Enjoy life now, cherish whatever we have
By: Xin Cui
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Opinion
Before I came to America, I spoke with an American friend who came to China as a volunteer for teaching Chinese children English. He said he couldn't understand why Chinese people were so tired?
We always have huge pressure on us in our studies and work. Every day we study and work very hard. The strangest point is we do all the things we don't do for ourselves, we do them for our parents, relatives, lover, or child. But, how about ourselves?
In addition, we always care very much about other people's opinion. We worry about our words, our actions and even our dress. Why? He couldn't understand it. He said everyone should live for themselves. In America, no person is so concerned about others' views like China. At that time, I couldn't understand his words.
But, when I came here, I finally understood. I really appreciate the American way of life. Americans live very free. They haven't so much pressure. They have their own lifestyle and show their own characteristics. They do whatever they like and don't care about other's views. I think the differences maybe connect to different culture. But, I think we must gradually change our lifestyle. Because the time is so precious and life is very short. If we don't do whatever we want to do and don't go in for whatever we want to get. It is really regretful for us. So, when we will leave the world, I hope there is no regret.
However, there is a problem: different areas have different culture, people couldn't agree with others' lifestyle. But I think everyone must agree with this point: cherish every moment.
In my opinion, I want to say I believe the fate. In China, there is an old saying: something which belongs to you, which you will get at last; but something doesn't belong to you, no matter how hard you are, you couldn't get it finally. In Rabindranath Tagore's Poetry: "Stray Birds", he writes "I cannot choose the best. The best chooses me."
I think everyone has their own fate and their whole life's off track which had been arranged by God at the time when he was born. We don't know when we will leave; we don't know what we will miss next time; we don't know what we will get later; we still don't know what will happen in our future. So, one thing which we can do is you must enjoy your life now, cherish whatever you have.
We always have huge pressure on us in our studies and work. Every day we study and work very hard. The strangest point is we do all the things we don't do for ourselves, we do them for our parents, relatives, lover, or child. But, how about ourselves?
In addition, we always care very much about other people's opinion. We worry about our words, our actions and even our dress. Why? He couldn't understand it. He said everyone should live for themselves. In America, no person is so concerned about others' views like China. At that time, I couldn't understand his words.
But, when I came here, I finally understood. I really appreciate the American way of life. Americans live very free. They haven't so much pressure. They have their own lifestyle and show their own characteristics. They do whatever they like and don't care about other's views. I think the differences maybe connect to different culture. But, I think we must gradually change our lifestyle. Because the time is so precious and life is very short. If we don't do whatever we want to do and don't go in for whatever we want to get. It is really regretful for us. So, when we will leave the world, I hope there is no regret.
However, there is a problem: different areas have different culture, people couldn't agree with others' lifestyle. But I think everyone must agree with this point: cherish every moment.
In my opinion, I want to say I believe the fate. In China, there is an old saying: something which belongs to you, which you will get at last; but something doesn't belong to you, no matter how hard you are, you couldn't get it finally. In Rabindranath Tagore's Poetry: "Stray Birds", he writes "I cannot choose the best. The best chooses me."
I think everyone has their own fate and their whole life's off track which had been arranged by God at the time when he was born. We don't know when we will leave; we don't know what we will miss next time; we don't know what we will get later; we still don't know what will happen in our future. So, one thing which we can do is you must enjoy your life now, cherish whatever you have.