In 2007, Barrington Irving became the youngest person to fly alone around the world. He was just 23 years old—and he built the plane himself. How did he achieve this?

Irving's interest in flying started when he was 15. He was working in his parents’ bookstore in Miami, Florida. One of the customers was a pilot, Gary Robinson. One day, Robinson asked Irving if he was interested in flying. Irving didn't think he was smart enough. But the next day, Robinson took Irving to an airport. He showed Irving inside the cockpit (驾驶舱) of a Boeing 777. That experience changed Irving’s life.

Irving really wanted to fly, but flight school was expensive. To achieve his dream, he worked different jobs. He washed airplanes and cleaned swimming pools. At home, he practiced flying on a video game. In the end, he got enough money for flight school.

At flight school, Irving achieved his dream of learning how to fly. But he wasn’t finished. Next, he planned to build his own plane and fly alone around the world.

Building the plane was difficult. Irving asked more than 50 companies for airplane parts. Most said no, but he persisted (顽强地坚持) in asking. Three years later, he had parts worth $300,000. Columbia, an airplane company, agreed to build a plane using the parts. Soon, his airplane was ready to fly.

On March 23, 2007, Irving began his round-the-world trip. After 97 days—with 145 hours in the air—he landed back in Miami. A cheering crowd of people was there to welcome him.

Irving saw many young people in the crowd, and this had a powerful effect (影响) on him. He wanted to use his experience to help other young people achieve their own dreams.

“Everyone told me what I couldn’t do,” says Irving. “They said I was too young, that I didn’t have enough money. But even if no one believes in your dream,” he says, “you have to pursue (追求) it.”

One 10-year-old boy decided to study judo (柔道) although he had lost his left arm in a serious car accident.

The boy began his lesson with an old Japanese judo master (大师). The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. “Master”, the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the master replied.

Several months later, the master look the boy to his first match. To his surprise, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match seemed to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent (对手) became impatient and charged; the boy used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to lose the match. The judge thought the boy might get hurt, so he called a time-out. He was going to stop the match when the master stopped. “No,” his master said, “let him continue.” Soon after the match restarted, his opponent made a big mistake: he dropped his guard. Directly, the boy used his move to catch him. The boy had won the match.

On the way home, the boy and his master looked back every move in the matches. Then the boy ask him a question bravely. “Master, how did I win the match with only one move?” You won for two reasons.” the master answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. Second, the only known protection for that move is for your opponent to catch your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

I was on the train one afternoon. Our carriage was almost empty, just a few people.

At one station, a drunk man suddenly entered the train. He shouted and swung his fists at a woman holding a baby. Luckily, the baby wasn’t hurt. Then he tried to kick an old woman. Everyone was scared.

I’ve been learning aikido（合气道，功夫的一种）for the past three years. But I’d never fought in real life. As students of aikido, we are not allowed to start a fight. “Aikido,” my teacher always told us, “is about solving conflict（冲突）, not starting it.”

I decided that this was my moment. If I didn’t do something fast, somebody might get hurt. So I stood up, ready to fight.

Just then someone shouted, “Hey!” It was an old man. He was smiling at the drunk man. “What have you been drinking?” He asked.

“I’ve been drinking wine, but it’s none of your business!” said the drunk man angrily.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” said the old man. Then he told how he loved drinking wine with his wife and eating watermelon.

“And I also love watermelon”, said the drunk man.

“And I’m sure you have a wonderful wife too.” said the old man.

“No,” replied the drunk man. “My wife died.” Then he began to sob（啜泣）. “I have no wife, no home, no job. I am so ashamed of myself.”

“Oh, that’s so difficult. Sit down here and tell me about it.” said the old man.

As I got off the train, I realized I’d just seen real aikido in action. This was the real spirit of how to solve conflict.