114. Are You Marching or Dancing? | 是當行軍者？還是快樂的舞者？
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 05.28.2021
As we exit the pandemic confinements, we can look at our lives more objectively. The broken routines over the last year have given us a rare opportunity to observe our lives with new perspectives and awareness. It is a good time to ask ourselves: Have we been marching to the drumbeat of our society and employers, or dancing to the music of our own vision and passion?
In modern life and society, businesses and government establish numerous rules, regulations, policies, and even acceptable behaviors to maintain discipline and enhance efficiency. Over time, we conform to all these constraints and lose ourselves in this massive stream of life. We march to the drumbeat of modern living without much awareness.
Now, the pandemic has disrupted our lives and interrupted our routines in an unprecedented way. We do remote work, we establish new ways to measure our job performance, we find new ways to educate our kids, and we connect with friends and family using new media. Most importantly, we question our own interests and values. What makes us happy and valuable? What is the inner music that moves us to dance and sing about the joy of life?
Many people have done this soul searching and made changes in their lives. Some have quit their small businesses which tied them down 24/7; barbers, massage therapists, small eatery owners, travel agents, and laundromat owners have closed down to pursue other lives. Companies are redefining work to allow more flexible routines and work hours. People are buying new houses and cars to adjust to the new work-home routines. Some people have purchased ranches and farms to fulfill their dreams of rural living. Others have signed up for online schooling to pursue their interrupted education or degree. Kids are using more social media and remote gaming to connect with each other. Families are communicating more frequently and deeply with texts and chats.
More drastically, quite a few of my friends have decided to retire early and pursue their second careers. They have stopped marching to the drumbeat of their employers and found their inner music to dance to. They are starting a new business, joining a community organization, or doing philanthropic work.
As you march forward in your life, I wish you can also discover your own music and find ways to pursue your passion. Please enjoy the march of progress and the joy of dancing.
是當行軍者？還是快樂的舞者？ (05.28.2021)
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
當我們擺脫疫情盛行的限制時，我們可以更客觀地审查一下生活。過去打破常規的一年時間裡，我們難得有機會，能夠用新的角度跟認知，來觀察自己的生活。眼下就是個自我檢視的好時機：我們是像執行任務般，跟隨整個社會及公司老闆的鼓声行軍？還是隨著自己的願景和熱情去舞蹈？
在現代社會中，企業和政府制定了許多規矩、法令、政策，甚至制定了合宜的行為舉止，來維護社會紀律和提高效率。隨著時間的推移，我們順應了所有要求限制，在這樣巨大的洪流中迷失了自我；在未經意識的情況下，隨著現代生活的步調，行軍般地前進。
而現在，疫情以前所未有的方式擾亂了我們的生活、打亂了我們以往的常規。我們開始遠距上班、建立新的衡量工作績效的方式、尋找教育孩子的新方法、並且使用新的媒體工具跟朋友以及家人聯繫。重點是，我們也開始質疑自己的利益與價值觀。是什麼讓我們快樂和有價值？什麼是心樂，讓我們為生活的喜悅而跳舞與歌唱？
許多人已經進行了這種內省，並且改變了他們的生活。有些人關閉了他們成天连夜工作的小店面；許多理髮師、治療按摩師、小餐館老闆、旅行社和自助洗衣店老闆，都紛紛歇業，被迫轉向其他謀生之道。有些公司則重新定義工作範疇，為了能有更靈活彈性的日常與工作時間。人們正在購買新房子和車子，以適應新工作以及家庭生活。有些人則購買牧場和農場，想要實現自己的農村生活夢想。其他人也有報名參加線上學程，來彌補先前中斷的課程或學業。孩子們正在使用更多的社交媒體、和遠距遊戲，來相互聯繫。家人們透過簡訊和線上聊天，進行更頻繁、更深入的交流。
更誇張的是，我有好多朋友決定提早退休，並開啟他們人生的第二個職涯生活。對他們來說，已經不再跟著老闆亦步亦趨，而是找到心中可以跳舞的樂曲。這些人開始創業、加入社區組織、又或者從事慈善工作。
當你的日子向前迈進之时，希望你能找到自己的音樂，和热情。能够同時享受到向前進展的成果，和随樂起舞的樂趣。
