Breeze and Nightingale

What is the most fascinating sound in the world? The gentle whisper of breeze and the embalmed song of a nightingale can draw the romantic human beings to the illusionary land.

During the Romantic period, Breeze is mentioned several times in the poetry. In Wordsworth’s Prelude, “O there is blessing in this gentle breeze.” Then, within the poet’s body, the correspondent breeze blows. Wordsworth and Coleridge both mention the Eolian Harp. It seems that the breeze is a general topic and a symbol to the poetic mind. Breeze connects the sentimental soul of the poets with outward nature, and blows, stirs, and arouses the unlimited imagination from the unquiet spirits.

The soft breeze brings inspiration to the poets. The poets acquire sweet sensation from the breeze. Though the wind is gentle, it creates an incessant inner storm in human body. For example, in the Prelude, “For I, methought, while the sweet breath of heaven/ was blowing on my body, felt within,/a correspondent breeze, that gently moved/ with quickening virtue, but is now become/ a tempest, a redundant energy.” The poets’ creativity and sensibility of the delicate and elegant natural elements are really touching, and their work opens a new vision on the relationship between mankind and nature.

Nightingale is also what the poets praise. In many stories, nightingale suggests a mysterious, fascinating figure of love and death. Keats writes “Ode to a Nightingale” and the poet is drunk in the sweet music of the nightingale, lingering between the dream and reality. It makes me think of Wilde’s “The Nightingale and the Rose,” in which the nightingale dedicate its life to love. The blood-stained rose doesn’t win the lover in the end. Therefore, the song of the nightingale is veiled with light melancholy.

Various sounds surround us, joyful or sad alike. The different music stimulates our sensory organs, and sometimes creates a wonder. It’s a pity that feeling free in the embrace of breeze, somehow, might be luxurious to the busy modern people. However, if we can appreciate the call of breeze and the anthem of a nightingale, if possible or other bird’s song, maybe we can find some relief and magic power in the waking dream.

Portraits Taiwan

There is a series of TV programs called, Portraits Taiwan, on discovery channel. Many successful Taiwanese are interviewed, and I am glad that people can have this opportunity to know more about their story and to identify with Taiwanese. This time, it features a famous Taiwanese picture book writer, Jimmy.

Jimmy’s books are translated into several languages, and lots of products on which his pictures are printed are also popular. Jimmy Spa, his own brand, also holds its own theme stores. Jimmy’s books win many people’s applause. His stylish books are suitable for both adults and children. The picture books convey sentimental feelings, sense of void in the big city, etc. The words in the books are few, but they’re full of wisdom. The pictures, colorful or black-and-white, attract the readers and create a fascinating atmosphere. Jimmy overwhelms people in this society, and brings them warmth and hope in the Pandora’s Box.

I look forward to watching more units of Portraits Taiwan. In addition to Jimmy, the interviews include the great Taiwanese puppet show presenter, Huang, and a famous TV show host, Chang, and so on. I am curious that whether the interview will mention the English version of Taiwanese puppet show and the history and creativity of its story. To know about the background, the thought and ideals of those successful Taiwanese is quite interesting and stimulating. I think maybe the best way to present Taiwan on the international stage is to inspire and assist more Ang Lee, Chien-Ming Wang, Jimmy, etc. If Taiwan’s government do more to help and support the new generation’s multifaceted development, many Taiwanese can make it big in various fields, and Taiwan can show the unique identity of itself at the same time.

Daredevils

Some people love doing dangerous activities or extreme sports. These daredevils challenge themselves and do some incredible things. Some may sound silly and dangerous, and some sounds awesome. Everyone has different degrees of acceptance of taking risks. The reasons why they are attracted to the extreme games are also appealing to people. Some conclude that it may be attributed to material, biological, mental factors.

On some levels, sometimes people do dangerous activities for prizes or rewards. However, it cannot thoroughly describe why they are willing to risk their life and enjoy in extreme sports. Some scientists agree that risk-seekers may be addicted to the excitement caused by the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline helps people fight against dangers and starts fight-flight response. Some daredevils may enjoy the thrill and be motivated by the physiological reaction. Therefore, some risk-takers enjoy the speed and love confronting dangers. They go bungee jumping, sky surfing, snowboarding, etc.

Besides, some daredevils like to challenge themselves to see where are their limits, or try to prove that “impossible is nothing.” Some may enjoy the pleasure in the break-record glory or love to wow people and make them stunned and fascinated. Some magicians may freeze themselves in the ice or lock themselves in the water, and then they escape and win the audience’s applause. Recently, a foreigner has gone parachuting from the top of 101. These daredevils take the risks for various reasons, and they are obviously in love with the thrill and take the stunts as essential parts of their lives.

Some people explore rain forests, Antarctica, or space, some straddle the tips of lofty mountains, and some take part in X games. Each of risk-seekers holds his or her own reasons, faith and his or her own adventurous story. To those daredevils, the most exciting thing is the most irresistible.

Loving Whatever You Do

I agree to that people should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Most of us have encountered something we are reluctant to deal with. We can hardly escape from our duties and flee from the forced work or obligation, though we would not like to do them or feel uncomfortable while doing the things. I think it is better for us to face the reality and finish the harsh and unpleasant work as soon as possible, and then we can entirely get rid of what we don’t like to do. Some people even have a comment of wisdom about how to solve this problem. That is, “love whatever you do.” In my opinion, this attitude can transform our unwillingness into positive thinking and bring a promise to the difficult conditions.

As children, we have to study and do our homework, though we would like to go out playing on the field and just have fun. As adults, we have to enter the society and take up lots of responsibilities, though some tasks are tough and we sometimes bite more than we can chew. As parents, we may have to feed the baby and change his or her diapers several times at midnight, though we are already worn out from work in the daytime. As employees, we have to endure all the assigned tasks and swallow our feelings towards some unfair or unreasonable treatments. As employers, we have to be decisive and responsible, and we sacrifice some of family time for earning more profits and making the company function well.

What may happen if we turn away and ignore what we should do? We might not get enough educated and well-developed. We might not be independent and accomplish things on our own. We might not take good care of our children. We might not keep our jobs, or maintain our enterprises. Therefore, we sometimes have to encourage or even force ourselves to do things we don’t enjoy doing in order to gain something beneficial. In this case, trying to change the mood and being calm, considerate, and rational can help. We can try not to react too extremely and to figure out some advantages in things we dislike. We might surprisingly find we don’t really detest the task so much. The situation is not as bad as what we imagine. Then, we can progressively find joy in the tasks to entertain ourselves, and we will not feel it’s so unbearable.

Doing things which we don’t enjoy doing can be a struggle. However, trying to love whatever we do and find enjoyment can make us feel more balanced and do the things well. Temporary endurance and positive reaction can result in good and satisfying consequences. Besides, we can better ourselves at the same time. Actually, we don’t lose anything at all, but gain more than we predict.