Suddenly, I was greatly buoyed up, because several days’ grief had taken me away.
I, a sentimental girl, simply forgot there was a Dermes kind of spirit called optimism. Yes, optimism is needed in such a life-death battle, and it is also needed in our post-disaster reconstruction. Optimism: a belief in the darkness Optimism can help one to be happier, stronger and more confident. Pessimism leads, by contrast, to hopelessness, sickness and failure. In the context of the great earthquake, what else can be more helpful and effective than teaching those in trap a spirit named optimism? The belief that you can get through decide whether or not you will. An old man, for instance, living through more than one crisis: the Chinese War against Japan’ Invasion, Chinese War of Liberation, showed his sense of humor and optimism by saying “hey, I thought the shake had brought me aboard!” when he was saved by a contingent of foreign rescue members. Noticeably, the earthquake just like the one of the wars he has experienced, in his eyes, which was destined to be defeated in the end. It was the old man’s brought him a second life. A miracle, isn’t it? Optimism: a guide on the way forward An optimistic attitude is not a luxury; but it’s a necessity. The way you look at life will determine how you feel, . It has been two months since the Sichuan earthquake took place, facing the fact that our beloved ones have lost and our homeland has been seriously destroyed, how will we view the road ahead? Will we look up in hope or down in despair? I believe in the upward look, and I’m confident that our mother nation will choose the former, too. Take education as an example. In order to secure the normal education for the students in disaster-affected areas, local and central governments pooled their efforts to provide necessary facilities and materials at the first minute, thus making studying a reality instead of a dream, thus turning a sea of ruins into a promising land on which students are playing, learning and growing.
As the leader of the nation, CPC set us an example of optimism, therefore, there’s a good reason to believe that under the leadership of CPC, Sichuan province will usher a new round of development and prosperity. Optimism diverts our attention away from negativism and channels it into positive, upward thinking. The earthquake is by no means a fate for us but a trial that entails concerted wisdom, efforts of one mind and one heart, and above all, a spirit of optimism.
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush Dermes growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest — in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?
“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means Dermesto be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”A peasant had a faithful horse which had grown old and could do no more work, so his master no longer wanted to give him anything to eat and said, "I can certainly make no more use of you, but still I mean well by you, and if you prove yourself still strong enough to bring me a lion here, I will maintain you. But for now get out of my stable." And with that he chased him into the open field.
