On Being Earnest

Yesterday at the after party with my Gaoshan classmates, since my birthday began right after midnight, everyone gave me a few words each. It was a very touching moment.

One friend described me as someone who "takes everything she does seriously." I was happy, and a little surprised. I didn't use to be like this. Like many people, I was afraid to be earnest, afraid to care. Thinking about it seriously, I suppose it's because I've become braver.

Because behind "earnestness" is "courage."

A handsome British actor whose name I don't know once said:

I gave myself permission to care. There are a lot of people in this world who are afraid of caring or afraid of showing that they care, because it is uncool, it is uncool to have passion.

It is so much easier to lose, when you've shown everyone how much you don't care if you win or lose.

It is much harder to lose when you show that you care.

But, you will never win, unless you also stand to lose.

Do not afraid of your passion. Just give it free reign, and be honest and work hard, and it will all turn out just fine.

I allow myself to care. Because there are many people in this world who are afraid to care, afraid to show that they care.

Because it isn't cool enough; having passion makes you look less composed. The more you make people think you don't care about winning or losing, the easier it is when you actually lose; the more you show you care, the harder it is to lose.

But,

if you want to win, you have to be able to withstand failure.

Don't run from your feelings. Pour out your passion, be honest with yourself, and work hard enough, and what's meant to come will come.

Here's to me staying passionate, staying caring, staying brave, staying earnest. Be fearless.