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"Amidst the sparse moon and stars, as magpies fly south,
circling the tree three times, what branch can they rely on?" This is a line
from Cao Mengde's poem "Short Song," which prompts us to ask ourselves,
"What branch can we rely on?" It encourages us to consider what suits us
best, find our place, and discover where we belong.
The mighty and powerful eagle soars at incredible speeds, hunting and
catching its prey with precision, relying on the branches that support its
survival. The crow, on the other hand, small and frail, often mimics the
eagle without considering its own strengths and weaknesses. Its efforts are
often in vain, and it falls into the hands of the shepherd. Although its
spirit is admirable, it has forgotten to evaluate its own capabilities.
This is true for both animals and humans alike. Only by finding the right
branch, the right place to belong, can one's life reach its fullest
potential. Confucius, a renowned teacher, initially aimed to establish a
perfect society governed by "ren" (benevolence). Although he failed to
achieve his goal after traveling to various states, he had disciples all
over the world, and he eventually became a great thinker and educator in
China. This demonstrates the importance of finding one's own branch in life
in order to fulfill one's purpose.
Charlie Chaplin, a comedy legend, was often mocked for his unattractive
appearance in his youth. However, in his comedy career, this became an
advantage. He starred in silent comedy films that reached the pinnacle of
the era, showing that his "unattractive" appearance contributed to his
"excellent" performances.
Bill Gates, the world's richest man, was once a student at a foreign
university. However, when he felt that the content he was learning was not
suitable for him, he left school and pursued his passion for computer
design, eventually accumulating an unimaginable amount of wealth.
Although society is constantly evolving, the principles remain the same. By
finding the right branch and the right place to belong, one's life can
shine. While the spirit of fighting and learning that the crow possesses is
commendable, it must recognize its own limitations and not exceed its
capabilities. "Circling the tree three times" does not mean that every
branch is suitable for reliance!
Humans not only need the spirit of perseverance but also the awareness of
their own capabilities. Only with both can success be possible. With
self-awareness and determination, the light is just ahead. After trying, you
will find that "circling the tree three times, this branch can be relied
upon." |
