Can Letting Go Be the Key to Inner Peace?

The best way to protect yourself is to never overestimate your importance in the hearts of others. What can hurt you is not the ruthlessness of others, but the persistence of your own illusions. Know when to cut your losses. Don’t hope, don’t anticipate, don’t calculate—then you won’t be disappointed.

Deep love doesn’t last long, and wisdom may suffer. When the path is taken too quickly, the feet ache; when the mind is overburdened, the heart grows weary. What you think you’ll never forget might simply be forgotten when someone else turns away. It isn’t anyone’s ruthlessness that tortures you, but the imaginary expectations you’ve long held onto.

People's hearts are not commodities traded at equal value. You can never truly know what you mean to another person. The more you overestimate your importance in their life, the greater your hopes—and the greater your disappointment. When expectations go unmet, the harsh reality can be chilling.

Whoever you care too much about becomes your master. What catches the eye is only scenery, but what reaches the heart is life. You can't keep people who want to leave; you can’t wake those who pretend to sleep, and you can't move those who don’t care for you. Those who drift away are simply on a different wavelength, while those who grow closer are the ones worth keeping.

The meaning of life lies in the mutual illumination we bring to each other. Love, but don’t let love become a burden. Sing and dance together, but remain independent.

Life has never existed apart from loneliness. Whether we are born, grow up, fall in love, succeed, or fail, loneliness lingers in life’s corners like a shadow. Ultimately, you must walk your path alone. Each of us has our own journey, and you cannot ask others to live according to your expectations, nor can they ask that of you. This is true for friends, lovers, and family.

Let relationships and distances unfold naturally; let love and hate flow freely. Take things lightly; don’t overly concern yourself with others’ opinions, and stop giving out unreserved enthusiasm. Cherish all unexpected encounters and look at farewells without resentment. Only by letting go of obsessions can we find peace, and only by releasing expectations can we avoid hurt. If you don’t hope, anticipate, or expect, you won’t be disappointed.

In the vast independence of heaven and earth, the breeze sprinkles orchid snow. When your heart is strong, loneliness doesn’t intimidate you; when you can stand on your own, you worry less about gains and losses. You face everything with calm and confidence. In the end, you will be grateful to your resilient self for always being there.

Don’t overestimate your place in others’ hearts, nor underestimate the self-serving nature of human tendencies. Accept human complexity and embrace life’s intricacies. Cultivate a balanced heart; be simple, kind, and diligent, so every day can be both happy and meaningful—not for others, but for yourself.

Thank you for reading!