money, money, and money

the version of me in my twenties believed that life had three missions: knowledge, lifestyle, and love. only after growing older did i realize that was not enough. because out in the world, the three words people worship most are money, money, and money. and it is strangely hard to explain to younger people that sometimes, becoming successful is not the hardest thing. becoming a decent human being is.

a friend once told me it is hard to remain gentle in life. because gentleness is not simply softness. it requires understanding. it requires depth. it requires a heart that has seen the ugly sides of people and still refuses to become ugly in return.

there are mistakes in this life that do not deserve forgiveness. there are wounds that should not be romanticized. so when someone remains gentle, it does not mean they are weak. it is because life has been unkind, and they decided not to become its mirror.

and to become that way, they must have paid a terrible price. life must have tested them enough times for kindness to become a decision.