Written on National Day: May Everyone Live with Vibrant Spirit
Today is National Day. I am preparing earnestly for next year's college entrance exam in the reading room of the National Library. The library is crowded on holidays, with far more people than usual. It gathers a group of diligent, eager learners; whenever a holiday comes, many people spend their leisure time here. I very much like this positive, uplifting atmosphere of the National Library; in such an environment, one cannot help but stay away from the nutrient-poor fast-food culture and immerse oneself in high-quality learning.
Here I see the hope of our nation. However restless the world may be, there is always a group of people who can sit here as quiet as virgins, seeking knowledge. Regular visitors to the National Library span every age group: energetic young people, middle-aged people like me, and white-haired elders. The children's reading room is full of minors, and I believe many of them will go on to become senior experts in their fields. Most of the people who come here share one thing in common: they are all self-directed learners, and some are even lifelong learners.
When such a group gathers, they influence one another. In both economic construction and the building of modern civilization, our country is a latecomer. When Europe and America had already begun popularizing modern civilized education, China was still in the late Qing dynasty. So, to be frank, we still have a certain distance to catch up with the advanced developed countries in many respects.
But the sons and daughters of China are not short of determined spirits. Many people are pressing forward on this road of catch-up; in some fields, several of our outstanding compatriots have even overtaken their global peers and taken a worldwide lead. I am optimistic about both my own future and that of our nation. I believe that no effort is wasted and that hard work pays off. Every day, among this studious group, I feel an uplifting force; seeing so many people working hard in the library, I sincerely feel heartened. I believe that with such people among us, our future holds great promise.
In this environment, I have gradually let go of my personal worries. Many people are trapped in various negative emotions from which they cannot escape, but people like us are fortunate to be spared that torment. Although in this era too many people ridicule idealism and use it to advertise their own supposed sophistication, I still hold fast to idealism, unmoved by worldly society. I still believe that when a person pours their heart into the boundless ocean of knowledge, into endless exploration of the unknown, and into seeking better solutions to problems for themselves and for all living beings, then their own personal glory, disgrace, joy, and sorrow shrink to something trivial.
Our life is so short. To waste it amid the clutter of trivialities, entangled in endless small worries, without ever undertaking interesting exploration, would leave one with many regrets at life's end. I wish that everyone could live with vibrant energy. No matter what age we are, no matter what we are going through at the moment, as long as our inner strength is sufficient, we can live with power and resonance. Only a nation with such strong people can stand forever unshaken. If we have such strength within us, we too can live out our spirit and zest and live with greater happiness.