Tolerance and Grit

In my spare time I like to go fishing. Gu Feng described his fishing experience in a poem, which reads, "In mist that veils the valley deep, by the stream where green bamboo and crimson flowers gleam, I stood in soft breeze, fishing in silence. At dusk, I heard rain drip upon the pavilion roof. At dawn, in blue robe, sheltered by my umbrella, I wandered alone along the stony path." Picturesque! Relaxing!

But I am not the poet. For me, the joy of fishing lies in the bite; without it, even the relaxing scenery can’t make me fully content. Fish are unpredictable. Some days I don’t catch any; on most days, two or three an hour is typical. But occasionally, the fish become wildly active. You cast your line, and they rush to bite, one after another, allowing you to catch dozens within a few hours. This kind of frenzy happens just once or twice a year. My passion for fishing stems mainly from the allure of such rare moments. The addiction, therefore, is in the anticipation. Miracles, after all, are rare.

This feeling is similar to what we experience in tango. The elegant venue, soft lighting, smooth dance floor, enchanting music, and beautiful attire - all are captivating, but without a good partner, they’re not enough. Then one night, unexpectedly, you meet someone whose height, skill, musicality, temperament, and demeanor align perfectly with yours. Like a match made in heaven, the two of you become instant pals, giving yourselves over to a dance that lets you savor both flawless cooperation and the freedom of solo expression. This experience transforms your view of tango, giving you a new way to appreciate the dance. From then on, you return to the dance floor week after week, hoping to relive that magical moment. But miracles in tango, as in life, come only by chance. In my fourteen years of dancing at countless milongas, I’ve had that experience only a few times. Yet it’s enough to keep me coming back, yearning to capture that feeling once more. Tango is the search for a dream. In reality, miracles are rare.

We often forget that imperfection is the norm in life. To truly enjoy life, we must cultivate a heart that can find beauty in the ordinary. Voltaire said: “What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of fragility and error; let us pardon each other’s folly - that is the first law of nature.”

At the same time, we all yearn to rise above the ordinary and become extraordinary. Excellence is the result of perseverance. Only by embracing the daily routines can we achieve greatness. So, let us encourage ourselves to be resilient. Miracles may follow - not by luck, but as a result of dedication. That is the second law of nature.