Ji Xianlin, born in 1911, experienced the changes of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China until his death in 2009, his life is not only a witness of the years, but also a legend of wisdom and tenacity. Someone once asked Ji Lao: What is the secret of longevity? He always smiled and did not answer, as if in his opinion, life has its own rhythm and wisdom.
Ji Xianlin's life is like a colorful history book, and his annual rings seem to depict the changes in modern China. In 1911, before the smoke of the Xinhai Revolution dissipated, Ji Xianlin was born in the turbulent era of this country. When he was young, he experienced war and poverty, but these adversities did not break him, but forged his tenacious character.
Ji Xianlin is not only a scholar, but also a wise man of life. He once said: "There is no art to maintain health", which seems to express his deep understanding of life. The secret of his longevity is not an unfathomable recipe, but a threefold understanding of life: harmony with nature, kindness to people, and peace of mind.
In terms of relationship with nature, Ji Xianlin has always maintained a sense of awe. He believes that nature is the source of life, and even in his busy academic life, he does not forget to talk to nature every day. Whether he is walking along the campus paths or admiring the scenery in front of the window of his study, he always finds solace in nature.
Being kind to others is another magic weapon for Ji Xianlin. In his view, harmony between people is the cornerstone of social stability. He is not only pragmatic academically, but also sincere and respectful in his relationships with students and colleagues. This approachable attitude has made him a beloved student throughout his decades-long teaching career.
More importantly, Ji Xianlin's adjustment and management of personal mentality also shows his profound wisdom of life. He knows that inner peace is the best weapon against the wind and rain in the outside world. In the face of all kinds of difficulties in life, he can always adjust his emotions through reading and writing, so that he can return to a peaceful state.
Ji Xianlin's eating habits are also quite simple. He is not superstitious about the so-called "health food", but more follows the principle of "going with the flow". Simple milk, bread, and peanuts make up his daily diet, and for lunch and dinner, he also mainly eats home-cooked food. This seemingly ordinary diet can provide him with enough nutrients to maintain his health and active mind.
In addition to the wisdom of life, Ji Xianlin's attitude towards academics is also worth learning from today. His academic career has covered almost all fields such as literature, history, and philosophy, and every essay and book is imbued with his love for knowledge and pursuit of truth. He once said, "Books are best friends", and he spent countless nights in a sea of books, and this spiritual enrichment undoubtedly added a lot of positive factors to his longevity.
Ji Xianlin's life was not all smooth sailing. During the Cultural Revolution, he also experienced hardships and tribulations, but he never gave up his pursuit of knowledge and his love of life. He used his own experience to tell us that no matter how difficult life is, we should never lose the pursuit of beautiful things and the love of life.
Ji Xianlin's longevity is not only accidental, but also the result of his long-term practice of life wisdom. He knows how to live in harmony with the world, how to maintain oneself in complex interpersonal relationships, and how to find peace of mind in the midst of chaos. These wisdom of life may be something that each of us should learn.
In today's fast-paced society, we may need wisdom like Ji Xianlin to guide our lives. Not everyone will live to be 98 years old, but everyone can pursue a lifestyle of peace of mind and good health. Ji Xianlin tells us with his own practice that longevity is not only the accumulation of years, but also the embodiment of wisdom.