Where the River Meets the Sea - by Chris

Voice.club
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https://Voice.club - As I stepped out onto the balcony, the sound washed over me, like the waves I could see in the distance gently churning beneath the rising sun. Such a beautiful sound! The èrhú (二胡) rippled and flowed, bringing life to the early morning.

Across the river, I saw the man and the source of the sound. He was practicing his morning tai chi, his graceful movements perfectly synchronized with the music pouring from the speaker of his little black box. I smiled, taking in the breathtaking scene from this Hainan Island resort, where the river slowly drifted into the sea.

A serene escape, my winter home, an exotic hideaway - this was one of the most beautiful islands in the world. This place, where the river flows into the South China Sea, had become a sacred spot where I hoped to find peace.

I had traveled from Beijing to Hong Kong and now to Hainan trying to heal, but the pain was always present and fragmented thoughts continuously swirled in my mind. If only I could find the root cause of my unhappiness! Finally, I realized, it came down to the first of the Four Noble Truths - “life involves suffering."

When I read the ancient text containing those words, my body begin to relax, the tight knots of stress loosening a little. How comforting to realize I was not alone. Countless humans experience hardship every day and have been deeply acquainted with suffering since ancient times.

Now I had a choice. I could not change the world, but perhaps I could change myself. I could start a new path, leaving behind my negative thoughts, striving for inner peace. If I could make more skillful choices, perhaps I could reduce suffering in myself and others. What a wonderful thought!

As if he had read my mind, the man across the river paused his morning ritual, lifting a hand to me in affirmation. His smile was radiant. I knew he came here every morning, his tai chi a way of embracing the new day and its infinite possibilities.

“One morning at a time,” I whispered as I waved back, my feet firmly planted on the new path of peace.

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Hi Chris, I found your story the epitome of tranquility and spirituality, helped by the introductory refrains of your music

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@Chris
What a beautiful story! I couldn’t believe it when I heard the sounds of the erhu introducing your story. What a nice touch. Your description of fragmented thoughts continuously swirling is very familiar to most of us. I loved the fact that tai chi and erhu music and studying the Four Noble Truths brought your protagonist to a better state of mind, planting his feet firmly on a path of peace. What an inspiring story!

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@JulianKern - Your comment made my day because I have had writers block for quite some time. It also means a lot coming from you, because I follow your writing, and have read many of your stories that eloquently address difficult life topics.

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@Chris

That introductory music set the scene and emotion of your story perfectly.

And I will surely bring this note daily: “Life involves suffering.” It hits me harder and also makes me relax and accept the fact that this is life. And we need to continue evolving for growth and finding peace within us.

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Chris, this is a very wholesome and engaging story. I’m glad that your protagonist realised that although suffering is a realistic part of life, we can make our own pathway choosing peace rather than dwelling on negativity. Like your main character, I need to “make more skillful choices.” I adore how you emphasised the narrator had made the correct choice by the other man’s friendly wave!