1. Life and death in Shanghai by Zheng Nian
I read this book when I was suffering severe self doubt and self denial about myself. The writer’s experience in the 1960s and 70s taught me that no matter how harmful the people around you could be, it is up to ourselves to decide how we want to live. 6 years after reading this book, “ to live healthy and long” these seemingly plain but powerful words still resonate with me.
2. Huangdi Neijing
I found an interpretation of this TCM classic when I was rummaging around the living room in Hunan. Reading the book made me eager to read Huangdi Neijing. This book was written in ancient And concise Chinese. When I felt confused about health keeping, this books gave me answers and many more lessons about how to live a life. This is more than a medicine book.
3. Book series by Li Xue
Li Xue’s series of books about psychology saved me from a long period of depression about family relationship. For about a year after Kangkang was born, I was so restless and anxious and worried about Maomao, as he acted stubborn and odd. I kept criticizing him and he reacted with crying and silent anger. This situation did not stop until I read the books by Li Xue. The message I got from the books is that there should be boundaries between family members, namely couples, parents and kids. Each one of the members is a unique being. As parents, it is wrong to even try to change them according to your expectation. Accept for who they are.
As I put down these books, I started to realize that literally I am no longer in the process of growing up but aging.
How to age and grow wisely and elegantly? This is a life long project.
