Some reflections

杂菜饭！haha that's the title of our dance :)

These few days I've had some encounters that got me thinking. We were practising our dance for the graduation night somewhere near the garden in the hospital, where many patients come and relax in the evening. Many of them were watching us, and we were happy to provide entertainment and lighten their mood. We were just sitting around watching ourselves dance on video, when an old man came and squatted right in front of me. I paused the video promptly of course - he had this really wide smile on his face and he started talking about he has been watching us, and that this was the fourth time. He wanted to know what brought this group of young people together, who obviously aren't dancing as well as professionals, yet we keep trying over and over to improve ourselves. He said he could feel our hopes, our dreams, and how we yearn to achieve the best. Then he launched into a really long talk about how it makes him feel energized as well and how precious it is that we have very pure intentions - simply to dance and better ourselves. He sounded like he lost his dreams, hopes, even himself, as the years past. I was just thinking, this is really the period of time where everything isn't complicated. We study, we dance, and simply try to do our best for everything. We're still very much sheltered from the harsh realities of life. The more I think about it, the more I feel that I'm a very lucky person. I grew up healthy and happy, with the best parents that anyone could ever dream of having, and everything in life has been so smooth-sailing. Sure there have been obstacles along the way that I thought were gonna crush me, but looking back, they simply served as a stepping stone to make me a better person. I hope that when I grow up and start working, having my own family and all, I won't lose myself, my hopes and dreams in the process. I hope I'll remember the single burning desire that set me on this path and never look back - that is to make people healthy again. The best gift anyone can get.

This sem we have been spending more time in the wards too. Today we saw a patient who got cirrhosis due to too much drinking. Our teacher asked why he didn't stop drinking since he was diagnosed some years ago, and he said he needed to drink if not he can't get his job done. Looking back, he wishes he didn't get his job done. Another patient with cirrhosis and many other health problems said he didn't take care of himself when he was young. I see a lot of regret in their eyes. I learnt that our body is actually very durable, it is built to withstand a lot of hardships that we might subject it to, be it viruses or external injuries. But at the same time, life can be so fragile. There's only so much the body can take before it gives way. Health is really the most important asset that anyone can have - don't take it for granted!