A slight smile when misunderstood is a mark of character; a calm smile when wronged is magnanimity; a happy smile when suffering a loss is equanimity; a self-deprecating smile in a predicament is wisdom; an optimistic smile in helplessness is a high state of being; a composed smile in danger is greatness; a peaceful smile when despised is confidence; and a light smile during a heartbreak is grace.
The wisdom of wealth: A million can buy a house for comfort; a hundred thousand might not buy a house, but it can buy a car for convenience; ten thousand might not buy a car, but it can buy a diamond ring for a lifetime commitment; one thousand might not buy a ring, but it can buy a watch to master time; a hundred might not buy a watch, but it can buy books to enrich the mind; ten might not buy books, but it can buy a bowl of noodles to satisfy hunger; and one might not buy noodles, but it can be given to a beggar to share love.
Another method is to bring your attention back to the present. If you observe your thoughts, you will find that what you think about is rarely the present moment; it is almost always focused on the past or the future.
Everyone is like a clown juggling five balls: work, health, family, friends, and soul. Only one of these balls is made of rubber and will bounce back if dropped—work. The other four are made of glass and will shatter if dropped. Therefore, while you should work hard, you must cherish your family, health, friends, and soul even more.
The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to focus all your wisdom and enthusiasm on making today's work perfect; this is the only way to cope with the future. The most pitiable aspect of human nature is that we always dream of a wonderful rose garden on the horizon, while failing to appreciate the roses blooming outside our windows today.
The gains and losses, successes and failures, prosperity and loneliness of life are but passing clouds. The only thing that stays with us throughout our lives, like a shadow, is our mood. As an irreplaceable wealth that accompanies you like breathing, your mood is your only possession that cannot be taken away. As a writer once said, "It is not easy to live a lifetime; being sad is living, and being happy is also living. Since we are living either way, why not live happily?" Life is like a dream, and no matter how long it is, it is only about a hundred years.
If there is a pile of apples on a table, people care not about the total amount, but how many they receive. If there is a pile of tasks in an office, people care not about the total workload, but how much extra they have to do. The world was originally simple, but it became complex due to interests. Human hearts were originally pure, but became tainted by the struggle for interest.
A light wind and thin clouds signify good weather; a calm and elegant demeanor signifies a good character. To be "light" means to be wise and graceful. There is no need for intensity to stand out; one can stand on their own with natural color and treat others with tolerance. Great joy or great sorrow exhausts one's vitality and invites resentment, which eventually disrupts harmony. It is best to be indifferent to what can be ignored and worry less about what must be addressed. Face the noisy world with composure. The most important thing in life is to maintain a pleasant mood. Living with a calm mindset allows troubles to vanish. By learning to enjoy the process, life becomes more joyful. In the philosophy of "giving and receiving": we gain friendship by giving smiles; greatness by giving tolerance; friends by giving honesty; reality by giving up face; freedom by giving up fame; a good reputation by giving charity; and peace by letting go.
I believe that hardships are not stumbling blocks; I only believe they once were. From the moment I fall, I will change them into stepping stones. Everything has two sides. Since hardship once blocked me, I will now change it. Hardships can remind me: they can guide me when I am weary, urge me when I am lazy, and encourage me when I am exhausted. Do not give up, until the moment you change them. If you believe, please try.
