This story (below) inspired me to write the above ‘poem’.
I hope it inspires you to change, for the better and for good. 🌱🙂
Yes, I’m Changing
*正在改變的自己*
Not at all easy, but worth trying.
這並非易事，但仍值得一試。
A friend of mine turned 68.
I asked him what’s changing?
He sent me the following lines.
有位朋友過了68歲，我問他有何改變？以下是他的回文。
Yes, I am changing.
After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.
喔！有的，我正在改變。
以前我愛父母，手足，配偶，孩子，朋友，但現在我已開始愛我自己。
Yes, I am changing.
I just realised that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
是的，我正在改變。
我才瞭解到，我不是阿特拉斯(註)，其實我扛不起整個世界。
Yes, I am changing.
I now stopped bargaining with vegetables & fruits vendors. After all, a few dollars more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
是啊！我正在改變。
我不再跟賣菜和賣水果的小販討價還價。多付幾塊錢對我沒什麼影響，但有可能幫這個窮人存下他女兒的學費。
Yes, I am changing.
I pay the taxi driver without waiting for the change. The extra money might bring a smile on his face. After all he is toiling much harder for a living than me.
是的，我正在改變。
付計程車資時我不再等著司機找零錢，給他點小費或許會換來一個微笑。畢竟他為了生計比我辛苦多了。
Yes, I am changing.
I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. After all, the story makes them walk down the memory lane & relive the past.
是的，我正在改變。
我不再對老人家說，這個故事你已講很多次了。 畢竟這個故事讓他們重拾回憶，重溫往事。
Yes, I am changing.
I’ve learnt not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. After all, the onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
的確，我正在改變。
我已學會了不再糾正人們，即使是他們的錯。
畢竟，讓每個人都完美，並非是我的責任。能讓事情和平完美更值得珍惜。
Yes, I am changing.
I give compliments freely & generously. After all it’s a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me.
是的，我正在改變。
我自由且大方地給予讚美。畢竟這不僅讓對方心情變好，自己也受益。
Yes, I am changing.
I’ve learnt not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. After all, personality speaks louder than appearances.
是的，我正在改變。
我學會了不要為我襯衫上的摺痕或斑點而煩惱。畢竟，人格勝於外表。
Yes, I am changing.
I walk away from people who don’t value me. After all, they might not know my worth, but I do.
是的，我開始在改變。
我遠離那些看不起我的人，畢竟他們不知道我的價值，但我卻清楚知道。
Yes, I am changing.
I remain cool when someone plays dirty politics to outrun me in the rat race. After all, I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
是的，我正在改變。
當有人玩弄骯髒的政治，讓我在老鼠賽跑中失敗時，我保持冷靜。 畢竟，我不是老鼠，而我也不在任何一場比賽中。
Yes, I am changing.
I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. After all, it’s my emotions that make me human.
是的，我正在改變。
我正在學習不要因我的情緒而感到尷尬。畢竟，情緒讓我感到自己是人。
Yes, I am changing.
I have learnt that its better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. After all, my ego will keep me aloof whereas with relationships I will never be alone.
是的，我正在改變。
我已學會了不要為堅持己見而破壞了關係。畢竟，自我會讓我孤身一人，而人際關係讓我永不孤單。
Yes, I am changing.
I’ve learnt to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.
是的，我正在改變。
我已學會把每一天當成最後一天。畢竟，真的有可能是最後一天。
Yes, I am changing.
I am doing what makes me happy.
After all, I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me.
是的，我正在改變。
我正在做讓我快樂的事。畢竟，我有責任讓自己快樂，這是我對自己應負的責任。
(from a chain message I recently received on WeChat, hence the chinese and english translations 🙂)
JT 