Kamis, 22 Juli 2010
Kamu tau? Ketika kamu memutuskan untuk bahagia, kamu akan bahagia.., ketika kamu memutuskan untuk bersedih, maka kamu akan bersedih..
Aq percaya itu.., satu hal yang seringkali aq tanamkan dalam setiap langkah yang aq ambil..
Di atas segalanya, Yesus selalu membantuku melewatinya. Roh kudus selalu membimbingku dalam setiap keputusan & malaikat selalu menjagaku dalam setiap waktu.
Aq sangat percaya hari ini akan merubah hidupku,, dalam film kehidupanku yang akan diputar,, aq tau dalam saat ini, aq berada dalam sebuah adegan yang sangat menyenangkan.
Kamu, aq, kita semua tau bahwa kasih/cinta, pengharapan & iman akan selalu ada, namun kadar kita menyadarinya berbeda-beda..
Sangat banyak wajah kehidupanku dan kehidupan orang lain yang aq temui, aq tidak ingat semua, mungkin hanya beberapa, yang meninggalkan suara, candaan, jejak yang akan terus teringat & menjadi bagian dari hidupku & inilah aq..
Aq akan menjadi bagian dari mereka & mereka akan menjadi bagian di dalamku.
Tak pernah berhenti aq berterima kasih untuk itu, untuk setiap jejak yang ditinggalkan, termasuk yang terakhir dalam beberapa bulan ini.
Biarlah semua kenangan itu tetap tinggal dan akan menjadi milikku yang berharga, pengalamanku, pelajaranku, kehebatanku, dan segalanya untukku.
Hmm.. Jangan menghindar kawan..
Hadapilah.. & ketegaran berjalan bersamamu..
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
My Healing Stories ..n_n.. (2)
Selasa, 20 Juli 2010
Hmm.. sementara aq berpikir untuk hari ini..
Kenapa ya semua sesi hari ini sangat menggambarkan keadaanku sekarang??
Ck,ck,ck.. hampir setiap sesi yang dibawakan sangat menyentuh, lebih tepatnya menyindir hehe..
Ya..hambatan cinta..
Ini mengajarkan aq tentang cinta..
Cinta adalah menyediakan waktu, cinta adalah pengorbanan (itulah yang kita lihat), tapi bagi orang yang mengalaminya,, tidak ada pengorbanan dalam cinta.., karena mereka tidak menganggap itu pengorbanan..
Lalu, apakah yang Tuhan berikan?
Kasih yang dalam, tak tertandingi..
Walaupun begitu menderita, Ia berkorban dan aq mengerti kenapa..
Cintaku tidak sebesar cintaNya..
CintaNya itu menyelamatkan aq saat ini..
Malam ini perasaanku tenang,,
Saat bangun tidur sore tadi, aq merasakan keheningan, tidak mencekam, namun cukup membuat aq bertanya-tanya kenapa setenang ini?
Engkau kembali menyapaku dengan pemandangan sebuah gunung yang terlihat berdiri tegar. Setegar aq saat ini, atau.. tegarkah aq?
Beberapa kenangan mulai muncul, kenangan2 yang aq berharap, tidak lupa, tapi hilang dululah beberapa saat sampai aq pulih..
Selama beberapa hari kemarin, aq takut, dan sangat tidak ingin sendiri..
Entah tidak bisa atau tidak mau, tapi.. itu tidak mau pergi..
Saat ini aq sadar,, bahwa kembali mencintai itu penting..
Mampukah aq melakukan itu? Aq sangat berharap. Aq bukan orang yang baik-baik amat, tapi aq juga bukan orang yang buruk-buruk amat,
Kalau kamu pernah mencintai, maka kamu akan bisa melakukanya lagi, berkali-kali bahkan lebih baik, karna kita belajar dari kesalahan bukan?
Dan Tuhan,, terima kasih..
Setegar yang aq rasakan sekarang takkan mampu tanpa Engkau..
Aq takkan mampu tanpa teman-temanku..
Aq takkan mampu tanpa sisa cinta yang aq punya..
Aq tidak akan menghilangkan itu, hanya aq akan mengubahnya menjadi sesuatu yang lebih besar..
Kata orang cinta dan benci berjarak tipis. Tapi itu hanya masalah hati & persepsi, ketika kamu memutuskan, kamu akan merasakan,,
Jadi ketika kamu mencintai, perasaan sakit sangat rentan muncul.,
Dan ketika kamu mencintai sampai sakit, sadarilah bahwa kamu sangat hebat, bukan hanya karna berani, tapi karna Tuhan memilihmu..
Hmm.. sementara aq berpikir untuk hari ini..
Kenapa ya semua sesi hari ini sangat menggambarkan keadaanku sekarang??
Ck,ck,ck.. hampir setiap sesi yang dibawakan sangat menyentuh, lebih tepatnya menyindir hehe..
Ya..hambatan cinta..
Ini mengajarkan aq tentang cinta..
Cinta adalah menyediakan waktu, cinta adalah pengorbanan (itulah yang kita lihat), tapi bagi orang yang mengalaminya,, tidak ada pengorbanan dalam cinta.., karena mereka tidak menganggap itu pengorbanan..
Lalu, apakah yang Tuhan berikan?
Kasih yang dalam, tak tertandingi..
Walaupun begitu menderita, Ia berkorban dan aq mengerti kenapa..
Cintaku tidak sebesar cintaNya..
CintaNya itu menyelamatkan aq saat ini..
Malam ini perasaanku tenang,,
Saat bangun tidur sore tadi, aq merasakan keheningan, tidak mencekam, namun cukup membuat aq bertanya-tanya kenapa setenang ini?
Engkau kembali menyapaku dengan pemandangan sebuah gunung yang terlihat berdiri tegar. Setegar aq saat ini, atau.. tegarkah aq?
Beberapa kenangan mulai muncul, kenangan2 yang aq berharap, tidak lupa, tapi hilang dululah beberapa saat sampai aq pulih..
Selama beberapa hari kemarin, aq takut, dan sangat tidak ingin sendiri..
Entah tidak bisa atau tidak mau, tapi.. itu tidak mau pergi..
Saat ini aq sadar,, bahwa kembali mencintai itu penting..
Mampukah aq melakukan itu? Aq sangat berharap. Aq bukan orang yang baik-baik amat, tapi aq juga bukan orang yang buruk-buruk amat,
Kalau kamu pernah mencintai, maka kamu akan bisa melakukanya lagi, berkali-kali bahkan lebih baik, karna kita belajar dari kesalahan bukan?
Dan Tuhan,, terima kasih..
Setegar yang aq rasakan sekarang takkan mampu tanpa Engkau..
Aq takkan mampu tanpa teman-temanku..
Aq takkan mampu tanpa sisa cinta yang aq punya..
Aq tidak akan menghilangkan itu, hanya aq akan mengubahnya menjadi sesuatu yang lebih besar..
Kata orang cinta dan benci berjarak tipis. Tapi itu hanya masalah hati & persepsi, ketika kamu memutuskan, kamu akan merasakan,,
Jadi ketika kamu mencintai, perasaan sakit sangat rentan muncul.,
Dan ketika kamu mencintai sampai sakit, sadarilah bahwa kamu sangat hebat, bukan hanya karna berani, tapi karna Tuhan memilihmu..
My Healing Stories ..n_n.. (1)
Senin, 19 Juli 2010
Hari ini…
Retret Gundar kali ini & terakhir kali sepertinya, aq tidak menjadi panitia..
Rasanya asik hehe.. Tapi ada sesuatu yang berbeda.. Aq menemukan diriku merasa kurang nyaman untuk tidak melakukan sesuatu, dalam hal ini berarti kesibukan panitia..^^
Wah.. apa mungkin ini karena perasaan terbiasa atau bagaimana?
Dan yang memang aq sadari sekali, tak ada keinginan yang menggebu-gebu untuk berangkat retret ini, tak tau karna masalah & kesedihan yang sedang menimpaku atau bagaimana, tapi aq merasa hatiku masih belum terselesaikan, sehingga muncul perasaan-perasaan yang tidak enak. Dan parahnya, aq tidak tau cara untuk membuatnya menjadi lebih baik.. huufff..
Ya..aq tau sekali hatiku ini masih memikirkan kesakitan2 itu..
Memang ada perasaan tidak menerima yang kuat..,, Tapi harus menghadapi kenyataan yang benar2 di depan mata..
Lalu mau bagaimana?
Sampai aq berangkat pun, di perjalanan masih merasa tidak enak dan itu sungguh mengganggu. Proses ini masih berlangsung hingga tadi Misa hari ini. Bait pengantar injil mengatakan,’Jangan bertegar hati, dengarkanlah Aku saja..’, begitu kurang lebih bunyinya..
Ya..aq berusaha mencari tau ada apa dengan aq? Ada apa dengan hatiku ini?
Sampai pada suatu pertanyaan:
Apa aq salah? Apa yang harus aq lakukan supaya aq dapat mengikuti retret ini dengan sepenuh-penuhnya?
Dan jawaban itu muncul ketika permohonan dalam doa aq ucapkan.
Ya.., janganlah bertegar hati, jadi itulah yang aq lakukan ketika pertama kali mendengar itu. Kemudian khotbah Rm. Taucen mengingatkan aq kembali pada satu kata yang sederhana, tapi membuat aq berpikir & memberikan jawaban itu sendiri pada akhirnya..
Ya.. Percaya, ‘Believe’..
Percaya bahwa ini (Retret) akan membawa suatu berkat untukmu, membawa suatu rahmat & memberikan kelegaan untukmu..
Dan aq mempraktekkan itu..
Tidak berpikir terlalu banyak, namun aq berbicara dalam hati,, Percayalah Dell!
Percayalah pada retret ini,, maka & memang semuanya menjadi baik-baik saja..
Perasaanku membaik & aq dapat kembali tulus dalam setiap senyum & mendengar dengan ketulusan yang mambuat aq merasa, perasaan itu kembali..
Perasaan nyaman, aman & tulus sudah aq rasakan lagi..
Nothing but Thx God for all U’ve done today,, for me, and all of my friend,, for KMK Gundar & especially for my heart..
Great & Good..
Hari ini…
Retret Gundar kali ini & terakhir kali sepertinya, aq tidak menjadi panitia..
Rasanya asik hehe.. Tapi ada sesuatu yang berbeda.. Aq menemukan diriku merasa kurang nyaman untuk tidak melakukan sesuatu, dalam hal ini berarti kesibukan panitia..^^
Wah.. apa mungkin ini karena perasaan terbiasa atau bagaimana?
Dan yang memang aq sadari sekali, tak ada keinginan yang menggebu-gebu untuk berangkat retret ini, tak tau karna masalah & kesedihan yang sedang menimpaku atau bagaimana, tapi aq merasa hatiku masih belum terselesaikan, sehingga muncul perasaan-perasaan yang tidak enak. Dan parahnya, aq tidak tau cara untuk membuatnya menjadi lebih baik.. huufff..
Ya..aq tau sekali hatiku ini masih memikirkan kesakitan2 itu..
Memang ada perasaan tidak menerima yang kuat..,, Tapi harus menghadapi kenyataan yang benar2 di depan mata..
Lalu mau bagaimana?
Sampai aq berangkat pun, di perjalanan masih merasa tidak enak dan itu sungguh mengganggu. Proses ini masih berlangsung hingga tadi Misa hari ini. Bait pengantar injil mengatakan,’Jangan bertegar hati, dengarkanlah Aku saja..’, begitu kurang lebih bunyinya..
Ya..aq berusaha mencari tau ada apa dengan aq? Ada apa dengan hatiku ini?
Sampai pada suatu pertanyaan:
Apa aq salah? Apa yang harus aq lakukan supaya aq dapat mengikuti retret ini dengan sepenuh-penuhnya?
Dan jawaban itu muncul ketika permohonan dalam doa aq ucapkan.
Ya.., janganlah bertegar hati, jadi itulah yang aq lakukan ketika pertama kali mendengar itu. Kemudian khotbah Rm. Taucen mengingatkan aq kembali pada satu kata yang sederhana, tapi membuat aq berpikir & memberikan jawaban itu sendiri pada akhirnya..
Ya.. Percaya, ‘Believe’..
Percaya bahwa ini (Retret) akan membawa suatu berkat untukmu, membawa suatu rahmat & memberikan kelegaan untukmu..
Dan aq mempraktekkan itu..
Tidak berpikir terlalu banyak, namun aq berbicara dalam hati,, Percayalah Dell!
Percayalah pada retret ini,, maka & memang semuanya menjadi baik-baik saja..
Perasaanku membaik & aq dapat kembali tulus dalam setiap senyum & mendengar dengan ketulusan yang mambuat aq merasa, perasaan itu kembali..
Perasaan nyaman, aman & tulus sudah aq rasakan lagi..
Nothing but Thx God for all U’ve done today,, for me, and all of my friend,, for KMK Gundar & especially for my heart..
Great & Good..
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Train As a Public Transportation
English Bussiness Task
_Della Natalia/10206218/4EA01_
Train As a Public Transportation
As we know, one of land transportation that can be immediately arrive is the train. Many peoples count on the train to go to work or study. Now, You can rent a train for recreation or tour in large capacity. Yap! The train become one of the most important transportation,because a lot of people depend on it.
But the question now, is the services of train which in Indonesia was organized by PT K.A Indonesia is satisfied enough? If we compare the quality of our transportation with America or Europe, we still leave behind. As you can see here, especially for the train, garbage still everywhere, the train was so dirty almost all over the train. That condition can easily find in economy class. Many times, the capacity of the train is over than it must. That’s really annoying. In spite of that, peoples still use the train as their favourite public transportation. One of their reason ia that the train move faster than any land transportation.
So, what can the government do for making the train as comfort as possible? The government should have a special budget for making the public transportation in our country better. For train, the facility has to be fixed. Check the rules and make sure the passangers obey that rules. Provide trash bag in the train for the garbage. Beside that, as the passenger, we have to have awarness. We have to obey the rules to make our transportation more comfortable to use. Throw the garbage into trash bag, do not damage the facility on the train, and many more. So, if we cooperate together, we get a better public transportation then.
_Della Natalia/10206218/4EA01_
Train As a Public Transportation
As we know, one of land transportation that can be immediately arrive is the train. Many peoples count on the train to go to work or study. Now, You can rent a train for recreation or tour in large capacity. Yap! The train become one of the most important transportation,because a lot of people depend on it.
But the question now, is the services of train which in Indonesia was organized by PT K.A Indonesia is satisfied enough? If we compare the quality of our transportation with America or Europe, we still leave behind. As you can see here, especially for the train, garbage still everywhere, the train was so dirty almost all over the train. That condition can easily find in economy class. Many times, the capacity of the train is over than it must. That’s really annoying. In spite of that, peoples still use the train as their favourite public transportation. One of their reason ia that the train move faster than any land transportation.
So, what can the government do for making the train as comfort as possible? The government should have a special budget for making the public transportation in our country better. For train, the facility has to be fixed. Check the rules and make sure the passangers obey that rules. Provide trash bag in the train for the garbage. Beside that, as the passenger, we have to have awarness. We have to obey the rules to make our transportation more comfortable to use. Throw the garbage into trash bag, do not damage the facility on the train, and many more. So, if we cooperate together, we get a better public transportation then.
BANGSAL
BANGSAL
..Sebuah Peringatan Hari Kebangkitan Nasional..
Tanggal 20 Mei lalu seperti yang kita tahu diperingati sebagai Hari Kebangkitan Nasional. Mengambil momen ini, teman-teman dari PMKAJ-US (Pastoral Mahasiswa Keuskupan Agung Jakarta–Unit Selatan) mengadakan sebuah acara untuk memperingati hari Kebangkitan Nasional. Acara ini dinamakan BANGSAL, yang merupakan singkatan dari Kebangkitan Nasional. Pelaksanaannya dimulai dari tanggal 21 Mei-22 Mei 2010 (Jumat-Sabtu), bertempat di Wisma Sahabat Yesus (SY) dan mengambil tema “Jejak Langkah Kebangkitan Negeriku”.
Acara ini adalah acara perdana dalam program kerja PMKAJ-US. Teman-teman PMKAJ-US sepakat dengan bersemangat untuk membuat acara ini menjadi acara yang menarik. Ide mengenai acara ini berawal dari sebuah keprihatinan mengenai minimnya pengetahuan dan perhatian mahasiswa terhadap sejarah Kebangkitan Nasional Indonesia. Hal ini sangat ironis mengingat pada masa kebangkitan, cendekiawan muda adalah kunci utama penggerak emansipasi bangsa. Tapi kini, mahasiswa sebagai aktor penerus, sering luput akan tugas yang telah dititipkan oleh pendahulunya. Mahasiswa terlalu sibuk dengan tugas-tugas kuliahnya. Ilmu yang selama ini dienyamnya di kampus seakan-akan hanya menjadi modal kemuliaannya pribadi di masa depan dan bukan untuk kemuliaan bangsa negaranya. Kegiatan ini berupaya mengajak mahasiswa untuk kembali belajar sejarah, layaknya ketika mereka duduk di Sekolah Dasar dan Menengah Pertama. Ketika mereka, sebagai siswa mengingat betul bagaimana pahlawan-pahlawan nasional mengupayakan kebangkitan pemuda demi Indonesia.
Untuk semakin menambah rasa memori masa lalu, dekorasinya pun dibuat seperti jaman dahulu. Mulai dari peralatan elektronik jaman dulu, mesin tik, topi caping, hingga tempat-tempat tidur pasien yang ditata menyerupai bangsal-bangsal pada jaman perang. Bahkan disediakan jajanan-jajanan yang merupakan kue khas Indonesia, seperti kue cucur, kue lapis, kue bolu kukus, kue putu ayu, kue pukis, dll. Sungguh menarik! Benar-benar membangkitkan rasa nasionalisme kita!
Acara ini dibuka dengan nyanyian menggunakan bahasa Jawa, lalu kata sambutan dari Widha (UI’07) selaku ketua panitia,kemudian Atha sebagai Koordinator PMKAJ-US (UI’06) dan Rm. Markus Yumartana, SJ selaku Pastor Moderator Unit Selatan. Tak lupa pula dengan penuh khidmat menyanyikan lagu Kebangsaan Indonesia Raya.
Walaupun hujan deras sempat melanda, acara tetap berjalan dengan waktu yang sedikit bergeser dari rencana. Peserta yang mencapai kurang lebih 50 mahasiswa dari berbagai kampus seperti UI (Universitas Indonesia), Gunadarma, PNJ (Politeknik Negri Jakarta), ITI (Institut Teknologi Indonesia), UNJ (Universitas Negri Jakarta),IISIP ( Institut Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik),dll, ikut meramaikan acara serta turut menjadi peserta lomba-lomba yang diadakan dalam acara ini. Lomba-lomba tersebut antara lain lomba Cerdas Cermat yang dimenangkan tim dari UI, Lomba Orasi yang dimenangkan oleh ITI, Lomba Essay yang mengambil 3 tema: Menghargai Sejarah, Memajukan Bangsa, Peran Mahasiswa Sebagai Penerus Cita-Cita Bangsa, dan Kebangkitan Nasional Indonesia dalam Era Globalisasi. Lomba essay dimenangkan oleh UI. Ada juga lomba lukis yang dimenangkan UNJ dan fotografi yang dimenangkan ITI. Tema lukisan dan foto disamakan dengan tema besar acara. Ada juga pemenang kategori best dressnya lho, karena baik panitia maupun peserta menggunakan dresscode atau kostum betema nasional atau perjuangan. Dan pemenang best dress-nya adalah peserta dari ITI (Liverto). Semua final lomba diadakan pada hari Sabtu dan acara ditutup dengan menyanyikan lagu-lagu nasional dengan penuh semangat.
Acara ini sungguh memberi inspirasi bagi kita. Acara ini diharapkan dapat menjadi suatu langkah yang baik untuk kita khususnya kaum muda, dalam mengisi kemerdekaan yang telah diberikan para pendahulu kita. Semoga semangat kaum muda pada masa perjuangan menjadi semangat kita pula kaum muda masa kini, dalam membangun bangsa Indonesia menjadi lebih baik. Bangkitlah Indonesiaku!!
_Della N._HPD BANGSAL_
..Sebuah Peringatan Hari Kebangkitan Nasional..
Tanggal 20 Mei lalu seperti yang kita tahu diperingati sebagai Hari Kebangkitan Nasional. Mengambil momen ini, teman-teman dari PMKAJ-US (Pastoral Mahasiswa Keuskupan Agung Jakarta–Unit Selatan) mengadakan sebuah acara untuk memperingati hari Kebangkitan Nasional. Acara ini dinamakan BANGSAL, yang merupakan singkatan dari Kebangkitan Nasional. Pelaksanaannya dimulai dari tanggal 21 Mei-22 Mei 2010 (Jumat-Sabtu), bertempat di Wisma Sahabat Yesus (SY) dan mengambil tema “Jejak Langkah Kebangkitan Negeriku”.
Acara ini adalah acara perdana dalam program kerja PMKAJ-US. Teman-teman PMKAJ-US sepakat dengan bersemangat untuk membuat acara ini menjadi acara yang menarik. Ide mengenai acara ini berawal dari sebuah keprihatinan mengenai minimnya pengetahuan dan perhatian mahasiswa terhadap sejarah Kebangkitan Nasional Indonesia. Hal ini sangat ironis mengingat pada masa kebangkitan, cendekiawan muda adalah kunci utama penggerak emansipasi bangsa. Tapi kini, mahasiswa sebagai aktor penerus, sering luput akan tugas yang telah dititipkan oleh pendahulunya. Mahasiswa terlalu sibuk dengan tugas-tugas kuliahnya. Ilmu yang selama ini dienyamnya di kampus seakan-akan hanya menjadi modal kemuliaannya pribadi di masa depan dan bukan untuk kemuliaan bangsa negaranya. Kegiatan ini berupaya mengajak mahasiswa untuk kembali belajar sejarah, layaknya ketika mereka duduk di Sekolah Dasar dan Menengah Pertama. Ketika mereka, sebagai siswa mengingat betul bagaimana pahlawan-pahlawan nasional mengupayakan kebangkitan pemuda demi Indonesia.
Untuk semakin menambah rasa memori masa lalu, dekorasinya pun dibuat seperti jaman dahulu. Mulai dari peralatan elektronik jaman dulu, mesin tik, topi caping, hingga tempat-tempat tidur pasien yang ditata menyerupai bangsal-bangsal pada jaman perang. Bahkan disediakan jajanan-jajanan yang merupakan kue khas Indonesia, seperti kue cucur, kue lapis, kue bolu kukus, kue putu ayu, kue pukis, dll. Sungguh menarik! Benar-benar membangkitkan rasa nasionalisme kita!
Acara ini dibuka dengan nyanyian menggunakan bahasa Jawa, lalu kata sambutan dari Widha (UI’07) selaku ketua panitia,kemudian Atha sebagai Koordinator PMKAJ-US (UI’06) dan Rm. Markus Yumartana, SJ selaku Pastor Moderator Unit Selatan. Tak lupa pula dengan penuh khidmat menyanyikan lagu Kebangsaan Indonesia Raya.
Walaupun hujan deras sempat melanda, acara tetap berjalan dengan waktu yang sedikit bergeser dari rencana. Peserta yang mencapai kurang lebih 50 mahasiswa dari berbagai kampus seperti UI (Universitas Indonesia), Gunadarma, PNJ (Politeknik Negri Jakarta), ITI (Institut Teknologi Indonesia), UNJ (Universitas Negri Jakarta),IISIP ( Institut Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik),dll, ikut meramaikan acara serta turut menjadi peserta lomba-lomba yang diadakan dalam acara ini. Lomba-lomba tersebut antara lain lomba Cerdas Cermat yang dimenangkan tim dari UI, Lomba Orasi yang dimenangkan oleh ITI, Lomba Essay yang mengambil 3 tema: Menghargai Sejarah, Memajukan Bangsa, Peran Mahasiswa Sebagai Penerus Cita-Cita Bangsa, dan Kebangkitan Nasional Indonesia dalam Era Globalisasi. Lomba essay dimenangkan oleh UI. Ada juga lomba lukis yang dimenangkan UNJ dan fotografi yang dimenangkan ITI. Tema lukisan dan foto disamakan dengan tema besar acara. Ada juga pemenang kategori best dressnya lho, karena baik panitia maupun peserta menggunakan dresscode atau kostum betema nasional atau perjuangan. Dan pemenang best dress-nya adalah peserta dari ITI (Liverto). Semua final lomba diadakan pada hari Sabtu dan acara ditutup dengan menyanyikan lagu-lagu nasional dengan penuh semangat.
Acara ini sungguh memberi inspirasi bagi kita. Acara ini diharapkan dapat menjadi suatu langkah yang baik untuk kita khususnya kaum muda, dalam mengisi kemerdekaan yang telah diberikan para pendahulu kita. Semoga semangat kaum muda pada masa perjuangan menjadi semangat kita pula kaum muda masa kini, dalam membangun bangsa Indonesia menjadi lebih baik. Bangkitlah Indonesiaku!!
_Della N._HPD BANGSAL_
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Ten Ways to Marry the Wrong Person
This is something I got from my aunt. And I think it make sense & it's very relevant. So, before "forever and ever", or before "till death do us part", make sure you read this first.
------------------------------
With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making a serious mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. To avoid becoming a "statistic," try to internalize these 10 insights.
#1. You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married.
The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule is, if you can't be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don't get married. As a colleague of mine so wisely put it, "You actually can expect people to change after their married... for the worst!"
So when it comes to the other person's spirituality, character, personal hygiene, communication skills, and personal habits, make sure you can live with these as they are now.
#2. You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than on character.
Chemistry ignites the fire, but good character keeps it burning. Beware of the "I'm in love" syndrome. "I'm in love" often means, "I'm in lust." Attraction is there, but have you carefully checked out this person's character?
Here are four character traits to definitely check for:
Humility: Does this person believe that "doing the right thing" is more important than personal comfort?
Kindness: Does this person enjoy giving pleasure to other people? How does s/he treat people s/he doesn't have to be nice to? Does s/he do volunteer work? Give charity?
Responsibility: Can I depend on this person to do what s/he says s/he's going to do?
Happiness: Does this person like himself? Does s/he enjoy life? Is s/he emotionally stable?
Ask yourself: Do I want to be more like this person? Do I want to have a child with this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?
#3. You pick the wrong person because the man doesn't understand what a woman needs most.
Men and women have unique emotional needs, and more often than not, it is the man who just doesn't "get it." Tradition places the onus on the man to understand the emotional needs of a woman and to satisfy them.
The unique need of a woman is to be loved -- to feel that she is the most important person in her husband's life. The husband needs to give her consistent, quality attention.
This is most apparent in The Good Book's approach to intimacy. The Good Book obligates the husband to meet the intimate needs of his wife. Intimacy is always on the woman's terms. Men are goal-oriented, especially when it comes this area. As a wise woman once pointed out, "Men have two speeds: on and off." Women are experience-oriented. When a man is able to switch gears and become more experience-oriented, he will discover what makes his wife very happy. When the man forgets about his own needs and focuses on giving his wife pleasure, amazing things happen.
#4. You choose the wrong person because you do not share a common life goals and priorities.
There are three basic ways we connect with another person:
1. chemistry and compatibility
2. share common interests
3. share common life goal
Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life goals provide. After marriage, the two of you will either grow together or grow apart. To avoid growing apart, you must figure out what you're "living for," while you're single -- and then find someone who has come to the same conclusion as you.
This is the true definition of a "soul mate." A soul mate is a goal mate -- two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life's purpose and therefore share the same priorities, values and goals.
#5. You choose the wrong person because you get intimately involved too quickly.
Intimacy before the commitment of marriage can be a big problem because it often precludes a fully honest exploration of important issues. Physical involvement tends to cloud one's mind. And a clouded mind is not inclined to make good decisions.
It is not necessary to take a "test drive" in order to find out if a couple is physically compatible. If you do your homework and make sure you are intellectually and emotionally compatible, you don't have to worry about it. Of all the studies done on divorce, incompatibility in the intimate arena is almost never cited as a main reason why people divorce.
#6. You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper emotional connection with this person.
To evaluate whether you have a deeper emotional connection or not, ask: "Do I respect and admire this person?"
This does not mean, "Am I impressed by this person?" We are impressed by a Mercedes. We do not respect someone because they own a Mercedes. You should be impressed by qualities of creativity, loyalty, determination, etc.
Also ask: "Do I trust this person?" This also means, "Is he/she emotionally stable? Do I feel I can rely on him/her?
#7. You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you don't feel emotionally safe.
Ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel calm, peaceful and relaxed with this person? Can I fully be myself and express myself with this person? Does this person make me feel good about myself? Do you have a really close friend who does make you feel this way? Make sure the person you marry makes you feel the same way!
Are you afraid of this person in any way? You should not feel you need to monitor what you say because you are afraid of how the other person will view it. If you're afraid to express your feelings and opinions openly, there's a problem with the relationship.
Another aspect of feeling safe is that you don't feel the other person is trying to control you. Controlling behaviors are a sign of an abusive person. Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. There's a big difference between "controlling" and "making suggestions." A suggestion is made for your benefit; a control statement is made for their benefit.
#8. You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the table.
Anything that bothers you about the relationship must be brought up for discussion. Bringing up the uncomfortable stuff is the only way to evaluate how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together. Over the course of a lifetime, difficulties will inevitably arise. You need to know now, before making a commitment: Can you resolve your differences and find compromises that work for both of you?
Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you. This is also a way for you to test how vulnerable you can be with this person. If you can't be vulnerable, then you can't be intimate. The two go hand in hand.
#9. You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness.
If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married, too. Marriage does not fix personal, psychological and emotional problems. If anything, marriage will exacerbate them.
If you are not happy with yourself and your life, take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. You'll feel better, and your future spouse will thank you.
#10. You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in a triangle.
To be "triangulated" means a person is emotionally dependent on someone or something else while trying to develop another relationship. A person who hasn't separated from his or her parents is the classic example of triangulation. People can also be triangulated with things as well, such as work, drugs, Internet, hobbies, sports or money.
Be careful that you and your partner are free of triangles. The person caught in the triangle cannot be fully emotionally available to you. You will not be their number one priority. And that's no basis for a marriage.
------------------------------
With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making a serious mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. To avoid becoming a "statistic," try to internalize these 10 insights.
#1. You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married.
The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule is, if you can't be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don't get married. As a colleague of mine so wisely put it, "You actually can expect people to change after their married... for the worst!"
So when it comes to the other person's spirituality, character, personal hygiene, communication skills, and personal habits, make sure you can live with these as they are now.
#2. You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than on character.
Chemistry ignites the fire, but good character keeps it burning. Beware of the "I'm in love" syndrome. "I'm in love" often means, "I'm in lust." Attraction is there, but have you carefully checked out this person's character?
Here are four character traits to definitely check for:
Humility: Does this person believe that "doing the right thing" is more important than personal comfort?
Kindness: Does this person enjoy giving pleasure to other people? How does s/he treat people s/he doesn't have to be nice to? Does s/he do volunteer work? Give charity?
Responsibility: Can I depend on this person to do what s/he says s/he's going to do?
Happiness: Does this person like himself? Does s/he enjoy life? Is s/he emotionally stable?
Ask yourself: Do I want to be more like this person? Do I want to have a child with this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?
#3. You pick the wrong person because the man doesn't understand what a woman needs most.
Men and women have unique emotional needs, and more often than not, it is the man who just doesn't "get it." Tradition places the onus on the man to understand the emotional needs of a woman and to satisfy them.
The unique need of a woman is to be loved -- to feel that she is the most important person in her husband's life. The husband needs to give her consistent, quality attention.
This is most apparent in The Good Book's approach to intimacy. The Good Book obligates the husband to meet the intimate needs of his wife. Intimacy is always on the woman's terms. Men are goal-oriented, especially when it comes this area. As a wise woman once pointed out, "Men have two speeds: on and off." Women are experience-oriented. When a man is able to switch gears and become more experience-oriented, he will discover what makes his wife very happy. When the man forgets about his own needs and focuses on giving his wife pleasure, amazing things happen.
#4. You choose the wrong person because you do not share a common life goals and priorities.
There are three basic ways we connect with another person:
1. chemistry and compatibility
2. share common interests
3. share common life goal
Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life goals provide. After marriage, the two of you will either grow together or grow apart. To avoid growing apart, you must figure out what you're "living for," while you're single -- and then find someone who has come to the same conclusion as you.
This is the true definition of a "soul mate." A soul mate is a goal mate -- two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life's purpose and therefore share the same priorities, values and goals.
#5. You choose the wrong person because you get intimately involved too quickly.
Intimacy before the commitment of marriage can be a big problem because it often precludes a fully honest exploration of important issues. Physical involvement tends to cloud one's mind. And a clouded mind is not inclined to make good decisions.
It is not necessary to take a "test drive" in order to find out if a couple is physically compatible. If you do your homework and make sure you are intellectually and emotionally compatible, you don't have to worry about it. Of all the studies done on divorce, incompatibility in the intimate arena is almost never cited as a main reason why people divorce.
#6. You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper emotional connection with this person.
To evaluate whether you have a deeper emotional connection or not, ask: "Do I respect and admire this person?"
This does not mean, "Am I impressed by this person?" We are impressed by a Mercedes. We do not respect someone because they own a Mercedes. You should be impressed by qualities of creativity, loyalty, determination, etc.
Also ask: "Do I trust this person?" This also means, "Is he/she emotionally stable? Do I feel I can rely on him/her?
#7. You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you don't feel emotionally safe.
Ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel calm, peaceful and relaxed with this person? Can I fully be myself and express myself with this person? Does this person make me feel good about myself? Do you have a really close friend who does make you feel this way? Make sure the person you marry makes you feel the same way!
Are you afraid of this person in any way? You should not feel you need to monitor what you say because you are afraid of how the other person will view it. If you're afraid to express your feelings and opinions openly, there's a problem with the relationship.
Another aspect of feeling safe is that you don't feel the other person is trying to control you. Controlling behaviors are a sign of an abusive person. Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. There's a big difference between "controlling" and "making suggestions." A suggestion is made for your benefit; a control statement is made for their benefit.
#8. You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the table.
Anything that bothers you about the relationship must be brought up for discussion. Bringing up the uncomfortable stuff is the only way to evaluate how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together. Over the course of a lifetime, difficulties will inevitably arise. You need to know now, before making a commitment: Can you resolve your differences and find compromises that work for both of you?
Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you. This is also a way for you to test how vulnerable you can be with this person. If you can't be vulnerable, then you can't be intimate. The two go hand in hand.
#9. You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness.
If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married, too. Marriage does not fix personal, psychological and emotional problems. If anything, marriage will exacerbate them.
If you are not happy with yourself and your life, take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. You'll feel better, and your future spouse will thank you.
#10. You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in a triangle.
To be "triangulated" means a person is emotionally dependent on someone or something else while trying to develop another relationship. A person who hasn't separated from his or her parents is the classic example of triangulation. People can also be triangulated with things as well, such as work, drugs, Internet, hobbies, sports or money.
Be careful that you and your partner are free of triangles. The person caught in the triangle cannot be fully emotionally available to you. You will not be their number one priority. And that's no basis for a marriage.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
ALL About ChristMas
Christmas Trees
In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.
It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.
Christmas Stockings
According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood.
The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman's house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company, department store operators, had been purchasing and distributing children's coloring books as Christmas gifts for their customers for several years. In 1939, Montgomery Ward tapped one of their own employees to create a book for them, thus saving money. 34-year old copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1939, and 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. Despite the wartime paper shortage, over 6 million copies had been distributed by 1946.
May drew in part on the story "The Ugly Duckling" and in part from his own experiences as an often taunted, small, frail youth to create the story of the misfit reindeer. Though Rollo and Reginald were considered, May settled on Rudolph as his reindeer's name.
Writing in verse as a series of rhyming couplets, May tested the story as he went along on his 4-year old daughter Barbara, who loved the story
Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays deeply in debt due to medical bills. However, he was able to persuade Sewell Avery, Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to turn the copyright over to him in January 1947, thus ensuring May's financial security.
May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947 and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story was shown in theaters. When May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenomenon was born. Turned down by many musical artists afraid to contend with the legend of Santa Claus, the song was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The song sold two million copies that year, going on to become one of the best-selling songs of all time, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". The 1964 television special about Rudolph, narrated by Burl Ives, remains a holiday favorite to this day and Rudolph himself has become a much-loved Christmas icon.
The Candy cane
It was not long after Europeans began using Christmas trees that special decorations were used to adorn them. Food items, such as candies and cookies, were used predominately and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation. Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe.
According to the National Confectioner's Association, in 1847 German immigrant August Imgard used the candy cane to decorate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. More than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes as treats for family, friends and local shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a machine in the 1950s that automated the production of candy canes, thus eliminating the usual laborious process of creating the treats and the popularity of the candy cane grew.
More recent explanations of the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for these notions does not exist, they have become increasingly common and at times are even represented as fact. Regardless, the candy cane remains a favorite holiday treat and decoration.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace.
Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.
Santa Claus
The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas' popularity throughout Europe.
His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop's mitre.
In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors, in France he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium the patron of children and travellers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.
After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.
In 1822 Clement C. Moore composed the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, published as The Night Before Christmas as a gift for his children. In it, he portrays Santa Claus:
He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
Other countries feature different gift-bearers for the Christmas or Advent season: La Befana in Italy ~ The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico ~ Christkindl or the Christ Child in Switzerland and Austria ~ Father Christmas in England ~ and Pere Noël, Father Christmas or the Christ Child in France. Still, the figure of Santa Claus as a jolly, benevolent, plump man in a red suit described in Moore's poem remains with us today and is recognized by children and adults alike around the world.
In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.
It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.
Christmas Stockings
According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood.
The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman's house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company, department store operators, had been purchasing and distributing children's coloring books as Christmas gifts for their customers for several years. In 1939, Montgomery Ward tapped one of their own employees to create a book for them, thus saving money. 34-year old copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1939, and 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. Despite the wartime paper shortage, over 6 million copies had been distributed by 1946.
May drew in part on the story "The Ugly Duckling" and in part from his own experiences as an often taunted, small, frail youth to create the story of the misfit reindeer. Though Rollo and Reginald were considered, May settled on Rudolph as his reindeer's name.
Writing in verse as a series of rhyming couplets, May tested the story as he went along on his 4-year old daughter Barbara, who loved the story
Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays deeply in debt due to medical bills. However, he was able to persuade Sewell Avery, Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to turn the copyright over to him in January 1947, thus ensuring May's financial security.
May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947 and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story was shown in theaters. When May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenomenon was born. Turned down by many musical artists afraid to contend with the legend of Santa Claus, the song was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The song sold two million copies that year, going on to become one of the best-selling songs of all time, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". The 1964 television special about Rudolph, narrated by Burl Ives, remains a holiday favorite to this day and Rudolph himself has become a much-loved Christmas icon.
The Candy cane
It was not long after Europeans began using Christmas trees that special decorations were used to adorn them. Food items, such as candies and cookies, were used predominately and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation. Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe.
According to the National Confectioner's Association, in 1847 German immigrant August Imgard used the candy cane to decorate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. More than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes as treats for family, friends and local shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a machine in the 1950s that automated the production of candy canes, thus eliminating the usual laborious process of creating the treats and the popularity of the candy cane grew.
More recent explanations of the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for these notions does not exist, they have become increasingly common and at times are even represented as fact. Regardless, the candy cane remains a favorite holiday treat and decoration.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace.
Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.
Santa Claus
The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas' popularity throughout Europe.
His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop's mitre.
In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors, in France he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium the patron of children and travellers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.
After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.
In 1822 Clement C. Moore composed the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, published as The Night Before Christmas as a gift for his children. In it, he portrays Santa Claus:
He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
Other countries feature different gift-bearers for the Christmas or Advent season: La Befana in Italy ~ The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico ~ Christkindl or the Christ Child in Switzerland and Austria ~ Father Christmas in England ~ and Pere Noël, Father Christmas or the Christ Child in France. Still, the figure of Santa Claus as a jolly, benevolent, plump man in a red suit described in Moore's poem remains with us today and is recognized by children and adults alike around the world.
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