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The tears wouldn’t stop, but you know, when we feel like crying, we should let it all out. Forcing them back only makes the wounds heal slower.’
She loved books. Novels were her favourite, bringing her on expeditions across lands and seas in the comfort of her home.
When she had to pull herself back to reality – cutting a sweet dream short – her heart sank. But she needn’t feel sad for long. She only had to open the book to dive right into the adventures again.
Every one of us is like an island; alone and lonely. It’s not a bad thing. Solitude sets us free, just as loneliness brings depth to our lives.
A good novel, to Yeongju, was one which would bring her to places beyond her expectations.
As with everything in life, reading is about the right timing.
When authors delve deep into their understanding of life to touch the hearts of readers, helping them to navigate life, isn’t that what a good book should be?
I just find people who give their utmost to a pursuit cute. It makes me want to treat them well.’
‘That’s why people try to make sense of their own. In the end, everyone’s life is different, according to the meaning they find.’
Too much of something – no matter how enjoyable – turns it into a chore.
Reading makes you see with clearer eyes and understand the world better.
when I read, I don’t obsess over the need to remember every detail. Of course, I’ll need to remember the earlier bits to a certain extent, but that said, it’s also unlikely that you have zero recollection of what happened.
Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart.
Personally, I feel like the books I’ve read led me to make the choices I’ve made in life. While I may not remember all the details, the stories continue to exert a quiet influence on me.
Yes!!!
‘Those who can self-reflect are able to change a little just by reading one book. Even those who can’t – I believe that if they keep stimulating themselves by reading, one day, they’ll be able to reflect on themselves.’
‘I’ve been mulling this over recently. That my existence is good only for me but does absolutely nothing for others. Maybe not even good, just bearable.’
:( same
What propels life forward are decisions. It came to him that what he needed to do was not to give up, but to make a decision – to step away from the path he’d been walking on.
‘I’m satisfied, but . . . it just feels like dreams aren’t everything. I’m not saying that dreams are unimportant, or that there’s something else above them, but life is too complicated. Just because you’ve achieved your dreams doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy. Well, something like that.’
Perhaps he was miserable precisely because he was trying to simplify a life that was meant to remain complex.
I’m always logical, and when the other person is emotional, I try to compensate by dialling up the logic, which can come across as rigid and unyielding. I’m aware of this fault of mine, and I try to be mindful of it. But sometimes, it’s difficult.’
She was both an extrovert and an introvert; while she enjoyed her customers, a people-facing job drained her.
One bean was enough to make a difference. Just like bad beans, there were thoughts he should throw away, too. One bad thought was enough to cause his mental health to spiral.
When you have thoughts, just hold on to them, see where they take you, and as time passes, you’ll find out if you were right. Never decide right at the start if something is right or wrong.
Becoming family doesn’t mean you need to stay a family. If you’re not happy, they are not the people to keep beside you.’
if the work becomes too much, you’ll get thoroughly exhausted by it no matter how interesting it is.
‘We just have blind faith when it comes to how we view work,’
‘From youth, we’re always asked to endure and put up with things. I have no idea why.
Humans are complex, but sometimes, we can be so simple. We can be content with having some time – whether ten minutes, or an hour – where I can feel, Ah, I’m so glad I’m alive, so glad to seize and enjoy this moment.’
The excitement of the unknown, of the unfamiliar. It’s what makes travel so alluring.
For Seungwoo, the hardest part of a conversation was calibrating how much he could probe, and when to stop. How does one pinpoint the fine line between curiosity and rudeness?
In the end, it boils down to this: what kind of work do I want to do, despite all the worries? For me, I choose to worry as I run a bookshop.’
‘Being happy by doing something you enjoy . . . yes, that’s possible. I’m sure there’re such people out there. At the same time, there’re also people who are happy when doing something they’re good at.’
‘Doing what you like doesn’t guarantee happiness. Unless you’re also in an excellent environment, then maybe. Sometimes, it’s the environment that’s more important. If you’re in an ill-suited environment, what you enjoy can become something you want to give up. What I’m saying is, not everyone fits into the mould of finding happiness just by discovering what they like. That’s too simplified, not to mention naive.’
Instead of agonising over what you should do, think about putting effort into whatever you’re doing. It’s more important to try your best in whatever you do, no matter how small it may seem. All your effort will add up to something.’
“But no dream lasts forever, each dream is followed by another, and one should not cling to any particular dream.”’ ‘Hearing this makes me hope that this kind of life can also be accepted,’ said Minjun, getting up slowly.
‘A little wilted because it’s sad. Yet you have a smile on your face. I can’t tell what you’re thinking on the inside and that’s made me even more curious.’
‘A life surrounded by good people is a successful life. It might not be success as defined by society, but thanks to the people around you, each day is a successful day.’
‘It was a mistake trying to embrace something that couldn’t work out at all. This episode made me realise that being able to end things that don’t work is a way of living well. There’re so many instances of people not being able to put an end to things because of fear, of others’ judgement and of the possibility of regretting it in the future. I was the same. But now, I feel so relieved.’
I’ve become a better person at the bookshop. I tried to put into practice things I’ve learnt through books, and not merely leave them to be stories within pages.
Ok, at this point, she is talking too much
