野鸭湖湿地公园丨享受过程还是追求结果？
For English, please scroll to the bottom.
看英文内容，请直接滑动到底部。
老桑说
我们能从鸟类身上学到什么？
其实重要的是，它们可以教你飞行。
▾
「 朋友，你好，我是老桑。 」
老桑带你走进野鸭湖
老桑在野鸭湖
野鸭湖
我最近来到了北京城西北约80千米远的野鸭湖湿地自然保护区。这片生态胜地的所在之处已在八达岭长城以外，并且是这片区域中最大的湿地自然保护区。这个公园是候鸟群从亚洲北部和西伯利亚飞往东南亚和澳大利亚的重要中转站。
那天我的导游是英国的鸟类学家保罗·霍尔特（Paul Holt），据他所言，每年有近400种鸟类途经这个保护区。考虑到目前已知的一万种鸟类，这个数字可能显得很小，但保罗老师说，400种鸟类已相当于任何飞经北半球国家的首都的鸟类数量。他说，栖息在公园的鸟类实际上很少。
野鸭湖门口
这是我第一次来到野鸭湖，向往常一样，我的策略是先了解一下公园的总体情况，然后再关注那些看起来有趣的地方。自己的计划完成以后，就可以为下一步的探索开辟道路。我事先研究了公园地图，并计划做一个环绕式旅游，边走边寻找，看以往的经验会将我带向何方。
野鸭湖
然而，这个计划很快被我scuttle（放弃）了。当我一进入公园，湖泊和鸟类很快就吸引了我的注意。我没有选择其他路线而是走了一条穿过公园中央的木板路，以便更接近湖中的鸟儿。于是我改变了方向，更多把注意力放在观鸟的过程，而不是绕着公园转圈。
据称，人们通常或是目标导向型或是过程导向型。以目标为导向的人在embark（从事）某种个人或专业的项目时都有一个明确的目标，他们把结果作为主要动机。我们经常被告知要在简历中注明“目标导向”，因为这意味着我们能帮助自己未来的雇主实现他们的目标。
以过程为导向的人往往更关注日常经验，遵循指导方针，更关注他们平时的活动。他们通常在行为上更有条理，对于那些社交或是情感给他们带来的影响方面有更好的理解。
不妨想想登山。目标导向型的人都争先恐后向上爬，相信一旦到了顶峰他们便会获得快乐。而过程导向型的人则会一步一步来，在过程中感受玫瑰花的香味，一路上与人交谈，更仔细地观察周围的美景，他们会从中找到乐趣。
野鸭湖风景
虽然这是两种不同的生活方式，但它们并不冲突。有时候，这仅仅是对我们的工作所进行的反思——为何我们做这些件事？在野鸭湖，如果我的目标仅仅是锻炼身体，那么我最初的想法就比较合适。
但考虑到这个公园里丰富多样的鸟类，我的目标发生了变化，我一点一点观察它们如何展现自我，完全把自己要走多少路抛之脑后。当然最后我也没能走完一圈，但在这其中我收获了很多。
《环游世界八十天》是一部1873年出版的冒险小说，主人公菲利浦·福格打赌说，在更快捷的旅行方式到来以前，他能在80天之内环游世界。严格律己的福格是目标导向的典型，因为他只是想赢得赌注，而没有停下来享受沿途的风景。
野鸭湖有许多条小路，让游客可以更近距离地接触鸟类。公园里的每个人都在走同样的道路，无论他们是目标导向型还是过程导向型。例如，一个老年合唱团会在湖边边走边唱。各种鸟类的出现引导着观鸟者的行为。跑步者和骑自行车的人们则在路上锻炼身体。
野鸭湖小路
这些道路也是一种生活的隐喻。无论我们是目标导向型还是过程导向型的人，都处在某种路径上，并朝着某个方向前进。我们的心态可以帮助我们做出更好的“关于自己身处何方以及如何能最好地克服一路上艰难险阻”的决策。
野鸭湖小路
如果你因无法实现目标而感到沮丧，那么明智的做法是看看经过，试着寻找是否有更好的方法。例如，假设你的目标是减肥，你每天应该做什么来减少你摄入的卡路里？另一方面，如果你觉得自己迷失或停滞不前，你是否已经确定或明确了你想要达到的目标？
爱因斯坦
阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦曾说, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” （“疯狂的定义是一遍又一遍地做同样的事情，但期待不同的结果。”）
观鸟是北美最流行的爱好之一，估计它的受欢迎程度仅次于园艺。在中国，观鸟也变得越来越受欢迎。观鸟者到处旅行，以发现新的鸟类，听它们的歌，观赏稀有物种，并记录比较鸟类当时所在的位置。观鸟本身已经成为一项产业。
鸟群
大多数观鸟者看鸟仅仅是因为有趣。究其深层意义，我认为这种爱好能让他们更具内涵地与大自然相联系。我们都喜欢花时间在户外，而专注于一个事物能帮助我们更深刻的享受这种体验。无论是花、蝴蝶，还是(在我看来的)茶树，我们对整体某一部分的兴趣可以丰富我们的生活体验。
芦苇
特别是观鸟，这项活动需要缓慢的步伐和敏锐的观察技巧。与匆忙穿过湿地公园，试图看到整体不同的是，观鸟需要一个安静谨慎的心态。此外，观鸟还教会我们提高对周围环境的关注度，对细节的反应更加observant（敏捷），对身边人的需求更加敏感。
当我在野鸭湖漫步时，我观察到鸟儿们是如何忙于狩猎和觅食。例如燕隼(一种猎鹰)，寻找猎物时会飞的很高。其他的鸟类如凤头䴙䴘，会一头扎进湖里寻找食物。还有一些鸟类比如伯劳属，会安静地perch（栖息）在树上窥视区域内的猎物。
伯劳属
虽然每只鸟都有自己的行为模式，但我们不应局限于用什么特定方法来解决问题。
与猎鹰一样，我们有时也需要在确定正确的行动方向之前，先飞得高一些，以便看清大局。其他时候，比如鸭子，我们需要在经历中”摸爬滚打“来逐渐明晰，在游泳的过程中真正学会游泳。
凤头䴙䴘
与凤头䴙䴘一样，我们有时需要安静地观察我们的环境，意识到可能出现的机会。像白鹭一样，我们需要可以减少分心，专注于我们的目标。这种强烈的专注会让我们意识到可能会出现的危险，以及我们看不到的机会——或者那些还没有显现出来的机会。
当鸟类处于人工饲养时，往往不能充分发挥它们的潜力。它们有飞行的本能，但笼子阻止它们充分发挥自己自然的潜力。我们常常让恐惧或自我怀疑束缚自己。无疑你有很大的能力，但不同于宠物鸟，你可以随时从中跳脱开来。
白头海雕
我们还可以尝试识别鸟类的某些特殊意涵。美国人尊崇白头海雕，它通常majestic（体格雄壮），飞得很高。中国人以丹顶鹤为傲，因为它体型伟岸，寿命很长，是吉祥的象征。此外，鸳鸯对结婚的眷侣有特殊的意义，因为他们终身为伴，据说一方去世后另一方也会绝食相随。
鸳鸯
保罗老师说,他最喜欢的鸟是四川罕见的棕头歌鸲，特别是它美丽的歌喉。在野鸭湖，我有幸看到了濒危的青头潜鸭，它是鸭子的一种。这些濒临灭绝的物种提醒我们，在保护环境方面，我们每个人都可以发挥作用。
棕头歌鸲
我的朋友，去野鸭湖或任何野生动物保护区旅行，都是一次反思你是目标导向型还是过程导向型的机会，以及这两种心态是如何帮助你在享受旅程的同时，还在生活中促进你前行。当你在小径上漫步时，回想一下观鸟的经历和鸟儿们可能教给你的东西。最重要的是，它们可以教你飞行。
往期文章
谢谢收看《老桑说》。
给你启发，激励你上进，陪伴你坚持。
敬请期待下一集。
英文版
English
﹀
﹀
﹀
Yeyahu Wetland Park:
enjoy the process or go for the goal?
▾
「 Hello, my friend！
I'm John Smagula. 」
Yehahu
I recently visited Yeyahu (“Wild Duck Lake”) Wetland Park, 80 km/50 mi northwest of Beijing. This natural refuge is past the Badaling Great Wall and forms the largest wetland preserve in the region. The park is an important stopover for migratory birds flying from northern Asia and Siberia to southeast Asia and Australia.
My guide that day, British ornithologist Paul Holt, reports that nearly 400 species of birds travel through this sanctuary in any year. Although this number may seem small given the 10,000 known bird species, Paul said that 400 is as large a number of bird species flying through any capital city in the northern hemisphere. The park itself, he said, has very few resident birds.
Zinnias and Cosmos
This was my first trip to Yeyahu, and as usual, my goal was to first get the overall lay of the land and then focus on the areas that seemed interesting. My plan, once complete, would potentially open up options for further exploration. I had studied the park map beforehand and planned to do a perimeter tour, and from there see where the experience would take me.
This plan, though, was quickly scuttled. As soon as I entered the park, I was greeted by a lake with several birds that caught my attention. Rather than steer away, I took the boardwalk that went through the middle of the park to get closer to the lake birds. I shifted gears, veering more toward the process of birdwatching than the goal of circling the park.
It is said that people are goal oriented or process oriented. Goal oriented people have a specific target in mind whenever they embark on some sort of personal or professional project, with focus on the result as one’s primary motivation. We are often told to include “goal oriented” on our resumes, as it suggests we will help our prospective employer achieve its objectives.
Wetland Boardwalk
Process oriented people tend to focus more on the day-to-day experience, follow guidelines, and be more mindful of their activities. They are often more methodical in their behaviors and may have greater understanding of the social or emotional impact of their actions.
Think of mountain hiking. Goal-oriented people rush to the top, believing they will find enjoyment once they find the peak. Process-oriented people will take it one step at a time, and they find enjoyment in taking time to smell the roses, talk with people along the way, and observe the beauty of the surroundings in greater detail.
Reeds
Although these are two different approaches to life, they need not be in conflict. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of being thoughtful about our work—and why we are doing it. At Yeyahu, if my goal was simply to get exercise, then my original plan would have been fine.
But given all of the fine birds in this park, my goal shifted to a process, one of taking a step at a time and observing the birds as they revealed themselves, regardless of how much ground I covered. In the end, I never completed the circuit, but gained a lot from the experience.
Yeyahu Wildflowers
Around the World in 80 Days is an 1873 adventure novel where the main character, Phileas Fogg, made a bet that he could travel around the world in 80 days when more rapid travel was just becoming possible. The disciplined Fogg is the epitome of being goal oriented, as he simply wanted to win the bet, not stopping to enjoy any scenery along the way.
Yeyahu has many pathways to bring visitors closer to the birds. Everyone at the park was going down these same paths, regardless of whether they were goal or process oriented. A senior citizen choir, for example, was there to wander around and sing songs together. Birders allowed the appearance of birds to direct their actions. Runners and bikers were out for exercise.
Pathway
These paths are a metaphor for life. We are all on a path of some sort, and regardless of whether we are goal or process oriented, we are moving in some direction. Our awareness of our mindset can help us make better decisions about where we are and how best to overcome obstacles along the way.
The Road Ahead
If you are frustrated by not being able to achieve your goal, it may be wise to look at the process and see if there is a better way to get there. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, what are you doing each day to reduce the calories you consume? On the other hand, if you feel you are lost or stagnant, have you identified or clarified the goal you seek to achieve?
Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”
Birding is one of the most popular hobbies in North America, estimated to be second only to gardening. The popularity of birding is also growing in China. Birders travel everywhere to spot new birds, listen to their songs, catch glimpses of rare species, and compare notes on which birds are currently in which location. Birding has become an industry in itself.
Where flowers bloom so does hope
Most birders watch birds simply because it’s fun. At a deeper level, I think, the hobby allows them to connect more meaningfully with nature. We all enjoy spending time in the outdoors and homing in on one theme can help us increase that enjoyment. Be it flowers, butterflies, or (in my case) tea bushes, our interest in one part of the whole can enrich the experience.
Birding, in particular, requires a slow pace and acute observation skills. As opposed to rushing through the wetlands park in an attempt to see the whole place, birding requires a quiet caution. By extension, birding teaches us to raise our awareness of our surroundings, being more observant of the details and sensitive to the needs of those in our midst.
As I walked around Yeyahu, I observed how the birds busied themselves by hunting and feeding. The Eurasian hobby (a kind of falcon), for example, flew high in search for prey below. Others, like the great crested grebes, dove in the lakes for food. And still others, such as the Chinese gray shrike, were perched in trees quietly surveying the area for prey.
Baer's Pochard
Although each bird has its own way of doing things, we are not limited in what methods we can use to solve problems.
Like the falcon, we sometimes need to fly high and see the big picture before identifying the right course of action. Other times, like the duck, we need to get “wet” or “dirty” in a project in order to figure it out, to learn to swim by swimming.
Eurasian Hobby
And then like the grebe, we sometimes need to be still and quietly observe our environment and be aware of opportunities that could arise. Like the egret, we can also reduce distractions and focus on our goals. This intense focus raises awareness of dangers that might come our way as well as opportunities we don’t see—or that haven’t revealed themselves yet.
When birds are placed in captivity, they cannot reach their full potential. They have the instinct to fly, but a cage prevents them from achieving their full natural potential. Very often, we allow fear or self-doubt to encage ourselves. You no doubt have great capacity, but unlike pet birds, you can let yourself out whenever you want.
Bald Eagle
We can also try to identify with certain characteristics of birds. Americans revere the bald eagle, as it is majestic and soars high. The Chinese respect the red-crown crane, as it grows large, has a long life, and symbolizes auspiciousness. Moreover, mandarin ducks often inspire wedded couples, as they mate for life, and allegedly one stops eating when the other dies.
Birder Paul reports that his favorite bird is the rare rufous-headed robin in Sichuan, particularly because of its beautiful song. While at Yeyahu, I was able to see the endangered Baer’s pochard, a kind of duck. Seeing these endangered species is a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the environment.
Red-Crown Crane
My friend, a trip to Yeyahu or any wildlife refuge is an opportunity to reflect on whether you are goal or process oriented—and how both mindsets can help you move ahead in life while enjoying the journey. As you wander the paths, reflect on what the birding experience and the birds themselves might teach you. Most importantly, they can teach you to fly.
{ 今日英文速记卡 }
1.Scuttle \ ˈskə-tᵊl \
a)含义：v. 逃避；急促地跑
b)例句：
i.This plan, though, was quickly scuttled.
然而，这个计划很快被我放弃了。
ii.More subtly, passengers will need to demonstrate that they have the psychological stability to handle a trip to space without the sort of panic attack that could scuttle the mission.
再深入一点，乘客必须展现出过硬的心理素质以应对空间旅行，从而不至于在中途因惊恐而发作，搞砸飞行任务。
c)近义词： destroy, scrap, wreck
2.Embark \ im-ˈbärk \
a)含义： v. 从事；着手
b)例句：
i.Goal oriented people have a specific target in mind whenever they embark on some sort of personal or professional project, with focus on the result as one’s primary motivation.
以目标为导向的人在从事某种个人或专业的项目时都有一个明确的目标，把结果作为主要动机。
ii.Before company leaders embark on an acquisition, they should watch Mr. Levin squirm, and think about how likely they are, one day, to be offering a hapless apology. 在公司领袖着手收购前，他们应该看一看莱文羞愧不安的模样，想想自己有一天也要不幸地进行道歉的可能性有多大。
c)近义词： begin, commence, launch
3.Observant
\ əb-ˈzər-vənt \
a)含义：adj.机警的
b)例句：
i.By extension, birding teaches us to raise our awareness of our surroundings, being more observant of the details and sensitive to the needs of those in our midst.
此外，观鸟还教会我们提高对周围环境的关注度，对细节的反应更加敏捷，对身边人的需求更加敏感。
ii.However, unless the user is observant, they will generally ignore this warning and wait until the actual password expires before changing it.
但是，除非用户很守纪律，他们通常会忽视这一警告，直到密码真的到期时才会修改密码。
c)近义词： alert, vigilant, watchful
4.Perch \ ˈpərch \
a)含义：v. 栖息
b)例句：
i.And still others, such as the Chinese gray shrike, were perched in trees quietly surveying the area for prey.
还有一些鸟类比如中国伯劳属，会安静地栖息在树上窥视区域内的猎物。
ii.Since most langurs are tree dwellers, these often scamper high on the desert cliffs or perch on nearby rooftops.
因为绝大部分的长尾叶猴是栖在树上的，他们往往是疾走出没在沙漠悬崖上或者是栖息在附近的屋顶上。
c)近义词： land, roost, settle
5.Majestic \ mə-ˈjes-tik \
a)含义：adj. 庄严的；宏伟的
b)例句：
i.Americans revere the bald eagle, as it is majestic and soars high.
美国人尊崇白头海雕，它通常体格雄壮，飞得很高。
ii.With majestic trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses, its home to a multitude of rare animal and plant species. 雨林中宏伟的参天巨木被兰花、凤梨、蕨类、蔓藤以及苔藓类打扮得五颜六色，这片雨林同时也是为数众多的稀有动植物的家园。
c)近义词： gallant, noble, regal
Thank you for watching me to inspire, encourage, and accompany you.
See you next time.
想了解更多信息，请持续关注新浪微博（@桑国亚）或公众号《老桑说》（laosangshuo）
老桑说
John Smagula
点击阅读原文，了解更多老桑微博内容，欢迎关注进行互动。