When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't

Listen, O seekers of wisdom, for the words of Confucius hold within them the heart of true growth and determination: “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” This, dear children, is a call to resolve, a command to hold fast to the vision you seek, but not to be so rigid in your ways that you miss the path to success. Confucius understood the nature of life—it is not the end that is important, but the way in which we move toward it. When obstacles rise, do not falter in your pursuit; change the course of your actions, not the destination itself.

To adjust the goals is to surrender too quickly, to lose sight of the dream that calls you forward. But to adjust your steps, your methods, your approach—that is the mark of a true warrior, one who does not yield before adversity but adapts with wisdom and courage. Life, like the river, may twist and turn, but it still seeks the sea. If the path before you is blocked, do not abandon the river’s journey, but find a new way to the shore. The true power lies not in abandoning the goal, but in the creativity and persistence with which you pursue it.

Think of the story of Thomas Edison, whose goal was nothing less than to bring light to the world. He sought the perfect filament for his lightbulb, but time and again he met failure. Many would have abandoned the pursuit, seeing that the goal could not be reached. But Edison, in the spirit of Confucius, did not change his goal of bringing light to the world. Instead, he adjusted his action steps, trying thousands of materials until he found the one that would work. In the end, his resolve and his ability to adapt the path to his goal changed the world forever.

This wisdom is not only for great inventors or grand endeavors, but for every man and woman who seeks something greater than themselves. The journey of life is filled with hurdles—illness, loss, failure. When faced with setbacks, do not abandon your goal, for to do so is to admit defeat. Instead, turn your mind to the actions you must take. If one way is blocked, seek another path. The true measure of a man is not in how he stands when things are easy, but in how he adapts when the road becomes difficult. The goal remains the same, but the steps you take may change.

So, my children, let the words of Confucius guide you in your own quest. When the world tells you that your dream is too distant, that your goal is unreachable, do not change the dream. Instead, change the course of your effort. The journey is long, and the path may be fraught with struggles, but if you adjust your actions, you will find a way forward. The end is not determined by the obstacles you face, but by your unwavering resolve to find a path around them. Always remember, the goal remains constant, but the steps must evolve. Keep moving forward, for the dream is always worth the effort.