By Wu Hsiao-ting
Photo by Li Bai-shi
Life’s unpredictability invites us to cherish the small, steady joys while they’re here.
Aformer colleague of mine retired at 65, overjoyed that the day had finally come after decades of hard work. But just a few months into her retirement, the COVID-19 pandemic swept in and the world went into lockdown. Living alone and cut off from regular social contact, she began to feel depressed. I often called to check in on her, hoping to lift her spirits. Eventually, she adjusted to the new normal.
When restrictions eased, she returned to volunteering and even fulfilled a long-held dream of visiting Iceland. When she sent me photos from her trip, her bright smile said it all.
But just as things were starting to look up, she coughed up a bit of blood. Alarmed, she went to the hospital and was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early. Her treatment plan included surgery and radiation.
Before treatment began, we met for dinner. At one point she looked at me and asked, “Why is life like this? Every time I feel like I can finally breathe, something else comes along. Don’t you ever feel that way?”
I nodded in agreement, and then shared a quote I had once come across. I couldn’t remember the exact words, but the idea stayed with me: “For a long time, I thought real life was about to begin—after the obstacles, the waiting, the unfinished business. Then I realized: the obstacles were my life.”
Despite the truth of the quote, life isn’t all gray skies. It’s also full of brief but brilliant moments—good food, a favorite song, the satisfaction of finishing something hard, a meaningful conversation. Maybe the point isn’t chasing lasting happiness—if such a thing even exists—but noticing what’s good while it’s here.
Seeing she was still troubled, I said, “Maybe that’s a hidden blessing in life. The good doesn’t stay—but the bad doesn’t either. Everything moves on, eventually.” As Buddhism teaches, everything changes. Nothing is fixed.
She echoed my words softly, as if weighing them. The frown on her face began to ease. “Then I guess I’d better enjoy the good moments while they last,” she said, lifting her coffee to her lips.
I was relieved to see a flicker of peace return to her face. I knew harder days were likely ahead—just as they are for all of us. But so are the moments that carry us through. Life includes suffering, yes. But also warmth, beauty, and resilience.
We may never know what’s around the corner. But maybe it’s not about control or certainty. Maybe it’s about staying open—to the people around us, to the small, ordinary joys we might otherwise overlook.
A heartfelt conversation. A warm meal. A shared laugh. These things won’t solve everything, but they soften the sharp edges. And the kindness we offer, even in small doses, can make the difference between despair and hope—for others, and for ourselves.
