Lighting the Candles
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 8.28.2017
Friends often ask me what I am doing during my retirement. My general answer is that I focus on four things: enjoying my grandkids and family, exploring the world, strengthening my body and soul, and paying back society. Over the years, I have tried to live this type of life by spending about a quarter of my time on each area.
However, the real answer to what I am doing is somewhat more abstract. I am trying to “light the candles” of the people I am in touch with. I hope to light up their passion to learn, improve, serve, and help each other.
In Family: My biggest joy is to encourage my grandkids to do new things and hear them say “I can do it by myself.” That is when the “confidence candles” are lit. One example of this rewarding experience is when I recently lost in a swimming race against my grandkids. Such memories of “candle lighting” will be cherished by them as they grow up.
In Teaching: I live by the motto, “The students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” A caring teacher can bring out the students’ desire to learn and explore. When my students told me that my class is the toughest, but they love to attend, that was a good indication that their “learning candles” were lit. They will enjoy the fruits of life-long learning and thrive in the classroom of real-life.
In Mentoring: I try to use inquisitive and suggestive questions to mentor young individuals and organizations. When I see a sparkle in their eyes and smiling faces with a nod, that shows the “awareness candles” were lit. With such awareness and ah-ha moments, the mentees begin to seek self-improvement, deeper understanding, and new approaches. Success begets success. Their awareness candles will gradually become “action candles.”
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many young people as they spread their wings in the world. Their enthusiasm, innocence, and energy are contagious, and they are like well-made candles waiting to be lit and to shine.
I hope I have many more years to light these beautiful candles, and I look forward to being a fading sunset that brings out many shining stars.
點燃蠟燭
–作者 許俊宸博士
–中譯 薛乃綺
朋友們經常問我說退休後都做些什麼。我的回答是，我專注在4種事情上面：享受與兒孫們在一起的家庭時間、探索游歷世界、加強鍛鍊我的身體及心靈、並且尽力回饋社會。多年來，我嘗試在這4個重點上都各花1/4的時間。
不過，如果用一句話來簡單回答我的退休生活，其實是有些抽象的– 我試著對我所接觸的人去”點燃蠟燭”。我期盼我能夠”燃起”周遭人們對於學習、改善、服務或互相幫助等事情的熱誠。
在家庭裡：最大的樂趣就是鼓勵孫子們去嘗試新鮮的事情；並且聽到他們說”我自己可以做到！”。那是他們的”信心的蠟燭”被點燃的時刻。有個實際的例子就是，最近的游泳比賽，我輸給的孫子們。這種”蠟燭點燃”的回憶，會隨著他們成長而更為珍惜。
在教學中：我的座右銘是，”學生不在乎你懂得多少，直到他們知道你關心他們有多少”。一個具備愛心的老師是可以燃起學生對於學習與探索知識的慾望。當我的學生告訴我說，我的課雖然是最難的，但他們喜歡來上。這就是一個很好的徵兆，表示他們的”學習蠟燭”被點燃了。他們會享受一輩子學習的樂趣，並且能在現實生活的課堂上茁壯成長。
在做指導師時：我試著用好奇的探問、暗示的方法，來指導年青人和團隊。當我看到他們閃閃發亮的眼睛、頻頻點頭和微笑的臉龐時，那表示我已點燃他們”觉識的蠟燭”。有了這樣的觉識和”ah-ha”的時刻，被指導者會開始尋求自我改善、更深入地去理解和学新的方法。成功會帶來更多的成功。他們的“觉識蠟燭”會逐漸變成“行動的蠟燭”。
我很幸運能有機會跟許多年輕人一起工作，看他們在這世上展翅高飛。他們具有渲染力的熱情、稚氣，和精力。就像是精心製作的蠟燭，正等著被點燃，發光，與闪耀。
我希望我有更多的時間，能點燃這些美好的蠟燭，用我這日暮晚霞，帶出滿天的繁星！
