Life Is Wonderful Lyrics

Life Is Wonderful Lyrics
by Jason Mraz

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
And it takes some fears to make you trust
It takes some tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to HAVE it polished

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes some silence to make sound
And it takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to MAKE a mountain

Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

"Where Is The Love?" by BLACK EYED PEAS

BLACK EYED PEAS LYRICS

"Where Is The Love?"

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world

IofC Indonesia Reunion September 2007

Pak Habib share his story on Caux conference and IofC Netherland meeting

Listen and share 1

Listen and share 2

Yihaaa!! Icebreaking Games..

The family of IofC Indonesia

Tempat Makan Enak di Bali

Bali..memang sebuah tempat yang perfect sebagai sebuah wisata kuliner disamping wisata pemandangan alamnya yang super indah tersebut. Beberapa tempat makan di Bali, terutama didaerah Kuta, Sanur, dan Denpasar yang menjadi rekomendasi saya saat ini adalah :

1. Warung Mak Beng
Warung yang terletak di jalan pantai Sanur dekat Museum Le Majeur, diujung jalan Hang Tuah/jalan Pantai yang menuju ke Hotel Inna Grand Bali Beach. Tempat maupun menu masakannya terbilang sangat sederhana, menu setnya hanya sepiring nasi putih, sepotong ikan goreng, sup ikan ditemani dengan sambal khasnya.


Hidangan yang luarbiasa maknyuuus ini disajikan dalam keadaan panas. Sehingga membuat kita yang memakannya seperti melakukan sauna, keringat mengucur deras karena efek dari sup yang diberi bumbu yang kaya akan rempah-rempah tersebut.Hmm..lezaaaattt.

Terakhir kami kesana sekitar bulan Agsutus 2007, harga untuk satu set tersebut adalah Rp. 16.000,- sedangkan untuk minuman sekitar Rp. 2000-Rp. 5000,-. Untuk catatan, banyak sekali yang makan siang ditempat ini, sehingga seringkali jam 3 sore persedian menu sudah habis. So, lebih pagi lebih baik tentunya.

Dan setelah makan, kita dapat berjalan-jalan melihat pemandangan diseputar pantai Sanur, mencoba kayaking, melihat museum lukisan Le Mayeur, dsb.

2. Warung Wardhani

Bali terkenal dengan nasi campur-nya yang berisi setangjup nasi putih, ditemani dengan lauk pauk seperti sate lilit, sayur, ayam suwir, ati-ampela cincang, daging semur, telor pindang, dsb.
Sebenarnya banyak sekali tempat untuk makan nasi campur di daerah denpasar, dan sekitarnya. Akan tetapi, tetap saja apabila dibandingkan rasa dan harga, warung Wardhani masih menjadi favorit saya.

3. Warung Ayam Kadewatan Ibu Mangku

Pertama kali kesini sekitar 3 bulan yang lalu, diberitahu oleh teman kami bahwa ada tempat makan nasi campur ayam khas Bali yang enak, dengan suasana yang menyegarkan. Saat itu juga kami meluncur kearah Jl. Tukad Badung, Denpasar (dekat jl. Pemuda).

Tempatnya cukup cozy, karena berkonsep rumah panggung2, dengan gemericik air dan suasana yang hijau. Menu set nasi campurnya berisi nasi putih, ayam suwir/dada ayam dimasak opor, sayur kacang panjang, sambal, dengan porsi dan rasa yang sangat pas dan cocok bagi lidah kami. Masakannya juga tidak terlalu pedas. Minuman yang oke disini untuk dicicipi menurut saya adalah es teh manisnya yang khas sedap wangi. Dan untuk itulah beberapa kali saya mampir ketempat ini.

Selain itu, banyak snack-snack yang menarik juga untuk dicoba, seperti kripik usus, kripik ceker, peyek bayam , dll.

4. NASI PECEL IBU TINUK

Bagi kawan-kawan yang ingin merasakan masakan jawa, nasi pecel Bu Tinuk dapat menjadi alternatif yang okeh juga untuk mendapatkan rasa dan harga yang sesuai. Warung Nasi Pecel Ibu Tinuk terletak dibeberpa tempat di Kuta yaitu di Raya Kuta dan Jalan Kediri, dan satu lagi di Jalan Teuku Umar, Denpasar.

Dengan keberagaman menu mulai dari nasi pecel saja (Rp. 3500), sampai ayam kalasan (Rp.12.000), otak goreng, empal, dan aneka sayur tersaji dengan manis disana. buka mulai pukul 9 pagi hingga 12 malam, menjadikan tempat makan ini menjadi pilihan disamping fastfood2 yang membosankan tersebut.

yah..itulah riview singkat saya mengenai tempat-tempat makan enak di bali, semoga bermanfaat. Pokoknya Maknyuuuusss!!!!

RAFTING IN BALI; TELAGA WAJA IS OWESOME PART 2

Sesampainya di finish point, kami pun jalan mendaki bukit bertangga berjarak sekitar 100 meter menuju tempat pembilasan dan makan siang. Jalan yang cukup menanjak itu cukup melelahkan kami ber-empat.
Sampai diatas kami disambut oleh pak Sopir yang mengantarkan kami, dia memberitahukan kalau tas-tas kami telah berada diloker-loker tempat pembilasan. Disana kami diberi handuk, plastik dan sabun. Kamar mandinya pun cukup nyaman dengan shower yang cukup mengucur dengan deras.

Selesai mandi kami dipersilahkan untuk makan siang yang sudah termasuk kedalam paket rafting. Setelah bermain air selama 2,5 jam, perut kami terasa sangat lapar. Tanpa sungkan2 kami pun mengambil nasi dan beberapa lauk pauk yang tersedia, seperti ayam bakar (maknyuuusss banget..renyah, pedas-manis), sop, lalapan, kimchi, daging, kerupuk, serta buah. untuk minum kita cukup dengan air mineral saja, adapun yang mau minuman ringan ataupun juice kita harus membelinya lagi (harganya nggak mahal kok).
Akhirnya, sambil makan kita menikmati pemandangan perbukitan sawah di Bali yang sangat indah, yang seperti lukisan saja.
Setelah semuanya selesai kita pun bergegas menuju mobil menuju Villa kami di daerah Seminyak. Dalam perjalanan kami semua tertidur karena lelah berteriak, mendayung untuk memastikan perahu kita tidak tersangkut di antara riam-riam sungai Telaga Waja yang indah tersebut.

Thanks and See you Bli...

Rental Surfing Board Cukup Murah di Kuta, Bali

Akhirnya, gw nyoba juga surfing di Kuta. Pagi itu, sekitar jam 9, kita bertiga keluar kamar hotel Fat Yogi di Poppies I, dengan celana pendek, kaos, dan alas kaki secukupnya . Mulai nanya2 harga sewa Surfing Board..dua toko di poppies menawarkan dengan harga yang cukup lumayan Rp.50.000/hari/pagi-malam (sambil ngasih tau kalo sewa di pantai katanya malah akan lebih mahal, karena ngitungnya perjam). Disebelah kiri jalan Poppies I menuju pantai Kuta, kami mampir ketempat sewa Surfing Board yang lain, dan akhirnya kamipun mendapatkan harga yang cukup bagus Rp. 25.000/board/hari. Beda harga antara Surfing Board denga Bodysurfing board (ini buat yang baru pertama kali pengen nyoba surfing) disini cuma Rp. 5.000,-

Akhirnya kami pun larut dalam kegembiraan yang luar biasa, hingga tanpa terasa pluit panggilan untuk segera mentas dari para penjaga pantai pun terdengar, karena matahari telah terbenam.

Selamat mencoba!

RAFTING IN BALI; TELAGA WAJA IS OWESOME

Seminggu sebelum berangkat, saya dan kawan-kawan mengumpulkan berbagai data untuk misi kerja kita selama seminggu di Bali. Beberapa hotel, cottage dan tempat yang sekiranya akan menjadi tujuan survei untuk acara kami BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007 telah kami list sedemikian rupa. Tetapi tetap pada akhirnya kami juga mencari berbagai tempat wisata yang menarik untuk dikunjungi. Kegiatan yang sepertinya asyik untuk dilakukan pada saat waktu libur/hari Minggu juga kami buat list tersendiri.

Saya dan kawan-kawan sepakat untuk melakukan rafting bersama di Telaga Waja. Sore itu kami langsung menghubungi tour agent terdekat untuk menanyakan harga dan berbagai hal lainnya tentang Rafting di Telaga Waja, setelah ngobrol-ngobrol melalui telepon kami pun deal dengan harga Rp. 200.000,- perorang dengan fasilitas yang cukup baik. Kemudian malam itu kami semua packing karena besok pagi kita akan di jemput pukul 8 pagi, setidaknya masing-masing kami mempersiapkan satu buah kaos dan celana ganti, kamera digital saku untuk merekam momen2 istimewa juga kami siapkan karena dari informasi kita dapat membawa sertanya.

Keesokan pagi sekitar pukul 8 pagi sebuah mobil APV silver menjemput kami berempat. Perjalanan yang memakan waktu kurang lebih 1,5 jam itupun saya nikmati betul, karena sepanjang jalan tersebut keindahan alam, maupun kegiatan sosial masyarakat Bali sangatlah fantastik dan unik. Sehingga dalam perjalanan saya berfikir bahwa perjalanan inipun sudah menjadi bagian dari paket rafting yang akan sangat menyenangkan.

Singkat cerita sampailah kita di starting point di Dusun Langsat, Rendang-Karangasem. Disana kami melihat sudah banyak orang Indonesia maupun turis asing yang tengah melakukan persiapan dengan memakai berbagai alat keselamatan ber-standar internasional untuk melakukan rafting seperti helm, dan jaket pelampung. Kedatangan kami disambut oleh Bli Wayan dengan ramah, setelah memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai instruktur kita, kami terlebih dahulu dipersilahkan untuk menikmati kopi dan teh hangat yang telah dipersiapkan. Setelah selesai, kita mengambil jaket pelampung, helm dan dayung. Ready to go...!!!

Setelah turun menyusuri bukit setinggi kurang lebih 100 meter, sampailah kami di starting point. Setelah memilih perahu dan diberikan beberapa instruksi selama 7 menit dari instruktur kamipun langsung take off...wuuusssh..."Haiyyyaaa..Gogogo..!!".Teriakan-teriakan kesenangan pun keluar dari mulut kami berempat. Hehehehe..rasa tegang dan penasaran yang menyelimuti saya akhirnya berubah menjadi keasyikan..jernihnya air telaga waja yang konon berasal dari sebuah mata air, derasnya arus sungai dengan riam-riamnya, keindahan alam pedesaan dengan sawah-sawah terasering dengan sistem Subaknya, tebing-tebing, dan beberapa air terjun yang indah menjadikan perjalanan kita selama 2,5 jam yang mengarungi sungai sepanjang 12 km tersebut sekan lewat dengan cepat begitu saja.

Akhirnya kamipun sampai di finish point..To be continue...

Jalan-jalan ke Bali Yuuk.. Murah Meriah plus Enak!!

MAKAN MASAKAN BALI YANG FANTASTIS, PANTAI KUTA YANG INDAH, PENGINAPAN YANG MURAH MERIAH, DAN RAFTING DI TELAGA WAJA

2 bulan yang lalu saya dan beberapa teman mengunjungi Pulau Dewata yang memang keindahan alamnya seindah namanya tersebut. Memang sih kunjungan kita saat itu dalam rangka kerja, tapi disela-sela kegiatan kita mencoba untuk menikmati keakraban masyarakat lokal, wisata kuliner - mencoba berbagai masakan tradisional Bali-, mengunjungi pusat-pusat keramaian, wisata yang menarik untuk dikunjungi oleh kita semua.

Berangkat dengan penerbangan yang menawarkan tiket murah meriah bisa menjadi pilihan yang bijak..mengingat perjalanan Jakarta - Denpasar hanya sekitar 1 jam 44 menit.


Bali hingga saat ini terkenal dengan pantai dengan pasir putihnya yang sangat indah, beberapa pantai yang ok banget dan harus kita datangi pastinya adalah pantai Kuta. Pantai yang dapat kita akses dari bandara Ngurah Rai sekitar 10-15 menit dengan taksi ataupun kendaraaan lain adalah salah satu tempat favorit untuk melakukan surfing baik untuk para pemula maupun intermediate. Disini terdapat banyak sekali penginapan mulai dari kelas melati hingga ke Bintang 5 seperti Hardrock Hotel, dsb.

Untuk teman-teman yang ingin mendapatkan hari-hari yang menyenangkan di Bali akan tetapi keuangannya terbatas, di daerah pantai Kuta ini terdapat banyak hotel kelas Melati yang kamarnya untuk semalamnya mulai dari harga Rp. 50.000 (fan), Rp. 110.000 (AC), ataupun yang fasilitasnya sudah lengkap kamar luas termasuk makan pagi, TV kabel, dan kolam renang di hotel dengan harga sekitar Rp.180.000,-. hotel-hotel murah ini berada di Jalan Poppies I dan Poppies II yang berjarak hanya 100 meter dari pantai Kuta maupun pusat belanja di Jalan Legian, sebagai tempat akomodasi tempat ini sangatlah tepat karena disana terdapat banyak Warnet, minimarket maupun Circle K, bar, restoran, warung-warung kecil, pusat informasi pariwisata hingga tempat penyewaaan motor maupun mobil.

Sebagai tempat wisata kuliner Bali sangatlah fantastis dengan banyaknya pilihan masakan. Mulai dari masakan tradisional Bali seperti Nasi Campur, Seafood ala Jimbaran ke Pecel Bu Tinuk ala Jogja hingga masakan Eropa tersedia disana. Sebutkan saja beberapa diantaranya yang ok banget dengan Nasi campurnya adalah Warung Made di Jalan Pantai Kuta maupun yang di Seminyak (baru), Warung Satria (makanannya di sini Halal) salah satu yang kita coba ada di Jl. Kedondong, dan Ayam Kadewatan di Denpasar (untuk yang terakhir, saya dan teman2 setuju bahwa ini yang paling maknyuss..!!).

Banyak sekali kegiatan yang dapat kita lakukan selama di Pulau Dewata ini, salah satu yang menarik disamping melakukan kunjungan keberbagai "Hotspot-hotspot" adalah Rafting atau pengarungan arus liar. Di Bali ada dua tempat yang oke BANGET untuk melakukan rafting, yang pertama adalah di Sungai Ayung dan yang kedua di Telaga Waja.

What's On 3rd Initiatives of Change - Indonesia Youth Camp

Enjoying Punchinello Film (The Special of Me)

Small Groups Discussion on 4 Moral Standards

Session led by Huda on IofC and the Future of Indonesia

Session on Basic Values of IofC and Personal sharing, led by Umam and me :
How quiet time and 4 moral standards are meaningful for our life

For us, by us : our great chef- Aminah- Great Cook!!

BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007 : In Diversity We Unite

BRIDGE of YOUTH: ASEAN in our hands

So many problems in our country. Poverty, diseases, high cost education to conflicts that caused by the difference of religions, tribes, races even point of views. This problem is not only happened in our country, but also in other countries. Most of the Southeast Asian countries have these problems.

It is the time for us to work together with the ASEAN countries to solve all this problems. Unfortunately there still so many ASEAN citizens know nothing about ASEAN, the problems we faced, and the truth that we are actually one big family of ASEAN. Lots of those ASEAN citizens are youth, who actually hold the key to the future of ASEAN and world.

For that reason, The Positive Movement having the initiative to held BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007: ASEAN in our hands. In this program we will gather youths from ASEAN countries to learn about ASEAN, the problems in ASEAN and most importantly, how to take action to solves the problems.

Even though we came from different countries, different tribes and different cultures, yet we have to realize, we are one family of ASEAN. Because, IN DIVERSITY WE UNITE.

Program Format

1. Positive Thinking
This session is to warm up and cool down the body through the work out, and also to plant the positive values, which are: sensitivity, responsibility, honesty and forgiveness. This session will be the opening and closing off all the sessions everyday. This session will be facilitated by an expert yoga and spiritual guru.
Programs
Yoga, self reflection, sharings.
Purpose
To stimulate participants to understand themselves better. As an self-evaluation for the participants to find better way in dealing with their daily problems. To planted the values of Sensitivity, responsibility, honesty and forgiveness as a basic of every action they make.

2. Burn The Brain (Material)
The material will be given to the participants will be about ASEAN, challenges in ASEAN and the importance of building one ASEAN. All of the material will be given by speakers with the seminars method and discussions.
Programs
Seminar, discussion, watching movies and sharing experiences.
Purpose
To give better education and understanding about ASEAN, the diverse, challenges and peace in ASEAN.

3. Super Deeper (Workshops)
Participants will be divided into classes with deeper material from the previous material in the seminars and discussions. These classes will be lead by the people who worked in ASEAN’s problem issues.
Programs
Discussion and sharing experience.
Purpose
To deepen all the material they had been given in previous seminars.

4. Family Home
All the participants will be divided into groups of family. Each group will be the participant’s new family coming from different backgrounds from all over ASEAN.
Program
Sharing, telling stories.
Purpose
To learn mutual understanding and respects toward other people those are different from us. To grow sense of fraternal towards each family members. To build trust and care towards each family members. To learn new customs and cultures from each family member.

5. Nite Show (Cultural Night)
Every participant will be presenting their country through a cultural show.
Program
Cultural show
Purpose
To show the participants the diverse of ASEAN’s culture and customs. To grow respects towards other people’s culture and customs.

6. Be Local (Social Action)
A social action for the local community. Also will be helped by the local people. Participants will also earn local cultures and customs from the real local people.
Program
Planting 1000 trees learn the local cultures and customs.

Purpose
To build mutual respects and care towards community and environment around them.

7. Amazing Bali (Outbound and Cultural Trip)
All the participants will have cultural trip to local heritage sites, and also will have an outbound at the same time.
Program
Cultural trip and outbound
Purpose
To learn and respects local cultural heritage. To learn about team work and leadership.

8. Bring It On (Country Meeting, Presentation and Action Plan)
All the participants will be given time to discuss all the things they learn in this camp. They will also having the discussion with their country fellow participants on making an action plan back home.
Program
Discussion and giving presentation about the action plan.
Purpose
To stimulate the participants to do the real action for their community and their people.

BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007 : ASEAN in Our hands

Term of References

BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007

(ASEAN in our hands)


Program Title : BRIDGE of YOUTH 2007: ASEAN in our hands

Program Theme : In Diversity We Unite

Organizer : The Positive Movement

Time : August 5-11, 2007

Location : Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Participants :

1. 100 people from the ASEAN countries.

2. The young people between the ages of 17-25.

3. The young people from different background.

Speakers :

1. The Scholars on Pluralism and Peace in ASEAN.

2. The scholars who’s the experience in solving the conflicts in ASEAN countries.

3. Youth activist and or the victims whose experienced in the field of conflicts in ASEAN countries

Contact Person :

Inayah Wulandari – Coordinator,
Mobile Phone: +62811949594
Suseno Dwinanto – Program Coordinator
Mobile Phone: +6281513131982

Secretariat:

The Positive Movement

Jl. Taman Amir Hamzah, Pegangsaan,

Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia 10320,

Tel & Fax: +62-21 3928233,

Email: bridgeofyouth2007@yahoo.com

Initiatives of Change - Action For Life Songs

1. It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness
2. Go, go with an answer!
3. Images
4. The voice in your heart
5. Listen to the heartbeat
6. When I point my finger at my neighbour
7. Be the change

1. It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness

How many times I've backed away, so often afraid
Told others I'd be counted on and left them all betrayed
I've said there's nothing I can do in a world that's turned so sour
Where the hope of freedom is fading by the hour. But..

Chorus:
It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,
Better to let its bright light show where you stand:
For its glow will melt the dark night like the coming of a new dawn
And hope will be born from that small flame in your hand.

There are many echoes in the world but few voices,
Many roads for us to take but few make choices;
Will we always wait till it's too late and things seem all but lost,
Afraid to leave the shadows, afraid to face the cost.

But if you stand up and leave your fears behind,
You'll show a light for all those who are blind:
It will spread around the world, a light that cannot be ignored,
For the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.

(Words and music: Chris Gill)



2. Go, go with an answer

Oh, I went on a journey not far away;
I went on a journey at break of day;
I went on a journey, and what did I see?
A host of hungry children, crying out to me:

Oh go, go with answer! Run faster than you've run before,
Throw away your burdens, you won't need them any more;
Go, go with an answer! Do things you've never done before,
Shout: "We are your brothers and sisters!"
Till the world begins to care once more.

Oh, I went on a journey not far away;
I went on a journey at break of day;
I went on a journey, and what did I see?
The homeless and the hating ones, crying out to me:

Oh, I went on a journey not far away;
I went on a journey at break of day;
I went on a journey, and what did I see?
People from every nation, crying out to me:

(Words and music: Kathleen Johnson)

3. Images

There are images I hide behind
So the real me is hard to find
The delusion begins in my mind;
Caught between the real and make believe
I know I'm the one I most deceive
But I guess that is the way life has to be.

Lots of friends think that there's nothing wrong
'Cos when I'm with them my mask is on
I can only keep pretending for so long;
Deep inside I'm yearning to be free
To have done with my hypocrisy
And become the person I am meant to be.

Looking into the mirror, I see the real me:
It may not be what I want to see,
But its truth can set me free.

Now I choose to live transparently
You can turn the searchlight in on me
'Cos there's nothing I don't want the world to see;
Instead of fearing what my friends might say
I've a peace no one can take away
I can face the future boldly from today.

(Words and music: Rob Wood)

4.The voice in your heart

Along with the bullock-carts, buses and people you'll see in the town,
Or even alone in the countryside under the stars shining down,
There's a voice in your heart, if you willingly listen you'll hear
That voice with its wisdom and peace for each one of us,
Speaking directly and clear.

All over the place you'll find people are searching for ways to make peace,
They long for an end to the worries, corruption and pain and disease,
There's a voice in their heart, if they willingly listen they'll hear
That voice with its wisdom and peace for each one of us,
Speaking directly and clear.

Each person that's living on earth has been given the will to decide,
To obey and rely on the power that controls all our feelings and pride,
It's that voice in your heart, could you willingly listen and hear
That voice with its wisdom and peace for each one of us,
Speaking directly and clear.

(Words and music: Elaine Gordon)


5. Listen to the heartbeat

Listen to the heartbeat of humanity,
Rhythm of the life we're born to share:
Young and old, from every nation,
Calling us to care.
Listen with your heart and answer with your life,
Share in the heartbeat of humanity.

Listen to the voice of those who are different,
Giving us a broader mind and heart:
Will our world have room for everyone
To play their part?
Listen with your heart�

Listen to the pain of those who have suffered,
Needing to be loved and heard and known:
From the hurt can seeds of healing
And hope be sown?
Listen with your heart...

Listen to the silence deep within you
Speaking new wisdom day by day:
Source of purpose and direction,
Let it show the way.
Listen with your heart�

Listen to the heartbeat of humanity,
Where is it calling you and me?
To a world with hope for all of us,
To our destiny.
Listen with your heart�

Listen to the heartbeat, (Listen to the heartbeat)
Listen to the heartbeat, (Listen to the heartbeat)
Listen to the heartbeat, (Listen to the...)
... listen!

(Words and music: Chris Lancaster)


6. When I point my finger at my neighbour

Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
There are three more pointing back at me;
The little one says, "You're not so hot,
If you blame the other fellow then you're on the spot!"
Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
It just ain't honesty,
'Cos in my heart I feel that I first must deal
With the three that are pointing at me.
Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
There are three more pointing back at me;
The second one says, "Go easy, mate!
You ain't cleaned the rubbish from your own back gate!"
Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
It just ain't honesty,
'Cos I realise I must first get wise
To the three that are pointing at me. Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
There are three more pointing back at me;
The third one says, "Supposing you
Had to run the country, what would you do?
Oh would you point your finger at your neighbour?
Where would this nation be?"
Well I couldn't wait so I soon got straight
With the three that are pointing at me. Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
There are three more pointing back at me
They seem to say, "See here my lad,
Maybe you are just about three times as bad!"
Oh when I point my finger at my neighbour
It just ain't honesty,
'Cos in my heart I feel that I first must deal
With the--"What'll I do?" "What'll I do?"
What are we going to be doing about the
One, two, three that are pointing back at me?

(Words and music: Cecil Broadhurst)

7. Be the change

I'm so glad to know I'm not alone,
You are here with me, by my side;
We will show the world how to live, and how the world was meant to be,
We will be the change we want the world to be:

Chorus:
When change starts within my heart
I can show the world the way to go;
When we look past our needs and live beneath our will
We will be the change we want the world to be!

(Words and music: Obas Ukoko)

28th International Odawara Conference in Japan

AfL Newsletter June 2005

"It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

(Chinese proverb)

A small team of AfL participants was invited to join the 28th International Odawara Conference in Japan. Nandor Lim (Malaysia), Vuth Kim (Cambodia), Aparna Khatri (Fiji) and Nigel Heywood (Australia) from AfL 2 were joined by Ahmad Fikri Arief (Indonesia) and arrived on the 8th of June in Tokyo. We were introduced to the fresh taste of Sushi, wasabe and soy sauce and were treated to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony (Cha Do) served to us by the IofC ladies.

The conference with 89 participants was a time for people to connect from all walks of life and explore what their commitments were and how their relationships in family, work and across national boundaries could be used for a greater purpose. The AfL team shared their experiences during the conference, but by far the most important times were the friendships made over meals, in sharing groups and in the traditional Japanese hot baths.


A dynamic young Japanese, Masaya Onimaru, spoke passionately about the issue of small firearms, child soldiers and landmine removal, for which he has set up an NGO. He has worked in Cambodia and parts of Africa, and gives talks around the world to raise awareness. He started on this difficult path when he heard a talk at university that everyone has a purpose for their life and they must search for how to unfold it.

Nandor interviewed Mrs. Takahashi, who was one of our generous hosts. She shared how her father�s dramatic change had affected her family as a child. In 1946 after the war her father met the ideas of MRA in his travels to America. He was inspired by the idea that change could start with himself. On his return home he quit smoking and drinking and apologised to his wife for the way he had treated her. Her mother became a much more confident and happy person and their home became open to friends from all over the world. At the age of five Mrs. Takahashi�s small world was opened up and now she leads the IofC ladies group in Japan, conducts musical prayer and holds family concerts to help develop young people. We are grateful for her and her family�s hospitality to us on this trip.

We visited several groups of students in elementary schools and Universities, Vuth shares his experience: "We went to Hakone Elementary school. We were welcomed by 16 teachers and 32 students. As we entered the room we had one child to look after each of us. I was touched by the little girl who cared for me. Even though she had little English she tried to talk with me and presented me with a picture she had painted. She took me to the dining room and helped me with lunch. I felt close to this new friend as we tried to chat about our families over food. What woujavascript:void(0)
Publishld the world be like if each of us started to care for each other in these simple ways?"

We were privileged to stay with caring host families after the conference in Odawara. These connections on the personal level with Japanese life and generosity were a privilege and we hope to keep building on these friendships with more exchanges in the future. There are many people we are grateful for in providing for us on this trip but our main guru and inspiration was Mr Kiyoshi Nagano who embodies the true spirit of the Samurai. Thankyou.
Please check it at : http://www.afl.iofc.org/news/nl2005-06.php

OLEHOLEOLEHOLEH DARI BALI

The cheapest way go to Bali...
Safely landed at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali on April 25, 2007 @18.55 pm

Home Sweet Home...
3 Days 2 Nights @Villa Aviva Seminyak, Bali
Director of Mangrove Information Center Region I of Indonesia

Rambling through Mangrove Forest and Bird Watching

Bali Part 2

waktu mo berangkat ke bandara...capek deh
dijalan...capek deh
sampai di Bali....capek deh
selama di Bali...capek deh
pas mo pulang CAPEK BGT DEH!
sampai Jakarta...akhirnya...OC deh

Initiatives of Change- Indonesia; The 3rd Youth Camp 2007; Discovering the Inner Power and Sharing to Others

More than 20 dynamic young people from different ethnic groups, background and universities in Jakarta had a great time on the 3rd Youth Camp 2007 with the theme Discovering the Inner Power which was held on April 20-22, 2007 at Puncak, West Java. This breathtaking program organized by Initiatives of Change-Indonesia family.

The program is ran for young people, by young people themselves, very active and dynamic; emphasizing a practical, daily commitment to development that well extends beyond the end of the camp.

The 3rd Youth Camp program offer quiet time/personal reflection time, family group, sessions on Initiatives of Change and it's four moral standards, self-help and leadership training, and also games, film screening, workshops on environment issue, acting or drama, system thinking, and cultural night.

Participants' credits: Wendi Wijarwadi "Awen", Venny, Erwan "Ochay", Abdullah Al-Wazeen, Ahmad Khairul Umam, Miftahul Huda, Bambang Rismasyanto "Bembeng", Faisal "Pepes", Lusiana Rumintang, Ahmad Fikri "Arief", Mulkillah, Mohammad Bahrul Ilmi "Arul", Irna "iink" Yugaswatie, Siti Aminah "Amie", Indra Fajar "iin", Ummi Bariroh"Umee", Annisa, Nadia " Na2d", Ilyas Ikhsani, Sumoko "Moko", Senny, Lisma,

Akhirnya gue ke Bali juga! Part I

Berbicara tentang Bali..sapa coba nyang kagak pengen kesono?.Jutaan turis asing dan domestik telah menghabiskan waktu libur mereka setiap tahunnya dipulau Dewata ini.

Hari itu gue, seno, inay and fadil terbang dengan Air Asia. Terbang dari cengkareng pukul 19.50 WIB tiba di denpasar pukul 22.35 WITA. Akhirnya gue ke Bali juga...

Cuaca malam itu sangat cerah. Dari atas langit Jakarta gue bisa melihat dengan sangat jelas lampu-lampu mobil antrian panjang kemacetan di berbagai sudut kota. saat itu gue memang sengaja duduk di window untuk bisa menikmati perjalanan yang secara sadar memang gue nantikan..sejak dulu kalaaaa...

Tiba larut malam membuat perut kami yang telah diisi dengan pempek palembang di Jakarta tadi sudah lapar kembali. Syukurlah..orang tua angkat kita Pak Haji Eko (Kadang2 kita memanggil beliau dengan pak Jecko) yang baik hati tersebut langsung membawa kita ke sebuah restoran istimewa untuk makan bubur dan aneka seafood yang konon katanya adalah langganannya Mas Tommy Soeharto ketika di penjara.(Kok iso yo?). Ramada Bintang Hotel menjadi tempat peristirahatan pertama kami. Kami harus segera tidur, krn paginya misi sudah menunggu.

Huaaaaahh...selamat pagi Kuta, Bali!!. Mixed Breakfast menjadi pilihan gue pagi itu..krn semuanya terlihat menarik untuk dicicipi. Dari srambble, union bread, sausage, cornflakes, till nasi goreng gw coba. Diantara para turis2 asing dari berbagai belahan dunia kita cepat-cepat menghabiskan waktu breakfast yang tersisa...krn kita semua telat dan bangun kesiangan.

Siang itu kami ditemani oleh Pak Bambang dan Pak Eko menuju komplek Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) yang berada diatas lahan seratus hektar di kawasan Bukit Jimbaran itu yang dibangun untuk menandai kebangkitan Indonesia sekaligus sumbangan bangsa ini pada peradaban dunia setelah Candi Borobudur. Saat ini proyek tersebut baru selesai 20%, jika proyek ini rampung, patung Wisnu yang mengendarai burung Garuda ini disebut sebagai lebih tinggi dari patung Liberty kebanggaan Amerika. Tinggi patungnya 146 meter dengan landasannya setinggi 25 meter.

Happy Earth Day, Today Problems Come From Yesterday Solutions

It was shock me when my friend Inayah told me that she saw a documentary film about Climate Change and Global Warming on Metro TV that conclude "Every natural disaster are made by people".

On the weekend of April 15-16, 2007 I joined a workshop called Learning Organization in Jakarta which organized by Initiatives of Change Indonesia and facilitated by sincere lady Ms. Sheila Damodaran from Singapore. This workshop attracted 20 persons from many backgrounds, from students to Human Resource Consultant.

In that inspiring class, we talked on Disaster in Indonesia, then we split to two themes on Natural Disaster and Man Made Disaster. Some example on natural disaster that we had are flood, earthquake, landslide, and tsunami. Beside, on man made disaster we had plane crash, and ship sink. After that, in a group with 3-4 persons we write down some of the factors or reasons from the social, technology, economic, political (STEP) factors where the disasters are coming from, based on perspective from the government side, private sectors side and people side. After all, we stick all the flip chart in the wall and try to connect one another with causality line.

It was AMAZING when we found that every cause are interrelated one another. "Today problem come from yesterday solution" is worked here. So, from that simple pictures that we had drawn together, come up a conclusion that what we called before as A Natural Disaster is A Man Made Disaster.

In this two days workshop on level one from three level of Learning Organization we had already learn on System Thinking (understanding complexity) and Mental Model. Cannot waiting for the next workshop on May 2007.
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Simple Persons with a Big Heart

International Youth Forum 2008

International Youth Forum

Building a Peaceful World:

Learning a New Global Relationship with Moslem Communities

Initiatives of Change – Indonesia

Bandung, Indonesia, January 2008

Background

After the Cold War era, post 9/11 tragedy, Afghanistan and Iraq war; there has been a growing challenge in the world on the relation with Moslem communities and Islam as a whole. The clash of civilisations syndrome and a situation of Islam phobia are posing even physical security threats to Moslem. Unfortunately many were not ready to learn about this, added with misinformation and bad publication, resulting Islam as the world’s new challenge. This has gone from bad to worse when many too assumed that Islam is the terrorist. These prejudices were escalated by many violent terrorist acts that based their actions on the name of Islam. As a result, there’s a kind of negative stereotype on Moslem communities all over the world.

The challenges itself are not on how non Moslem community sees Moslem, it also happened the other way around. Many Moslems find difficulties in adjusting themselves in a secular world where they have to share their values to live in a non Islam culture. This is where conflict starts. Non Moslem has to learn and respect Islam and its values, and Moslem has to cope with non Islam environment that sometimes conflict their own values. The main problem is the lack of information on what Islam is really about and lack of communication between Moslem and non-Moslem.

As the ones who lived in both side of the communities, youth today often find difficulties in facing this problem. However we believe that youth can be the answer for the gap as they can communicate to both communities. As the agent of change, we need to empower youth to be able to bridge these conflicting values. The question then is how can we empower them with tools that strengthen their own values and at the same time able to accept different ones?

Indonesia as one of the countries with the biggest Moslem people has been dealing with the problem of pluralism ever since it’s independence in 1945. Having 637 different ethnic groups scattered in more than 13,000 islands, with 6 recognized religions and local beliefs, have made Indonesia one of the countries that basically live with pluralism. Although youth in Indonesia have to face the same challenges on conflicting values, they seem to be able to practically live with differences and show the other face of a peaceful Islam. This then raises the second question, what is the different value on pluralism of Indonesian youth and how can it be shared to other fellow youth across the globe? How can Moslem youth and other faith traditions play a more active role in initiating and sustaining inter-religious efforts? What obstacles in the current framework for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation efforts need to be overcome to ensure stronger networks for peace? The event of this youth forum will be based on these questions. We hope to see and offer some learning through insightful and true conversations and sharing among participants to collaborate and see how new spirit and youth power emerges from the forum.

For a common future all stakeholders ought to work for reform to sustainable peace from the perspective of ecology and humanity. International Youth Forum (IYF) 2008 will offer unique opportunities for thoughts and evolving a future oriented action plans. At the end, we will suggest the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as our common ground in taking those action plans. During the forum, the participant will meet and share their experience through various exciting sharing methods about the issue.

This program is initiated by a group of exciting young people who are engaged and involved in Initiatives of Change – Indonesia (IofC Indonesia) and shall be held in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Initiatives of Change - Indonesia since its inception in 2002 has been in building capacity of youth and promoting exchange, cooperation and solidarity. Initiatives of Change - Indonesia has organized national and international training workshop in Indonesia.

General Objective

This Forum has the goal to promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among youth leaders in the Moslem and other world faiths communities through real conversations on what things that matter the most, so that they can be the agents of a peaceful change in their own communities.

Expected Program Output

§ To publish a guide book for youth who are living in countries that have challenges with Moslem communities, based on experiences and stories that are told during the event.

§ To learn and find new ways and at the same time sharing fellow youth about peaceful Islam, especially from Indonesian context.

§ To build youth’s awareness and sensitivity on interfaith dialogue.

§ Sharing experiences of peaceful living together in the past

§ Create and join the available network of independent Interfaith Youth intellectuals/leaders of civil society.

Expected Long Term Outcomes/Change

§ Increased understanding and appreciation of Islam and other faith traditions

§ Friendship between and among youth leaders.

§ Reducing the stereotyping of each other especially in a conflict situation

§ An ongoing process of dialogue between leaders of Moslem and other faith communities in the region/international that can be both preventive and proactive in reducing and eliminating tensions.

Theme

The grand theme of the forum: “The True Side of Peaceful Islam” with the sub theme “Learning a new Global Relationship with Moslem Communities from Indonesian Perspective.”

And the grand theme will be divided into 4 plenary sessions:

1. The Images of Islam at the Present Time
2. The Real Essence of Islam for Peace
3. Youth Empowerment in the New Millennium
4. Searching for a Common Ground: Strengthening Youth Participation on Millennium Development Goal’s

Follow Up and Evaluation

A number of strategic planning’s are being employed to ensure that youth's commitments are sustained in the longer term and resulted in practical actions. There will be a daily evaluation, to monitoring the progress of the camp. The Both of Individuals and NGOs will have an opportunity also to make pledges for action at the end of the camp. The project officer committee will follow up with individuals via personal, phone or email communications to ensure and encourage these pledges are acted upon.

Program Format

This program will offer talk show plenary sessions, quiet time, the world café, appreciative inquiry, field trips, social work with local Moslem community, open space technology, personal reflection time, cultural night, family group, and cultural night.

Expected Participants

The IYF 2008 aims to reach out 300 young people ages of 18-30 from around the world that has been actively engaged or interested in this program. The target group takes into account nationality, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation and geography. It attempts to achieve a balanced composition.

From Personal to the Global

It is my first posting, accompany by one of the next 10 top Indonesians bloggers Wazeen, I try to share something useful from my simple personal life, simple things, simple thoughts to the global dwellers.