At 11:50 p.m., the cups and plates were a mess. “It’s rare that after twenty years of graduation, everyone can still sit around the table and drink all night long every year.” The sounds of “Drink!” and “Cheers!” were deafening. Suddenly, there was silence, and all eleven pairs of eyes fell on an empty bench. Everyone felt sorry for Ming. “It’s such a pity that such a young man left so early.” “It is still too early.” “He left so soon…” “It isn’t even past midnight. There was no reason to leave so early.” “Just go back home and get some sleep!” “He’s so disappointing.” “I don’t like him!”
Ming adheres to healthy living habits, going to bed getting up early, and eating in moderation. His old classmates knew that he was living this life and felt bad for him: “I don’t even know how long his life has been… Even if he has a life span of 120 years, what is the fun of being like this?” “Life is about breadth. Not length…”
However, Ming is actually blessed.
Ming has a belief in life. This belief comes from Ming’s deep and truthful understanding of the basic nature of all things. It guides him to consciously make wise choices at every moment of his life, without being confused or instigated. He withstands the pressure of the masses and mainstream social thinking. For example, regarding harmful food, without a clear understanding of the operation of the human body and the laws of nature, only relying on shallow and vague ideas such as “Many people say that eating such food is not so good” or “You will feel guilty if you eat it”, you often cannot resist the immediate temptation and eat impulsively. You might regret it afterward, but you will make the same mistake again soon after.
Taking a banquet party as an example, Ming knew very well that the health benefits of the food and drinks on the table depended on the portion and rhythm of eating. Compared with eating a full breakfast, eating a big meal before going to bed has a very different feel to it. Chewing one piece of food carefully will give you a deeper taste enjoyment than wolfing down three or four pieces. One or two pieces of flavorful food are harmless to the body and also fun. Compared to “eating until you vomit”, it is more pleasing. Trying a small portion, not fulfilling all your wants, leaving space for thinking back to the taste and looking forward to the next time. On the contrary, “drinking until you vomit”, even if you drink hundred-year-old fine wines, the feeling of pain and regret afterward, including the next-morning headache, will make the previous enjoyment on the taste buds meaningless. In the long run, such overeating overdraws the body’s ability to enjoy eating in the future and prematurely cuts off one’s fate with dining.
Ming has this kind of vision and firmly believes that moderation in the present allows him to enjoy more in life and eat more. Even if the meal does not “go all the way”, he will not feel unfulfilled. There is no need for vengeful eating and drinking in a later day.
It is difficult to make wise choices consciously at all times without being controlled by the surrounding atmosphere and the current five senses without the support of strong beliefs. Beliefs are a talisman that protects the heart, providing peace of mind and direction in life. Living a life following your beliefs is truly a blessing.
(Details of the story have been modified to protect patient privacy)
Written by: Dr. William Chui
Originally posted on: HK01
Translated by: Cheuk Long Chan
