How should I respond to the actions of others? With love. Love is the key that opens people's hearts, and it is also the shield that protects me from the arrows of hatred and the spears of anger. Love softens setbacks, making them gentle as spring rain. In the arena of life, love is my amulet: when I am lonely, it gives me support; when I am desperate, it invigorates me; when I am elated, it calms me. This love grows stronger day by day, becoming more protective, until one day I can face all beings naturally and with equanimity.
I deeply believe that everything has its cause and effect. Good deeds bring good rewards, and evil deeds bring evil consequences. Sometimes, the consequences have not yet manifested simply because the time has not arrived. Therefore, when I encounter people who hate, envy, slander, or even harm me, I am unwilling to retaliate with tooth for tooth or eye for eye. I reflect that “one cannot escape the consequences of their own wicked deeds.” Since natural karma exists, why should I harm them? I only feel pity for their heavy karmic obstacles and shallow roots of goodness, and I feel ashamed that I lack the virtue to influence them or the ability to save them!
In the journey of life, perfection is merely a vision, a wish deep within our hearts. For some things, if we have applied our heart and done our best, even if they are not perfect, they are still beautiful. For some emotions, if we have cared and strived, even if they are not flawless, they are still pure. On the path of life, there are moments of brilliance, but most is plain. We must walk the road of life ourselves and handle matters ourselves. It is within this ordinary life that we enact our existence, without regret, continuing to move forward.