In today's world, filled with appearances and disguises, a sentence by Bi Shumin shines like a beam of light, piercing through the fog: "No matter how beautiful the dyed color is, it will eventually fade over time. Only the natural color will never change." On the surface, this sentence seems to describe the durability of color, but in essence, it profoundly touches on the nature of life and existence: external embellishments may temporarily add brilliance to life, but only the inner essence is truly enduring. This reflection concerns not only the individual but also society, and even our approach to life and pursuit of values.
In life, we are often attracted by various "dyed" things. Whether it is material abundance, external appearances, or fleeting honors and achievements, these superficial "colors" often captivate us. People pursue luxury cars, grand houses, dazzling titles, and seemingly noble lifestyles, as if these external halos can bring eternal value to life. However, as time passes and these external embellishments gradually fade, people realize that what truly determines the meaning of a person's life is their inner talents, qualities, and spirit. Just as the saying goes: "Over time, dyed colors will fade, but the natural color will never change."
Superficial things are always temporary. Just like the blooming of flowers, although they bloom beautifully in spring, once the flowering period is over, they can only gradually wither away with the passage of time. Many people in life often overly focus on external success and superficial achievements, mistaking fleeting brilliance for eternity. For example, in the workplace, many people strive to showcase their most glamorous side to obtain higher positions and salaries. They post exquisite life photos on social media, seeking external recognition and applause, enjoying the vanity and satisfaction that comes with it. Such "dyeing" makes life seem colorful, but in reality, it is as fragile as flowers.
However, flowers will eventually wither, and prosperity will fade. When these external decorations slowly disappear, what remains is only emptiness and loss. Those who excessively pursue appearances will eventually realize at some moment that everything they relied on was merely ephemeral. The brilliance of these "dyed" things may have illuminated their lives for a moment, but when everything comes to an end, the emptiness within becomes even more apparent. This is why many people feel confused and uneasy even after achieving so-called "success." They mistakenly take appearances for essence, neglecting the true core of life.
In contrast, there is the "natural color," which refers to the inner essence and the unique character and abilities of an individual. This "natural color" is not only irreplaceable but also transcends the limitations of time, becoming the true pillar of life. We can see that those who achieve outstanding accomplishments in fields such as art, science, and literature often do not succeed through external embellishments. They leave eternal marks in their respective fields because of their inner talents, perseverance, and loyalty to themselves. For example, Van Gogh, whose works were not widely recognized during his lifetime, created stunning paintings driven by his love and pursuit of art. Although he did not enjoy glorious honors in the world, his inner colors remained brilliant and ultimately transcended the limitations of time, illuminating countless hearts.
The natural color not only refers to a person's talents and abilities but also relates to their character, beliefs, and perseverance. Throughout the long river of life, many external conditions will constantly change, but only those inner qualities can become our shield in the face of storms. Qualities such as honesty, kindness, courage, and perseverance cannot be replaced by external things. A person's external environment may change over time, but their character and inner cultivation can remain consistent. This is why we often see some people, after experiencing various hardships in life, can still maintain optimism, resilience, and warmth. Because what they rely on is not external support, but inner strength.
But how can we maintain our "natural color" in this world full of "dyeing"? This is undoubtedly a question worth pondering. In modern society, facing various external temptations and pressures, how to maintain oneself and not be swept away by trends is a challenge everyone must face. First, we need the ability of self-awareness. Everyone has their unique colors and talents, which do not need to be confirmed by external recognition. We need to engage in self-reflection to truly understand ourselves and find our innermost genuine desires. Only when we recognize our inner value can we avoid being disturbed by external noise.
Secondly, cultivating inner strength and character is crucial. We need to focus on those qualities that can truly bring lasting happiness, such as perseverance, patience, and kindness. These qualities may not shine brightly like external success, but they can lay a solid foundation for our lives. Through the little things in daily life, we can gradually cultivate these qualities, and they will support us when facing various difficulties in life.
Finally, we should selectively treat external "dyeing." External success and honors are not entirely without merit; they can add brilliance to our lives, but the premise is that we cannot rely entirely on them. We can enjoy the beautiful things brought by the outside world, but we must also remain vigilant and not let ourselves be deceived by these appearances. We need to constantly remind ourselves that what is truly important often lies deep within, rather than in the clamor of the outside world.
Bi Shumin's words tell us that the true value of life lies in our inner talents and qualities, not in those external halos and embellishments. Just as flowers will wither, strings will break, the external brilliance will eventually fade, but the inner essence can always accompany us, becoming the eternal light in our lives. Whether in times of prosperity or adversity, only those things that truly belong to us can accompany us through every challenge and test. Therefore, in this world full of "dyeing," learning to uphold our "natural color" is undoubtedly the most important lesson for each of us in the pursuit of happiness and success.
We are often attracted by external brilliance, yet forget that what can truly last is often the invisible, inner strength. No matter how time passes, no matter how the environment changes, those inner essences that belong to us are the most precious treasures we have in this world.
图片源于网络