In all one's life time it is oneself that one
spends the most time being with or
dealing with. But it is precisely oneself
that one has the least understanding of.
When you are going upwards in life you
tend to overestimate yourself. It seems
that everything you seek for is within
your reach; luck and opportunities will
come your way and you are overjoyed
that they constitute part of your worth.
When you are going downhill you tend
to underestimate yourself, mistaking
difficulties and adversities for your own
incompetence. It's likely that you think
it wise for yourself to know your place
and stay aloof from worldly wearing a
mask of cowardice, behind which the
flow of sap in your life will be retarded.
To get a thorough understanding of
oneself is to gain a correct view of
oneself and be a sober realist --
aware of both one's strength and
shortage. You may look forward
hopefully to the future but be sure not
to expect too much, for ideals can
never be fully realized. You may be
courageous to meet challenges but
it should be clear to you where to
direct your efforts. That's to say so
long as you have a perfect knowledge
of yourself there won't be difficulties
you can't overcome, nor obstacles you
can't surmount.To get a thorough
understanding of oneself needs
self-appreciation. Whether you liken
yourself to a towering tree or a
blade of grass, whether you think you
are a high mountain or a small stone,
you represent a state of nature that
has its own raison d'etre. If you
earnestly admire yourself you'll have
a real sense of self-appreciation,
which will give you confidence.
As soon as you gain full confidence
in yourself you'll be enabled to fight
and overcome any adversity.
To get a thorough understanding of
oneself also requires doing oneself
a favor when it's needed.
In time of anger, do yourself a favor
by giving vent to it in a quiet place
so that you won't be hurt by its flames;
in time of sadness, do yourself a
favor by sharing it with your friends
so as to change a gloomy mood into
a cheerful one;
in time of tiredness, do yourself a favor
by getting a good sleep or taking some
tonic. Show yourself loving concern
about your health and daily life.
As you are aware, what a person
physically has is but a human body
that's vulnerable when exposed to the
elements. So if you fall ill, it's up to you
to take a good care of yourself.
Unless you know perfectly well when
and how to do yourself a favor,
you won't be confident and ready
enough to resist the attack of illness.
To get a thorough understanding of
oneself is to get a full control of
one's life. Then one will find one's life
full of color and flavor.
