Even Homer sometimes nods. You're right! I've made my correction. Thank you very much.Tina Sun 寫:Wayne,
Your attendee list is wrong... Ting is not the hostess and you miss the real host Ryan..... XDDDD
6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:Ryan
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
連荷馬有時候都要點頭認錯。人非聖賢，孰能無過~~Even Homer sometimes nods.
Cool... learn a good phrase from you as always.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
I do agree with Rock when he said Mr. Nick Vujicic was a fighter but I do not agree that he was not a winner. In the discussion, some of us concluded that for the definition of a winner one would often be compared with others while others of us argued that one would only be compared with himself. In our case, it is up to Mr. Vujicic himself to decide whether he is a winner, and I believe he is.
In his early age, he was depressed for his physical disabilities. However, there was an upside-down change after he failed to commit suicide at the age of ten. It may be difficult to imagine how he could have such a dramatic turn, but I think it can be attributed to his faith in God after he became a Christian. A faithful Christian as Mr. Vujicic is will not think his disabilities are advantages; instead, he may think it is a gift from God. It may sound strange but I can picture that Mr. Vujicic thinks that it is God’s grace to have created him this way to give him the power and opportunities to speak to his audience and inspire them and he is thankful for what he has –wisdom and a good heart, gifts from God, too.
When compared to others, Mr. Vujicic is a winner in that these “other people” may not be as successful as an inspiring speaker like him. If these “other people” do not have limbs, will they be winners? Will they be as optimistic as Mr. Vujicic and willing to help others? Will they achieve the feat like Mr. Vujicic has? Can they earn the same respect as that for Mr. Vujicic?
On the other hand, when compared to himself, Mr. Vujicic is also a winner. He beat out himself by overcoming his physical disabilities and his mental hang-ups. Obviously, he has stepped out of his uncomfortable zone and helped others walk into the comfortable zone. If he had kept himself in the prison of being a physically challenged person and did nothing “meaningful” (in contrast to Dan Bilzerian’s probably “meaningless’ lifestyle), he would have been utterly a loser. In fact, Mr. Vujicic did not give up upon himself. Instead, he found his own advantages by using his gifts from God to inspire others, and he has been successful.
Therefore, why can’t I say he is a winner? He has set attainable goals; he has lived well his own lifestyle; he has accomplished winning feats that many others may not have. By my definition of a winner of life (living a self-contented life without having a guilty of conscience), he is absolutely a winner.
Mr. Vujicic is not only a successful public speaker -- he majored in both accounting and financial planning at a university. Therefore, he can work in his professional field after he retires from delivering speeches.
If someone does not want to exchange his life with Mr. Vujicic’s, it can be understood he does not want the part of the physical disabilities. However, other than that, who doesn’t – unless one still thinks he’s not a winner?
“Embrace the positive attitudes, perspectives, principles and truths I share, and you too will overcome.” This is his belief and he loves to share such tips with others. Also, I give many thanks to Ryan for offering us Mr. Vujicic’s touching story.
In his early age, he was depressed for his physical disabilities. However, there was an upside-down change after he failed to commit suicide at the age of ten. It may be difficult to imagine how he could have such a dramatic turn, but I think it can be attributed to his faith in God after he became a Christian. A faithful Christian as Mr. Vujicic is will not think his disabilities are advantages; instead, he may think it is a gift from God. It may sound strange but I can picture that Mr. Vujicic thinks that it is God’s grace to have created him this way to give him the power and opportunities to speak to his audience and inspire them and he is thankful for what he has –wisdom and a good heart, gifts from God, too.
When compared to others, Mr. Vujicic is a winner in that these “other people” may not be as successful as an inspiring speaker like him. If these “other people” do not have limbs, will they be winners? Will they be as optimistic as Mr. Vujicic and willing to help others? Will they achieve the feat like Mr. Vujicic has? Can they earn the same respect as that for Mr. Vujicic?
On the other hand, when compared to himself, Mr. Vujicic is also a winner. He beat out himself by overcoming his physical disabilities and his mental hang-ups. Obviously, he has stepped out of his uncomfortable zone and helped others walk into the comfortable zone. If he had kept himself in the prison of being a physically challenged person and did nothing “meaningful” (in contrast to Dan Bilzerian’s probably “meaningless’ lifestyle), he would have been utterly a loser. In fact, Mr. Vujicic did not give up upon himself. Instead, he found his own advantages by using his gifts from God to inspire others, and he has been successful.
Therefore, why can’t I say he is a winner? He has set attainable goals; he has lived well his own lifestyle; he has accomplished winning feats that many others may not have. By my definition of a winner of life (living a self-contented life without having a guilty of conscience), he is absolutely a winner.
Mr. Vujicic is not only a successful public speaker -- he majored in both accounting and financial planning at a university. Therefore, he can work in his professional field after he retires from delivering speeches.
If someone does not want to exchange his life with Mr. Vujicic’s, it can be understood he does not want the part of the physical disabilities. However, other than that, who doesn’t – unless one still thinks he’s not a winner?
“Embrace the positive attitudes, perspectives, principles and truths I share, and you too will overcome.” This is his belief and he loves to share such tips with others. Also, I give many thanks to Ryan for offering us Mr. Vujicic’s touching story.
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Was that punishment for not doing the duty as a host ?Tina Sun 寫:Wayne,
Your attendee list is wrong... Ting is not the hostess and you miss the real host Ryan..... XDDDD
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
聯考 英語
聯考: joint entrance examination
多元入學制度: multiple entrance system
分發: assignment
填志願: fill out the form of school options/selctions
(國中)基測: Basic Competence Test
(大學入學) 學測: College Entrance Examination In Subject Competence
(大學入學) 指考: College Entrance Examination In Specified Subjects
免試比序: examination-free entrance competition
PR值: percentile
Your corrections are most welcome!
聯考: joint entrance examination
多元入學制度: multiple entrance system
分發: assignment
填志願: fill out the form of school options/selctions
(國中)基測: Basic Competence Test
(大學入學) 學測: College Entrance Examination In Subject Competence
(大學入學) 指考: College Entrance Examination In Specified Subjects
免試比序: examination-free entrance competition
PR值: percentile
Your corrections are most welcome!
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
It's a glitch, but I still must offer my sincere apology to you.Ryan 寫:Was that punishment for not doing the duty as a host ?Tina Sun 寫:Wayne,
Your attendee list is wrong... Ting is not the hostess and you miss the real host Ryan..... XDDDD
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Bravo!! Wayne. What a nice conclusion you made. I can see you are really inspired by Nick. Good for you.
After the meeting, I have been persuaded by some members. Ha~
It made me turn to a different perspective to reviewing the topic questions.
Although I am not like Wayne, who writes so well and expresses his thought so clearly, still I’d like to say something as well.
Whatever the cases of Nick or Dan, those two cases are too extreme examples for the normal and ordinary people like us. We are not disable, and we don’t have such appealing and powerful self-story to share, to inspire others. Likewise, we also haven’t earned (maybe we will) such big money to show off in public and make people envious and jealous.
If we just look back to the real world, the reality around us, I think there is one thing that we can at least have or try to find it, which I believe Nick and Dan both have it. That is, passion, which I got inspired by from Nick and Dan. Nick’s passion for helping people by taking his own example to inspire those who think they are unfortunate or abandoned by others (or by God). While Dan’s passion, obviously, is to win the gambling game, to win a fortune. Only Dan’s hobby is to share his achievement and happiness to the public. Well, that’s his choice.
Back to us, if we also have passion to something and then we set a goal. When we try to reach that goal, we will definitely encounter many mistakes, but just like Nick once said (or may other successful public figures one said), don’t give up. We all make mistakes. We should be willing to fail and to start over again with lessons learned. I am convinced that as long as you have passion for what you really desire to have or to become, then you may have a so called meaningful life. Perhaps you are very close to “the winner.” And maybe in coming future, you are the topic that we are discussing about in our yoyo meeting.
哀~~用字和語法好弱…. 氣勢弱掉 XDDD
另外在網路上看到這篇作文範本….順便給你們參考一下 哈
成功人士與我們的差別
(The Differences between Successful People and Us)
Most of us feel envious of famous and successful people in the world. We do not understand why they are so popular and honored while we are mere simple common folks. We all have a misconception that these people are prosperous just because they are especially gifted or because they are just lucky.
However, the fact is that most great persons have minds which are the same as, or perhaps even simpler and duller than that of ours. Yet, we refuse to believe so because our misconceptions have taken root in our stubborn minds. Why, then, are their triumphs so great? It is because they are apt to fighting with difficulties with perseverance, without fatigue and undergo sufferings without minding the wounds. They are aware that the road to their destination will be filled with hardships. Their endurance is more powerful than that of ours for the simple reason that they submit without complaint to each storm in life. To illustrate this, let us take Columbus as an example. What difficulties and courage he had had before he discovered the new world. Had he fallen into despair, America might not have been discovered so early.
All of us wish to have a bright future. Those who remain in idleness and think that great people are different from us will never fulfill our ambitions. Those who think we are the same as great people, and believe in hard work will make our dreams come true.
After the meeting, I have been persuaded by some members. Ha~
It made me turn to a different perspective to reviewing the topic questions.
Although I am not like Wayne, who writes so well and expresses his thought so clearly, still I’d like to say something as well.
Whatever the cases of Nick or Dan, those two cases are too extreme examples for the normal and ordinary people like us. We are not disable, and we don’t have such appealing and powerful self-story to share, to inspire others. Likewise, we also haven’t earned (maybe we will) such big money to show off in public and make people envious and jealous.
If we just look back to the real world, the reality around us, I think there is one thing that we can at least have or try to find it, which I believe Nick and Dan both have it. That is, passion, which I got inspired by from Nick and Dan. Nick’s passion for helping people by taking his own example to inspire those who think they are unfortunate or abandoned by others (or by God). While Dan’s passion, obviously, is to win the gambling game, to win a fortune. Only Dan’s hobby is to share his achievement and happiness to the public. Well, that’s his choice.
Back to us, if we also have passion to something and then we set a goal. When we try to reach that goal, we will definitely encounter many mistakes, but just like Nick once said (or may other successful public figures one said), don’t give up. We all make mistakes. We should be willing to fail and to start over again with lessons learned. I am convinced that as long as you have passion for what you really desire to have or to become, then you may have a so called meaningful life. Perhaps you are very close to “the winner.” And maybe in coming future, you are the topic that we are discussing about in our yoyo meeting.
哀~~用字和語法好弱…. 氣勢弱掉 XDDD
另外在網路上看到這篇作文範本….順便給你們參考一下 哈
成功人士與我們的差別
(The Differences between Successful People and Us)
Most of us feel envious of famous and successful people in the world. We do not understand why they are so popular and honored while we are mere simple common folks. We all have a misconception that these people are prosperous just because they are especially gifted or because they are just lucky.
However, the fact is that most great persons have minds which are the same as, or perhaps even simpler and duller than that of ours. Yet, we refuse to believe so because our misconceptions have taken root in our stubborn minds. Why, then, are their triumphs so great? It is because they are apt to fighting with difficulties with perseverance, without fatigue and undergo sufferings without minding the wounds. They are aware that the road to their destination will be filled with hardships. Their endurance is more powerful than that of ours for the simple reason that they submit without complaint to each storm in life. To illustrate this, let us take Columbus as an example. What difficulties and courage he had had before he discovered the new world. Had he fallen into despair, America might not have been discovered so early.
All of us wish to have a bright future. Those who remain in idleness and think that great people are different from us will never fulfill our ambitions. Those who think we are the same as great people, and believe in hard work will make our dreams come true.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
for me, winner is just a saying. you seem to have won in life this competition. but win what? you don't really win a trophy or what, instead, it's happiness i would say. i guess that's why we call somebody winner because we think their life should be greater and happier than that of most of other people. the truth is, the truth is it's just not like what we think sometimes. that's why we have the case of the tv anchor who committed suicide. almost everyone thinks he belonged to the club of life winners, but he personally didn't think so i guess, otherwise he wouldn't have killed himself. therefore, being a winner or not is very simple for me. if you are content with what you have, content with your life, and live a life you truly think is happy then, you are a winner.
to me, it's to find someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for, with financially free life. money is important of course. and apart from who you really love and what you really love to do, hope is what we can't live without in our life.
to me, it's to find someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for, with financially free life. money is important of course. and apart from who you really love and what you really love to do, hope is what we can't live without in our life.
i might be a cynic and, a sceptic as well but, i'm definitely not a bad person!!
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
In fact, a winner does not necessarily have to win a trophy, or a prize, or an award. It can be just symbolic, perhaps the sense of achievement or success.
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
I also owe an apology to Ting, too. I'm sorry for my oversight.Wayne 寫:It's a glitch, but I still must offer my sincere apology to you.Ryan 寫:Was that punishment for not doing the duty as a host ?Tina Sun 寫:Wayne,
Your attendee list is wrong... Ting is not the hostess and you miss the real host Ryan..... XDDDD
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Wow! You guys are working overtime. Cool!
I do agree with Wayne, Tina and Luis. Being courageous, passionate, happy, etc. can help people live a better life, or reach their goal of life. However, I am still not sure if it fits the idea of "winner", especially when someone called 林志穎 as a member of "人生勝利組".
Personally, I will never call myself a winner. I have never been a winner, and never will be.
This title is a bit tricky. We can easily call others a winner of life--- Steve the rich, Wayne the wise, Tina the beautiful or Luis the smart.... They are all so good in many ways, and a lot of people think they are winners. But, how about you? Are you a winner of life? Do you accept this title and start calling yourself a winner if it is given to you in celebration of your success, courage, passion or happiness?
I guess some happy successful people would say "No, thank you, but I am not that good. I'm not Mr. Lin, anyway." It's not because they want to be modest or what; it's really because they see the imperfection of life. To them, life is something one can enjoy, get peace with, or fight for; life is not something one can beat and win. They pursuit the meaning and value of life, endure the hardship and enjoy some achievements, with the understanding that the true winning will never come.
A boy in my school strongly believed that he was super handsome. He looked into the mirrors so often to appreciate his handsomeness. He also got a crazy hairdo, wore earrings and some tattoo on his arms. He chased a cute girl student and won her love. When he was strolling on the street with a bunch of his teenage friends , with one arm around the girl's shoulders and a cigarette in his hand, his friends admired his courage so much and took him as a hero. I guess he wouldn't hesitate to call himself a winner of life because, to him, Mr. Lin was no more handsome than him.
I don't know Nick in person. But I just cannot imagine him saying "我是人生勝利組" with a smile like Mr. Lin's.
However, Don the poker winner looks more likely to say that. Being humble or classy doesn't fit his image, anyway.
I do agree with Wayne, Tina and Luis. Being courageous, passionate, happy, etc. can help people live a better life, or reach their goal of life. However, I am still not sure if it fits the idea of "winner", especially when someone called 林志穎 as a member of "人生勝利組".
Personally, I will never call myself a winner. I have never been a winner, and never will be.
This title is a bit tricky. We can easily call others a winner of life--- Steve the rich, Wayne the wise, Tina the beautiful or Luis the smart.... They are all so good in many ways, and a lot of people think they are winners. But, how about you? Are you a winner of life? Do you accept this title and start calling yourself a winner if it is given to you in celebration of your success, courage, passion or happiness?
I guess some happy successful people would say "No, thank you, but I am not that good. I'm not Mr. Lin, anyway." It's not because they want to be modest or what; it's really because they see the imperfection of life. To them, life is something one can enjoy, get peace with, or fight for; life is not something one can beat and win. They pursuit the meaning and value of life, endure the hardship and enjoy some achievements, with the understanding that the true winning will never come.
A boy in my school strongly believed that he was super handsome. He looked into the mirrors so often to appreciate his handsomeness. He also got a crazy hairdo, wore earrings and some tattoo on his arms. He chased a cute girl student and won her love. When he was strolling on the street with a bunch of his teenage friends , with one arm around the girl's shoulders and a cigarette in his hand, his friends admired his courage so much and took him as a hero. I guess he wouldn't hesitate to call himself a winner of life because, to him, Mr. Lin was no more handsome than him.
I don't know Nick in person. But I just cannot imagine him saying "我是人生勝利組" with a smile like Mr. Lin's.
However, Don the poker winner looks more likely to say that. Being humble or classy doesn't fit his image, anyway.
最後由 Rock 於 週四 6月 26, 2014 11:58 am 編輯，總共編輯了 4 次。
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Hi Rock:
As we discussed on Tuesday night: "everyone has his own definition of being a winner" and "everyone has his values". When we judge whether Mr. Lin, Mr. Vujicic, or Mr. Bilzerian is a winner, do we base on our own definition/values or on their own? From Mr, Bilezerian's angle, he is a winner -- of big money and his enjoyable life in the fast lane which includes fancy cars, scantily-clad women, etc.. On the other hand, if, from others' angle, they think winning big money can define a winner, then Mr. Bilzerian indeed is a winner. However, from my personal angle, Mr. Bilzerian is no more than a smart and lucky gambler. Other than money and the things he can buy with it, what else can he be proud of himself? Before I get sufficient information about his "meaningful" life, I would not say Mr. Bilzerian is a winner of my kind but there's no arguing that he is a winner of some of other Yoyo members' kind.
Moreover, a person can be a winner and loser at the same time. For example, I am a loser academic-wise, career-wise, money-wise..., but I am a winner marriage-wise. Don't ask me what (material things) I have lost or won. You see, a winner can be just a synonym of a successful person. Then again, "everyone has his own definition of success" and "everyone has his values".
And Rock, thank you for your compliments, but I am not as wise as you think. (Let me borrow Rock's tone: Am I humble?)
As we discussed on Tuesday night: "everyone has his own definition of being a winner" and "everyone has his values". When we judge whether Mr. Lin, Mr. Vujicic, or Mr. Bilzerian is a winner, do we base on our own definition/values or on their own? From Mr, Bilezerian's angle, he is a winner -- of big money and his enjoyable life in the fast lane which includes fancy cars, scantily-clad women, etc.. On the other hand, if, from others' angle, they think winning big money can define a winner, then Mr. Bilzerian indeed is a winner. However, from my personal angle, Mr. Bilzerian is no more than a smart and lucky gambler. Other than money and the things he can buy with it, what else can he be proud of himself? Before I get sufficient information about his "meaningful" life, I would not say Mr. Bilzerian is a winner of my kind but there's no arguing that he is a winner of some of other Yoyo members' kind.
Moreover, a person can be a winner and loser at the same time. For example, I am a loser academic-wise, career-wise, money-wise..., but I am a winner marriage-wise. Don't ask me what (material things) I have lost or won. You see, a winner can be just a synonym of a successful person. Then again, "everyone has his own definition of success" and "everyone has his values".
And Rock, thank you for your compliments, but I am not as wise as you think. (Let me borrow Rock's tone: Am I humble?)
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Yes, Wayne, your ideas are very clear and logical. I agree with you. In fact, I was just trying to bring up something different to make things more interesting, and it's a great opportunity to practice English writing, too. Please forgive me if you found some of my opinions weird or illogical. They are just for fun most of the time.
I guess this "winner of life" topic is kind of philosophical and the understanding can be different from person to person. Is it possible that it reflects our views towards life? Yours look positive enough, but I just found mine getting darker and darker....
I guess this "winner of life" topic is kind of philosophical and the understanding can be different from person to person. Is it possible that it reflects our views towards life? Yours look positive enough, but I just found mine getting darker and darker....
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
It's not true. The wording and structure of your writing is not weak. It's good writing, very easy and clear to read. By the way, how do you say "氣勢" in English?Tina Sun 寫:
哀~~用字和語法好弱…. 氣勢弱掉 XDDD
Re: 6/24 How do you define someone as a winner of life?Host:
Hey, you're asking too much. Most of people never have these four things at the same time in their life. You need to lower your standard, or you wouldn't be happy la.Luis Ko 寫:
to me, it's to find someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for, with financially free life. money is important of course. and apart from who you really love and what you really love to do, hope is what we can't live without in our life.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.