Warmth We Leave Behind

Latif hopes to be remembered simply: as someone warm, easy to talk to, and cheerful. More than anything he does, he wants people to leave an encounter with him carrying a good feeling.

He feels most like himself around family and close friends—the people who allow him to be completely at ease, where his personality can come through naturally.

 

Scents That Feel Like Home

For Latif, home has always had a scent.

There is sandalwood, reminding him of his mother and grandmother—their warmth, their gentle words, and the small pieces of sandalwood that were always kept in the cupboard. Even when traveling, a sandalwood fan would come along, carrying a familiar piece of home with him.

Then there is tuberose, blooming around the house and filling the rooms in the afternoon with its soft, calming fragrance.

And ylang-ylang, growing in the garden, its scent carried into the house whenever the wind passed through.

Different scents, but the same feeling: warmth, comfort, and the feeling of returning home.

Latif's reminiscence of scents of home:  sandalwood, tuberose, and ylangylang

 

A Moment to Pause

When life feels overwhelming, Latif has learned to slow down in simple ways.

Sometimes, it is just a cup of coffee and a quiet moment to himself. To let the day settle, reflect on what has happened, and think about what lies ahead.

He doesn't need to escape completely. Sometimes, he simply needs enough stillness to hear his own thoughts again.

 

Staying in Step with the World

Latif doesn't believe in shutting himself away from the world's constant movement. He watches, learns, and stays aware of what is happening around him.

But he also knows what to take in and what to leave behind.

The changes around him become motivation to grow, while the things that no longer serve him are allowed to pass. For Latif, staying connected to himself means learning how to move with the world without losing his own direction.

 

Where the World Gets Quiet

For Latif, few places offer the same sense of peace as nature.

Mountains, waterfalls, and beaches give him room to breathe. His recent journey to Baduy Dalam stayed with him especially. Twelve hours of walking may have been demanding, but the quietness, beauty, and sense of comfort made every step worth it.

Sometimes, peace is something you have to walk toward.

Latif's recent journey to the village of Baduy Dalam 

 

The Kindness He Learned

Much of Latif's understanding of kindness comes from his mother.

She taught him to keep a generous heart—to help others, to make people around her feel happy, and not to answer hurt with more hurt.

“Don't return bad with bad.”

“Jangan balas kejahatan dengan kejahatan lagi.”

It is a simple lesson, but one that continues to shape the way Latif sees people.

A friend who continues working and caring for her family despite facing her own struggles has also become an inspiration to him—a reminder that strength can be quiet, persistent, and deeply human.

Latif and his parents

 

The Beauty of Staying Connected

Latif finds beauty in something that can easily be overlooked: connection without expectation.

Gotong royong. Silaturahmi. Showing up for one another.

In a world where these can sometimes feel like ordinary social customs, he sees something deeper—a way of caring for one another that is beautiful precisely because it is so human.

 

Current Chapter: Beginning Again

Today, Latif finds himself starting again.

He is learning to care without overextending himself, to give without expecting too much in return, and to become less concerned with how others choose to see him.

Instead, his attention is turning toward his professional life, his family, and the things that genuinely make him happy.

Perhaps that is what this chapter is teaching him: we cannot always control the warmth others receive from us, but we can choose the warmth we leave behind.

 

Along the Way is a conversation series by Bentala that celebrates every person we cross paths with on this journey of life. Through honest and meaningful dialogues, we explore the memories, values, and quiet moments that subtly shape who we are today. Because inspiration doesn't always come from extraordinary lives. Sometimes, it comes from people simply learning to live more truthfully, one step at a time.