VALUE OF A MAN

There is really a thin line between pride and arrogance. If someone has a strong value or principle in life, there can only be one outcome of it – pride or arrogance. We all must be proud of ourselves and what we stand for. But that pride must not turn into arrogance. This principle is true in all aspects of life, whether in religions, cultures, values, careers, titles, you name it.

Ip Man speaks in the name of Wing Chun. He respects Wing Chun and proud to apply it as his value in his life. But whenever his opponents were defeated and admitted, “Your Kung Fu is better than mine”, Ip Man replied, “It is not about whose Kung Fu is better. The real problem is you”.

Proud men are those who hold their values, but always remain open and respect toward others. Proud man is always willing to learn from others.

On the other hand, arrogant men are those who always think that their values are better than others. Arrogance always speak that they and their values are the best and everybody should become like them.





No matter what we stand for, arrogance is not an option.

Pride is not arrogance.

Be proud of yourself, but don’t let that pride turn into arrogance.

It is not about which kung fu, religions, cultures, values are the best. The real problem is you… and your ego…

Ivan the Freelancer

PATHS TO REDEMPTION

They said, “There are many paths to redemption. Not all of them peaceful”. I certainly agree. But that is not a reason to banish someone from a church. That is definitely not an excuse to banish people from their church. As redemption is the right for every man, and so every church should serve as place to help those in need.

Solomon Kane who did terrible things in the past was banished from a church. When he wanted to redeem himself and tried his best to become “A man of peace”, the church sent him away. The church may have left him, but God never leave His people, no matter how bad they are.




God led Solomon to another church – a true church in a form of families who helped him with sincerity. That family helped him even after they knew how “evil” Solomon was in the past. The family treated Solomon like one of their own and he finally became a much better man than before. A true church is not inside a building. A true church resides in your heart and in the hearts of people around you.
But the world didn’t always responds like the way we wanted. Solomon tried his best not to get in the fight and avoid violence at all cost, even if he was hit, beaten up, and robbed by others. But by the time the evil took the lives of people who had helped him, he was forced to once again unleash what he always did best in the past, fighting and killing.

Solomon once again became a killing machine, but this time he was fighting for a noble cause. When no one dared to stand against evil, he was forced to once again swing his sword and guns in order to banish the evils that claimed his land. God never leave Solomon as He never leaves us if we are fighting for a noble cause.

A true church does not always reside inside the buildings. A true church is inside your heart and in the hearts of other people. God is always with us.

Prayers are not always in the form of words as faith itself is not words. Faith is fulfilled with sincere actions and deeds.

Many people hide their true faces behind religions. Few people dare to stand against evil, inside or outside them.

Ivan the Freelancer

LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW

It was between reality and dream, as I walked under the heat of the sun. “Funny, I used to remember there are supposed to be buildings and people around here. Where is everybody?”

Then a man came and walked beside me. He asked me where I was going.

“To work”. I replied.

“Work for what?” He asked again.

“For tomorrow”. I said.

“But what if there is no tomorrow?” He insisted.

“Then I will live like there is no tomorrow”. I replied.

The man shook my hand, “My name is “Laziness”, but you can call me “Surrender”. Sorry to bother you”. Soon after saying that, he vanished.

Maybe this world will change. Maybe it won’t. But surrender is not an option. There is no fate but what we make. We can never see tomorrow, but we can thank God by giving our best today.

Walk like there is no tomorrow.

Fight like there is no tomorrow.

Pray like there is no tomorrow.

Live like there is no tomorrow.

Ivan the Freelancer

EVEN AFTER DEATH

For most people, waiting is the most annoying and tiring job in the world. Maybe that’s why they often say, “I’m tired of waiting”. How long are you willing to wait for someone you love? 5 minutes, 1 day, 1 month, or 1 year? How about 10 years? Most people couldn’t stand to wait even for an hour or two.




I was wondering what’s dwelling inside Hachi’s head that gave him the patience and dedication of 10 years waiting for his master’s return, everyday, always in the same place and at the same time.





Maybe he didn’t realize that his master had passed away and hoped that one day he will see his master again, walking towards him from the door in Shibuya Train Station.

Maybe he knew that his master had passed away, but continued to wait anyway, just to respect his deceased master.

Maybe he just wants to show the people around him, how much he loves his master.

Maybe his master’s soul came by to Hachi and whispered, “Wait for me there, and when the time comes, I will take you with me”.

Maybe God told Hachi to wait there, so that we humans can learn the true meaning of “loyalty”.

Only God knows…

We humans only knew the oath or vow of “Until Death Do Us Part”. Apparently for Hachi, he took the oath to a greater limit, “Even after Death Do Us Part”.

Don’t let the meaning of loyalty died with Hachi.

Ivan the Freelancer

FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY

Feels like it’s only yesterday, I remember meeting you at the airport.

“Someone once told me an important formula to create a nice weekend. Do you know what that is?” I sipped the cool-creamy-green tea drink with my butterfly dressed in black sitting next to me.

“No, what is it?” She looked curious.

“A pretty girl, lot’s of money, and a nice drink”.

“Oh.” She smiled with mocha around her lips.

“I’m glad that I have them all.” I said. “Especially you.”

Celebrating one year journey towards happiness with you, Butterfly”.



Ivan the Freelancer

YEAR OF TIGER, HIDDEN VALENTINE

What would happen if Chinese New Year was combined with Valentine and weekend? The answer was a flight on a jet plane to a place where families gathered with lots of red and pink ornaments. Gong Xi Fa Cai.

The Batavia’s bird of steel took me and my butterfly to a city called Batam. The trip through the clouds brought us to a city where my butterfly’s family resides. Batam welcomed us with sunny but windy weather and quiet roadways. I was wondering if Jakarta can be this quiet and peaceful.

I always dream of having my own house that I can call home, but this trip reminds me of the old saying, “Home is where the heart is”. Realize that no matter where we are, the place will always be homey if we share and bring our hearts along – because hearts don’t always have to reside only in your own house.

Many places to go, but only one heart to share. So make yourself at home, anywhere, as long as you bring your heart with you. And when two hearts become one, it is even better. Happy Valentine My Butterfly.

Ivan the Freelancer

LET IT RAIN

I can barely remember when was the last time I can enjoy the rain without asking it to stop. Since the flood often washed away the happiness in our house, I often wished I would never had to hear the rain again.

I almost forgot how it feels to be able to enjoy every drops of water when it rains, until the time I walked away from my house and took myself higher from the ground. I’m now homeless, but I’m happy.

Now whenever the sky gets cloudy, I can smile again. Whenever it drizzles, I can let it drop on my skin. And whenever it rains heavily, I just need to open an umbrella. It is good to be free. But I realize, there are so many other people who still suffer when it rains.

Wish the rain will never cause anymore flood. But then again, the rain is not the one to blame. We are the victim of our own act. Nature is fair because it will always return what we have given them. Like I said, if we destroy it, it will destroy us. Don’t say I never warn you.

Ivan the Freelancer