Learning Salsa

Yesterday afternoon, my sister, brother-in-law asked me to go for a dance lesson with them. They want to learn dancing for their wedding reception in October. They take private lessons because they do not have a lot of time to practice together.

Yesterday we learned the basic step for Salsa and Rumba. The basic step was quite easy to learn and we got the hang of it in a very short time. We also learned how to turn and cross over. It was not hard, but we definitely need more practice to be able to move without too much thinking about what to do.

We had a great time learning and practicing. We joked a lot during our session to make it even more fun. It also helped us to get into a learning state, just like when we were children learning something new.

Here I put a video of how to do the basic step

Salsa Dance- The basic Step

What I need now is a partner to learn salsa with me :)

Learn and Grow!

Tumpeng Kendit

A special lunch for a special day

Whistle While You Work – Heeding Your Life’s Calling

I have just finished preparing for my presentation which will be held at GSJA Injil Sepenuh tonight. The topic is “Whistle While You Work, Heeding Your Life’s Calling” based on a book with the same title by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro.

Last week, I prepared the presentation on different topic “Living a Positive Life” but two nights ago, suddenly I felt that the topic of heeding life’s calling was more appropriate.

The objective of the seminar is to understand the importance of motivation and to have a motivation to serve. I believe that living our life’s calling is the ultimate motivation because when we do what we are called to do, what we are good at, what we love to do, then the motivation is automatically there.

While preparing for this topic, I did the exercise of finding my calling card. The exercise really helped me to clarify my calling. My calling is to put things together and to advance ideas that empower others to discover and develop their potential through performing events.

When I asked my family and friends to do the exercise, they also found it very valuable. It can be an eye-opening experience for some people because they can see how everything seems to fit together. I’ve also seen people having an A-HA moment when they realize what their calling is, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

I have the desire to help more people to discover and heed their callings through seminars and coaching so that I can take part in making this world a better and happier place.

Learn and Grow!

What is the Meaning of Life?

In Viktor E. Frankl’s book “Man’s Search For Meaning”

…the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.

…Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked… each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.

I often ask and ponder “What is the meaning of my life?” I often search for the magic formula that states “My life is ….”Until now, I still do not know the answer to that question and I haven’t found the magic formula either.

After reading Viktor E. Frankl’s book, I realize that the meaning of life changes from time to time. It is not just one thing, one meaning, nor a magic formula. It is how I respond to a specific situation that gives meaning to my life. I am the one and only who can give meaning to my life by answering life’s gifts and challenges.

Once again, being responsible for our lives gives it meaning!

Learn and Grow!

Overload…Overload!

I saw this overloaded truck on the way to Jogjakarta. It posed a danger not only on itself but also on other vehicles on the road. This is another example of complete disregard of rules and safety.

Learn and Grow

Photo by Inge Santoso

Most Precious Lessons about Letting Go and Abundance in My Life

Last Tuesday, before I went to Singapore Airport, I prepared S$70 (two $10 notes and one $50 note) and put them in my pocket to pay for taxi and buy some souvenirs.

When I paid for my taxi ride, I took the two $10 notes from my pocket and some more small change from my wallet, then I went inside the terminal.

When I was going to buy souvenirs, I put my hand into my pocket and suddenly I had a feeling of despair. I couldn’t find my $50 note anywhere! I searched all my pockets, my backpack and my passport wallet. I opened my wallet and counted the money…that $50 note was missing. It was nowhere to be found. My first thought: Did it fall out of my pocket when I paid the taxi? Did it fall when I walked to and from the GST refund booth?

At that time I realized that I need to change my thought and attitude because it was turning negative. I tried to console myself by thinking: Perhaps there was someone who needed the money more than me and I was just a conduit to make it happen.

At first it was hard to accept that I could’ve lost that $50 note. It was not a small amount for me. However I pressed on thinking and entertaining the thoughts that I was used by God to become a conduit to give someone who needed the money more than me. I also kept thinking that $50 was really a small amount in comparison to my net worth and it was not something that I needed to be upset about.

When I finally accepted the fact that I lost that $50 note and let go…I felt peace. By thinking that $50 was something that I could give easily because I had a lot where it came from,I had an instant boost of feeling abundance. By thinking that $50 notes could help someone in need, I felt even better.

It’s funny how things happened in life. When I fully accepted my situation, started to think positive and feel better, I continued to do my souvenir shopping. When I bought a box of chocolate for my parents and paid for it…There it was ! I found that $50 note! It was neatly folded on the side. It was so weird because I was sure that it was not there when I checked my wallet the first time. Apparently when I took some small change from my wallet paying for the cab, I folded the money and put it inside my wallet.

I was not sure what really happened that morning but I learned very important lessons:

1. Let go, really let go and feel peace. How often do we keep on holding what we have lost? It is as though it vanishes from our physical reality and starts to exist as a burden in our mind. Why do we keep holding onto something that exists as a burden in our mind? Let it go and feel peace. Finally I understand what’s written in the Bible “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)
2. I also understand one more aspect of the saying “the more you give, the more you receive”. When we give with the right motivation, we will have the feeling of abundance and this feeling will attract more abundance into our lives. You feel rich by giving! The more you give, the more you feel the riches in your life and this feeling attracts even more riches.

Learn and Grow!

Release Any Attachment to the Results of Good Actions

Yesterday when I re-attended Silva Method Basic Lecture Series, I drew a message card and on the card, it was written:

To reach out with love, to do your best and not be so concerned with results or outcomes – that’s the way to live.

I release any attachment to the results of my good actions.

This card rings so true to my situation at the moment. I’ve been so worried about what the outcome would be if I took any action. I worried about whether I would fail and disappoint people, whether I would be good enough to do what I wanted to do, and so on. This fear prevented me from taking action and moving forward. My fear of getting hurt also stopped me from reaching out with love. Living with these fears is like being trapped in a vicious circle because the more I don’t take action, the worse I feel about myself and this feeling makes me doubt myself and my abilities to take actions.

What do I learn from this? Living with fear is NOT the way to live! I’ve had enough! No more!

Now is the time to live my life!

Last week I dreamed that I was given just one more year to live. If it is true, what kind of life will I have in the next 365 days? What will I do in the next 365 days? Time suddenly becomes so precious and I must live my life to the fullest, make a difference, leave a legacy!

Now is the time to live my life!

I don’t want to worry about what will happen later because nobody can actually predict or know what is going to happen in the very next moment in life anyway. I just do my best in everything that I do and reach out with love and let God take care of the outcome.

I want to share this story with you because I want you to ask yourself the same questions.

How do you really want to live your life? What kind of life do you want to create for yourself and for the people close to you?

Have you live your life to your best potential? If not, it’s not too late. You still have today to something about it. Do it now! 

Learn and Grow!

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

I’ve heard rave reviews about Viktor E. Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning” for years. Yesterday I finally read the book. I was captivated and I read it in one sitting. There were so many gems inside the book. If you have not read it, I really recommend this book for you to read. One passage that I’d like to share with you today:

“…everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. And there were always choices to make. Everyday, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not you would become the plaything of circumstance,…”

If the last of human freedom that can’t be taken away is the freedom to choose our attitudes in any given circumstances, then we will have no excuse for not being responsible for our own lives.

“I AM RESPONSIBLE”

How often do we try to avoid taking this responsibility? How often do we blame other people for our circumstances and our feelings? How often do we look to the outside instead of inside ourselves?

Personal growth starts when we accept that whatever happens, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE. “I AM RESPONSIBLE”  is the starting point because it gives us complete control of our thoughts, our attitudes, our feelings, and finally what kind of person we become.

Today, let us take responsibility of our own lives! Take back what is truly ours…the last human freedom…the freedom to choose our attitude!

Learn and Grow!

Meeting Friends in Bookshop

Yesterday while I was browsing, looking for books at Kinokuniya Singapore I met my friends from Perth, Ferdinand, Carol and their daughter. In the morning, I have had a feeling that I would meet someone that I knew and it really happened.

This was not the first time that I met them in a bookshop. In September last year, I also coincidentally met them at Borders, Perth Australia. Imagine meeting each other in different bookshops in different continent

Carol commented that we kept bumping into each other in bookshops. Perhaps it is because we all love books. HAHAHA People with the same interest tend to go the similar places.

Anyway, you have better chances meeting me in bookshops, library, computer or electronic stores than any other places. My hangout places in Singapore are Borders, Kinokuniya, Times News Links, and Funan IT Mall.

Learn and Grow!

Shopping Bags and Bus - Singapore

What are those shopping bags sitting on top of the bus?

Surprise..It's the bus stop!

Just for fun.

Have fun...learn and grow!

Sweep, Sweep...Broom

Photo by Inge Santoso, Canon G9 - Marine Parade, Singapore

This picture was taken yesterday in Singapore. I often see clothes hanging, but this is the first time I saw sweeper and broom hanging out of the window. Great interesting idea!

Learn and Grow!

Language Confusion

Last Sunday was my brother-in-law's birthday. We celebrated his birthday by having lunch together. When we were going to order, there weren't enough menu, so my mother called the waitress to ask for a menu. She said,"Minta menu satu lagi.(We need one more menu book)" The waitress understood and gave us the menu.

After the waitress gave us the menu, I asked my mother,"Mum, which country are we in right now?"

She innocently said,"We are in Singapore. Why do you ask?"

I said,"Mum, what language do we usually speak when we are in Singapore?"

She said,"....English?"

I said,"What language did you use when you asked for the menu just now?"

I saw her face blushed and finally she realized that she has used Indonesian language to speak to the waitress just now. We had a really good laugh together. HAHAHA

Lesson:

1. Remember what country we are in and adjust to the language and customs

2. Singapore is a great multi-cultural country where most people speak more than two languages :)

Learn and Grow!

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Solemnization Celebration of Adi and Imelda.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Ms. Lucky of the Week

Last Friday night was PMK Rhema 12th Anniversary celebration. I was in charge of giving out the door prize. I decided to put "winning door prize" sticker underneath some chairs. I put three stickers in front to encourage people to sit and fill the front seats, then I put some more stickers underneath random seats.

I purposely sat on the chair that I knew that there was no winning sticker underneath because it wouldn't be fair if I also won a door prize. Somehow while I was busy going around taking photos of the event, someone decided to move my belonging to another chair on the table...the chair that won a door prize. It's really amazing to see how lucky I am. Even when I purposely did not want a door prize, I could still win. I gave the door prize to the person sitting next to me though.

I also had another game for winning a door prize. It was to see whether you had a money in your wallet that its serial number ended with number 12 (PMK's anniversary). There were only four people who won. When I went home, I checked my wallet whether I had that kind of money too. You know what? I actually had one that ended with number 12. Wow! I could've won two door prizes that night if I wasn't the person handling the door prize event HAHAHA

Perhaps I should buy a lotto number this week :)

Learn and Grow!

The Principle of Abundance

Last night I had a profound insight about ABUNDANCE.

We've been lead to believe in scarcity, that THE PIE (wealth pie, resource pie, etc) is limited. If there are more people eating the pie, everybody will get less. The scarcity mentality believes that there isn't enough of everything for everybody. This scarcity mentality discourages sharing and giving because if you give, you'll have less. I used to believe in it, but my experience in the last week taught me that there is actually abundance for everybody everywhere.

Do you remember my post on May 29th, 2008 when I won vouchers from Gramedia just by sitting in front and asking question during Adi W Gunawan's seminar? I shared my vouchers, worth Rp. 25,000 each to four teachers sitting near me. Then today I won a voucher from Sekawan worth Rp. 110,000. I used this voucher to buy three books for door prizes, so it would bless three more people.

The same amount of money Rp. 100,000 going around and around through me, has made me happy at least 9 times and enabled me to help seven people to have a book. Why happy 9 times? First time, I was happy when I won the Gramedia vouchers. Then four times when those teachers were thanking me. The sixth time when I won the Sekawan voucher. Then another three times when these people won a door prize. Total 9 times HAHAHA I believe that there will be more happiness to come.

Imagine that a simple act of asking question and sharing can start a chain reaction of blessing to so many people. Simply Awesome!

Another lesson that I learned from this - the principle "the more you give, the more you receive" is real and it is a catalyst for abundance. By sharing what I receive instead of keeping it for myself, I've helped to bless many people along the way. I actually received 10% more than I gave in term of money value and priceless feeling of joy, being blessed and appreciated.

Whatever blessing you have received from God, be happy to share with others...God will provide and make it grow so that there will be abundance.

Learn and Grow!

Winning Again! The Law of Attraction in Action!

Yesterday I went to Sekawan to buy three books for PMK Rhema 12th Anniversary door prize gifts. When I paid for the books, I was told that last month's winning date was May 5th. Sekawan bookshop has a program that every month, they will draw a lottery to choose a winning date of the month and whatever you buy on that winning date, you will get 100% discount! You get a voucher that you can use before the 16th of the following month. When I got home, I went through my receipt and YES,I WON!

This morning I was so enthusiastic going back to Sekawan bookstore to get my free voucher. I used the voucher straight away because it would expire on June 16th. I bought a best seller book "Laskar Pelangi" with it.

It's really amazing. The law of attraction is working in many aspects of my life.

Learn and Grow!

Teacher's Certification Program

Last week I saw an advertisement of a two-day training "Become A Great Teacher". I was interested because I saw that the fee was quite cheap, Rp.140,000 including lunch and coffee break.

When I went there to apply on Saturday, I was quite taken back because it was not what I had expected. Some of the teachers that went for the training actually came only to get a certificate. They were not interested in learning how to become a great teacher, they just wanted to get a certificate at the end of the training.

The first time I was aware of this phenomenon was when I attended Adi W Gunawan's seminar in Jogja last week. When the speaker asked the audience about their intention to attend, there was one teacher who stood up and answered that he came to get a certificate.

I also observed the same thing with Prof. Yohanes Surya's seminar in Jogja last week. There was a fee of Rp. 5,000 to attend the seminar, and it seemed to be the cost of printing the certificate. I came to this conclusion because when I told them that I did not need a certificate, they gave me the ticket for free.

I think it is good that teachers are encouraged to develop and improve their skills and knowledge by giving them points when they can prove that they have attended a training or seminar. I am glad that the government has a noble intention to start  giving incentives for professional development. In practice however, the reality can be so different from what is intended. Instead of learning and upgrading their skills, some just take shortcut to get incentives. In my opinion, it is the same as cheating to get high marks or even buying a grade.

How can these teachers expect their students to study hard and earn their grade when they give a bad example of taking shortcut and cheating to get higher grade? Teachers, please remember that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

I certainly don't generalize that all teachers are like this. I am grateful that there are still so many teachers out there that are really great and wonderful. These awesome teachers teach from their heart and they truly make a difference in the lives of their students. I am fortunate that I have had my share of truly amazing teachers that not only taught me but inspired me.

My hope is that through this program, there will be more teachers in Indonesia that become a learning teacher who continually strive to develop their knowledge and skills.

If  you are a teacher and you want to learn, please do not hesitate to contact me (santoso_inge(at)yahoo(dot)com). I'd love to share and learn from each other.

Learn and Grow!

Strawberry Fried Rice - A New Experience

I ordered this DelStro Strawberry Fried Rice for lunch today. I was curious what it'd taste like. It's the first time that I ate strawberry with fried rice. I suspected that it would taste weird because strawberry is sweet and sour while fried rice is salty and spicy. After putting the first spoonful into my mouth, I knew that I was right. Strawberry and fried rice definitely don't go well together!

I bought this strawberry fried rice because I wanted to have a new experience. There are other kinds of fried rice, perhaps they taste even better than the strawberry fried rice, but I wanted to expand my comfort zone and satisfy my curiosity.

What have you done today to expand your comfort zone?

Learn and Grow!

New Bed and Good Night Sleep

Last week we bought a new Dunlopillo Backsafe mattress, divan and headboard to replace my old bed. I wanted to get a new mattress because the old mattress was too soft and it did not support my back. This time, I specifically asked for a very firm mattress that would support my back, thus avoiding back pain. The divan and headboard were bought as an afterthought because I loved leaning on the headboard when I read at night.

The bed was delivered two days ago and I've had such a good night sleep two nights in a row. In the last two days, I woke up about one hour later than my usual wake up time at 5AM. My family commented that it was because of the new bed being too comfortable.

I believe a good night sleep is very important because it is the time when our brain processes and re-organizes information that we receive during the day. It is also the time when our body detoxifies and rejuvenates to prepare us for the next day. (Ahem, my excuses for sleeping longer HAHAHA)

What do I love about this bed?

• It is firm and hard, yet soft and comfortable. I don't know how to explain it, you just have to feel it yourself
• It provides independent support so that when I twist and turn, I do not disturb the person sleeping next to me
• I was told that it is low allergenic and pollution-free. It has anti-microbes properties and resistance towards dust mites, mould and bacteria. It is basically healthy.

Although it may be a good investment in the long run, but I still feel it is a very expensive purchase. If I want to rationalize this purchase, I would calculate the daily cost over a period of time. It costs me 50 cents a day. The question is...Would I pay 50 cents a day for a good night sleep? Well, yes! Would you?

I am looking forward to having good night sleeps in the days to come.

Learn and Grow!

Credit Card Fraud Incident

Last month when I checked my credit card statement, I was quite surprised to see an unrecognized transaction. It was a purchase in Jakarta by the amount of Rp. 500,000. I was sure that it was a fraudulent purchase because of several reasons:

• I was in Jogja on that particular day. I was having coffee in Starbucks Jogja and the credit card statement clearly stated that I had two transactions in Jogja that day.
• I always keep track of all my expenses, no matter how small or trivial it is.
• I rarely used that particular card because it was an additional card issued by the bank. I only used the card once when I bought something from the bank catalogue the month before. At first I suspected that they double billed me on that transaction because the amount was the same, but the bank said that it wasn't.
• The card was brand new because my sister just brought it home from Jakarta that weekend.

I called the bank's customer service and I was advised to block the card and got it replaced, costing me Rp. 50,000. Then they also said that I could get the detail of the transaction so that I could be sure that it was not my transaction, costing me another Rp. 30,000. Since I was convinced that it was not my transaction I followed their advice. I thought if it was really a fraudulent transaction then I could save Rp.420,000 (Rp.500,000 minus Rp 80,000).

I also decided to pay the credit card bill in full because I did not want them charging me interest if it turned out to be a valid transaction. I'd rather have the bank credited the amount back to me if it turned out to be legitimate.

Last week, I received a copy of the transaction slip. When I saw the signature, it surely was not mine but it looked familiar. Finally I recognized the signature, it was my sister's!

Before lodging the complain to the bank, I've already asked my sister whether she ever used my credit card and she said she would never have used mine. I also asked her whether she recognized the name of the store and she said that she didn't recognized the name. When I showed her the transaction slip, she also recognized her signature. Finally after asking her secretary to search through all her credit card receipts, she found the original slip. It turned out she mistakenly used my credit card because she put my new credit card in her wallet because she was afraid of losing it if she put it in her bag. She took out the wrong credit card when she paid a deposit for her gown.

Yesterday I called the bank to inform them that I wanted to withdraw the complain about that transaction because I already knew what happened. They said that they'd charge me Rp. 80,000 for the cost of card replacement and detail enquiry.

How did I feel about this? First, I was slightly embarrassed because I was so convinced that it was the bank's fault, yet at the end it turned out to me our own mistake. Second, I was quite annoyed with my sister because she didn't keep a good record her transactions, otherwise she would've known when I asked her the first time. Third, I was upset because I had to pay Rp.80,000 to find out.

Lessons:

1. Keep a complete record of all your transactions, especially credit card transactions because it will be very helpful in case your credit card is used by other people.
2. Make sure that you check the name on the card before using it to avoid mistakenly using your sibling's card.

Learn and Grow!

Inge Santoso

Interview with TrijayaFM Jakarta

This morning at 8.15AM I was interviewed by TrijayaFM Jakarta. It was about Hydropuncture, 6-in-1 therapy that my partners and I started in 2004.

I find it interesting how often Hydropuncture receives attention from the media. The first time, there was a crew from Metro TV that came to our place. The second time, there were several magazines that wrote articles about us. The third was TrijayaFM Jakarta.

When I asked them where they heard about us. They said that they found out about us through the internet. I was quite surprised when they told me because I haven't updated the website for a long time.

I think it's not the website that draws the attention but the brand name, HYDROPUNCTURE! It shows how important a name can be, especially a brand name.

How do you create and build a brand?

Learn and Grow!

Inge Santoso