The harshest reality of society is that

San Francisco hosted an upscale meeting of 500 tycoons and politicians in 1995. The gathering prophesied that globalization's progress would significantly widen the wealth gap and intensify the social class conflict. To keep the poor in line, they devised a method: to continuously provide entertainment for the poor, much like giving a baby a pacifier. This is the renowned "pacifier theory."

Reflecting on real life, have you made this observation? 

Whenever you try to focus on something, various distracting factors emerge. While studying, you might itch to play a game, which results in hours passing by; or when starting work, you can't resist clicking on a short video and unknowingly spend half the day scrolling.

The essence behind these "pacifiers" is the "dopamine lure." Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that enables one to rapidly experience pleasure. However, like a cheap drug, it keeps individuals immersed in pleasure.

In contrast, endorphins require an individual to overcome inherent instincts, requiring a challenging effort. However, once obtained, the individual experiences tremendous satisfaction from self-improvement. The harshest aspect of society is that the poor are lost in the pleasure brought by dopamine.

Conversely, the rich continually strive for endorphins. What is the most valuable thing in the 21st century? It's time. Whoever can save someone else's time can gain that person's wealth. If someone's time is wasted, they are doomed to poverty because everyone's time is limited. If you invest your energy in self-improvement and skill enhancement, your value naturally increases significantly. But if you waste a lot of time on pleasure and entertainment, the time for personal growth will be significantly compressed, and silently, you'll be completely wasted.

"The most frightening thing that completely wastes a person is not poverty itself, but those silent temptations. These temptations slowly erode your mind, consume your valuable things, and eventually overthrow you into a useless person."

"In large cities, the way to ruin someone is very simple. Provide a quiet, cramped space, an internet connection, and preferably takeout orders. That's how you start the journey to ruin."

"These dazzling short videos, live streams, and games constantly trigger your dopamine secretion. An immediate surge results in immediate delight, while continuous secretion leads to continuous pleasure. When desire is controlled by this stimulation, you unconsciously become addicted. Gradually, you start ignoring the passing of time, becoming increasingly satisfied with the current state. When you spend all your time on enjoyment, you won't want to change your life anymore."

"Over time, you are destined to sink into the abyss of poverty, and it's hard to extricate yourself. A study by Harvard Business School revealed a stark contrast: the wealthy and elite class prefer additive forms of leisure, such as reading, learning, and exercising. Conversely, the poorer classes tend to gravitate toward consumptive forms of entertainment like playing mahjong, gaming, and watching soap operas. Different forms of entertainment shape entirely different destinies."

There was once a movie about the stock market maven Warren Buffett titled "Becoming Warren Buffett." In this film, Buffett didn't reveal any quick methods for becoming rich. He simply focused on consistent reading of books and newspapers. While the average person watched TV, he forced himself to read academic materials; when they played games, he absorbed the latest financial knowledge. While the ordinary person watched short videos, he diligently studied the most advanced wealth concepts. He woke up before 7 am daily, spending 5 to 6 hours reading various news and financial reports. His office had no computers or smartphones, only books on shelves and newspapers spread open behind him. Yes, renouncing low-level entertainment and persistently engaging in lifelong reading and learning were Buffett's secrets to success.

"Those who produce and design high-tech products never become addicted themselves; they always spend their time in more valuable pursuits."

Steve Jobs' children never used tablets; they spent weekends at home reading books and discussing history.

Observing the lives of the affluent, you'll find many wealthy individuals aren't lax but work diligently and persistently; even if their physique is already excellent, they maintain dietary control and a fitness regimen. Even with high educational qualifications, they continue to read and learn, continually enhancing themselves.

Why is this the case?

It's because the pleasure brought by dopamine is exceedingly cheap.

If you become engrossed in the pleasure of lower levels, no matter how much wealth you have, it will deplete with every comfortable experience.

In contrast, obtaining endorphins is painful but powerful, and strong individuals are eager to conquer.

You must continually force yourself to engage in valuable yet painful tasks, executing those monotonous yet meaningful duties.

Only through this can you firmly control wealth and achieve a worry-free life. Aristotle once said, "Compared to the pleasures pursued by animals, humans should pursue higher-level and greater happiness."

Dopamine represents animalistic pleasure, but over time, it will only consume your time, rendering life meaningless. Endorphins, on the other hand, are the reward after pain, requiring significant effort from you but can bring about revolutionary changes.

How can you pursue endorphins and change your current predicament? Here are three pieces of advice for you.

1. Endure what others can't.

In today's fast-paced era, almost everyone pursues immediate gratification. However, if you can be more patient than others, the gap will gradually widen. For instance: while others in college are dating, you choose to read and code; while others play cards or games, you engage in serious study. To avoid mediocrity, resist pressures and temptations that lead you towards an average path. Thus, when you choose restraint while others indulge, you naturally stand out.

2. Be firmer in dealing with what others can't handle.

Activities that generate endorphins are never easy. For example, when Haruki Murakami started running, he'd wake up at 4:30 AM. Even within those 30 minutes, he'd sweat profusely and pant for breath but persisted. In literature, he'd sit alone in his room all day, editing manuscripts, even basic drafts requiring eight revisions. In reality, there is no easy success to be had, no achievement without effort. Life works this way: the more stringent you are on yourself, the better life will be for you.

3. Surpass what others can't surpass.

In this world, activities that lead to someone's downfall will quickly provide feedback. For instance, watching short videos instantly makes you burst into laughter; eating sweets or snacks immediately brings immense satisfaction; playing a game offers an instant feeling of conquering the world. However, this happiness will cause gradual degradation, ultimately leading to nothing. On the contrary, things worth pursuing and remarkable have very slow feedback mechanisms.

Exercising once won't give you six-pack abs instantly, but persisting for a year might. Reading one book won't bring immediate cognitive change, but reading thousands might bring revolutionary change. Only by persistence can you taste the sweetness brought by endorphins. Only by enduring a period can you change the outcome of your destiny.

There's a saying: "People don't differ much in talent, but their ultimate achievements vary greatly. It's not just about factors like environment and luck; the crucial point is that some choose the path of pursuing dopamine, while others choose the road of endorphins."

When immersed in the happiness brought by dopamine, what will ultimately return to you is life's hardships. However, when diligently cultivating yourself in the pain that endorphins bring, life's inevitable return to you will be sweetness. Always remember: don't let those lower pleasures ruin your life. Don't become the frog in warm water, eventually losing yourself in familiar life.

May you also become a person who consistently progresses, restrains, improves, and perseveres. Only this way, your life will progress more smoothly.

 Read Also:

Prime Years' Pinnacle: Managing 35-55 Strategically

Listen: Podcast

Prime Years' Pinnacle: Managing 35-55 Strategically

The age of 35 marks a critical milestone in life. Before 35, people are usually in their prime youth, a time for learning, accumulating experiences, and continuous experimentation. After 35, life gradually matures, and we need to seriously consider everything, whether it's the burdens of life or the gifts of fate. As Yang Jiang said, "Choose the right path, not the easy one, to truly find yourself."

Today, I'd like to share three powerful rules of life, hoping to inspire you.

Harness the "Ripple Effect"

There's a profound story I once heard. A man, feeling unsuccessful, went to seek advice from a master. The master took him to a lake and threw a stone in. "What do you see?" asked the master. "I see ripples," replied the man. The master continued, "Where do those ripples come from?" "They're caused by the stone you just threw," the man answered. The master smiled and said, "Now try to stop those ripples." The man tried to interfere, but his attempt only caused more ripples, leaving him puzzled. The master cheerfully said, "Life is like that lake. Every step you take might not seem significant at first, but silently shapes your future path." After 35, we should understand that true strength isn't just about moving forward with perseverance but also looking forward. Strong individuals realize that every step taken today lays the foundation for the future.

Cultivate "Story Thinking"

After 35, meticulously tend to every small aspect of the present. Although the gains may seem meagre each time, each step accumulates and eventually builds a strong force. Cultivate "story thinking." A popular view on the internet says, "The most important ability a person can possess isn't mastering technology or marketing but telling a story." Life isn't a monotonous single-lane road; it's a series of vivid, ever-changing scenes. Wise individuals adeptly use the "power of storytelling": they transform dull problems into lively and captivating stories, making tedious truths engaging. When communication becomes swift and clear, the problems at hand naturally become more manageable.

I have heard an educative story. A mother noticed her child always peeking at the answers while doing homework. She repeatedly advised the child, "You must think on your own, homework has significance for testing and improvement..." Predictably, the child didn't listen and the behaviour even worsened. Later, she changed her strategy and decided to first tell the child a story: There was an archer who went to the archer's country to find a highly respected teacher to improve his archery skills. He crossed forests, scaled mountains, and found many arrows perfectly hitting the bulls eye on a tree. Eventually, he met the king, who didn't seem to possess remarkable skills. He asked, "How do you manage to hit the bulls eye with every arrow?" The king smiled and replied, "Anyone can do it. Shoot an arrow first, then draw a bulls eye around it." After hearing this story, the mother looked at the child and said, "Practice is the same. There's no progress in having all the answers correct." The child laughed, then willingly handed the answers to the mother. Logical reasoning might not be easy to persuade, but stories can give people rational insights.

Creating a "Moat"

I once heard an intriguing metaphor: If you liken a person to a castle, there must be a deep and steep moat surrounding it. This moat represents a person's core, ensuring an area of undisturbed refuge, even in the face of external threats. After 35, various pressures come in abundance. Without unique strengths, it's challenging to stand out in life's intense competition. But nothing can defeat someone with a strong core. The strength of one's core determines how smooth the future will be. Life is filled with uncertainties. The only thing we can do is not let today become tomorrow's regret. The best way to create the future is to start now and constantly improve oneself. Establish your moat to better confront the unknown future. After 35, life enters its second half. It's not noble to be better than others; true nobility lies in transcending one's past self. Managing well is a summary of the first half of life and a foundation for future life. May both you and I adhere to these three rules of the strong, crafting an ideal life in life's most crucial period.

Read Also:

Happiness in Life is More Important than Anything Else

Listen: Podcast

Happiness in Life is More Important than Anything Else

Life always has imperfections; even the ordinary and trivial days reveal the depth of life. The essence of life lies not in wealth and status but in enjoying beautiful experiences and having a heart that appreciates the scenery. Only by living every ordinary day steadfastly can one experience the best of life. The meaning of life doesn't lie in external possessions but in inner richness. To live a beautiful life, one must work diligently, make efforts without excessively pursuing unrealistic fantasies. Even in the face of immense challenges, one must strive to overcome them and move forward despite the storms. Excessively expecting things beyond reach only depletes energy, making life heavier.

Life is about calmly facing everything in front of us, aiming to achieve equanimity and positively seizing it. Do not become addicted to fantasies or lose yourself in the future, but learn to be content with what you have. Live every moment with the best attitude and face each ordinary day calmly. With this approach, what can hinder happiness in life? In this world, possessing a happy mindset is more important than anything else. Keeping a positive attitude, having a broad mind, learning to step forward or back appropriately, balancing pros and cons with goodwill and calmness will fill life with warmth and tranquillity. Understand that life is a journey. As long as we maintain a youthful mindset and cherish the present, our days will be full of peace and happiness, and life will be pleasant and fulfilling.

Indeed, living a simple life allows you to experience peace, and a peaceful mindset allows you to go further. We only have one life, and it won't repeat itself. In this brief life, to live happily, the first step is to shape a good heart. To find happiness, one must adapt to the environment and accept nature. Because happiness comes from inner contentment, and true happiness comes from a satisfied heart. Only by nurturing a serene and peaceful mind will life naturally become joyful and relaxed. Making our state of mind cheerful, optimistic, and free is what we should possess in this world. In reality, every individual experiences unique confusion. Life has never been completely smooth, nor is it ever perfect. Only by maintaining a calm and open mindset, learning to cherish and treat with kindness, will our days be full of unexpected happiness and splendour.

As individuals, if we don't experience the joys and sorrows of life, if we don't confront life's challenges, then we can't truly comprehend the meaning of life. Everyone who comes to this world wishes for a colourful life, hoping for happiness and fulfilment. However, in reality, everyone faces their own setbacks and difficulties. As long as we don't lose heart, remain confident, do not be disheartened when facing setbacks, and smile in the face of life's trivialities, I believe we can overcome any difficulties. Because there's no eternal smooth sailing, no one can go through life without any challenges. Even if we fall, we can stand up again, as long as we maintain a peaceful mindset and fearlessly face hardships; no difficulty is insurmountable. Life is about experiencing the various flavors of the world, witnessing joy and sorrow. To be a qualified visitor in this world, not to waste this journey of life. As long as we and our family are safe and healthy, a peaceful and worry-free life is the most beautiful time in life.

Read Also:

Sudden Realizations

Listen: Podcast