Live for Yourself, Not for Others

Live for yourself. Your body is your right to be on this physical realm. No one else has a greater responsibility for taking care of it. Giving priority to building an effective foundation is essential for any structure to last. So is it with you.

You can only give what you have inside you. Live for yourself. Build yourself strong first. Imagine what happens when the foundations to a structure are missing parts that were designed into it. That’s what happens when the leading of others distract you from taking care of your body, security, growth.

Too often we find ourselves being pulled by the demands of others. It’s sad when this leads to breakdown in the conduct of our own affairs. Those who come from backgrounds where there is an entitlement culture often undergo more stresses than most meeting up to the expectations of others.

I once heard a story of a young man graduating with flying colours through medical school only to leave the gathering his parents had made to celebrate with astonishing words. He told his parents in effect that he would not be pursuing medicine as he had only done the course for them. Now the requirements for the course we’re satisfied he now felt free to pursue his own dreams.

Mental illness can be triggered by circumstances you have no control over wearing you out with worry and concern. We are in control of how we respond to situations. Others can only learn of what’s inside us when challenges are thrown our from our responses. When we lead our lives according to the expectations of others we become less resilient. We can be worn out more easily.

How people weather the current pandemic may well be determined by how they prioritize looking after themselves. When the actions of others determine how we lead our lives, we are on the way to living for them and not for ourselves. Images of people in crowded environments causing us not to take the appropriate precautions have most likely led to re-introduction of lockdown measures in some areas.

People pleasing often comes from a strong need for approval of those important to us. This becomes complicated when we don’t know why they are important to us. Live for yourself – this does not have to be in a selfish manner. I liken this to interdependence rather than dependence. I liken selfishness to extreme independence.

Uncertainty and risks are met as we navigate life. Let’s not cede or abdicate or responsibility for being in the driving seat of our lives through external pressure.

Next time, we will explore ways we often live for others to our detriment without realising it.

Have you found yourself living for others to your detriment? Do share with us on the website, and this piece with people you know

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