Until you feel tired.
Once at the office, the boss assigned extra work on the weekend. He was fully booked, but still smiled: "Yes, I can do it". On Saturday night, while friends were gathering for coffee, he sat in front of the computer screen, eyes stinging. The boss was satisfied, colleagues saw his enthusiasm. Only he knew he was annoyed with himself for not daring to say a word: "I'm sorry, I won't take any more.
Another time, in a group of friends, everyone discussed contributing capital to do business. He found the plan too risky. He intended to contribute his opinion, then stopped because he was afraid of losing fun. A few months later, things did not go smoothly, everyone sighed. He wondered: If I had spoken frankly that day, maybe everything would have been different. It turns out that being silent to be loved is sometimes irresponsible.
Gradually he realized that being loved is addictive. Each compliment is like a candy. But eating too much will hurt your teeth.
Some people don't like you when you start saying "no". Some people tell you to change, to be less easy-going. But you ask yourself: Changing to live more righteously for yourself, what's wrong? You don't do bad things, don't oppress anyone, don't harm others for personal gain. You only set limits.
He understands that being kind does not mean being lenient. Being kind is when colleagues make mistakes, he gives direct advice but does not belittle them. It is when he sees something is wrong, he does not follow the majority for peace of mind. It is when he has the opportunity to benefit from a "loophole", he chooses to be transparent even if he may lose a little more.
You realize you can't control what others think. Today they cherish it, tomorrow they may not be happy. But you can control how you live.
Life does not need someone who pleases everyone. Life needs people who live kindly and consistently.
Maybe you won't be the most loved person in the room. But you want to be the person when mentioned, people say you say you do it, if you are wrong you accept it, if you are right you keep it.
And every night, he can sit still with himself without feeling guilty about anything. For him, that peace is much more valuable than trying to make everyone love him.
Over time, the truly suitable people will stay. They don't love you because you are easygoing, but because you are consistent. Not because you make them happy all the time, but because they know you live with principles.
Being loved is a joy. But living righteously, living virtuously, living meaningfully is the foundation. And a house with a solid foundation, no matter how strong the storms of life are, we can still stand, without having to lean against the wind.
