I read a blog post yesterday and it just struck me.
The blog post was written by a lady consultant who spent a few years in Shanghai and a few years in Beijing.
The post was about the difference between the two mega cities in China.
Her observation was so accurate and deep that even I could recognize it, as someone whose life would be totally different from hers.
Thinking about the years I spent in Shanghai, I got feelings about those traits from time to time, but I never really thought about it, let alone summarizing and sharing it.
Thinking back about my experiences then, the reason behind was really whether what I did was following or against those traits.
The one common thing among all of them, I figured, was passion.
They come from different backgrounds, have different passions and pursue them in very different ways.
One was born in a very poor family and had to take up the burden to feed his 3 brothers and sisters. He wants money and pursues it in whichever way allowed. Making money turns into his instincts and ultimately, he starts to move his focus to gaining status.
One was born with disadvantage with almost no chance to go to university. He wants power and pursues it even on the cost of losing their identify. He is almost over-disciplined with no personal life. He eventually stops to look back and recollect.
One was born with a silver spoon. She wants to be successful in her field with her talents and efforts and refuses help from her families. She finally realizes she is naïve and that achieving the best to be able to help is more important.
One was born physically strong. He wants the best for his village and devotes everything he has to achieving that goal. Again and again, he is disappointed with his fellow villagers who only enjoy the benefits he brings but suspect him at the first sign of adversity. After he recovers from a fatal illness, he now patiently considers what to do next.
