Is Your Kindness Your Shield or Your Sword?

A mirror can reflect a person's image, but it can never show their heart. Every relationship is valuable only as long as it truly serves you.

Don't dwell on the past; people change, and no one ever stays the same. Never let honesty and kindness be your only bargaining chips. While everyone appreciates honest people, they don't always respect them. Being kind, by itself, is often useless; you must strive for excellence.

Be sociable when the situation calls for it, and embrace solitude when it's needed. Don't be consumed by what others think. Don't fear losing anyone; instead, focus on those who remain. I once encountered a truly heartbreaking sentiment: "Being afraid of ghosts is so childish. Let me show you the human heart."

The abyss may have a bottom, but the human heart remains the most unpredictable. It feels as if actors surround me, each wearing a different mask. As you navigate life and gain more experience, you'll discover that genuine people are few, while insincere ones are abundant. Many are quick to add insult to injury, but few offer help in times of need.

Therefore, don't try to decipher people's true intentions. Don't overestimate your significance in the hearts of others. If you offer sincerity and don't receive it in return, simply walk away. If they can't reciprocate, they are the heartless ones. Disengage as soon as possible and avoid dwelling on it. These individuals are merely passers-by in your life.

Cherish those who are truly honest and sincere; they are life's true gifts. Don't cling too tightly to any relationship. Allow fate to guide its course. If a relationship is truly worth it, pursue it bravely and open your heart. If it's not, cut your losses in good time and let go gracefully. There's nothing to regret, nothing to complain about.

The greatest awakening for adults is realizing that you shouldn't over-consume yourself in any period of your life. Your attitude should reflect the other person's. Times change, people change, and along the way, we are no longer who we once were. Don't look back; keep moving forward. Often, people separate not because their feelings weren't deep enough, but because they are no longer a match.

Honesty and kindness can be your greatest strengths, but they should never be your weaknesses. The greatest evil of human nature is to bully the weak and fear the strong. Kind people are often praised but rarely respected. Your unreserved kindness can be met with unscrupulous ill-treatment from others, leaving you hurt.

We should be like roses, offering fragrance to others while using our sharp thorns to protect ourselves. One must possess the compassion of a Bodhisattva, but also the resolute means of a Vajra. Kindness should be measured, tolerance should have limits, and while you can be approachable, you must never be easily bullied. You need the upbringing not to harm others, but also the aura of not being harmed yourself.

For those who are greedy, who bully the weak and fear the strong, the best counterattack is to demonstrate your own strength. There is no greater skill than self-improvement. A person's confidence stems from their inner strength. Use the time you might spend trying to please others to improve yourself. When you become strong and excellent, you will naturally gain the respect and kindness you desire.

Don't overly concern yourself with other people's opinions or comments, and don't try to hold onto anyone. Don't be afraid of losing anyone; life is a solitary adventure. Those with a rich inner world will stand out, even when they are alone.

For the rest of my life, I will not gamble on fate, nor will I try to decipher people's hearts. Kindness must have an edge, and tolerance must have a bottom line. Calm yourself and continue to improve. Grow, learn when to advance and when to retreat, and know how to adapt. When you become good enough, what you truly desire will naturally come to you.

Thank you for reading!