Today was one of those Saturdays that felt full in the best way. I joined the Alphasmart Training Session as a Player, hosted by BWI, from 9 AM to 2 PM. Ten trainers and coaches were specially invited as VIP participants, and lucky me, I was one of them. Some of the participants were blogger friends I’ve known since the early days of blogging more than a decade ago, while others I met for the very first time. Every single one radiated positive vibes and genuinely good energy.
The mission of the day was simple but huge: to meet the most important person in our lives: ourselves. Sounds a bit dramatic, right? But oh, it worked.
For two and a half hours, we laughed, we cried, and sometimes we did both at the same time. My big “aha” moment came during my very first card draw: wisdom. At first, I was drawn to the picture of a library (because books, duh), but what I got was a conversation with myself about the meaning of wisdom itself. How reading other people’s thoughts in their books helps me find my own wisdom through my own experiences. And how that wisdom is richer when it’s forged in hardship, more victorious when I’m deep in the valley rather than perched on the mountaintop.
Like the time I read Michelle Obama's book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. That book didn’t just speak to me; it spoke right to my heart. And it happened at the perfect time: smack in the middle of life’s curveballs. Just like that, I got my strength and courage back through every word written. After finishing it, I promised myself I would always keep and carry my own light, so neither I nor the people I love would have to crawl through the dark. That’s the kind of wisdom I’m talking about.
One of the most moving moments came at the closing of the session. Each participant gave a “gift card” to their partner. Not just physically handing it over, but also explaining why we chose that card for them. When my tandem partner received his and I explained why I chose that card, he actually cried. And not the polite “oh my eyes are sweating” kind of cry. This was the real deal; the kind that needs a pause to pull yourself back together. It was one of those moments that made me go, wow, this training is powerful stuff!
After all the deep soul work, it was time for the lighter things: lunch together, photos, videos, and a beautifully prepared box of personalized goodies, complete with my name printed on everything. An agenda, pen, bag, pouch, hourglass, and of course, the AlphaSmart cards to keep playing with. I felt so spoiled. Huge thanks to my dear friend Bunga Mega for inviting me and making sure everything ran like clockwork. Classic INFJ energy :D
The rest of the day stayed delightfully busy. I picked up my youngest and took her to our regular salon for a haircut. My husband and I waited in a coffee shop nearby, playing Uno. Fun, but also hilarious because we weren’t entirely sure of the rules. Every now and then we had to consult ChatGPT, and of course, debate whose interpretation was correct, LOL.
When we got home, my eldest was unloading the dishwasher, which always makes me smile :) I dove into cooking dinner, once again saved by my trusty stash of Titipku frozen ready-to-cook meals. Tonight’s choice: ayam bumbu kuning, which turned out just as good as yesterday’s crispy fried chicken. And you know me: no deep frying here, just my beloved retro mini oven-slash-airfryer. Perfectly crispy, ridiculously tasty, and so good my kids literally licked the seasoning off. Add my go-to ready-to-eat salad, and boom, dinner’s done.
The evening plans didn’t go quite as intended. My daughter’s Schoters tutoring got canceled at the last minute (again), and no Netflix time because my husband was busy finishing his game challenge. So here I am, spending my Saturday night writing this post instead.
Maybe that’s the real win of today: I got to meet myself in the morning, laugh and cry in good company, play games with my husband, eat a dinner everyone loved, and end it all by doing something I love: writing.
When’s the last time you had a real conversation with yourself? Go ahead, draw your own “wisdom” card, whatever that means for you. You might be surprised at what you hear.
Love,
Nuniek
Comments