The Power of 'Taru wo Shiru' in Pursuit of Ambitious Goals

Even though we exert our best efforts to achieve our aspirations, the outcomes sometimes fall short of expectations, particularly for those with lofty ambitions. During such times, when our emotions shift from joy to sorrow, we find ourselves unable to escape stress, much like the anxiety induced by fluctuating stock prices. Psychologically, the essence here corresponds to Lao-tze’s concept of “Taru wo shiru” in Japanese, which can be directly translated as “Knowing contentment” or more loosely interpreted as “Being content with what you presently possess.” If we consistently remind ourselves of this concept when outcomes disappoint, we can maintain a state of tranquility and spare ourselves from being overly distressed by minor setbacks. By doing so, we can naturally foster a sense of gratitude, even when we achieve outcomes that were not as initially envisioned.

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