Chapter 17 Your sparkle
Chapter 17 Your sparkle
第十七章 你的活力
第十七章 你的活力
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17. Your sparkle
17. Your sparkle
To sparkle means to shine brightly with flashes of light: my life should be a display of this metaphor, should it not? The BBC news and the media, in general, would suggest that few, if any, achieve this state, however. There has always been a surfeit of literature on the human condition and its perennial state of angst and suffering. “One third, more or less, of all the sorrow that the person I think I am must endure is unavoidable. It is the sorrow inherent in the human condition, the price we must pay for being sentient and self-conscious organisms, aspirants to liberation, but subject to the laws of nature and under orders to keep on marching, through irreversible time, through a world wholly indifferent to our well-being, toward decrepitude and the certainty of death. The remaining two-thirds of all sorrow is homemade and, so far as the universe is concerned, unnecessary.”1
To sparkle means to shine brightly with flashes of light: my life should be a display of this metaphor, should it not? The BBC news and the media, in general, would suggest that few, if any, achieve this state, however. There has always been a surfeit of literature on the human condition and its perennial state of angst and suffering. “One third, more or less, of all the sorrow that the person I think I am must endure is unavoidable. It is the sorrow inherent in the human condition, the price we must pay for being sentient and self-conscious organisms, aspirants to liberation, but subject to the laws of nature and under orders to keep on marching, through irreversible time, through a world wholly indifferent to our well-being, toward decrepitude and the certainty of death. The remaining two-thirds of all sorrow is homemade and, so far as the universe is concerned, unnecessary.”1
Any look in another’s eyes at a stoplight would only reinforce this belief. But does this have to be so? I believe not. Yes, we need a full range of emotions to be truly human. In spite of this, happiness, peace, love, and curiosity are our natural bedfellows. They are natural to us. We need but one, additional, essential element.
Any look in another’s eyes at a stoplight would only reinforce this belief. But does this have to be so? I believe not. Yes, we need a full range of emotions to be truly human. In spite of this, happiness, peace, love, and curiosity are our natural bedfellows. They are natural to us. We need but one, additional, essential element.
Hope: I often question what this word truly means. To me it suggests that, until the day I die, I can effect change; I can make a difference. Since I was a little boy, I have always believed that life, though somewhat unpredictable, has true value. At birth, you are presented with the concrete opportunity to achieve whatever you want: if you truly want it and accept its consequences. Agreeing to this premise, my sentient journey has been a roller-coaster of successes and failures: in short, a grand adventure. I acknowledge whatever I have been dealt. I have no regrets.
Hope: I often question what this word truly means. To me it suggests that, until the day I die, I can effect change; I can make a difference. Since I was a little boy, I have always believed that life, though somewhat unpredictable, has true value. At birth, you are presented with the concrete opportunity to achieve whatever you want: if you truly want it and accept its consequences. Agreeing to this premise, my sentient journey has been a roller-coaster of successes and failures: in short, a grand adventure. I acknowledge whatever I have been dealt. I have no regrets.
Increasingly with the classes that I teach, I find that more and more young people are truly puzzled by the complexities of life, and therefore feel somewhat “hopeless and lost.” They are filled with false expectation by their elders and are thus afraid to begin their life mission. I constantly question what mechanism could be used to inculcate hopefulness. How are our schools and educational systems failing our children? It would appear obvious that not every student should go to university.
Increasingly with the classes that I teach, I find that more and more young people are truly puzzled by the complexities of life, and therefore feel somewhat “hopeless and lost.” They are filled with false expectation by their elders and are thus afraid to begin their life mission. I constantly question what mechanism could be used to inculcate hopefulness. How are our schools and educational systems failing our children? It would appear obvious that not every student should go to university.
This response is too effete and simplistic. All students should be inculcated with what they should expect out of life: its angst and its joy. In junior high school, a process could begin that would access the skills of each person: perhaps you are good with your hands at making things, you may like to dance or to paint: maximize this! These skills should be enhanced and burnished, and the less loved skills diminished.
This response is too effete and simplistic. All students should be inculcated with what they should expect out of life: its angst and its joy. In junior high school, a process could begin that would access the skills of each person: perhaps you are good with your hands at making things, you may like to dance or to paint: maximize this! These skills should be enhanced and burnished, and the less loved skills diminished.
If we fail to begin this process of pedagogical change, “a blind generation” will be thrust into our society. Even more frightening, these youthful souls are growing up in an age that has lost its voice: it is mute due to the technology, in other words, the smartphone, and its ilk. Rhetoric as an art form is greatly endangered. Stand at any place where people congregate and you will be curiously stunned by the egregious silence.
If we fail to begin this process of pedagogical change, “a blind generation” will be thrust into our society. Even more frightening, these youthful souls are growing up in an age that has lost its voice: it is mute due to the technology, in other words, the smartphone, and its ilk. Rhetoric as an art form is greatly endangered. Stand at any place where people congregate and you will be curiously stunned by the egregious silence.
Where is the quiet buzz of conversation? It has transmogrified itself into a keyboard or a screen that carries thought: frightening! I am not a Luddite but I believe that it is time to tell our “kids” the truth: life is not easy. There are no jobs! Tame the technology and develop your own, individual, expertise and you will have a colorful life, though you may not live the American Dream.
Where is the quiet buzz of conversation? It has transmogrified itself into a keyboard or a screen that carries thought: frightening! I am not a Luddite but I believe that it is time to tell our “kids” the truth: life is not easy. There are no jobs! Tame the technology and develop your own, individual, expertise and you will have a colorful life, though you may not live the American Dream.
Recently, I read an interesting article entitled “How to Achieve Goals through Persistent Starting.”2 Basically, it suggests that we should break all large tasks into a series of daily projects. “In essence, persistent starting means that you shouldn’t fill your mind with how big the project is. That will only make you feel overwhelmed. Instead, just focus on starting it every day: by doing that, you will eventually finish the project and achieve your goal.” To extrapolate further: if we wake up every day with a sense of excitement and passion, we will be given the opportunities that the universe affords those who are happy and determined. Sophocles, the great Athenian dramatist (496 BC- 406 BC), gives us a thought: “Men may know many things by seeing; but no prophet can see before the event, or what end waits for him.”
Recently, I read an interesting article entitled “How to Achieve Goals through Persistent Starting.”2 Basically, it suggests that we should break all large tasks into a series of daily projects. “In essence, persistent starting means that you shouldn’t fill your mind with how big the project is. That will only make you feel overwhelmed. Instead, just focus on starting it every day: by doing that, you will eventually finish the project and achieve your goal.” To extrapolate further: if we wake up every day with a sense of excitement and passion, we will be given the opportunities that the universe affords those who are happy and determined. Sophocles, the great Athenian dramatist (496 BC- 406 BC), gives us a thought: “Men may know many things by seeing; but no prophet can see before the event, or what end waits for him.”
17. 你的活力
17. 你的活力
閃耀的意思是散發明亮耀眼的光芒，我的人生就應該像是這個譬喻的具體展現，不是嗎？然而BBC新聞和一般媒體表示，達到這種狀態的人就算有的話也不多。紀錄人類狀況及其長期焦慮和痛苦狀態的文獻非常多。「作為一個人必須忍受的所有悲傷，有三分之一左右是無法避免的，這是人類與生俱來，是作為有意識、有自覺的有機體，以及渴望自由的人所必須付出的代價，人們必須遵照自然法則，遵守命令繼續前進，走過那無法逆轉的時間，走過一個對我們的幸福毫不關心的世界，朝向衰老以及最終不可避免的死亡。而其餘三分之二的悲傷是自找的，從宇宙的觀點而言，完全是沒有必要的。」1
閃耀的意思是散發明亮耀眼的光芒，我的人生就應該像是這個譬喻的具體展現，不是嗎？然而BBC新聞和一般媒體表示，達到這種狀態的人就算有的話也不多。紀錄人類狀況及其長期焦慮和痛苦狀態的文獻非常多。「作為一個人必須忍受的所有悲傷，有三分之一左右是無法避免的，這是人類與生俱來，是作為有意識、有自覺的有機體，以及渴望自由的人所必須付出的代價，人們必須遵照自然法則，遵守命令繼續前進，走過那無法逆轉的時間，走過一個對我們的幸福毫不關心的世界，朝向衰老以及最終不可避免的死亡。而其餘三分之二的悲傷是自找的，從宇宙的觀點而言，完全是沒有必要的。」1
你若在停紅燈時看一下其他人的雙眼，就會加深這個看法。但非得如此不可嗎？我並不這麼認為。沒錯，我們確實是需要具備各種情緒才是一個真實的人，儘管如此，快樂、平靜、愛心和好奇心都是我們與生俱來的特質。我們只需要再多一個不可或缺的元素。
你若在停紅燈時看一下其他人的雙眼，就會加深這個看法。但非得如此不可嗎？我並不這麼認為。沒錯，我們確實是需要具備各種情緒才是一個真實的人，儘管如此，快樂、平靜、愛心和好奇心都是我們與生俱來的特質。我們只需要再多一個不可或缺的元素。
希望：我常常思索這個詞的真正意義。對我來說，這個詞代表的是，直到我死的那天為止，我都還有機會做出改變，我可以讓世界變得更好。從我還是個小男孩時，我總是相信，儘管人生有點不可預測，但它有真正的價值。出生時，你確實有機會可以達到任何你想要的目標，如果你非常堅定並且願意承擔後果的話。認同了這個前提，我的人生旅程就像搭一輛飛馳於成功與失敗之間的雲霄發車。簡言之，人生是場大冒險。我感謝所有經歷過的事情，我沒有任何遺憾。
希望：我常常思索這個詞的真正意義。對我來說，這個詞代表的是，直到我死的那天為止，我都還有機會做出改變，我可以讓世界變得更好。從我還是個小男孩時，我總是相信，儘管人生有點不可預測，但它有真正的價值。出生時，你確實有機會可以達到任何你想要的目標，如果你非常堅定並且願意承擔後果的話。認同了這個前提，我的人生旅程就像搭一輛飛馳於成功與失敗之間的雲霄發車。簡言之，人生是場大冒險。我感謝所有經歷過的事情，我沒有任何遺憾。
在我教的課堂中，我逐漸發現愈來愈多的年輕人對複雜的人生感到困惑，因此感到有些「絕望和茫然」。他們背負著許多來自長輩的錯誤期待，因而害怕去開啟他們人生真正的使命。我經常思索有沒有什麼樣的方式可以將希望灌輸在人們身上。為什麼我們的學校和教育系統無法幫助我們的孩子呢？答案似乎很明顯，那就是並非每個學生都應該上大學。
在我教的課堂中，我逐漸發現愈來愈多的年輕人對複雜的人生感到困惑，因此感到有些「絕望和茫然」。他們背負著許多來自長輩的錯誤期待，因而害怕去開啟他們人生真正的使命。我經常思索有沒有什麼樣的方式可以將希望灌輸在人們身上。為什麼我們的學校和教育系統無法幫助我們的孩子呢？答案似乎很明顯，那就是並非每個學生都應該上大學。
這種說法的理論基礎太弱和並且過度簡化。我們應該教導所有的學生他們應從生命期待些什麼，例如人生中的焦慮和喜悅。在國中階段，可以開始學習技能。也許你善於用手製作東西，也許你喜歡跳舞或畫畫，那麼就把它發揮到極致！這些你擅長的技能應該要進一步精進和磨練，而不那麼喜愛的技能則讓它慢慢減弱。
這種說法的理論基礎太弱和並且過度簡化。我們應該教導所有的學生他們應從生命期待些什麼，例如人生中的焦慮和喜悅。在國中階段，可以開始學習技能。也許你善於用手製作東西，也許你喜歡跳舞或畫畫，那麼就把它發揮到極致！這些你擅長的技能應該要進一步精進和磨練，而不那麼喜愛的技能則讓它慢慢減弱。
如果我們不能開始改變教學，我們的社會就會產生「盲目世代。」更可怕的是，這些年輕人成長在一個失去聲音的時代：這是由於科技發展所導致的靜音，換句話說，就是智慧型手機及類似產品所造成的。辯論這種藝術形式的存在受到極大的威脅，站在任何人們聚集的地方，極度的安靜令人感到很訝異。
如果我們不能開始改變教學，我們的社會就會產生「盲目世代。」更可怕的是，這些年輕人成長在一個失去聲音的時代：這是由於科技發展所導致的靜音，換句話說，就是智慧型手機及類似產品所造成的。辯論這種藝術形式的存在受到極大的威脅，站在任何人們聚集的地方，極度的安靜令人感到很訝異。
那些低聲交談的聲音到哪裡去了？現在變成用鍵盤或螢幕來傳達思想了，多麽可怕呀！我不是反對科技的人，但我相信該是告訴「孩子們」事情真相的時刻了：討生活並不容易，現在沒有什麼工作可選了！別當科技的奴隸，並發展你自己個人的專業能力，儘管你可能無法實現美國夢，你還是能擁有精彩的人生。
那些低聲交談的聲音到哪裡去了？現在變成用鍵盤或螢幕來傳達思想了，多麽可怕呀！我不是反對科技的人，但我相信該是告訴「孩子們」事情真相的時刻了：討生活並不容易，現在沒有什麼工作可選了！別當科技的奴隸，並發展你自己個人的專業能力，儘管你可能無法實現美國夢，你還是能擁有精彩的人生。
最近，我讀了一篇很有趣的文章，它的標題是「如何透過持續啟動來實現目標。」2基本上，這篇文章建議我們應該將所有大型任務分解為一系列日常項目。「基本上，持續啟動意味著你不應該滿心想著任務的大小，這只會讓你壓力過大。相反地，你只需專注於每天做一小部分，藉由日積月累，你就能夠完成任務並實現你的目標。」進一步推論，若我們每天醒來都帶著興奮和熱情，我們就有機會獲得世界為那些快樂和堅定的人所提供的機會。偉大的雅典劇作家索福克勒斯(496-406 BC)帶給我們一個想法：「人們也許可以透過雙眼知道許多事情；但沒有先知可以預見未來或知道前方等待著他的是什麼事情。」
最近，我讀了一篇很有趣的文章，它的標題是「如何透過持續啟動來實現目標。」2基本上，這篇文章建議我們應該將所有大型任務分解為一系列日常項目。「基本上，持續啟動意味著你不應該滿心想著任務的大小，這只會讓你壓力過大。相反地，你只需專注於每天做一小部分，藉由日積月累，你就能夠完成任務並實現你的目標。」進一步推論，若我們每天醒來都帶著興奮和熱情，我們就有機會獲得世界為那些快樂和堅定的人所提供的機會。偉大的雅典劇作家索福克勒斯(496-406 BC)帶給我們一個想法：「人們也許可以透過雙眼知道許多事情；但沒有先知可以預見未來或知道前方等待著他的是什麼事情。」
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