I describe myself as "a Chinese reader who has been strongly influenced by the West." Our lives were hard 50 years ago. We didn't have a lot of opportunities. Today's young people have easier lives and more options. The differences between the eras are a moot point because the environment is so different. But, in spite of these differences, we must continue to seek eternal, universal values in this new setting. These values include honesty, love, concern for others, and making a contribution to society.
Former British prime minister Winston Churchill, who led the UK while it was taking terrible casualties from the World War II bombing of London, was quoted as saying, "For myself, I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." This is my belief as well. I believe that if you work hard, you can make a success of any situation. The line separating success from failure isn't always clear, but for me success means setting a goal, then doing your utmost to achieve it. It is peace of mind, a sense of satisfaction and gratification.
Take testing, for example. A score of 100 is a testament to your previous hard work. A score of 50, on the other hand, may well lay the groundwork for greater success in the future. I don't view any experience as negative; I simply do everything to the best of my ability. To me, everything I do is important, but the success or failure of those endeavors is not. I just listen to my conscience and do my best.
Everyone is the product of their upbringing and education. How can you know what you need without giving it some thought? How can you know what you lack without absorbing information? I believe that when you encounter adversity, reading as well as faith can overcome negative emotions. These days, a bigger issue for young people is that they lack sufficient encouragement to grow up.
I believe that today's young people are more short-sighted and more utilitarian. They seem to be in a rush to finish their educations and settle down. This isn't a question of right or wrong. It's just that we need more young people who are willing to work for their society and their nation, to participate, if we are to build a better future.
Therefore, if I could say one thing to Taiwan, it would be to apply an open mind, a long-term perspective, and unstinting hard work to making a contribution and to pursuing the things that matter to you. I think this is the only way to respond positively to setbacks.
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