This past week has been a blur of travel between Taipei, NYC, Philadelphia, upstate New York, and back again . With so many planes, trains , buses, and car rides , I was really amazed to be able to find some moments when time seemed to slow down and the holiday still reenergized me.
The purpose of this trip was to attend my cousin’s wedding ( congrats again Brian and Meredith !) and see my whole extended family, especially my father close to his birthday. The highlights of the trip were certainly the wedding celebrations themselves, including a beautiful marriage ceremony, gorgeous reception , and an epic dance party for the ages! If I ever had any question about where I got my propensity to get down on a dance floor , I’ve got no doubt about it now!
One of the things that I’ll remember most of all was a touching quote that the priest gave during the ceremony. I’ve found myself reading it over and over again and wanted to share a small piece of with you:
“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.”
- Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
This quote has induced even more self reflection than a trip home typically causes. It makes me think of how what we love is a reflection of who we are, and who we are is a collection of all the actions, thoughts, feelings and intentions we have. It brings a certain awareness to the need to carefully choose what we prioritize and love. To listen to that kind of love that captures our imagination and moves us in the deepest of ways. To allow love to run through even the most mundane and routine aspects of our lives.
Even something small like choosing to come to class each week is a way to live out that love for our physical and mental selves and to spark joy by connecting to one another.
Looking forward to getting back to class this week and hitting the dance floor with a renewed sense of love and gratitude!
Keep moving!
xx,
Katie
活出你的愛
過去的這一週，在無止盡的旅途中顯得一片模糊，本周的行程是從台北到紐約、再到費城、再到紐約上州，再回來台北。儘管如此眼花撩亂的旅程，搭飛機、坐火車、坐公車、又開車，我很驚訝地發現我竟然還能在這個緊湊的假期中找到些許片刻，讓我放慢腳步、重新充電。
這一次回美國是為了參加表弟的婚禮（在這裡再次恭喜 Brian and Meredith！）同時也是一個難得的機會，能與大家族中的親友們聚聚，加上爸爸剛過生日趕上慶生的尾巴與他同樂。 這趟旅程中的高潮就是整場婚禮：感人的婚禮儀式、極美的婚宴、以及老少咸宜、精彩的舞蹈派對！ 如果有人問我對舞蹈的喜愛由何而生？我想應該就是從這裡開始的吧！
婚禮中讓我最印象深刻的就是牧師的動人引言，我發現自己不停地在腦中一次次複誦著，所以想和你分享其中的一小部分 ：
「你所愛的事物會影響每一件事。它決定你每天早上為了什麼而起床、每天晚上會做什麼、如何渡過你的週末、看什麼書、結交什麼朋友、什麼會傷你的心而什麼能帶給你喜樂與感恩。」- Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
這段話在這趟返鄉旅途中帶來了更多的自省，它提醒了我：我們所愛的事物映出我們是什麼樣子的人，而我們則是自己所有行為、想法、情緒與意圖的總和。 這段話同時也帶來了一種自我覺醒：我們需要更謹慎地選擇所愛與所重視的事。認真傾聽心中的熱忱，允許愛在無趣的日常間流動，感受那道最深層的愛。感受那道愛在信底深處綻放
這種愛甚至可以小到像是每週選擇來上課的這個決定，這是一個愛自己的體能及身心的表現，還能藉由與他人互動創造喜樂。
期待這週開始回來上課，帶著對於愛與感恩的全新觀感回到舞池中！
繼續前進！
愛你的 Katie
( Anna Liang 譯 )