Life never fails those who silently grit their teeth.
When dark clouds loom overhead, some complain about the gloomy sky, while others bend down to tighten their shoelaces, preparing to push forward through the mud. Life doesn't deliberately make things difficult for anyone; those stumbling blocks are there to filter out those who are truly resilient and capable.
At the alley entrance, there's an old shoe repairman who has been running his stall for twenty years. These days, people throw away their shoes when they're old, and few people want to get them repaired, but the old man has never been perfunctory. Whether it's canvas shoes coming unglued or worn-out leather shoes, he repairs them meticulously, polishing them until they shine before handing them to his customers. He says, "If the shoes are repaired and the customer is comfortable wearing them, I feel at ease." This unwavering dedication in an inconspicuous corner, seemingly ordinary, embodies the most practical truth of life—those who do things conscientiously are never let down.
Instead of dreaming of getting rich overnight, it's better to live each day steadily and practically. The subway during rush hour is so crowded you can barely breathe. The young man with headphones looks like he's daydreaming, but his mind is actually rehearsing the presentation he needs to give that morning. The young woman whose rent was raised by her landlord cries in her rented room at night, but the next morning she still combs her hair neatly and goes to work full of energy. They never complain about how hard things are; they just force themselves to learn something new and do something small every morning when they don't want to get out of bed.
Like my cousin, who went to work in a big city after graduating high school. He carried bricks on construction sites, washed dishes in restaurants, and was so tired he'd fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. But he never gave up. While others played cards and chatted at night, he studied diligently, slowly earning several skills certifications. Later, he joined a decoration company, starting as an apprentice, and now he's a capable foreman. Those secretly accumulated efforts are like storing coins in a jar—silent most of the time, but when they accumulate, they become a heavy source of confidence.
When faced with difficulties, stubbornly persisting to the end isn't necessarily a skill; knowing when to adapt is true wisdom. When tasks pile up and you're frantically pulling your hair out, it's useless to rush and finish the most important one first, then deal with the rest one by one. If a water pipe suddenly bursts at home, arguing and complaining with your wife is pointless; quickly search online for how to turn off the valve, or call a repairman—taking action is the key. We should learn from the pothos on the windowsill; even with little sunlight, it strives to push its leaves towards the light. This will to live well is the most vibrant life force.
I also saw a woman riding her electric bike to take her child to school in the rain. She was soaked to the bone, but she wrapped her raincoat tightly around her child. She said, "As long as the child doesn't get wet, what's a little wetness to me?" There was also a man who ran a small restaurant. His business suffered losses during the pandemic, but he didn't give up. He turned to delivering packages. Every day, he braved wind and rain, but when he bent down to hand over a package, his back remained ramrod straight. Don't always complain, "Why should I suffer?" When you fall, dust yourself off and get back up. The losses and hardships you've endured will eventually become your armor.
The heaviest thunderstorms often signal that the sun is just around the corner. Those days of silently gritting your teeth, though seemingly unbearable, are actually building strength for the future. When the wind and rain stop, and you look back on your journey, you'll realize that it was those times of running against the wind that honed you into someone who shines brightly.
Life never fails those who are willing to work hard. Just keep working diligently, and time will give you the best answer.