Right now， millions of people are digging into1 their food with two sticks that have stood the test of time for humans， even when thousands of other tools and products havent. But whats so special about them？

What can we learn from mere chopsticks？

Personally， I have used them all my life， but it was only recently that I realized the depth of influence they had in many peoples way of life. They teach us a lot.

The first thing is simplicity. They can come in all kinds of colours and sizes but essentially they are just two long sticks. Theres hardly anything more simple than two bits of wood being pushed together. With new technology being released everyday and advertisement bombarding2 us with the need to be able to do more with less， multi-tasking and multipleuse machines， it is special to still have something which has just one use—simply to eat. Chopsticks are a living example that simplicity simply works， and we dont need to keep developing， improving and fixing things all the time.

The second thing is versatility3. Chopsticks can be used for picking up all kinds of food： meat， vegetables， rice and even the bones from fish， because by nature， their simplicity means that they are adaptable4. Instead of aiming for finding a“gap in the market”， or to fill a hole that probably doesnt need filling， they match a wide range purposes. Imagine being like chopsticks in this way， able to appeal to5 many people because you are useful， without worrying about being kicked away in anyway. They just do what they are made to do; they just are.

The third thing is aim. If youve ever tried using them， you know that you have to aim for it in order to be able to get what you want. Theres no way you can pick up everything in one go. Know what you want， and just do it. Sometimes， a little bit of focus makes the difference between failure and success.

The next thing is practice. Using chopsticks doesnt come naturally. You have to learn to use them and practice it. But how will you learn？ Should you just read about it？ Most would agree that theres no better way to practice than to look at the delicious food in front of you and tell yourself that you cant have any until you can use the chopsticks to get it. In real life， you can read as much as you like about all the things you want to do， but they will just be dreams and theory if you dont try actually doing them. Dont just watch others eating， put yourself out there and give the chopsticks a go.

The last thing is slowing down. A common health tip is to try to eat with chopsticks when you can. Why？ Because it slows you down and allows your stomach to tell your brain youre full before you overeat. Eating with chopsticks is a slower process， but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes we need to slow down and take things one step at a time， break it down at each stage so that we have time to think， to realize that were actually full and that we dont have to keep charging full speed through life. Sometimes its nice to enjoy each bite of life as it comes.

现如今，成千上万的工具和产品都已被时间淘汰，只有两根棍子经受住了时间的考验，成千上万的人们用它们来夹取食物。那么它们到底有什么特别之处呢？

从这简简单单的筷子中，我们能学到什么？

对于我个人而言，我一生都在使用筷子，但直到最近，我才认识到它们对许多人的生活方式的深远影响。它们教会了我们许多事。

第一件事是简简单单。虽然筷子颜色各异，长短不同，但实质上，它们就是两根长棍。没有比两根靠在一起就能使用的木棍更简单的东西了。在科技日新月异的今天，铺天盖地的广告告诉我们应该使用那些多功能多用途的设备，筷子却与众不同地仍旧保持着其唯一的用途——就只是用来吃饭。而筷子这个活生生的实例说明：简单的东西照样能派上大用场，我们并不需要一直改善、更新和调整。

第二件事是运用广泛。筷子能用来夹取各种各样的食物，诸如肉、蔬菜、米饭等，还能用来挑鱼骨头，因为它们简单的本质意味着能屈能伸、适应性强。它们能满足各种广泛的要求，而非只为寻找某些市场缺口或者填补那些可能没必要填补的空白。想想筷子的哲学——用途广泛且不用担心被一脚踢开，所以深受人们喜爱。筷子只是做它本应做的，筷子就是筷子。

第三件事是目标明确。如果你曾经试过用筷子吃饭，就会知道必须得瞄准目标下筷才能夹到你想要的东西。你不可能一下夹到所有东西，而应认清你要什么，然后再去得到它。有時候，成功或失败的关键就在于那一点点的专注。

还有一件事是熟能生巧。没人生来就会使用筷子。你必须要学着使用并不断练习。但是如何学习呢？仅仅只是看吗？大部分人都同意最好的练习方法就是看着摆在眼前的美味食物，告诉自己不用筷子夹就不能吃。在现实生活中，你能读到任何你想要做的事情，但是如果你不去真正尝试，它们就仅仅只是梦想和理论。不要只看着别人吃，自己也去拿双筷子试试看。

最后一件事情是放慢节奏。有一个众所周知的健康技巧是：尽可能使用筷子吃饭。为什么呢？因为它能让你放慢节奏，让肚子在吃撑前告诉大脑：你饱了。用筷子吃饭是个较慢的过程，但这不见得是件坏事。有时我们需要放慢节奏，一步一步来，每个阶段停顿一下，使我们有时间思考，认识到自己实际上已经饱了。我们没有必要总是保持高速冲刺的生活。有时候，按部就班地享受生活的一点一滴是很幸福的。

Notes：

1. dig into 开始（大）吃（或喝）

2. bombard  vt. 炮击;轰炸

3. versatility n. 多用途;多功能

4. adaptable adj. 能适应的;可修改的

5. appeal to 有感染力;有吸引力;投合所好