In Loving Remembrance Of My Dearest Father, Daulat Hasudungan Ambarita "Your love, guidance, and wisdom remain with me, always."

 

The Day I Found Myself

MARATHON, 1994

Some moments are not just memories  they are turning points.
Moments that leave a mark so deep that every choice we make afterward seems to trace back to them.
For me, that moment happened in 1994, by the calm shores of Lake Toba.

That year, I stood among the nation’s best, competing in a national marathon and 50-kilometer cycling race during the Lake Toba Festival. The event was graced by the Minister of Sports, the Minister of Tourism, and the Governor of North Sumatra.

I crossed the finish line in second place  a victory celebrated not just by me but by everyone who had believed in me. I received a certificate of achievement, a medal, and five million rupiah in prize money,  a considerable sum in those days, equivalent to around thirty-six million rupiah today.

Soon after, I was invited by the Minister of Sports to represent North Sumatra in the National Sports Week (PON). Along with that invitation came a scholarship and a guaranteed education in Surabaya a future neatly laid out before me.

But I turned it down.

Not because I was ungrateful.
Not because I was afraid.
But because something inside me whispered: This is not your path.

My father and mother respect my decision. 

Even now, years later, I smile when I think back to that day.
It was more than a race.
It was the moment I discovered who I was  and who I was meant to be.

Life, I have learned, is not simply about winning or losing. It is about listening to the voice deep within and daring to choose the road it calls us to take.

That race taught me that every experience, even those we leave behind, becomes part of the flavor of life. It gave me the courage to follow my calling  not toward a life defined by medals and podiums, but toward a life dedicated to humanity.

Whatever I have  my experiences, my knowledge, my strength, even my wounds I have chosen to turn them into a bridge.
A bridge to heal, to restore, and to bring hope to the world into which we were born.

1994 changed me forever.
I discovered myself that year  in the sweat of the race, the burn of the pedals, the pounding of my heart.

By the tranquil shores of Lake Toba, I ran and cycled those 50 kilometers.
I was not just chasing the finish line  I was chasing myself.
And I won.

I remember rushing to tell my father about my victory, my heart leaping with childlike joy. He was so proud that he took me for a ride in his beloved Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop, siren blaring as if the whole city needed to know that his daughter had brought honor to their name.

Without realizing it, I had etched my name into the memory of our hometown.

And so I stood on the national podium  not just as a runner-up, but as someone who had chosen her own destiny.

That choice became the first step into the life I now live  a life guided by purpose, by service, by a relentless desire to make this world just a little better.

A Journey of Integrity and Purpose

My journey began in 1994, a year that marked a turning point in my life. It was then that I made a conscious decision to live boldly, with purpose, and with integrity. I chose a path of exploration — traveling the world, working as a seafarer, and immersing myself in diverse cultures. Each new horizon I encountered opened my mind, strengthened my resolve, and deepened my understanding of humanity.

Over the years, I became increasingly drawn to philanthropy and sustainable development, seeing the profound impact that thoughtful action can have on communities. I dedicated myself to building entrepreneurial ventures rooted in sustainable community development, particularly through agricultural initiatives in Indonesia, where I could merge practical solutions with social responsibility.

At the same time, my passion for the environment grew. I became an environmental activist, earning a license in Environmental Legal Compliance and Management, equipping myself to fight against environmental degradation and advocate for policies that protect our shared planet. I realized that safeguarding the Earth is inseparable from promoting the well-being of humanity — one cannot thrive without the other.

Writing, sharing ideas, and connecting with others through social media became my way of amplifying awareness and inspiring action. I came to understand that true change begins with consciousness, reflection, and courage. Knowledge alone is not enough; it must be paired with commitment and tangible action.

My life is guided by three unwavering pillars:

• Integrity as the foundation of every decision and action.

• Environmental stewardship as the mission that gives meaning and direction.

• Humanity as the ultimate goal that drives every effort.

Through my journey, I strive to protect the Earth, empower communities, and advance humanitarian values. I seek to live a life that not only reflects my principles but also leaves a positive, lasting impact — because I believe that integrity, awareness, and purposeful action are the forces that can shape a better world for generations to come.

Written by:

Ellis Ambarita