專四晨讀美文：Get a Thorough Understanding of Oneself

Get a Thorough Understanding of Oneself
In all one's lifetime it is oneself
that one spends the most time
being with or dealing with.
But it is precisely oneself
that one has the least understanding of.
When you are going upwards in life
you tend to overestimate yourself.
When you are going downhill
you tend to underestimate yourself.
To get a thorough understanding of oneself
is to gain a correct view of oneself
and be a sober realist-
aware of both one's strength and shortage.
You may look forward hopefully to the future
but be sure not to expect too much,
for ideals can never be fully realized.
You may be courageous to meet challenges
but it should be clear to you where to direct your efforts.
To get a thorough understanding of oneself
needs self-appreciation.
Whether you compare yourself
to a towering tree or a blade of grass,
whether you think you are a high mountain or a small stone,
you represent a state of nature
that has its own reason of existence.
If you earnestly admire yourself
you'll have a real sense of self-appreciation,
which will give you confidence.
As soon as you gain full confidence in yourself
you'll be enabled to fight and overcome any adversity.
To get a thorough understanding of oneself
also requires doing oneself a favor when it's needed.
In time of anger, do yourself a favor
by giving an outlet to it in a quiet place
so that you won't be hurt by its flames;
in time of sadness, do yourself a favor
by sharing it with your friends
so as to change a gloomy mood into a cheerful one;
in time of tiredness, do yourself a favor
by getting a good sleep or taking some stimulant.
Show yourself loving concern about your health and daily life.
Unless you know perfectly well
when and how to do yourself a favor,
you won't be confident and ready enough
to resist the attack of illness.
To get a thorough understanding of oneself
is to get a full control of one's life.
Then one will find one's life full of color and flavor.