Loving What You Wish For

When we accomplish our goals, we sometimes feel we enjoyed the process more than accomplishing the actual dream. Confucius brings us the idea that the dreams we really want aren’t for the economical benefit
they may bestow but more the process of following one’s passions, one’s loves. “If wealth were something worth pursuing, then I would pursue it, even if it meant serving as an officer holding a whip at the entrance to a marketplace. Since it is not worth pursuing, however, I prefer to follow that which I love.” (Pg. 20 7.12) People who really feel accomplished and joyful are probably those who not only enjoy the benefits they gain through their work (their paycheck, bonuses, healthcare benefits, vacations, discounts, other economical benefits) but doing the work they truly enjoy itself. If you do what you truly love, you will be probably become successful and happy.
The next problem would be choosing what we really love, especially if we love many things.

Optimism and a positive attitude is something that you acquire through life. I believe it comes from being able to listen and understand each event in your life and being able to extract something positive from it so you can apply it to your life. “When walking with two other people, I will always find a teacher among them. I focus on those who are good and seek to emulate them, and focus on those whom are bad in order of being reminded of what needs to be changed in myself.” (Pg. 21 7.22) Instead of prohibiting contact with evil, or just condemning it, Confucius teaches us to acquire the ability to extract all positive lesson from each life experience, even from evil. Having good judgment on what affects yours and other’s lives is something that will save one from a lot of pain and repetition. It will also help make your presence in others lives and your own more enjoyable and profound. If one is able to differentiate good from evil, one will be able to live an enriching life which will gain experience from each event and person. One will truly understand that we are all students and teachers of life for ourselves and for each other on a daily, minute by minute basis. We will then treat life, ourselves and each other with more intelligence, appreciation, gentle humor and kindness.