In the 1970s, relationships between people were simple and harmonious. Lost articles were always returned, and doors were not bolted at night. Neighbors visited each other and chatted happily. In that era, everyone was very poor, almost penniless, and every family seemed to maintain a balance of poverty. No one had to laugh at anyone or be jealous of anyone.
But in the late 1980s, this balance was disrupted. Some people went out to work, some started buying and selling, and some contracted the village collective's fish ponds and greenhouses, gradually leading to the gap between rich and poor. Perhaps due to being busy making money, there have been fewer visits or chats and more conflicts between people. There have even been incidents of people destroying other people’s vegetable greenhouses and poisoning fish ponds out of jealousy.
Lao Wang and Lao Liu in the same unit both work as drivers and talk about everything in their daily lives, getting along harmoniously. One day, Lao Liu was promoted to a leadership position and became the direct leader of Lao Wang, causing a rift in their relationship. The reason is that their previous balance (both being drivers) was disrupted, leading to a gap in their identities and ultimately causing their relationship to break down.
After Gao Qiu rose to fame in "Water Margin", his former fellow sufferers came to visit him, dreaming of sharing the glory and wealth. Unexpectedly, Gao Qiao sent servants to beat them up and warned them not to visit him again in the future. What Gao Qiu wants is a bright future ahead. He wants to get rid of those little thugs because he is completely different from them.
Two female colleagues who used to be close friends became each other’s confidante, but once one of them stepped into a leadership position, this intimate relationship gradually drifted apart. It's because there is a gap between them, no longer on the same line. No wonder the ancients said that any relationship is phased. It's hard to imagine that an official can maintain a good relationship with an ordinary person for a long time.
Therefore, Taoism emphasizes that people should learn to forget each other and view the world with a broad-minded attitude. Even if we have supported each other in the past, we will eventually forget each other in rivers and lakes. There is no need to be entangled or bear in mind constantly. Look forward, not backward. Gathering and dispersing are all fate. Life is like a train. At every station, there are always people getting on and off, and the only one who accompanies you to the end is yourself. Don't be sad or overjoyed for the person getting off the train, because at some point, the person getting on the will get off.
As long as you do your best, constantly strive and struggle, live up to your conscience, and have no regrets in this life, it is enough.
上世纪七十年代，人与人之间的关系是单纯的、和睦的，路不拾遗，夜不闭户。邻居之间相互串门聊天，其乐融融。在那个年代，大家都很穷，几乎是一贫如洗，家家如此，似乎保持着一种贫困的平衡，谁也不用笑话谁，也无需嫉妒谁。
可到了八十年代末，这种平衡便被打破了。有的人外出打工，有的人做起了买卖，也有的人承包了村集体的鱼塘、大棚，渐渐地出现了贫富差距。许是忙于挣钱的缘故，串门聊天少了，人与人之间的矛盾多了。甚至出现了有人出于嫉妒的心理破坏人家的蔬菜大棚、往鱼塘里投毒的事件。
单位里的老王和老刘都是干着司机的工作，平日里无话不谈，和睦相处。可有一天，老刘被提拔到了领导岗位，成了老王的直接领导，他们之间的关系便出现了裂痕。其原因就是他们曾经的平衡（都是司机）被打破，出现了身份上的差距，最终使他们关系破裂。
《水浒传》中的高俅发迹以后，他以前的那些难兄难弟便来寻他，梦想着共享荣华富贵。可哪想高俅竞派人把他们殴打了一番，警告他们以后不得再来骚扰。高俅想的是前程似锦，他要摆脱掉那些小混混，因为他与他们完全不一样了。
曾经要好的两个女同事，成为了闺蜜知己，可一但其中一个走上了领导岗位，那么这种亲密关系也就慢慢疏远了。是因为他们之间出现了差距，不再在一条线上。难怪古人说，任何关系都是阶段性的。很难想象，一名官员能够与一个老百姓长期保持着良好的关系。
所以，道家强调人要学会相忘，要用一种达观的态度来看待这个世界。即使曾经相濡以沫，最后也要相忘于江湖，不必纠结，不必耿耿于怀。向前看，而不是往后看。聚散皆是缘，人生就是一辆列车，每到一个站，总有人上上下下，而陪你走到终点的只有你自己。不必为下车的人悲伤难过，也不必为上车的人欣喜若狂，因为不知何时，上车的人就下车了。
只要做好自己，不断努力和奋斗，无愧于自己的良心，此生无憾，也就足矣。
