| | I'm sitting on a goldmine, an oilfield, a well-spring, I'm telling you. Give it some time to percolate, to shine, to rupture. There are so many things that I've wanted to write about the last month or so. I have been writing about them in a more private place, but today in particular I need my xanga-bib.
It's comforting to write on here. I use to think it was a burden to try and express myself freely while at the same time writing in a coherent and presentable way for others to read. Now, I appreciate the fact that writing here forces me to express myself clearly and succinctly. I need that in my life right now, clarity, endurance, and small, concise words.
There's this Chinese word 忍。It means endurance, and perseverance, and connotes longsuffering and forbearance. I'm far far far from a Chinese linguist, but I want to offer my slipshod analysis of the word, perhaps to glean some wisdom from those that put together the Chinese language.
It's composed of two parts. The top character 刃， means the edge of knife. 刀, or knife, also connotes strength. The actual character for strength is really close 力。
Part of 忍 is to live with strength, not just any strength, but strength that equates you with the edge of a knife. It's not a languishing endurance, it's a fierce, almost militant waiting.
The bottom character is 心, or heart. Heart has a lot of connotations as well, not different than those in English. It means passion, romance, devotion。 Less obvious is its connection to knowledge, and deep connection to the mind. The word for psychology is literally "heart theory" 心理。
忍 has passion and knowledge at its base. It not complacent, nor is it irrational. There is a good, compelling reason to continue and persevere.
And on a whole, the word is interesting because it places the heart under the edge of a knife. What a precarious place to be! One mis-beat and it's blood and gore all over the place.
Semi-comical interlude over. In all seriousness, I think these are good principles to go by when staring disappointment in his ugly face. Fierce strength, rational thinking, passion.
God help me.
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| | Posted 3/26/2009 12:10 PM - 4 Views
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