Moments of Leisure

By Ye Qingchi

Leisure can be an aftertaste in life,that we enjoy to help make our lives more meaningful.

It is like a relationship—it’s not difficult for one to stay busy,as a busy way of life is so easy to follow.Similar to a relationship,we can learn romantic tricks from others to make our relationship seem loving.

Yet,the way you spend your leisure time can be a test for your seemingly loving relationship.When you are busy,you have millions of chances to pick up topics and draw the attention of your partner.However,when you are not occupied,you sit face to face quietly,and there is nothing there to conceal in your two hearts.If you get along well,you understand and feel an attachment to each other; if not,you feel awkward and embarrassed.

So do friends.When a friend comes to visit you,he is always busy with this or that,fully occupied with dining,shopping,and everything else except for a nice talk with you.Such a kind of busy life is like a mist that covers a heart entirely,labeling it “closed”.

A good friendship can undergo moments of leisure.When you are at leisure,your hearts are free from burdens.You can enjoy a cup of tea,a good conversation,and learn the true personality and thoughts of each other.When you do enjoy these,you two are bosom friends indeed.

Leisure is,more often than not,the most exotic part of a novel or a prose.Some essays,compact and concise as they are,though dotted with exciting plots,still read dry and dull.If you read plenty of such essays,you’ll find it hard to distinguish one from another.The richness of literature lies often in its casual descriptions.Leisure seems more attractive for its frankness and forthrightness.A character comes alive through seemingly random and unrelated episodes.Events become vivid through subtle penning.In this way,a literary work becomes appealing and lifelike,and you cannot help saying “Bravo” when reading it.

One’s charisma flows when he knows how to enjoy the leisure of life.

(FromPeony Evening News,March 25,2019.Translation: Bo Ning)