Today is the
beginning of the second half of 2012. Some reflections are due. Writing things
down serves as a good reminder, and a hedge against inertia and slacking.
1. When it’s hard
to get up in the morning, or exhausted at night, I ask two questions to myself.
Do I still have a healthy body? Do I still have a healthy mind? If the answers
to both questions are “Yes,” then there is nothing to fear or to worry about. In
fact, the answers have always been “Yes.” This is the greatest fortune in life,
the most generous gift. I dare not to ask for anything more.
2. We spend so
much time with eyes fixed on the future, thus lose sight of the moment. It’s
like a donkey chasing after the carrot hanging in front of its eyes. Let each
moment be a full cycle, not dependent on future payback. Let no moment pass without
savoring the richness of life.
3. What we do in
our free time defines who we are. Or, the difference between people is most
evident in how they use their free time. Working a real job now, free time
suddenly becomes very limited. I try to carve out enough free time everyday,
for reading and reflection. The job, no matter how interesting, can be
exhausting and numbing. When we return home in the evening, the brain wants to
find something mindless, but the mind should not allow this to happen. Reading puts me back in
touch with humanity, which reminds me of the meaning of all work. Reflection
makes sure that we are aware.
4. I can’t do a
career where “work is work and life is life.” Life is too precious to waste. I must
find a path where the work is my life, and the life is happily devoted to the
work.
5. What determines
the achievement of a person is not intelligence, but the heart. How big is your
heart? What is the shape of your heart?
6. When I first
came to the US, one of my
strongest drives is to make China
rich and powerful --- the 21st century superpower. This motivation
comes from personal ego, unexamined nationalism, and the defensiveness in face
of America’s negative coverage
and views of China.
But over the past three years, a few things have happened. First, I realized
that I am a human being before I am Chinese. If I am able to love China, then I
should also be able to love any culture and people in the world. Second, I
realize that the western criticisms of China are sometimes valid and helpful.
Third, I realized that China’s
economic growth comes at a huge cost to its own people, and has created enormous
anxiety (or even suffering in some cases) in many parts of the world. If China doesn’t
alter its course, then this rising superpower is no good for itself or the rest
of the world.
What has not
changed is my love for traditional Chinese culture, and the commitment and connection
to the wellbeing of the people. But this love and care have undergone an agonizing
and crucial transformation while being in USA. I am grateful.
OK, enough for
now. It sure feels good to squeeze out the muddiness in the head and write them
down on pages. More mental space for new experiences!
2 comments:
I find the second one very true. So many Chinese students simply jump into A because they think it leads them to B, which is the gateway to C. Yet hardly can they elaborate what exactly are they looking after this long long path.
How have you been by the way? It's been forever since our last conversation. I always find it inspiring listening to you.
Good luck.
Shilin
I agree with Shilin. point 2 is also what i feel these days.
And I'm kind of curious about what kind of the agonizing and crucial transformation you went through. I mean I totally agree with your previous three points. we should be rationally patriotic.
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