I will not close my eyes, neither those in my head nor those in my soul, as the ship carries me away, along with my future, my dreams, and my beliefs. Buru Island is no happy land somewhere; it's but a way station on my journey in life—though to believe even that much will require no small measure of hope.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a determination to remain aware and hopeful despite life's journey and its challenges.
In this quote, Pramoedya Ananta Toer emphasizes the importance of staying conscious and hopeful as one navigates through life's journey. He acknowledges that while Buru Island may not be an ultimate destination of happiness, it serves as a pivotal point in his life where hope and belief sustain him amidst trials and uncertainties.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to inspire resilience in the face of challenges.
Do not underestimate the human being, who sometimes appears so simple. Even with sight as sharp as an eagle, a mind as sharp as a razor, senses more powerful than gods, hearing that can catch the music and the lamentations of life, your knowledge of humanity will never be total.
Life is made up not necessarily of great sacrifices or high-level duties but of little things. The smiles, the kindnesses, the commitments and obligations and responsibilities that are given habitually and lovingly are the blessings that win and preserve the heart and bring comfort to one's self as we as to others. This is the ministry of service performed by every useful life.
Everybody knows that everybody dies. But not every day. Not today. Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives.
Life's too short to hang out with people who aren't resourceful.
We're only truly secure when we can look out our kitchen window and see our food growing and our friends working nearby.
Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive.
You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories.
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