Originally published on my wenxuecity blog, October 12, 2020. English translation below.
看到现在的小孩子，做父母的难免焦虑。生死问题在小孩子的眼里，似乎都是平常事。稍微不如意，就有心事和脾气，好好的一天可能因为一件小事而导致一天的不愉快。人生的意义是什么，人生路该如何走？我总结了一些过来人的经验，也许小孩子能听得入耳，觉得有一定的帮助。
1. 相信自己
在任何情况下，都相信自己。无论是失意，还是孤独，都找出相信自己的理由。
2. 积极的思维
对一件事，无论多么困难，总从好的一面想，不抱怨，耐着性子去解决。
3. 个人形象
时刻注意个人形象，剪个头发，着装得体大方，那是保持自我尊严的一种方法。
4. 接受不完美
世界是不公平的，自己是不完美的，这是事实。正因为如此，才要不断地挑战自己。
5. 淡看得失
不要将胜负看得太重。经历了，做了，就是得到了。如其临渊羡鱼，不如起而行，在事上练。
6. 日日新
昨天的事归于昨天，明日的事还未到来，不悔恨，不担忧，每天都保持一个新鲜的心情。
7. 微笑
人生苦短，何不微笑。学会让自己快乐，爱自己，爱他人。在帮助别人中得到快乐。
8. 感恩
常有感恩之心，感谢经历的那些小事，感谢遇到的那些人，感谢上苍给我们的一切，好好活着。
Don’t Look Down on Yourself
English translation
Watching children today, it’s hard for parents not to worry. In a child’s eyes, even matters of life and death can seem like ordinary things. A small disappointment brings brooding and temper — one tiny mishap can spoil a perfectly good day. What is the meaning of life? How should one walk the road of life? I have gathered some hard-won experience from those who came before. Perhaps young people will find it worth hearing, and of some help.
1. Believe in yourself
In all circumstances, believe in yourself. Whether in disappointment or in loneliness, find your reasons to believe.
2. Think positively
No matter how difficult something is, always look at it from the bright side. Don’t complain — be patient, and work it through.
3. Mind your appearance
Always mind how you present yourself — a haircut, neat and proper dress. It is one way of keeping your self-respect.
4. Accept imperfection
The world is unfair, and you are imperfect — that is simply fact. And precisely for that reason, keep challenging yourself.
5. Hold winning and losing lightly
Don’t weigh victory and defeat too heavily. To have lived through it, to have done it — that is already gain. Rather than standing by deep water envying the fish, rise up and act; train yourself in the very doing of things.
6. Renew yourself daily
Let yesterday belong to yesterday; tomorrow has not yet arrived. No regrets, no fretting — greet each day with a fresh heart.
7. Smile
Life is short — why not smile? Learn to make yourself happy. Love yourself, love others. Find joy in helping people.
8. Be grateful
Keep a grateful heart — for the small things you have lived through, the people you have met, and everything heaven has given. Live well.
2019年夏日清晨，林肯纪念堂前。Summer 2019, an early morning in front of the Lincoln Memorial.