In our life, a lot of time is devoted to achieving a goal. Most often, it is important to choose a way to achieve it. A little tale about this:

River One sunny day, Hing Shi went for a walk along the river bank, accompanied by three of his disciples. Stopping on the shore, Hing Shi said:

• Look at the river, it is Life itself, which sometimes flows slowly, sometimes violently. The river changes every moment, never repeating its appearance twice.

The disciples looked at the river for a long time until the sage asked them:

• How would you strive for your goal?

The first student said:

“I would always fight against the current, swim forward against it, towards my goal,” said one bravely.

“That’s good,” said Hing Shi, “but you risk drowning somehow if you don’t manage the river.” My advice to you is before you swim against the current, find out if the path to your goal lies against it.

The second student said:

— And I would go with the flow, like a petal sliding on the waves, and gain experience on the way.

“It’s only good if the current carries you to your destination, otherwise you’re really like a petal that doesn’t care where it’s going, because it doesn’t care what tide it rots in,” Hing Shi remarked.

The third student answered:

— And I would swim towards my goal, constantly changing my tactics, sometimes surrendering to the will of the current, then striving to overcome it. I would bypass dangerous places, stop to rest, but then, having rested and strengthened myself, I would always continue on my way.

Your answer is good, but not wise enough, said the Teacher, turned and went back to the house.
His disciples stood on the bank of the river for some time, thinking about his words, and then followed the Master. Having compared him, they asked:

• Well, what is your path along the river of life, Master, what is it like?

Hing Shi stopped, looked at his students, and said with a smile:

• I wouldn’t even go swimming.

“But has your goal already been achieved,” the students were surprised.

“No,” said Hing Shi, “but not every goal can be reached.”

And how do you achieve your goals?