Learn to appreciate

 　　Everyone longs to be appreciated. To gain appreciation, you must first learn to appreciate others; appreciating others is appreciating yourself. Appreciating others is understanding, communication, trust, affirmation, encouragement, and inspiration! Appreciating others allows one to leverage strengths and overcome weaknesses, fostering healthy growth, while also earning the appreciation of others.

　　In Taiwan, there was a student named Lin Qingxuan who, in his second year of high school, received two major demerits and two minor demerits, placing him on probation. His academic performance and conduct were poor, and most teachers were disappointed in him. However, his Chinese teacher, Wang Yucang, often invited him to his home for meals, and when Lin Qingxuan had to take leave, he would teach his classmates Chinese. Teacher Wang told him, "I've taught for 50 years, and I can tell at a glance that you are a student destined for greatness." This admiring remark moved and inspired Lin Qingxuan, who resolved to work hard and live up to his teacher's expectations. Later, Lin Qingxuan became a renowned writer in Taiwan and even the world.

　　One day, Lin Qingxuan was passing by a mutton restaurant when a middle-aged stranger ran up to him and greeted him warmly, recounting their meeting 20 years prior. At the time, Lin Qingxuan was a reporter for a newspaper, writing social news. One day, the police caught a thief, and Lin Qingxuan went to interview him. The police explained that this thief had committed thousands of crimes but was being caught for the first time; some of the victims only discovered the thefts weeks later. The thief, with a refined appearance and sharp eyes, patted his chest and told the police, "A true man takes responsibility for his actions; I admit to everything I've done." The police showed him a stack of photos of burglaries, asking him to identify the thief. Looking at the photos of the ransacked house, he said, "This wasn't me. My methods aren't that crude." Lin Qingxuan was deeply impressed and wrote a feature article, admiringly remarking, "A thief with such meticulous attention to detail, such skillful and sophisticated methods, and such a distinctive style—so professional, refined yet spirited—is truly rare. If he hadn't become a thief, he could have achieved success in any profession!"

　　The mutton restaurant owner standing before Lin Qingxuan was none other than the thief himself. The owner sincerely said, "Mr. Lin's feature article shattered my blind spots in life and led me to do something legitimate." Lin Qingxuan was deeply moved. He never imagined that a few words of praise for the thief years ago would influence a young man's entire life, guiding a fallen youth towards the light.

　　Lin Qingxuan's experience tells us that a single warm word can be a lifetime of sunshine or a lifetime of darkness. Especially when people are at their wits' end, care, protection, and encouragement are crucial. Sometimes, a single word can be like a burning fire, warming people, igniting their confidence, and shining their self-esteem. It can help people see the light ahead in the darkness, thus inspiring them to strive, be positive, break through the gloom, and get out of their predicament.