2016 Midwest Tzu Ching Retreat Reflection - Frank

I must confess, this being my third time going to the Midwest retreat, at the start of camp I was worried that I fallen into routine. In other words, I was simply going to retreat because I did so every year. I remember on the first day of camp, Trisha XJ asked me why did I choose to spend my spring break here rather than elsewhere. At that time I did not have a concrete answer. Well, regardless, I had a grand old time. Before I knew it, the Tzu Ching retreat had come and gone. Now, my answer to Trisha XJ’s question is that I don’t want to miss any opportunity to be in Tzu Chi (well, that and I actually don’t spend my vacations doing much other than staying at home). Every Tzu Ching retreat has its own unique set of lessons, people, and experiences. I want to treasure all of it. I think Leonard Nimoy put it best, “Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. Live long and prosper.”

2016 Midwest Retreat Group 1

At camp I had the strange realization that I was no longer an underclassman. I went to my first retreat when I was a Tzu Shao in high school, so I always thought of myself as the newbie amongst Tzu Ching. But now, I’m an adult! Well, I’m also an upperclassman in college, whereas there were a lot of attendees who were underclassmen. To be honest, I did not feel that much different from my underclassman days, but I’m sure many people did not see me as the inexperienced padawan I once was. For many others at camp, this was their first time at a retreat. I wonder how all the newer students felt at camp? For those who had their first time attending a Tzu Ching retreat, were they as profoundly touched as I was when I was a Tzu Shao? Throughout camp I tried to be more friendly towards all, and in the end I hope I helped to make retreat enjoyable for those first timers. Hopefully there will be chances to meet again at San Jose 2016 and Midwest 2017 retreat and many more years to come!