Gate of Heart

Have you ever seen a lake? Here are two types of lakes. One is the lake of life in which many creatures are living. The other one is the lake of death in which nothing can live. All lake consists of water. Then why are the two so different? The main difference is in whether the water flows or not. The water circulates in the lake of life so that allows many creatures to live. In the lake of death, however, the water doesn't circulate, which lead the water to decay and make the place where nothing can survive.

I think our hearts are very similar to these two lakes. Each person has a lake inside their heart. And this lake has a gate. If you open the gate, other person's heart can flow into yours. Then many creatures can live in the lake. But if you keep the gates closed, water inside your heart starts to decay. Then people become alone and isolated. And they end up giving up and being depressed and live miserable lives.

Well. Then, how can we open the gate of our heart to live happy life? I found the solution in my life. I was former Cheong Ju Foreign Language High School student. I almost didn't communicate with anyone in my class. So my school life was painful, stressful and I felt so lonely. That's why I chose to quit the school. Then, I entered Cheong Ju Lincoln School. I didn't want to make the same mistake here. So I approached to others first and tried to communicate with them. Then so many things started to change. Now I have a lot of friends. I became more confident when I give a presentations and speak in English. Before I came here I didn't like dance and I was not good at it either. But now, I may be still not good at it but at least I enjoy it! Most importantly I love my school and I love my friends. Did you find out how I opened the gate of my heart? It was through communication. I could open the gate while communicating with others. You don't have to do something great from the beginning. One by one, and step by step. Start expressing little by little at first. This little change will make a big difference in your life. It has a power to change a miserable life to a happy life. Thank you.

                                                             마음의 호수

여러분 호수를 보신 적이 있으신가요? 여기 두 종류의 호수가 있습니다. 하나는 많은 생명이 살고 있는 생명의 호수 이고 다른 하나는 아무것도 살지 못하는 죽음의 호수입니다. 모든 호수는 물로 이루어져 있습니다. 그런데 이 둘은 왜 이렇게 다를까요? 차이점은 바로 물이 흐르냐 흐르지 않냐입니다. 생명의 호수에는 물이 순환하면서 많은 생명이 살 수 있습니다. 하지만 죽음의 호수는 물이 순환하지 않고 물이 썩기 시작하면서 아무것도 살아남지 못합니다.

저는 우리의 마음이 이 두 호수와 굉장히 비슷하다고 생각합니다. 사람은 각자 마음에 호수가 있습니다. 그리고 이 호수에는 문이 있습니다. 만약 이 문을 연다면 다른 사람의 마음이 호수로 흘러들어 올 수 있고 그렇게 되면 많은 것들이 살 수 있습니다. 하지만 만약 계속 문을 닫고 있다면 마음의 물을 썩고 사람들은 외로워지고, 고립됩니다. 그리고 결국 포기하고 절망하며 비참한  삶을 살게 됩니다.