Success rarely comes from talent, luck, or circumstance alone. More often, it is shaped by how you think, the determination you carry, the effort you invest, and your willingness to keep learning throughout your life. The following stories reveal that the obstacles standing in our way are often smaller than we imagine, while the potential within us is far greater than we realize.
The stubborn stone in your heart
What truly hinders you from discovering and creating is merely your psychological barriers and the stubborn stones in your thoughts.
Once, there was a family whose vegetable garden had a large stone, about 40 cm wide and 10 cm high. Anyone who visited the garden would accidentally kick that large stone, either causing it to fall or getting hurt. The son asked: “Dad, why don’t we just dig out that annoying stone?” The father replied: “Oh, that stone? It has been here since your grandfather’s time. It’s so big that I don’t know how long it would take to dig it out. Instead of wasting time digging stones, it’s better to be careful while walking; it can also train your reflexes.”
Years passed, and the large stone was left for the next generation. The son married and became a father. One day, the daughter-in-law angrily said: “Dad, that big stone in the garden is becoming more and more bothersome. Let’s hire someone to move it.” The father replied: “Forget it! That stone is very heavy. If it could be moved, it would have been done when I was a child. Why else would it still be here now?”
The daughter-in-law felt very uncomfortable; that big stone had caused her to stumble many times. One morning, she brought a hoe and a bucket of water, pouring the whole bucket around the big stone. After about 10 minutes, she used the hoe to loosen the soil around the stone.
She was mentally prepared to spend the entire day digging out the stone. But to everyone’s surprise, within just a few minutes, she had already removed it. Although the stone looked enormous above ground, most of its apparent size was an illusion. Once uncovered, it proved to be far smaller than everyone had imagined.
A warm reminder: If you climb a mountain with a downhill mindset, you will never reach the top. If your world feels dull and hopeless, it is because you think that way. Change your world by changing your mindset first!
The pursuit of selflessness
Don’t think of yourself as a mouse; otherwise, you will definitely be eaten by a cat.
In 1858, a wealthy family in Sweden had a daughter. However, soon after, the child contracted an inexplicable paralysis, losing the ability to walk. One time, the girl traveled by boat with her family. The captain’s wife told the child about a bird-of-paradise the captain owned — an exotic bird famous for its extraordinary feathers, colors, and courtship displays. Enchanted by the description, the child was eager to see it for herself, so the captain’s wife left the child on the deck and went to find the captain.
Unable to wait, the child asked the boat’s waiter to take her to see the bird-of-paradise immediately. The waiter did not know she could not walk and told her to come along to see the beautiful little bird. And then a miracle happened: Driven by her overwhelming desire, the child forgot herself and took the waiter’s hand, slowly starting to walk. From then on, the child’s illness was cured. As she grew up, Selma Lagerlöf devoted herself to literary creation and eventually became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
A warm reminder: Selflessness can become a shortcut to success, for it allows people to move beyond fear and surpass their own limitations. In the end, the way you see yourself helps determine the outcome of your life.
Hard work brings success
No one can succeed solely by relying on talent. God gives talent, but hard work turns talent into genius.
Zeng Guofan is one of the most influential figures in Chinese history, yet he did not show much innate talent as a young man. One day, while studying at home, Zeng Guofan repeatedly read an article aloud because he had not yet memorized it. That night, a thief crept into the house and hid under the eaves, waiting for the scholar to fall asleep so he could take advantage of the situation. However, Zeng continued reading the same passage again and again without pause. The thief waited, but the scholar still did not sleep. Eventually, the thief grew frustrated, jumped out, and said: “With your level, why are you even trying to study this?” He then recited the entire article from memory and left in annoyance.
The thief was clever — at least smarter than Zeng — but he could only be a thief, while Zeng became a person admired by all, called “the most significant figure in modern times.” “Hard work can make up for shortcomings,” goes the saying; with every bit of effort, there is a corresponding gain.
The thief had an excellent memory, able to recite an article after hearing it a few times, and he was brave enough to jump out in anger while others were not sleeping, even lecturing Zeng before leaving. However, regrettably, he remained unknown, while Zeng later employed many talented individuals. Although this thief had met Zeng once and could have showcased his talents, he lacked diligence and goodness and was lost to history.
A warm reminder: Great success is proportional to hard work; with every bit of labor, there is a corresponding yield. Over time, miracles can be created from little to much.
The relentless pursuit of knowledge
A mouse living in a single cave is quickly caught.
On a pitch-dark night, a mouse leader led the other little mice out to forage. In a family’s kitchen, there were many leftover dishes in the trash can, which for the mice was the equivalent of humans discovering a treasure. Just as the group of mice was digging in the trash can, a terrifying sound suddenly echoed nearby — the cry of a big tabby cat. The mice were shocked and scattered to escape, but the big tabby cat showed no mercy, relentlessly pursuing them.
Eventually, two little mice could not escape and were caught by the big tabby cat. Just as it was about to devour them, a series of fierce dog barks suddenly erupted, causing the tabby cat to panic and flee. After the cat left, the mouse leader slowly emerged from behind the trash can and said: “I have always told you that learning another language is beneficial, and this time it saved your lives.”
A warm reminder: “Having another skill opens another path.” Continuous learning is indeed a lifelong commitment for successful individuals.
Conclusion
Success does not belong only to the gifted, the fortunate, or the fearless. It belongs to those who are willing to change their thinking, persevere through difficulties, continue learning, and move forward despite limitations. The stories remind you that barriers often exist not in the world around you but within your own mind. Once those barriers are broken, hidden strength and possibilities begin to emerge. No matter which path you take, success is ultimately built one thought, one effort, and one step at a time.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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