Mothers have the huge influence, and I feel like they're always teaching us from the day we're born what to be afraid of, what to be cautious of, what we should like and what we should look like. Then we spend half of our life trying to be not like them, and then we reach another part of our lives where we see these things we can't get rid of.
Amy TanWhen you already believe something, how can you suddenly stop? When you are a loyal friend, how can you no longer be one?
Amy TanDon't think too much. That makes you believe you have more choices than you do. Then you mind becomes confused.
Amy TanWise guy, he not go against wind. In Chinese we say, Come from South, blow with wind -- poom! -- North will follow. Strongest wind cannot be seen.
Amy TanAnd now I also see what part of me is Chinese. It is so obvious. It is my family. It is in our blood.
Amy TanWhat is true about a person? Would I change in the same way the river changes color but still be the same person?... And then I realized it was the first time I could see the power of the wind. I couldn't see the wind itself, but I could see it carried water that filled the rivers and shaped the countryside.
Amy Tan