I came across a set of ten reflective questions on a blog. Today happens to be my 25th birthday. I had been wanting to mark this meaningful milestone on my blog, yet I was unsure how to celebrate and document this important moment in my life. Then I found this ten-year questionnaire, and it feels incredibly fitting to answer these questions on this special day. I welcome every reader to reflect on these questions as well and write down your own ten-year journey.
Question 1: Describe your current life in three sentences.
I am about to complete my MBA degree. I chose to pursue my postgraduate studies and start my MBA journey back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have received my first formal job offer in life, which I consider the best birthday gift for my 25th year.
This is my sixth year living in Canada, where I began my undergraduate studies in 2015.
Question 2: Share the most impressive moment of the past decade.
Ten years ago, I was 15; today, I am 25.
Ten years ago, I wandered the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Yunnan. Ten years later, I reside in Summerland, Canada.
Ten years ago, I was a middle school student. Ten years later, I have finished my undergraduate studies and am on the verge of graduating from my master’s program.
Ten years ago, I hosted the Star Avenue class party at Chongqing No.1 Foreign Language School. Ten years later, I am in Victoria, Canada.
I am astonished to realize that there is one thing I have kept doing consistently for an entire decade. Only passion and genuine love can sustain such long-term persistence.
The spirit of bold imagination and fearless action has always driven me forward. The Xinsi community embodies our creative and daring mindset; the TLS Leadership Program serves as my event planning team; and the CSSA provides me with a stage to continue pursuing my dreams overseas.
Back in middle school, I planned and hosted campus events including Star Avenue and the SuperStar Campus Singing Competition. A decade later, I still organize various activities at Thompson Rivers University. I once asked myself why I am so passionate about event planning. At first, I simply enjoyed standing on stage as a host, receiving cheers and applause from the audience. But as time went by, I stepped down from the stage and turned down all hosting opportunities. I made a promise to myself: the true purpose of my event planning is to build a platform for everyone to chase and fulfill their own dreams.
Question 3: Have you changed a lot compared with your 15-year-old self?
(Photo: Delivering a recital at the Spring Festival Gala (left); TLS Leadership Program activities (upper right); TLS Leadership Program public welfare events (lower right))
My teenage self was young and inexperienced, yet full of dreams. I was naive and shallow, but bold and fearless in taking action. Today, I still hold fast to the dream I had ten years ago: to help more people realize their dreams, and to fulfill my own life value through empowering others.
Question 4: Do you still keep in close touch with friends from ten years ago?
If there is one thing I regret most in the past decade, it is failing to maintain regular contact with my old friends. Ten years ago, they were my most important companions, who supported me, stood by me, and encouraged me all the way. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without them. It is their company that made my past ten years so wonderful and fulfilling.
They are people with unrestrained imagination, who dare to break stereotypes, refuse to be bound by dogma, and live authentically for themselves.
I still remember a quote Teacher Fang told me ten years ago:Hope is like a path on the earth; originally there is no path, but when many people walk on it, a path comes into being. From Lu Xun’s Hometown, this sentence has stayed fresh in my mind. It has always inspired me to hold onto my dreams and move forward without fear.
Question 5: Has your career path changed from your original plan?
Ten years ago, I had no idea what career I would pursue. Even now, I am still exploring the most suitable path for myself, but I have a clear sense of direction for my future. A quote from Kaifu Lee has always encouraged me: The value of life lies not in what you gain from the world — money, wealth, status or glory can never maximize your life’s worth. True life value comes from what you create for the world and what legacy you leave behind.
Build stages for dreams, light up the future for dreamers.
I may not be able to change the world as radically as Steve Jobs did, either now or when I was younger. But I have my own plan: start from where I am, influence the people around me, and devote myself to meaningful causes that can potentially bring positive changes to the world. This is why I love building stages so much. It is not because I crave the spotlight for myself, but because I want to set up the lights to illuminate others’ paths.
Question 6: How has your relationship with your parents changed over the past decade?
Since studying abroad, I have had far less interaction with my parents. I used to return to China every year, but the pandemic has kept me overseas for two consecutive years without going back home.
As an ancient poem goes:A mother’s hands stitch robes for her departing son, sewing tightly for fear of his delayed return. Who says the tender grass’s blade can repay the radiance of spring sunshine?
On my 25th birthday, the person I am most grateful for is my mother. Thank you for your constant company and selfless dedication.
Question 7: What are your thoughts on family?
I feel this topic is a little premature for me at my current age. I will leave this question unanswered and revisit it in my future writing, when I have more insights and life experience.
Question 8: Do you want to go back to ten years ago?
Ten years ago, I was young and ignorant, reckless yet fearless. Today, I am more restrained and mature, but I still refuse to follow the crowd blindly. I am grateful to my 15-year-old self, for every bold choice, every right and wrong decision I made in my youthful days.
Question 9: Are you afraid of aging?
I would like to answer this question with a quote from my favorite book, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt:
“Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.”
Question 10: What do you believe is the most essential thing in life?
To be strong, brave, benevolent, and kind.
