A worried businessman went to see a wise old man. “Sir, I urgently need your help. Though I am wealthy, everyone treats me coldly. Life feels like a battle full of deceit and struggle.”
“Then stop fighting,” the old man replied. The businessman was confused by this advice and left disappointed. In the following months, his mood worsened, he quarreled with everyone around him, and made many enemies. A year later, he was exhausted and no longer had the strength to compete with anyone.
“Sir, I no longer want to fight with anyone. Yet life still feels so heavy—it’s truly a burdensome weight.”
“Then put the burden down,” the old man said. The businessman was furious at this answer and stormed off.
In the next year, his business suffered setbacks, and he eventually lost all his possessions. His wife left with the children, leaving him poor and alone. He once again sought advice from the old man. “Sir, I now have nothing left; my life is filled only with sorrow.”
“Then stop being sorrowful.” The businessman, expecting this answer, neither felt disappointed nor angry this time. He stayed in a corner of the mountain where the old man lived. One day, he was overcome with grief and wept loudly—days, weeks, even months of crying. Finally, his tears ran dry. He lifted his head, and the warm morning sun shone over the land. He then returned to the old man.
“Sir, what is life really?” The old man looked up at the sky and smiled: “A new day begins when you wake; haven’t you noticed the sun rises every day as usual?”
Philosophical Insight: Is life heavy or light? It all depends on how we perceive it. Life brings many troubles; if we cannot let go, they follow us like shadows, making life a burdensome weight. “A new day begins when you wake; the sun rises every day as usual.” Letting go of worries and sorrows, life can actually be this simple.
