Showing posts with label how to make dreams come true. Show all posts

Freefalling Expectations


Wherever we go, I hope we never leave gratitude behind. Let it accompany us along every step we take. If we spare a little time to think and look back on what we have been through, we will realise a great deal of blessings poured to us. Set aside the thought about how miserable our life is, and think of good things we have. That way, we will feel a little more grateful.

Wait, you still cannot feel grateful? Let’s take another trick. For this one, I have a recent experience. First, let me tell you I am far from pious, I am not yet meet the image of how a Muslim girl should be. I am trying to be, though. On my way there, right now, I am still learning to be grateful. Here is my story.

Ever since I was accepted in the university, I had been wishing to be a part of a language and culture learning service. The idea to be a tutor for foreigners who want to learn our language was intriguing. When the office finally held a selection for tutors, I enrolled right away. I passed the first test, I was grateful. Next phase, I passed it too, another gratitude. I had a high expectation that I would be accepted. As for the last test, I did not hear any news at the supposedly announcement day. Then, I thought maybe I was not accepted. I was a bit disappointed, and my high expectation suddenly dropped. I tried to let go, and kept thinking positive that Allah might have a better way for me. Until a couple of days later, a friend of mine told me my name was on the list of the new tutors! The rush of bliss was unexpectedly high in me. I expressed my gratitude as much as I could, for I did not expect it to happen to me. My gratitude might not be that much if I had known from the start about my acceptance.

Months had passed, and I have been doing my responsibility in tutoring. However, I could not meet the total time allotment due to my activities and my student’s. At the end of a program, I would be given reward for some rupiah, hourly basis. I learnt that my senior earned much amount of money, when the others only received one-third or so of her wage. I was amazed, she said that she was diligent and even hold tutorials every day. No wonder she got that much. Then, I was wondering, how much would I get? I did not apply for the money, but, still, who was not happy to be given money? (:p) I was feeling inferior to this senior. She was so industrious and she got that amount. Compared to her story, I felt like I did not do that much. I did a simple math out of it, and came at a conclusion that I would probably earn a quarter of her amount. Again, my expectation was failed to fly high. I was like, okay, alhamdulillah, I got a reward and I made money on myself, how delightful.

I had not taken my wage until some days ago, when I finally had time. Do you know how I felt when reading a nominal on the envelope? I was so surprised of the amount I got. It was thrice as much as what I expected! An instant gratitude, a great deal of it, hit me in joy. I did not expect to get that much, so my gratefulness was many times greater. If I had not lower my expectation, I might not be grateful that much.

Can you see the pattern from those two occurrences? I did not expect too much of something. Through some disappointments, Allah had reminded me not to expect things too high. Fortunately, I did lower my expectations, so I felt like I had got a great deal of luck. The feeling was indescribably amazing, you should experience it on your own to know. I guess that was an easy way to get you more grateful of something. Remember, guys, if we are thankful, Allah will grant us more. I hope my simple words could help you better yourself.

Simply be grateful for everything, then the life of Riley is only some steps ahead! No te rindas! :)

Punctuality is So Me!

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Have you ever waited for someone for so long, because you come on time but they don’t? Or is it you who is barely on time?

I want to tell a brief story that just happened today. This day is a special day for I had a kind of reunion with my friends, after months being apart. We decided to meet at 9 am somewhere. I had estimated the time I need to get ready and get there. I would’ve been on time if I didn’t drop by the gas station. As a result, I got there 4 minutes late. Can you guess what happened? Yep, no one was there. Later I knew that some of them had got there, but they went somewhere first. Oh, so I was the latest, I thought. Apparently not, my other friends hadn’t even left home yet! They finally came an hour later.

That story is only one of so-and-so much other cases. It happens a lot, in any kind of situation. On account of how common it is, no one seems to mind their late coming (in informal dates). They knew that there would be someone coming late, so in case it happens, they deliberately set the time earlier. For instance, they will have an activity at 11. They tell others to come at 9 or 10, so even if someone is late, they will still be able to hold the event punctually. Everyone knows that old yet common trick. Unfortunately, as everyone knows this, they will have the same thought. They will say, “I bet people will come late. It’s better to be off an hour after the settled time.” In the end, no one comes at 9 or 10.
Yes, punctuality. It is rarely performed by people around me. In my area in Indonesia, it is no secret that punctuality is a scarce thing. Not always, though, but usually. Even the phrase “jam karet” (literally means rubbery hour) is so common. That is what I know. I know it since I’ve got many experiences regarding punctuality. So far, most people around me still set aside punctuality. I’m worried if it becomes a trait.

Luckily, punctuality has always been my priority. I always manage my time by having a sort of timetable in my head. Thanks God, latecomer has never been my label. The sad thing to be punctual, while your friends are not, is that you always come first, and are lonely for a couple of minutes. Yeah, that is my experience, which often happened. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take it as a disadvantage. I keep telling myself that being on time will not give me any loss.

Nevertheless, guys, let’s remind ourselves to be punctual in any occasion. Don’t just follow your friends whose habit is coming late! Assure yourself that punctuality is so you! It is better if you can make them on time just like you. Finally, good luck with your self-improvement! :))

The Temptation of Procrastinating


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Procrastinating is a common ‘disease’ among us. I do it a lot, unfortunately. Is it your habit too? Do you think you never procrastinate? Just look back for a while, see how you did your assignments, homework, or other duties. Does it ring a bell? If you are not a procrastinator, then congratulations, you are a special person! As I said, procrastinating has been very common. It means, you are one of a kind if you are not a procrastinator. Of course, it’s a good thing. While if you are, like myself, let’s try not to be anymore.

We often do something in the last minute. We might not mean to do that way, but it happens. Some of us might think that is fine as long as our duties done on time. However, have you ever thought that it’s actually a disturbance in our life? Does a second guess like: it’s actually the devils’ whisper, come across your mind? I’ve been thinking about it, and I think, yes, the devils (syaithan) are involved in our procrastinating.

The relax time in advance offered by procrastinating is very tempting, isn’t it? We enjoy our relax time, so we are reluctant to do something. We always say something like, “I’ll do it later, no need to rush. The deadline is still tomorrow anyway” on and on. You might end up doing nothing. Even if you do it eventually, you’ll be in hurry, and things will be messed up. I procrastinate almost every time. Shame on me. However, I do it in a measured and well-managed time. I usually work on my assignment close to the due date, but not really in the last minute. As a result, I do procrastinate, but I’m still able to do my works carefully, and without any pressure. It works, and I’m fine. Yet, it’s still not good. I have to change to be better.

With this, I invite you to quit being a procrastinator from now on. Let’s try together. Remember, everything needs process. We might move as slow as a snail, but we will surely hit the goal eventually. Slowly but sure, let’s stop procrastinating. To think about procrastinating, there’s no good in it. On the contrary, leaving it behind will give us many advantages.

Don’t do what the devils told you to do! We are the best creature, so we shouldn’t be the devils’ slaves who do whatever they order you. Just picture the devils around you laugh at you for their success in making you do what they say, whenever you’re lazy. Hey, don’t let them trick you! Don’t let them laugh at you! Devils’ whisper might sound tempting, but it will only lead us to destruction. The true happiness waits in the eternity, guys, be patient. Let’s remind each other not to be a procrastinator!

Beware of Grumbling!



Do you feel intact with your life so far? I’m glad for you if you do. Wait, you don’t? Well, it’s humane to feel unsatisfied of anything. When you are not happy about something, do you grumble? Grumbling is also humane, it’s one of human nature. Allah has stated in Surah Al Ma’arij (70:19-21): Indeed, mankind was created anxious: when evil touches him, impatient, and when good touches him, withholding [of it]. Therefore, you’re normal for complaining things. However, you have to know that it’s kind of ‘disease’ of your heart, and disease is, of course, not good for us.

Grumbling is something we don’t realize sometimes. We might feel as though we don’t complain, but we actually do out of it. For instance, you walk from your dorm to campus under the fierce sunlight, and you say,”Oh, I’m tired.” Isn’t that called grumbling? Think of other circumstances you might have done. You’ve done plenty, haven’t you? Then, beg forgiveness to Allah now. Astaghfirullah. This is as the mirror for me too, as a means to see my reflection. I mean, I do grumble too, so what I’m writing here is also addressed to myself. I’m trying to invite you to be better people together.

Pals, let’s be careful in saying things from now on. If you frequently grumble about little things unconsciously, you’ll need to definitely bear this in mind. Let’s try to sort out our words. Better be quiet than saying wrong. Nevertheless, don’t grumble in your mind instead. Keeping grumbling in your mind is still grumbling. The difference is only that it’s not said orally. I know it’s difficult. For now, when you realize you’ve thought about complaint or other bad things, quickly say astaghfirullahal’adzim. Next, you have to try to be satisfied in everything Allah has given to you.

Now, how to feel intact of everything Allah has given to us, so that we don’t grumble?
The key is always to be grateful. You got good things then thank Allah. Do it too when you got calamities. As you know, everything happens in this world is only by Allah’s willing. Nothing happens without Allah’s permission. Therefore, there must be something great behind the calamities. We just need to find it out, then we can be grateful even in the darkest time.
Let’s say you are a good-looking person, but one day Allah tested you by giving pimples on your face. Any method you’ve done, but they kept embellishing your face for years. Your confidence dropped, and your effort is about to run out. There, you might start wondering what sins you have done, and you beg forgiveness. However, your face is still as mess. You would have been so down by then. Hey, don’t be so down, be positive. Allah has given you such a test to protect you from a big sin related to romantic interest. What could’ve happened if you weren’t acne prone? Only God knows. Then, if you got someone who loved or even proposed you, that person must love you for you, for what’s inside of you, not just because of your cover. You’d be very grateful to realize it. So, try to see the positive beyond the calamities.

The point is, let’s stop grumbling, and always be thankful. Remember that God’s test is another name of God’s blessing. Calamities do happen to anyone.
Do the people think that they will be left to say,”We believe” and they will not be tried? But we have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. [Surah Al Ankaboot 29:2-3]

Hope this is helpful! :)
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