The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

14 2020 • 07 eature Shick Swee Ling enjoys reading in the quiet, tranquil atmosphere of Jing-Si Books & Café. air and the serene atmosphere of the Café set Swee Ling’s mind at ease. She also noticed that everyone in the Café, staff and customers alike, spoke in low voices and were focused on their tasks at hand, sparing her from the frustration of being disturbed by chatter when reading. The quiet atmosphere of the Café offered a conducive environment for Swee Ling to concentrate on her books in silence. The array of titles lined on the shelves appealed to the self- proclaimed bibliophile, particularly books on spirituality. She found that Jing-Si Aphorisms struck a chord as she flipped through the pages. “I discovered that every aphorism is a concise lesson on life. Master Cheng Yen expressed her insights on speech, conduct, relationships and other aspects of life in simple language that’s easy to understand. I’ve started to reflect on my attitude and reassess whether there are any areas for improvement,” she remarked. Swee Ling admitted that she was accustomed to speaking at an accelerated pace due to her anxious tendencies, evoking tension among her family. She felt misunderstood as a patient of depression and struggled to seek sympathy and acceptance. In the end, she decided to adjust the tone and speed of her speech rather than expecting her family to accommodate her. Meanwhile, she found solace in the calming space of the Café and transitioned from a frequent patron of the Café to a Café volunteer after accepting an invitation from senior staff member Aw Lay Kheng. “I remember asking Lay Kheng if I could drop by the Café every day; she replied in the affirmative,” recounted Swee Ling, who is now close friends with Lay Kheng. She also attested to the friendliness of the Café staff, who often expressed their concern for her and chatted with her, helping her to relax.