From childhood through adulthood, we are shaped by one relentless message: “You must stand out — you must be better than everyone else. That is the only measure of success.”
And so our minds grow tense from an early age — always afraid of being overtaken, terrified of falling behind, haunted by the fear of being left out.
But as you truly mature, you come to understand that excellence takes two forms: overcoming others, and overcoming yourself.
The path of overcoming others is one of endless toil. The sky above the sky has no ceiling — there will always be someone higher, stronger, further ahead. This relentless comparison has no finish line.
And when your entire mind is fixed on surpassing others, you will inevitably meet an opponent you simply cannot overcome — and in that moment, your will collapses. Your life is consumed by anxious, exhausting ambition, and nothing is left.
The path of overcoming yourself, by contrast, is the truly healthy and lasting way — the path that ultimately brings both achievement and happiness in balance.
As someone walking this path, keep three things clearly in mind: comparison, rankings, vanity.
Gain one of these, and you suffer. Gain all three, and you decline.
So — stop measuring yourself against others. Instead, draw from others their experience and wisdom. Use only your yesterday-self as the reference point for your growth.
And do not rush. Do not scatter your attention. Learn to move through each challenge with steadiness — to overcome each difficulty, one at a time.
Slowly, you will discover that “striving naturally, going with the flow while still moving forward” is the most comfortable state in the world.
You will become positive and optimistic. Your mind will open and breathe freely. You will meet whatever comes with calm acceptance, free from the weight of suppression and pain.
This kind of beautiful growth — this is Master Chi’s true hope for you.