再见2024你好2025

"As you chase the past, you catch a glimpse of the future.

Beneath the calm, passion often surges unexpectedly.

On the journey to the world,

the self becomes increasingly clear.

Life is much like a rich voyage,

through myriad scenes, one sees the state of mind."

Smoothing out the past self, then stepping towards the anticipated future self; constantly switching between the self of yesterday and the self of tomorrow, and then becoming the most important present self. Counting up, a year has but a few days, and in this brief span, each time stepping onto the world's vast stage, I realize my insignificance and ignorance. Thus, I want to become a child again, restarting the innocence, a child like a blank canvas, repainting one's work with the world's colors. The changes of time, the experiences of travel, the trials of work, bring fresh perspectives, unique ways, unheard of ideas, imaginative flights, and bold innovations...

Chapter One: Traveling

Thankful for the body that carries my soul on journeys, whether it's the Parisian Seine reflecting the sunset glow of Notre-Dame, the spirited setting sail in the canals before Amsterdam Central Station, or the century-old buildings surrounding Brussels' Grand Place, all can ignite inner energy. Beyond the visual baptism and the broadening of aesthetics, the growth of the soul is equally swift. Paris is no longer the Paris described in A Moveable Feast; all that I encounter on this journey, contrary to my cognition—sinister, kind, joyful, and terrible—I begin to accept wholly. I've always believed that the complete self is scattered like fragments across the world, and with each place I visit, I reclaim a piece of myself. Some landscapes remain etched upon me forever, cool, bright, and rugged, both scenery and self. Those fragments piece me together, making me whole, but not perfect.

That brief summer love in Europe, beautiful and pure. Stranded on a weekend afternoon in Spain, I wandered alone by the sea in the lingering light of the setting sun, the sea breeze gently carrying away all fatigue and anxiety. I sat on a bench by the beach, next to an elderly person, gazing at the dense crowd by the sea, our thoughts drifting afar. I once thought my love for the sea was an indescribable sentiment, but now I understand it is a yearning for freedom. That afternoon, I walked along the coastline for a long time, pondering much. I saw the azure of the ocean and the darkness of the deep sea.

Chapter Two: Relationships

"Ending a relationship is a process of contending with and succumbing to human nature; first, learning to reconcile with cold violence, then waving goodbye with a smile to determination, and finally confronting ugliness."

At this time last year, I was ending a painful relationship. When realizing everyone can only accompany one on a segment of the journey, there is both relief and sorrow. Parents, lovers, friends—life's voyage has always been a solitary one; good and bad companions are but parts of the trip. We come from loneliness and eventually return to it alone, grateful for every encounter, good or bad, as the best arrangement.

Many of my friends have grown alongside me, witnessing each other's growth through significant and lengthy periods of life. Thus, our relationships have become intimately entwined. Even now, when I seldom chat idly with friends or spend hours on the phone, we have all once possessed each other. Like most, I cherish gifts, not just for their own sake, but because I cherish the friends who give them; all beauty comes from those who love you. I begin to cherish every moment spent with friends, whether filled with laughter or tears.

I am still seeking stable relationships, realizing that a stable relationship is a pillar, an anchor in this world. Gradually, I've learned the true meaning of life, exerting all my strength in ordinary things, to love, to feel, to enjoy. To venture boldly when courage remains, to explore the world when curiosity is still alive, to strive to love and be loved when love is still present.

In matters of the heart and in life and work, I observe others' confusion and predicaments, watching and smiling. I've finally become a detached, indifferent person, no longer eager to teach, preach, or argue, naturally without internal friction, wanting only to enjoy the peace of the moment, a certain moment, detached from the present. Many experiences have proven that communication between people has barriers. It's better to enjoy one's own time than to waste words.

Chapter Three: Self

This is my seventh year practicing yoga. I've seen my body's innate advantages and also discovered physical limitations that no amount of effort can overcome, so I've also begun to accept my imperfections and limitations. No longer demanding of myself, nor of others. I've started to learn tolerance, understanding, and love.

The better I understand myself, the better I can control myself, to relax and to focus. Becoming more and more relaxed, anxiety also becomes more distant. I like the feeling of being relaxed and orderly; relaxation is not casual, not random, not chaos, but a capability. This capability, in my view, is a difficult one, like loving and being loved, also a capability. Many people do not possess the corresponding ability. Merely pursuing superficial relaxation, but relaxation requires deliberate practice; I even think it's about self-forgiveness and acceptance, facing oneself frankly, not just letting go.

I've always listened to few others' opinions, not out of arrogance, but because opinions from those not on the same level of understanding and cognition are not worth considering, so I only listen to those whose standards, cognition, and professional abilities are above mine. Yet, I learn from everyone; others have their own merits to teach. The greatest enlightenment is that I once thought good romantic relationships must be based on a certain age, but one day I realized it's not about age, but about a level of personal cognition. That's why romances in youth are easy to form because everyone's cognition is similar, but as growth and experiences diverge, some rush towards the vast universe, some settle in mountain valleys, and some drift across the sea; the shared resonance between people becomes increasingly scarce.

Chapter Four: Health

A minor cold in early March left me disoriented and tormented as if facing a great enemy. I was once allergic to mold, which made me afraid to grow plants for a long time, despite my childhood love for flowers and plants. My body began to suffer from constant allergies, coughing, and rhinitis. From Western to traditional Chinese medicine, from general outpatient departments to specialist clinics, from physiotherapy to acupuncture, from sprays to herbal medicine, I began a year of battling rhinitis. I read many related books and learned a lot about health, diet, resistance, exercise, etc. I even began to explore the medical knowledge in "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" and Mr. Ni's teachings.

This year, I've also experienced many changes, from work to life, from interpersonal relationships to self-awareness. I've begun to realize that change is the norm of life, and adapting to change, accepting change, even embracing change, is part of growth. I've started to learn to feel my flow and growth amidst change, rather than resisting it. I've also begun to pay more attention to my health, not just physically but also mentally. I've learned to listen to my inner voice and take care of my emotions. Learning to love oneself more, to be kinder to oneself.

Chapter Five: Future

My ideal life is to spend two to three months abroad each year, with the remaining nine months working and earning money. I once thought that I needed a clear goal to move forward, but later I found that the process of exploration itself is a joy. I began to enjoy the process of searching, enjoying every discovery, every surprise. I began to understand that life is not a race but a journey, and what matters is the scenery along the way, not the destination.

When I was very young, I wanted to be a person who went with the flow, unrestrained, without any plans or arrangements, living a very free and aimless life, even a wandering romantic life without a fixed home. Later, living in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou made me realize that this impractical idea, all freedom and romance need to be based on a certain solid foundation, such as a good economy, mature ideas, a stable core, a strong heart, vast knowledge, and rich experience. Otherwise, those seemingly romantic lives will become very foolish. Of course, there's nothing wrong with being foolish. 

Later, I could set goals and plans, and also act on a whim. Switching between the two with ease. Work, life, travel, all the same.

The New Year wishes

I also wish you, who, like me, have just started a new steering wheel of life, to find your own path and set out bravely.We continue to walk towards the world, shaping life inner being.