In this blog post, we reflect on the meaning of life by viewing spring not merely as the season of youth, but as a season of reflection and hope that permeates every moment of life.
The spring of youth, singing of love, is a splendid and radiant spring. Yet the spring we observe and feel is life’s endless spring. Who says spring belongs only to the young, not to the old? The spring of youth is a single-layered spring brimming with joy, while the spring of old age is a multi-layered spring holding both joy and sorrow.
The spring of youth is inherently brimming with hope and possibility. Every moment—meeting a loved one, taking on new challenges, racing toward dreams—embroidered the spring of youth with brilliance. During this time, failure holds no fear. Rather, there is a belief that lessons from failure lead to greater growth. Thus, the spring of youth is always bright and vibrant.
In contrast, the spring of the elderly is a season layered with the countless experiences and emotions accumulated throughout a lifetime. The past is a precious asset; this asset, like waves filling a lake, accumulates and accumulates to form today. Just as there is no lake separate from the water, there is no today separate from the past. Therefore, the more water there is, the more beautiful the lake; the longer the past, the greater today.
There is no need to grieve upon reaching spring in old age, fearing one may not see many more springs ahead. Instead, one should take pride in adding yet another spring to the many already experienced. When climbing a mountain or walking a long road, after traveling ten or twenty miles and looking back, there are times filled with satisfaction and pride, thinking, “I walked all the way from there.” And there are times when the scenery seen upon looking back reveals a beauty more astonishing than when first approaching. But it is sad when, tracing past memories, I find not a single pearl but only coarse grains of sand. My insignificant past only ever makes today sad.
A single tangerine tree stands in front of the courtyard. At the tip of the eastern branch, fresh green buds begin to sprout. Even the thick branches overflow with vibrant green life. Soon, leaves will spread, flowers will bloom, and fruit will form. The household’s expectations are quite high. Yet, there is no sign from the western branch. Half the tree is dead branches. Spring cannot come to dead branches. Last winter, when all the leaves fell and only black trunks remained, I worried it might have died, yet I also believed it would revive come spring. Yet I never imagined that from the same trunk, one branch would live while another died. But through the blizzards and bitter cold, one branch nurtured life and survived the winter, while the other failed to sustain itself within it. That vigorous, spirited will to live in the eastern branch. Three long winter months of heartfelt, desperate resistance. And the unseen struggle and endurance! I wish to send infinite respect and praise for this.
Just as we can see life and death simultaneously on a single tree, we must accept that hope and despair coexist in life. Therefore, the spring of the elderly is not merely a change of season, but signifies the deep reflection and philosophy of life contained within it. The mindset for welcoming such a spring differs from that of youth. Now, it is not about rushing forward blindly, but about pausing one’s steps, looking around, reflecting on the path taken, and slowly planning the way ahead.
To grieve that spring is gone when spring departs is the sorrow of an insect that lives but a year. A tree possesses ten springs when spring departs ten times, and a hundred autumns when autumn departs a hundred times.
Depending on one’s life, the spring of humanity’s ten-thousand-year history is all spring stored within my body; depending on one’s thoughts, how many days can an unforgettable, distinct spring truly last? Therefore, it is not precious to linger long in the world and see spring many times; rather, feeling spring as spring should be, recalling all the springs that have passed, and reflecting on the past without losing it enriches our lives and leaves nothing to regret.
Just as trees sprout buds at spring’s threshold, our hearts must prepare for new beginnings. Though our bodies age, our spirits must remain ever vibrant, like a fresh spring day. Such a mindset, I believe, is the true path to savoring life’s spring. Reflecting on years past, we can prepare for a better tomorrow through the wisdom and experience gained within them. For spring ultimately blooms within our hearts.
Life is, after all, an endless succession of springs. When today’s spring passes, another spring arrives, and within that spring, we nurture new hopes and dreams. Therefore, it is important to cherish the present spring, anticipate the coming spring, and enrich our lives. May all who welcome spring realize this truth and live each moment faithfully.
