“Healing and nourishment will not be possible if we are at war with ourselves or society.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Simplified Meaning:
When someone feels constant conflict within themselves or with the world around them, it becomes really hard to feel better or grow as a person. Imagine someone trying to grow a garden. If they keep arguing with their neighbors and never focus on taking care of their plants, the garden will likely never flourish. Similarly, if someone is always criticizing themselves or fighting with others, they can't find the peace and balance needed to heal from their troubles or become stronger. For example, if a person is trying to recover from stress but keeps telling themselves they are not good enough or gets into fights with family and friends, they'll find it very tough to make real progress. To truly heal or improve, it's important to treat oneself with kindness and try to find harmony in relationships with others. Everyone can become healthier and happier by creating a positive and peaceful environment both inside their minds and in their everyday lives. Imagine a student who wants to do better in school. If they constantly criticize themselves for every small mistake and argue with classmates, they'll feel too stressed to learn effectively. But if they start being kinder to themselves and start building good relationships, they'll find it much easier to improve and succeed.