Adjusting the Heart: Allowing Loss, Embracing Impermanence
Living thoroughly, one realizes: “Good or bad, all becomes the past. Each mountain, each river, together form the journey. In this world, aside from life and death, nothing is truly significant. Time may remain silent, yet it answers all questions. Years may not speak, yet they bear witness to all sincerity. The most beautiful thing in this world is time, yet the most ruthless is also time. It witnesses all that is good and can take away everything. Life, in its comings and goings, truly does not have as much time as we think. There is only the impermanence of worldly affairs. Learn to cherish those around you, the scenes before your eyes, and the meals in your bowl.
The vicissitudes of life are not easy. Those who understand life may not realize how many layers they have shed in the journey of highs and lows, in order to rediscover themselves. But truthfully, throughout a lifetime, whether good or bad, everything becomes the past. Whether we let go or not, the outcome will not change significantly. The only difference is that by letting go, we gain a sense of lightness and joy; but if we cannot let go, we can only carry burdens and live joyless days. Throughout a lifetime, there are so many worthwhile and beautiful things waiting for us to discover and embrace. Why dwell endlessly on the past, inflicting endless torment and depleting ourselves?
Do not dwell on the past, for it has already passed; do not struggle with reality, for we still have to move forward. In reality, throughout our lives, we are merely transient passengers of time. What is there that cannot be let go? In the rise and fall of life, mindset is the greatest variable. When one’s heart is despondent, all thoughts turn to ashes; when one’s heart changes, all thoughts also change. Therefore, at all times, maintaining an optimistic and forward-looking mindset is more important than anything else. Do not lose a job and feel the world collapsing, do not fall ill and complain about one’s fate. In reality, in living, we will experience loss.
Many times, gaining may not necessarily be a blessing, and losing may not necessarily be a curse. Because loss only forces us to pause, reevaluate ourselves, and learn to grow, thus living as a better version of ourselves. Ma Weidu once said, “It was only after suddenly falling seriously ill that I realized, none of those things mattered. Whether I have a little less money doesn’t matter, whether my financial situation is free or not doesn’t matter, whether I have love or not doesn’t matter. What matters is my own existence, whether I can recover.” Time never speaks, yet it answers all questions; years never speak, yet they witness the changes of the world. The most ruthless thing in this world is time, as it destroys all that is beautiful; yet the most gentle is also time, for it takes away all that is not good and gives you something new. As long as you are still here, as long as you are healthy, as long as you believe in yourself.
As one reaches a certain age, the best way to live is to subtract from life. Less food leads to fewer ailments, fewer desires lead to less fatigue, fewer thoughts lead to less worry, and less comparison leads to less distress. In this age where anxiety often outweighs happiness, what truly heals us is inner peace and letting go. Life comes and goes, truly not as long as we think. Learn to be kinder to oneself and to those around us. The happiness we spend our whole lives pursuing is not elsewhere; it is all in the present. The scenes before our eyes, the meals on our plates, the people around us, and the matters at hand. Throughout a lifetime, being able to accompany what we love, having enough to eat and wear, being free from illness and disaster, having family in good health, a few close friends, is sufficient.”
