If you wish to maintain a calm and steady spirit, you must embrace the fact that the world moves in cycles of growth and decay.  The cycles may last days, years, centuries or millennia, but they are inevitable and unavoidable.  During my visit this weekend to my former home town, I was reminded again of how this little city, once bustling, is now decaying.  Experiencing the cycles during your lifetime, you will see things that you love bloom and decay.  You will see things that you hate, rise and prosper.  You yourself will rise and then fade away.  If you cannot train yourself to accept these cycles with equanimity, how can you maintain a steady spirit?