Although no one is watching You

A few days ago, I took The Transjakarta Bus when I was going home.  As I was aboard, I was required to tap my smart card at the card reader for payment.  However, the transaction was fail, and since there was a long queue, the bus conductor us the entering passengers to find a seat. “You can do your payment later. I will come to you”, the conductor said.

After a few minutes, the conductor came to my seat and asked, “Have you done your payment?” “No”, I replied.  I soon gave him my card and let him do the process.

At that time, I could have told him that I had already made the payment. But I did not do it.  Why? I have to be honest to myself. I have a strong belief that yes I could have lied to him at that time. However soon or later, you will get your reprisal.

This is what we call integrity. You do a good deed; embrace norms although no one is watching you. 

Raincoat?

Yesterday, I went home after attending Toastmasters International and Table topics Speech Contests at Allianz Tower.  On my way home, I stopped by at Blok M Square to order trophies for my Area contests this Saturday. I also did my prayer at one small mosque. I went home by online motorcycle taxi, my favorite transportation service.  

I went home through Pondok Indah. As I nearly arrived at home, suddenly it rained hard. I could also hear the loud thunder ( I hate thunder). Then, I tried to use my umbrella. But unfortunately, the wind blow so hard that my umbrella was broken (well, I need to buy a new umbrella). The good news was that the motorcycle taxi driver was kind. He lent me his raincoat so that I didn’t get too wet.

After arriving home, I asked myself, do I need to buy a raincoat? I do not use it every day. Besides, bringing my raincoat makes my bag heavier. So, it would not be practical. However, maybe, just maybe, I can buy one for precaution because we are still in a rainy season. 

For the sake of Good deed and humanity

Yesterday evening, I went home from my office by on line motorcycle taxi. At first, everything went well. I had to wait for about fifteen minutes, but that was fine with me. The trip ran smoothly although there were some traffic jams at some points.

However, as I arrived home, the driver told me that his cell phone was dead so that he could not check the fare that I had to pay. At that time, I felt annoyed. I asked him what the solution would be. He was confused. I also didn't know what to do. Then he asked me, “how much money should you pay as notified at your cell phone?’. “I don’t know. I cannot find the notification.” I replied.  Then I asked him angrily, “How much? I am in a hurry”. "You can pay half of your fare", the driver said. Then I gave him 20 thousand Rupiahs. I entered the house. The driver left.

I felt bad about what happened. Why? Because actually, I knew the notified fare.  I was irritated because of his carelessness. However, I should have forgiven him for the sake of good deed and humanity. Maybe, just maybe, it was not his fault that his cell phone was dead. 

Homemade meal is the best

On one Sunday morning, I went to a convenience store near my house. As soon as I got there, I ordered a breakfast package which consisted of rice, fried chicken, and a glass of cold sweet tea. Are they tasty? To tell you the truth: not really. The tea tasted too sweet, and the fried chicken didn't taste fresh. I will not recommend anyone to buy them.

Why did I go there this morning? This was because I wanted to have my breakfast. I usually have it at home. However, I wanted to try something new since I felt a little bit bored with the menu served at home. But after I tried the menu at the aforementioned convenience store, I realize that the homemade breakfast is the best although the menu is almost the same every day. Besides, unlike many fast foods sold in the convenience store,   the homemade meal is usually healthier. And the most important thing is that we don’t have to pay. We can use the money for another purpose. 

Three Impressions

Two days ago, I visited The Community Health center near my house, popularly known in Indonesia as Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat (Puskesmas). After being examined by a doctor, I wanted to come to a counter to get my medicine. However, at that time, I still didn't know where the counter is located.  Fortunately, a kindhearted man helped me. Her showed me where the counter is and explained to me briefly on how to submit the prescription to the pharmacist.  After submitting the prescription to an officer at the counter, I still had to wait for about fifteen minutes before I was handed the medicine. 

From the experience, I got at least two impressions. First, the employees at the community health center are very friendly. They are ready to help the visitors wholeheartedly. I appreciate it very much.  Second, I have learned my lesson; treat others the way you like to be treated. And third, the place is relatively comfortable, clean, and under a good maintenance. 

Too Much Sitting Will Kill You

Computer, notebook, Smartphone. These gadgets make our life fun and easy. But beware. These gadgets could also kill you. Why? Because they might lead you toward sedentary lifestyle.

What is sedentary lifestyle? It means you do much sitting with little physical activities. According to data released by Indonesia’s ministry of health, Jakarta People are the least active physically. Only about 55% of them do enough physical activities. The rest do physical activities less than 150 minutes each week.

Dr. Mike Loosemore,, Head of Sport Medicine at University College Hospital, said that sedentary had become one of the biggest challenges in public health nowadays. Based on research conducted by Get Britain Standing and the British Heart Foundation to about 2000 persons, the most vulnerable groups experiencing sedentary lifestyle is office workers. Most of them spend hours sitting on their chair, looking at their computer, doing their busy work.  Sitting for too long is a bad habit. It could risk your health in the long run. Many diseases are ready to come.

There are some behaviors that could lead us towards sedentary lifestyle without we realize them. First, eating at your working desk. According to British Heart Foundation, at lunchtime, about 50% of employees prefer eating their lunch at the desk instead of going out of the room. This will encourage people to eat more food. As a result, it can cause overweight and obesity. Second, people are often so busy that they postpone going to the restroom. Again, this is not good for your health since it can cause infection in your bladder. Your kidney health will also be at risk. Third, not doing enough walk. Many office workers walk less than 30 minutes a day. Even with their colleague or coworker who is sitting very close to them, they prefer sending text messages or making a phone call to coming to him/her directly. In other words, they are reluctant to walk.

The question now is, what can we do to avoid this sedentary lifestyle?  According to Sport medicine specialist, dr Michael Triangto, as quoted by Intisari Magazine, there are three simple things we can do. First, if you bring a car, park your car a little bit farther that your destination. Or if you take public transportation, stop farther from your destination. By doing that, you force yourself to walk, which is a healthy habit. Second, during the working hour, you can do some stretching, like doing the push up, moving your hand and leg, and walking. And third, have lunch outside your room, or even outside your office.  Again, this will make you walk.

Since we were in college, or even before that, we have spent so much time, money, and effort to develop ourselves, build a successful career, and earn high income. But all the hard work will mean nothing if diseases come to us due to our unhealthy lifestyles. Sedentary is one of them. So, don’t sit too long. Let’s get up and move. Too much sitting will kill you.

Delivered at BOA Toastmasters Club Regular Meeting, October 18, 2016

Better than the Mall

Knowing that I often listen to a sermon in a mosque, my friend often sends me an invitation to attend it. I truly appreciate her for this. It means that she cares about me.  Her husband also loves to come to the religious sermon.

Ideally, I should attend all the sermon put in the invitation. I believe it could enrich my knowledge and strengthen my faith. However, I don’t think it possible. I often prefer staying at home to going somewhere on Sunday because on Saturday, I usually attend the Toastmasters Meeting. I sometime feel tired.

Nevertheless, I plan to listen to a sermon someday. I just need to find the right time. That is, the time when I have almost nothing to do, when the weather is fine, and when the invitation is received. The onset of online transportation has made the pal easier. I can arrive at the location faster. There are many food sellers near the mosque, so I can easily find something for lunch. For me, this kind of activity is more useful than spending your time at the mall.