The joy of stealing time

 　　My favorite line from the Tang Dynasty poet Li She's poem "Inscribed on the Wall of Helin Temple" is the second half: "Passing by a bamboo grove, I met a monk and chatted; stealing half a day of leisure from this busy life." The poet, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the world, climbed a mountain and unintentionally chatted for a long time with a high-ranking monk. He found a rare moment of peace amidst the troubles of the world, something that made him very proud! Therefore, the poet used the word "steal," which I think is brilliantly chosen. It doesn't mean stealing someone else's belongings in the ordinary sense, nor does it harm anyone's interests. The poet simply secretly enjoyed a moment of leisure that others cannot.

　　I believe stolen time is the most comfortable, and I also have a habit of stealing time. I am a sensitive person, and I usually open my eyes at five o'clock in the morning. At that time, the sky is just beginning to brighten, and all is quiet. I open the window, and the first breath of air is fresh. At this time, I take out a book to read, either a book of ancient poetry or a collection of essays by a famous author. Because everyone else was still asleep, I felt like I was the only person in the world at that moment. My heart was exceptionally peaceful, and my thoughts could drift far away. I have a habit of writing, and at that time, inspiration would spring forth one after another, making my pen flow beautifully.

　　The poet Du Mu also wrote a poem called "The Basin Pond," which reads, "Break through the mossy ground, steal a piece of sky; white clouds rise in the mirror, the bright moon falls before the steps." A small basin on the ground can actually steal a vast expanse of sky into the poet's embrace—isn't that amazing? The "stealing" in this poem is similar in spirit to the "stealing" in "Inscription on the Wall of Helin Temple," both expressing the poet's noble state of mind when appreciating nature and the sense of pride in achieving this state.

　　In today's world, most of us are too busy to experience the feeling of "stealing." A few years ago, an online "vegetable stealing" game capitalized on this, becoming popular with people of all ages and genders for a long time after its release. I think the main reason this game is so popular is that it provides us with the pleasure of stealing at any time. During busy work hours, we can discreetly steal a virtual vegetable or a virtual fruit, without causing any real loss to others – that's a truly sophisticated form of enjoyment.

　　Stealing is a pleasure, and knowing how to steal is a form of wisdom.