Ideals, Playground, and High School#
date: July 15, 2022
slug: 2
status: Published
tags: Essays
type: Post
Before the college entrance examination, I always thought that the difficult months of senior year were just fleeting moments in life, until after the exam, I realized that the experiences of senior year would accompany me for a long time. Just like in "Days of Being Wild," Su Manzhen once thought that a fleeting minute was insignificant, but later understood that the minute before 3:00 PM on April 16, 1960, became an unforgettable moment in her life.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, looking at the sky, watching the sunset, observing the cats, but most of all, watching the vibrant high school seniors in their youth.
What is the true face of life for us? Is it slipping into nihilism, eliminating all pressure and anxiety, breaking free from all traditional customs and social opinions, living freely and comfortably, or is it realizing that freedom and responsibility always coexist, and one must forge life through responsibility and pressure? The former is merely a fantasy and utopia, while the latter is the real world. The practice in reality is just that; we can only, and should best, accept the true nature of the world and the essence of life with joy. On this basis, we should not lose faith, not lose hope, and continuously draw strength to move forward.
Recently, the image that touched me the most was the college entrance examination admission rates of various provinces in 2021. Henan Province ranked first in terms of numbers, as well as the admission rates for 985 and 211 universities, or the first-tier university admission rate—of course, representing the greatest difficulty. I really like a saying: "The starlight does not fail those who strive." I do not glorify suffering, but we should not boast of seeing through everything after facing hardship, living passively. To dare to face life, to feel the ups and downs of life, to endure the impact of social tides, this is not the stuff of legendary heroes, but the natural state of life for every ordinary person who struggles with their hands and mind.
Coincidentally, while the younger students were running, the music playing in my headphones was "Ultramarine." In my ears, there were virtual stories chasing dreams; in front of me, there was the tangible reality also pursuing dreams—or rather, striving for the right to chase dreams. Every youthful, radiant smile signifies touching vitality, the vitality of youth surging, the confidence of making choices without regret. Eighteen is the age of vigor, and dreams are their expectations of themselves; dreams are their commitments to what ought to be. This expectation is fresh, hoping to enter their ideal university, live the life they want, and realize their aspirations; this commitment is invaluable, a promise to aspire for social fairness and justice, a promise for a hopeful future.
All things decay quickly, but dreams endure forever. I will always admire those who, after realizing the truth of life, choose not to lie flat but to persist in their ideals; I will always admire those who maintain revolutionary optimism in their struggles. It is not the outstanding who dream, but the good dreamers who become outstanding. Tonight, the younger students running in front of me rely solely on their pursuit of expectations; they have no other strengths, only their dedication to their commitments.