Makna dan Tujuan Hidup

A. Makna dan Tujuan Hidup

            Kehidupan ini mempunyai seribu satu arti dan makna. Kehidupan ini tidak semudah yang disangka oleh golongan yang sambil lalu dan tidak sesusah yang disangka oleh golongan yang tamak dan bergantung kepada dirinya semata-mata. Manusia yang lalai dari hakikat dirinya yang sekedar seorang hamba kepada Tuhannya, secara tidak langsung akan menghadapi kesulitan dalam berinteraksi dengan kehidupan itu sendiri, ini karena apa yang dicari hanyalah kepuasan nafsu diri, kelezatan yang memberi manfaat kepada kepentingan diri sendiri tanpa menghayati makna kehidupan yang lebih sempurna.

            Hidup untuk mempersembahkan segala yang terbaik yaitu yang bermakna untuk dunia dan berarti untuk akhirat, bukan mudah untuk mewujudkan kata-kata tersebut, tidak semudah untuk mengetik huruf-huruf dan bersatu menjadi rangkaian kalimat yang indah. Seringnya yang terjadi pincang, bilamana terbaik untuk dunia, rupanya tidak demikian untuk akhirat. Juga bila dirasakan terbaik untuk akhirat, hal-hal dunia tidak, perlu mempersembahkan yang terbaik apa jua yang diperbuat, karena dunia hanya bersifat sementara, kebermaknaan kehidupan dunia adalah kelangsungan yang berarti untuk akhirat yang kekal abadi. Untuk menjadi insan yang dapat mempersambahkan yang terbaik tidak memerlukan hal yang bagus-bagus belaka, juga tidak memerlukan pengorbanan yang begitu besar karena hakikatnya manusia penuh dengan kepincangan, hanya perlu satu tekad dan sejumlah istiqamah, lantaran bila ada kedua intipati ini segala hal akan menghasilkan yang terbaik untuk dunia dan akhirat.

            Hidup ibarat suatu pelajaran, ia bermula tanpa pernah dipinta dan akan berakhir dengan tanpa pernah diduga. Dibalik sebuah perjalanan yang bernama kehidupan, ada sebuah pengertian yang perlu dihayati, dan sebuah tujuan hakiki yang perlu dilaksanakan. Orang yang hidup tanpa memahami hakikat kehidupan sebenarnya akan tersiksa dalam menanggung onak dan duri dalam kehidupan ini dan jiwanya akan merasa kosong. Hidup dalam sebuah kehidupan yang penuh kepalsuan dan kesamaran akan mati dalam sebuah kematian yang penuh dengan penyesalan. Dalam hidup ini tujuan hidup merupakan suatu intipati yang amat penting, seseorang yang hidup tanpa tujuan bukan saja akan merasa kekosongan, tetapi juga merasakan kesamaran dan terus merasakan kerugian dengan usia dirinya sendiri.

            Hidup ini juga berupa pilihan. Karena dalam hidup sangat banyak pilihan jalan yang akan kita pilih. Jalan usaha dan bekerja keras untuk kesuksesan atau jalan berpangku tangan meuju keterpurukan. Selain itu terdapat orientasi pilihan lain yaitu pilihan untuk Jalan menuju kebahagiaan hakiki yaitu akhirat atau jalan kebahagiaan yang fana di dunia. 

B. Berbagai Pandangan Golongan Terhadap Makna dan Tujuan Hidup

Menurut pandangan Frankl ( 1970 ) makna hidup harus dilihat sebagai suatu yang sangat objektif karena berkaitan dengan hubungan individu dengan pengalamannya dalam dunia ini, meskipun makna hidup itu sendiri sebenarnya suatu yang objektif, artinya benar-benar ada dan dialami dalam kehidupan.

Frankl ( 1985 ) menyebutkan bahwa makna hidup sebagai sesuatu hal yang bersifat personal, dan bisa berubah seiring berjalanya waktu maupun perubahan situasi dalam kehidupannya. Individu seolah-olah ditanya apa makna hidupnya pada setiap waktu maupun situasi dan kemudian harus mempertanggungjawabkan.

Menurut (Bastaman, 1996 ) pengertian makna hidup sama artinya dengan tujuan hidup yaitu segala sesuatu yang ingin dicapai dan dipenuhi.

Berdasarkan uraian dia atas maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa makna hidup adalah hal-hal yang dianggap sangat penting dan berharga serta memberikan nilai khusus bagi seseorang, sehingga layak dijadikan tujuan hidup.

Karakteristik Makna Hidup

Karakteristik makna hidup menurut Bastaman (1996) antara lain :

      a.       Makna hidup sifatnya unik, pribadi dan temporer

Artinya apa yang dianggap berarti bagi seseorang  belum tentu berarti pula bagi orang lain. Demikian pula hal-hal yang dianggap penting dapat berubah dari waktu ke waktu.

                        b.       Kongkrit dan spesifik

Yakni makna hidup dapat ditemukan dalam penglaman dan kehidupan sehari-hari, serta tidak usah selalu dikaitkan dengan hal-hal yang serba abstrak filosofis dan idealis atau kreativitas dan prestasi akademis yang serba menakjubkan. 

c.       Memberi pedoman dan arah

Artinya makna hidup yang ditemukan oleh seseorang akan memberikan pedoman dan arah terhadap kegiatan-kegiatan yang dilakukannya sehingga makna hidup seakan-akan menantang ( challenging ) dan mengundang (inviting) seseorang untuk memenuhinya.[1]

    

C.  Makna dan Tujuan Hidup Muslim Berdasarkan Al-Qur’an dan Al-Hadits

            Al Quran dan hadits untuk menemukan makna hidup yang sebenarnya. Berikut adalah beberapa pemahaman inti tentang makna hidup.

1. Hidup Adalah Ibadah
Pada intinya, arti hidup dalam Islam ialah ibadah. Keberadaan kita dunia ini tiada lain hanyalah untuk beribadah kepada Allah. Makna ibadah yang dimaksud tentu saja pengertian ibadah yang benar, bukan berarti hanya shalat, puasa, zakat, dan haji saja, tetapi ibadah dalam setiap aspek kehidupan kita.

“Dan Aku tidak menciptakan jin dan manusia melainkan supaya mereka menyembah-Ku.” (QS Adz Dzaariyaat:56)

Hadits riwayat Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidzi, Nasa’i dan Ahmad:

عَنْ أبِى هُرَيْرَة (ر) أنَّ رَسُول الله .صَ. قَالَ: إذَا مَاتَ الإنسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثٍ:
صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ اَو عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ, اَووَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُولَهُ (رواه ابو داود)

“Apabila seorang manusia meninggal maka putuslah amalnya, kecuali tiga hal: Sedekah jariyah atau ilmu yang bermanfaat sesudahnya atau anak yang shalih yang mendo’akannya”.

2. Hidup Adalah Ujian
Allah berfirman dalam QS Al Mulk [67] : 2 yang terjemahnya,

”(ALLAH) yang menjadikan mati dan hidup, supaya Dia menguji kamu, siapa di antara kamu yang lebih baik amalnya, dan Dia Maha Perkasa lagi Maha Pengampun.”

Allah akan menguji manusia melalui hal-hal sebagai berikut sesuai dengan QS Al Baqarah [2]:155-156 sbb,

“dan sungguh akan Kami berikan cobaan kepadamu, dengan sedikit ketakutan, kelaparan, kekurangan harta, jiwa dan buah-buahan, dan berikanlah berita gembira kepada orang-orang yang sabar, (yaitu) orang-orang yang apabila ditimpa musibah, mereka mengucapkan: “Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji’uun”.”

Hadits yang menjelaskan yaitu            :

Besarnya pahala sesuai dengan besarnya ujian dan cobaan. Sesungguhnya Allah ‘Azza wajalla bila menyenangi suatu kaum Allah menguji mereka. Barangsiapa bersabar maka baginya manfaat kesabarannya dan barangsiapa murka maka baginya murka Allah. (HR. Tirmidzi)[2]

3. Kehidupan di Akhirat Lebih Baik dibanding Kehidupan di Dunia

Dalam QS Ali ‘Imran [3]:14, “ dijadikan indah pada (pandangan) manusia kecintaan kepada apa-apa yang diingini, yaitu: wanita-wanita, anak-anak, harta yang banyak dari jenis emas, perak, kuda pilihan, binatang-binatang ternak dan sawah ladang. Itulah kesenangan hidup di dunia, dan di sisi Allah-lah tempat kembali yang baik (surga).“

QS Adh Dhuha [93]:4, “dan sesungguhnya hari kemudian (akhirat) itu lebih baik bagimu daripada yang sekarang (permulaan).”

4. Hidup Adalah Sementara

Dalam QS Al Mu’min [40]:39, Allah berfirman, “Hai kaumku, sesungguhnya kehidupan dunia ini hanyalah kesenangan (sementara) dan sesungguhnya akhirat itulah negeri yang kekal.“

Dalam QS Al Anbiyaa [21]:35, “Tiap-tiap yang berjiwa akan merasakan mati. Kami akan menguji kamu dengan keburukan dan kebaikan sebagai cobaan (yang sebenar-benarnya) dan hanya kepada Kami-lah kamu dikembalikan.[3]

Adapun sabda Rasulullah SAW. :

“ Tidaklah aku tinggal di dunia melainkan seperti musyafir yang berteduh di bawah pohon dan beristirahat lalu musyafir tersebut pergi meninggalkannya” (HR. Tirmidzi).[4]

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[1] Frank dan Bastaman, The Meaning of Life, Gramedia : Jakarta, 2002

[2] Syeikh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Al-khandhalawi, Fadhilah A’mal, Pustaka Ramadhan:Bandung

[3] Hamka, Pandangan Hidup Muslim, hlm. 111-117

[4] Drs. H. Moh. Rifa’I, 300 hadits Bekal Da’wah dan Pembina Pribadi Muslim, Wicaksana:Semarang, 1996

Text Structure

Recognition (Recognizing Text structure)

A.   Cause and effect (Causation)

1.      The meaning of cause and effect (causation)

Cause is why something happened. Effect is what happened. (Sometimes the effect is listed).[1]  CAUSE-and-EFFECT (causation) – relates ideas casually; complexity can be increased by embedded cause and effect paths and causal chains and reduced by similarity to familiar narratives. The main ideas are organized into cause and effect parts (e.g., directions, explanations, economic or science texts)[2]

2.      Signal question

To understand about cause and effect text, you can try signal question like: What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen? [3]

3.      Signal words

Cause and effect text usually uses the signal word like : So, because, because of, since, therefore, if…then, for, reason why, as a result, thus, effect of, for this reason, etc.

4.      Example

During the past five years, the number of Americans killed annually in car accident has climbed to more than 55,000. This needless slaughter on streets and highways can be attributed to three general causes. Mechanical failures, especially those related to faulty brakes and bad tires, account for significant number of fatal accident. Environmental conditions such as blind corners, narrow streets, heavy fogs, intermittent rain or snow resulting in slippery roads also contribute to grisly accidents are errors for human judgment all the way from the follies as excessive speed and drunken driving to such momentary lapses as failure to signal a turn or a change from one lane to another. The man behind the wheel is often his own worst enemy.[4]

B.   Comparison (compare/contrast)

1.      The meaning of comparison (compare/contrast)

Comparison shows how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. Comparison (compare/contrast) – relates ideas by differences and/or similarities; complexity can be increased by the number and detail of issues compared. The main ideas are organized to provide a comparison, contrast, or alternative view (e.g., political speech).[5]

2.      Signal question

To understand about comparison text, you can try signal question like: What things are being compared? In what ways are they alike? In what ways are they different?

3.      Signal words

Comparison text usually uses the signal word like : Same as, similar, alike, as well as, not only…but also, both, instead of, either…or, on the other hand, different from, as opposed to, however, nevertheless, but, in contrast, different, in the same way, in comparison, whereas, etc.[6]

4.      Example

The New York Times and the New York Daily News are really quite different. The two newspapers do not even look alike. Each page of the Times is twice the size of each page of the News. And as a tabloid-a smaller newspaper-the News uses many more pictures as a way to report event. They are also different in regard to types of stories each presents. The News is concerned with human interest stories, many about sensational people or events. The Times, although it does not neglect human interest, offers more news of worldwide importance. Furthermore, the styles of writing are not alike. The News stresses brief, simple reporting in everyday language. The Times, on the other hand, is much more formal and detailed; its articles take up several columns and are filled with background material and events that may have bearing on the present story.[7]

C.   Collection

1.      The meaning of collection (listing, enumeration)

COLLECTION (listing, enumeration) – relates ideas simply by grouping them together; sometime the grouping is made explicit with enumeration. The main idea is the grouped list (e.g., “to do list,” botany). Collection can be used with any of the other structures; sequence is subtype of collection. For example, groups of solutions or causes are often presented.

2.      Signal question

What items are listed?

3.      Signal words

Collection text usually uses the signal word like : and, in addition, also, include, moreover, besides, first, second, third, etc., subsequent, furthermore, at the same time, another , and so forth…etc.[8]

4.      Example

There are several things that I do not like about registration. First, it takes too long. The entire process takes the average student three hours. Second, it is too impersonal. No one knows your name, not even the counselor who stamps their names on your registration card. Next, I do not like the atmosphere where registration is held. The constant sound of voices is irritating and so are the florescent lights, which make everyone look a little sick. And finally, I do not like the way it is organized. Freshmen always get in the last; consequently, they end up with classes at inconvenient times.[9]

D.   Problem solution

1.      The meaning of problem solution

Problem solution tells about a problem (and sometimes says why there is a problem) then gives one or more possible solutions.

PROBLEM-and-SOLUTION – relates responding ideas; complexity can be increased by the identification of causes of the problems and ways to reduce them. The main ideas are organized in two parts: the problem (or question) part and the solution (or answer) part, which responds to the problem part (e.g., popular science articles, medical information).

2.      Signal question

To understand about problem solution text, you can try signal question like:

What is the problem? Why is this a problem? Is anything being done to try to solve the problem? What can be done to solve the problem?

3.      Signal words

Problem solution text usually uses the signal word like :

a.       Problem: Question is…, dilemma is…, the puzzle is…, problem, trouble, difficulty, hazard, need to prevent, threat, danger, puzzle, can hurt, not good, bad…

b.      Solution: to satisfy the problem, ways to reduce the problem, so solve these problems, protection from the problem, solution, in response, recommend, suggest, reply…[10]

4.      Example

In the early 1800s, the United States needed room to grow. The problem was most people lived in the East. The cities were crowded. New land was expensive. Young families couldn’t afford to buy farms. Then, as a solution, the United States government purchased land from France. The government also acquired land from Mexico. Soon the country stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. People looked to the setting sun with outstretched arms and said, “Go west!”

Settlers rode in wagons or on horses. They followed long, dusty trails across hot plains for thousands of miles. There was no shelter. People slept in tents on the ground. They had to watch out for wild animals like wolves and snakes. The trip west could take months. Then a railroad was built that stretched from the East Coast almost to the West Coast. The railroad made travel faster. More people poured into the new lands. The settlers quickly built small towns where the farming, fishing, and mining were good.[11]

EXERCISES

Recognize these texts and decide what kind of the text (“Causation”, “Comparison”, “Collection”, or “Problem Solution”) below!

1.      John wanted to buy a bike, but didn't have enough money, so he sold a couple of video games.  Then he returned and bought the bike.

What kind of this text? _________

2.      I have a sister named Sally. She has many kinds of doll. Those are teddy bear, stuffed animal, rag doll, and hand puppet. She bought those dolls in New York, United States.

What kind of this text? __________

3.      Hannah and Hazel are twins, but different each other. Hannah is an energetic, vigorous, and cheerful girl. On the other hand, Hazel is a quiet and bashful person.

What kind of this text? __________

4.      There are many reasons why people dance.  Some people dance for fun, just because they enjoy dancing.  At other times, people dance for exercise or for weight loss, because dancing can really get your heart beating.  Also, sometimes people dance to try to get boyfriends or girlfriends.  Some people think that good dancing is attractive.  There are many reasons why people dance. 

What kind of this text? ___________

5.      Hurricanes and tornados are both amazing yet deadly natural phenomena.  Both generate deadly conditions, but in different ways.  Tornados are likely to damage people and property with their high winds, which go up to 300 miles per hour, but hurricanes are generally more feared for their flooding.  Also, hurricanes can produce tornados, which make them quite dangerous indeed.

How is the text structured? ______________

6.      Some people have a hard time remembering to get their loved ones appropriate gifts on Valentine's Day.  This can lead to painfully long talks about "where the relationship stands."  Perhaps the best way to avoid these talks is by taking the moral highroad.  Instead of forgetting these holidays, choose not to celebrate them.  Inform your loved one that you don't want to buy into the materialism and commercialism of these manufactured holidays. Tell that person that you want to have a relationship with them, not the marketers, and that you want to celebrate your love everyday, not just one day a year.  It's a tough pitch, but if you can make the sale then you'll be in the clear for life.

How is the text structured? ______________

7.      There are many kinds of doors, revolving doors for hotels, shops, and public buildings. These are typical of the brisk, bustling ways of modern life. You can imagine John Milton or William Penn skipping through a revolving door? Then there are the curious little slatted doors that still swing outside denatured bar-rooms and extend only from shoulder to knee. There are tapdoors, sliding doors, stage doors, double doors, prison doors, glass doors. But the symbol and mystery of a door resides in its quality of concealment. A glass door is not a door at all, but a window. The meaning of a door is to hide what lies inside; to keep the heart in suspense.

How is the text structured? ______________

8.      Some people think that some holidays celebrating love are nothing but clever ploys by marketers to get consumers to buy candy, flowers, and stuffed animals, but who cares?  In America, we celebrate two love themed holidays: Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day.  Valentine's Day is celebrated in the winter, while Sweetest Day is celebrated in the fall.  Valentine's Day is more focused on bringing lovers together, while Sweetest Day is for all of the friends, relatives, and associates whose kindness we've enjoyed. Both occasions, however, are great times to remember what's most important: the people about whom we care.

How is the text structured? ________________

9.      Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors.  Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate.  Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not.  Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake.

How is the text structured? ___________

10.  Pizza is often viewed as a junk food, and it is true that some pizzas are high in salt, fat, and calories, but there may also be some benefit to eating pizza. Some studies have found that lycopene, an antioxidant that exists in tomato products that are often used in pizza, may prevent some forms of cancer. Dr. Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, studied the eating habits of people who developed cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon.  He concluded that people who ate pizza at least once a week had significantly less chance of developing these cancers.  Here’s to your health.

How is the text structured? _____________

11.  Cooking the perfect pizza at home can be quite a challenge. You may find that it’s difficult to get your oven to the right temperature.  If the oven is too hot the crust will burn, become hard, and taste bad.  If your oven isn’t hot enough, the crust may get soggy.  Even at the perfect temperature, extra moisture from your ingredients may prevent the bottom of the crust from fully cooking, but don’t let oven temperature stop you from building the pizza of your dreams. Get yourself a pizza stone. A pizza stone will get very hot when preheated and will allow your crust to fully cook without burning it.  Then you can pile the ingredients on your pizza and have a crispy crust that isn’t burned.  That’s the way to go.

How is the text structured? ______________

12.  There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from the planet. One theory that many people believe is that a gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth. Scientists believe that the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many years. The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores.  This theory may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth.

How is the text structured? ___________

13.  World War I was called The Great War. By great, people meant that it was momentous or important—big, not wonderful. Many aspects of World War I were momentous. One way World War I was momentous is that it involved big numbers. It lasted 51 months. It involved 16 European nations, the United States, Australia, and several other nations from Asia, North America, and South America. Millions of people were killed. Another way World War I was momentous is that it involved big changes. The Russian Empire became the Soviet Union. For the first time, the United States became a major player in European affairs. The Empire of Germany, the empire of Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire were dissolved. A third way that World War I could be considered momentous was that it was a big tragedy. It dragged on for years while soldiers died in trenches without gaining an inch of ground for their side.

How is the text structured? ________________

14.  Freezer burn may have wasted more ice cream than sidewalks. If you don’t know, freezer burn is when ice crystals form on the surface of ice-cream. These ice crystals can ruin the texture and flavor of the ice cream. But you can prevent freezer burn. Since freezer burn is caused when melted ice-cream is refrozen, rather than eating your ice-cream from the container as it melts, scoop your ice-cream into a bowl and put the container back in the fridge immediately.  Doing this ought to help you solve your issues with freezer burn.

How is the text structured? ___________

15.  All matter, all things can be changed in two ways: chemically and physically.  Both chemical and physical changes affect the state of matter.  Physical changes are those that do not change the make-up or identity of the matter. For example, clay will bend or flatten if squeezed, but it will still be clay.  Changing the shape of clay is a physical change, and does not change the matter’s identity.  Chemical changes turn the matter into a new kind of matter with different properties. For example, when paper is burnt, it becomes ash and will never be paper again.  The difference between them is that physical changes are temporary or only last for a little while, and chemical changes are permanent, which means they last forever.  Physical and chemical changes both affect the state of matter.

How is the text structured? _____________

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[1] LA_res_TxtStruc_ORS_Module copy.pdf. page 3.

[2] Bonnie J. F. Meyer. Structure strategy interventions: Increasing reading comprehension of expository text. (pdf file). Page 3.

[3] LA_res_TxtStruc_ORS_Module copy.pdf. page 3.

[4] Otong Setiawan Djuharie. Extensive Reading Top-down reading: teknik dan panduan membaca text books. (PT Yrama Widya, Bandung, 2008). Page 110.

[5] Bonnie J. F. Meyer. Structure strategy interventions: Increasing reading comprehension of expository text. (pdf file). Page 3.

[6] LA_res_TxtStruc_ORS_Module copy.pdf. page 3.

[7] Otong Setiawan Djuharie. Extensive Reading Top-down reading: teknik dan panduan membaca text books. (PT Yrama Widya, Bandung, 2008). Page 112.

[8] Bonnie J. F. Meyer. Structure strategy interventions: Increasing reading comprehension of expository text. (pdf file). Page 3.

[9] Otong Setiawan Djuharie. Extensive Reading Top-down reading: teknik dan panduan membaca text books. (PT Yrama Widya, Bandung, 2008). Page 107.

[10] Bonnie J. F. Meyer. Structure strategy interventions: Increasing reading comprehension of expository text. (pdf file). Page 3

[11] Weekly Reader