“In the Light Shall We See Light.” Today, I realize that this is the motto of Columbia University in the United States, which instantly increases my respect and longing for this world-renowned university.
There are many people and things in the world, like a beam of light illuminating one's path forward, or a beam of light suddenly shining into one's ignorant, helpless, or even hopeless world, making oneself suddenly enlightened and inspired. Such people and such things are like the sun in the sky, giving warmth and light to others.
In 1989, after graduating from vocational school, I was assigned to work in a state-owned enterprise. The company's profitability is average, and the meager salary can hardly sustain a normal life, often struggling to make ends meet. However, I really couldn't resign and leave because I didn't have the courage. What can a vocational school student from a textile school be competent for? How far can I go? I was considering choosing my favorite English as the direction of my efforts and putting in sweat for it.
I only studied English for two years in junior high school, and I really didn't know where to start. On Saturdays and Sundays when I didn't have classes, I often went to a bookstore not far from the school to see if there were any books I needed there. I was fortunate enough to come across the magazine "The World of English " and I was overjoyed. I bought almost every issue and carefully read it when I came back. Even with the help of a dictionary, I found it a bit difficult to understand. One day, I read the story of the editor in chief Chen Yulun from "The World of English ".
After the Cultural Revolution, although Chen Yulun saved his life, he lost a leg. Relying on prosthetics and crutches, Chen Yulun knocked on doors and visited each family, sincerely inviting them one by one, walking and climbing stairs. At the end of the day, he visited five or six families and invited "first-class content" for the founding of "The World of English". In 2010, Chen Yulun left quietly in an era of developed media and in a world full of hustle and bustle. Fortunately, his past sweat has already turned into the reader's perspective and knowledge. His actions also provided a model for later publishers.
Many vocational school graduates in the unit began to take self-study exams. In 1992, I also participated in the study of English major in higher education self-study exams and went further and further on this path.
At that time, my brother was teaching at a middle school in the countryside. One day, he told me a story about a teacher, his colleague, in the school. That teacher aspired to take the postgraduate entrance examination and studied hard in the single dormitory during non class hours. In the scorching summer, he soaked his feet in the cool water of the basin. In the cold winter, he draped the blanket over himself. The heavens do not disappoint those who are determined, and in the end, he was admitted as a graduate student in mathematics at Shandong University of Mining and Technology (now Shandong University of Science and Technology).
After hearing this story, I aspired to take the postgraduate entrance examination. Although I did not succeed, to this day, I still miss that time very much.
Isn't Professor Chen Yulun just a beam of light? This person has passed away, and his spirit is eternal. His spirit shines on us all the time. The teacher who aspired to take the postgraduate entrance examination was also a beam of light, and from his radiance, I saw the light.
“借汝之光，得见光明”，时至今日我才知晓，原来这是美国哥伦比亚大学的校训，顿时增添了我对这所世界名校的敬重和往。
世间有许多人和事，像一束光照亮着自己前行的道路，或者自己懵懂、无助甚至绝望的世界里突然照进了一束光，令自己豁然开朗，为之一振。这样的人，这样的事，就像天上的太阳，给人以温暖和光明。
1989年，中专毕业后，我被分配至一国营企业工作。企业效益平平，那点微薄的工资几乎不能维持正常的生活，常常是捉襟见肘，可我实在不能辞职而去，实则是没有那个胆量。一个纺织学校的中专生，有什么可以胜任的呢？又能走多远呢？我便考虑选择自己喜欢的英语作为努力的方向，并为之付出汗水。
仅仅在初中学习了两年的英语，我实在不知从何处着手。周六周日不上课时，我便时常到离学校不远的一所书店里去淘宝，看看那里有没有我需要的书籍。有幸遇到了《英语世界》杂志，我欣喜不已，几乎每期都买了一本，回来后仔细阅读，即使借助词典，也觉得有点吃力，不能看懂。有一天，从《英语世界》中读到了主编陈羽纶的故事。
“文革”过后，陈羽纶虽捡得一条命，却失掉了一条腿。可就是靠假肢和拐杖，陈羽纶一家一家地敲门拜访，一位一位地诚恳相邀，步行、爬楼，一天下来，拜访个五六家，为创刊之初的《英语世界》邀来“一流的内容”。 2010年，陈羽纶走了，在一个传媒发达、尘世喧嚣的年代走得悄无声息。幸而，他昔日的汗水，早已化作读者的眼界和智识；他的作为，也给后来的出版人提供了一个范本。
单位里的许多中专毕业生开始参加自学考试，1992年，我也参加了高等教育自学考试英语专业的学习，并在这条道路上越走越远。
那时，哥哥在农村的一所中学教书，有一天向我讲起他学校里一位老师的故事。那位老师立志考研，不上课时间就在单身宿舍里苦读。夏日炎炎，他就把脚泡在脸盆的凉水中；冬日寒寒，他就把被子披在身上。苍天不负有心人，最终考取了山东矿业学院（现山东科技大学）数学专业的研究生。
听到这个故事以后，我便立志考研，尽管没有成功，时至今日，可我很怀念那一段时光。
陈羽纶教授不就是一束光吗？斯人已逝，精神万古，他的那种精神时时刻刻照耀着我们。那位立志考研的老师也是一束光，从他的光芒里，我看见了光明。
