PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON, A SEASON or A LIFETIME

This past year, I think a lot about the meaning of friendship. There are events lined up that made me wonder, what kind of friends I've got. And what kind of friends who I want to have. What should I do to get them?.

Then this morning I read a poem about a relationships. This poem was quite old and widely spread in cyberspace. Though somehow I just read it now. I guess it's also part of my journey to find the answer of my question.

I think this poem help me evaluate the relationships I have had in my live. Maybe the people I have lost were just put in my live for a reason or a season. Once that reason had been filled, or the season had passed, they have to move on to continue fulfilling their purpose, whether in this world or beyond.

In one case,  the loss of their presence because they have to move beyond this world,  was painful. But  once the mourning and longing for them has passed, I have to be thankful for all of the wonderful things they shared with me, and me with them.

In other case, losing them because of dishonesty and hypocrite, has made me thankful too. Because without them, my life becomes more positive and useful for others.

Here is the poem ( written by no name)

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON, A SEASON or A LIFETIME

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are..
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.


Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.


LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant

Thank you for being a part of my life,
Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

NYC, Kota Seratus Masjid (2)

Islamic Center NYC, Manhattan

Menemukan sesama muslim di jalanan New York ternyata tak sulit. Rangkaian perjumpaan tak sengaja itu sudah dimulai sejak mendarat di bandara internasional JFK. Taksi yang saya naiki menuju hotel di kawasan 1st Avenue Manhattan, ternyata disopiri seorang muslim asal Afrika.

Begitupun dengan sopir taksi yang mengantar ke Grand Central Station. Dia muslim dari Lebanon. Bahkan ketika sedang asyik menikmati gemerlap Times Square, saya sempat kenalan dan ngobrol dengan seorang pegawai bus wisata New York Sightseeing, yang lagi-lagi muslim.

Daftarnya makin panjang bila saya memasukkan pemilik toko-toko souvenir di kawasan China Town dan para penjual hotdog di daerah Queens Boulevard. Mereka adalah bagian dari sekitar 600 ribu warga muslim New York.

Menurut data dari Middle East Institute Columbia University, Islam menjadi salah satu agama dengan perkembangan paling cepat di New York. Selama puluhan tahun, komunitas muslim di Big Apple tumbuh melalui imigrasi dan pemeluk baru. Komunitas ini terdiri berbagai bangsa, ras, aliran, dan kelas sosial.

Seiring pertambahan umat, jumlah masjid yang dibangun makin banyak. Saat ini ada sekitar seratusan masjid yang tersebar di lima wilayah ( borough) New York City. Beraneka rupa bentuknya, ada yang mirip ruko ada pula yang megah lengkap dengan kubah seperti di Islamic Cultural Center of New York di 3rd Avenue Manhattan (satu-satunya masjid yang sempat saya sambangi).

Umumnya pembangunan masjid dilakukan oleh komunitas muslim setempat dengan biaya swadaya dan mengandalkan donasi dari negara-negara muslim lain. Biasanya juga tidak ada penentangan dari masyarakat sekitar. Kecuali pada pembangunan Cordoba House yang dipimpin oleh Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.

Pusat Kebudayaan sekaligus masjid ini akan dibangun di Park 51, dua blok dari Ground Zero. Meski sudah mengantongi seluruh perizinan terkait, kalangan media massa sengaja membuat sensasi dengan menyebutkan Cordoba House akan dibangun tepat di Ground Zero. Alhamdulillah, berkat rangkaian lobi yang dilakukan Imam Feisal, pembangunan Cordoba House akan dimulai pada akhir tahun ini.

Astari Yanuarti