The Tao Te Ching was an interesting read, really lending itself to pondering about human

nature and our motivations. It made a lot of great points, like trying to not engage in war, and not

celebrating defeating someone. Violence is never something to celebrate, and him talking about

it really stuck with me. Especially because I realized that even if war or fighting is necessary for

self defense, people still get hurt and lose their lives. In my personal opinion, celebrating being

alive is fine, but when you celebrate all the lives you took or how much you hurt someone else is

when there's a problem.

Lao Tzu talks about humility, and essentially says that you should be humble about

things, as well as being tranquil and calm. I also like the way he talks of paradoxes, because a lot

of things in life are paradoxical, but still good.

Lao Tzu also talked about slowing down, and to do things as they come, rather than

because someone wants you to. He says that the drive to do anything you don’t want to or you

just do naturally is coercion in some form, and honestly I relate and agree. I would honestly not

do most of the things I do if not for the societal pressure and requirement to have to make

money, have a good job etc. If I could sit at home, eat good food, draw, play games, and travel

the world without needing a job or money or anything, I would do it in a heartbeat. Alas, you

need money and time to do that, and in order to get money and time you have to study to get a

good job to get money, and then make the time. Or you can marry someone who is wealthy, but

that comes with all sorts of other problems. If only life could be as easy for me as Lao Tzu says it

can be.