第13期
文：叶珍珠 科技的进步使生活变得更方便，同时也变得更忙碌； 资讯的普及要求着人们在各方面更有效率。很多时候我们只 顾着用最少的时间去完成工作和生活的种种事情，却没有闲 暇去享受其中的乐趣，甚至把忙碌当作乐趣，视为骄傲。 冗长的行动限制令，逼着我们慢下来。不论我们带着 什么样的心情，都得驻守家中来抗疫。在这一段时间，我正 好读着摩西五经，其中《出埃及记》、《利未记》、《申命 记》几处提到人和牲畜需要安息日；奴仆、田地需要安息年。 这让我晓得其实上帝不赞成我们没有止境的忙碌，反倒喜悦 我们适时的休息。当人类放慢了脚步，过着低碳的生活，大 自然才有了喘息休养的机会。 至于我，终于有了时间去做一些搁置很久的家居计划， 第一次如此充分地去享受运用家里的每一个空间；各种烹调 器材也有机会动起来；而后院的空地也有机会从种草变成种 菜。因此，收获了新知识、新技能。居家工作以外的时间， 我和先生学习制作各类的手工皂、尝试烹煮新菜肴、管理小 菜圃。我们为能在其中获得许多乐趣而深深感恩。 这段日子，少了外在的喧哗与匆忙，生活安静了许多， 心灵才腾得出空间来思考、沉淀，好好地捋一捋心的方向。 大疫当前，只要求我乖乖地呆在家里，发现，真的很幸福。
Issue #13
By: Grace Yap Translated by: Esther Hii
The advancement of technology has eased our life, but we end up becoming more occupied; the easy access to information also requires us to be more efficient and spontaneous in all aspects. Many a time, we are keen to use the lesser time as possible to complete all the work and various trivial things in life, but we have no leisure to enjoy the progress and we even treated our busyness as a pleasure and our pride. We were forced to slow down our pace due to the lengthy and boring Movement Control Order (‘MCO’). Regardless of how we feel, we need to stay at home to combat the pandemic. During this period, I was reading on “Torah” (the five books of Moses), among others the books of “Exodus”, “Leviticus”, and “Deuteronomy” mentioned that human being and animals need Sabbath day; the servants and the land shall lie unplowed and unused. It made me realize that God does not favor our interminable busyness, in fact, He favors when we have a designated time for proper rest. Our mother earth finally had the opportunity to take a break when human beings slow down their pace, and produce less carbon dioxide. And for me, I finally had the time to kick start some long standing home plan, and for the first time, I was able to utilize and enjoy every corner of the house; the various kitchen appliances had the opportunity to be turned on; the empty backyard had turned from growing weeds to vegetable. Therefore, new knowledge and new skills had been acquired. Other than the time working from home, my husband and I learnt to make various handmade soaps, tried cooking different cuisine, and took care of our mini vegetable garden. We are deeply grateful for the leisure time that we had. During this period, with less external noise and rush, life had become more peaceful, our mind and soul had the time to quieten down, ponder, and listen to the calling within our hearts. At this time of pandemic, I am only asked to stay at home, it was indeed blessed.