忙 & 息 - my 汉字 for 2008 and 2009

There is a practice around the world to choose a Chinese character that is representative for the year past.
The word chosen in Japan for 2008 is 变 (change), while in Taiwan is 乱 (chaos).

Let me choose one for my blog as well. It is 忙 (Busy)
The Chinese pictography for 忙 (Busy) is made up of two characters: 心 (heart) and 亡 (death). A heart that is dead.
It has been indeed a busy year - we were busily appreciating and later busily depreciating, all within 2008. A year of chaotic changes.

Let me choose the word for 2009. It is 息.
The Chinese pictography for 息 is made up of two characters: 自 (self) and 心 (heart).
I would like to propose two ways to understand it:

1. Courage

My first 息 has the meaning of Courage. (It is not the way we understand the word but I am playing with its Chinese pictography.)

Courage : cor, “heart”. cor : (anatomy) heart (figuratively) soul, mind ;

Many a time, we have been asked to encourage others.
En = give; Encourage = give courage.

So I must have courage to give courage.
What then is courage?
And where do I find my courage?

I cannot give you courage that I do not have. Or give you someone's else courage.
So to do so, I need to seek my heart to find, so as to give.
This is my first 息; 自(self) and 心(heart).


2. Sabbath

My second 息 has the meaning of Rest.

In the Bible (Luke 10:38-42) in the story of Martha and Mary. We ususally make a comparison of Martha and Mary, or Mary over Martha, or just focus on Martha, because many a times we are in the shoes of Martha.

How about Mary? Jesus commended Mary for sitting at His feet and listening to what He has said. We have imagined a position of bliss, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him, while Martha was busily preparing.

We also think does Mary really deserve the compliments of Jesus. Is it overrated? Is Jesus just in his compliments?

Is it so easy to be the position of Mary?
I think not.
Imagine having a VIP like Jesus at your home and his troop of disciple. What is the most sensible thing to do? Plus your sister in the kitchen staring at you.

What in Jesus that gave Mary the courage to rest in the joy of his presence?
What in Mary that gave Jesus so much joy to encourage her with the commend?

Likewise, , I need to seek my heart to find, so as to take.
This is my seoncd 息; 自(self) and 心(heart).