Maturity is a bright yet unglamorous light, a mellow yet unpiercing sound, a composure that no longer pleads with the world, and a height that is not steep. Only those who strive for perfection in art can continuously progress, and those who are meticulous in work can be entrusted with great responsibilities. Maturity does not mean being slick or worldly; knowing the ways of the world without being corrupted by them is true, kind maturity.
An elegant life nourishes composure and tranquility. You can race ahead of time, but do not race ahead of your peaceful heart. Ultimately, the scenery of life is the scenery of the soul. If the heart is anxious, the spirit wanders, the mind is unsettled, and the view fades; no matter how far you travel, life will lack charm. The environment may be chaotic, but the heart must remain calm; one can work with haste, but the heart must not be rushed.
Some say the longer one waits in expectation, the more happiness one receives. Indeed, in endless darkness, only expectation can lead you out. Be a messenger of peace, bringing news of safety; be a Santa Claus, distributing joy; be an angel of love, spreading happiness; be like a Bodhisattva, manifesting in whatever form is needed to save others; gather a ray of sunshine to brighten a life; build a chimney to disperse endless sorrows; pluck a white cloud to scatter joyful snow; dig a pond to collect the raindrops of happiness.
People living in civilized cities often complain about the hardships of life. Solving these hardships is easy: look at the bitter lives in impoverished countries, and your so-called "hardships" will suddenly vanish without a trace.
Human relations are a natural part of life. One should be charitable and skilled in social interaction; "not lighting incense until an emergency arises" is a failing strategy. Much like a bank deposit, the more emotional goodwill you store, the greater the dividends will be over time. The more a person possesses and occupies, whether in material or intellectual terms, the more confused their heart becomes.
