Shiyuan Li Essays - Marie Daulne, Walloon People, House Slippers

Shiyuan Li Communications Learn your heritage! I once heard someone say, "It is important to learn about your heritage!" ever since then, I have been keen on to searching and digging about who my ancestors were and what kind of future they have tried to provide for his descendants. In Deuteronomy from the Bible it goes, "Remember the Days of Old, consider the years of many generations: ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you." This passage not only inspired me, but also became a light that guided through my conversations with my elders. When I was younger, I had no interest in what my grandparents had to say to me. Afterall, they are just people who are living in a totally different generation and their advices are cannot be implemented the same way in a modern day context. But what I disregarded is that they have so much to offer to me; their success, failures, experiences. It was then that I started to converse with them. I learned about the wars, the floods, the catastrophes and triumphs. I searched and found that the house my father grew up in is now protected and cared by the government because of its heritage and significance. I learned that my late grandfather who loved me dearly but I never was able to speak to was part of the construction of the first Chinese nuclear bomb, and that his father was one of the most famous philanthropists during the Korean War who selflessly dedicated his wealth and resources into the country that he loves and identifies with. What I am trying to say is that knowing your heritage is one part of accepting your identity. Nowadays we all want find out who we are and achieve our goal, and a good sense of your heritage will help one find that. When I hear about what my ancestors have done to pave my future, I feel a sense of comfort that I cannot find from anything else. Heritage is like an inheritance that is worth far more than monetary value. This is an inheritance that sticks and stays by your side. I feel a sense of belonging and comfort, and it inspires me to draw closer to my family. Chinese families are really really big, and being the only family that is not in China makes it really hard for us. The connections that I have built with them has turned from "oh you are my relative" to "thank you so much for the contributions that you have made to make my life better." I am now able to talk about my heritage and values proudly, and I hope that I can continue to celebrate this great history of mine by conti nuing to preserve it for my kids. In todays world, much of our heritage has been lost either through wars or neglect. More and more arts and traditions are forgotten everyday, ones that will never be recalled from time. If we just put down whatever devices that has strangled us into this mobile society, and talk to our elders about their past and their family stories. Trust me it will be worthwhile.