It is often said that only about 10% of a person’s life is filled with happiness. The remaining 90% is spent doing ordinary things, working, studying, sleeping, eating and simply trying to get through the day. Life rarely pauses. It keeps moving, and in that constant flow, every person has to struggle in their own way.
And perhaps, it is through that struggle that people learn how to live better and even happier.
This thought came to me while reading To Live by the Chinese writer Yu Hua.
The Novel tells the story of Fugui, a wealthy young man who wastes his family’s wealth through gambling and gambling. Once surrounded by comfort and wealth he suddenly finds himself experiencing the harships of life. He thinks of committing suicide in despair, but he does not do so. In return, he understands life, experiences the value of life, and experiences the joy of living.
In the end, the book leaves us with a simple but powerful message:
You are alive.
As long as you are alive, as long as you keep moving through the dust of the world, you will eventually begin to understand the meaning of life.
In my opinion, this book will help some people who expect life to always be joyful, like celebrating a birthday every day. It is also for those who are lying down with their hands folded, waiting for happiness to come on its own, or for those who believe their current happiness will last forever.
To Live reminds us that life is not like that.
Life changes. Life tests us. Life takes things away.
“Human life is simply beautiful. Fight and fight. No matter how much you struggle, no matter how unsuccessful or unproductive you become, you just have to live.”
But it also give us something in return, the chance to continue living, learning, and understanding.
When I think about suffering, it seems that the two hardest things in the world are incurable illness an irreversible death. Compared to these, many of our everyday problems may not be as overwhelming as they first appear.
In the end, the way we experience life depends on our mindset.
It is your mind to turn your happiness into suffering and suffering into happiness.
And it is your choice.
