What should people do to determine the direction of their lives when they are confused and have no direction?
Some proclaim: One must strive, for effort can alter destiny. Yet others declare: Effort is futile; the paramount task is to transform one's mindset. Some advocate: Do not confine yourself to books alone; engage in practical pursuits. Conversely, some assert: Avoid blind experimentation; immerse yourself in theoretical learning. There exists a multitude of conflicting viewpoints daily, and it's believed that many have become lost amid the cacophony. As soon as one embraces a perspective, it is swiftly dismantled by another, leaving one bewildered about whom to trust. In Han Han's "No Man's Land," he articulates: Heard countless truths, yet still unable to navigate this life successfully. One cause is merely hearing without enduring action. Another cause is failing to recognize oneself; heedless endeavors incongruent with one's principles lead to suffering. Consider an introverted individual who thrives in solitude, suited for solitary, creative pursuits. Yet, if compelled to feign extroversion in salesmanship, engaging in social revelry, they would endure immense distress. Additionally, nutritionists advocate abundant consumption of vegetables and fruits for health benefits. However, for someone with a cold constitution, excessive intake exacerbates their condition. Hence, without self-awareness, adhering to certain principles and advice can prove detrimental. Aristotle once asserted: "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." Our urgent task is to comprehend ourselves, as nothing surpasses the importance of self-awareness. Recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses, capitalizing on unique talents, epitomizes a truly fulfilling life. Self-awareness serves as life's elixir, while ignorance of oneself acts as life's poison. A line from "3 Idiots" encapsulates it well: "Do you know why I'm ranked first? Because I love mechanics; engineering is my passion. Do you know your passion? Consider Michael Jackson's father forcing him into boxing, or boxing champion Ali's father insisting he sing. How terrifying are the consequences? Bruce Lee, in "The Tao of Gung Fu," also emphasizes: To alter our current state, we must first recognize our true nature. Whether it's presenting a superficial facade to appear unique or genuinely transforming within, without self-awareness, true change is unattainable. Ultimately, those who achieve self-realization are those with a profound understanding of themselves. Without self-awareness, one is akin to a headless fly, careening aimlessly with no direction. Life poses three crucial questions that demand answers: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I headed? Whoever can answer these three questions is a true philosopher. Tang Sanzang always says: "I, a monk, come from the East, Tang Dynasty, heading to the West to bow to the Buddha and seek scriptures." Undoubtedly, Tang Sanzang is an authentic philosopher. Many may dislike him, finding him verbose and seemingly lacking prowess, but he truly knows himself. He understands his purpose, harbors a steadfast goal, and eventually succeeds. However, for most of us, self-awareness is a formidable challenge. No one can fully comprehend themselves, and it's unrealistic to expect quick self-realization. Nevertheless, we can commence this journey by heeding the advice of comic artist Cai Zhizhong: Take two A4 sheets of paper; on the first, list what you like and dislike. On the second, detail your strengths and weaknesses. Then, select something you both like and excel at, pursue it relentlessly, and success is inevitable. Self-awareness is a lifelong endeavor, and we can take it one step at a time.