[Haruchunja] Daily Admiration Power <3>

Editor's Note"It's okay to stop if it's too hard." The phrase that saved the author from burnout was not "Cheer up!" but "It's okay to take it easy." That phrase made the author, who valued everyday resilience, realize that rest is as essential as effort. After finally quitting the company and spending time fully focusing on himself, experiencing true happiness, he emphasizes that resting well is important to cheer up. At the same time, in a world that shouts 'Godsaeng'?meaning you must work hard to survive?he pledges to live at his own pace with 'Gyangsaeng,' even if slow. Sometimes, he advises accepting unfamiliar situations calmly with a "I guess that's how it is," gratefully receiving kindness from others, and experiencing others' perspectives firsthand, approaching life with an open mind and flexible attitude. Word count: 1000.

Sometimes we envy or take each other's lives lightly. This is understandable because unless we experience it ourselves, we can only glimpse parts of others' lives over their shoulders, and for the rest, we vaguely guess based on the fragments we see or fail to consider the whole. Naturally, our own lives are not that simple either. We can only understand a little more by actually wearing their shoes. Which parts are comfortable, which are uncomfortable, how heavy they are, how far they can jump or walk, and why those people walk that way.

I enjoy learning new skills. The best part of learning is not just acquiring the skill itself but experiencing how that ecosystem works, even if only briefly. Learning woodworking lets me experience the carpenter's workflow, sewing teaches the garment-making process, and learning publishing lets me experience the publishing system. Although I only dip my toes shallowly, I am always humbled. After seeing or directly experiencing how many processes and efforts go into things I once took for granted or overlooked, I can never treat them the same way again. As a bonus, I no longer ask for discounts. It may seem naive, but the fastest way to learn about something is still to experience it firsthand, even just a little.

(Omitted)

Is this only a story for pet owners? What about parents with young children, pregnant women, or people with disabilities? A few days ago, I visited a cafe that had a sign at the door saying "A Store Without Discrimination," and a ramp was installed so wheelchairs could enter. Another store had a Braille menu for the visually impaired. Among many parts of life we took for granted, how many things would not be obvious if we wore someone else's shoes? These days, it's a continuous series of "Oops!" moments.

The world is vast, but my view and where I live are very narrow. I hope to diligently wear others' shoes and gradually understand and consider areas I could not before or parts I took lightly.

－Kim Gyurim, Everyday Wonder, Whale Books, 16,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.