“The Old Man’s Seven Realizations” (by Zhao Puchu) is worth reading!

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【Introduction to Mr. Zhao Puchu】Zhao Puchu (1907–2000) was a renowned writer, poet, calligrapher, and Buddhist figure. He served as the president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, vice president of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, as well as director, vice director, and honorary director of the Central Advisory Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and the Central Committee of the Minjin Party. He was also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. I am now in my seventies, and I have seven insights; I write them down to share with my fellow elders as an encouragement. I. Being alive: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west; every day spent in life is one less day left. Live one day, enjoy one day. Have fun one day, earn money one day. II. Happiness: High positions are not as good as high salaries; high salaries are not as good as a long life; and a long life is not as good as happiness. As long as you’re happy, that’s enough; happiness is real money, while everything else is at best just a check. III. One’s own: Status is temporary, honors are from the past, and health belongs to oneself. IV. Differences: Parents’ love for their children is infinite, while children’s love for their parents is limited ； When children are sick, their parents worry greatly; when parents are sick, their children are satisfied with simply asking about them and checking on them ； It’s acceptable for children to spend their parents’ money, but it’s not so straightforward when parents spend their children’s money ； Parents’ home is also the children’s home, but the children’s home is not the parents’ home. What’s different is just different. Wise people regard their efforts for their children as an obligation and a pleasure, without expecting anything in return; those who expect repayment are only creating trouble for themselves. V. Who to rely on: Who to turn to while recovering from illness? Relying on children; in times of illness, there are no filial sons by the bedside ； Relying on one’s spouse, who is busy taking care of themselves and unable to help ； One can only rely on money to fund treatment. VI. Nostalgia: Often thinking of the little while forgetting the much; health and longevity come in abundance ； In old age, one remains strong and vigorous; the world seems vast and open, with green mountains, pines, and willows everywhere. VII. Confronting death: Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws; everyone is equal in this regard. One must be mentally prepared – when the gods send their messengers to call one, with no attachments or words left to say, one simply needs to follow them.