Stars, Kairos, and Indonesia Emas 2045

An original handcrafted piece made by the artist Samuel Afrido, a close friend of the author. (Gambar ini merupakan karya asli yang dibuat secara manual oleh seniman Samuel Afrido, seorang teman dekat penulis.)

I was looking at the stars, gazing from afar. I found them so mesmerizing that my mind wandered, asking, "How can the stars be that beautiful?” Then I thought, some people might say that I’ll never know if I don’t go and find out on my own. I tend to agree with that thought—maybe I had to chase them so I could see them up close.

This article I’m writing is just for fun. I have no other intention but to share a little story of my own. Speaking of stars, I’m the kind of person who has a deep fascination with them—or, to put it more broadly, with outer space itself. Based on the books I’ve read, it almost seems like I wanted to be an astronaut at some point. I wanted to embark on a journey, a real adventure, just to reach the stars. But now, I’m a grown man. I have enough understanding to realize that I can’t really fulfill that childhood dream.

Dreams. I started thinking about what they really mean. These days, the phrase "chasing the stars” seems to carry a different meaning for me. At first, I literally meant the stars in space, but now, stars symbolize dreams, life goals—things I need to chase. It’s as if the stars I once longed for have been replaced by something else. But that’s life, and I can’t complain.

I’m no longer a boy dreaming of reaching the stars. Well, I’m still the same person, but my stars have changed. Now, as a grown man, I’m chasing a different dream: the pursuit of freedom. I believe freedom is something every human desires, especially every grown man in this world. For me, freedom means peace and joy—the ability to do what I truly want. And you? What do you desire? Do you think the same way I do?

Now, let’s set aside the stars and talk about something more profound. I’d like to share something valuable that I learned from a book I read. It was a book about Greek history, and I came across a word that resonated deeply with me—Kairos. Kairos means "the right time." I’ve come to believe that time has its own will. The right time isn’t measured in minutes or hours—it’s about recognizing the right moment, the chance we have to roll our dice and seize an opportunity.

To put it simply, let’s talk about momentum. People often say that everything in life has its momentum. Whether you believe it or not, momentum is the real-life example of kairos. Imagine an eagle soaring high in the sky. When it suddenly dives sharply to catch a fish at the water’s surface, that moment is its kairos—its perfect timing.

Speaking of kairos, I believe Indonesia is approaching its own. Indonesia Emas 2045 is a vision—one that carries the hope of a nation striving for greatness. By 2045, Indonesia aims to become a developed country, a nation with a strong economy, global influence, and a just society. But here’s the real question: Are we ready to seize the moment?

This is the time for us, the younger generation, to step forward. We can’t just sit back and watch history unfold before us. We must be the force that drives this nation forward—the thinkers, the innovators, the doers. Our dreams and ambitions are no longer just about ourselves; they are about Indonesia as a whole.

The journey to 2045 won’t be easy. It requires resilience, vision, and an unshakable belief in our potential. Like an eagle waiting for the perfect moment to strike, we must prepare ourselves, sharpen our skills, and embrace the challenges ahead. We must set our plans so that when the momentum comes, we don’t hesitate—we take flight.

I’m no longer chasing the stars in the sky. Now, I’m chasing a different kind of star—the dream of seeing Indonesia shine. And I hope you are too.

The question is—are you ready to make history?