I Am Not Trying to Build a New Life. I Am Carefully Protecting a Good One.

There was a small change in my schedule today.

I had planned to buy lunch for two police officers today.

Over the years, I have occasionally helped the police as an interpreter, and these two officers have given me valuable advice regarding my rescue dogs and related situations. The lunch was simply my way of expressing gratitude for their kindness and support.

However, one of them suddenly had to cancel because of work.

Police officers live with unpredictability. Emergencies come first.

So instead of lunch, something unexpected arrived in my day.

Peace.

It felt as if peace had suddenly fallen from the sky.

My life is not particularly exciting by social media standards. Most days are filled with simple routines. I teach students, check homework, walk my two dogs, practice golf, write, and take care of my home.

Earlier this week, I spent a couple of hours on my land taking care of my young Hwangchil trees. Carrying a 20-liter sprayer and clearing weeds is not glamorous work, but I genuinely enjoy it.

Because that work was already done, I unexpectedly found myself with a quiet and peaceful morning today.

Some people have hobbies like collecting watches or traveling. I have a small forest of young trees that I enjoy taking care of.

I carried a 20-liter sprayer on my back and worked for a couple of hours removing weeds around the trees. It was not glamorous. It was not productive in the way modern society often defines productivity.

But it felt meaningful.

As I worked, I realized something.

At this stage of my life, I am no longer trying to build a completely new life.

I already have many of the things I once hoped for.

A comfortable home.

Two wonderful dogs.

Good health.

Golf.

A stable income.

A piece of land that brings me joy.

Good friends.

A peaceful daily routine.

Of course, life is never perfect. Problems still appear. Unexpected things happen.

But my focus has changed.

I am not chasing a bigger life.

I am protecting a good one.

I want to keep my health.

I want my dogs to stay happy.

I want to continue enjoying golf.

I want to keep writing.

I want to maintain the simple rhythm that brings me peace.

Perhaps wisdom is not always about gaining more.

Sometimes wisdom is about recognizing what is already precious and taking good care of it.

Today reminded me of that.

The weeds will continue to grow.

The trees will continue to grow.

And hopefully, so will gratitude.

Not through dramatic changes, but through quiet attention to the life I already have.

I am not trying to build a new life.

I am carefully protecting a good one.

KR Summary

"I Am Not Trying to Build a New Life. I Am Carefully Protecting a Good One."

오늘은 원래 구조견 관련 일로 도움을 주셨던 두 경찰관분께 감사의 의미로 점심을 대접하기로 한 날이었다. 하지만 한 분이 갑작스럽게 업무가 생겨 약속이 취소되었다.

덕분에 예상치 못한 평화로운 오전 시간이 생겼다.

며칠 전에는 1000평 밭에 심어둔 황칠나무들을 돌보기 위해 제초 작업을 하고 왔다. 나무를 심은 이유는 돈을 벌기 위해서가 아니라, 그저 내가 좋아서였다. 나무를 돌보고 밭을 가꾸는 일은 나에게 하나의 취미이자 즐거움이다.

문득 이런 생각이 들었다.

젊은 시절에는 더 많은 것을 이루고, 더 좋은 삶을 만들기 위해 노력했다. 하지만 지금의 나는 완전히 새로운 삶을 만들기 위해 애쓰고 있지 않다.

이미 내 곁에는 소중한 것들이 많이 있다.

편안한 집,
루비와 리치,
건강,
골프,
안정적인 생활,
내가 좋아하는 땅과 나무들,
좋은 사람들,
그리고 평화로운 일상.

물론 삶이 완벽한 것은 아니다. 하지만 지금의 나는 더 많은 것을 얻기보다, 이미 가진 좋은 것들을 오래도록 지켜내고 싶다.

건강을 지키고,
반려견들을 돌보고,
좋아하는 골프를 계속 즐기고,
글을 쓰고,
평범하지만 감사한 일상을 유지하는 것.

어쩌면 지혜란 더 많이 가지는 것이 아니라, 이미 소중한 것들의 가치를 알아보고 잘 돌보는 것인지도 모른다.

그래서 오늘 나는 다시 한번 깨달았다.

나는 새로운 삶을 만들고 있는 것이 아니다.

나는 이미 충분히 좋은 삶을 조심스럽게 지켜가고 있는 것이다.

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Today's Quote 🌿

나는 새로운 삶을 만들려고 애쓰는 것이 아니다.
이미 좋은 삶을 소중히 지켜가고 있는 것이다.

I am not trying to build a new life.
I am carefully protecting a good one. ✨

Photo 1  

My Hwangchil trees on a peaceful summer morning in Jeju.

Several years ago, I planted about 400 Hwangchil  saplings ( Dendropanax morbiferus),  a tree native to Jeju, Korea on this land. Around half of them remain today, and caring for them has become one of the quiet joys of my life. 🌿

 Photo 2 

Not exactly the image most people associate with a golfer.

A 20-liter sprayer on my back, weed control under the summer sun, and a small forest of Hwangchil trees to look after. Life has a funny way of keeping us grounded.