晓 丹：

Xiaodan:

你 好！来信收到了。了解你的现 状，使我感到欣慰，这几年的风风雨雨，也使你长大了，成熟了。也吃了不少苦吧，异国他乡，学习的艰难，家人的境况等等。

Hello! I have received your letter.  Hearing about your current situation, I am glad to know that the ups and downs in recent years have made you grow up and mature.  You must have gone through a lot, such as living on foreign soil, studying, handling family members’ situations, and so on.

时间飞快。 出国时，你还像一只刚会飞的小 鸟，让人有些担忧，而现在已经开始承担社会责任了。看到你初步具备的坚韧的精神和显露出的自信，让人高兴。生活真可以锻炼人，有困难，有荆棘，才可以让人 成长，吃点苦，可以使人具备坚韧，即使有点麻烦，也要坦然相对，乐观待之。

Time has flown by.  When you just went abroad, you were just like a little bird who just learned how to fly.  This made me worry about you.  But now, you have assumed the responsibilities of society.  Being able to see that you have attained the initial determination and spirit, as well as confidence, have made me very happy.  Life sometimes can really train and teach a person.  The hardships and throes can make people grow. Bearing some tribulations could equip a person with tenacity. Even sometimes when there are troubles ahead, you should treat those optimistically with a calm and peaceful heart.

有 时间，我也看一些书籍。最近翻了翻“菜根潭”这本书。里面有关于人生的道理。可以看到儒家修身，齐家，治国，平 天下的思想，也能 见到佛家超凡脱俗的禅机，也有道家的清静无为，乐知天命的说教。圣人的教化，真让人受益无穷。读书有助于加强自身的修养，培养高尚的情操。看看古人，圣 贤，觉者所讲到的真是精辟，总会给我们以启迪，人，几十年太快了，有时也回想一下真是瞬间，也有苦累，但也不觉的什麽。回想起以前，我曾有一点缺憾，由于 当时忙于各种事务，没能带你到各地转一转，展开眼界，现在看来，你所处的环境，空间更加开阔，接触的面也广泛，可以开阔视野，有更广阔的天地。开阔胸怀， 增加知识，增长才干，施展作为，也是我希望于你的。人最难放下的是情吧。切不可为亲人过多的操心，忧虑，心情放下才是宽，是吧。

If I have the time, I would also do some reading.  Recently, I flipped through the book “Tam Roots”.  This book discusses the meanings of life.  One can see the thoughts of the Confucian school which teaches morals, cultivates the body, creates harmony in the family, provides guidance for a nation and harmonizes the world.  One can also see the supernatural, beyond-the-world meanings from the school of Buddhism [within this book]. It also encompasses the reasons of emptiness – quietism and inaction, the heavenly preaching of happily accepting the arranged destiny from the school of Taoism.  The Sage’s teachings have let people profit immensely. Reading books could enhance a person’s own tutelage and foster one’s noble sentiment. Read through the ancients, saints and sages, and enlightened beings’ words, for those are truly brilliant and always lead us to realizations.  For me, several decades passed by quickly.  Sometimes I recall my life --  it feels like an instant moment. There also were toils and suffering, but nothing matters to me that much.  Looking back in my past, there was one regret: because I had been busy with all sorts of businesses and issues, I could not take you to visit many places and broaden your vision of the world.  It appears now that the environment you are in is much more open.  You can access more aspects of life, expand your vision and experience a far-reaching world.  It has always been my wish for you to be able to open your mind, gain knowledge, hone skills and talents, and display your achievements.  It is the hardest thing to put aside the attachment of sentimentality for a human being. You mustn’t worry about family members extensively and feel down.  When you rid your attachments you will be in a freer state, right?

我在这里一切都好。参加一些绿 化的劳动，也可以活动活动身体。你 3 个姑姑和三大大轮流来看视我， 每个月可以一起吃顿饭，聊聊家常，他们也经常讲：注意身体，你姥姥那里年纪大了，一年还要上来一，两次看我。 其实，我一切都好，他们总是放 不下心来。我过年过节时也给他们打个电话，报个平安。

Everything is fine with me here.  Sometime I participate in some forestation labor.  This way I can exercise my body.  Your three aunts and your third uncle take turns visiting me.  We eat a meal together every month and talk about family matters. They have often told me to take care of my physical wellbeing.  Your grandmother is old now and even she would come up to visit me once or twice a year.  In fact, everything is fine with me.  They always seem to worry about me.  I could make a call to them during the New Year and other holidays to tell them of my well being.

你在那边生活怎麽样呢？有时间 自己做饭改善一下吗？ 学上一，两个做菜的手艺，适时展示一下，也满有趣味的。人有粗茶淡饭足以，知足者常乐的人生的哲理。

What is your life like on the other side? Do you cook to improve your meals when you have time?  You should learn to cook one or two dishes.  It could be interesting when you demonstrate to others at the right time.  It is sufficient to have simple and light taste of food.  Being content could make a happy, long life -- that is the right philosophy.

由 于时间零碎，也没有系统的看什麽书。订了一份“作家文摘”里面各种知识都有。有短文，有连载，也介绍外国的风 情。人需要多方面的 知识，同时也要有智慧。最近，文摘中有李开复在北大的讲座“选择的智慧”，还有他的书［做最好的自己］受到欢 迎。里面讲到许多， 可以借鉴 （李开复当过微软的副总裁）记 得文章中谈到“中庸”，他讲：“有些人认为中庸就是做老实人，其实中庸告诉我们的第一点， 就是避免和拒绝板端和片面。” 也举了一些例子，如果有可能， 看一看这方面的文章对今后的工作，生活有些好处。

Because my time is very scattered, I haven’t read anything systematically.  I have subscribed to the Writers Digest.  The magazines contain all kinds of topics. There are featured short stories, serials, and also some of the articles introduce foreign customs and culture. A person needs knowledge from all aspects of society. At the same time, he or she needs to have wisdom. Recently, the Writer's Digest published an article named “The Wisdom of Choice”, written by Li Kaifu during his speech at Beijing University. His book “Make the Best of Yourselves” became the best seller.  The book talks about many things. One thing I could draw on (Li Kaifu used to be the Vice President of Microsoft), is that I recall the article referred to “moderation”.  He said: “Some people think that being moderate is being honest and a good-natured person.  In actuality, the first point of being moderate is to avoid and refuse being stiff and one-sided.” The article also cited some examples.  If possible, you can read some articles regarding these subjects in your future.  They would give you an advantage in your work and life.

人生的境界有很多。 怎样看待人生的苦与乐，我赞成 以安详的心态，从容地看天空云卷云舒，看地上花开花落，看世间人聚人散，怡然，包容，恬淡，清明，平和，举止从容，淡定，活的自在，快乐本性。这大概是我 向往的品质，境界吧。并相应的确立豁达怡悦的人生态度。

There are many states in a person’s life.  How to look at the suffering and the happiness of it?  I agree with the mentality of serenity and compassion -- calmly look at the clouds stretching and folding in the sky, look at the flowers blossoming and withering to the ground, look at people coming and leaving from the world. The true nature of happiness are joy, tolerance, indifference to fame or gain, pure mindedness, a calm demeanor,and living peacefully, but confidently and free of any restraints.  These are the qualities that I strive to achieve.  This is the quality of life and noble state of mind I have yearned to establish with a corresponding open mind and happy attitude.

我的身体，牙齿不好，其他方面 还是不错的。每月可以采买一些营养品，别挂念。当然也要有个好心情。你也要注意身体，除了有个好的心情，也要注意睡眠，饮食，适度的运动。

As for my health, I have bad teeth. All other parts of my body are still pretty strong. I could purchase some nutritious food each month.  Please do not worry about me.  Of course, a right attitude and good mood.  You also need to pay attention to your health. In addition to a good mood, you also need to have good sleep, a healthy diet, and moderate exercise.

你 现在工作和以前的学习的都是专业技术很强的，看到你的发展我很高兴。我在年轻的时候，由于时代的原因，在八十年代上学已经比较晚了，专业和业务也没什么对 口，更谈不上研究，发展，只是胜任工作，掌握工作的技能。吃得辛苦，才会有收获，社会在发展，还要继续努力。在一篇杂文上看到有这么一句话， “一面彻悟人生如梦的虚无实质，一面又满怀生命的激情；一面了悟人生之必死的真谛，坦然面对生死。一面又率性而行，痛痛快快地活出自 我真性 情，一面把对生命密度和浓度的追求看的比对生命长度追求更有价值，一面又不会把成功和失败看的太重要，清楚一切幸福和苦难都是相对的。快乐不忘形，痛苦不 失态，总之活出气象，由此超越一切庸常世俗的桎诰实现生命的升华。” 一个世人有这样的心态，很不错 了。人的精神升华了，可以处理好人生路上遇到的各种事情，最后是本质的升华，我是会朝这方面去做的。

Your current work and past studies require very strong professional skills.  Seeing your development in your career makes me very happy.  When I was young in the 1980's, because of the era, when I went to school it was already very late. My profession and my major did not match each other, let alone research and development. It was only that I was competent for my work, and grasped the necessary skills to do the job.  Work very diligently, only then can you harvest. Society is developing day by day, so you must continue to try hard.  In an article I have read an expression, “thoroughly aware of the facts that life is like a dream with emptiness and nothingness in essence, at the same time fill life with passion; comprehend the true meaning of life that death is inevitable, at the same time face life and death without fear. Do things at your will, at the same time live with true feelings bravely. Value and focus on the density and merit of life rather than pursuing the length of itself.  Treat success and failures lightly. At the same time knowing that happiness and misery are all relative, being joyful but not acting overjoyed, suffering in pain, but maintaining oneself’s manners.  All in all, one needs to live with honorable intent.  One needs to transcend one’s life from all the worldly fetters and attachments.” It’s very good that an ordinary person could process such point of view.  If one’s spirit is upgraded, one could handle all kinds of encounters well in life.  In the end, one’s true nature would emerge.  I would work toward this goal.

生活上事情，我也操心不上，有 你妈在你身边，我也很放心。你的孝心我能理解，体会到，我更希望你能把自己的生活，工作都处理的更好，让家里的人都为你高兴。

As for your everyday things, I do not worry for you.  You have your mom by your side, and I feel at ease. I can understand your appreciation for your mother.  I really hope that you can deal better with your life and work well.  Let your family be happy for you.

祝            一切都好。

I wish that everything were good for you.

爸： 王治文

Your Dad: Wang Zhiwen

又： 你现在独立生活，要学回生活的 本领，和健康的生活态度，人要不断的充实自己。我不是勉励你学习，因为你已经能给自己约束，耐得辛苦，工作的经验，也可以在学习，实践中积累，而是要学会 放松，一个人时刻处在压力，紧张状态，未必是好事。 有时间，干点自己感兴趣的事 情，放松心情，允许的话，和你妈走一走转一转，或看一些文学，历史，陶冶性情，情操。人在各种环境中，都可以把握，发展自己。一个人如果，可以随心所欲，不逾矩”， 那么就进入了更高的境界了。

P.S: Now you live by yourself, you need to learn the skills of life and a healthy attitude toward life.  A person needs to constantly enrich oneself.  I am not encouraging you to study more, for you already could set boundaries for yourself.  You need to become more strong willed.  You could build up your work experience from study and actual practice.  I would like you to learn how to relax.  It is not necessarily a good thing if one is constantly being under pressure and tension.  If time allows, you could try something that would interest you. Relax your mind.  If there is a chance, you could travel around with your mom.  Or you could read some literature and history to mold your temperament and influence your sentiments.  Under any kind of circumstances, you should be able to take advantage and develop on your own.  If a person can be like “Do as you wish without bending any laws,” then one enters an even higher realm.

其实你的独立，自立，是很重要 的，人的一生不可能与父母总在一起，从依赖到独立，从幼稚到成熟，能自立，是让父母最舒心的，而不是什么事业的辉煌，那些只不过是自己努力的结果而已。

In fact, it is very important that you are being independent and reliable. One cannot stay with one’s parents together for one’s life.  From being dependent to being independent, from being naïve to growing mature and viable is the most enjoyable thing for a parent.  It is not any brilliant achievements from your career for those are only the results of your self efforts.

你给你妈买了车，看到你妈的辛 苦，给你妈一个惊喜，可见孝心，可喜可嘉，但不要给自己造成负担。尽孝的时间还长，可以从细节中体现。好吧，就写到这吧。生活上的事，让你妈多做参谋吧。

You bought a car for your mom. You understood that your mom has worked hard.  This is such a surprise.  I could feel your filial piety.  This is truly commendable.  However, I hope that you did not self-inflict burdens that would be there for a very long time. The caring can be felt through the details in life.  Well, I will stop here.   As for your everyday life, consult your mom for more advice.