Blindly worshipping authority often blocks the source of one's thoughts. In life, we frequently hear phrases like "so-and-so celebrity says" or "so-and-so expert says." While the opinions of celebrities and experts are important, blindly imitating them without thinking or letting them constrain your mind can lead you into a trap.
Water is gentle—transparent, colorless, and odorless. A babbling brook brings joy; raindrops falling steadily from eaves demonstrate the persistence of water piercing stone; the surging Yangtze River shows overwhelming power; and the vast ocean under dark clouds evokes a sense of boundless fear.
Every snub and every criticism you encounter will prove useful at some point. Even if you are unfairly criticized or find arguments futile, as long as your heart remains calm, your years will pass in peace. No suffering is in vain, and patience itself is a remarkable strength. Do not boast or quarrel; strive to be a learned person. Do not be empty or impetuous; strive to be a fulfilled person. Even as life wanes, grow old with elegance.
The more you care about something, the more it hurts; once you let go and view it calmly, the pain eventually fades. We often realize too late that understanding life is difficult, but knowing how to live it is even harder.
Why would someone pay a thousand yuan for a worn-out violin that was once worth only fifty cents? Because it has been tuned to play beautiful music. A person is much like a violin; your mindset is like the strings. Once your mindset is tuned, your full potential can be unleashed.
