How to Understand Life

Life is nothing but a bundle of time. Open any biography of an ancient Chinese figure—say, Jia Xu—and what do you see? 147–223. That span is his entire life.

Do most people love their lives? The truth is, most are afraid of death and cling to safety. But do they love time? Hardly.

It's a contradiction. Thousands of years ago, the Daoists already noticed it: people desperately fear dying—mortals seek longevity, Qin Shi Huang chased immortality—yet on the other hand, they recklessly squander their lives.

People either dwell in the past, regretting, "If only I had done this or that," or they fantasize about the future, wondering, "How can I rise above the masses?" Very few know how to abide in the present moment.

What's there to hold onto in the present? Scroll through short videos, check out some pretty girls, and just like that, it's gone. These fleeting, moment-by-moment nows are precisely what make up your entire life.

How you live is clearly decided by yourself. The present moment is your life itself.