Too hard on myself

Chow: Have I been too hard on myself?

Old man: That is a common mistake.

Chow: How can I prevent myself from doing it again?

Old man: You are still worried about it?

Chow: Ah! Still too hard on myself aren't I...

Old man: You poor silly child... you have come so far yet it seems as though you have not moved a single step. But what can I say? If I gave any indication that this was the right path to take, you will be too hard on yourself. Yet, if I gave any indication otherwise, you will cease all effort at once. There isn't a third indication, at least not one that you could understand.

Chow: Then why do you encourage me to keep doing it?

Old man: If not, how would you know if you have been too hard on yourself?

Chow: ... So where does that leave me?

Old man: Where you always have been.

Chow: I am very tired.

Old man: That is certain. You have been fighting all this while.

Chow: Have I? Somehow I always felt as though I've been putting in the least amount of effort.

Old man: Effort, no matter how small, when exerted, will tire. What is stopping you from ceasing all effort?

Chow: I don't know. Fear of the unknown perhaps. I really don't know.

Old man: There is no need to know anything my child. The only problem is timing. When the time comes, you will see. Until then, all your effort will be useless.

Chow: There are still things I have to do. Even though I know they are meaningless.

Old man: Meaningless or not, if you have to do it, then you must do it. Who knows? Maybe the time will come after?

Chow: I can only hope.