The Tree of Life

I've been rather busy lately and haven't updated in a timely manner. I find that when I'm idle, I lack good inspiration and motivation to write, and when I'm busy, I lack the time. Perhaps I need to keep myself in a "busy" state more often—not necessarily doing a lot of actual work, but keeping my spirit engaged.

Last weekend, I flew to Boston with a layover in Baltimore, Maryland. At the Baltimore airport, after a three-hour delay, it was announced around 1 AM that the flight was canceled. The airline only managed to rebook my flight for the next night, without offering any other solutions. I was very busy with several deadlines looming, and suddenly found myself stranded alone at the airport. By the time I realized, flights for the next morning that suited my schedule were fully booked. I had never experienced this before and was quite panicked. After calming down, I rented a car and started calling hotels one by one. Finally, after making more than a dozen calls, I found a run-down motel about ten minutes’ drive from the airport around 3 AM. The next day, my rebooked flight was delayed several more hours. Seeing no hope of departing soon, I decisively rented a car again and drove seven hours straight to Boston, arriving after 2 AM.

People perhaps build a stronger heart through such unexpected experiences. As a sentimental person, being able to remain calm and control my emotions under change is satisfying. The next morning, while stranded in Baltimore, I suddenly noticed the beautiful trees nearby. The variety of trees on the East Coast resembles those in my home country, and Maryland, being further south, might be warmer and more humid, adding an indescribable sense of intimacy and comfort with its lush greenery. It instantly connected me to many beautiful moments in life. I was reminded of the ancient verses, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." In chaotic situations, one should not give up the ability to perceive beauty.

Lately, I’ve felt vitality from many experiences, both from others and myself. This year, I've communicated with many people, and in their stories, many seemingly impossible things were eventually accomplished. It seems everyone is a miracle of life. The process of strangers admiring each other, building trust, and forming friendships is indescribably wonderful. There’s no strategy; sincere enthusiasm often moves others and is reciprocated in kind. I've worked and researched with more people; my collaborators are often more energetic, carrying me forward.

I've felt this burgeoning vitality, perhaps influenced by those around me. It’s a force that emerges amidst great uncertainty, vast information, significant academic pressure, and the complex emotions these conditions produce. This force isn’t confrontational but peaceful, like a tree. Trees are tranquil, but when you're close enough, when you observe deeply and quietly, you can feel their vibrant life force through the bark, the veins of the branches, and their shapes. I've felt this power in the breezes and cold winds of my hometown Taiyuan, in Bruckner's symphonies (and other music), in Homer’s poetry (and other literary works), and on the streets of the Northeast. Perhaps it reflects something inside me, suggesting that many magical things transcend time, experience, and the boundaries of life, linking us in myriad ways. The pursuit of a universal human spirit often comes naturally. Sometimes I wonder why I’m still single, but perhaps there’s plenty of time for more beautiful moments and people. Like a tree, which seems calm but harbors magical power.

Driving to Boston late at night, arriving at a friend’s familiar home, I thought about how no amount of difficulty and uncertainty can stop me from reaching my destination. The 24-hour delay and various discomforts seemed impactful at the moment, but from a longer perspective, they're negligible. Trees are fragile, life is fragile, yet given time, they can become the most beautiful, free, poetic, and wonderful life structures, providing endless beauty, intellectual inspiration, and solace for the soul. Since ancient times, we've had stories of the Foolish Old Man who moved mountains, Kuafu who chased the sun, Jingwei who filled the sea, and Don Quixote. Human life, across a long timeline, becomes art as it challenges difficult circumstances. Life is short, but our intentions, visions, and pursuit of beauty can be passed down.

Choosing "The Tree of Life" as a topic was rather random, but this image has continually appeared in my mind. The tree is a parable containing many beautiful aspects of life. Originating from a small seed, it represents the art of time. It is so tranquil and serene; its life thrums under the nourishment of sunlight and living water. It embodies sacrifice, death, and rebirth. In the meantime, life weaves, changes, continues, and emerges in various forms. Under the vast skies and the strict, objective laws of physics, its existence seems to signify a deeper meaning. Like a tree, we will one day reach the boundaries of life, bid farewell to loved ones, and quietly return to eternity. What sounds and sights will we encounter then? Perhaps those sounds and sights are already imprinted in life at this moment, just as a tree becomes a seed. All rivers run to the sea; we shall meet again.

“In your darkest time, I see you under the fig tree.”