Hello, everyone!
It is such a joy to sit together at this special moment and share an open, heartfelt conversation.
First of all, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you all! Congratulations on bringing your journey at Nankai University to a successful close and embarking on a new chapter of life. From your speeches, I can see that the motto of Dedication to Public Interests, Acquisition of All-round Capability has taken deep root in your hearts. This will serve as the most valuable foundation for your future.
As we bid farewell, I would like to see you off with some of the most beautiful lines of poetry—wishing you to set cloud-white sail and cross the raging sea, and gallop swiftly in the vernal breeze. Yet, we all know that the journey ahead will not always be smooth. I can also sense the unease and anxiety in your words. You will encounter setbacks and pressures, and at those difficult crossroads, you may even wonder if you’ve taken a detour.
When such moments come, what should we do?
You should know that the so-called difficult choices are those that, at the moment, seem almost the same no matter which option you choose. So, when you have gathered all the relevant information and still cannot decide, take a moment to listen to your inner voice. Have you ever tried flipping a coin to help make a decision? The result itself doesn’t really matter. What truly matters is that, when the coin lands, do you feel a sense of relief or a sigh of disappointment? Often, your heart has already made its judgment. Dear students, you live in a noisy and busy era. But no matter how chaotic or busy life may be, always preserve a space for yourself—to reflect, to be still, and to listen to the true desires of your heart. In that silence, sort through your feelings and review your choices. Let what I truly want triumph over what I should do. Then follow the answer that comes from within, and move forward with even greater courage.
Perhaps some of you still worry: what if the choice your heart makes turns out to be wrong?
In Japan, there is a second-hand bookstore owner named Sakamoto Kenichi, who is in his nineties. He often turns his reflections on life into posters, which he displays in his shop. These posters were later collected and published. One line that has stayed with me is simple yet profound: Life is just a series of detours.
At my age, when I look back, it’s often hard to tell where the shortcuts were and where the detours began. What once seemed the quickest way may not have been so, and what once felt like a detour may have led to unexpected beauty. Life is full of detours, and that’s what makes it truly authentic. Every path we take becomes part of a map that is uniquely our own.
Don’t hesitate when it’s time to take root, and don’t stand still when it’s time to act. Love real people, not abstract ones; love life itself, not the meaning of life. In real people and real moments, feel the texture and warmth of living. Through consistent action and steady accumulation, learn to become yourself, embrace yourself, and love yourself.
Finally, my best wishes to all of you! May your future be abundant in self-fulfillment and filled with warmth for the world. May you carry the spirit of Nankai within you, and in the vast expanse of life, chart your own magnificent journey.
Thank you!
