Yanwen’s blog

I recently heard a real story about a 70-year-old man in China who shared his exercise videos online. His impressive, young-man like muscles attracted plenty of views and compliments, with many remarking that he looked like a young man. However, he suddenly died of heart failure.

As his online presence grew, so did the pressure to maintain his muscular image. The constant stream of likes and comments likely created an immense pressure to uphold the youthful persona he had projected. In his pursuit of external validation, he overexerted himself and tragically, it cost him his life.

If he had been well-anchored, with a clear idea of what he wanted for himself — a healthy body rather than public applause -— he might have avoided this.

This story made me reflect on my writing activity. I write every day, of course hoping to have a large readership. Sometimes, low readership can be discouraging.

However, I consider myself a super well-anchored person with a clear goal in mind. I understand that my goal is anything but internet attention. Writing is a highly valued creative activity, blessing me with more personal satisfaction than any external validation can provide. The size of readership is not relevant to my goal. I am keenly aware of the fleeting and capricious nature of external approval, so I don't let it bother me.

Finally, this cautionary story of an old man underscores the importance of coming to terms with the reality of our physical limitations. Social media can amplify external pressures and expectations, but it is crucial to remain true to who we are, -- not as young as we wish. Regardless of what we try to achieve, by staying focused on our goals, we can avoid the pitfalls of outside approval and find genuine satisfaction in our pursuits.

Today is Monday, Memorial Day, a day to remember fallen American soldiers. Coincidentally, I read the news about another death: the 37-year-old American actor Johnny Wactor, which occurred on Saturday morning.

Wactor, a "General Hospital" actor, was shot in downtown LA, California, while trying to stop three men from stealing the catalytic converter from his car. The three men fled, leaving Wactor to die in a local hospital.

The LA Times reports, "‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor’s slaying during L.A. theft sparks shock, anger, mourning." Sadly, killings like this occur daily in the U.S., but this incident gained attention because he was a well-liked actor.

Every time I read about a shooting crime like this, I think of Will Durant's definition of civilization:

"Civilization is social order promoting cultural creation. Four elements constitute it: economic provision, political organization, moral tradition, and the pursuit of knowledge and the arts."

Durant emphasizes the role of social order in creating prosperity in a society. The opposite of order is chaos, where extreme individual freedom, crime, violence, and the rule of the mighty prevail.

Throughout Chinese history, prosperities and cultural flourishing have always emerged in peaceful eras. Chinese people value peace above many things, which is why there is a saying, 宁为太平犬, 不为乱世人 (níng wéi tàipíng quǎn bù wéi luànshì rén) — It is better to be a dog in a peaceful time than a person in a war time.

On this Memorial Day, as we honor the sacrifices of those who were supposed to fight for peace and order, let us also reflect on the importance of maintaining social order against senseless crimes in our communities. The tragic death of Johnny Wactor is a stark reminder of the consequences of disorder in a society and the urgent need to uphold PEACE and the basic principles of human civilization.

We grew up watching movies like Walter Defends Sarajevo (瓦尔特保卫萨拉热窝), which depicts the brave Yugoslav fighters defending their homeland toward the end of World War II.

My heart is overwhelmed with profound nostalgia when I think of that movie and Yugoslavia at that time. China was relatively isolated then, with few friends in the world. What happened to the federal republic of Yugoslavia led by its strong leader Josip Tito?

In Chinese, there is a famous saying: 分久必合，合久必分 (fēn jiǔ bì hé, hé jiǔ bì fēn) — Unity will inevitably prevail after a prolonged separation, and a long period of unity will inevitably lead to separation. This describes the cyclical nature of Chinese history.

Are we seeing the same cycle in Southeast Europe? Perhaps. The former Yugoslavia went through significant social, ethnic, and political turmoil after the death of its great leader Tito, influenced by both internal conflicts and outside forces.

First, in every society, there are two forces at work: one for unity and another for separation. When the force for unity prevails, you have a united nation. Otherwise, you see a fragmented one like the former Yugoslavia.

Second, most of these shifts have historically been accomplished through war, with a few modern-day exceptions like the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Third, internal factors are often the determining forces. As the saying goes, the easiest way to capture a castle is from within. The enemy within is the most dangerous.

President Lincoln echoed this sentiment when he said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Reflecting on the past, it becomes clear that the surest way to secure national unity is through internal cohesion and cooperation.

Ultimately, the cycles of unity and separation teach us that the internal strength of any entity, whether a nation or an organization or even a family, lies in its ability to foster internal solidarity while withstanding external pressures.

A few days ago, I read two pieces of news about India on the same day. The first headline read, "North India Boils as Temperatures Near 50C," while the second stated, "Google to Make Pixel Phones and Drones in India."

The extreme heat in India reminds me of the Sahara Desert in North Africa and many other parts of the African continent. Both regions are exposed to a wide range of climates, including intense heat and heavy rain seasons. Both have also experienced long periods of colonization by Western powers.

However, as it is now, most parts of the African continent remain far less developed compared to India. Google and Apple never consider having their factories in Africa. Several factors contribute to this disparity in development between India and many African countries.

First of all, India is one of the four ancient civilizations in the world, with a longstanding cultural emphasis on education, very much similar to China. Indian culture sees education as a means to achieve social mobility, economic stability, and social status. Indian families invest heavily in their children's education, just as Chinese families do.

India has a long history of learning and valuing education, with many renowned centers of learning like the ancient University of Taxila. The colonial legacy also plays a role; during British colonial rule, a formal education system was established with English as the medium of instruction. This has resulted in a large English-speaking population, which is advantageous in the global economy.

Moreover, post-independence, the Indian government implemented policies to promote education, leading to significant increases in literacy rates and the establishment of numerous higher education institutions. 

India's focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has particularly driven its integration into the global economy, contributing to sectors like information technology and pharmaceuticals.

In conclusion, the comparison between India and many African countries underscores the transformative power of culture that emphasizes education. While historical, cultural, and political contexts differ, the cultural value on education can serve as a catalyst for India's economic growth and societal advancement. 

Perhaps one of the challenges facing some underdeveloped countries is how to foster a culture that values learning as much as India.

When I was in Beijing, I went out with my youngest sister every evening. Yesterday, I asked her if she still did it after dinner. “No. I don’t feel like it now that I’m alone,” she replied. She is living by herself now.

Nature has its way of aging us if we allow inertia to take charge and always take the path of least resistance. When we exercise to postpone aging, we are essentially going uphill against nature. A tough task. It takes both a strong will and self-discipline to exercise and stay fit every day.

When I worked at the KU Cancer Center, I read about morbidity and mortality of cancer by race in the U.S. Some racial groups experience higher rates than others. Besides genetic factors, lifestyle likely plays a key role. A healthy lifestyle includes both healthy eating and regular exercise.

Maintaining an exercise routine is a testament to our willpower. My daily routine includes swimming, walking and working with dumbbells. 

Despite the natural inclination to stay put and the temptation of inertia, choosing to stay active is a deliberate and willful effort to defy the natural inactivity and achieve overall well-being.

Strong will power is the prerequisite to a strong body. We need will power to discipline ourselves and to eat healthy, exercise regularly and to keep away from addictions.