最近到東吳大學城中校區分享時，剛好有提到一首詩，裡頭的觀點，或許能夠點破時下年輕人們對未來的困惑與迷惘，我承諾學生們會把這首詩放上我的blog，現在我把它放上來了。
我常告訴年輕人們 “be the change”，要勇於做改變、挑戰現況，並且“Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity”–以好奇心來取代對未知的恐懼。唯有如此，你才能從中蛻變成一個更好的自己。
Do you have a dream?
If YES, just go ahead.
Only a person who risks is FREE.
=============================
On Becoming a Risk Taker
Risk taking is Free
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental,
To reach out for another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self,
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss,
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure,
But risk must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he has forfeited freedom
Only a person who risks is free.
-Author Unknown-
Dear Cerise:
Yes, I do remember you and the coincidence that crossed our path. I am so happy that you, as usual, take the initiative and reconnect with me. We are only a few clicks away.
Please drop in and share your learning in life and living in UK with our readers here. I know we have a very special community here. Most people love to sit in and, only when they are ready, they will drop me a few lines. I love this simple and spirited friendship here.
Please remember we are all students of life here. In this sense, we are all peers. I am no teacher at all.
I have been not feeling well lately. Now, I am OK after seeing doctor and starting to take more accountability of my health. I have been suffering from allergic asthma which is a progressive disease if I did not take control of my health.
I am so proud of you. Reading your writing has replenished my energy and re-invigorate my belief that we all can make a difference when we offer our selfless love to strangers and make their day.
You also are very lucky to have a supportive family. Please don’t take for granted and always find a way to make their day unexpectedly.
Taking risk is the only way we can get to know ourselves. Resilience is a discipline from experiencing adversity and insurmountable mountain.
Love you for your lovely letter. This is what I need.
Be the change,
Ping
Thank you for joining Kiva. Please help your friends to find this noble way to get to know themselves. Have you joined Nonzero Club in Kiva?
Hi Mr. Chu,
I wonder if you still remember that you’ve met a girl and her mother in GreenCherry Salon TianMu branch in May?
I am the girl, and I have to say meeting you has changed me a lot.
By the time I met you, I was still doing my master degree in UK and had some challenges to face in my life.
I can still recall the day when you approached to me and my mom, your kindness and friendliness had moved me. ‘He is a real role model in life’, I said to my mom. She encouraged me to take this moment as a sign from God, who tried to give me different challenging tasks and lessons to learn since I was born.
Now I am happy to tell you the changes I’ve been through after we met: I’ve joined your team on Kiva and found myself more happy helping ppl to start up their business than spending the money on any other unnecessary stuffs; I’ve successfully completed my internship and dissertation at the same time (which was such a painful time for me); and I’ve been offered to become a permanent employee in the company after completing my internship here in UK, for them are impressed by my proactive and positive attitudes in work. So now I am working in UK, live independently, and am enjoying my life a lot.
Yes it was a risk-taking move for me to decide whether to stay here alone and work for an international company and in a non-native language. But I am more than happy to say this is worth it.
I wouldnt dare to say I should attribute all this to you, since I know I am the one who always takes initiatives and also I truly appreciate for the supports from my families and friends.
Yet still I really want to thank you for being a guiding light.
As you always say, ‘Be the Change’.
All the best and blessing from UK,
Cerise
Dear Teresa:
Congratulation to be the crazy one. 🙂
Apple’s famous TV commercial, Think Different, was saluting and celebrating the crazy one.
Steve Jobs told us not to be trapped by dogma, not to let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
Feel the risk and do it anyway.
Ping
A little crazy, a little laughing and lots of feeling to life.
I believe that is my component.
I like to be the Mabel Chiltern in “An Ideal husband”.
She is both clever and silly.
She is clever to the world and society and silly in love.
She love lord Goring, though he seems to be a prodigal.
She always know he is Mr. Right, though her family disagree.
she sees into his soul and take the risk.
She is a wonderful woman.
Love in risk and take risk to love.