Better Few Misfortunes Than Great Blessings

Laozi said: "Good fortune is what ill fortune lurks within; ill fortune is where good fortune rests upon." Once a person has lived through some twists and turns in life, they will more or less come to agree with Laozi's view. Where good fortune arrives, disaster often follows close behind. Conversely, when a person meets with misfortune, it is also an important opportunity for self-reflection, for being tempered by life, and for being reborn. Therefore, when good fortune comes one need not rejoice but ought to be on guard; when misfortune comes one need not despair, but should instead cleanse one's heart and reform, reflect on oneself, and begin a new chapter of life.

I am nearly forty this year. My vain and glory-seeking youth is over; I have stumbled many times and suffered much hardship. Now I gradually understand that seeking blessings is not as good as avoiding misfortune. As long as the whole family is safe and sound, we can get by on food and clothing, and enjoy a quiet, peaceful life, that should be enough to be content. Thus seeking blessings is not as good as avoiding misfortune.

Of course, living in this world, all sorts of vicissitudes are unavoidable, and avoiding misfortune can only ever be a distant hope. To be cautious in all things and merely have fewer misfortunes is already quite good.