[One Thousand Characters a Day] Life Lessons Learned from a Thousand Books <3>

Editor's NoteLife is a continuous series of choices. From the very trivial to the critical issues that determine our lives, everyone makes choices and hopes to have no regrets about them. However, it is not easy to recognize the 'crossroads' in life. Choosing which path to take is even more difficult. In Frost's poem The Road Not Taken, the poet standing at a crossroads chooses the path less traveled by. That path is likely narrow, rocky, and winding, making it difficult to walk. There may be unknown dangers lurking. But choosing such a path can lead to an experience where 'everything changes.' Even if regrets and lingering feelings remain about one's choice, it takes courage to find and walk one's own path. What choices, regrets, and courage have been part of your life journey? Word count: 1101 characters.

Walking is a single action, but the form of walking varies depending on speed, rhythm, and stride length. There is plodding, brisk walking, striding, nodding while walking, strolling, tiptoeing, and more. Various forms of walking reflect the walker's attitude or psychological state. When tired or uninterested in the destination, one plods along; when busy, one walks briskly. When confident or with a clear destination, one strides; when wanting to show off, one nods while walking. To avoid being noticed, one tiptoes; when leisurely wandering without a particular destination, one strolls. Among these forms, the one with a positive connotation is 'striding.' In English, it is called a 'stride,' meaning walking confidently with long strides and a regular rhythm. Against this background, the English expression 'take ~ in stride' means 'to accept disappointing results or bad news calmly and composedly.'

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Situations that occur in life cannot be rejected just because we do not want them. Whether we want them or not, various events happen, and unfortunately, we have no control over them. However, the attitude with which we respond to situations is controllable. It entirely depends on our mindset. In English, this attitude and mindset are called a 'mindset.' Depending on how the mind is 'set,' it can become a powerful source of strength or a pathway to despair. Buddha said, "All things are rooted in the mind." American author Zig Ziglar said, "It is not your aptitude but your attitude that determines your altitude." Ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus also said, "It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

The mindset or attitude mentioned here is like the posture we take while walking the path of life. When rough terrain appears, thinking of the path only as an obstacle or adversity makes your steps heavier and your body balance more easily disturbed. Conversely, walking with confidence that you can overcome such a challenging course makes your steps lighter and your walking posture more stable.

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