For Ariana, On Pratt Commencement 2023

My dear daughter,

Congratulations! For your achievement, for your hard work, for taday. It's a end of a journey, and a beginning of another. I wish you all go well.

Watching you walk across the stage, feeling happy for you, all remind me last 23 year growth of you and much more. I can now feel the moments that you were still a baby girl in my arms, soft and tender. And I could feel many moments when I was not with you, it has been 10 long years. But I never had the feeling of you are far away.

I heard of many voices coming from deep heart on the Pratt event. They all connect to my thoughts, about world and life. I wish you can feel the same way I feel.

To be honest, I found myself not as excited as I expected, because of the world and life. There are too many chances and challenges ahead of you, I think it's the right spot to take some time to ask you THE Question: what's the meaning of life?

The most common answer to the question is: life has no meaning. I will say, it's a too convenient answer for a too hard question. I used to be confused by the question and the answer for quite long time when I was young as you.

The best answer to me now is: Life has no meaning until you find some, keep looking.

The truth is that rare person find any serious meaning in their life, maybe they have found, but forfeit after awhile for no good reason.

I think the most simple and powerful wish made to you all students and audiences on the Pratt event is from one of the honorary doctorship reciever. She said: Don't Throw Anything Away. Have you get her?

So, I'm really glad you have found what you love to do, you have found some meaning for you life. It is the meaning of you now and hopefully it will be be meaning of your future. It's one of the best gift that life could bring to a person, and it's the closest answer to THE question.

Stick to your dream, it all goes well, so far so good. Grab it, make meaning for yourself, don't thow it away no matter what.

I won't be far away.

Dad

17/05/2023