Keystone Magazine | Page 22

SPECIAL REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT
DISCOVERING YOURSELF : THE RE­ SILIENCE OF LIFE “ I loved it !” said one of my friends , Ma Shixuan , adding with sparkling eyes , “ For me , it was such a precious and unforgettable experience that I never had before . It is something I will always treasure .” Despite the rough terrain caused by the unexpected weather , many of my classmates felt the same .
She is definitely not the only one who felt that way . The trip to Xiaowutai brought us pain and injury , but more importantly the courage to carry on . With the help and guidance from the hiking coaches and the stunning nature as the backdrop , we carried on and completed the hike with our perseverance and determination .
Zhang Hongqing reflected on his experience as having unique significance to him : “ We were enjoying ourselves until the hail suddenly started to come down heavily , making it difficult to go ahead . We struggled through the cold wind until we were too exhausted to continue . And when I finally reached the campsite , and beheld the magnificent beauty of Xiaowutai the following day , I couldn ’ t help feeling overwhelmed . I quickly forgot how difficult the previous day was . Despite its fragility , life has its own resilience and flexibility . We will experience a lot in our life , good and bad , and I would rather focus on the positive side of these experiences .”
20 THE KEYSTONE MAGAZINE
This was not a camping trip to conquer nature , for it is impossible to conquer the source of life to which we belong . However , we can feel , recognize and experience our fragility and great determination as human beings . Every time we make a courageous decision , we are discovering a brand-new self , a better and stronger self , determined to push ourselves further .
TEAM SPIRIT : A SENSE OF BELONG­ ING During the trip and as we faced the forces of nature , we felt the maturing of our bonds with each other and a strengthening of our team spirit – something we seem to take for granted in the routine campus life . Almost invisible in the day-to-day city life , these bonds came unshackled in natural surroundings when we devoted ourselves to discovering our true selves . It is during these moments , such bonds and long-lasting friendships are born and revitalized , seeping into the innermost part of our hearts .
On the last day of our trip , the biting wind and snow gave way to a beautiful day . The windows of the farmhouses framed the snow-covered mountain ridge . We finally climbed up the ridge and took a group photo in front of the peak ; words fail to capture the excitement and relief of the moment . As we returned to the campsite at the foot of the mountain , we all teared up . The dumplings we made were steaming up in the gentle sunlight , and the aroma filled our hearts with comfort .