These days, a Chinese internet term called “正能量” has been spreading around. Literally, it translates into “positive energy”. Recently, I just had a first-hand experience with this “正能量”.
In the beginning of this month, I was in a sulky mood, because life has not been going as I planned. For months I’d been excited about the summer. I was going to visit my family in China for the first time in two years, introduce my husband to my parents for the first time, introduce him to my childhood buddies, and eat at my favorite restaurants with them everyday. I was supposed to be there for at least two months. But now, as a result of a series of unforeseeable and unfortunate events, I ended up going to China by myself, and only for three weeks. Not going was not an option either, since there were some family affairs I had to take care of there. So every time I was reminded of this sudden change in plans, I felt miserable.
But when I arrived in Hong Kong and saw my mother who I haven’t seen for two years, I changed my mind and attitude toward this trip. Though my mother’s health has not been in good condition for over several years, she is still as optimistic and energetic as I remember from the last time I visited her, when her health was in better condition. Her sickness confines her to stay at home for the most part because she is uanble to stay in a place with air conditioning (which is everywhere in Hong Kong). So I actually haven’t gone out with her once. This makes both of us sad, but she keeps a positive attitude and “正能量”, and she assures me, “I’ll get better eventually, and then we can go out however much I’d like.” Also, everyday, she spends large chunks of her time exercising, even when she feels very weak or tired. And to keep her company, I exercise alongside her. After each exercise session, her health always seems to improve.
While I admire my mother’s perseverance, I admire her positive attitude and “正能量” even more. Since she has always had stamina in whatever she does, this does not surprise me as much. On the other hand, I do remember a time when her attitude has not been as positive as now. The most trivial of fallbacks could set her off onto bouts of depression. Nowadays, I’m really glad to see the change in her, and that just reminded me that I need to work on this myself as well.
So now, I no longer begrudge this trip, but enjoy it as much as I can. After all, I came all the way here. No matter how much time I spend here, and no matter how I spend my days here, I will appreciate it and give my all to spread positive energy to the people around me, just like my mother.