I took my seat behind the desk, and immediately a lot of loveable faces gathered around, with different kinds of books open to the title page, sliding into my receiving hands.

“What name should I put down?” I asked each of them, smiled sweetly.

Having spent 25 hours with these young people, it once again came to my last lesson in one class. Though I had experienced the same situation countless times, I still felt a little sad. The quality time was all too short. It’s time for them to move on in their lives again. And I feel honored to be asked to put words on their books, as they said, being all the motivation for their dreams.

I signed the Echo Philosophy to different names, handed to them with both hands, and said a heartfelt “thank you”. I knew it might be the last word I said to them. To me, they were not just another class of students. We had learning times together, and best of all, fun times. And mostly importantly, they granted me 25 hours of contemplative listening, helping me discover my moments of grace.

After signing the words to the last student in the line, I was about to leave. A young lady came up to me, giving me a beautifully wrapped present.

“Echo. It’s a small gift I made by myself. Actually it’s a collection of your blog articles. We all love reading your blog a lot. It gives us, me in particular, many valuable lessons and lots of motivation.” She said and smiled brightly, “I’ve compiled them into a handmade book. I hope you’ll like it.”

I was in a moment of surprise, so surprised that I was somehow at loss for words. I didn’t remember well how I thanked her for this wonderful gift. But I did ask for her beautiful name: Jan.

As I sat in the cab going back home, I put the precious book on my lap, running my finger across the cover of rosy tint, engraved with a title and my name. Well, I had always wanted to write a book someday, and now I virtually have one. Though it’s just handmade book printed in a single copy, I couldn’t be happier and prouder of it even if someday I would have a book published in a huge volume.

The title page is neatly designed and reads:

“ 如果一个人的内心有力量，他可以承担和感受到比一般人更多的东西，会听到心底真实的回声。―― Echo ”

I had never imagined some of my random words were actually helping her in many hard times. As I was reading the foreword written by Jan, I was so vividly described to, for the first time, how these words came in time for a young girl who needed them, how could some pieces of writing transport us from ordinary beings to enlightened souls, and all this could have taken place in a virtual space on the web, even if we were strangers in the real world.

I keep this cherished gift from Jan in the top drawer by my desk, where most of my beloved belongs is stored. There are moments in life when I have doubts in myself and begin to wonder what I have accomplished of any importance or value. At these moments, I will think of this special gift from Jan, knowing that my writing in the virtual space has influenced and benefited some people in my life.

We all have our own calling in life. I may not take teaching as my lifetime profession, but I will always be generous in sharing knowledge and experience as long as I can. And at this time in my life, I was once again convinced that I can hear the echo of my own words from your responses.

As Jan quote from Bible in her foreword -- “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” For me, the pure and unconditional blog writing experience is the streams of water, and I’m more than happy to share them with you to draw strength and hope. Your sincere love lavishes upon my writing is already more than a big treasure.

Someone once said: “Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal moments. Sometimes these moments have immediate impact. Other times, they are slow to manifest and reveal their importance. But if you listen closely to the soft whispers of life, they will guide you on an unexpected journey filled with beauty, understanding and fulfillment.” One such moment occurred to me when Jan gave me this wonderful gift.

Never underestimate the impression you make on others. When we are old and looking back over the past years of our lives, we will ask ourselves in what way have our being influenced and benefited those around us -- especially those who are dear to our hearts.

So, whose life have you touched today?

 
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.  -- <Bible>

posted on 2007-09-16 13:34 江晓弘 阅读(15661) 评论(118)  编辑  收藏 所属分类: 讲台之上 、随想与杂谈 网摘收藏