Living Life Enthusiastically
Published at Aspensi.com, June 23, 2012
http://aspensi.com/views/2012/06/23/1239/1307000-book-review-living-life-enthusiastically
The
title above was inspired by Sansan’s experience (p. 374). At the
beginning, her daughter was normal. Then, she was infected by a certain
virus. Suddenly, her beloved baby became deaf.
However,
Sansan was not giving up. She even brought Gwen (her baby’s name) to
Australia. Sansan was forced to be apart from her husband. Therefore,
she became a single mother. She continued study to pursue S2 (Master)
degree.
Sansan took Special Education subject. A
faculty in which studying the education for children with special need.
Sansan was very discipline in managing time. How to go to college,
work on the task given by the lecturers, complete the household duties,
and of course take care Gwen.
Based on her experiences, she wrote an inspiring book, I Can (Not) Hear.
Sansan shared her knowledge to public. Especially, how to facilitate
the learning process of children with special need. Therefore, future
generation can achieve an equal opportunity in education.
From
the true story above, Sidik Nugroho wanted to say one message.
Sacrifice, effort, gratitude, and submission must be in a balance.
Since, people tend to be passive in dealing with life’s challenges.
They
avoid to work hard because of an old saying, “… everything has already
destined by God”. Yet, this is just an excuse to hide her/his
laziness.
Point of View
This
book also appealed the readers to shift point of view. Once upon a
time, a young teenager felt his life was nothing. Perhaps, he had
rejected by a girl. In the midst of desperation, he went to meet a
spiritual mentor.
The wise man listened to the pupil.
After the boy satisfied outpouring his feeling, then it’s time for the
master to speak up, “Son, please bring me a spoonful of salt. Then, mix
them into a glass of water and drink it!”
This boy obeyed the instruction. “How does it taste?” The master asked. “Piuuuh! It’s very salty!“ the student replied while spouted the water out from his mouth.
After
that, the master traveled with the student to the edge of a very vast
lake. The water was so clear and fresh. The master asked the pupil
again, “Please dissolve a spoonful of salt into the lake and stir it
with a bamboo. Then, drink a cup of water from the lake!”
“The water is so fresh. It’s not salty at all,” the student answered with bright shinning eyes.
Through
this simple story (p. 232)”, Nugroho told the reader to have a heart
as wide as a lake. Because people who have a narrow one, every little
thing shall cause stress and depression within him/her.
Porong
citizens’ spirit can be a role model. Although since May 2006 they has
not accept any compensations yet, they still persisted to survive.
Moreover, they even become more creative.
Those victims
transformed mud disaster – which was flooded 10,000 homes, dozens
plants, as well as schools building from elementary to high school –
into a tourism venue. Many tourists from all over Indonesia, even
foreign country flocked to see this giant mudflow (p. 281).
It is similar with the community at the slopes of Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta. They made the house of Mbah Maridjan (RIP) in Kinahrejo village as a place of pilgrimage.
Hopefully,
these grass roots’ initiatives reminded the officials to fulfill the
promise. By substituting all dead cows and cattle. Building some
temporary shelters and setting up permanent residence for those people.
Romantic
The book also told a romantic story. Every morning, Mbah Khatijah presented a cup of hot tea. Her husband’s name is Mbah Setyowikromo. He worked as a charcoal seller. Both of them lived in the hamlet at Suko village. It was 40 km from Gudeg City. The income in average is IDR 2,000 – 5,000/day. This profession has been occupied since the Dutch era.
Interestingly, when selling charcoal in the Gudeg City, Mbah
Setyowikromo has never bought any food. Indeed, he only ate once – it
was always his wife own cooking - usually in the evening.
The wife sold some teak leaves (daun jati)
in the traditional market. With this kind of modest life, they could
save money in a bamboo. Therefore, when there was a neighbor who
conducted a celebration, they can give an envelope containing IDR
20,000 – 25,000-. “We do not want to eat food if has not paid yet,”
said Mbah Khatijah (p. 161).
Through this true story,
the author told the readers to reflect themselves. A person’s dignity
is not only determined by his/her wealth and fame. It depended on every
drop of sweat to gain the bliss of life.
Nowadays, a
lot of government officers and the legislative members gaining money by
unconventional (read: corruption) way. Indeed, hard work and honesty
are two universal formulas to be successful. There are no shortcuts by
robbing people’s budget.
Sidik Nugroho wrote the book
in relatively long period, from 2003-2011 (8 years). It was consisted
of 366 reflections. Just like a hunger healers menu, one day for one
reflection. Therefore, it can be consumed for a full year. The sources
were very diverse. For examples, from books, movies, interaction in the
class, until an encounter with a madman in a coffee shop.
Writing
There
is an inspiring story taken from a biography of Stephen King’s: On
Writing. As a child, he has been able to write a story. It was about
Mr. Rabbit Trick. This main character became a leader of 4 magical
animals. Every day, they work providing assistance to children in the
small village.
Stephen, then, gave the manuscript to
his mother. The mother was very impressed. She was encouraging him with
some payment. She paid 25 cents for every story that was written by
little King. Of course, this increases her son motivation to keep on
writing.
In a short time, he wrote 4 more stories.
Those had same main character. “Four stories, 25 cents for each. That
is my 1st reward in this business,” Stephen King admitted in his
memoirs (p. 107).
Indeed, King’s mother did not only
teach his son about mercenary. According to Sidik, Stephen was very
lucky. Since, his mother appreciated his efforts and creativity from
very early age.
The author classified the material
according to the key events. For example, some educational writings, he
put in May. Due the celebration of National Education Day (2 May).
While the material about Love, of course in February. Then, the theme
of Nationalism at August (17).
Podium’s Lion
Sukarno
was arrested by the Dutch at 1929. Because of the speeches of Bung
Karno which was considered very dangerous. While this head of PNI
(Indonesian National Party) stood in front of the people, he could
anesthetized the audiences as well awakened the spirit to achieve
independence.
No wonder if this Indonesian 1st
President was called the Podium’s Lion. While arresting in the jail,
Bung Karno kept on fighting. The mediums were some papers and a single
pen. He wrote a pledge for one and a half months.
Pad
of the paper where he wrote was a potty. Yes, it was a disposal for
urine and feces. Later, the hand written was compiled as a book. The
title is Indonesia Menggugat or Indonesia Protesting (p. 235).
Ready to Win, Ready to Lose
As
an elementary school teacher at SD Pembangunan Jaya 2 Sidoarjo, Sidik
Nugroho has a lot of experiences while interacting with his students.
He also shared an inspiring story.
After the teaching
session, the authors often conducted a quiz. From guessing the song’s
title – by referring to the tunes which was played with a guitar –
until a quiz related to the material that was given previously.
Indeed,
it was similar with the adults; children were also not ready to accept
the defeat. Even, some of them were crying aloud when his/her group
was lost. The solution was by writing, “Ready to Win, Ready to Lose!”
on the blackboard.
Therefore, at the end of every quiz,
the teacher pointed to the front of the class. All students shouted
together – both the losing and winning sides – reading the previous
agreement.
One weakness of this book was the lack of
table of content. Therefore, the reader is rather difficult to find a
particular reflection.
Nevertheless, this 384 pages
book can be an oasis in the middle of the routines’ desert. I can not
agree more with Nugroho Sidik’s opinion, “One of the reasons to keep
our spirit up in this life is by awaking a beautiful memory.” Happy
reading!
Book title: 366 Reflections of Life (Kisah-kisah Kehidupan yang Meneduhkan Hati)
Author: Sidik Nugroho
Editor: Leo Paramadita G
Published by Bhuana Ilmu Populer (2012), Jakarta, Indonesia
384 pages
ISBN: 10:979-074-893-4
Price: IDR 54,000
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