林語堂 (1895年10月10日—1976年3月26日) 是一位中國的發明家、語言學家、小說家、哲學家、翻譯家。我很喜歡林語堂先生在《人生不過如此》這本書中的幾句話，「人生不過如此，且行且珍惜。自己永遠是自己的主角，不要總在別人的戲劇里充當著配角。」
在2023年的年尾，這是我為我女兒寫下的鼓勵話語: 「人生就像一場舞臺劇，你可以選擇用別人的劇本，當個配角，聽導演指東喚西隨意擺佈，演一齣可能不合自己心意的戲。你也可以選擇自編、自導、自演，創作編寫特別的劇本，自己扮演主角，也自己當導演決定如何呈現這齣戲，自主權全在你自己的手中。願你能自由自在的創作演出一齣屬於你自己的人生戲。」
我在網上 https://linevoom.line.me/post/1170139008721004880 又看到一篇文章喜歡裏面的一句話: 「生命的最高境界，即是選對舞台，走出自己的路，然後盡情地發揮獨特的才華與能力。」文章中指出，任何人或物，只要放對了地方，都會成為有用的「可造之材」。一個人選對適合他的工作或放對地方，他可能就可以成為天才，否則他有可能成為蠢材。「人就像是種子一樣，地球上有各種氣候及土地，但每一塊土地並不一定適合每一種植物生長，若能找到一塊適合該種子生長的土地及氣候，那該顆種子便能生長茁壯。」
2023.12.27 讀到龍應台 (Lung Yingtai) 的一段文章節選，我也很認同，我無法像她一樣寫得這麼好，所以在此記錄一下以供參考。龍應台為台灣知名作家，2012-2014 年為台灣首任文化部長。她的兒子安德烈·瓦爾特 (Andreas Walther) 1985 年出生在台北，8 個月大到了瑞士，3 歲時遷往德國法蘭克福，後來畢業於香港大學。⟪親愛的安德烈⟫ 是由龍應台教授（居住在香港和台灣）和她的兒子安德烈（當時居住在德國, 18-21 歲）合著，收集了他們在三年半（2004-2007）期間裡的信件和電子郵件往來。在書信中，他們坦誠地交換了彼此的看法，並從本代人的角度就政治和文化問題展開了激烈的辯論。在「給河馬刷牙」這篇中，19 歲的安德烈對未來感到迷惘，因而向媽媽提出了一個深沉的問題：「媽，你要清楚接受一個事實，就是，你有一個極其平庸的兒子。」「你會失望嗎？」龍應台的回應: 「對我最重要的，安德烈，不是你有否成就，而是你是否快樂。而在現代的生活架構裡，什麼樣的工作比較可能給你快樂？第一，它給你意義；第二，它給你時間。你的工作是你覺得有意義的，你的工作不綁架你使你成為工作的俘虜，容許你去充分體驗生活，你就比較可能是快樂的。」「至於金錢和名聲，哪裡是快樂的核心元素呢？假定說，橫在你眼前的選擇是到華爾街做銀行經理或者到動物園做照顧獅子河馬的管理員，而你是一個喜歡動物研究的人，我就完全不認為銀行經理比較有成就，或者獅子河馬的管理員「平庸」。每天為錢的數字起伏而緊張而鬥爭，很可能不如每天給大象洗澡，給河馬刷牙。」「我怕你變成畫長頸鹿的提摩，不是因為他沒錢沒名，而是因為他找不到意義。我也要求你讀書用功，不是因為我要你跟別人比成就，而是因為，我希望你將來會擁有選擇的權利，選擇有意義、有時間的工作，而不是被迫謀生。」「當你的工作在你心目中有意義，你就有成就感。當你的工作給你時間，不剝奪你的生活，你就有尊嚴。成就感和尊嚴，給你快樂。」「我們最終極的負責對象，安德烈，千山萬水走到最後，還是「自己」二字。因此，你當然更沒有理由去跟你的上一代比，或者為了符合上一代對你的想像而活……」
「我的價值，不需要靠別人來定義」這句話頗震憾的，這是莊雅菁在 ⟪我的存在是世界上最美好的禮物：被拒絕，不代表自己不夠好。有人不了解你，不代表你不值得被了解⟫ 中的話。莊雅菁在國二時因一場意外全身70%燒傷，左手、雙腳截肢，聽力受損，一度難以面對自己想結束生命，因著家人陪伴及信仰，熬過了艱苦復健的歷程，重新創業拚出第二人生。她說：「唯有接納自己的不完美，才能讓走出風暴，重見自己的價值。」「面對殘缺，讓我學會 ─ 奇蹟不是活了下來，奇蹟是有勇氣活下去！接納不平常的自己，這是重生的第一步。」我在網站上看到她的書的概要簡介，很喜歡這些鼓勵的話語，在此記錄鼓勵自己：
- 可以哭、可以犯錯、可以不完美，我的價值，不會因為這樣就被改變。破除偽裝，接納真實的自己。即使知道自己可能不像預期中那樣勇敢，仍要試著突破關卡、超越原有設限，然後，在不可能中，尋找每一個可能。
- 我決定，我要活成什麼樣子 - 無須刻意向人證明什麼，只要一步一腳印累積，走得再慢，也要找到自己的步調。當我知道我是誰，我不是誰就不重要了！
- 傷痕，不能成為放棄人生的藉口 - 不要讓人生白痛了，即使迎來的是永遠的痛，震動會找到信心的位置，恐懼則會加速信心瓦解。
- 與艱難共舞，就會發現人生其實沒那麼苦 - 不要讓限制級人生，成為人生限制，碎玻璃般的人生，在陽光下，依舊閃耀動人，可以失去一切，但千萬不要失去做夢的機會！
Lin Yutang (Chinese: 林語堂; October 10, 1895 – March 26, 1976) was a Chinese inventor, linguist, novelist, philosopher, and translator. I really like his words in the book Life Is But Like This:
"Life is but like this—walk and cherish it. You are always your own protagonist; don't always play a supporting role in other people's dramas."
At the end of 2023, I wrote these words of encouragement for my daughter:
"Life is like a stage play. You can choose to follow someone else's script, play a supporting role, listen to the director’s instructions, and perform a story that may not truly resonate with you. Or you can choose to write, direct, and act in your own play—create a unique script, play the leading role, and be the director of your own story. The controls are all in your hands. May you have the freedom to create and perform the play of your own life."
I also came across an article online (source https://linevoom.line.me/post/1170139008721004880) and was struck by this sentence:
"The highest state of life is to choose the right stage, make your own way, and then give full play to your unique talents and abilities."
The article points out that any person or thing, when placed in the right environment, becomes a valuable “building material.” If a person finds the right job or the right place, they may become a genius; if not, they may seem foolish.
"People are like seeds. There are various climates and soils on Earth, but not every land suits every plant. If you find the land and climate suitable for the right seed, then that seed can grow and thrive."
On December 27, 2027, I read an excerpt from an article by Lung Yingtai, which deeply resonated with me. I can't write as beautifully as she does, so I’m recording it here for future reflection.
Lung Yingtai is a renowned Taiwanese writer and served as the first Minister of Culture in Taiwan from 2012 to 2014. Her son, Andreas Walther, was born in Taipei in 1985. He moved to Switzerland at 8 months old, to Frankfurt, Germany at age 3, and later graduated from the University of Hong Kong.
Their book Letters to Andreas, co-authored during 2004–2007, contains heartfelt and thought-provoking letters and emails exchanged over a three-and-a-half-year period. These correspondences include candid views, heated debates on cultural and political issues, and reflections from both generational perspectives.
In the essay Brushing the Hippo’s Teeth, a 19-year-old Andreas, feeling uncertain about his future, asked his mother a vulnerable question:
“Mom, you have to accept the fact that you have an extremely mediocre son. Will you be disappointed?”
Lung Yingtai responded:
“Andreas, the most important thing to me is not whether you achieve anything, but whether you are happy.
And what kind of work is more likely to bring happiness in today’s world? First, it should give you meaning. Second, it should give you time.
You’re more likely to be happy if your work is meaningful to you. And if your work doesn’t trap you—if it gives you time to truly experience life—then it brings you freedom.
As for money and fame: what are the real elements of happiness?
Imagine you had to choose between becoming a bank manager on Wall Street or a caretaker of lions and hippos at a zoo.
If you love animal research, then being a caretaker isn’t 'mediocre' at all. The daily stress of financial markets might feel worse than bathing an elephant and brushing a hippo’s teeth.
I worry you’ll become a Timothy who paints giraffes—not because he lacks money or fame, but because he finds no meaning in his work.
I ask you to study hard not to compare your achievements with others, but so you’ll have the freedom to choose—to choose work that is meaningful and less time-consuming, instead of being forced into a hard life.
When your work brings you meaning, you feel fulfillment. When it gives you time and doesn’t take life away, you have dignity. Fulfillment and dignity bring happiness.
Andreas, in the end, we are all responsible for ourselves. So of course, you have no reason to compare yourself to your predecessors or to live your life trying to match their imagination of you..."
Another powerful quote I came across is from Ya-Jing Jhuan in her book⟪My existence is the best gift in the world: being rejected doesn't mean you're not good enough. Just because someone doesn't know you doesn't mean you don't deserve to be known⟫
“My worth is not defined by others.”
Ya-Jing Jhuan suffered burns over 70% of her body in an accident during her second year of junior high school. Her left arm and leg were amputated, and her hearing was impaired. At one point, she struggled to face herself and even considered ending her life. However, through her family’s support and her faith, she survived a long and painful rehabilitation, and later started her own business. She wrote:
“Only by accepting my imperfections could I escape the storm and recognize my own value.
Facing my imperfections has taught me that a miracle is not just surviving, but having the courage to live.
Accepting my unusual self was the first step to being reborn.”
I read the synopsis of her book online and was moved by her words of encouragement. I’m writing them down here to encourage myself:
I can cry, I can make mistakes, I can be imperfect—but my value doesn’t change because of that.
Break the mask and accept your true self. Even if you’re not as brave as you hoped, still try to break through the barriers.
Go beyond your limits. In the midst of the impossible, seek out every possibility.
I decide what I want to be—I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I just have to take one step at a time and find my own pace, even if it’s slow.
When I know who I am, it no longer matters who I am not.
Scars are not an excuse to give up on life. Don’t let life waste your pain—even if the pain lasts forever.
Let shock strengthen your faith. Let fear fuel the crumbling of doubt.
Dance with the difficulties, and you’ll find life isn’t so bitter.
Don’t let limitations become limits.
Even shattered glass still shines in the sunlight.
You can lose everything, but don’t lose the opportunity to dream.
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