In one's lifetime, there are three stages.
- The first stage is when one is ignorant but confident. They take enthusiasm as their support and naivety as their weapon, believing that human hearts are always gentle.
- The second stage is when one is confused but stubborn. They keep going despite hitting a wall, and persist even when they have suffered losses. They are tough on the outside but soft-hearted on the inside. They refuse to accept defeat even when they suffer losses.
- In the final stage, you finally understand human nature and live in a clear understanding of life. But you are also old.
This is the most ironic part of life - the moment you truly possess wisdom, you have no time or energy to live it all over again.
The complexity of human nature is the root cause of all harm.
When we were young, we thought the world was either black or white, and we believed that good people would get good rewards and bad people would always face retribution.
But what about the reality?
You have witnessed honest people being bullied, and kind-hearted people being taken advantage of;
you have seen bad people evading justice and smiling more brightly than anyone else.
Later, you finally understood that this world is not black and white; it's about balancing interests. Human nature is complex. It can be noble or selfish. It can turn against someone over a little benefit, and it can pretend to be enthusiastic over a matter of interest.
You learned not to believe easily, not to be assertive, and not to be overconfident. But precisely at the time when you learned these things, You don't have much of your youth left to waste.
When you were young, you cared too much about others' feelings and neglected your own.
- Have you ever stayed up crying and repeatedly begged for forgiveness because of someone who wasn't worth your time?
- Have you ever been in the workplace, used as a pawn by others and still being grateful for their "appreciation"?
- Have you ever forced yourself to fit into uncomfortable relationships just to be accepted by others?
Back then, you didn't understand human nature. You always believed that "being kind to others" would make others "remember your kindness". You regarded "giving" as your trump card and "kindness" as your bargaining chip. But in the end, you discovered that you were the one being looked down upon.
- What you thought was affection was actually your own heartfelt action;
- you gave your all, but others just took it for granted.
Human kindness is as thin as paper, while reality is as cold as frost.
You no longer expect anyone to remember that you once helped them, nor do you insist that anyone understand the pain in your heart.
But at that time, time had left its marks on your face.
You began to be afraid of the cold, afraid of illness, and afraid of having no one to accompany you.
"To live with clarity is earned through a life of messy trivialities."
Living with clarity is achieved at the cost of all the trivial matters.
Why do people become mature?
It's not age that makes you grow up; it's disappointment that pushes you towards enlightenment.
It's not books that teach you about human relationships;
it's the realization of coldness and warmth that teaches you to see through people's hearts.
You finally understand: Don't take anyone too seriously, nor underestimate yourself;
- Some relationships are best left at a polite level;
- Some situations are better left uninvolved.
You finally learned the four words "stop when enough is enough" - do less, leave more room. Speak less, do more of what you love.
You no longer want to please anyone. Even explanations are too much for you to bother with.
You finally transformed from a "overly concerned person" into someone who "keeps silent when it's not necessary".
But at this point, your knees began to ache, your memory started to decline, and your youthful vigor gradually faded away. You can see clearly and think deeply, but you no longer have the strength to fight on.
The deepest maturity lies in peace in solitude.
As life comes to its end, the most important lesson is to learn to live in harmony with oneself. You no longer complain, no longer compete, no longer rely on anyone to affirm you. You understand:
- Loneliness is not a punishment; it is a state of clarity.
- Silence is not weakness; it is a sense of confidence.
- Stillness is not the absence of words; it is wisdom.
At this moment, you have finally truly understood everything.
But you are also getting old.
The truly remarkable people never regret.
Yes, there will be regrets.
We all once hoped to understand things sooner, to mature earlier. To understand human nature earlier, to make fewer mistakes, and to live in harmony.
But life is like this: The hardships and injuries that should be endured cannot be avoided; you can only endure the pain while learning, and awaken while falling down.
it doesn't matter.
If you have finally understood the truth of human nature and have also figured out how to live your life properly now - then your life, although it has aged, has finally "come to a realization of living well".
The most terrifying thing in life is not taking detours, but continuing to go down the wrong path when one is old.
May we all be able to live in our old age with confidence, dignity and respect.
