A Verbis Ad Verbera

Been wanting to post something for ages but I haven’t got the drive to do so. And yes, finally I managed to drag myself to begin writing.

I’m entering my sixth months of being away from home. It had been a challenge in settling down with juggling all the independent living and the academic expectation, but I survived thus far.

Although Singapore is just a one-and-a-half hour flight from home, it feels so near yet so far. My daily life here is totally different with the life I used to have for the past years in my life. I used to have everything ready for me back in Jakarta. I got my maids, my driver, all my meals set, and all my family and friends around. Here? You better don’t ask!

Settling down and adjusting to a whole different habit and lifestyle have not been a picnic. There are times when I just miss my family and home so much, dealing with homesick and all that. There are times when I just feel powerless to just juggle these all, and how I wish to return to the time when I had really good friends and when everything seemed figured out.

After all, It’s funny how time flies these days. I just got my transcript from the first term and, to be completely honest, I’ve achieved a good amount of accomplishments. Good experiences, brilliant opportunities, and a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). I’ve never thought that I’ve lived through my Hell’s Kitchen lifestyle but I certainly did.

So this is what’s been happening: the second semester is more than half-way through and internship program is coming really soon. Like, how on earth did we get here so fast? So before the time runs out, I might as well list up the things I would like to achieve. Why? I have the tendency to set my heart out on something and then… I’d completely forgotten about them in the nick of time. Thus the title of the post.

Resolution #1: Thou shall not procrastinate.

Procrastination is my life-long hardcore enemy. No matter how many times my brain try to trick itself out of delaying works, particularly, it always get the better of me.

They say, to actually achieve something you have to set a tangible goal. Here’s the tangible goal: the moment the assignment/task falls into your hand, Lia, finish it right away. Without any “Oh, Noh, But, or Orgh”. This shall be a new habit that shall never depart from your heart.

Procrastinate no more and thou shall live like those superheroes in capes.

Resolution #2: Put yourself in someone else’s shoe before you judge.

I know this by heart but everyday I got to remind myself that you are not here in this world to judge people. Everybody has their own road to tread. They say, you’ll never know how it feels to be someone until you walk in their shoes. Always keep in mind that life is hard, but it is worth it.

If somebody annoys you beyond reasonable doubt, just stay calm and carry on. We need at least one sane person in this insane world. If somebody doesn’t know the hard work you invest in their lives to make their life as easy as it is today, pray and don’t judge. Lend a hand, still, and just… Well, smile.

Yet do not take this for granted and not do what you are supposed to do but you expect people to be sweet and angelic to you. Do your work. Do the best that you can do, while you’re at it. When you do your job right and excellently, I believe that things will go as smooth as newly paved road.

I have a third goal but I’ll keep that to myself.

Cheers!

Benjamin Franklin

What if? What if? Have you ever dealt with the what-ifs? Entertaining the what-ifs in your life is the first step to being overtaken with worry. Worry is taking responsibility for things you were never intended to handle. Worry is a lack of trust in the Creator of the universe. Worry says that you can handle it when many times you simply cannot. Are you worried that you worry too much? You don’t defeat worry by worrying about it. You defeat worry by redirecting your concerns to Someone who can actually do something about your situation. It does not mean that you do not take responsibility for the things you are supposed to handle; it just means that you know when you stop and God begins.

Worried you don’t know enough about it? Check this few things out!

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” -Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” - Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” - Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

 Conclusion: (read the title above!) :D

“What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference.” - 2 Cor 10:18 (MSG)

There are times when we listen so much to what others said we are, and what we said we are. We focused on our weaknesses and assumed that we are incapable for certain challenges. Every time I doubt what I’m doing, I ask myself on what God says about me. With that, I found a new strength being planted in my heart. I go beyond relying on my own strength, to having an assurance on what God says. It’s only what God says that makes the difference; not our opinion, not others.
It is important to include in our prayer to ask God to lend us His eyes so that we could see ourselves the way God sees us. He sees us as precious, wonderful, and perfect. We should go beyond the world’s measurement and judge based on God’s opinion only. I am beautiful if You say I am. If God said that He has created a marvelous work within me, then why should I bother thinking that I’m not as pretty as other girls? If God said He had given me the talents and potentials accordingly to fulfill His great work, then why should I bother to believe others saying that I’m not good enough? Basically, others have no right to judge us. Our judgement about ourselves are often wrong too. We underestimate ourselves and fail to see the fullness of the potentials that God has instilled in us. We keep on thinking we’re not smart enough, not eloquent enough, and not gifted enough. Once God questions us on from whom we got the smartness, eloquence, and the gifts? Aren’t they the gift of God?
I am always blessed in a declaration that I found from Joel Osteen saying, “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do.” Our standard isn’t the world, our standard is Christ’s Word. We are not condemned by our own words, and others’ words. We all are the creations of God, and obviously, our Creator has the final say rather than us.
Start to see ourselves from the Eyes of God, and everything will be better, I believe. His Opinions are the only ones that matter, and I shall keep moving forward.

Baby mosquito came back after first time flying. His mom asked him “How do you feel?” He replied “It was wonderful, Everyone was clapping for me!”

I read this. Ended up screaming the title above. Then again, who wouldn’t do so?

Steve Jobs

Kenny S. Goh

Joseph Prince

Matthew 8:26