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标题: [原创] 儿子和他赢得一千五奖学金的演讲稿 [打印本页]

作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 08:52     标题: [原创] 儿子和他赢得一千五奖学金的演讲稿

我大儿子已经获得了进军全国演讲比赛的资格。这个周末他参加了一场多学区联合演讲比赛,在这场比赛中他夺得第一名,并因此获得了一千五百美元的大学奖学金。这是他各项学习中数不清的奖项中的又一项。

底下是这次的演讲稿。题目是:“在我看来,乐观主义是 ……” 在这个演讲中,他阐述了乐观的对立面悲观的当代社会根源和特性;乐观是什么,乐观的实质和意义;乐观和未来,乐观和冒险,乐观和成功等等。儿子并运用美国的历史和现状来论证乐观的力量。

顺便说一句,儿子一再告诉我:演讲不是关于输和赢的;演讲是关于直捣人心 ......



For me, optimism is...

British author and philosopher Oscar Wilde once said that “the basis of optimism is sheer terror.” The implications of this quote only seems to epitomize the lack of optimism in society. More and more, the understanding of optimism seems to be drifting away from its original meaning of a positive outlook on life. And in a world of constant warfare, fiscal turmoil, and social decadence, it comes to no surprise why the common citizen has a cloud of doubt as to why he should be optimistic about the future. So, in light of these recent events, let’s first, discover the true meaning behind optimism. Second, to look at why optimism has faded from our every day minds, and last, to see how we can solve this social problem.

Initially, let’s first turn our attention to what optimism really stands for. The word optimism, as defined by dictionary.com, simply means a disposition that expects the positive outcomes of things. However, there  are various themes presented in optimism that doesn’t seem to be fully grasped.

America would not be America today had it not been for the optimistic viewpoints of nearly all of its constituents. From its birth, had people like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson not been optimistic on their chances to defeat the imperial British, we would not have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without the ideal of an American dream in the minds of millions of immigrants, America would not grow to be the cultural diverse society it is today. Simply put, optimism is a driving force toward success, because those who are optimistic believe in their ability to achieve their goals. By being optimistic, America and its populace still stand as a symbol for freedom and a positive future. Therefore, optimism isn’t just a positive outlook on life. It’s an approach to a future, one that has led many down the road to success.

So if optimism is good, why the shift in paradigm? Why have so many people in society changed their views on optimism. Because as it seems, optimism is not as common as we would like in modern day culture. It seems that the myriad of problems that have surfaced in political, economical, and even social aspects have all brewed a huge need for pessimism. For example, in politics, Americans have been increasingly suspicious and doubtful of their government to solve every day problems. And in all honesty, it’s not a surprise, considering how the last Administration left two unfinished wars and a nasty reputation. In economic issues, the confidence of American consumers has fallen because of the average citizen’s discontent with the policies that have been enacted to solve our economic woes. And in social issues, events such as school shootings, heightened violence, and drug use is only causing more pessimism. It seems that with every wrong that happens, it gives more incentives for people to lose hope. And that, is the root of our lack of optimism.

Therefore, it becomes imperative that we solve this issue of a dearth in optimism in society. Now the first step in solving problem, is understanding our pessimism. Because if we look at the pessimistic viewpoints that people have on society, most of their pessimistic roots lie on one centralized theme, fear. And in order for optimism to arise, fear cannot play heavy role. The reason is because optimism requires people to take risks because they know something good will come out of it. If there is an uprising in fear in society, than that will decrease optimism. What everyone needs to understand, is that failure, is the first step toward success. Nothing in society would ever get done if people did not step up to take those risks.

Now I’m not saying we can’t have fear, because it’s not possible to eliminate it. It’s unreasonable to say that figures such as Gandhi or Martin Luther King were never scared of the consequences . But it’s overcoming that fear and believing in the positive results, that will kept these optimists through the hard times. It’s only when we take the risk of failing, do we ever gain the hope of succeeding. Because one cannot succeed without failing. But one can fail without succeeding.

In retrospect, as we return to the topic of optimism, we have seen it in a three part analysis. First, to understand a deeper side in optimism. Second, to see why it has faded from society. And last, how we can regain our optimism for the future. And so, as everyone continues to doubt the future that has in store for us, former president and four star general, Dwight D. Eisenhower tells us that “Pessimism never won any battle.”




就在这个周末,从这个周末到今天这短短的几天,儿子让我经历了从天堂到地狱,又从地狱到天堂的心境大起落。我会把它写出来和各位分享。(也许要几个月以后了)


说到孩子,无法不说孩子们的爸爸。他爸不是个爱出风头的人,但是他跟我提了,让我把他的电台谈访录连接放上去。他说,相信对很多家长都会有些启发和帮助。我就先把这连接放底下。我也将再度专门撰文讲讲孩子们的爸爸,一位赢得了多方赞许、尊敬和爱的父亲。
谢谢。

http://www.imeem.com/people/crplCrD/music/f4h1sx7n/jack-ye-4-2-09mp3/


(儿子想多方听听意见,他还没来得及再改,我先贴过来了。各位如果有时间有看法就给他写几句。非常感谢!)
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 08:53
儿子想多方听听意见,他还没来得及再改,我先贴过来了。各位如果有时间有看法就给他写几句。非常感谢!
作者: weili     时间: 2009-5-9 09:32
谢谢虔谦分享。
我想小棣也愿意分享他儿子上哈佛大学的经历,但他害怕有人会想到别处。
我的两个儿子,也是主要由我先生操心、费力。

看来这些由父亲们做朋友的儿子们,真的非常幸运!
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 09:53


引用:
Originally posted by weili at 2009-5-9 02:32 PM:
谢谢虔谦分享。
我想小棣也愿意分享他儿子上哈佛大学的经历,但他害怕有人会想到别处。
我的两个儿子,也是主要由我先生操心、费力。

看来这些由父亲们做朋友的儿子们,真的非常幸运!

谢谢为力。 等着小棣的分享! 我的周围许多上名校,包括远在北京的同学的女儿,自己闯到美国来最后上了耶鲁。我儿子曾说过,他压力很大。没有,我们不给他压力。怎样都好,只要他尽力。

再次预先感谢评论意见,并祝伊甸母亲们节日快乐!!
作者: weili     时间: 2009-5-9 10:07
其实不是上名校的问题。是这些孩子们如此自信,其中有许多原因。最重要的,是父母亲对他们的关爱、给予他们安全感、照顾他们效率更高......

总之,又是一句两句说不完的事情。
作者: xzhao2     时间: 2009-5-9 13:04
直捣人心......
作者: zhuxiaodi     时间: 2009-5-9 14:14
Wow!!! Congratulations! You must be very proud of your son. He truly did a wonderful job. On first blush, three most remarkable points to me are: 1) a citation from Oscar Wilde at the beginning, 2) a punching criticism of the Bush Administration, and 3) a citation of Eisenhower in the end. What a wise choice and nice balance!
作者: thesunlover     时间: 2009-5-9 14:25
一个很优秀的儿子,祝贺母亲!

我们作父母的,不应该强求儿女进名校,能进好,不能进也好,只要他们按照自己
的志趣寻求、获得人生幸福。
作者: 晨思     时间: 2009-5-9 15:01
QQ的儿子很优秀,人的心理素质很重要。期待QQ  和小棣介绍心得,很有兴趣听。QQ的儿子在公校吗?去听了你的link,怎么只有30秒?
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 16:34


引用:
Originally posted by zhuxiaodi at 2009-5-9 07:14 PM:
Wow!!! Congratulations! You must be very proud of your son. He truly did a wonderful job. On first blush, three most remarkable points to me are: 1) a citation from Oscar Wilde at the beginning, 2)..

谢谢小棣主编慷慨赐教! 他去打网球去了,晚上回来我就和他分享这个。也等着听你讲你孩子的故事。我发现,一提孩子,话就很絮叨。比如我的小儿,他真是,嗨,还是含蓄点,先不唠叨了。
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 16:36


引用:
Originally posted by thesunlover at 2009-5-9 07:25 PM:
一个很优秀的儿子,祝贺母亲!

我们作父母的,不应该强求儿女进名校,能进好,不能进也好,只要他们按照自己
的志趣寻求、获得人生幸福。

谢谢爱太阳。有位家长说,孩子其实往往都比我们想象的好,有主意。单说起点,他们就不知比我们高多少。当然,你要说相对,也相对。

对了,火箭连输两场,咋不报道了?
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 16:37


引用:
Originally posted by 晨思 at 2009-5-9 08:01 PM:
QQ的儿子很优秀,人的心理素质很重要。期待QQ  和小棣介绍心得,很有兴趣听。QQ的儿子在公校吗?去听了你的link,怎么只有30秒?

谢谢晨思!我的大儿,没有功利心。这是我最喜欢他的品德之一。对不起,连接又接错了。换过来了。再谢!
作者: 老牛     时间: 2009-5-9 21:56
名次不名次的, 其实不重要, 重要的是这银子, 当年我在全球知名企业啃得鸡任炸鸡师, 一小时7块,这是我一个半月的工资. 好小子!好样的! 大伯真替你骄傲和自豪!
作者: thesunlover     时间: 2009-5-9 22:16
小弟要讲什么?怎么培养孩子进耶鲁、哈佛?

其实是一件挺好的事情,只是我有点担心那些儿女没有进长春藤的父母,他们的心
里会不会不好受?
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-9 22:20


引用:
Originally posted by 老牛 at 2009-5-10 02:56 AM:
名次不名次的, 其实不重要, 重要的是这银子, 当年我在全球知名企业啃得鸡任炸鸡师, 一小时7块,这是我一个半月的工资. 好小子!好样的! 大伯真替你骄傲和自豪!

感动!代他谢谢牛大伯啦!他又出去了(去听别人演讲表演)...就是说他们这一代起点比咱们高。应该是很正常的。长江浪么。他现在是 Sophmore,所以机会应该还是较多的。
作者: thesunlover     时间: 2009-5-10 22:01
大家继续谈呀,分享自己教育子女的经验。

我的经验是因材施教,放任自流,结果呢,既不很成功,也不算失败。
作者: 冬雪儿     时间: 2009-5-10 22:03
“儿子和他赢得一千五奖学金的演讲稿”——这是虔谦的儿子献给他母亲最好的节日礼物。祝贺!还没看内文,仅看这标题就为虔谦感到高兴。迫不及待地先跟贴,再看文。
作者: 冬雪儿     时间: 2009-5-10 22:06


引用:
Originally posted by thesunlover at 2009-5-11 03:01 AM:
大家继续谈呀,分享自己教育子女的经验。

我的经验是因材施教,放任自流,结果呢,既不很成功,也不算失败。

“我的经验是因材施教,放任自流,”——因材施教是可取,放任自流是不是太宽泛了点,对孩子。所以章凝你的经验是不是还有待修正?;)我说得不对的,章凝完全可以听之任之,置若罔闻。
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-10 22:44
先谢谢冬雪儿、爱太阳。今天花了整两个钟头去听我儿子他们的演讲表演。这些高中生真棒,光是才华就让我吃惊。他们个个都可以当电影演员或是节目主持人或是TALK SHOW/电视系列表演者。它那儿嘴一颤,我眼泪差点没跟着下来。
学识和责任感就不用讲了。

我儿子是里面最小的。嘿嘿...

既然有需求,回头我来贴几篇有关我孩子们的。
作者: 晨思     时间: 2009-5-10 23:58
听了录音,QQ的老公真棒,有爱心耐心,也有智慧,很难得。多谢分享。
作者: 虔谦     时间: 2009-5-11 00:39


引用:
Originally posted by 晨思 at 2009-5-11 04:58 AM:
听了录音,QQ的老公真棒,有爱心耐心,也有智慧,很难得。多谢分享。

谢谢晨思!这次也是我孩子他爸建议我连这个接的。他在孩子身上花了难以形容的心血。慢慢再聊。再谢!




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