32 Days Exhibition : Day 4

August is an independence month! As for me, I'm officially turned 28 and don't worry, I love getting older. Happy Independence day to Singapore (9th), Pakistan (14th), India (15th ) and now, it's Indonesia!  Happy 67th independence day, Indonesia and happy to announce, we are working. I forgot when did the last time that I actually celebrated them and playing those same-old-unchanged-games since we were a kid? I don't even know whether the A+ and B+ society are still doing it because I barely seen then. Indonesia has got its world-wide independence declaration yet the racism and religion issue in society is getting stronger year by year and instead of getting better, we are getting worst - our mentality has become weaker and infected easily with the viruses from media and politicians. Nowadays, everyone can be easily bribed and their dignity is priceless. Those who stood up for the truth, had always ended up joining with others (supporting others) rather than be an individual fighter and make their own group! It is the collaboration because of mutual understanding or collaboration because its financially profitable and to gain more popularity nationally and internationally?

Do I proud of being an Indonesian? the truth, I don't feel like I'm Indonesian as we are losing the touch of our own cultures as everything (including the food, the way we dress) has been so westernized and modernized. It's hard to just find the old classic food that I used to eat when I was a kid nor even finding a suburb where it was as comfortable, as safe as it were 24 years ago. Today, we become too individualists and care so much lesser towards our surroundings. When I was kid,  my parents and I knew our neighbor and the kids played together at 4pm or 4.30pm! In today's world, we do not even know who is living next to us and even if we do, it will just be "name, their job, hi and bye", nothing else and wait, when they are not in our level, we make gossip and stop saying hello!

And for my parents, they have seen the changes since the day they were born. They are the living witnesses who saw Indonesia before the nation gained its freedom - they were there when Indonesia were at war, from being invaded by the dutch to be where the nation is, at this moment. As in fact, my mom and family were there,  witnessing with her own eyes, saw Bandung from being bombed. 

Anyway, this week is such a gift week for me, after grumpy brought me a sexy blue bag! and this time, Ferdinan came with a bag of 2 boxes of chocolates and oh, it's Doraemon chocolates! I was in awe and felt so overjoyed. Thank you so much for the chocolates and yes, I have to control them! The mall was quite hectic today and few clients who have become our friends came over, felt so blessed.

What lesson did I learn today? I think I learnt about "gift and being gifted". I don't know why this lesson randomly pop in my head while I'm writing but I'm telling you why. One of our photo-booth customers came with the whole family and the little brother is different but the love from the parents and sister made him very lucky! This "extra" ordinary boy really spread so much love to his surrounding even we felt the happiness vibration while all of them are waiting for their photos to be printed. He reminds me to our previous client, a girl, with one arm but her smile lighten everyone's face. 

Personally, looking at them make me very sad, thinking about their future. I never say "disability" creates disadvantage but i know the LORD have something awesome for each of them. Mom always told me " No human is dumb unless they have mental problem" , but as time passed and I have seen that those who have more imperfections in them whether its mentally and physically have an amazing purpose in this life. And it's really amazing on how proud their parents are and make them live normally. and kids are the LORD's gift to the parents and what are the gifts they bring int their parents life, will be answered later when they are grown up.

I never pity people with disability (unless they are lazy), as in fact, most of them are living happier with high appreciation towards every little thing happens in their life. It is not their fault to be born imperfect, but it is the parents' and society's duty to make them being accepted and treated normally. What matter is that they accept themselves as who they are, the physical and mental weakness they have but never give up in living the life they are given. You can always end your life easily but don't forget what your parents have done since you were born to keep you alive and giving the best they can for their happiness.

As a kid, we are our parents' gift and being their gift, we have to remember that despite how hard life is, with or without them, we have to be strong, living to the fullest and appreciated yourself because we are made for HIS purpose and we have to become how HE wants us to give so appreciate your life as it is a gift for you!