One of life’s important lessons is when someone says, “Oh, you or we can’t do that”, you/we respond with, “Yes, let’s figure out how we can.” It might not turn out exactly as we envisioned, but it could guide us to a place where we can succeed. 
There’s more to life than living in fear of scarcity or feeling limited because we believe there isn’t enough for everyone or, worse, that we aren’t good enough.
It’s frustrating to feel held back from reaching our full potential simply because others view the goals we aim for as too far away or impossible. Where does the essence of human nature truly lie? Sometimes, it’s as simple as unraveling what seems to be a paradox and discovering it to be true.
Education and wisdom broaden our life opportunities, while chance remains rooted in our heart and nature. They enhance our language skills, making meaningful interactions smoother and more natural. This excerpt comes from the chapter “Endeavor and Destiny” in my adaptation of The Book of Lieh Tzu, titled My Travels with Lieh Tzu: Interpolations along the Way. It highlights both the paradoxes and our transcendence, which we are meant and destined to experience.
In Taoism, we strive to view things with a sense of inner balance, neutrality, and spontaneity. 
Before taking action, we are to recognize the underlying contradictions and patterns within our environment’s constant transformations, adapting our intent to their rhythm and natural flow.
Acting in unison with the vibrations that remain constant throughout our lives with virtue forever intact. The paradoxes we face often lead us to meaningful tasks, responsibilities, and ultimately, purpose.
Our actions are meant to flow naturally and align with our true nature. As multi-dimensional and multi-layered beings, we are attuned to eternal vibrations that we are meant to respond to and transcend or move beyond. Sadly, many fail to recognize their ultimate role, either unaware they exist, or we are unwilling to put in the effort.
Paradoxes often arise when something appears self-contradictory or absurd but actually reveals a possible truth. They can also refer to a person, thing, or situation with an apparently contradictory nature. A paradox might be a false, self-contradictory statement stemming from seemingly valid premises and logical reasoning. It can also occur when people act in unexpected ways contrary to what we assume they will do.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Six – Endeavor and Destiny
98. Living in Paradox
Always sensitive to the lessons that nature can teach us. As we are constantly reminded that there is no point in attempting to understand the will of Heaven or in measuring the benefit or harm of what we may do. What can be the point? 
Can Heaven’s love or hate be universally applied to all? Are we not taught that Heaven loves all of us? However, if this were the case would not everything be favored? What sense is this, how could it be so?
What can the Taoist mean when he says some value life but cannot preserve it? That some can take care of their body but cannot do it good. That neglecting the body cannot do it harm. How can this be? If life and death and good and harm come of themselves, what can be the purpose of discovering and coming to know one’s destiny?
If life’s events and our actions come of themselves regardless of how we come forward to meet them, then how can we attempt to understand or know where they will take us? Is not the true purpose of what has been said to allow us to question the norm, to begin to trust our own spontaneity? If we say that some value life but cannot preserve it, are we not simply saying that death is the natural outcome of life and cannot be prevented?
If we say that some who take care of their body cannot do it good, are we not simply saying that others can? 
If some may scorn life but cannot shorten it, then cannot another be able to do so? If some neglect their body to the point of harming their health, then cannot others do the opposite and not do so?
Are we not living in paradox? Questioning what is universally accepted so that we can discover nature within ourselves and the nature that surrounds us. Always questioning convention. Never allowing another to live our lives for us. Finding the true path and living simply to uncover the paradox that becomes us. 6/15/95
Number ninety-eight of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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