[카테고리:] Life & Reflections

  • 소음과 마음의 평온: 나의 경험

    펑화로운 집앞

    소음과 물, 그리고 뜻밖의 평온 — 나의 지난 1년 이야기

    나는 미국에서 태어난 사람이 아니다.
    작은 나라에서 이곳으로 건너와 오래도록 열심히 살아왔다.
    식당에서 일하고, 가족을 돕고, 한 푼 두 푼 모으며
    언젠가는 편안히 쉴 수 있는 집을 갖는 것이 나의 꿈이었다.

    마침내 콘도를 구매했을 때
    나는 새로운 삶이 시작된다고 믿었다.

    하지만 이사 온 지 얼마 되지 않아
    내 삶은 예상하지 못한 방향으로 흘러가기 시작했다.

    윗집에서는 밤낮 없이 무언가를 부수는 큰 소리가 이어졌다.
    천장에서 물이 새기 시작했고
    벽과 방, 부엌까지 피해가 번졌다.

    나는 거의 1년 동안
    불안과 피로 속에서 살았다.

    어떤 날은 48시간 가까이 잠을 자지 못했다.
    퇴근 후에도 어디로 가야 할지 몰라
    그저 길 위에 서 있는 것 같은 느낌이었다.
    내 집이지만 쉴 수 없는 공간이었기 때문이다.

    이것이 현재 나의 집 큰방 욕실 천정 모습입니다

    사람은 외모로 처음 보는 느낌으로 그 사람의 모든 것을 알 수 없다

    윗집에 살던 사람은 처음 만났을 때
    사슴처럼 순수한 눈을 가진 사람이었다.
    그가 심각한 정신 질환을 앓고 있다는 사실을
    누가 짐작할 수 있었을까.

    나는 분노 하기보다 기도했다.
    그를 위해 기도하는 노래까지 만들었다.
    때로는 울면서
    “주님, 저 영혼을 불쌍히 여겨 주세요”
    라고 매달렸다.

    집은 많이 훼손되었고
    수리 비용은 매우 큰 금액이 되었다.
    그러나 이상하게도 내 마음에는
    평온이 있었다.

    그것은 체념이 아니었다.
    포기도 아니었다.
    그저 주님께서 주신 조용한 마음이었다.

    지금은 소음도 멈추고
    누수도 멈추었다.
    곧 집 전체를 고치는 공사가 시작될 예정이다.

    그리고 나는 이제야 깊이 잠을 잔다.
    아픈 것도 아닌데 몸이 무겁고
    끝없이 졸리다.
    아마 지난 1년의 긴장이
    이제야 풀리고 있는 것 같다.

    천장이 뚫려 있고 벽에 상처가 남아 있어도
    내 집은 다시 평온한 공간이 되었다.

    이 일을 통해 나는 배웠다.
    완벽한 환경이 있어야 평화가 오는 것은 아니다.
    때로는 가장 힘든 상황 속에서도
    사람은 평온을 선물처럼 받을 수 있다.

    언젠가 따뜻한 물로 마음껏 샤워하며
    이 시간을 조용히 떠올릴 날이 올 것이다.

    그때까지 나는 쉰다.

  • “The Silent Monster-Understanding Depression and Breaking the Silence”

    To hear shocking news.

    A dear friend’s son—someone with a loving wife, three beautiful children, and a seemingly perfect life—took his own life.
    He had been fighting depression for a long time.
    Only now do I realize how terrifying and destructive this illness truly is.

    My thoughts won’t stop.

    How dark must his world have felt,
    that leaving it all behind seemed like the only escape?
    What unbearable pain did he live with,
    to make such a tragic choice in the middle of his home?

    It’s horrifying.
    It reminds us that the things we see on the surface often hide unbearable struggles underneath.
    Depression isn’t just sadness — it’s a relentless force that distorts everything.
    It whispers lies:
    that you’re a burden,
    that your family would be better off without you,
    that there’s no hope for tomorrow. It drains your energy, steals your joy,
    and turns even the simplest tasks into impossible mountains.
    We need to understand depression and break the silence.


    “While writing this story, I was reminded of a previous piece I wrote”
    <https://smilewithme.today/crohns-disease/&gt;

    The devil’s whisper

    not only for my own peace,
    but for everyone who’s been touched by its shadow.
    We must learn to talk about it.
    We must recognize the signs — in others and in ourselves.

    Depression is not weakness.
    It is an illness.
    And just as we would see a doctor for a broken bone,
    we must seek professional help for our mental health.

    It warps reality,
    making you believe things that aren’t true.
    It can make you feel worthless, unloved,
    and completely alone — even in a crowded room.
    The weight can be so crushing
    that getting out of bed feels impossible.

    We need to understand this monster.

    Imagine your own mind turning against you —
    replaying your worst moments,
    amplifying your flaws,
    and silencing every voice of hope.
    That pain doesn’t simply fade.
    And because of stigma, people suffer in silence,
    afraid of being judged or misunderstood.

    They smile at their children,
    go to work,
    and pretend they’re fine —
    while inside, a storm rages.

    We need to break that silence.
    We need a world where someone can say, “I’m not okay,”
    and be met not with judgment,
    but with compassion and understanding.

    Don’t give up hope; we’re here for you.


    It convinces its victims that their pain is their fault
    and that there’s no way out.
    But there is a way out.
    There is help.
    There is treatment.
    There is hope.

    If you’re struggling,
    please remember — you are not alone.
    Your feelings are not your fault.
    Depression is an illness, and it can be treated.
    Reaching out for help is not weakness —
    it is the bravest and strongest thing you can do.

    Talk to a friend, a family member, a doctor, or a therapist.
    If you or someone you know is in crisis,
    please seek help right away.
    Your life matters.
    You deserve to live it fully.

    Let’s care for one another.
    Let’s listen without judgment.
    Let’s be the strength someone desperately needs.
    did you ever hear about this kind of terrifying story around your side?
    Listen also: [The Silent Monster – on Bandcamp]

    A collection of songs that might make you feel heavy-hearted." by mia & haru

    Take care of yourself — and each other. 💛

    🕊️ Mental Health & Crisis Support Information

    🇺🇸 For readers in the United States

    If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or thinking about suicide,
    call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    You can also visit 988lifeline.org for chat support and more resources.
    Free and confidential help is always available. ❤️


    🇰🇷 한국 독자를 위한 정보

    우울하거나 극단적인 생각이 들 때는 혼자 견디지 마세요.
    정신건강상담전화 1577-0199 (24시간)
    자살예방상담전화 1393 (24시간, 익명 상담 가능)
    청소년 전화 1388 (청소년 및 가족 대상)
    이 번호들은 모두 무료이며, 당신의 이야기를 들어줄 사람들이 항상 대기하고 있습니다. 💛

  • Think Before You Post: A Lesson for Our Children

    Man holding smartphone. SNS. Social Networking Service

    smart phones in hand.

    Today’s teenagers live with their phones in hand.
    Before eating, they take photos and videos, sometimes
    uploading them instantly to TikTok or Instagram.
    It has become their language, their culture.

    The real issue is responsibility.
    Recently in China, two teenagers
    urinated into a hotpot at a restaurant
    and uploaded the video.
    What seemed like a prank led to broken trust,
    massive financial losses, and a lawsuit
    that held their parents accountable.

    Who should be held accountable?

    I work in the food industry.
    I’ve seen customers
    put hair into their food on purpose,
    claiming it was “found,” just to avoid paying.
    These so-called pranks hit restaurants like
    a direct strike against our livelihood.
    <https://smilewithme.today/wp-admin/post.php?post=2243&action=edit&gt;

    Pranks don’t always end as just pranks.

    One photo, one caption can create memories,
    or it can cause harm.
    We must teach our children:
    “Views are not what matter — responsibility is.”
    “Money is not everything — integrity comes first.”

    If even one parent, one adult takes this
    seriously and guides the next generation,
    our society will be stronger and healthier.
    Let’s show careful consideration to ensure
    our beloved children become pillars of society in the future.
    <https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UYccW1Gvgco&gt;