萬里長城萬里長 The "Great"-ness of such an Endless Wall!

身為華人世界的一份子，來到中國的萬里長城，回想著長城的歷史興衰，格外令人發思古之幽情。那一天，我懷著無比期待的心情，準備踏上萬里長城最雄偉秀麗的精華段落之一 —— 北京慕田峪長城。

Being myself a member of the Chinese world made coming to the Great Wall of China, and recollecting the history of the Great Wall's rise and fall, all the more nostalgic. That day, I held a mood of immense anticipation, and prepared to climb one of the Great Wall's most quintessential locations of majestic beauty- Beijing's Great Wall at Mutianyu.

        對我而言，過去在歷史課本中出現的萬里長城，即將真實地映入眼簾。然而，我確實沒有料想到，自己會以近乎驚險又夢幻的方式，一步步接近眼前壯闊的長城……

For me, the Great Wall as it appeared in history books from my past was about as real as it could get. However, I definitely did not expect myself, in an almost thrilling and fantastic way, to be approaching step by step in front of the magnificent Great Wall……

        由於旅行團的行程緊湊，我們沒有時間慢慢步行，而是選擇搭乘一種吊椅式索車登上長城。我和另一位團員坐上吊椅之後，發現這種搖椅索車沒有什麼安全保護屏障，只有前端一條欄杆，任由雙腳懸空擺蕩，然後搖椅索車在翠綠山谷中往長城的方向攀升，逐漸愈升愈高，我們像是坐在搖晃的鞦韆上，深怕一不小心背包或相機會墜入深谷之中。但是，那種在高空中，與山谷之間的茂密樹林、蒼翠松柏，幾乎零距離的感受，實在太特別了。你彷彿化身為森林之王泰山，在綠樹群峰之間跳躍，要預備跳上山谷另一端、那愈加逼近、愈加壯麗的萬里長城。

As a result of the tight schedule for tour groups, we didn't have time to walk slowly, so we chose to take a kind of ski lift to climb atop the Great Wall. After another member of the group and I sat on the lift, I discovered that the bench didn't have any safety or protective barriers whatsoever, there was only one rail at the front which allowed your feet swing freely in the air. Then in the middle of an emerald green valley, the rocking chair lift rose toward the Great Wall, gradually going higher and higher. It was like we were sitting on a rickety swing, terrified that a backpack or camera would accidentally fall into the valley below.

However, that feeling of being high in the sky, among the valley's lush woods, green pines and cypresses at a zero distance, was really something special. It's like you more or less become Tarzan, the king of the forest, jumping from treetop to treetop. We prepared to land on the other side of the valley, as it was increasingly approaching, the Great Wall appeared even more magnificent.

此外，更令我驚奇的是，我從搖椅索車往下看，發現有一長條從長城直通山腳下的蜿蜒滑道，好比山谷中的超大型溜滑梯，一輛輛小型滑車，在彎彎曲曲的滑道上、高大而茂盛的樹叢之間穿梭，像極了童話故事裡的畫面。我坐著驚險的搖椅索車登上長城的同時，心中也暗自期盼，待會兒從長城下山時，我也要成為這童話故事的主角，搭著小滑車，在山林滑道中自由滑行，那會是多麼夢幻啊！

Additionally, even more surprising was that, as I looked down from the chair lift, I discovered a long strip of winding slide that stretched from the Great Wall all the way to the base of the foothills. It looked like an enormous type of slide in the valley, with a team of small sleds in the winding curvy chute, shuttling around the tall and exuberant groves exactly like a scene from a fairy tale. As I sat in the chair lift on its breathtaking ascent to the Great Wall, my heart also secretly hoped that momentarily, while descending the Great Wall down the mountain, I would also become the protagonist of this fairytale, riding a small sled and sliding freely in the mountain forest! What a dream that would be!

        登上萬里長城，一片晴空萬里，氣勢磅礡，壯闊美景不在話下。你會想到這裡就是中華民族抵禦外敵侵略的重要防線，也被視為世界建築史上一大奇蹟，它就像一條巨龍蜿蜒盤旋於群山之間。我和幾位團員踏上長城一層層的古老階梯，爬上一個個的碉堡，越過古城牆邊的炮台……突然，我的直覺告訴我，該是要沿著原路返回出入口的時候了，因為集合時間快到了，我還想玩剛才瞧見的「滑道」下山，或許遊客多到要排隊搭乘小滑車，算算時間，我必須原路折返了。

Atop the Great Wall was a clear and boundless sky, full of power and grandeur, and scenery vast and beautiful withal. You realize how this was an important line of defense for the Chinese nation against foreign aggression, and how it has also been viewed as a world wonder of architectural history; it is just like an enormous dragon winding and wheeling around the mountains. Myself along with several members of the tour group stepped along the Wall's layers of ancient stairs, climbed up tower after tower and surmounted a cannon block across from an ancient wall, ...when suddenly, my intuition told me that it was time to follow the original path back to the entrance, because the time to reassemble was approaching and I still really wanted to take the "slide" I just saw down the mountain, and maybe a lot of tourists were lined up to ride the sleds. When I figured the time, I thought I had better take the way back.

但是，其他幾個團員都想繼續往上爬，想登上長城另一端的纜車出入口，並且拿著長城導覽圖，篤定地告訴我另一端也有滑道可下山。我就帶著一絲懷疑繼續跟著大家朝纜車前行，接下來的長城路段非常陡峻，加上艷陽高照，只能一步一步艱辛地往上爬，好不容易到達長城另一端的纜車出入口，沒想到竟然只見纜車，未見滑道，原來因為有團員看錯導覽圖，所以我被誤導了，失望的情緒盤據心頭，更氣自己當初沒有相信自己的直覺，我自己也沒有查看清楚導覽圖，就跟著大家走，否則我可能早已從從容容地搭上滑車，在山林滑道中穿梭，完成童話般的夢幻之旅了。

However, a few other members wanted to keep climbing on, to ascend toward another cable car platform on the Great Wall, even holding up a guide map assuredly telling me that this other platform also had a slide I could take down the mountain. So, with a bit of skepticism, I continued to follow everyone to the other cable car. This next section of the Great Wall was incredibly steep, with the bright sun bearing down, we were only able to climb one arduous step at a time, until after some difficulty we arrived at the other cable car platform. I did not expect to suddenly notice cable cars, yet no slide. As it turned out, the member of the tour group looked at the map wrong, and so I was misled. Preoccupied with feelings of disappointment, I was more frustrated at myself for not trusting my own intuition at the time. I myself didn't even take a good look at the guide map, I just followed everyone when I could have been leisurely boarding a sled, shuttling down a slide in the mountain forest, completing the journey of my fairytale dream.

        事實上，此時離集合時間只剩半小時，好幾位團員都決定搭纜車下山和其他團員會合，但其中有一位團員，她也很想玩滑道，我們兩人詢問路旁賣飲料的小販，走回長城另一端的滑道出口，需要多久時間？他說回程幾乎都是下坡，大約20分鐘左右。於是，我們決定快速奔跑回去，也許還有機會圓夢！只是回程不像去程有興致沿路欣賞長城景緻和周邊山景，回程因為在趕路，必須一路衝刺回去。原本我們兩人一起作伴在長城上奔馳，但她的腳程實在快的驚人，好像練過輕功一般，不一會兒，就消失不見蹤影。

Actually, at this time we only had a half hour until the group reunited. Several members of the group had decided to take the cable car down the mountain to meet up with the others, but among them there was one member, and she really wanted to ride down the slide. We both asked one of the drink vendors on the path how much time would we need to travel back to the slide entrance on the other side of the Wall. He said the route back was basically all downhill, so about 20 minutes give or take. So, we decided to quickly run back. Perhaps there was still a chance to realize my dream! Only thing is, for the return trip we had no intent on going to the points of interest to appreciate the scenery of Great Wall and the scenic mountain views surrounding it. This return trip was hurried; we had to sprint all the way back. Originally we were two companions running together on the Great Wall, but her feet were astonishingly fast, like she had practiced flying KungFu skills before, and in no time, she disappeared without a trace.

        那時的我，有一種被遺棄的感受，望著前方蜿蜒曲折的長城階梯，我獨自一人心情焦急、氣喘吁吁地奔跑著，又再次經過去程的一個個碉堡、一層層石階，在炙熱的陽光下，真是感到萬里長城「萬里長」呀！

At that time, I felt like I had been abandoned. Looking ahead at the Great Wall's winding staircase, I was all alone, feeling anxious, panting heavily while running, once again passing through all those towers, all the layers of stone steps, underneath the scorching sun, I was really able to experience first hand the "Great"-ness of such an endless wall!

        幸好，我相信一路有主與我同行，否則實在太孤寂了！我邊奔跑邊禱告，我發現長城的碉堡、路段，看起來都好相像，我很擔心會錯過滑道出口。我正疑惑自己是否跑過頭時，突然有一位外籍人士，請我幫他拍照，也因此讓我停下腳步，竟然發現在轉角處，沿著一條狹窄石階下去，就是滑道出口了！感謝主，帶我找到出路。

Fortunately, I believe the Lord was with me all the way, otherwise I really would have been too lonely! I prayed as I ran. I discovered that the Wall's towers looked alike, and the roads looked alike, so I was worried that I would miss the slide entrance. Just as I was doubting myself about whether or not I had run too far, there was a foreigner who suddenly asked me to help him take a picture, and because this made me stop my feet, I unexpectedly noticed that around the corner, down along a narrow line of stone steps, was the entrance to the slide! I thanked God for leading me to find the way out.

        果然，滑道出口人潮眾多、大排長龍，我雖然歷經千辛萬苦回到這裡，但集合時間迫在眉睫，內心經過一番掙扎之後，選擇做對的事，就是再次搭乘旁邊完全不需排隊的搖椅索車下山，準時集合，而滿心期盼的滑道之旅，就留待下次再來吧！我準時上了遊覽車，意外發現那位腳程超快、棄我而去的團員，竟然還沒上車？難道她決定去玩滑道，讓全車的人等她一個人？大家等了她許久，也開始擔心起她的安危。終於，她神情疲憊地上了車，原來，她在長城上一路奔跑，衝刺過頭，錯過出口，在長城迷路，找不著出口，真是所謂「欲速則不達」。

Sure enough, there was a crowd of people at the entrance in a long line, and although I expended a lot of hard work to get to this point, the time to regroup was looming. After going through an internal dilemma, I chose to do the right thing, which was to board the same ski lift down the mountain, located next to the slide without any line at all, meet up on time, while saving the hope for a journey down the slide until the next time I visit! I punctually boarded the tour bus, and just happened to realize that the fast sprinter, the member who abandoned me and left, really hadn't gotten on the bus? Had she really decided to play on the slide and make an entire bus of people wait just for her? Everyone waited on her for quite some time, and even started to worry about her safety. Finally, she tiredly boarded the bus, turns out, she ran all the way across the Great Wall, sprinted too far, missed the exit, got lost on the Great Wall, and couldn't find the exit. Haste makes waste indeed.  

        這趟難忘的長城旅程，讓我深刻感受到，我們都需要找到屬於自己的生命節拍，踏著屬於你的步伐，走上屬於你的道路。我們必須清楚自己究竟想要什麼，  而非跟著人群或潮流走。我們要去聆聽內心的感動與直覺，留意神對我們的引導。在凡事講求快速的時代，我們更需要學習「慢活」，適時地停下腳步，找著生命的出口。

This unforgettable Great Wall tour, made me feel deeply that we all need to find our own rhythm of life, a march of your own pace, taking the path which belongs to you. We must be clear on what we ultimately want, and avoid following crowds or trends. We should listen to our inner feelings and intuition, and pay attention to the God's guidance. In an era where everything emphasizes rapidity, we ought to learn "slow living", to timely stop our pace and seek the exit of life.

神行事必定有祂最好的時間和方式。聖經傳道書提醒我們：萬事都有定時，「生有時，死有時；……拆毀有時，建造有時；哭有時，笑有時；哀慟有時，跳舞有時……尋找有時，失落有時；保守有時，捨棄有時；……神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生安置在世人心裏」（傳道書三2-4, 6, 11）

   

Acts of God undoubtedly are His best time and way. Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is a time for everything: "there is a time to be born, and a time to die......a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away......God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecclesiastes 3:2-4, 6, 11)

        你聽到那屬於你的生命節奏嗎？彷彿來自心靈的鼓聲，震撼你的心靈！

Can you hear the rhythm of life that belongs to you? It's like a drum beating from your heart, shaking your spirit!

作者:譚亞菁 Mar. 4, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois

月亮隨筆 Some Thoughts About The Moon

"Moon Cross" Illustrated by Andrew Lin

        自古至今，人類從未間斷對月亮的想像與探索。首位登陸月球的美國太空人阿姆斯壯，他踏上月球表面所說的名言：「這是我的一小步，卻是人類的一大步」，到現今仍被人津津樂道。他從月球上觀看地球，看見地球就像一顆美麗的藍色星球、一顆璀璨的藍色水鑽，高掛在黑絲絨般的宇宙星空中。這種美的震撼，也出現在地球上的人們抬頭凝視皎潔月亮的當下。地球和月亮遙遙相望，相互欣賞彼此的美麗。

Since ancient times, humans have never stopped their imaginations and exploration of the moon. The first person on the moon, the American astronaut Neil Armstrong, spoke these words when he set foot on the moon's surface "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", which to this day are still relished by people. When he viewed Earth from the surface of the moon, he saw that the Earth looked like a beautiful blue orb, a bright blue jewel, hanging on the black velvet sky of the universe. The shock of this beauty also occurs on planet Earth whenever people lift their heads and gaze at the luminous moon. The Earth and moon face each other at a distance and mutually appreciate each other's beauty.

賞月的樂趣，不限於中秋佳節。在一個平常的夜晚，我和母親飯後隨性自在地走走繞繞，我們走到住家對面的學校觀景台，遠眺台北市夜景。然而，出乎我們意料之外，當晚的月亮竟然比夜景更令人著迷，基本上，那顆月亮實在太大、太亮、太圓了！它似乎爬得不太高，離我們特別近，讓我和媽咪甚至不禁懷疑起這月亮是真是假，這是真的月亮嗎？當晚的月色，就像舞台劇的布幕背景一般，美得像假的一樣。

The joys of looking at the moon are not limited to the Mid-Autumn Festival. After a meal on an ordinary evening, my mother and I were casually wandering about. We strolled down toward the school's observation deck across from home, which overlooks Taipei’s nighttime cityscape. However, to our surprise, the moon that evening was unexpectedly more fascinating than the skyline. Basically, the moon was simply too big, too bright, too round! It seemed like it hadn't climbed that high, and it being especially close to us, my mother and I could not help but begin to suspect: is this moon real or fake, could this be the true moon? The moonlight that night looked like the backdrop of a stage play, just as beautiful as it was unreal.

月亮是充滿詩意的。它的光芒是溫柔、慈愛的。難怪以月亮入詩、入歌的例子，不勝枚舉。我耳邊響起那首兒時童謠：「母親像月亮一樣，照亮我家門窗，聖潔多麼慈祥，發出愛的光芒……。」 是啊！多麼感謝神賜給我們母親。

The moon is richly poetic. Its light is gentle and loving. No wonder why instances of the moon in poetry and song are endless. My ears could hear that childhood nursery rhyme: "Mother is like the moon, illuminating the doors and windows of my home, holy and so kind, shining the light of love" Yes! We're so grateful to God for giving us mothers.

我的媽媽是一位溫柔、慈愛、活潑又樂觀的母親。她看起來總是比實際年齡年輕十歲以上。那是因為她的座右銘就是「活到老，學到老」，讓她保有一顆年輕的心。她熱愛欣賞美麗的事物，愛豐富多彩的大自然，愛朗誦「詩中有畫」的唐詩宋詞。母親生命中的美好特質，幫助我培養美的眼光，學習保持對事物高度的好奇心，和享受學習的樂趣。從小到大，我的媽媽從不吝嗇給我稱讚和鼓勵，無形中讓我建立良好的自我形像，也讓我更懂得真誠地欣賞、讚美和鼓舞他人。除此之外，在日常生活中，只要有任何好吃的東西，媽媽總會想要和我分享，共同享用。她喜歡靜靜地坐在我對面，微笑地看著我吃東西，問我好不好吃，她看見我吃東西滿足的神情，看見我開心，她就好開心！母親的慈愛與恩情，怎麼說也說不完……

My mom is a gentle, loving, lively and optimistic mother. She always looks like she's ten years younger than her real age. That's because her motto is "Live till you're old, learn till you're old", so she's still young at heart. She loves to enjoy beautiful things, she loves the rich colors of nature, she loves reciting the "painting in poetry" style poems from the Tang and Song dynasties. The great qualities in my mother's life help me cultivate beautiful insights, learn to maintain a high level of curiosity toward things, and enjoy the pleasure of learning. From when I was young, all the way until after I had grown up, my mother was never stingy in giving me praise and encouragement, which inadvertently allowed me to establish a good self-image, and also let me better understand how to sincerely appreciate, praise and inspire others. Additionally, in everyday life, if there is anything good to eat, mom will always want to share with me, to enjoy together. She likes quietly sitting across from me, watching me with a smile while I eat, asking me if it’s delicious. She'll see my content expression while eating, and seeing me happy, makes her happy too! A mother's love and kindness is hard to put into words, and yet can be spoken about endlessly...

尤其當我也成為一位母親之後，更能深深體會愛的力量。愛孩子，就是帶孩子一起禱告，領受天上的祝福。有一天晚上，當我帶著孩子做完睡前晚禱之後，孩子突然興奮地將手指向窗外，對我說：「媽咪妳看，月亮十字架！」我立即望向窗外皎潔的月亮，真的親眼看見那顆月亮四周竟散發著十字架的光芒，多麼聖潔又美麗，覺得好不可思議啊！它向我們彰顯十字架放射出救主慈愛的光輝，藉此，我和孩子一起經歷了天父的愛，那來自神——愛的奇蹟！

Especially after I became a mother, I was more able to deeply appreciate the power of love. To love children, is to take children to pray and receive the blessings of heaven. One night, after taking my child to finish his evening prayers before bed, my child suddenly and excitedly pointed his finger out the window, saying to me "mommy look, moon cross!" I immediately looked out the window at the bright moon, and actually saw the moon's light on four sides emitting a cross, so holy and beautiful, it was unbelievable! To us, the shining light displayed the crucifix, radiating our Savior's loving glory, bringing my child and me together to experience the love of the Heavenly Father, and that which comes from God—the miracle of love!

作者:譚亞菁 May.08, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois

海中漫步的心靈之旅 A Spiritual Journey Roaming Under the Sea

     

        記得多年前，有一句關於米製品的經典廣告詞——「有點黏又不會太黏」，這句話似乎也可以應用在婚姻關係中。如果夫妻雙方各以一個圓圈作代表，理想的婚姻關係應該是兩者有彼此重疊交集的部份，但又保有各自的圓圈。假如兩者完全重疊，就喪失了自我；兩者完全分開，形成兩個分開獨立的圓，那麼這樣和單身狀態有何不同？ 一位奧地利詩人理爾克（Rainer Maria Rilke）所說的一句話，確實讓人眼睛為之一亮：「當我們接受『甚至最親密的人之間仍有無限的距離』這現實，我們便能奇妙地結伴共處。」這句話蘊藏了夫妻雙方、兩個獨立個體之間相互包容、體諒和成全夢想！

        I remember many years ago, there was a classic ad slogan about rice products - "a little sticky, yet not too sticky". It's as if this phrase could also be used in a marital relationship. If both husband and wife were each represented by a circle, the ideal marital relationship should have two parts that overlap and intersect each other, but still retain their own respective circles. Suppose both completely overlap, then there's a loss of self; and if both are completely separate, forming two separate independent circles, then how would that be any different from being single? The phrase of an Austrian poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, will truly put a twinkle in our eyes, "Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow." This quote encompasses both husband and wife, sharing mutual tolerance, understanding, and the fulfillment of dreams between two independent individuals!

        有一天，我和老公彼此分享最近的小小夢想，他說他想一個人隱居到山中露營幾天，而我則想搭飛機出國旅遊，因為似乎有小孩之後，就好久沒出國走走了！我把這個小小願望放在禱告中。真奇妙，才過幾週，我就中了信用卡的壽星禮——泰國五日遊！我深知這是神為我預備的旅程。當然，也要感謝我先生的幫助，照顧家中兩個幼童，讓我能輕鬆享受這難得的豐盛之旅！

        One day, my husband and I both shared our most recent little dreams. He said he'd like to go to the mountains by himself and camp a few days in seclusion, while I wanted to take a plane and travel abroad, because it just seems like after having kids, that I haven't gone abroad for a stroll in a long time! I took this little wish and put it in a prayer. How marvelous, that only after a few weeks, I won a birthday gift from my credit card--a five day tour in Thailand!  I knew this was a journey prepared for me by God. Of course, I would also like to thank my husband's help, taking care of two young children at home, allowing me to relax and enjoy this rare and bountiful tour!

        我搭乘泰航，飛越南中國海，來到泰國曼谷。飛機降落那一刻，格外開心，因為我踏上這世界另一片土地，這個對我來說充滿新奇的國度。出了機場，首先映入眼簾的就是各式各樣、五彩繽紛的計程車，這裡必定是一個熱愛色彩的熱情國家。接下來幾天，我突破過往的生活經驗，嘗試了不少新事物，並展開上天下海的新體驗。譬如騎大象、看大象畫畫和踢足球，享受泰式按摩，參訪桂河大橋、水上人家，以及體驗飛上高天的拖曳傘，和潛入深水的海底漫步。旅遊最迷人之處，就是拓展你的視野，帶你進入與平日截然不同的另一個世界。

        I boarded Thai Airways, and flew over the South China Sea to Bangkok, Thailand. The moment the plane landed, I was all the more happy, because I had set foot on another piece of land in this world. This to me was a country full of wonder. Leaving the airport, I was greeted by colorful taxis of all shapes and sizes. Here was definitely a passionate country with a deep affection for color. For the next few days, I broke through common life experiences and tried quite a few new things, and even had new experiences unfold flying in the sky and diving in the sea. For example, I rode an elephant, saw elephants paint and play soccer, enjoyed a Thai massage, visited the The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Boat Dwellers. I experienced flying sky high while parasailing, along with diving down into the sea depths to roam about. The most fascinating thing about traveling has to be broadening your horizons, taking you into another world that is completely out of the ordinary.

        在所有活動中，最令我難以忘懷的就是海底漫步，我非常好奇深水中的世界是什麼樣的風景。我們一組七人，外加三名教練，搭船來到較深的海域。然後每個人要戴上一個好大好重的太空氧氣罩，輪流從船上下入深海。我第一次下去這麼深的水中，我感到緊張又有些怕水，我突然覺得呼吸好困難，水壓好沉重，在水中我向教練比了往上的手勢，決定放棄。我獨自一人上到船上等候大家，可是我全身濕透，一人在船上，海風吹來，寒風刺骨，也很不好受。

        Of all the activities, the most unforgettable had to be marching on the seabottom, for I was very curious as to what kind of landscape awaited in the deep sea-world. A group of seven people, with an extra three instructors, took a boat to some fairly deep waters. Then every person had to wear a great big heavy astro-oxygen mask, taking turns diving from the ship down into the deep sea. It was my first time to dive in such deep water. I felt nervous and a little scared, and it suddenly felt like breathing became so difficult, the water pressure so heavy, while submerged, I made a gesture toward the instructor that meant to ascend and decided to give up. I was the only person by myself up on the boat waiting for everyone, but I was drenched, alone in the boat, the ocean winds blowing a bone-chilling breeze, and all was not entirely well.

        我只好又鼓起勇氣，再次下入深海中。第二次下水時，潛水教練特別照顧我，非常柔和地、一步步帶我往下潛，我試著放鬆心情，調整呼吸，等我比出OK手勢後，第一位教練就把我的手牽給另一位教練，繼續帶領我向下探險。我深感在深海之中，我來到一個全然不同的世界，我變得那麼的無助，格外需要扶持和引導。在過程中，我學習把手交出去，學習完全交託和信靠。最後，潛入最深的水中，三名教練都圍繞著我，非常關注我的狀況，我真的有一種被細心關懷、被深深保護，被安全地牽引的感受。接著，我和其他組員順利會合，在海底我們七人手牽著手同行，這樣相互扶持攜手前進非常重要，因為若放開手，一個人就會隨著海流的推力漂走，隨波逐流！之後，我們一起享受海中世界，好多魚群游來游去，我們拿吐司餵魚群，許多魚兒游來吃吐司，魚群還親吻我的手，那種海中餵魚的感覺好奇妙！我們用水中照相機與海中珊瑚礁和眾多魚兒合影，留下海底世界的美麗記憶。

        I had no choice but to gather up the courage to once again brave the ocean depths. The second time under water, the diving instructor really took care of me, very gently, step by step taking me deeper. I tried to relax, to control my breathing. Waiting until I gave the OK gesture, the first instructor took my hand and gave it to another instructor, who then continued leading me deeper to explore. Amidst those deep waters, I was convinced I had traveled to a completely different world, I became so helpless, which made me all the more in need of support and guidance. In that process, I learned to open my arms, I learned to completely let go and trust. Finally, diving into the deepest waters, the three instructors encircled me, and were very concerned about my situation. I really had a certain feeling of receiving care and attention, of being deeply protected, and of being safely pulled along. Then, I successfully joined the other members of the group. In the ocean depths, the seven of us held hands in tandem, the mutual support from moving ahead hand in hand was very important, because if a hand went free, then a person would drift away with the force of the ocean currents, going with the flow! After that, we enjoyed the world of the sea together, with so many schools of fish swimming about. We took toast to feed the fish, many fishies swam up to eat toast, and the fish kissed my hand. That feeling of feeding fish in the ocean was wonderful! We used our water-proof camera to take photos of us with the coral reef and schools of many fishies, preserving beautiful memories of the deep ocean world.

      從海中回到船上，船隻駛向陸地，又帶領我們回到陸上的真實世界。但這次海底漫步的經驗，卻深深烙印在我腦海中，尤其在潛入深水的過程中，那種克服恐懼、學習交託與信靠的體驗，似乎也在對我心靈深處呼喚著：把手伸出去，放心地將你無助的小手，放入神滿有慈愛與能力的大手之中。凡事全然交託給主，祂總是一步步地、溫柔又堅定地引導我們，即使我們正處在人生的驚濤駭浪中，但有神在我們四圍環繞保護，有全能神陪伴我們一同探險，去發掘人生最美的寶藏，我們還何憂何懼呢？無論你處在人生的何種景況，別忘了，神親口對我們說：「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你，我必用我公義的右手扶持你」（以賽亞書四十一10）。

        From the sea back to the ship, the vessel that sailed ashore, had also led us back to the land of the real world. But this time experiencing the march on the sea bottom, had been deeply imprinted in my mind, especially during the dive into deep water, that experience of overcoming fear, learning how to let go and trust, seems to also be in the back of my mind calling: give your hands unto God, allow your helpless little hands to be rest assured, put them into the great hands of God which are full of love and ability. Give everything completely to the Lord, He is always leading us step by step, both gentle and constant; even if we are in the stormy seas of life, God still surrounds us with protection, the Almighty still accompanies us on the same adventure to discover life's most beautiful treasures, so why should we feel need to worry or fear? No matter what your situation in life, don't forget, God Himself said to us "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

作者:譚亞菁 Dec.31, 2012
Translated by Parker Gadbois

陪伴的力量 The Power of Companionship

   

    狗是人類忠實的朋友，可惜我從小就怕狗。也許，曾經被狗追的經驗令我害怕；也許，我不知道狗兒在想什麼的不確定感令我擔心。每當看到前方有狗迎面而來，我都會莫名的擔憂，此刻的牠心情好嗎？牠是否會看我不順眼想要攻擊我？所以，我總是想盡辦法繞道而行。

   

    A dog is a man's best friend. Unfortunately, I grew up afraid of dogs. Maybe it's the experience of having been chased by a dog that makes me afraid. Maybe the uncertainty of not knowing what a dog is thinking worries me. Every time I see ahead that there's a dog approaching head-on, I always have an inexplicable fear: is it in a good mood? Is it going to dislike and attack me? So I always try to find a detour.

    某天下午，我帶孩子出門，要前往淡水竹圍的玩具圖書館。在往圖書館的路上，我們喜歡走一條山路捷徑，那是一條用石塊鋪成的階梯小徑，伴著潺潺流水聲，通過這條愜意的階梯小路，就會到達目的地。我和五歲的孩子手牽著手，快樂地向前行！沒想到走到一半，竟然有一隻大狗出現在前方階梯上，我實在不想和牠正面衝突，正想掉頭就走，可是孩子卻用充滿信心的口吻對我說：「男生都不怕狗狗的，女生才會怕，我要保護媽媽！」聽孩子這麼說，當下真是感動極了！這麼小小年紀就會保護媽咪！因著孩子的勇氣，我也變得勇敢些。我鼓起勇氣向前邁進，我們並肩同行，那是一種陪伴的力量。當我們繼續向前走，那隻大狗竟然還讓開路，讓我們順利通過，成功抵達目的地！

   

     One afternoon, I took my child out to DanShui's Zhuwei Toy Library. On the way to the library, we like to take a mountain path shortcut, a lane of stairs paved with stones, accompanied by the sound of a murmuring stream. Walking through this cozy stepping stone path will lead to our destination. Me and my five year old son walked hand in hand happily on our way! We didn't think that half way in, a large dog would suddenly appear on the steps ahead. I did not want to have a head-on collision with it, but just as I was about to turn my head and go, my child said to me with a voice full of confidence, "boys aren't scared of doggies, only girls are scared. I'll protect you mama!" When I heard my child say this, I immediately felt extremely moved! Even at such a young age he'll still protect his mommy! Because of my child's courage, I also became a little braver. I gathered the courage to move forward, both of us side by side: now that is the power of companionship. As we continued to walk forward, that big dog actually made way, allowing us to carry on smoothly and successfully arrive at our destination!

    這個經歷讓我聯想到「牧童大衛與巨人歌利亞」這個著名的聖經故事。同樣是小小年紀的大衛，在饒勇善戰的軍人眼中，他只是一個身材矮小的牧羊童。但誰能料到小小的大衛，有大大的心志。他出去迎戰歌利亞，向這位大巨人說：「你來攻擊我，是靠著刀槍；我來攻擊你，是靠著萬軍之耶和華的名」（撒母耳記上十七45）。小大衛就用機弦甩出一塊小石子，打倒大巨人。他信靠神的大能，相信神與他同在，就戰勝了強敵歌利亞。

    This experience makes me think of the famous biblical story "David and Goliath". Similarly, the young David, in the eyes of the Philistine soldiers, was nothing more than a puny shepherd boy. But who knew that little David had such great will. He went out to face Goliath, and said to the giant: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty." (1 Samuel 17:45) Little David only used a stone and sling to bring down the big giant. His faith in the power of God, believing that God was with him, allowed him to defeat the powerful enemy Goliath.

    什麼是你心中的巨人歌利亞？那可能是你生命中難以克服的困難，是某種巨大的恐懼、憂鬱、孤寂、哀傷……我們都需要一種陪伴的力量，來伴我們前行！在聖經中說到，神的名字叫「以馬內利」：「必有童女懷孕生子，他的名要叫『以馬內利』。『以馬內利』就是『神與我們同在』的意思」（馬太福音一23）。祂時刻與我們同在，這是多麼寶貴的應許啊！

    What is the Goliath in your heart? It might be a hardship in your life that is difficult to overcome, a kind of great fear, depression, loneliness, sadness....We all need the power of companionship to stay with us as we carry on! The Bible mentions that God's name is "Emmanuel": “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”)" (Matthew 1:23). He is with us always, what a precious promise this is!

    有時候，你似乎感到全世界沒有一個人真正瞭解你，還好親愛的天父上帝總是陪伴著你，祂瞭解你一切的需要，祂與你的內心深處對話，並賜你力量，破繭而出，成為美麗的蝴蝶，自由飛翔！

    Sometimes, you get a feeling like there's no one in the whole world who really understands you. Fortunately, Dear Heavenly Father is always with you. He understands all your needs, He can have a conversation with you in the back of your mind, giving you strength to break through the cocoon to emerge as a beautiful butterfly, flying free!

    神陪伴我們，也賜給我們陪伴他人的力量，就如神差派我的孩子像小天使一般，陪伴我勝過對狗兒的恐懼，我們今天也能成為他人的天使，去適時地陪伴關懷他們，因著我們的陪伴，讓我們週遭少一份孤寂，多一份溫暖。你今天想多陪陪誰嗎？

    God accompanies us, and gives us the power to accompany others, just as God sent my child, like a little angel, to accompany me through my fear of dogs, we today can also become the angels to others, swiftly accompanying and caring for them, because our companionship makes our surroundings a little less lonely, and a little more warm. Have you thought about who you'd like to accompany more today?

作者:譚亞菁 Dec. 13, 2012

Translated by Parker Gadbois

從少年Pi眼中的神談起 God, as seen through the character Pi, and other thoughts

      

      在《少年Pi的奇幻漂流》（Life of Pi）這部探討信仰的電影中，很自然地，會將觀眾的目光導向人與上帝之間的關係。尤其特別的是，主角Pi同時信奉印度教、基督教、伊斯蘭教三種宗教，讓人不禁思索一個問題，也正是電影中Pi的父親在全家用餐時對他說：「你同時信仰三個宗教，不就等於什麼都不信？」然而，Pi的母親接下來所說的話，也同樣發人深省，她說：「給Pi這一段追尋信仰的過程，這對他是好的……」

      "Life of Pi", a film that explores faith, naturally will draw the audience's attention to the relationship between man and God. The most interesting aspect of this is the protagonist Pi, who simultaneously believes in three religions: Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. People cannot help but think this to be a problem, which is also what Pi's father says to Pi in the film during a family meal, "You have faith in three religions, is that not the same as no faith at all?" However, Pi's mother's following words are also thought provoking, she says, "Give Pi time to seek out faith, it will be good for him..."

      人生不就是一段尋尋覓覓的過程嗎？舉凡尋找合適的學校、理想的工作、心目中的Mr. / Miss Right、幸福的婚姻、人生的夢想，真實的信仰。其中信仰更是一生的追尋，關乎生命的核心價值。它好比生命列車的火車頭，帶領各節車廂在軌道上奔馳。

      Isn't life just a prolonged period of searching? Just like looking for the right school, the ideal job, your heart's Mr./Miss Right, a happy marriage, your life's dream, a true faith. Among these, faith is even more so a lifelong pursuit, relating to the core value of life. It can be considered the engine to the train of life, one that leads the other train cars rolling quickly down the tracks.

   

      當你尋覓到正確的信仰價值觀，就好像「扣子」的比喻，當衣服的第一顆鈕扣扣對了，下面每一顆扣子就能依序地各就各位。反之，如果第一顆扣子扣錯了，接下來就是一連串的錯誤。

      When you find the right faith values, it's kind of like a metaphor for buttons. When the first button on the clothing is fastened correctly, each button below is able to fasten in its place one by one. On the other hand, if the first button is fastened incorrectly, what follows is a series of errors.

      錯誤的信仰價值觀，就如毛巾上的破洞。每當我發現自己心愛的洗臉毛巾出現小小的破洞時，就是快到我必須和它說再見的時候了。無論那個破洞是多麼的微小，無論那條毛巾乍看之下還是多麼的可愛舒適，然而沒過多久，破洞就會愈破愈大，小洞變成大洞，最後四分五裂。

      Erroneous faith values are like holes in a towel. Every time I discover a small hole forming in my beloved washcloth, then it's almost the time when I must say goodbye to it. No matter how tiny that hole is, no matter how that towel at a glance looks lovely and comfortable, it won't be long until the hole becomes more torn and sizeable, the small hole turns into a big hole, and finally, it all falls apart.

      經常聽人說，信仰只是一種精神寄託，其實沒那麼簡單。它深深影響生活各層面的價值體系，甚至與生命的救恩密不可分，它關乎你的過去、現在，和未來。上帝賜給人類最寶貴的禮物之一，就是讓我們有自由意志。雖然全能的上帝，有能力把我們創造成一群只會按照指令行事的機器人，但祂並沒有這麼做。祂渴望與我們建立一種真實互動的關係，祂給予我們自由意志去思考、去感受、去追尋、去抉擇。所以我們不要再去責怪上帝，為何沒有阻止人類始祖亞當和夏娃偷吃禁果，讓罪惡進入人間了。

      You can often hear people say, faith is only a kind of spiritual comfort, yet it's not that simple. It deeply affects the value systems for all aspects of life, even so far as to be inseparable from life's salvation; it relates to your past, present, and future. One of God's most precious gifts to humanity is allowing us to have free will. Although Almighty God has the ability to make us into a group of robots that will only act in accordance to His will, He has not done so. He yearns to establish a relationship with us based on real interaction; He has given us the freedom to think, to feel, to search, to choose. Therefore, we shouldn't ever blame God for not preventing humanity's first ancestors, Adam and Eve, from eating the forbidden fruit, which allowed sin to enter our world.

   

      關於追尋，神給了我們一個極大的應許：「你們祈求，就給你們；尋找，就尋見；叩門，就給你們開門」（馬太福音七7）。我深信，那些願意真誠地來到神面前，認真尋求祂的人，神必讓他們尋見，祂必帶領他們找到生命的答案！

      As for searching, God gave us a great promise: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7). I am convinced that for those people who are willing to truly come before God, and to seek Him earnestly, God will reveal Himself to them, He will lead them to find the answers to life!

      放膽追尋真實的信仰吧！信仰不是用來拼命說服他人，或與人爭辯得面紅耳赤，信仰是用來認真追尋和親身經歷的。多給予自己和他人適度的空間吧！連神都不強迫我們，我們還要去強迫誰呢？

      Boldly search for true faith! Faith is not used to desperately persuade others, or to have heated arguments with people; faith is used to sincerely pursue and experience God and the true faith. Give yourself and others some decent space! Even God is not forcing us, so why should we force ourselves or whoever?

至於我，我始終相信：神就是愛，祂要賜給我們的一切，都是最上好的禮物，而非次好的，為了要我們來享受祂所賜下的萬物與寶貴生命，並將一切榮耀歸給神！因此，我不甘於過平庸的人生，我渴望能完成神所賦予我的人生使命，行走在神為我預備最美善的計畫中。我相信，當你親近神，神就必親近你（雅各書四8），只要你願意，祂樂意開啟你心靈的眼睛，來更多認識祂，認識永恆不變的真理，經歷祂的真實與慈愛，活岀一個嶄新、超過你所求所想的豐盛生命。這是我的信念，也是我為你的禱告，阿們。

As for me, I've always believed that God is love, He has given us everything, all of which are the greatest gifts and are never second best, because He wants us to enjoy His gift of all things and precious life, as well as give all the glory to God! Therefore, I am not happy with a mediocre life, I yearn to complete my life's mission given to me by God, walking in the most beautiful plan God has prepared for me. I believe that when you come near to God, He will come near to you (James 4:8), as long as you are willing, God will happily open your mind's eye, to better know Him, to know everlasting unchanging truths, to experience His realness and compassion, to live a new abundant life, surpassing all you could ever ask for or think of. This is my belief, it is also my prayer for you. Amen.

作者:譚亞菁 Feb. 4, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois

梅花湖畔的一堂課 A Lesson on the Shores of Plum Blossom Lake

        梅花湖座落於好山好水的宜蘭，湖的形狀看似一朵五瓣花，三面環山。在那一池清澈平靜的湖水中，鴨子悠閒地戲水，配上湖岸四周的環湖自行車道，來到這裡，讓人身心不自覺地放鬆下來。

        Plum Blossom Lake is located in the great mountains and waters of Yilan. The lake's shape looks like a five petal flower, surrounded by mountains on three sides. There, in the lake's clear calm water, ducks leisurely play. A surrounding bike path accompanies the lakeshore. Coming here makes people unconsciously relax their body and mind.

          那一天，我們全家人來到這詩情畫意的梅花湖，準備享受一場湖光山色單車遊！我們租借了腳踏車，興奮地要展開單車之旅時，不料天空突然下起雨，我先生和小孩都去湖畔的涼亭躲雨，惟獨我心有不甘，我心想：特別從台北來宜蘭騎單車，我才不要被這場雨給破壞了……我靈機一動，說不定腳踏車出租店的老闆可以借我雨衣！我把這個自認聰明的想法告訴家人，但他們仍要繼續躲雨等雨停，我當時覺得，他們為什麼遇到問題不想辦法解決，難道我來宜蘭就為了躲雨嗎？我就暫時把外套披在頭上遮雨，自己騎去單車出租店借雨衣。

One day, our entire family went to the poetic Plum Blossom Lake, ready to enjoy a scenic mountain lake bike tour! We rented bicycles, and when we were excitedly setting out on the bike tour, the sky unexpectedly began to rain. My husband and children went to the lakefront pavilion shelter, only I was unwilling, I thought to myself "We came all the way from Taipei to Yilan to ride bikes, I wasn't going to let our trip be ruined by rain...and then it hit me: maybe the boss from the bike rental shop could loan me a rain coat! I considered this idea clever and told my family, but they still wanted to wait in the shelter for the rain to stop. At that time I thought, why is it that when they run into a problem, they don't think of a way to solve it? Did I come to Yilan to just be sheltered? I temporarily draped a coat over my head as cover from the rain, and went by myself to the bike rental shop to borrow a raincoat.

          果然不出我所料，出租店的老闆願意借雨衣給我，我謝謝老闆的幫忙，內心還無比得意的想著：哈哈~我真的借到雨衣囉！下雨天還是可以享受騎單車的樂趣！我開心地穿上雨衣，望著道路底端的湖畔涼亭，一邊騎車一邊自豪地向家人揮手，想讓他們羨慕一下！但就在此時，我似乎不習慣穿雨衣騎單車，加上天雨路滑，我又邊騎邊揮手，我竟突然摔車，而且因為穿雨衣，手腳變得不太靈活，突如其來的摔車，我左邊肩膀先著地，沒想到前一秒還如此得意，後一秒就摔得如此重，我除了覺得頭暈腦脹、全身好痛，腦海還頓時浮現一句箴言：「驕傲在敗壞以先；狂心在跌倒之前」（箴言十六18）。

Just as I expected, the rental shop owner was willing to let me borrow a raincoat, I thanked him for his troubles, my heart still proudly thinking "Haha, I really did borrow a raincoat! Even on a rainy day you can still enjoy the fun of riding a bike!" I happily put on the raincoat, looking at the road at the bottom of the lakefront pavilion, simultaneously riding and proudly waving to my family, hoping to make them a little envious! But at this point, I seemed unaccustomed to wearing a raincoat while riding a bike, coupled with wet and slippery conditions, while I waved and rode, I suddenly crashed, and because I was wearing a raincoat, it made my hands and feet not quite as flexible. As I crashed my left shoulder hit the ground first, I had no idea a second before I had felt so proud, only to crash so hard a second later. In addition to feeling a dizziness and brain swelling, my entire body hurt, when a proverb immediately emerged from my mind "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).

          說也奇怪，我摔車之後，雨很快就停了，彷彿這場雨是特別為我而下的，要給我上一堂課吧！

It's strange to say, after I crashed the bike, the rain soon stopped, as if this rain was especially meant to fall on me, just to teach me a lesson!

          其實我摔車當時，就已左肩骨折，然而自己卻不自知，仍逞強裝沒事，忍痛騎了好幾圈環湖車道，晚上還去吃羅東夜市，直到回台北的路途中，覺得左上臂愈來愈痛，去醫院急診照X光，才嚇一跳竟然骨折了！接下來，我左手臂懸吊三角巾好幾個月，骨折的恢復是一個漫長的過程，骨折的痛，讓你手臂幾乎完全無法舉起，連穿脫外套，都得靠他人協助。這次的骨折經驗，使我體會到，雖然骨折的疼痛和不便，旁人無法完全體會，但家人朋友的陪伴與關愛，讓我的復原過程更加順利。這也好比我們周遭的人，如果身心遭遇痛苦憂傷，那種痛只有親身經驗才能感受，我們在面對他人的傷痛時，少一些批判和說教，多一些接納和陪伴，因為你真的不知道他有多痛！

Actually, when I had crashed on the bike, my left shoulder was already fractured, but I myself did not even know, I still acted brave like nothing happened, riding several laps around the lake path holding back the pain, and at night I still went to the Luodong Night Market to eat. It wasn't until the return trip to Taipei, when I thought the top of my left arm was increasingly painful, that we went to the emergency room for an X-ray, and were surprised to discover it was fractured after all! Afterwards, my left arm was suspended in a sling for a few months. Healing the fracture was a long process, the pain made it so my arm was almost completely unable to lift itself. Even putting on and taking off a jacket relied on the help of other people. This experience with a fracture helped me to understand, although other people had no means to totally understand the pain and inconvenience of the fracture, the companionship and love from family and friends made my road to recovery a lot smoother. This is also like the people we are surrounded by, if they encounter physical or mental pain and hardship, it's the kind of pain only they themselves can personally feel, and when we face the pain of others, it should be with less criticism and preaching, and more acceptance and companionship, because you really don't know how painful it is!

          這場雨還要教導我謙卑的功課。以這次摔車事件來說，它提醒我不要心高氣傲、自以為是。自己的看法不見得是最好的，也要多聆聽他人的想法，尊重他人的選擇。像在這個經歷中，我家人選擇等候，等候最佳時機，等待「雨過天晴」，看來是當天最明智的抉擇！

This rain had also taught me to make humility my homework. As far as the crash is concerned, it reminded me to not be proud, arrogant, or self-righteous. My own views are not necessarily the best, so I should listen more to others' ideas, and respect their choices. Like in this experience, my family decided to wait, wait for the best time, wait for "the clear sky after the rain", which apparently was the wisest decision that day!

          若談到如何學習謙卑？聖經中有一段話，總是能幫助我：「各樣美善的恩賜和各樣全備的賞賜，都是從上頭來的，從眾光之父那裏降下來的」（雅各書一17）。既然我們所擁有的一切聰明、才智、恩賜、創意……等所有美善的事物，都是神所賜下的寳貴禮物，都是豐盛的恩典，我們人類究竟有什麼資格驕傲自大呢？在聖經同一卷書中，雅各書四章6節也說到：「神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人」。的確，古今中外，因驕傲而失敗的例子，不勝枚舉。然而，謙卑是一輩子的功課！謙卑蒙恩，這是一條鐵的定律！

If we speak of how to learn humility, the Bible has a passage which is always able to help me "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17). Since the intelligence, wisdom, talents, and creativity in our lives...all of the things of Goodness, all these abundant endowments, are all precious gifts given by God, then what after all makes humans so eligible to be arrogant for? In the same volume of the Bible, in the book of James chapter four verse six it also says "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". Indeed, from ancient to modern times, whether foreign or domestic, the instances of failure as a result of pride is an endless list. However, humility is a lifetime assignment! Humility begets grace, this is an iron law!

作者:譚亞菁 Dec. 6, 2012

Translated by Parker Gadbois

我看少年Pi的省思 Reflections after seeing The Life of Pi

有一種奇特的感覺，說不定你也曾經驗過，就是在熱鬧的人群裡、歡樂的派對中，在談笑風聲之間，無論四周歡笑聲是多麼嘹亮與此起彼落，孤寂卻是你揮之不去的感受。相對地，有時當你一人漫步街頭，或者靜靜地坐在某個角落，一個人或看書、或沉思、或寫作、或品茶，或看街上的景物，內心卻是滿足和喜悅的。換句話說，看似熱鬧卻孤寂，看似孤單卻充實，這是一種略帶矛盾的感受。也許，在繁忙的生活中，我們都需要學習獨處的藝術。

There's a strange feeling, maybe you've experienced it, while in a lively crowd or at joyful party, amidst cheerful conversation and laughter, that no matter how loud and clear or continuous the happy laughter all around you is, solitude is your only lingering feeling. Relatively, sometimes when you walk the streets, or sit quietly in a random corner, alone reading a book, or while meditating, or writing, or drinking tea, or watching the scenery of the streets, the heart is content and glad. In other words, appear lively but lonely, appear lonely but fulfilled, this is a kind of contradictory feeling. Perhaps, in our busy lives, we all need to learn the art of being alone.

         你喜歡獨處嗎？對我來說，從事翻譯和寫作工作，我必須學習獨處、享受孤獨。雖然我還是很喜愛接觸人群，與人互動，但我也愈來愈珍惜一個人的獨處時光。因為在這段時光中，我能學習和自己成為好朋友，專心聆聽自己內心的聲音，試圖不被世俗價值觀牽著走，更重要的是，我相信神時刻與我同在，耶穌是我最好的朋友，祂與我談話，伴我同行。所以，實際上，我一點都不孤單。更準確地說，獨處時光也是一段「與神約會」的美妙時光！

        Do you like to be alone? As for me, from working as a translator and author, I must learn to be alone and enjoy solitude. I still very much enjoy contact with crowds and interacting with people, but more and more I've also begun to cherish the time a person spends alone. During this time, I was able to learn how to be good friends with myself, paying attention to my inner voice, attempting not to get carried away with secular values, more importantly, I believe God is with me every moment, Jesus is my best friend, He talks with me, he stands by me. So, in reality, I'm not lonely at all. More accurately stated, alone time is also a "Date with God", a wonderful time!

     「與神約會」的內容，除了讀聖經、唱詩歌、跟祂說悄悄話，也包括和祂一起去看電影！祂經常會藉由一本書、一場音樂會，或一部電影，對我的心說話，帶給我新的啟發。那一天，我邀請祂陪我去看一部3D電影「少年Pi的奇幻漂流」(Life of Pi)，有關少年Pi和一隻老虎在海上求生的故事，這也是一部充滿靈性的電影，有許多少年Pi與上帝之間的對話。

In addition to reading the Bible, singing hymns, or whispering personal messages to Him, these "Dates with God" also include going with him to the movies! He will often speak to my heart via a book, a concert, or a movie, giving me new inspiration. That day I invited him to accompany me to see a 3D movie "Life of Pi", it's about a youth named Pi and a tiger and their story of survival at sea, the film is also quite spiritual, with many conversations between young Pi and God.

        少年Pi在一場突如其來的暴風雨所導致的船難中，失去了最摯愛的家人，在廣大無邊的海洋中，在一艘單薄的小船上，與一隻孟加拉虎在海上漂流。少年Pi要承受失去親人的痛，要與兇猛的老虎朝夕相處，還要面對前途茫茫的未來，他身處內憂外患之中，是多麼孤苦無依啊！

Pi, in a shipwreck caused by a sudden storm, lost his most beloved family, leaving him in the vast and boundless ocean, in a flimsy boat, with a Bengal tiger drifting at sea. Pi had to bear the pain of losing his loved ones, spending his days and nights with a ferocious tiger, all while facing a future of uncertainty. He lived through suffering both internal and external, how lonely and helpless!

        少年Pi的處境，讓我聯想到聖經中的約伯記。一夜之間，約伯失去所有兒女和財產，後來甚至全身長滿毒瘡。我想人若處於像Pi或約伯的苦難中，不得不問這一切是為什麼！怨天尤人也是人之常情。

Pi's plight reminds me of the Bible's Book of Job. Overnight, Job lost all his children and property, and later, even his entire body was covered in open sores. I think if people are suffering like Pi or Job, they cannot help but ask why me! Blaming heaven and earth is only human.

        然而，當人在苦難中，願意停止抱怨，仍相信有神，並且尋求神的指引時，恩典與奇蹟就會從天而降。就像約伯在經歷了苦難的洗禮之後，他不由得向神發出讚嘆：「我從前風聞有祢，現在親眼看見祢」（約伯記四十二5）；而少年Pi在漂流期間，在另一場雷電交加的暴風雨中，於搖搖欲墜的小船上，Pi竟然高舉雙手，大聲「讚美神」，宣告他對神的信靠。神就奇妙地引導Pi，讓他與老虎從敵對到和平共處，甚至讓原本充滿威脅、令人害怕的老虎，激發少年Pi的生存鬥志，使他的生命有目標，不絕望，最後讓生命得著救贖。

However, when we suffer, if we're willing to stop complaining, and still believe there's a God, and even seek God's guidance, grace and miracles will fall from the sky. It's just like Job after experiencing a baptism of suffering, he could not help but to praise God, "I've heard you with my ears; and now I've seen you with my eyes" (Job 42:5). While Pi was drifting, in the middle of another thunder and lightning storm, in a small tottering boat, he unexpectedly raised his hands in the air, shouting "Praise God", a declaration of his faith in God. God then miraculously guided Pi, leading him and the tiger from a hostile to a peaceful coexistence, even allowing the once threatening and terrifying tiger, to activate the will to survive in the young Pi, making his life goal-oriented, absent of despair, and finally allowing his life to obtain salvation.

        這場「少年Pi的奇幻漂流」，也好比真實的人生旅程，充滿冒險與挑戰，不停地朝目標奮進。我們可能正面臨生命中的苦難，彷彿出埃及記中的情景：前有紅海，後有追兵。此時，我們只能向上看，仰望神、信靠神，就有奇蹟。

        The movie "Life of Pi", is also like a real life journey, full of adventure and challenges, a constant endeavor towards the goal. Maybe we are faced with suffering in life, as if it were a scene from Exodus: The Red Sea ahead, pursuing soldiers behind. At these times, we can only look up, have hope in God, have faith in God, and there will be miracles.

        看完少年Pi，也讓我想起另一部電影，就是描寫摩西的故事和出埃及記的動畫電影「埃及王子」（The Prince of Egypt），其著名的主題曲 “ When You Believe”（當你相信），是一首時常激勵我的歌曲。雖然我不知道，此刻的你，遭遇到什麼困難，但我希望，這首歌也能安慰你的心，賜給你力量。讓我們一起來唱吧……

Finishing “Life of Pi”, also made me think of another movie, “The Prince of Egypt”, an animated film that depicts the story of Moses and the Exodus. It's famous theme song "When You Believe" is a song that inspires me often. Although I don't know what kind of hardship you're suffering from at the moment, yet I believe this song can comfort your heart and give you strength. Let us sing it together....

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles, you can achieve,
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

奇蹟將會出現， 只要你肯相信
希望雖然渺茫， 卻不可被磨滅
誰知道你會創造怎樣的奇蹟
只要你肯相信，你就會得到
只要你肯相信，你就會創造奇蹟

作者:譚亞菁 Jan.14, 2013

Translated by Parker Gadbois