Yesterday, I had a conversation with a friend living abroad. She shared the numerous challenges she faced during her journey to immigration. At times, with aging and ailing parents, she had to frequently return to Taiwan to accompany them for medical appointments. Despite these difficulties, she managed to overcome them one by one. Remarkably, even without speaking the local language, she found a job and secured legal residency in that city. I asked her why she insisted on staying there.

She explained that although life there had many imperfections, the historical architecture, art, and religious activities provided her soul with rest and healing. She needed the energy and nourishment this environment offered her.

Eventually, everyone must confront the fact that we live alone in this world. Independent individuals may come to this realization earlier, while others are forced to face it as they age or when illness strikes. However, a lonely person can still connect with other souls and not feel isolated—“Virtue is not solitary; it always has neighbors.”

I said, “Philosophy (and faith) is important.”

She replied, “Everything is important; nothing should be neglected.”

Indeed, philosophy cannot exist in isolation from life. Yet, a life without philosophy is merely "existing," not truly "living."

Philosophy is like a pair of scissors—it cuts away the noise and distractions, revealing your true self. Philosophy is also like a bottle of glue—it binds concepts together in the right layers and places, forming a coherent life system.

A flawed philosophy removes the essence and keeps the trivial, misplacing values. A healthy philosophy, on the other hand, nourishes the soul and draws strength from life.

Crafting a pair of scissors and preparing a bottle of glue is a highly personalized and iterative process. Most independent attempts end in failure. Only by seeking the wisdom of great souls from history or finding rare, insightful mentors can one hope to complete their scissors and glue within a few decades. The joy of life lies in this journey.