The happiness of catching our favorite song played by strangers in the public.

The happiness of opening package shipped by courier. 

The happiness of completing our corporate tasks before the due date. 

The happiness of finding rare clothes exactly like what we've been dreaming of.

The happiness of getting up early in the morning without having any headache or urge to re-sleep.

The happiness of driving smoothly on a well paved road with breezy wind clapping your cheeks. 

The happiness of discovering pretty places you didn't know existed. 

Photo by Vladislav Nahorny on Unsplash

by: Sarah Kay 

If I should have a daughter…“Instead of “Mom”, she’s gonna call me “Point B.” Because that way, she knows that no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me. And I’m going to paint the solar system on the back of her hands so that she has to learn the entire universe before she can say “Oh, I know that like the back of my hand.”

She’s gonna learn that this life will hit you, hard, in the face, wait for you to get back up so it can kick you in the stomach. But getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air. There is hurt, here, that cannot be fixed by band-aids or poetry, so the first time she realizes that Wonder-woman isn’t coming, I’ll make sure she knows she doesn’t have to wear the cape all by herself. Because no matter how wide you stretch your fingers, your hands will always be too small to catch all the pain you want to heal. Believe me, I’ve tried.

And “Baby,” I’ll tell her “don’t keep your nose up in the air like that, I know that trick, you’re just smelling for smoke so you can follow the trail back to a burning house so you can find the boy who lost everything in the fire to see if you can save him. Or else, find the boy who lit the fire in the first place to see if you can change him.”

But I know that she will anyway, so instead I’ll always keep an extra supply of chocolate and rain boats nearby, ‘cause there is no heartbreak that chocolate can’t fix. Okay, there’s a few heartbreaks chocolate can’t fix. But that’s what the rain boots are for, because rain will wash away everything if you let it.

I want her to see the world through the underside of a glass bottom boat, to look through a magnifying glass at the galaxies that exist on the pin point of a human mind. Because that’s how my mom taught me. That there’ll be days like this, “There’ll be days like this my momma said” when you open your hands to catch and wind up with only blisters and bruises. When you step out of the phone booth and try to fly and the very people you wanna save are the ones standing on your cape. When your boots will fill with rain and you’ll be up to your knees in disappointment and those are the very days you have all the more reason to say “thank you,” ‘cause there is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline no matter how many times it’s sent away.

You will put the “wind” in win some lose some, you will put the “star” in starting over and over, and no matter how many land mines erupt in a minute be sure your mind lands on the beauty of this funny place called life.

And yes, on a scale from one to over-trusting I am pretty damn naive but I want her to know that this world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily but don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.

“Baby,” I’ll tell her “remember your mama is a worrier but your papa is a warrior and you are the girl with small hands and big eyes who never stops asking for more.”

Remember that good things come in threes and so do bad things and always apologize when you’ve done something wrong but don’t you ever apologize for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining.

Your voice is small but don’t ever stop singing and when they finally hand you heartbreak, slip hatred and war under your doorstep and hand you hand-outs on street corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother.

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Photo by Ozgu Ozden on Unsplash 

by: Bob Marley 

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.

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Photo by Nina Luong on Unsplash

by: Bob Moorehead 

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

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Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

Menurut gw, orang yang terbiasa mikir atau bikin perencanaan untuk jangka panjang adalah orang yang hopeful. Alias berpengharapan. Lo ambil keputusan hari ini, tapi realisasinya baru akan keliatan 5-10 tahun lagi, tapi lo yakin itu bakal terjadi. Yah, mungkin ga yakin 100%, tapi lebih dari 70% juga lah. Sementara ada banyak orang (gw yakin banyak, tapi lo belum tentu kenal atau ketemu mereka) yang ngga yakin besok bisa makan tiga kali dengan asupan gizi layak--mereka cuma bikin plan untuk makan tempe pas pagi jam 10, dan dadar telor pas sore jam 4, dan sampai malam mereka tidur-tiduran aja biar ngga merasakan laper. Jika lo suruh mereka untuk bikin plan hidup 5 tahun ke depan, menurut gw itu akan terdengar seperti pelecehan di telinga mereka. Oke, mungkin istilah pelecehan terlalu kasar--itu akan terdengar seperti lawak abnormal yang disampaikan dengan bahasa Swahili. 

Photo by Akindele Ibukun on Unsplash

It is something I should not talk about, but heck, this is my blog and I can write anything that I want. No moderation, no affirmation needed. Even shit is considered as an art here.

So.. I like what I write. I like what I capture from my humble smartphone camera. I like what I post, and I spend some time to re-view over and over again everything that I've published, just to make sure that I really love what I post--the kind of love that grows even more as time goes by. 

I like doing things that mostly people expect me not to do. I like knowing how uncomfortable they are--I knew it alredy just by looking at their eyes. 

I like doing things in contrary. It is such a fuel for a soul--a bliss that words cannot describe, but maybe some songs and some scent and some food can. 

I love life for what I have reached and what I will never obtain. It's like listening to a sweet tone of piano instrumental in the middle of a deadly war zone. You're going to die; nevertheless, you still smile and sleep peacefully. 

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Photo by Anaya Katlego on Unsplash

Pada suatu masa yang tidak pernah dicatat, di sebuah ruang yang tak lagi dihuni, 5-6 orang duduk dalam meja melingkar. Salah satu dari mereka berujar, "Mari kita buat orang menari-nari 10 detik dan biarkan mereka dengan tanpa paksaan merekamnya sendiri. Pasti akan ada banyak orang yang menonton, dan setiap aliran kilobyte-nya menjadikan kita kaya." 

Selain dia, semuanya tertawa. Ada satu yang menahan tawa, karena dia sedang meneguk suatu minuman. Tak lama kemudian diapun terbatuk, dan tertawa paling keras di antara yang lain. Sepercik air menerobos dari hidungnya tanpa ampun.

"Tidak ada yang akan menonton video bodoh seperti itu. Sungguh durjana."

Tapi kemudian dilahirkanlah Tiktok dan orang tanpa disuruh mulai menonton video tari-tarian. Seabsurd apapun itu. Dan yang menonton, seakan gerah kalau hanya diam saja, pun mulai merekam tariannya yang slebor.

Mengapa orang menonton kedurjanaan itu? Lima-enam orang yang waktu itu berkumpul pun termangu-mangu. Mengapa manusia, dalam segala kesibukannya, berkenan membuang 4 menit sampai 40 menit sampai 4 jam, untuk menyesap butir-butir keserampangan yang tidak memberikan efisiensi apapun pada hidupnya. 

Lalu si satu orang yang dulu jadi bulan-bulanan itu menjawab: nampaknya kebanyakan manusia tidak pernah membuat tujuan sendiri--mereka harus dicekoki distraksi agar merasa waktunya berlalu dengan penuh maslahat. 

Mereka yang mendengarnya mengangguk dengan agak malas; yang satu memainkan bulu-bulu brewok di dagunya, sementara yang satu lagi memencet jerawat di hidungnya yang pesek.

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Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Aku membaca ini tadi pagi: Jika kamu sedang takut, jadilah sedih. Ketika sedih, kamu tidak akan lagi merasa takut. Menarik, dan mungkin ada benarnya. Bayangkan kamu sedang melewati tanah kuburan pukul 23.55 WIB seorang diri, dan kesedihan tumpah meluap karena kamu baru saja diputusin kekasihmu yang sebenarnya tidak pernah menganggapmu ada. Maka, imajinasi akan hadirnya makhluk alam gaib mungkin jadi tidak relevan. Kamu terlarut dengan untaian air mata nestapa, dan seandainya ada pocong atau kuntilanak muncul mungkin kamu malah bersimpati pada suratan takdir mereka. Alih-alih merasa ketakutan, hadir segenap rasa iba dalam dirimu akan para hantu yang tidak memiliki tujuan hidup mati yang pasti. Kamu nelangsa ditinggal kekasih, dan setan itu berduka karena eksistensinya selalu digusur. Selamat, kalian memiliki kesamaan nasib--tautan emosi kini semakin erat.

Hal yang berbeda namun agak sama juga sudah pernah kudengar: Jika kamu berolahraga, kamu tidak mungkin bersedih. Benar juga sih. Tidak pernah ada kulihat pelari marathon menangis. Jikapun ada alasan untuk menangis--misalnya, kucingnya baru ditabrak delman--maka akan sangat sulit baginya menangis saat berolahraga. Sudah terlalu sibuk mengatur napas dan mengayunkan kaki, berjuang dengan helaan paru-paru dan hampir semaput. Kesedihan dalam bentuk apapun sudah tidak relevan lagi.

Photo by Yuriy Vertikov on Unsplash

Prank paling brutal yang dialami manusia?

Ketika ia harus dilahirkan ke dunia tanpa briefing. 

Tidak ada wawancara yang menghimpun informasi seperti "maukah kamu lahir dari papa-mama yang begini, atau, maukah kamu jadi perempuan." Tidak ada sketsa atau skema tentang di kota mana dia akan tinggal, atau mengapa harus lahir di Bumi dan bukan Merkurius. Si bayi lahir tanpa membawa dan mengenakan apa-apa, dengan sukarela dan agak tolol harus menerima apapun yang disodorkan di depan hidungnya. 

Dagelan macam apa ini.

Tidak ada kisi-kisi yang pasti tentang apakah umurnya sampai 30 atau 300 tahun. Ketika masih kecil ia yakin kehidupan berlalu semudah piringan hitam berputar--hari esok pasti tiba tanpa mesti diusahakan. Menginjak kepala dua barulah dia memahami bahwa hari esok 99% akan datang--tapi ia bisa memilih untuk tidak masuk ke situ. 

Saat kecil, dunia di sekeliling begitu sempit. Hanya kepada ayah-ibu aku bisa bergantung dan memohon, dia pikir. Setelah besar ia sadar telah tertipu. Ada banyak cara untuk mencapai apa yang ia mau. Bahkan yang dulu ia mau nampak begitu remeh jika dibanding jutaan opsi yang tersedia berlimpah di luar sana. 

Kenyang dengan beban hidup, ia pun mencari-cari cara untuk hengkang dari kodrat yang tak pernah dimintanya sejak awal. Sejatinya cara paling mujarab adalah dengan tidak dilahirkan, bukan? Apa daya label pengecut kerapkali dilekatkan pada mereka yang memilih lari. Baik, katanya. Aku takkan lari dari kodrat, tapi mengenai menikmati hidup, biarkan kucanangkan aturan sendiri. Siapa suruh tak bertanya padaku semenjak aku masih zigot.