Life can be broadly divided into four stages: the innocence of childhood, the passion of youth, the struggle of middle age, and the tranquility of old age. In the few decades we truly control, youth is immature and old age is calm, but it is during our prime that life is most brilliant. The struggle and tempering experienced during this period provide the foundation for the journey ahead.
As long as you are alive, there is hope. No matter how great the difficulty, it will eventually pass, as long as you believe in hope and miracles. The path to success is always filled with obstacles; to retreat is to fail. Successful people never surrender to fate; even when misfortune strikes, they fight back and refuse to give up.
Extraordinary individuals are rare, yet their lifespans are no longer than those of ordinary people. Therefore, they do not waste any time, striving instead to achieve great things within their limited years on earth.
Time is like a stone, and wisdom is like a knife. Wisdom only shines brightly after being sharpened by the passage of time. We are all "sharpeners," refining ourselves in the long river of time. Through diligence and focus, we can elevate our souls and lead a brilliant life; through negligence and laziness, we dull our edge and waste our years.
Experience is the ore of life, and life's vitality is released through the process of refining. Experience is essence; without experience, there is no quality of life. Experience is also accumulation; without accumulation, there is no wisdom in living.