Meet a university professor who uses his past to help others’ futures by Chip Ewald
A keen outdoorsman, Hsieh Chih-Mou (謝智謀) has climbed to the summits of numerous mountains. But life hasn’t always been full of high points for Hsieh. He’s certainly experienced and learned from his share of low points as well.
Growing from his past
Growing up in a violent home put Hsieh on the path toward a life of crime. Getting into fights with people and into trouble had become a habit for him. After stealing a stranger’s motorcycle, he was arrested and put in a detention center. Three days after being released, he failed his second year of high school. This low point was a life-changing wake-up call for Hsieh. He realized he was becoming someone he didn’t want to be.
So, Hsieh decided to turn his life around by finishing high school, college and a master's degree program. Combining his interests in psychology and outdoor recreation, he went on to complete a Ph.D. in experiential dedication and adventure therapy at Indiana University. After becoming a Christian in graduated school, he determined to use his life to serve people.
Persevering through medical challenges
During the next eight year. Hsieh finished his ph.D. and took groups of at-risk youth on outdoor wilderness trips. Then in 2006, a serous heart attack permanently damaged his heart. Consequently, his weakened heart now supplies only 55 to 60 percent of the total oxygen that a healthy heart pumps. Only four months after heart surgery, he led a group of university students on a sea kayaking trip in Alaska. For Hsieh, falling into the near-freeing Alaskan water with his heart condition would almost certainly be fatal.
Two weeks in such dangerous waters taught him and his group lessons about overcoming fear with courage and faith. Hsieh accepted an even greater challenge in the Himalayas the following summer. The oxygen-poor air at great heights causes a person's heart to work extra hard. Hence, climbing mountains is especially risky for people with heart disease. Until that summer, no one with Hsieh's heart condition had ascended above 4,500 m. By climbing the 6,189-m Island Peak, he set a new record for altitude among people with his heart condition.
Adventures with a purpose
The constant possibility that his nex day could be his last has been a powerful force in Hsieh's life. Certain that living for himself would be a waste of time, he spends his life serving others.
Hsieh loves helping Taiwan's youth who are at risk. having been in their shoes he is able to help young people who face violence as well as behavior and drug problems. Hsieh currently teaches at National Taiwan Sport University. Each year, his students plan, organize and lead an overseas adventure trip that somehow meets people's needs.
For example, the 2006 Alaskan adventure was a way to raise money for an at-risk youth program in Taiwan. In 2007 and 2009, after climbing in the Himalayas, Hsieh's students completed several projects for a Sherpa community school. And in 2008, after conquering the 5,895-m Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, his class built restrooms for a nearby school. In addition, they initiated a community-wide soccer program. Hsieh's example helps others to discover the adventure and satisfaction of living generously.More Information
One of Hsieh Chih Mou's past adventures was sea kayaking in Alaska to raise money for an at-risk school program in Taipei. Another 2008 adventure saw a grough climbing Africa's highest mountain, Mt. Klimanjaro, to help build facilities for a local school. Hsieh also once led adventurers into the Himalayas to help build a classroom for an nearby school-and then helped fill the school's library with 1,000 books.
Grammar
Growing up in a violent home put Hsieh on the path toward a life of crime.
path-a little road. here mean direction.
to put someone on the path toward something.
Growing up in a violent home put Hsieh in the direction toward a life of crime.
After months of careful negotiations, the two companies are now on the path toward a business agreement.
With all the wise career choices he's made, Bradley is on the path toward success.
Vocabulary
surgery (n)-open fix to fix
Alex will need to stay i n the hospital for two days after his surgery.
fatal (adj)-致命的Jonathan was in a car accident, but fortunately it wasn't fatal.
*This contagious disease might be fatal.传染病
*The fatal car accident took his life.
*The coach made a fatal mistake and lost the game.
hence (adv)-for this reason, therefor.
These computers are compact and inexpensive. hence, they are popular with students.
ascend (v)-If takes 15 minutes to ascend those stairs, so I always take the elevator.攀登,登上,上升
*The mountaineers were slowly ascending to the peak.
descend-ascent 反义词,下降.The airplane is descending to the airport right now.
persevere-坚持不懈,不屈不挠, (with) have task work through, press, and push through.
*Despite her illness, Helen perseveres in her attempt to finish college.
*If you persevere to achieve your dream, one day your dream will come true.
Keen (adj), 热衷于
*With over 100 antiques, my aunt is a very keen collector.
wake-up call (n)-The stock market crash was a huge wake-up call for the government.
*Ricky's brush with death came as a wake-up call and caused him to stop drinking.
*The teacher turned her students' attitudes toward learning around.
turn something around (idiom)-,澈底的转变,起死回生. turn around转过去
The team's best player turned the game around by scoring 10 points in two minutes.
*The new manager turned this failing company around.
recreation (n)-消遣娱乐.
Although the conference was a week long, they scheduled an entire day for recreation.
*William's favorite forms of recreation are soccer and tennis.
*The resorts' recreation facility needs to be improved.度假中心
*Molly enjoys outdoor recreation a lot.
detention center- a jail for youngsters.
Chat Room
share (n)-一份 a portion of something。 (v) 分享.
one's share of something-
movie has its share of memory moment难忘的片断;
California has a share of fire and earth quick.足够的数量.
one's fair share of something. 加上"fair",一个人正当的一份,应得的一份. ,
amount of something-应得的分.her fair share of cake
more than one's fair share of something (negative)句首加"more" 形容人很不幸,运气很坏,过多不好的事让他遇上. Friend has more than her fair share of financial problem. 她很不幸,有多过她份内的经济问题.
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at -risk (adj)-describe people who needs special extra care.有受虐待危险,有传染疾病危险.
at risk of something (idiom)-冒着某一种危险. at-risk children. (animal)遭受虐待的儿童,遭受危险的动物
risky-involve dangerous 危险的,有风险的.形容某一事件,活动很危险.
Climbing is risky, ...people at risk.
in someone's shoes (idiom)
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