Make a fish that swims in reverse

Author: Meng Xiangli / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Prejudice can also be an obstacle to success
As children, we all learned a lesson about a rich man in Song State who had a wall damaged by heavy rain. His son said, "If we don’t repair it, thieves will come to steal." The neighbor’s old man also said the same thing. That night, the rich man indeed lost many things. As a result, the rich man thought his son was smart but suspected the neighbor’s old man of stealing.
In this thought-provoking story, the rich man's "wise son, suspicious neighbor" attitude stemmed from prejudice. In fact, it’s not just this rich man in Song State; as we age, we unconsciously add layers of "outward garments" to ourselves: appearance, social status, money, and position. For example, some people believe that at 30, one must look like a 30-year-old; a manager must act like a manager; but what does a 30-year-old look like? What does a manager’s demeanor entail? The more such rigid and uncreative ideas exist, the less freedom you have.
Especially for those with extensive professional knowledge, it becomes even harder to break free from fixed stereotypes and easily develop prejudice. People with prejudice not only lack the spirit of research and verification but also tend to choose facts that confirm their beliefs, engaging in wild speculation and arbitrary conjecture. If they think something is right, it is right; if they believe something is wrong, others’ opinions are irrelevant.
People with prejudice easily fall into countless limitations, always accepting or following others’ teachings and lifestyles. They come up with numerous excuses and justifications, such as: "I don’t have the right conditions," "My education level isn’t high enough," "I’m too young," "I’m too old," "I lack talent," "I don’t have enough capital," and so on.
People with prejudice also lose their curiosity and ability to doubt. They gradually stop noticing any abnormal phenomena or asking "why." The harm they inflict on themselves is most evident in poor interpersonal relationships. No one wants to debate with them or waste time with them, so naturally, good opportunities never come their way. Over time, prejudice becomes a wall that isolates them from the outside world. The longer it stands, the higher it grows, like slow-motion suicide. Gradually, they shrink in a dark, desolate space, and in severe cases, they simply await the arrival of Death.
Prejudice is an obstacle to great achievements, and it is a stumbling block to success. Because prejudice limits our effective response abilities, narrows our vision, focuses only on existing facts, stifles creativity, prevents us from seeing the real problems, and restricts the exchange of information.
It is not easy for people with prejudice to let go of it, and the older they get, the harder it becomes. To eliminate prejudice, one must open their mind to accept others’ ideas and opinions. Although everyone has moments when they refuse to listen to others, if you are already in a closed state or trapped in an ego-driven mindset, you may be in great danger. We must always abandon our own prejudices.
Those who understand how to let go of prejudice have hearts as boundless as the ocean.
There is a cup that insists on holding 50% liquid—whether it’s coffee, tea, milk, or boiling water. Another cup remains completely empty. The difference between these two cups is that the first one can no longer hold any non-compatible liquids without deteriorating, while the second one can always accommodate any liquid—opportunities are within reach.
Adjust your mindset, break free from past boundaries, and you will discover a brand-new world.
P12-13