Question. If you were to summarise everything you’ve said into one sentence or one core piece of advice, what would it be?
Answer: That’s a difficult question, but I believe the best answer is this:
Don’t let other people’s judgments matter to you. Don’t worry about what this or that person thinks of you. Don’t waste your energy trying to convince others. Don’t sacrifice your peace and happiness for someone else’s approval. As long as you’re chasing other people’s acceptance, it’s like you’ve built your house out of straw—fragile, shaky, and vulnerable to every passing wind. At any moment, it might all collapse, and you’ll be left standing in the ruins, regretful and anxious.
Joy is the first and final meaning of life. As long as you are bound by the judgments of others, your sorrow and joy no longer belong to you—they belong to them. And who in their right mind would hand over their peace and happiness to someone else? Break free from the need to please everyone. Then, and only then, can you live in peace.
