Both Body and Mind Have Recovered to Good Health; Thank You All for Your Concern

Because I wrote earlier about being in a depressive episode and in poor physical health, many readers have continuously shown concern and sent greetings. I am deeply grateful for everyone's care.

Lately my physical condition has been very good; I have not coughed for nearly a month. My stamina is strong. Because I have long persisted in physical labor and exercise, once my body recovered it was better than most people's. Many around me have been repeatedly harmed by COVID-19 and are weaker than before. But I myself am still as strong as before COVID, and the later waves have not affected me again; I seem not to have been reinfected. My emotions are also stable; there is no longer depression, anxiety, or sadness. My mind is calm, and I remain durably positive and optimistic.

My current life is good. Twice a week I go to my little vegetable garden to water and pick vegetables (mainly pulling radishes). I have also added a racket sport—badminton—playing two hours each Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon. Various relationships have basically been adjusted to a good state. Every day I study, write, and work peacefully at home, accompanied by my family and a cat. I am grateful to my son for buying this cat; for someone like me who is alone most of the time, the cat has brought much joy.

Occasionally I also go on outings or short trips with close friends; I even traveled to Foshan, Guangdong, recently. It is only that, having rarely gone out for so long, my sense of direction has seriously atrophied, and I still unconsciously run red lights while walking. Fortunately, most of the time when I am out I am accompanied by family or friends, and taxis are convenient, so I need not worry about getting lost.

On my own, I like to stroll and think along the tree-lined path behind my residential compound or in Zizhuyuan Park. This has been a habit for years; most of my articles are conceived in this state. I also like, while walking, to ruminate on the various knowledge I have recently learned, integrating it with what I learned before into a system.

Su Shi wrote: "Life's sorrows begin with learning to read; / Once you can roughly write your name, you may rest." There is some truth in this. As I learn more and more medicine, I do feel my heart is more easily affected by patients' suffering than before. But having chosen the path of medicine, even with this side effect, I must press on, strengthening my inner self as I go.

Balancing work and rest, controlling workload, and adding exercise and recreation help a lot. When I feel distressed by others' suffering, I now step away from work for a while, go for a walk, and return once my heart has settled; this works well. I am balancing my life, and this effort has paid off: now, when I see patients' suffering, my inner shock-absorbing capacity is much stronger.

Dear friends, you need not inquire after my condition anymore. I wish you all health and happiness, and may you live each day well.