Pak Arif's Musings

Pak Arif's Musings

Oh, what a lot I’ve enjoyed in life but what I could tell, write down is so small, still less about what, how, I really enjoyed, felt about it.

I also endured a lot of miseries, unhappiness, disappointments, sorrow, distress. I’ve forgiven all my sins, trespasses, faults, misbehavior, … I don’t repent, don’t chide, blame myself anymore for what I’d done before, I’m not ashamed of my foolishness, blunders, …. I wont apologize, wont ask forgiveness and whosoever wants to get even with me for wrongs, offenses do so without any scruples.

As I'm over 80 by now, have I become more courageous.

I owe responsibility to no one, anyone, not God except myself.

I am no one's master, teacher and have no master, teacher to obey, not even God, except willingly.

Should I hide this in order for you to love or like me? That's my philosophy.

So said pak Arif to me.

Aren't you shocked, scared with such irreverent thoughts? I'm myself scared to scare you with such thoughts. Could you still like, love me, rather then leave me were you my faithful "liker"?

August 2009

February 2013

Beauty

Beauty

How should I capture her? I saw Beauty in Piggy’s somewhat malformed eyes, so truly, so loving, - how can I not love her, my doggy? - in relationships of mother and child, between lovers, husband and wife, ...

I could see, or find, or feel, or hear her; in a weed, a twig, a breeze, an embrace, in someone’s writing, thoughts, ... and in music which touches the heart, the soul, not just brilliant virtuosity or a beautiful voice.

What is writing other than painting in words and mine are but sketches. I try to capture her in writing my thoughts, feelings, my philosophy, that is philosophy with a grain of salt, in my pictures, recordings and when I don’t succeed, I am to blame. 

Beauty is as a butterfly, she is so elusive, so wonderful.

Revealing beauty in writing, painting, singing, ... in whatever you pursue is somewhat like revealing heaven, you know? That’s my philosophy.

January 2013

A Mother's Love

A Mother‘s Love

“You are so rude, rude, rude. Why do you refuse your mama to force a kiss on you?” while she caught, held her little daughter tight in her arms, she couldn’t wriggle herself free as her mother kissed her, not just one, but many kisses.

So you husbands and wives, remember, to also force a kiss on each other or command: "kiss me”, or steal you a kiss, that is, if you still have any love left to surprise and make each other happy.

 

January 2013

Credo I Most Love

Credo I Most Love

This is the credo I most love and wish to share with you. We enjoy singing this song, though not faultless, rather than reciting together the lifeless credo during a church service.

So wrote the choir Conductor to his sister in The Netherlands.  

 

I Believe

 

I Believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows

I Believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows

I Believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way

I Believe above the storm the smallest pray'r will still be heard

I Believe that someone in the great somewhere, hears every word

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the sky

Then I know why I believe.

 

Words and music: Drake, Graham, Shirl, Stillman

 

January 2013

I'd Rather Like The World To Be Imperfect

I’d Rather Like The World To Be Imperfect

What I mean is, to be in harmony, that there are still disasters, famine, sickness, sorrow, ... beside blessings. Moreover, we know, experience the joys, happiness of sharing, of helping, to feel like brothers, ...

I imagine, picture a perfect world, in perfect order to be very dull, were there no accidents, no flood, no fire, ... no excitement. What is there to share were food abundant, to rescue were there no disasters, ...?

What is happiness without sorrow, life without death, what is heaven without hell?

I am so happy, grateful, though I’m so human, no genius, hero, saint, though I look like a scarecrow, ... I have a lot of weaknesses, oh, especially for women, despite I am a married man and sinners are so kin to me.

January 2013

Christmas Not On Christmas Day

Christmas Not On Christmas Day

This is the joy of “banjir” (flood) who kept us in the dark,

 

January 2013

You Are My Little Star

 You Are My “Schonster Stern”

Who is it?

It’s none of your business. Ha. Ha.

January 2013