在这个充满噪音的世界里，静默变得愈发珍贵。我们被无数的声音包围：交通的喧嚣、电子设备的提示音、不断涌入的信息流、人们的谈话、甚至我们内心不停歇的思绪。我们几乎从未体验过真正的静默，那种内外都安宁的状态。

In this world filled with noise, silence becomes increasingly precious. We are surrounded by countless sounds: the hustle of traffic, notification tones from electronic devices, constant streams of information, people's conversations, and even our own incessant thoughts. We have hardly experienced true silence, that state of tranquility both within and without.

静默不仅仅是外部声音的缺失，更是内心的沉静。当我们真正沉入静默中，会发现它不是空无，而是丰盈的。在静默中，我们能够重新连接自己最深处的本质，听见那些平日被外界喧嚣所淹没的微小声音。

Silence is not merely the absence of external sound, but the stillness of the heart. When we truly sink into silence, we discover that it is not empty, but abundant. In silence, we can reconnect with our deepest essence and hear those small voices that are usually drowned out by the clamor of the outside world.

练习静默，是现代人需要重新学习的艺术。每天抽出哪怕只有十分钟的时间，关闭所有电子设备，远离一切干扰，只是存在，只是呼吸，只是聆听内心的声音。这简单的实践可能会带给你意想不到的收获：清晰的思考、创造性的灵感、情绪的平衡、与自我更深的连接。

Practicing silence is an art that modern people need to relearn. Take even just ten minutes every day to turn off all electronic devices, stay away from all distractions, simply exist, just breathe, and listen to the voice within. This simple practice may bring you unexpected rewards: clear thinking, creative inspiration, emotional balance, and a deeper connection with yourself.

The wisdom that grows in silence is often more profound and lasting than insights gained in noise. Silence is like a mirror, reflecting our true selves; silence is also like a door, leading to the vast world within.

— 姜堰秋

— Yanqiu Jiang

2025年4月1日

2025-4-1

我们常常谈论时间的流逝，好像它是我们的敌人，从我们指缝间偷走宝贵的生命。但如果换一个角度思考，时间其实是赠予我们的无价礼物。

每一个日出，每一个黄昏，都是时间送给我们的礼物。我们拥有的每一天，每一小时，每一分钟，都蕴含着无限可能。时间给予我们成长的机会，让我们能够学习、创造、爱与被爱、体验生命的各种面向。

问题不在于时间的长短，而在于我们如何使用它。当我们全然投入当下，与身边的人真诚相处，专注于有意义的活动，我们就是在尊重时间这份礼物。相反，当我们心不在焉，沉迷于虚无的消遣，或是为过去的遗憾和未来的焦虑所困，我们就是在辜负这份珍贵的赠予。

如何善用时间，是生命中最重要的智慧之一。这不意味着要把每一刻都填满活动，而是要有意识地选择如何度过我们有限的日子。有时，最好的利用方式是静坐冥想；有时，是与爱人分享故事；有时，是专注于创造性的工作；有时，则是什么都不做，只是欣赏生命的美好。

今天，让我们以感恩的心看待时间，珍视它，善用它，让它成为滋养我们灵魂的甘露，而非压在我们肩上的重担。

— 周时

2025年新春

We often talk about the passage of time as if it were our enemy, stealing precious life from between our fingers. But if we think from a different perspective, time is actually an invaluable gift given to us.

Every sunrise, every sunset, is a gift of time. Each day, each hour, each minute we possess contains infinite possibilities. Time gives us opportunities to grow, allowing us to learn, create, love and be loved, and experience various aspects of life.

The issue is not the length of time, but how we use it. When we are fully engaged in the present, interacting sincerely with those around us, focusing on meaningful activities, we are respecting the gift of time. Conversely, when we are absent-minded, indulging in empty distractions, or troubled by past regrets and future anxieties, we are betraying this precious bestowal.

How to use time wisely is one of the most important wisdoms in life. This doesn't mean filling every moment with activity, but consciously choosing how to spend our limited days. Sometimes, the best use is sitting in meditation; sometimes, sharing stories with loved ones; sometimes, focusing on creative work; sometimes, doing nothing at all, just appreciating the beauty of life.

Today, let us view time with gratitude, cherish it, use it well, and let it become nectar nourishing our souls rather than a burden on our shoulders.

— Zhou Shi

New year 2025

在这个喧嚣的世界中，内心的平静似乎成了一种奢侈品。我们被各种信息、责任和期望所包围，心灵很少有片刻的宁静。然而，内心的平静并非遥不可及，它就在我们的内在深处，只是需要我们去发现和培养。

内心的平静不是逃避现实，而是在面对现实的同时保持内在的宁静。它是一种能力，让我们即使身处风暴中心，内心依然能保持清明。这种状态并非先天具备，而是需要通过日常的修习逐渐培养。

首先，我们需要学会与自己相处。在每天忙碌的日程中，抽出一段时间独处，远离电子设备，远离社交媒体，单纯地与自己的心灵对话。无论是散步、冥想，还是简单地坐在窗前看云卷云舒，这些时刻都能让我们与内在重新连接。

其次，接纳自己的情绪而不被其控制。情绪如同天气，有晴有雨，这是自然的。我们不必为感到悲伤或愤怒而自责，但也不必被这些情绪所左右。学会观察自己的情绪，理解它们的根源，然后有意识地选择如何回应，这是获得内心平静的关键。

最后，培养感恩和知足的心态。经常关注生活中的美好和幸福，即使是最微小的事物也值得感激。当我们学会感恩时，内心会自然而然地涌现出平静和满足。知足不是放弃追求，而是在追求的过程中保持内心的平衡。

内心的平静是一生的修行，需要时间和耐心。但每一步都是有意义的，每一刻的觉知都会让我们更接近那个宁静的自己。

— 明心

In this noisy world, inner peace seems to have become a luxury. We are surrounded by various information, responsibilities, and expectations, leaving our minds with rare moments of tranquility. However, inner peace is not out of reach; it resides deep within us, only needing to be discovered and cultivated.

Inner peace is not about escaping reality, but maintaining inner tranquility while facing reality. It is an ability that allows us to remain clear-minded even at the center of a storm. This state is not innate, but needs to be gradually developed through daily practice.

First, we need to learn to be with ourselves. Within each busy day, set aside time to be alone, away from electronic devices, away from social media, simply engaging in dialogue with your own soul. Whether walking, meditating, or simply sitting by the window watching clouds drift by, these moments allow us to reconnect with our inner selves.

Second, accept your emotions without being controlled by them. Emotions are like weather, with sunshine and rain, which is natural. We needn't blame ourselves for feeling sad or angry, but neither should we be governed by these emotions. Learning to observe your emotions, understand their roots, and then consciously choose how to respond is key to attaining inner peace.

Finally, cultivate an attitude of gratitude and contentment. Regularly focus on the good and happiness in life, even the smallest things are worth appreciating. When we learn to be grateful, peace and satisfaction naturally arise within. Contentment is not giving up pursuit, but maintaining inner balance in the process of pursuing.

Inner peace is a lifelong practice, requiring time and patience. But every step is meaningful, and each moment of awareness brings us closer to that serene self.

— Ming Xin

2024-3-1

2024-3-1

在这个复杂、快节奏的世界中，简单生活成为了一种珍贵的艺术。我们被物质、信息和活动淹没，很少有时间停下来思考什么才是真正重要的。简单并不意味着贫乏，恰恰相反，它是对生活的精炼和提纯，去除多余，留下精华。

简单生活始于物质的简化。审视自己的生活空间，我们常会发现积累了太多并不真正需要或使用的物品。这些物品不仅占据空间，也消耗我们的精力。学会放下，保留真正有用、有意义或带来喜悦的物品，我们的生活空间会变得更加宁静和有序。

其次是精神生活的简化。我们的大脑每天要处理大量信息，从社交媒体到工作邮件，从新闻到娱乐。这种持续的信息轰炸让我们的思维变得碎片化，难以专注和沉思。有意识地限制信息输入，选择性地关注真正重要的事物，我们的思维会变得更加清晰和深刻。

时间分配的简化同样重要。我们习惯于将日程填满各种活动，生怕浪费一分一秒。然而，真正的丰富不在于做了多少事，而在于我们在这些事中投入了多少心力。选择少而精的活动，给自己留出空白的时间休息和思考，我们的生活体验会更加深入和满足。

最终，简单生活是一种心态，一种专注于当下、欣赏平凡、追求本质的心态。它不是一味的克制或节俭，而是有意识地选择什么值得我们的时间、精力和金钱。当我们学会了这种艺术，生活不仅变得更简单，也变得更加丰富和深刻。

— 淡云

In this complex, fast-paced world, simple living has become a precious art. We are overwhelmed by materials, information, and activities, rarely having time to stop and think about what truly matters. Simplicity doesn't mean deprivation; on the contrary, it is the refinement and purification of life, removing the excess and keeping the essence.

Simple living begins with material simplification. Examining our living spaces, we often find we've accumulated too many items we don't really need or use. These items not only occupy space but also consume our energy. Learning to let go, keeping only items that are truly useful, meaningful, or bring joy, our living spaces become more peaceful and orderly.

Next is the simplification of spiritual life. Our brains have to process vast amounts of information daily, from social media to work emails, from news to entertainment. This continuous information bombardment fragments our thinking, making it difficult to focus and contemplate. By consciously limiting information input and selectively focusing on what truly matters, our thinking becomes clearer and more profound.

Simplifying time allocation is equally important. We habitually fill our schedules with various activities, afraid to waste a single minute. However, true richness doesn't lie in how much we do, but in how much heart we put into these activities. Choosing fewer but more refined activities, leaving blank time for rest and reflection, our life experiences become deeper and more satisfying.

Ultimately, simple living is a mindset, one that focuses on the present, appreciates the ordinary, and seeks the essence. It's not about blind restraint or frugality, but consciously choosing what deserves our time, energy, and money. When we master this art, life not only becomes simpler but also richer and more profound.

— Dan Yun

2024年新春

Spring Festival 2024

生命中的失去与获得，如同呼吸的两个阶段，自然而不可分割。我们常常只看到失去的痛苦，忽视了它所带来的空间，而正是这空间，为新的可能性打开了大门。

每一次失去，都是一次邀请，邀请我们审视自己真正珍视什么，邀请我们放下不再适合的东西，邀请我们以新的眼光看待世界。失去一段关系，我们学会更深刻地理解爱的本质；失去一个机会，我们被迫探索新的道路；失去健康，我们开始珍视生命中真正重要的事物。

同样，获得也不总是我们期望的样子。有些获得表面上看是好事，却可能带来意想不到的困扰；有些获得来得太早，我们尚未准备好驾驭它；有些获得则是我们曾经视若珍宝的东西，得到后才发现并不如想象中美好。

或许，智慧不在于追求获得或避免失去，而在于培养一种平衡的态度，一种能够优雅地接纳生命中一切起伏的能力。无论是失去还是获得，都能从中汲取养分，用以滋养自己的成长。

最终，我们会发现，真正宝贵的不是外在的得失，而是内心的丰盈与平静，那种无论外界如何变化，都能保持内在稳定的能力。这种内在的富足，或许是生命中最珍贵的礼物。

— 苏得

2023-6-8

Loss and gain in life are like the two phases of breathing, natural and inseparable. We often only see the pain of loss, overlooking the space it creates, and it's precisely this space that opens doors to new possibilities.

Each loss is an invitation for us to examine what we truly value, to let go of what no longer fits, to see the world with fresh eyes. Losing a relationship teaches us to understand the essence of love more deeply; losing an opportunity forces us to explore new paths; losing health makes us cherish what truly matters in life.

Similarly, gain is not always what we expect. Some gains appear beneficial on the surface yet may bring unexpected troubles; some come too early when we're not ready to handle them; some are things we once treasured, only to find they're not as wonderful as imagined after obtaining them.

Perhaps wisdom lies not in pursuing gain or avoiding loss, but in cultivating a balanced attitude, an ability to gracefully accept all the ups and downs of life. Whether losing or gaining, we can extract nourishment from it to foster our growth.

Eventually, we discover that what's truly valuable is not external gain or loss, but the abundance and tranquility within, that ability to maintain inner stability regardless of external changes. This inner wealth is perhaps the most precious gift in life.

— Su De

2023-6-8

生命中唯一不变的，就是变化本身。这句古老的智慧，道出了存在的根本特质。万物如流水，从不在同一处停留；季节更迭，花开花落；人生起伏，悲欢离合。

面对这永恒的变迁，我们常感恐惧。我们试图抓住美好，留住快乐，仿佛这样就能让它们永恒。然而，正是因为有限，才显珍贵；正是因为短暂，才格外动人。

在日本美学中，有"物哀"一词，指的是对事物无常的感伤，以及在这种感伤中体会到的深邃之美。樱花之所以令人心动，不正是因为它转瞬即逝的绽放吗？

接纳无常，并不意味着消极或放弃。相反，它是一种更深刻的生活态度：正因为了解生命的短暂，我们才更加珍视当下；正因为明白一切皆变，我们才能在变化中保持内心的平静。

无常教会我们感恩，因为我们明白没有什么是理所当然的；无常教会我们放下，因为我们知道没有什么可以永远握在手中；无常更教会我们爱，因为我们懂得相聚时刻的宝贵。

当我们学会在流动中欣赏生命之美，在变化中体会存在的意义，我们就能发现，无常本身，就是一份礼物。

— 林无际

2023年深秋

The only constant in life is change itself. This ancient wisdom reveals the fundamental nature of existence. All things flow like water, never staying in one place; seasons change, flowers bloom and wither; life fluctuates with joy and sorrow, union and separation.

Facing this eternal transition, we often feel fear. We try to grasp beauty, to hold onto happiness, as if doing so could make them eternal. However, it is precisely because of limitation that things become precious; it is because of brevity that moments become touching.

In Japanese aesthetics, there is a term "mono no aware," referring to the pathos of things, and the profound beauty experienced within this melancholy. Aren't cherry blossoms so moving precisely because their blooming is so fleeting?

Accepting impermanence doesn't mean being passive or giving up. On the contrary, it is a deeper attitude toward life: it's because we understand life's brevity that we cherish the present more; it's because we know everything changes that we can maintain inner peace amid changes.

Impermanence teaches us gratitude, for we understand nothing is taken for granted; impermanence teaches us to let go, for we know nothing can be held forever in our hands; impermanence further teaches us love, for we understand the preciousness of moments together.

When we learn to appreciate life's beauty in its flow, to understand existence's meaning in change, we discover that impermanence itself is a gift.

— Lin Wuji

Late Autumn 2023

在这个信息过载的时代，我们似乎越来越不懂得如何倾听。我们习惯了快速浏览，习惯了表达自己，却忘记了真正聆听他人的价值。倾听，不仅仅是听见声音，更是一种心灵的接纳与理解。

真正的倾听需要我们全身心地投入，需要我们放下自己的判断和预设，需要我们暂时搁置自己的想法，真正进入对方的世界。这意味着我们不是在思考下一句要说什么，不是在准备如何反驳，而是真诚地尝试理解对方的感受和观点。

倾听是一种礼物，是我们能给予他人的最珍贵的东西之一。当我们用心倾听时，我们传递的是尊重、关注和关爱。这种专注的存在本身，就有疗愈的力量。有多少人在生活中感到孤独，仅仅是因为没有人真正听见他们的心声？

倾听也是一面镜子，照见我们自己。在倾听他人的过程中，我们会遇到自己的偏见、急躁和不安。这些都是认识自我、成长的机会。当我们学会倾听他人，我们也在学习倾听自己内心深处的声音。

练习倾听的艺术，从日常小事开始。放下手机，全神贯注地听朋友讲述一天的经历；用心体会孩子天真的问题背后的好奇；静静感受大自然的声音，无论是鸟鸣还是雨声。

这个世界需要更多的倾听者。当我们学会了倾听的艺术，我们不仅能收获更深厚的人际关系，还能发现生活中更多的美好与智慧。

— 余听

2024年初春

In this age of information overload, we seem to be increasingly forgetting how to listen. We've grown accustomed to quick browsing, to expressing ourselves, yet we've forgotten the value of truly listening to others. Listening is not just hearing sounds, but accepting and understanding with the heart.

True listening requires our full engagement, requires us to set aside our judgments and assumptions, requires us to temporarily suspend our own thoughts to truly enter the other's world. This means we're not thinking about what to say next, not preparing how to rebut, but sincerely trying to understand the other's feelings and perspectives.

Listening is a gift, one of the most precious things we can offer others. When we listen with our hearts, we convey respect, attention, and care. This focused presence itself has healing power. How many people feel lonely in life simply because no one truly hears their inner voice?

Listening is also a mirror, reflecting ourselves. In the process of listening to others, we encounter our own biases, impatience, and unease. These are all opportunities for self-awareness and growth. When we learn to listen to others, we are also learning to listen to the voices deep within ourselves.

Practice the art of listening, starting with everyday matters. Put down your phone and fully concentrate on a friend's account of their day; truly understand the curiosity behind a child's innocent questions; quietly feel the sounds of nature, be it birdsong or rain.

This world needs more listeners. When we master the art of listening, we not only gain deeper relationships but also discover more beauty and wisdom in life.

— Yu Ting

Early Spring 2024

我们为何旅行？是为了逃离日常的单调，探索未知的风景，还是寻找内心的宁静？或许，旅行的意义对每个人来说都不尽相同，但有一点是共通的：旅行改变我们看世界的方式。

真正的旅行不仅是身体的移动，更是心灵的历程。当我们离开熟悉的环境，进入陌生的地域，我们的感官被唤醒，思维变得敏锐。在不同的文化、语言和习俗中穿行，我们的视野被拓宽，对生活的理解变得更加丰富。

旅行教会我们适应和包容。面对不同的饮食、住宿和交通方式，我们学会了灵活应变；遇到不同的观念和价值观，我们学会了理解与尊重。这些品质，在回到日常生活后，依然滋养着我们的心灵。

旅行还教会我们感恩和知足。在旅途中，我们邂逅的美景和善良的陌生人，常常让我们心生感动；而暂时的不便与困难，则让我们更加珍视平常生活中那些被忽略的舒适与便利。

或许，旅行最大的价值不在于我们去了多少地方，而在于它如何改变了我们。正如马塞尔·普鲁斯特所说："真正的发现之旅不在于寻找新的风景，而在于拥有新的眼睛。"当我们带着开放的心灵出发，每一次旅行都是一次自我发现和成长的机会。

无论是远方的异国他乡，还是家门口的小径；无论是奢华的度假，还是简朴的徒步；无论是匆匆一瞥，还是长久驻足，愿我们都能在旅行中寻找到属于自己的意义和喜悦。

— 方远

2024年仲夏

Why do we travel? Is it to escape the monotony of daily life, to explore unknown landscapes, or to seek inner peace? Perhaps the meaning of travel differs for each person, but one thing is common: travel changes how we see the world.

True travel is not just physical movement but a journey of the soul. When we leave familiar environments and enter strange territories, our senses are awakened, our thinking becomes sharp. Moving through different cultures, languages, and customs, our horizons are broadened, and our understanding of life becomes richer.

Travel teaches us adaptability and inclusivity. Facing different food, accommodation, and transportation, we learn to be flexible; encountering different concepts and values, we learn understanding and respect. These qualities continue to nourish our spirits after returning to daily life.

Travel also teaches us gratitude and contentment. On the journey, the beautiful scenery and kind strangers we encounter often move our hearts; temporary inconveniences and difficulties make us more appreciative of those comforts and conveniences in ordinary life that we often overlook.

Perhaps the greatest value of travel lies not in how many places we've been, but in how it changes us. As Marcel Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." When we set out with open minds, each journey becomes an opportunity for self-discovery and growth.

Whether it's distant foreign lands or paths near home; whether it's luxurious vacations or simple hikes; whether it's a fleeting glance or a long stay, may we all find our own meaning and joy in travel.

— Fang Yuan

Midsummer 2024

创造是人类最原始也最崇高的冲动之一。从远古洞穴中的壁画，到现代艺术馆中的杰作；从孩童随手涂鸦的简笔画，到大师精心雕琢的传世之作，创造活动贯穿了人类文明的整个历程。

创造的过程本身就是一种深刻的喜悦。当我们全身心投入创作时，时间仿佛静止，外界的纷扰消失，我们进入一种心理学家所说的"心流"状态。在这个状态中，我们与作品融为一体，体验到专注与自由的平衡，感受到能力与挑战的和谐。

创造不仅带来喜悦，还能疗愈心灵。通过绘画、写作、音乐或其他形式的创作，我们表达内心深处难以言说的情感，释放积压的能量，重新连接自己的内在世界。许多人在创作过程中找到了面对生活困境的力量和勇气。

创造也是认识世界的一种方式。当我们尝试描绘一朵花，我们会更加仔细地观察它的纹理和颜色；当我们写一首关于秋天的诗，我们会更深入地思考季节变迁的意义；当我们编写一段程序，我们是在用另一种语言重新构建世界的逻辑。

每个人都有创造的能力，尽管形式和表达方式可能不同。重要的不是创作的结果有多么完美，而是过程中的投入和真诚。当我们放下对结果的执着，放下对他人评价的担忧，单纯为了创造而创造时，我们就能体会到最纯粹的喜悦。

愿我们都能在繁忙的生活中保留一块创造的空间，定期与这种源自灵魂深处的喜悦相遇。

— 陈创

2024年金秋

Creation is one of humanity's most primal and noble impulses. From ancient cave paintings to masterpieces in modern art galleries; from a child's casual doodles to a master's carefully crafted legacy, creative activities span the entire course of human civilization.

The creative process itself is a profound joy. When we immerse ourselves in creation, time seems to stand still, external disturbances vanish, and we enter what psychologists call a "flow state." In this state, we merge with our work, experiencing a balance between focus and freedom, sensing harmony between ability and challenge.

Creation not only brings joy but also heals the mind. Through painting, writing, music, or other forms of creation, we express feelings deep within that are difficult to articulate, release pent-up energy, and reconnect with our inner world. Many find strength and courage to face life's difficulties through the creative process.

Creation is also a way of understanding the world. When we try to depict a flower, we observe its texture and color more carefully; when we write a poem about autumn, we think more deeply about the meaning of seasonal changes; when we code a program, we are rebuilding the logic of the world in another language.

Everyone has the capacity to create, though forms and expressions may differ. What matters is not how perfect the result is, but the engagement and sincerity in the process. When we let go of attachment to results, set aside concerns about others' evaluations, and create simply for the sake of creating, we experience the purest joy.

May we all reserve a space for creation in our busy lives and regularly encounter this joy that springs from the depths of our souls.

— Chen Chuang

Golden Autumn 2024

友谊是生命中最珍贵的礼物之一，它丰富我们的体验，温暖我们的心灵，见证我们的成长。在这个越来越强调个人主义的社会中，友谊的价值显得尤为重要。

真正的友谊建立在理解和接纳的基础上。朋友之间，无需完美，无需伪装，我们可以做真实的自己。在朋友面前，我们的弱点和不足不会成为负担，因为真诚的友情接纳全部的我们，包括光明与阴影。

友谊是相互的滋养和支持。困难时刻的陪伴，欢乐时光的分享，平淡日子里的关心，这些构成了友情的日常。有时，友谊的力量超出我们的想象：一个真诚的倾听，一句恰到好处的鼓励，甚至一个简单的拥抱，都可能在朋友最需要的时候成为他前行的力量。

友谊也需要智慧来维护。懂得尊重彼此的边界，给予对方成长和犯错的空间，能够坦诚沟通而不伤害感情，这些都是维系长久友谊的关键。正如一棵树需要阳光和雨露一样，友谊需要时间和用心的培养。

在这个快节奏的时代，真正的友谊变得越来越珍贵。社交媒体上的"朋友"数量或许很多，但能在午夜接你电话的又有几人？能在你失落时陪你散步的又有几人？能在你迷失方向时为你指引的又有几人？

让我们珍视那些与我们同行的真朋友，用心经营这些关系，因为在生命的长河中，友谊是闪烁的星光，照亮我们前行的路。

— 友之

2024年深冬

Friendship is one of life's most precious gifts, enriching our experiences, warming our hearts, and witnessing our growth. In this society increasingly emphasizing individualism, the value of friendship becomes particularly important.

True friendship is built on understanding and acceptance. Between friends, there's no need for perfection or pretense; we can be our authentic selves. Before friends, our weaknesses and shortcomings don't become burdens, because sincere friendship accepts all of us, including both light and shadow.

Friendship is mutual nourishment and support. Companionship in difficult times, sharing in joyful moments, care in ordinary days—these constitute the daily fabric of friendship. Sometimes, the power of friendship exceeds our imagination: sincere listening, timely encouragement, or even a simple hug can become the strength for a friend to move forward when they need it most.

Friendship also requires wisdom to maintain. Understanding how to respect each other's boundaries, giving space for growth and mistakes, being able to communicate honestly without hurting feelings—these are key to sustaining lasting friendships. Just as a tree needs sunlight and rain, friendship needs time and heartfelt cultivation.

In this fast-paced era, true friendship becomes increasingly precious. The number of "friends" on social media might be many, but how many would answer your call at midnight? How many would walk with you when you're down? How many would guide you when you're lost?

Let us cherish those true friends who journey with us and carefully nurture these relationships, for in the long river of life, friendship is the twinkling starlight illuminating our path forward.

— You Zhi

Deep Winter 2024

感恩不仅是一种美德，更是一种生活态度，一种看待世界的方式。当我们以感恩之心生活，世界仿佛变得不同——色彩更加鲜明，人情更加温暖，生命更加丰盈。

感恩始于觉察。在忙碌的生活中，我们常常忽略那些微小却重要的恩典：清晨的阳光，新鲜的空气，身体的健康，家人的陪伴，甚至是一天平安无事的过去。当我们开始有意识地注意到这些平凡的美好，感恩之心自然滋长。

感恩不仅关乎美好的事物，也包括那些挑战和困境。正是这些看似负面的经历，塑造了我们的韧性和智慧。每一次跌倒都是学习站起的机会，每一次失败都是通向成功的铺垫，每一次伤痛都是成长的催化剂。学会感恩这些"变相祝福"，是感恩心境的更高境界。

感恩也是连接的桥梁。当我们真诚感谢他人的付出和帮助，不仅仅是礼貌的表达，更是建立深厚关系的基础。感恩让我们看见彼此的价值，感受到互相的依存，从而在人与人之间建立起更加真实、温暖的连接。

培养感恩之心并非一日之功。它需要我们每天有意识地练习：或是记录日常的感恩事项，或是向帮助过我们的人表达谢意，或是简单地停下脚步，欣赏眼前的美好。通过这些小小的仪式，感恩逐渐成为我们的本能反应。

在这个物质丰富却精神焦虑的时代，感恩之心是一剂良药，让我们摆脱不满足的漩涡，发现生活本就充满恩典。如果说幸福有秘诀，那感恩一定是其中重要的一环。

— 谢然

2025年新春

Gratitude is not just a virtue, but a life attitude, a way of seeing the world. When we live with grateful hearts, the world seems to change—colors become more vibrant, human relationships warmer, life more abundant.

Gratitude begins with awareness. In busy lives, we often overlook those small yet significant blessings: morning sunshine, fresh air, health, family companionship, even the peaceful passing of a day. When we begin to consciously notice these ordinary wonders, gratitude naturally grows.

Gratitude concerns not only the good things but also challenges and difficulties. It is precisely these seemingly negative experiences that shape our resilience and wisdom. Each fall is an opportunity to learn to stand, each failure lays the groundwork for success, each pain is a catalyst for growth. Learning to be grateful for these "blessings in disguise" represents a higher level of the grateful mindset.

Gratitude is also a bridge of connection. When we sincerely thank others for their contributions and help, it's not just an expression of politeness but the foundation for building deep relationships. Gratitude lets us see each other's value, feel our mutual dependence, and thus establish more authentic, warm connections between people.

Cultivating a grateful heart is not accomplished in a day. It requires conscious practice every day: perhaps recording daily gratitude items, expressing thanks to those who've helped us, or simply stopping to appreciate the beauty before us. Through these small rituals, gratitude gradually becomes our instinctive response.

In this era of material abundance yet spiritual anxiety, a grateful heart is a good medicine, allowing us to escape the vortex of discontent and discover that life is already full of grace. If happiness has a secret, gratitude must be an important part of it.

— Xie Ran

Spring Festival 2025