I happen to read a book called “what we can learn from dogs”. One line draws my attention: Being kind is more important than being important.
I have always been blessed with friendship. I deeply cherish my friends and feel very lucky that my friends seem to like me as well. Sometimes I think if I have to choose only one quality out of me, then “being kind& genuine” would be the quality I value most and I’d hope my friends love me for that.
Last evening a friend kindly advised me not to trust people too soon. He warned me that sometimes I could be taken advantage if I am not careful with what I say. (He didn’t believe that I have worked as a provincial government officer (gong wu yuan) in China for two years, because I sometimes seem to be as simple-minded as a college student.) I appreciate his sincerity and have given his comments some thoughts. He was not the first one to offer such advice. Other people, particularly my parents made similar observation of me in the past. Looking back, I remember times when I doubted my judgment and tried to put up a thicker wall around myself. But as I get older, I realize there are certain things one just cannot quit. I cannot force myself to be someone I am not. However, being able to protect and take care of oneself is indeed vital. Thankfully, after going through some self-brought upon trouble, sometimes even getting myself heartbroken, I have become wiser and stronger. I watched many TV court drama series lately. “Give someone the benefit of doubt” is an often-used expression when someone being gulity is in question. I suddenly thought, maybe we all should give others the benefit of doubt before there is evidence suggesting otherwise.
