Resolution 2023 — Read a book every month, June 2023.

108 自在语。108 Quotes of Ease.

Time for some inspirational book of easy read this month as I had been neglecting this habit I’ve been trying to form and it is hard to pick it up again with ease.

Re-reading this book I got on a taxi while traveling in Taipei in 2018. It is written in Korean and traditional Chinese.

Compliments from Sheng Yen Education Foundation. This book contains Buddhist teachings.

For the record, I don’t understand Korean but the years of karaoke did me some good in reading traditional Chinese characters. Writing the quotes in simplified Chinese because I am too lazy to change my keyboard.

There are definitely more than 108 short verses or quotes since there are many subsections. Below are just some that are more relevant to me.

提昇人品 （1-56) Improving Character

8. 要能放下，才能提起。提放自如，是自在人。Let go so you can pick up. Someone at ease with themselves is able to do both.

30. 忙而不乱，累而不疲。Busy but not messy, tired but not exhausting.

Recently, I felt myself working 18 hours a day. Full time job, property and running my events company. I felt like I may be losing control soon.

I asked myself why I am working so hard. Then I remembered why I am working so hard. Then I questioned my life and felt miserable.

31. 忙而快乐，累而欢喜。Be busy happily, tired but happy.

I am busy but I am not happy. I want to enjoy my life but I can’t. Yet.

幸福人间 Blissful World

87. 每人每天说一句好话，多做一件好事，所有小小的好，就会成为一个大大的好。Everyone say one nice thing a day and one good deed. All small deeds will become a greater good.

简单生活 Simple Life

50. 学历不代表身份，能力不代表人格，名位不代表品德，工作没有贵贱，观念及行为却能决定一切。Qualification don’t determine status, ability don’t determine personality, fame don’t determine character, jobs don’t determine high or low (class), how you think and act determines everything.

如意吉祥 Everything Goes Well

77. 一帆风顺时，不要得意忘形；一波三折时，不必灰心丧志。Don’t forget yourself when things are going smoothly. When facing difficulties, don’t lose your determination.

81. 拥有稳定的情绪，才是利于不败质地的基础。Possessing stable emotions is the basis of unwavering destruction.

自在人生 Carefree Life

24.为他人减少烦恼是慈悲，为自己减少烦恼是智慧。Helping someone reduce their worries is compassion. Helping yourself reduce your own worries is wisdom.

慈悲智慧 (57-79) Compassion and Wisdom

60. 人人都可以助人，真心的赞美人、鼓励人、安慰人，给人勉励、疏导，就是在帮助人。Everyone can help someone. Sincere praises, encouragement, comforting, encouragement, guidance can help someone.

快乐幸福（80-108）Happiness

85. 我们因该常常问自己快乐吗？真的快乐吗？快乐并不是来自物质条件的刺激，而是内心真正的安定与平静。We should ask ourselves if we are truly happy frequently. Not from materialistic gains, but peace from within.