Why do people change?

 　　Time is silent, yet it changes many things and proves many lies.

　　People change, from naive to mature, from simple to complex, from straightforward to cautious, from carefree to guarded.

　　Each of us is born a blank slate, but in the great dyeing vat of society, we are stained with too many colors that don't belong to us, wearing thick masks to conceal our true thoughts.

　　Before, if we fell, we would cry and wait for someone to help us up; now, no matter how many wounds we suffer, we remain silent, quietly tending to our wounds before moving on.

　　Before, we could give everything for the person we loved, regardless of the consequences; now, even if we love someone deeply, if there's no future, we'll choose to let go.

　　Over the years, we've changed, and the people around us have changed too. No one knows what those changes were caused by, what they've learned; all we know is that many changes are not voluntary.

　　Why do people change?

　　When a passionate person becomes silent, it's because they've been deceived;

　　when a sincere person becomes hypocritical, it's because they've been let down;

　　when a persistent person becomes indifferent, it's because their heart has grown cold…

　　Life is like this, so often beyond our control, yet so unavoidable.

　　When others encounter difficulties, you always try your best to help; when they take advantage of you, you always tolerate it. But in the end, your efforts go unappreciated, your tolerance doesn't earn you kindness, and instead, you're taken advantage of. Having encountered this too many times, I've finally learned to be ruthless.

　　Who doesn't want to always maintain kindness and simplicity? But this society tells us that if you don't change, you'll suffer, you'll be hurt.

　　People always like to bully the weak and fear the strong. If you're soft-hearted, they'll take advantage even more; when you harden your heart and treat them coldly, they'll respect you, even fear you. This is reality! In this world, nothing is immutable. With more experience, you inevitably change. But no matter how we change, we are all trying to protect ourselves, trying to struggle on in this cold and indifferent world.

　　Life is a long journey of self-cultivation. I learned resilience from falling down, and growth from being hurt. But no matter what I become, I will always be myself. The only difference is that I no longer say whatever comes to mind, nor believe everything anyone says. In truth, relationships are simple; they are warmed by a sincere heart. To treat others as you would like to be treated is to have a heart; to exchange hearts is to connect. Having seen through the fickleness of human relationships and the coldness of the world, I finally understand that many things are unimportant. I must live for myself, every single moment, for myself. For the rest of my life, I will not betray any passion, nor will I fawn over any indifference. I will walk on proudly, in my own way!