foundation/forum, etc, and would be interested to host an event, be free to contact me at anytime you want or contact my publisher (it will be announced when it's published).

(Note for 2 pictures above: Enthusiasm attended in a School Reunion event and was given to school library, SMPN 7 Surabaya, Indonesia, a Junior High school I went)

Other things that aren't less interesting are the reviews I got during post publication (after Feb 24, 2010). Although it has been published, Enthusiasm still got many great reviews from writing workshop members. I'll copy and paste some of them as the expression of its ONE YEAR celebration!!! (and of course I don't write them all completely because they are long-long reviews)

July 3, Preface: perfect! . . . This is a wonderful story and I will enjoy reading it and be honored if you would like my review. (Preface and Chapter 1)

July 7, Again - this is a very nice story and I'm enjoying the positive energy about the family . . . Also you are excellent at creating dialogue. Something I very much envy. (Chapter 2)

July 22, This is so enjoyable to read! I love how you write with so much dialogue. It feels very real. I have difficulty using dialogue in my writing, so reading yours is very helpful! (Chapter 3)

July 24, I'm back for more . . . enjoying your story very much. I have to say, this content is great, but last chapter's writing seemed better/easier to understand. I hope you are ok with this comment. The story itself is very enjoyable! Keep up your good work! (Chapter 4)

August 17, The structure of the paragraphs and descriptions is very good! Easier to follow for me . . . Love Van Morrison too! (Chapter 5)

January 7, Good work! I enjoyed this short story of non-fiction (in which I don't read much of). I thought that your character (Ibu?) was quite cute and very realistic. Are you really that way? Anyway the characters were good, and the story was well detailed. Of course this was only one chapter of seven that I got to read, but I think that you deserved the five stars for it being "well crafted". (Chapter 7)

And several days ago I got a message from a reader in Indonesia who won my book in a writing contest hosted by KabarIndonesia.com. When she had been enjoying reading my book, and then had to go to other city for other business for several weeks, she forgot to bring my book that was on her bed so she asked other family member to send it via mail. I think this is a cute real story and more than that I appreciate for any interest she has given. Thank you, Nina!!! (*)

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NEW YEAR REFLECTION (7): Take Good Advices

Advices can come from anyone, either he/she is an old and experienced person or young and experienced person.

This morning I read a headline news about "How to be a millionaire by age 25".
There were some good advices from them that might be good for anyone who wants to learn from their experiences. Pick one or several of them that you think their messages are suitable with your resolution this year.

Good Luck!

Michael Dell
Michael Dell, now 45, earned his first million at age 19. Dell dropped out of the University of Texas shortly after starting a computer company that sold directly to consumers, at prices lower than retail rivals could match.

By the time he was 24, the company now known as Dell (DELL, news) had revenues of $258 million. At last check, Dell's estimated net worth was $13.5 billion.

His advice for young entrepreneurs: "You've got to be passionate about it," he said in an interview with the Academy of Achievement. "I think people that look for great ideas to make money aren't nearly as successful as those who say, 'OK, what do I really love to do?'"

Catherine Cook
Catherine Cook, now 20, has been a millionaire for a couple of years. She and her brothers David and Geoff started myYearbook, a social-networking site popular with teens, in 2005, when Catherine and David were still in high school.

Her advice for young entrepreneurs: "Stop just thinking about it and make it happen. When you're young is the best time to start your own business, as you do not have the responsibilities you will have when you're older. The worst that can happen if you fail now is that you have firsthand experience to make your next venture a success."

Sean Belnick
Sean Belnick, now 23, became a millionaire at 16. He started selling office chairs online, an endeavor that morphed into a company called BizChair.com. Along the way, Belnick earned a bachelor's degree from Emory University's Goizueta Business School.

His advice for young entrepreneurs: "It is never too early to start. . . . There's a lot of great information on the Internet. Just do the research and find a way to do what you want to do."

Jermaine Griggs
Jermaine Griggs, now 27, became a millionaire at 23 by pursuing his passion for teaching music. His website, HearAndPlay.com, is designed to help people learn to play piano, guitar or drums by ear, without reading sheet music. More than 2 million students download online lessons each year. Griggs' plans include the launch of brick-and-mortar learning centers, a TV network and a magazine.

His advice for young entrepreneurs: "Understand the power of selling, not just things but yourself and your ideas. Study business. Study those who have come before you and find people with the same dreams and aspirations as you."

Matt Mickiewicz
Matt Mickiewicz, now 27, made his first million dollars at 22. He was instrumental in the creation of the websites SitePoint, 99designs and Flippa.com. The Internet, Mickiewicz said, gives entrepreneurs instant feedback from consumers, making it relatively inexpensive to test and launch ideas.

His advice for young entrepreneurs: "People who say it takes money to make money are using the worst excuse ever. Create massive value for others by providing a solution where no other exists."

Juliette Brindak
Twenty-one-year-old Juliette Brindak became a millionaire at 19, when the company she co-founded and runs, MissO and Friends, was valued at $15 million.

At 10, Brindak started drawing the "cool girls" cartoon figures that later became stars in her online community for tween girls. Today, she is seeking investors and preparing to take the site public as she attends classes at Washington University in St. Louis.

Her advice for young entrepreneurs: Fill your team with members who believe in your idea. "If someone starts to doubt your company and what you're doing," she said, "you need to get rid of them."

David Hauser and Siamak Taghaddos
David Hauser, now 28, and Siamak Taghaddos, 29, became millionaires four years ago. They met at Babson College and later developed the Grasshopper Virtual Phone System, designed to help entrepreneurs stay in touch with customers, investors or others while on the move. Hauser built the technology and Taghaddos took care of marketing.

Taghaddos' advice for young entrepreneurs: "Success is finding solutions in challenges that help others; money is secondary. . . . Always be on the lookout for new venture opportunities from the voids and challenges you experience in your life."

Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson, now 25, launched more than a dozen websites between 1998 and 2004, before he was 20 years old. He was a millionaire before he left high school.

At age 9, Johnson started a printing company making greeting cards from his home. At 12, he made $50,000 selling his sister's Beanie Baby collection (with her permission, of course). Regarded as an entrepreneurial icon in Japan, Johnson hosted a BBC television show last year called "Beat the Boss." He now focuses on writing and guest lectures.

His advice for young entrepreneurs: "Put yourself out there. Get started, do something and start small. The lower your startup costs, the easier it is to find profitability. Create value for others, and you'll be rewarded." (*)

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NEW YEAR REFLECTION (5): Action, Action and Action

Since my little daughter is getting bigger, she also changes her favorite TV channels from Noggin, PBS Kids, Nick Jr to Nickcelodeon and Disney. I am as her mom, like or dislike, I have to watch sometimes together when accompanying her. From that activity I found several interesting shows to watch. One of them is a song entitled Make It Shine from Victoria Justice in her TV show: Victorious. Music, lyrics, the color of her voice and how she dances are great. She is a very talented young girl. I like her a lot.

Below I attach its video and its lyrics and hope they will help you to raise your spirit not to be afraid to put your dream in action. Every action you make, it will bring you closer to reach your goals/dreams.

Take some steps today, if only a few, and tomorrow you’ll be that much closer to your goal.
Good luck!




Make it Shine

(1st verse)

Here I am, once again
feeling lost but now and then
I breath it in to let it go

and you don't know
where you are now
with what it will come to
if only somebody could hear
When you figure out how
your lost in the moment
you disappear

(Chorus)

You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action
you're never gonna fade you'll be the main attraction
Not a fantasy
Just remember me
when it turns our right
'cause you know that if you live in your imagination
tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination
In my victory
Just remember me
when i make it shine!

(2nd verse)

Reaching high
feeling low
I'm holding on but letting go

I like to shine
I'll shine for you

And it's time to show the world how
it's a little bit closer
as long as I'm ready to go

All we have is right now
as long as you feel it inside you know ....

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

Everyone can tell you how it's all been said and done (Ooo whoa)
That harder times will change your mind and make you wanna run
But you want it
And you need it
Like you need to breath the air
If they doubt you
Just believe it
That's enough to get you there

(Chorus)




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NEW YEAR REFLECTION (4): Don't Be Shy to Do the Small/Simple Things

One of my friends who comes from Indonesia and ever worked at Walmart several years ago ever asked me not to ever mention her name to her friends if she was working at Walmart. I didn't ask 'why' because I knew it already. She was a secretary from one of a top company in Jakarta and had been going to several countries to do her duties. As a night stocker at Walmart for several years, she did such a great job and I was so proud of her, but all friends at work didn't ever know what she did before.

I'm sure for most Americans, working at Walmart is as same as working at ACME, TARGET, other grocery or retail stores in US and many of them probably just give "an eye" for their associates. I, myself, am proud to be one of Walmart family members although I don't make a lot of money and I'm not shy to mention that I'm a Walmart Associate although I have a bachelor degree with an excellent result and other special courses with the best graduates I ever got in my country, Indonesia. I would be never shy to do the small things to make some money for myself or/ and for my family. Why should I be shy? People out there don't give money for me or for my family. I will be shy if I get money for do nothing.

Yeah, I have been seeing so many things around me that most people would be proud if they work at a big and famous company and as a manager or director; or work at other company that the people won't give "a blinked eye". As I have seen many cases, I get a conclution: the higher education you take, the higher action you will avoid to take the simple jobs or other activities that doesn't give you a balance return.

I have experiences in my life that I have done some simple works and I have gotten their fruits. Don't have a big dream if you don't want to take a small/simple work although you are a graduate from Harvard University. The world will leave you!!!

We should remember that we get the rewards by doing the simple things. Do the best for what we are doing, at home, at work, at organization, etc. If we did the best, other people will give more jobs that need more responsible and give us higher position and higher income.

Today I read an article "7 Billionaires' First Jobs". Read this link if you're interested to read what they had done before. I'm sure you will be amazed and will give you a new perspective to take an action for what you have planned to fulfil your New Year Resolution.

Good luck and don't be shy to show the world that you are even as a newspaper delivery driver. Be proud and thankful for the job you've gotten. Be the best for everything you do!!!!

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