Many times, the reason a person finds it difficult to succeed is not because they lack ability, nor because of bad luck, but because of—their parents.

This may sound harsh, but it’s painfully true.

When I was in my twenties, I was still working within the system, earning a salary of 3,000 yuan.

At that time, Bitcoin was only a few hundred yuan. I watched people in online forums discussing "decentralization" and the "digital currency revolution," and I felt an intuition ignite in my heart—this was an opportunity, possibly a turning point in my destiny.

I thought about quitting my job, taking out a loan, even going all in. But when my parents found out, they cried their hearts out.

They said it was a scam, said “people need stability,” said “you can’t give up a secure job,” and “don’t mess around.”

In their eyes, so-called “stability” was more important than any dream. So I backed down, kept going to work as usual, collecting my fixed salary, watching as Bitcoin went from a few hundred to tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands.

In that moment, I finally understood—many people go their whole lives without ever losing to others; they just lose within their parents’ worldview.

Now my parents are old and in poor health, with monthly medical expenses in the tens of thousands. I work desperately to make money, only to realize that all my anxiety and stress are the price I pay for not daring to take that step back then.

They used a lifetime of fear to protect me, but that same fear destroyed the other life I might have had.

Many people think “filial piety” means obedience, but true filial piety is not letting your life be defined by the fears of the previous generation.

Their experiences were right for their times, but in today’s world, those same experiences have become shackles.

We all love our parents, but we should also soberly admit: sometimes, it’s not that they want to harm you—they’re just afraid.

But if you let that fear infect you your whole life, then your life ends right there.