White-haired Li Bai recited his poem "Stopping by Woods on a
Snowy Evening" while admiring the fiery red maple leaves. A drop of sweet
dew could lure a dragonfly back, the scent of a jasmine flower could summon
a butterfly to dance, a ray of sunshine could awaken the grass to green, and
a green leaf could bring back the radiance of a flower. Similarly, a piece
of "bread" can also evoke the fragrance of a "narcissus."
Li Bai, who lived a life of saluting aristocrats, never bowed to them or
became unhappy. He chose to abandon the luxurious palaces and high-ranking
positions that everyone else desired and instead gained freedom and a
carefree life. Tao Qian refused to bow down for five bushels of rice and
chose to pick chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, enjoying the view of the
southern mountains. He traded material bread for the spiritual fragrance of
enjoying the countryside and experiencing nature. Madame Curie, also known
as "radium," could have enjoyed a life of luxury according to her social
status. However, she chose to give up the bread that everyone envied and
worked hard in difficult environments to lay the foundation for the
development of scientific knowledge. Oh, what a beautiful narcissus flower!
How many people are humbled and fascinated by its beauty and fragrance.
Perhaps you are living in poverty, struggling to survive, but as long as you
don't give up and carry the fragrance of the narcissus in your heart, your
soul will not age. As Sima Qian said, "Man is mortal, and his death may
weigh more than Mount Tai or be lighter than a feather." This is an
interpretation of the spirit. Some people live in luxurious palaces, eat
delicacies, wear the finest clothes, and possess gold, silver, and jewels,
yet they are still idle and unproductive. The fragrance of the narcissus is
an unreachable star for them.
Read "How Steel is Made," and you will understand how important the
fragrance of the narcissus is to a person. Look at Ge Lao Tai, and you will
understand that even if you have many "loaves of bread," you cannot buy the
radiance of the spirit. Smell the lilies blooming on the ruins, and you will
understand that to obtain the fragrance of the narcissus, you must pay the
price with "bread."
Oh, what a beautiful narcissus flower, with its fragrance filling the
universe.
Let us exchange a spiritual narcissus flower that will elevate our souls and
make our lives charming. |