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Seasons come and go, flowers bloom and fade, and time slips away
without a trace. Some people revel in the melancholy of spring and autumn, while
others savor the present moment. What we should do is cherish everything we have
now and learn to be content in order to find lasting happiness.
Being discontent often leads to sorrow. There is a saying: "The heart is
insatiable, like a snake swallowing an elephant." The snake suffers the most
from this act, just as a person who only focuses on what they lack will only
feel frustrated and seek unnecessary trouble. The pursuit of fame and fortune
has always been a dream for many people. Initially, they sought these things to
bring themselves happiness, but in the process, they lost their true joy. Even
if they eventually achieve fame and fortune, they remain unhappy. Why go through
all that trouble? Many people forsake family and friendship in the pursuit of
fame and fortune, only to realize later that these are the most important
aspects of life. However, by then, they are gone forever, and all they can do is
lament their loss. Being discontent often leads to sorrow, so we should avoid
being discontented, or else we will only regret it in the end.
Being content leads to happiness. Take a moment to appreciate what you have, and
you will learn to be content and find happiness. Tang Bohu once wrote, "Not
seeing the tombs of the heroes of the Five Ridges, I weed my fields without
flowers or wine." Despite missing out on a career in the imperial court, Tang
Bohu did not feel sorrowful; instead, he found joy in his simple rural life. "I
gambled away my books and enjoyed a cup of tea, thinking it was just an ordinary
day." Nalan Rongruo's tranquil life intoxicated him, as he was satisfied with
such a lifestyle, and thus he was happy. Su Shi's "A cloak in the misty rain, a
carefree life" left people in awe. Despite facing setbacks in his career, he did
not excessively lament his circumstances but instead reached such a broad-minded
and optimistic state. How could one not admire him? Do you remember Liu Sanbian,
who was ordered to write poems? When the emperor said, "Just go and sing with a
light heart, why seek fame?" that one sentence immediately ended Liu Yong's
official career. He experienced sorrow and despair, but in the end, he chose to
accept the fate's arrangement and sang lightly in the humblest of places,
pursuing his inner calling. The imperial court lost only a minor official, but
it created two great poets of the Song Dynasty, brightening the literary scene
and illuminating the future of Song poetry. Instead of constantly focusing on
what you lack, consider what you possess, and you will find happiness.
Life is like a dream, and to have a good dream, we must carry a smile and
appreciate what we have, such as family and friendship. If you understand how
many precious things you possess, how could you not be happy? |
