Issue 66
Kingdom Knowledge & Practice

mood four seasons

【Mood Platter】Series 7

▲The changes in the four seasons affect the ecological environment and living habits, and another kind of four seasons also affects us, which is called the "mood four seasons".

treetop color

From the changing colors of the leaves of the trees on the streets, we know that this city has four distinct seasons. However, although there are four seasons, the distribution is not even. Winter is very long, definitely more than half a year or even close to seven months when rounded up. Therefore, in five months, which is neither long nor short, we will experience summer, autumn, and the spring that disappears in a flash.

After the severe cold, the new green sprouting on the dead treetops is the fresh youth, which always refreshes people's spirits and makes them forget the cold winter. Before even taking a few glances, Xia's footsteps followed one after another, and the tree was covered with rich dark green. Coupled with the overwhelming heat, it gives people a love-hate feeling.

But the days of light clothes will not last long. After a while, you will have to put on your coat, and then the leaves will magically change their clothes, and the forest in front of you will be colorful; the bright yellow of the almond leaves, the intoxicating orange of the maple leaves, and the swish of footsteps. On the path of rustling fallen leaves, I have to sigh that it’s autumn again! Soon, it was time to take off the sandals under my feet, wave my sleeves, and walkers like me once again entered the heavy "bear-man mode" to face the cold winter. Perhaps, this is the reason why many people are reluctant to leave Boston in the summer. After all, it is a "rare summer"!

The changes in the four seasons affect the ecological environment and living habits, and another kind of four seasons also affects us, which is called the "mood four seasons."

▲The author experienced the complexity and helplessness of crowding when taking the subway in New York.
(Photo Credit: Bronx Banter Blog, NY Daily News)

▲The Green B Line tram in downtown Boston is a means of transportation that the author often takes. The driver often entertains himself and others by performing "talk shows" in a relaxed manner.

Interpersonal warmth and warmth

Life is inseparable from contact and getting along with people. Do you find that getting along with some people is like a "spring breeze", but being close to a certain person makes you feel "a lot of pressure"? The reasons behind this question are quite complex. The conclusion is that everyone is willing to be with someone who has a kind and kind personality. Even strangers, as long as the other person has a kind attitude and behavior, it will make people feel warm and comfortable!

I lived in Hawaii, which has a mild climate, for about three years. At that time, transportation to school relied on buses. Kind-hearted bus drivers would wait in front of the school stop sign for students rushing out of the campus. People on the bus also cooperated calmly. That atmosphere is still unforgettable!

Later, when we arrived in New York, the weather was no longer always warm, and the residents became more indifferent. I still remember the subway driver who entered the city from Queens to Manhattan No. 7. When closing the door, he clamped my backpack and exposed it outside the door, and he was running so thrillingly through the underground tunnel! At the next stop, I walked to the front of the car angrily. The scene of questioning was certainly not pleasant. I can't forget the murderous look on the driver's face, with no regard for life and death, and no apology. Compared with another city, it is really a world of difference! In fact, it is not easy for people living in these two places, and they all have their own difficulties. After three and a half years of bumping into each other on the subway in New York every day, it’s not hard to guess why New York drivers are relatively irritable. Fortunately, I only met one.

Speaking of subway drivers, I can't help but think of the past, and I have to mention Boston, where I live now. This is the earliest subway line in the United States. The route is both above and underground. There are only four carriages. Especially on the ground, the speed is slow. There was a time when I met a very humorous Green B line driver on my way home at night. It is no exaggeration to say that the entire ride was like being on the set of a one-man talk show. The driver kept making hilarious jokes from the radio. Most of the passengers in the car were young college students, and they all cooperated enthusiastically; sometimes everyone Singing together, sometimes cheering together, the two parties have a perfect understanding! I am very glad to have experienced this kind of scene in person, regardless of whether it was windy or snowy outside the window. At that moment, I realized the beauty of human nature. It turns out that a group of strangers who don't know each other can also have such warm joy together. I admire that driver very much. He is not only able to serve the public in his professional field, but he can also add "icing on the cake" and bring laughter to seemingly routine driving. He really benefits mankind!

In this period of epidemic, life still has to go on. One thing to do: Go to the pharmacy to pick up your medication. I was grateful to meet a very kind and friendly pharmacist. He should be the person in charge of the pharmacy, a gentle and polite young Asian man. One time, due to insurance restrictions, I could not get the medicine immediately. Due to time constraints, I offered to pay for it myself. After all, life is more valuable than money, because the consequences of discontinuing medicine will be more troublesome. After hearing the description, the pharmacist with a bookish temperament stepped forward to assist in the inquiry. He said, "You shouldn't pay this fee. It's too outrageous." He found out the reason and fixed the unsolved links, and everything went smoothly. Solved my urgent need! After this interaction, we got to know each other. Whenever he was present in the pharmacy, they would call each other by name and say hello. In addition to being professional, he serves patients from the perspective of patients. He often reminds people of things to pay attention to, such as which website to go to to buy medical supplies that are not available in pharmacies, what injections to give, and so on... His presence made me feel like I was being protected. It was great to meet such a medicine angel!

Another place we often go to in life is the supermarket where we buy food. Although I can’t name the store clerk, I still feel a sense of happiness every time I meet a considerate employee! Not long ago, I went to a supermarket to buy groceries and picked up the only box of organic strawberries on the shelf. When waiting to check out, the cashier deliberately raised the strawberry to inspect it, then told him that one was rotten at the bottom and asked if he wanted to exchange it. It would be great if I could change it! But I thought this should be the last box. The girl was dressed in a bohemian style, wearing a flowing dress, fair skin, long wavy hair and bright red lips (at that time, the store did not require employees to wear masks, otherwise you would not be able to see the red lips) , with the changes in the epidemic situation, it is now necessary to wear masks again), which is particularly prominent. After she rang the bell to notify another colleague to search for storage, the result was the same as before, only one box was left. In fact, I don’t really care that only one strawberry fails because a lot of pesticides are sprayed on the strawberries. I care more about whether it is organic. But I really can’t bear to live up to her kind reminder, so in order to respond to her enthusiasm, I might as well not buy it! Before leaving, I paid her a special tribute: "Thank you for being so attentive and considerate from the perspective of a customer!" She replied happily with red lips: "This is what I should do!" Wow, the whole shopping experience was greatly enhanced, and I left with a full load. .

Whether physically or psychologically, the epidemic has limited the distance between people. After such a long process, everyone has entered a state of exhaustion or even numbness. How long will this "severe winter" last? When can we return to the original four seasons? Fortunately, in this unknown waiting period, we can rely on grace to live in hope. Ask the Lord to protect our hearts. No matter what "season" we are in, we must learn to treat the people around us with kindness.

Just like talk show drivers, warm pharmacists, enthusiastic red-lip shop assistants...these people in corners who are willing to persist in giving kindness, because of them, life can be warm and touching! I hope that your and my existence can make each other have more "good moods" in any season!


Miao Huitian, older and single, with money to travel but no money to take a walk. You can be lazy, diligent, active and at home; you can appreciate beautiful scenery, beautiful things, and beautiful things, and like good food, beautiful articles, and beautiful music.