By Guo Cai-xi
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photo by Yang Xiu-li
Does “new” have to mean something never used before? A four-year-old’s surprising wisdom sheds light on how our perspectives shape our reality.
As my two children continue to grow, I’ve noticed that many of their childhood clothes no longer fit them. Sorting through their wardrobe one day, I picked out items that were still in great condition, about 80 to 90 percent new. After washing and drying them, I took photos and organized them by season and size. Then, I reached out to various messaging groups to see if anyone wanted these clothes, hoping to extend their lifespan.
As I looked at the clothes, a charming anecdote involving my youngest daughter when she was four years old came to mind. One day, when we were sorting through clothes for the season, I said to her, “Xiao-xi, you end up wearing your sister’s hand-me-downs most of the time. I sometimes feel a little guilty because I don’t often buy you new clothes.” In response, she said, “But the clothes I’ve never worn are new to me!” Her spontaneous response caught me by surprise, brought me joy, and taught me a valuable lesson.
My daughter’s response prompted me to reconsider the definitions of “new” and “old.” It reminded me that things can be viewed from different perspectives. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen says, “If we look at a chipped cup from another angle, it is still round.” Let’s always remember that by shifting our perspective we possess the ability to shape a fresh reality for both ourselves and those around us.
