Chinese people have been talking about two high-profile Americans who recently announced their resignation. Former Deputy Secretary of State, Robert B. Zoellick, resigned from his post to join the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, announced that he will step down from his role as CEO of the company in two years to work more closely with his charitable foundation.

It is speculated that Robert Zoellick, the man famous for raising the concept of "stakeholders", resigned from his office because he failed to get the post of Minister of Finance. Bill Gates is winding back his involvement in the company not only to focus more on his charity, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but to open up positions at Microsoft.

Zoellick gave up his career in the public service to enter the business world while Gates is moving away from business to focus on his charity. Both 52-year-old Zoellick and 51-year-old Gates have made an important decision, and this will be a major transition for them both. For many Chinese people, this is the most interesting part of the news. Having distinguished themselves as leaders in their fields, they will adopt a new career and lifestyle having just passed 50.

To Americans, perhaps, Zoellick and Gates' move is not so surprising. There are plenty of people hanging around in political, business and academic arenas like Zoellick. And there are plenty of rich philanthropists like Gates, although not so many who have established their own private charity. Nevertheless, there are still some Americans who have been roused by Gates' choice. Leonard Pitts Jr., a 49-year-old columnist, admitted that he too is having a "midlife crisis" and often ponders on how to spend the rest of his live.

"If life's first act is about growing up, coming of age, learning the lessons that shape you, and the second is about acquiring things, getting ahead, building a career, shouldn't the third be about something bigger than one's own aspirations and comforts? Shouldn't it be about doing something, leaving something, creating something that makes life better for somebody else? Yeah, I think it should."

Pitts described Gates as a "spider-man" because the spider-man believes "Do what you can, where you are, now". Gates certainly bears even "greater responsibility for greater wealth".

Indeed, people question their lives and their goals many times in a lifetime. An English proverb goes, "If you do not know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere." Zoellick and Gates have shown great courage in re-adjusting their goals and setting themselves new challenges.

The position of Deputy Secretary of State was not enough for Zoellick. He was deeply disappointed to be overlooked as President of the World Bank and Minister of Finance. Although he was highly regarded by the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, he had other goals he wanted to pursue and decided to make the change. Gates, hugely successful and at the "peak" of his career, would rather spend money appropriately than make money. Deciding how to spending his Foundation's US$29.1 billion will be a full time job for Gates. Warren Buffett, the world's second richest man, has also said that he will donate a large portion of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. So far, Gates has outlined plans to improve global health and education.

The changes made Zoellick and Gates highlight the unlimited potential of life. If people dare to dream, dare to let go, and dare to pursue, they will live a life free of regret. In an open society it is possible to try many different careers and roles in society. A more experienced person can accrue a greater fortune. Zoellick will benefit from his experience in fighting in political and business circles. Some people have the opportunity to work in many different roles and sectors, and will therefore develop a wider understanding of life. This promotes a healthier society. However, people should establish their goals in line with their own unique conditions. For instance, as rich as he is, Gates resolutely refused to enter the political arena. "That is not what I am good at."

Zoellick and Gates will perhaps make more people re-think their path in life and the goals they set for themselves along it.

By People's Daily Online