The knight in the big world of American TV series

Chapter 2290

Chapter 2290

To put it bluntly, it's because Ger didn't know his own strength.

He wasn't even sure if he would actually kill someone if he rushed in... not to mention he had the Black Death Sword in his hand. That thing was an absolute weapon of mass destruction; even just having it on its own, Ger was afraid it would hurt someone, let alone using it to cut someone down.

So, to ensure that his only friend's future situation wouldn't be too bad, Ger didn't rush forward.

"Sif!!!"

A tremendous roar echoed through the battlefield, drowning out the sounds of fighting.

The sound was so loud that Sif, who was working to unlock the Rainbow Bridge, was startled.

It's Vostagg.

Within the small group, Vostagg's position was quite unique. First, strictly speaking, he wasn't considered a member of the gang.

After all, Vostagg is much older than them.

They were from their parents' generation; when Volstagg was active on the battlefield, they weren't even born yet!

The reason he continued to associate with them was simple: as these people aged, their destructive power increased, and to prevent them from causing trouble, Odin ordered Volstagg to keep an eye on them. Of course, he didn't expect that Volstagg would often join in their antics.

Despite his advanced age, Vostagg is actually quite young at heart. He is a very, very lovable person and enjoys spending time with young people.

After all, people his age have either already started families and careers, become heads of households, and are rushing towards maturity and stability.

Don't assume that just because Asgard is as beautiful as paradise, it really is paradise where everyone can live carefree.

Many young people in Asgard are annoyed by the stubbornness and conservatism of the older generation, disgusted by their slickness and mercenary nature, and secretly resolve that they will never become like them...

We're pretty much the same.

There was a time when we scoffed at the people and things we disliked, vowing never to become like them, never to do such things. Yet, reality is often harsh; we gradually become the very thing we once hated. We toil daily between home and work, earning meager wages, burdened by mortgages, worrying about daily necessities. We bow and scrape to superiors, grovel before clients, racking our brains to boost sales. Then we constantly reflect on why we've become this way, yet we have no choice but to keep going. This world is strange; some things happen inexplicably. We want to live the way we want to live, or the way others expect us to live, but somehow we end up becoming the very thing we hate.

Life is a continuous process of growth. Initially, we don't have a clear moral compass. As we age, we gradually develop a more complete set of values ​​and begin to evaluate the people and events around us. We often assume that older people are more mature, without realizing the impact of mental development. An American psychologist believes that not everyone's cognitive abilities continuously grow. Some people gradually lose their youthful, positive selves as they mature.

If you find yourself exhibiting these two signs, it proves that you are becoming the kind of person you hate.

First, force yourself to adapt to the environment.

It is well known that humans possess a strong social nature; no one can exist in isolation from society and a collective. The feeling of belonging to a group can bring us comfort, and when someone experiences unbearable setbacks in daily life, they may try to find protection in a group environment. However, the relationship between the individual and the group is not always harmonious. In our interactions with classmates, family, and friends, we also need to be mindful of interpersonal etiquette. Sometimes we find significant differences between our own life philosophies and values ​​and those accepted by the group. This presents a considerable challenge. Many people need to make a quick decision: either abandon their relationship with the group and uphold their personal principles, or abandon their inner boundaries and force themselves to continue integrating into the group. People with different personalities or different life pursuits often make different decisions when faced with this issue.

Regardless of our final choice, our character and mindset will always be affected by similar events when we experience them. For a long time afterward, we will continue to doubt and question whether our initial decision was correct, wondering if things would have been different if we had chosen a different path. Furthermore, in the process of considering this question, our character and beliefs will be subtly influenced by our current environment or the groups we belong to, exhibiting a certain degree of conformity.

For example, in junior and senior high school, teachers and parents are very attentive to students' academic progress. Our classmates treat learning as a crucial part of life, creating a positive yet demanding learning atmosphere in the class. Even students who aren't particularly interested in studying develop a sense of urgency in this environment and approach their studies with greater enthusiasm. However, in university, learning relies more on individual willpower, and teachers are less pushy, checking assignments daily. Lacking this environment of encouragement and guidance, some students with weaker self-discipline quickly become lost, gradually losing interest in learning and becoming immersed in online entertainment. This is like the old saying, "One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black." Since we cannot guarantee that we will remain untainted like a lotus rising from the mud, we should actively escape unmotivated environments and strive for more serious development. If you are aware of the shortcomings of those around you but willingly force yourself to conform, it won't be long before you become the person you least like.

The second is learning helplessness.

Life is like a rollercoaster, with its highs and lows. Encountering setbacks in career or life during the process of growth and development is a normal part of life. We should view life's changes with a more objective mindset and always maintain a love for life and the future. Some people lack self-confidence, completely losing motivation and unwilling to try new challenges because of even the smallest failures. These people who are chronically depressed are clearly suffering from learned helplessness, willingly accepting failure and losing any admirable ambition. What's even more frightening is that most people with similar tendencies are unaware of this.

Learned helplessness is a psychological concept defined as a negative cognitive attitude developed by an individual after repeatedly encountering uncontrollable or unavoidable adverse situations. The individual believes they are unable to change the unfavorable circumstances or outcomes through their own efforts. Even if the environment changes and the situation can be altered, the individual often continues to exhibit a helpless behavioral pattern. In other words, learned helplessness theoretically suggests that an individual's behavior is not always determined by the current state of their environment, but rather by the influence of past experiences.

Learned helplessness is like a hidden abyss, slowly leading us down a path of moral decline. This necessitates cultivating a positive and proactive mindset in our daily lives, learning to accept ourselves, and building self-confidence. At the same time, young people should strive to adjust their self-perception, realizing that as they grow older, they will eventually have to enter society and work independently.

Some people fall into the abyss of learned helplessness because they fail to clearly recognize the responsibilities they bear and the difficulties they will face. Today's young people generally have more opportunities for independent learning. Those university students whose coursework isn't too demanding enjoy a carefree campus life, completely unaware of the immense effort required to survive independently in society. After leaving campus, they struggle to adjust their mindset quickly, and when they enter the workforce, they encounter tasks they are not suited for. In this process, those with relatively average abilities are easily discouraged, leading to confusion about their future.

In short, it's what we call greasy!

The Asgardians are the same. Although they have abundant resources, it doesn't mean they are above the law of nature. They are still flesh and blood beings who still have to face the mundane things in life.

We still have to face the most real problem.

That is to accept one's mediocrity.

These people are collectively referred to as middle-aged people. They have lost their passion and drive, and they pursue stability and no change!

But Vostagg is a genius.

He disliked that mundane life; he preferred the impetuousness and whimsy of young people, and even hoped to be one of them himself!

So he really enjoyed fooling around with Thor and the others.

Even if this kind of nonsense doesn't bring Vostagg any benefit... that's the biggest difference between middle-aged people and young people.

Middle-aged people tend to be calculating about gains and losses.

For example, what will I lose and what will I gain when I do something?

But young people are different. They don't pursue gains or losses; they pursue fun!

Vostagg loves this!

He didn't want to become a lifeless, mindless zombie like his companions. (Although to Earthlings, Asgardian middle-aged men were quite unrestrained, to Asgardians, they had lost their former vitality.)

Of course, Vostagg wasn't simply going along with their nonsense.

This is the second point I want to make.

That is, Vostagg is a qualified teacher.

He always taught them his experience and knowledge amidst his antics.

This is far more useful than mere lessons and classroom sessions!

Interest plays a tremendous driving role in learning and growth. When we develop an interest in something, it's like a fire is ignited within us, driving us to actively explore and learn. This proactive learning is entirely different from passively accepting knowledge. Take reading as an example: if we are interested in literary works, we will eagerly turn the pages, immerse ourselves in the dramatic plot, actively savor the charm of the words, and feel the emotions and thoughts conveyed by the author. In this process, we not only easily remember the content of the book, but also unconsciously think and analyze, thereby improving our reading comprehension and literary appreciation abilities. On the other hand, for content that we are not interested in, even if we spend a lot of time forcing ourselves to learn, we may achieve little, or even develop resistance. Throughout history and in reality, many people who have achieved outstanding success have succeeded under the guidance of interest. Physicist Albert Einstein was full of curiosity about natural phenomena from a young age. When he was five years old, his father gave him a compass, and the magnetic needle that always pointed north and south sparked his deep interest in the mysteries of science. This interest accompanied him throughout his life, prompting him to continuously explore and ultimately propose the theory of relativity, changing humanity's understanding of the universe. Looking at contemporary figures, Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice," witnessed the suffering of people from food shortages in his youth, which sparked a strong interest in agriculture. Driven by the dream of "freeing everyone from hunger," he immersed himself in the rice paddies, enduring countless failures before finally succeeding in cultivating hybrid rice, making a tremendous contribution to solving the global food problem. The experiences of these great individuals tell us that interest can guide us, give us the strength to persevere, and enable us to continuously break through in our respective fields and create miracles.

Pursuing our interests not only brings professional achievements but also enriches our spiritual world and enhances our sense of well-being. When we immerse ourselves in activities that interest us, we often enter a state of "flow": our attention is highly focused, time seems to pass unnoticed, and our hearts are filled with joy and satisfaction. For example, those who love painting can forget their troubles while mixing colors and outlining lines, expressing their inner emotions through their brushes; those who are passionate about music can immerse themselves in beautiful melodies while playing or listening to music, finding solace and nourishment for their souls. Interests are like seasonings in life, allowing us to find our own spiritual haven amidst our busy studies and work, enjoying pure happiness.

However, in real life, many people dare not boldly pursue their interests. On the one hand, societal and familial pressures force them to abandon their passions. Parents may prefer their children to choose popular majors and stable careers, believing this leads to better future prospects; mainstream societal views often equate success with high income and high status, making people hesitant when choosing their interests. On the other hand, some lack confidence in their interests, worrying about their inability to translate them into practical skills or a career, and fearing failure in their pursuit. But in reality, these worries are often unnecessary. As long as we dare to take the first step and steadfastly pursue our interests, we can potentially develop them into a specialty, or even a lifelong career.

Therefore, Vostagg always held a very high position within the small group.

Both Sif and Thor genuinely respected Volstagg!