Today, November 10, 2023, is commemorated as National Heroes Day in Indonesia.
A hero is someone who has made a significant contribution.
If someone wants to be designated as a National Hero in Indonesia, there are several criteria outlined in Law regarding Titles, Medals, and Honorary Titles.
It is mentioned that there are at least six specific requirements that can make someone a hero.
Among them are having led and fought for the achievement and defense of independence, never surrendering, giving birth to significant ideas or thoughts that support the development of the nation and state, and many more.
In essence, a hero is someone who has made a significant contribution.
Great contributions.
On that day, November 10, 1945, in Surabaya — my hometown — there was a significant battle between the Indonesian people united against the colonizers.
This war involved the invader against the fighters in Surabaya.
The battle took place over three days from October 28–30, 1945, and also on November 10, 1945. In the end, the Indonesian fighters emerged victorious.
They won, but at the cost of many lives.
This event led to the establishment of November 10 as National Heroes Day, designated in 1956 by President Soekarno.
But that’s what heroes do. They make great sacrifices.
They sacrifice themselves, sacrificing their comfort to fight for a common goal.
A noble goal, to free themselves from the colonizers.
Currently, wars are raging in various places. Personally, I pray and contribute according to my capacity.
May the ongoing wars end soon, reminding us that we are all human.
The hero’s cycle.
Through the stories I mentioned earlier, I see a cycle of a hero.
There’s difficulty, struggle, and victory. That’s what makes someone a hero.
In the stories I mentioned, difficulties arose when there were colonizers trying to seize independence.
Then, the heroes fought against these challenges. Of course, it wasn’t easy, but they emerged victorious.
That’s what makes them deserving of the title of hero.
This cycle doesn’t only exist in Indonesia. It exists in all societal stories.
Historical figures like Joan of Arc, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela had their difficulties, struggles, and victories.
Legendary stories like King Arthur, Robin Hood, Sun Wukong (Monkey King) also had their difficulties, struggles, and victories.
Children’s stories like Peter Pan, Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland also had their difficulties, struggles, and victories.
Likewise, some classic stories like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or fantasy superheroes like the Avengers, Justice League, or anime like One Piece, Naruto, and others.
Difficulties, struggles, and victories.
That’s what often happens.
And it’s this cycle of stories that gives birth to a hero.
About us.
So, what about you? About ourselves?
Do you feel that your life is difficult? Perhaps you’re in the process of being forged into a hero.
Do you feel that many of your struggles have yet to bear fruit? Perhaps you’re in the process of becoming a hero.
The difficulties we face, be it in work, career, education, business, and so on.
The fears we experience, economic conditions, less harmonious family environments, and so on.
Maybe these are twists and turns to help us metamorphose into a hero.
Who knows, perhaps God places these difficulties so that we can grow.
Becoming a hero in our own story.
Perhaps, we are heroes in our own story.
Conclusion
Who is a hero? Anyone who experiences difficulty, struggles, and triumphs.
So, don’t forget to keep fighting and strive for victory. Seek that triumph.
This is a reminder to myself: Don’t give up. We fight for today and tomorrow.
I hope this article is helpful!
If you have any questions, please write them below, and let’s discuss.
I wish you all well.
Copyright disclaimer
All of this writing is the result of the thoughts of Samuel Dimas Suryono (samueldim). This writing can be reproduced in different forms with the permission of the author. If you want to reproduce it, please clearly state the source as “samueldim.com” or “@samueldim” or “Samuel Dimas Suryono.” Thank you!
