[One Thousand Characters a Day] Life Lessons Learned from a Thousand Books <1>

Editor's NoteLife is often likened to a ‘journey.’ When faced with an important choice, we say we are ‘standing at a crossroads,’ when an unexpected negative outcome occurs, we say we have ‘encountered a headwind,’ and when we make wrong words or actions, we say we have ‘gone off track.’ These are all metaphors comparing life to a walking journey, a voyage, or a train trip. As we walk this ‘road called life,’ we wander and worry countless times. Life Lessons is a digital humanities essay by digital humanist Professor Changsoo Lee, who analyzed one thousand English-language memoirs and autobiographies using data mining techniques. It introduces the experiences of those who, in search of the answers to life, stumble, get hurt, take wrong turns, and overcome pain along the way. Through this, readers can gain the strength, courage, and wisdom to rise above the adversities they face in life. Word count: 1,123 characters.

"If you choose ‘this path’ to go to the Olympics, you will have to make efforts that other kids don’t. You won’t be able to sleep over at friends’ houses, attend the end-of-year prom dance party, or enjoy many things other kids do."

Without hesitation, Lindsey answered “Yes.” Her father immediately began planning a 10-year training schedule that included the Olympics and what would come afterward. He guided his daughter to focus not only on sports but also on her studies. This was a backup plan in case her Olympic dream was dashed. He did not dismiss his young daughter’s dream as a childish notion. He highly valued her will and talent and accompanied her on the journey to the Olympics to help her achieve her dream. Lindsey revealed in her memoir that without her father’s support and guidance, her success would not have been possible.

We stand at countless crossroads in life. The motivations for choosing a particular path vary. Like Sarah Frey’s story, one might choose a path by learning from the mistakes of others. Like Jeremy Camp’s story, one might choose a difficult path out of sincere love for someone. Or, like Lindsey Vonn’s story, one might choose a path because it is their dream. Although the motivations differ, there is a commonality in these three stories: they all chose the path they believed was right in their hearts. In English, this is called ‘following your heart.’ Steve Jobs said the following in his 2005 Stanford University commencement speech.

"Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. The most important thing is to have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Of course, the path chosen this way may have many hardships. But where is an easy path? You choose a path and walk it, sometimes get lost, try to carve a new path when it’s too hard, turn back and take another route when blocked. Life is not about following a pre-drawn route; it is about drawing the route as you go. What matters is walking ‘your path’ that you believe is right in your heart.

- Changsoo Lee, Life Lessons, Saramin, 17,000 KRW