心情極短篇 ~ 在圖與文之間 Capturing the Moments ~ in the space between picture and text

作者:譚亞菁 / Translated by Parker Gadbois

關於花落、花開，眼光與生命的一串小詩......
A string of poems about wilting, blooming, insights and life......

一片荷花落葉,

落葉的線條與姿態,
自成另一幅風景,
像一隻優雅的粉紅天鵝？

A fallen lotus leaf,

Deciduous lines and posture,

A unique landscape in itself,

or perhaps an elegant pink swan?

還記得一個令我印象深刻的國學考題如下：

“春風又綠江南岸”
這裡的“綠”是什麼詞性？
答案：動詞！（意味著春天的綠意盎然和生命活力）

沒錯, 走在荷花池邊,
我感受到“綠是動詞”！

I still remember an impressionable question from the Sinology Exam,

it goes as follows:

"Spring wind again greens the southern bank"

The "green" here is what part of speech?

Answer: A verb! (meaning the green of spring is full of life and vitality)

Indeed, walking beside the lotus pool

I get that "green is the verb" feeling!

玉蘭,
才短短兩天,
妳失去了原有的白皙,
但乾燥後的妳,
竟依舊散發淡雅迷人的香氣,
欣賞妳的堅持,
堅持散發馨香之氣, 
讓妳周遭的人,
心靈被滋潤著......
謝謝妳, 玉蘭,
讓我看見另一種美麗,
窗外的綠意,
也遮不住妳的美！

Magnolia,

After only two days,

You lost your original fair complexion,

But the you after a dry,

Unexpectedly still exudes a charming and elegant aroma.

I appreciate your perseverance,

to insist on emitting a pleasant smell,

Giving the people around you,

a mind nourished by Magnolia....

Thank you, Magnolia,

for letting me see another kind of beautiful,

the green outside the window,

is not enough to hide your beauty!

有一天, 我們都會漸漸老去, 也許外表就像這乾燥的玉蘭, 不再光鮮亮麗,

但惟願能繼續散發生命的馨香, 就像這玉蘭......

A day will come, when all of us will be getting older, perhaps on the outside looking just like a dried Magnolia, no longer glamorous, but may we all be able to continue emitting the fragrance of life, just like the Magnolia....

玉蘭花的迴響

Rebecca Lo (麗芳) :

這倒讓我想起愛默生來了。他有首「紫陀羅花」的詩作，是這樣說的：「樹林裏一個潮濕的角落，有新鮮的紫陀羅花，展開她無葉的花朵…那紫色的花瓣落到池塘裏，使那黑水也變為艷麗。…

紫陀羅花，若有哲人問你，為什麼在天地間浪費你的美？你告訴他們…美麗的自身就是存在的理由…」 如果美麗的自身就是存在的理由，那麼生命的本身就是存在的見證，像你的玉蘭花。

謝謝妳, Rebecca! 好動人的分享和回應, 這首「紫陀羅花」所展現的圖像和意涵太美了, 讓我想哭......真的, 生命的本身, 就是最美的存在和見證, 任何人都不例外！

Magnolia's Echo

Rebecca Lo (Li Fang):

This made me think of Emerson. His poem "The Rhodora", has these lines:

"I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods, Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook....The purple petals fallen in the pool. Made the black water with their beauty gay...Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why. This charm is wasted on the earth and sky, Tell them, dear, that, if eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse for Being"

If beauty itself is a reason for existence, then life itself is a testimony to existence, just like your Magnolia.

Thank you Rebecca! What a heartfelt share and response, for the poem "The Rhodora", the images depicted and the meaning is so beautiful, it made me want to cry...indeed, life itself, is the most beautiful existence and testimony, without exception!

親愛的主啊, 創造我的天父, 

感謝祢賜下生命力, 
無論我用什麼眼光看待自己, 而祢總是看見我開花的潛能！
主啊, 願祢復活的生命大能時刻充滿我, 好讓我的生命能為祢而綻放！
奉耶穌的名禱告, 阿們！ 

Dearest Lord, my Father the Creator,

Thank you for granting life,

No matter what way I choose to see myself, You have always seen my blooming potential!

Lord, may Your almighty resurrection of life always empower me, 
so that my life can bloom for You!

In Jesus's name I pray, Amen!

今天狂風四起, 
天空的雲朵跑得特別快, 變化多端！
試著從不同角度欣賞101的獨特,
發現樹叢中的101,
好不一樣的感受！

Today fierce winds rose from all directions,

Clouds in the sky were moving so fast, constantly changing!

While trying to enjoy 101's uniqueness from different angles,

I discovered 101 in a bush,

what a different experience!

多麼奢侈的「專注」 "Focus" Is Such a Luxury

       

(本文刊載於台灣醒報 2013年8月26日)

      這世界變化速度之快，令人難以想像。十幾年前，在那網路和手機尚未發達的年代，誰能料想到，現今離不開網路和智慧型手機的生活型態。現代人每天都有各式各樣看不完的資訊，強調快速、即時性。在這資訊爆炸、社群網站流行的時代，邊做事邊查看即時訊息，邊聊天邊滑手機，有時連走路、開車、吃飯都「機不離手」，「一心多用」已成為現代人的常態，「專注」已成為奢侈品，我不禁懷念起從前……

   

        The world is changing at an unimaginable speed. Almost twenty years ago, when internet and cell phones were not as common, who would think that they would become an indispensable part of our lives. Modern people take in an endless variety of information everyday, emphasizing rapidity and real-time. In this era of information overload and widespread use of social networking sites, we work while checking instant messages, we chat while swiping a smartphone, and at times even walking, driving, or eating are done with "machine hands", "multi-tasking" has already become a norm for modern people, and "focus" has become a luxury. I can't help but miss the past....

        還記得沒有網路和手機的日子是怎麼過的嗎？似乎也別有風味吧！當時，每逢過生日、聖誕節、過新年，都會非常期待收到溫馨的手寫賀卡，我也很樂在為朋友挑選適合他的卡片，並親筆寫下祝福的話語。偶爾，甚至會收到好友親手創作的卡片，或用獨特的信紙親筆寫的信函，見字如見其人，讓人倍感親切，反覆品味。但現今伴隨著網路高科技的普及，快速方便的電子郵件、電子賀卡、即時通訊和手機簡訊，幾乎取代了「有溫度的」手寫信件及卡片。仔細回想一下，你有多久沒收到親筆書信或手寫賀卡呢？真的不想念嗎？

   

        Does anyone still remember how we lived life without the internet or cell phones? Life was completely different! At the time, every birthday, Christmas, and New Year would all be fraught with anticipation to receive a warm handwritten greeting card. I was also happy choosing the most suitable cards for friends, while penning down my blessings and wishes. Occasionally, I would even receive a good friend's homemade card, or handwritten letters with unique stationery; seeing their words is like seeing that person, it brings a warm feeling, a repeated fondness read after read. But these days, the popularity of the internet and high-tech, fast and convenient e-mail, e-cards, instant messaging and text messages, has essentially replaced our "warm" handwritten letters and cards. If you carefully recall, how long has it been since you received a handwritten letter or greeting cards? You really don't miss it?

        但若從未親身經歷過，哪來的想念？我的孩子們出生在「網路世代」，每當我和他們分享過去寫信、寄信、等信、收信、拆信、讀信的樂趣，以及逢年過節或過生日時，打開樓下信箱，被滿溢的賀卡包圍的幸福感受，基本上，他們只能想像卻無法完全體會，正如我們無法全然體會古時「飛鴿傳書」或「快馬送信」的生活面貌一樣。在不斷追求時效性的同時，我們失落了什麼？

       At the same time, if you've never experienced it before, then what is there to miss? My children were born into the "internet generation", every time I share with them the past joy of writing, sending, waiting, receiving, opening, and reading letters, as well as during holidays and birthdays, opening the mailbox downstairs, which was overflowing with greeting cards enclosed with happy feelings, basically, they can only imagine but not fully experience, just as we cannot fully experience the same aspects of life from the ancient "pigeon carriers" or the "pony express". In the constant pursuit of timeliness, what have we lost?

        我們失落了一顆專注的心，和一份人與人之間的深度關懷。現代人要「專心」談何容易？在工作與生活中，我們經常做事做到一半被打斷，因為手機鈴響、簡訊或電子郵件通知，或者想查看臉書上的朋友動態、有誰按讚留言……等等，而讓我們無法專心做事，有太多事會讓我們分心！我們無形中不知花了多少時間在接聽不必要的電話，閱讀不重要的訊息。我們失去了「專注做好一件事」所帶來的滿足與喜樂。

        We've lost focus of heart, and the deep concern between one and others. For modern people to concentrate, it is easier said than done. In work and life, we constantly getting cut off in the middle of doing things, because of ringtones, SMS or e-mail notifications, or we'd like to check the activities of our friends on facebook, to see who 'likes' our status and leaves a message, etc., making us unable to focus on work, there's too many things that will keep us distracted! We virtually don't know how much time we've spent answering unnecessary calls, reading unimportant messages. We've lost the satisfaction and joy that comes with doing things one step at a time.

        有時，朋友們聚餐或出遊，大家習慣性地用數位相機或手機猛拍照，拍食物、拍合照、拍風景……幾乎「無所不拍」，然後又忙著打卡、上傳照片到網路與人分享，接著又開始滑手機看網友的回應。在這種情況下，似乎連要和朋友「專心」聊天、談心、建立深層友誼，「專心」用肉眼欣賞週遭景物，「專心」享受當下，都顯得困難重重！

        Sometimes, friends will go out to eat or travel. Everyone habitually uses a digital camera or camera phone to take pictures; pictures of food, group pictures, pictures of scenery....there's almost "no picture to not take". Then, they're busy ‘checking in’, uploading photos to share with others, then they start swiping away, looking for responses from online friends. In this case, it seems that even if you want to "focus" on chatting, talking, or building deep relationships with friends, "focus" on admiring the surrounding scenery with the naked eye, or "focus" on enjoying the moment, all are going to be pretty difficult!

        我尤其為現今「網路世代」的孩子們感到憂心。雖然科技帶來的好處無庸置疑，但如今有許多老師發現，學生「專注力」普遍降低，科技帶來的干擾大於幫助。這世代的孩子從小接觸數位多媒體的聲光環境，長期沉浸在聲光刺激與一心多用的生活型態，對孩子的專注力與學習力都會產生不良影響。我們出外常會看見這個景象：有些家長怕孩子吵，就把平板電腦、智慧型手機當成「保母」，給幼童當玩具玩，長時間低頭玩網路遊戲，這會讓孩子的視力和身心健康受損。而青少年「手機成癮」現象也日趨嚴重。最近聽到一些家中有青少年的父母，很苦惱地說到，孩子下課回家後，就待在房間上網，玩線上遊戲，和同學們用通訊工具Line聊天到半夜，也因此很少與家人有良好的交談和互動。在同儕壓力下，青少年甚至小學生，看見自己的同學有智慧型手機，就會要求父母親也買給他們，身為父母者，真的要三思而後行啊！

         I'm especially worried for the kids of today's "Internet Generation". While technology can bring benefits beyond doubt, recently, many teachers have found the general attention span of students has dropped, so that technology’s benefits do not outweigh the disruption to students. This generation of kids come in contact with this digital multi-media environment of light and sound at a young age, long-term immersion in a lifestyle of multi-tasking and stimulating lights and sounds will have adverse effects on the child's attention span and ability to study. We go out and often see this scene: some parents fear their child will be noisy, so they let a tablet PC or a smartphone be a "nanny". They give it to children to play as a toy, all their time is spent with their head down playing internet games, which makes the child's vision, physical and mental health suffer. The teenage phenomenon of "phone addiction" is also becoming increasingly serious. Recently we've heard a few parents of teenagers, miserably explain, when their child leaves school and comes home, they stay in their room and surf the net, play online games, use the communication tool 'Line' to talk with classmates till midnight, and because of this, they rarely have a quality conversation or interaction with their family. Under peer pressure, teenagers, and even elementary school students, will see their classmates with a smartphone, and beg their parents to buy one for them. As parents, we really need to think twice!

        網路世界真真假假、假假真真，無論各樣資訊或人際關係裡的真假都難以分辨。你感到累了倦了嗎？說真的，有時好懷念從前，嚮往過去那比較簡單、比較專注又踏實的生活。但隨著科技發展日新月異，我知道我們回不去了……

The world wide web is full of half-truths and un-truths, no matter what kind of information or personal relationship, it's hard to discern between true and false. Aren't you feeling tired or weary? Honestly, there are times when I really miss the past, longing for that fairly simple, focused and practical life. But with each passing day technology advances, I know we can't go back....

        然而，在真假難辨的世界中，「真理」始終存在著。不管「專注」對現代人來說是多麼奢侈的要求，親愛的主啊！「求你叫我轉眼不看虛假，又叫我在你的道中生活」（詩篇119篇37節），因為祢曾說：「你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由」（約翰福音八章32節）。 

        

       However, in a world where fact and fiction are hard to distinguish, "truth" is always there. Regardless of how much "focus" is an extravagant demand for the modern world, dear Lord! "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word" (Psalm 119:37), because You have said "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). 

作者:譚亞菁 Aug. 7, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois

又見鐵達尼號 Another Look at the Titanic

   

 

(本文刊載於台灣醒報 2013年9月27日)

       
      彷彿穿越時光隧道，我手持一張仿造當年鐵達尼號（TITANIC）的登船證，重返一百年前由白星航運公司（WHITE STAR LINE）打造的超級豪華巨輪，那艘當時世界第一，高度相當於11層樓，號稱「永不沉沒」的鐵達尼號郵輪。

      As if I've traveled through a time warp, my hand holds a replica of a boarding pass for the Titanic, going back a hundred years to when the White Star Line built a super luxury ship. In those days, that ship was no. 1 in the world, the height of an 11 story building, the Titanic, known as the "unsinkable" ship.

       我把握這場「鐵達尼號文物」世界巡迴特展的最後一天，伴隨著自己的想像，和那部愛情史詩電影「鐵達尼號」所帶給我的震撼及感動，我走入百年前的時光旅程，親眼目睹有關這艘「夢幻之船」的真實史料，和現今探險家從海面下三千多公尺的深海，在「鐵達尼號」沉船地點和殘骸中，挖掘出來的珍貴文物。

        I took the "Titanic Artifacts" world tour exhibition on its last day, accompanied by my own imagination and all the shock and emotion given to me by the historical romance film "Titanic". I journeyed a hundred years into the past, and examined actual artifacts relating to this "dream boat", as well as the precious relics excavated by modern explorers from the shipwreck site and debris, over three thousands meters under the sea.

       看著牆上掛著一張張的黑白老照片和文字說明，觀看船體模型和藍圖，細看從深海尋回殘存的船身零件、日常用品、裝飾品、衣物、信件等文物，並且感受頭等艙、二等艙、三等艙的樣貌重現和飲食起居，甚至親觸冰山，體驗那椎心刺骨的冰冷與悲慟……，此時此刻的我，似乎化身為這艘巨輪的乘客，身歷其境體會「鐵達尼號」首航的盛況、歡欣、夢想，以及關乎奢華、階級和人性的悲劇。

As I looked at the wall hung with picture after picture of black and white photographs and captions, saw the hull models and blueprints, examined remnants recovered from the deep sea: hull parts, daily necessities, ornaments, clothing, letters and other artifacts; at the same time, experiencing a replicated walkthrough of the first class, second class, and third class quarters and daily diet, and even as I came in contact with an iceberg, to experience its intense bite of cold and despair...at that time, in that moment, I seemed to be the embodiment of the ship's passengers, immersed in experiencing the pomp, joy, and dreams, the luxury and class, and the tragedy of human nature on the Titanic's maiden voyage.

        雖然「鐵達尼號」這部電影的男女主角傑克（Jack）與蘿絲（Rose）淒美的愛情故事是虛構的，但船上乘客們的真實故事同樣是多麼扣人心弦。這艘海上豪華客輪由英國的南安普敦（Southampton）啟航，要駛向美國紐約。不同「階級」的乘客由不同入口進入。在頭等艙內，大多是上流社會菁英，是世上最有影響力、最富有和最世故的人。二等艙的乘客主要是中產階級，新婚夫婦，以及正在度假中的人。三等艙則擠滿了不同國籍的各色人種，打算去北美尋求更好的生活，追尋美國夢。「鐵達尼號」這部電影就描述了一個貧窮小子傑克，不顧階級之分，與上流社會的富家女蘿絲相戀，帶她重新享受生命的自由與尊嚴，那種犧牲的愛，總是保護著她，徹底地拯救了她！

Although the poignant love story of the characters Jack and Rose from the movie Titanic is fictional, but the real story of the passengers on board is just as soul-stirring. This luxury liner set sail from England's Southampton to New York. Different 'classes' of passengers used different entrances. In the first-class quarters, most passengers were among the top tier social elite, the world's most influential, wealthiest, and sophisticated people. Passengers in the second class cabin were mostly middle class, newly married, as well as people who were on vacation. The third class cabin, however, was packed full of various ethnicities and different nationalities, planning to go to North America in search of a better life, in pursuit of the American dream. The movie Titanic depicts a poor boy Jack who, with no regard for class distinction, falls in love with the rich girl Rose, and brings her to a renewed enjoyment of the freedom and dignity of life, a sacrificial love, that will always protect her, saving her completely!    

       
        我看著我領到的那張「登船證」背面的乘客真實資料，他是一位二等艙乘客，當年32歲，他已在美國打拼一陣子，職業是建築工匠，他剛回故鄉英國迎娶心上人。鐵達尼號啟航之前，他們才結婚幾天，他們是這艘郵輪上，二十多對新婚夫婦中其中一對。

I looked at the passenger's real information on the back of the "boarding pass" I had received, he was a second-class passenger, 32 years old at that time, he had already worked hard in America for a while, his occupation was construction craftsmen, and he had just returned to his hometown in England to marry his sweetheart. Before the Titanic set sail, they had only been married a few days, they were one pair among the 20 or so newlyweds on board the ship.

        展場出口處有一大面牆，上面是當時在鐵達尼號上所有乘客的名單。鐵達尼號在1912年4月15日凌晨2時20分沉沒，全船2228人，僅有705人獲救，1523人罹難。這面大牆前面擠滿了參觀的群眾，大家拿著各自的「登船證」，在牆上密密麻麻的名單中，尋找手中「登船證」背面所記載那名乘客的名字，想了解該名乘客當時的命運如何。

At the exhibition exit there was a huge wall, which had all of the passengers' names aboard the Titanic at that time. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 at 2:20 in the early morning. Out of all 2,228 people, only 705 were saved; 1523 people were killed. The front of this enormous wall was packed with the visiting public, everyone taking their "boarding pass", and among the dense list of names on the wall, searched for the recorded name of the passenger from the back of the "boarding pass" in their hand, wanting to understand what that passenger's fate was when the ship sank.

        千金難買早知道！當時，幾乎所有人都認為這是一艘「永不沉沒」的船，所以船上配備的救生艇只夠三分之一的乘客使用。後來，當鐵達尼號意外撞上冰山後沉沒，有1500多人落海，令人感到悲哀的是，附近有二十艘救生艇，卻只有一艘選擇返航回頭救人，落海者中只有6人獲救，多數人因泡在冰冷的海水中失溫而死。

All the gold in the world can't buy hindsight! At that time almost everyone believed that this was an 'unsinkable' ship, so there were only enough lifeboats on board for one third of the passengers to use. Later, when the Titanic sank after accidentally hitting an iceberg, over 1500 people were lost at sea, and the saddest part is, there were twenty lifeboats nearby, but only one choose to return to save others. Out of the passengers lost at sea, only six were rescued, a majority of people, due to treading in freezing waters, experienced hypothermia and died.

        我再次細看手上那張「登船證」背面的乘客資料，上面有該名乘客和他新婚妻子的全名，我站在那面牆壁前方尋找他們的名字時，我突然感到好感傷，我想到：當這艘豪華郵輪在嚴寒的北大西洋與冰山相撞時，不知船上那二十多對新婚夫婦中，有多少對夫妻正如電影「鐵達尼號」中的傑克與蘿絲，原本甜蜜的相遇相知相守，竟轉變成刻骨銘心的生離死別？在救生艇嚴重不足的情況中，「婦孺優先」逃生的紳士情操下，獲救者大多是婦女和孩童，不知有多少男士在船上與妻兒永別，有多少家庭，有多少戀人被迫永遠分離？不知有多少尋夢者的夢碎了？在這密密麻麻的乘客名單中，殊不知背後又隱藏了多少令人動容、令人為之鼻酸的故事。

I once again took a close look at the passenger information on the back of "boarding pass" in my hand, which had the full names of both this passenger and his new wife. As I stood in front of that wall searching for their names, I suddenly felt so sad, I thought, "when this luxury cruise ship collided with an iceberg in the frigid Atlantic, out of the twenty or so newlyweds on board, we don't know how many were just like Jack and Rose from the movie 'Titanic', with original sweet encounters friendships and time together, suddenly changed into an unforgettable parting, never to meet again. In the serious shortage of lifeboats situation, under the gentleman's sentiment of "woman and children first" to escape, most of the people rescued were women and children. We don't know how many men parted with their wives and children forever on the boat, how many families, how many lovers were forced into eternal separation. Who knows how many of those dreams were broken. Among this crowded list of passengers, we cannot know all the moving, sad stories hidden behind them.

      我決定放棄尋查他們倆人的名字和命運，就讓我想像他們倆都平安獲救，一起經營他們的幸福人生吧！從另一個角度來看，這面牆上所記錄的所有乘客，無論當時是獲救或是罹難者，如今都已離開人世，鐵達尼號最後一名倖存者，當時還是嬰兒，也已於2009年過世。這世上的一切都會過去，但聖經啟示錄一再提起「生命冊」的事，耶穌也曾對門徒說：「要因為你們的名字已經被記錄在天上而歡喜」（路加福音十章20節）。也許，我們更應該好好關注這「天國公民的名冊」，去認真思考一個問題：你的名字有記錄在「生命冊」上嗎？

I decided to stop looking for their names and fate, and just let myself imagine that both of them were rescued safely, going about their happy lives together! From another perspective, all of the passengers recorded on this wall, whether they were saved or became victims at that time, have all already parted with this world. The last sole survivor of the Titanic, who at the time was still a baby, had passed away in 2009. Everything in this world will pass, but the book of Revelation mentions the "book of life" again and again, and Jesus also said to his disciples "rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Perhaps we really should take note of this "Kingdom of Heaven Citizens Roster", and seriously consider this question: Is your name recorded in "The Book of Life"?

        鐵達尼號沈船之前，船上樂團仍盡職地演奏著樂曲，撫慰人心，電影「鐵達尼號」也呈現了這動人的一幕：當樂團演奏最後一首聖詩「與主更親近」（Nearer My God to Thee），在鐵達尼號陡斜的甲板上，有一名神父為即將罹難的旅客們禱告，求主赦免他們一生的罪過，他向主祈求說：「我看見新天新地，之前的天地不見了，人們成為祂的子民，上帝將與他們同在，做他們的神，上帝將擦乾他們的眼淚，不會再有死亡，沒有悲傷哭泣，也不會再有痛苦，先前的世界已成過去……」。

Before the Titanic sank, the ship's orchestra still dutifully played music, to pacify people. The movie "Titanic" also presents this touching scene: When the musicians play their last hymn "Nearer My God to Thee", on the steep deck of the Titanic, a priest says a prayer for the soon to be perished travelers, praying to pardon the sins of their lives, he prayed to the Lord " I see a new heaven and a new earth, when the old heaven and earth disappear, the people will become His people, and God will be with them and be their God. He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, there shall be no more death, sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former world has passed away."

        人生有如一片汪洋大海，我們都是鐵達尼號上的乘客，我們都需要被救贖。我們看到前方有冰山，我們以為已經躲過前方的冰山，以為已經平安穩妥，以為已經沒有問題了……原來我們只看到海面上的冰山，那只不過是冰山的一角，我們已撞上海面下銳利的冰山卻不自知！我們都需要坐上救生艇，都需要被救贖！我們不要落入永遠的冰冷與黑暗裡……

Life is like a vast ocean, and we are all passengers aboard the Titanic, we all need redemption. We see the iceberg ahead, and we foolishly believe that we have eluded the iceberg ahead, thinking we already have peace and safety, thinking there isn't a problem....turns out that we only see the iceberg above the sea, which is merely the tip of the iceberg, we've already hit the jagged iceberg below the surface, and we don't even know it! We all need to sit in a lifeboat, we all need to be redeemed! Let us not fall into the eternal cold and darkness.....

作者:譚亞菁 Sep. 25, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois

發現驚喜 Discovering Surprises

      

      

(本文刊載於基督教論壇報 2013年5月4日，第3490期)
      
      從學生時代至今，無論是國、高中六年的住校生活，或是參與無數次在外住宿的團體營會，都深感與同學友人一起生活住宿，是非常有意思的體驗。尤其是在晚上，有更多機會可以沉澱一整天的心情，與人彼此分享，促膝長談。

      Since the days as a student till now, whether it's the six years of junior and senior high boarding school, or the uncountable amount of times participating in outdoor group camping, living together with classmates and friends is truly an incredibly interesting experience. Especially at night, there are more opportunities to settle the state of mind from an entire day, to share with others over a long talk.

      記得有一次，我的室友是一位宣教士，她已年過半百，有一頭很自然的、亮銀灰色澤的秀髮，她的面容泛著光芒，神采奕奕地向我訴說一個個她憑信心生活的動人故事，訴說上帝如何奇妙地供應她日常所需，如何帶領及祝福她的宣教事工，如何施行神蹟奇事在她的生命中，讓我聽得津津有味。當她說到特別精彩的經歷，還會整個人手舞足蹈，在床上笑翻過去，雖然她已五十多歲，但她喜樂的模樣、光彩的神情、純真又爽朗的笑聲，卻像極了十幾歲的少女，那股活潑的喜樂生命令人驚喜。從她身上，你可以清楚感受到「因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是我們的力量（尼希米記八10）」這句話是那麼的真實。

I remember one time, my roommate was a missionary. She had already lived over half a century, with her head of natural, brightly shimmering silver-grey hair, and a luminous face. Glowing with health and radiating vigor, she told me a personal moving story of her life of faith, telling me how God marvelously provided her daily necessities, how He guided and blessed her missionary work, how He orchestrated signs and wonders in her life; I listened with great interest. When she spoke of a particularly exciting experience, she would literally dance for joy, rolling over her bed laughing. Even though she was in her fifties, her jubilant appearance, magnificent spirit, and pure and hearty laughter was way more like that of a teenage girl's. Such a burst of vivaciousness for life's bliss was a pleasant surprise. From her, you can clearly feel how the verse "for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), rings true.

       除了與人互動的過程中，所帶來的驚喜，有時別出心裁的營會活動，也會令你難以忘懷。其中印象最深刻的是，有一次我回宿舍房間，一打開房門，就發現床上放著給我的溫馨小卡片和小禮物；接著，當我整理床舖時，竟又意外發現枕頭下藏著精美的禮物；之後又在房門口的茶几上發現可口的甜點宵夜！我當時真是又驚又喜，多麼驚喜連連啊！我記得當我開心地走出房門，腳步輕盈地走在宿舍走廊，沉浸在一連串驚喜的喜悅中時，突然有一個強烈的意念深入我的腦海，甚至讓我因此停下了腳步，細細思量……

Aside from the course of interacting with people, and the surprises it brings, at times, the ingenuity of the camp activities are also unforgettable. Among them the most deeply impressive was one time, I had returned to the dorm room, and as soon as I opened the door I found a warm little card and gift just lying in my bed for me. Then, when I made the bed, I unexpectedly found another elegant gift hidden under the pillow by accident, and then, on the coffee table near the doorway, I found a delicious midnight snack dessert! I was really so surprised when it happened, all these surprises one right after another! I remember I happily walked out of the room, lightly pacing about the dormitory hallway, immersed in the thrill of a series of surprises when suddenly, an intense thought struck my mind, and even made me stop walking to carefully consider.... 

       我的腦海裡清楚浮現出兩個字叫做「發現」，那深刻的感動就是，驚喜連連的背後，蘊藏著一個更深刻的提醒：在享受驚喜之前，要先做一個動作——「發現」驚喜！—— 驚喜連連固然好，但是你都「發現」它們了嗎？這就好比精美的禮物一直都藏在枕頭底下，但重點是你「發現」它了嗎？這又好比上帝已將各式各樣的驚喜和恩典賜給我們，它們一直都存在我們生活中，可惜我們經常忽略或視而不見。但事實上，那些驚喜和恩典一直都在我們周圍，我們沒發現絕不代表它們不存在。

That one word called "discover" had materialized clearly in my mind, profoundly moving as it is, behind pleasant surprises lies an even more profound reminder: before enjoying a surprise, first we have to take action....we have to "discover" the surprise! Pleasant surprises are indeed good, but have you "discovered" all of them? This is just like a wonderful gift that is constantly hidden under your pillow, but the point is, have you discovered it? Again, this is comparable to God who has already bestowed upon us various surprises and His grace, both of which constantly exist in our lives, and yet what a shame that we typically ignore or turn a blind eye to them. Yet in reality, the surprises and grace are always all around us, and just because we haven't discovered them, doesn't mean they don't exist.

       這個領悟讓我受益無窮，在往後的日子，我學著更多去「發現」驚喜或恩典。其實光是大自然中的驚奇就令人探索不完了，正如聖經詩篇所說：「耶和華啊，祢所造的何其多！都是你用智慧造成的，遍地滿了你的豐富」（詩篇一百零四24）。

This realization reaped endless benefits. In the days that followed, I learned more about "discovering" surprises and grace. In fact, just the wonders of nature lead to limitless exploration, like it says in the Bible from the Book of Psalms "How many are Your works Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures" (Psalms 104:24)

       俗話說：一日之計在於晨。清晨的時光真寶貴。那一天，我特別提早出門，我經過社區美麗的庭園，一陣陣清新的花香撲鼻而來，伴隨清晨格外清爽的空氣，我深深地吸了一口氣，睡意頓時全消。我醒了，我的眼睛亮了起來，我看見樹林間有多種不同種類、不同顏色的鳥兒在林間飛舞，牠們不停地在樹梢間跳躍穿梭，嘰嘰喳喳，竊竊私語，讓我不禁好奇牠們究竟在聊什麼，聊得這麼開心？

       As the saying goes, “An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening”. Morning time is really precious. That day, I was out and about earlier than usual, I passed the community's beautiful garden, waves of fresh flowers greeted my nostrils, accompanied by the exceptionally crisp morning air, I inhaled a deep breath, and at once my drowsiness vanished. I awoke. My eyes lit up. I saw the grove had many birds of different kinds and colors flying in the forest, and their unceasing shuttles between trees, twitters and whispers made it so I could not help but wonder what exactly they were chatting about, chatting so happily?

       在早晨的薄霧中，我走出社區大門，繼續沿著小山坡往下走，我真不敢相信我的眼睛，我竟然在這小山坡上看見清晨的日出，我不知道有多久沒看見日出的太陽，好大好圓的橘紅色太陽，配上飄渺的薄霧，和遠方的山景，實在太美了！我忍不住向這美麗的世界吶喊一聲：「早安啊」！

       In the morning mist, I walked out the community gate, continued down along a small hill path, I really could not believe my eyes, I actually saw the morning sunrise on the hillside, I don't know how long I hadn't seen the morning sun, the orange sun so big and round, accompanied by a misty haze, and the distant mountain landscape, it was so beautiful! I could not help but cry out to this beautiful world "Good Morning!"

       這一場日出的驚喜，也讓我不禁讚嘆神的創造，還思想到神的慈愛與保護：「白日，太陽必不傷你；夜間，月亮必不害你……你出你入，耶和華要保護你，從今時直到永遠」（詩篇一百二十一6, 8）。我想，生命中最大的驚喜，莫過於知道神愛你。

       This sunrise surprise, had also not only made me admire God's creation, but reflect upon God's love and protection "the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night...the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore" (Psalms 121:6, 8). I think the biggest surprise in life, is none other than knowing God loves you.

作者：譚亞菁 Apr. 21, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois