Forget about knowledge and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times better off.
Throw away charity and righteousness,
and people will return to brotherly love.
Throw away profit and greed,
and there won't be any thieves.

These three are superficial and aren't enough
to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also:

Embrace simplicity.
Put others first.
Desire little.

(from "Tao Teh Ching")

If I could catch a rainbow

If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you
And share with you its beauty
On the days you are feeling blue
If I could build a mountain
You could call your very own
A place to find serenity
A place to be alone
If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea
But all these things I am finding
Are impossible for me
I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be what I know best
A friend that's always there

Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.
(John Heywood)

The Happiest People In The World

“Every person in the world may not become a personage. But every person may become a personality. The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Interesting thoughts can live only in cutivated minds. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays at the theater, good company, good conversation–what are they? They are the happiest people in the world; and they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.” (William Lyon Phelps)

Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, "We have done this ourselves". (Lao Tzu)

This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

Sonet 12

karya: Sapardi Djoko Damono

Perjalanan kita selama ini ternyata tanpa tanda baca,
tak ada huruf kapital di awalnya. Yang tak kita ingat
aksara apa. Kita tak pernah yakin apakah titik mesti ada;
tanpa tanda petik, huruf demi huruf berderet rapat -

dan setiap kali terlepas, kita pun segera merasa gerah lagi
dihimpitnya. Tanpa pernah bisa membaca ulang dengan cermat
harus terus kita susun kalimat demi kalimat ini -
tanpa perlu merisaukan apakah semua nanti mampat

pada sebuah tanda tanya. Tapi bukankah kita sudah mencari
jawaban, sudah tahu apa yang harus kita contreng
jika tersedia pilihan? Dan kemudian memulai lagi
merakit alinea demi alinea, menyusun sebuah dongeng?

Tapi bukankah tak ada huruf kapital ketika kita bicara?
Bukankah kisah cinta memang tak memerlukan tanda baca?

Sonet 10

karya: Sapardi Djoko Damono

Ada selembar kertas yang belum bertulisan.
Apakah kauharapkan aku ke mari seperti semula,
belum penuh dengan coretan?
Ada yang ingin menulis aksara demi aksara

dan tahu tak akan mencapai kalimat meski ada tanda seru
di ujungnya. Tidak semua memerlukan tulisan,
(Apakah aku kaubayangkan selembar kertas itu?)
meski sudah terlanjur tercatat sebelum sempat diucapkan.

Air menyeret catatan berkelok-kelok di sepanjang sungai
bila penghujan. Tetapi sama sekali tak terbaca
bahkan ketika sudah begitu rekah-rekah perangai
kemarau. Tinggal garis-garis yang carut-marut di dasarnya.

Kau mengharapkanku kembali seperti itu? Risaukah kita
ketika menyadari bahwa tulisan tak perlu, ternyata?