Nowadays, many people like to say: “Making the right choice is more important than working hard.” To be honest, at first I believed this too, and even thought it made a lot of sense.
 But after going through many stages in life, I slowly realized — things are not that simple.

Of course, making the right choice is important. But if you don’t put in the effort to act on it and push yourself, even the best choice might remain nothing more than imagination. Conversely, effort itself can lead you to different crossroads in life, helping you see clearly which path truly belongs to you.

Many times, we are easily influenced by external voices.
 People will tell you: “At your age, you should be doing this,” or “That’s the right path to take.” And over time, we become used to comparing ourselves to others. But once you start comparing, it’s easy to fall into anxiety, disappointment, and even start doubting whether you are “good enough.”

Fortunately, as I grow older, I’ve slowly learned to become more confident.
 Since I’ve loved reading from a young age, I’ve read many great books — and they’ve helped me realize something: Life can follow your own rhythm.

You absolutely can choose to live in a way that you truly enjoy. What matters even more is: within this limited life, make the effort to live your own version of brilliance.

I once read a book that had a line I will never forget: “In your own time, bloom your own flower.”

That sentence is beautiful.
 It reminded me: Time is mine, and I get to decide what to do with it. No need to care about what others consider “right” or “wrong,” and no need to force myself to meet anyone’s expectations.

Some flowers bloom in summer, some insist on blooming in winter. Others may not understand — but that’s their rhythm.

A flower blooms not necessarily to be seen by others;
 It gives off fragrance, not necessarily to attract anyone;
 It withers, not to please anyone.
 It simply wants to fulfill itself.

Isn’t life just the same?
 Each one of us is a flower.
 Making the effort to bloom, to become who we are — that is the true meaning of being alive.

So, is effort important? Of course it is. But what matters even more, is the effort to become a more honest, more upright, and warmer version of yourself.

Whether a flower blooms or withers — it can decide for itself. That’s the kind of life I want. And I am trying my best to become more honest, more upright, and more warm-hearted.

I know, sometimes I can’t do it perfectly — but at least I am aware of it. And it is precisely this awareness that teaches me to accept myself, and to keep trying, to live a life that is truly mine — unique and irreplaceable.

In the end, may every effort and every choice eventually come together, to form a more complete version of you.
 And may we all bloom our own flowers, in our own rhythm.

( Translated from the original Chinese text )

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