A kingfisher in a Zen temple sought a safer place and built its nest on an unreachable seaside rock, only to be swept away by the waves days later. The Zen Master said: "If you hold enmity in your heart, you will find enemies everywhere."
Finding work that utilizes your strengths is the key to achievement. It is unwise to compete for unsuitable positions out of vanity or other motives; one should approach work with a calm mind.
Miss someone in your own way; accept that no one can accompany you forever; see through the essence of humanity—beyond selfishness and change, there is an inescapable loneliness; acknowledge that everyone is an independent entity, a mere speck in the vast universe; realize that the most precious things are not always by our side; believe that as you walk through layers of solitude, paths will unfold before you.
We often have expectations for good friends, believing they will stay forever. However, as paths and circumstances diverge, even if we remain in contact, we can never return to the best of times. Losing someone is painful, and the memories often linger. We tell ourselves not to be too emotionally invested to avoid hurt, but is that truly possible?
Do not dwell on a friend's flaws, reveal their secrets, or hold their mistakes against them. Those who flatter you with sweetness are not true friends; those who offer honest advice are. True friendship does not demand anything in return, but rather seeks to do everything possible for the other. True friendship is rare, and equal friendship is even harder to find.