Don't Let the World Plan Your Future

Today’s world has many voices — voices telling you who you are and who you can be. They come from family, friends, society, and even the media. Sometimes this voice is constructive, but often it is a distraction from what is truly in your heart.

Given the way most societies work, there is a set path that is said to be the “right path”: education, work, marriage, children, retirement. But no one can force you to shape your life the way others want you to. Everyone has their own path to happiness and meaning.

It is important to ask yourself: “Am I living this life for myself or am I living it to please others?” It is a question that you must seriously ask yourself. The truth is, some people will praise you for going after what they want. But your soul will praise you for going after what you want.

 

Life is short, and it will never come back. You don’t have to waste your time enjoying the praise you get when you’re lying to yourself. It’s important to trust your intuition, to learn to listen to your inner voice that guides you on your true path.

Sometimes the path you choose will be different from the path others take. They will look at you with puzzled eyes. They will say, “Why did you choose this? Why did you take this path?” But always remember: no one can feel what you feel. No one sees your dreams the way you do. You have a light that no one else can.

When you dedicate yourself to living the way you want, you feel a sense of freedom and joy that is priceless. You feel like you are all you — not hiding, not pretending, not conforming to someone you’re not. 

 

That doesn’t mean hurting others or running away from responsibilities. That means deciding how to organize your dreams in your life. You have to learn to say “No” when necessary, and say “Yes” when your soul tells you you’re ready.

True success is when you are in harmony with your inner and outer self. When what you think and what you do are the same. It’s when you go to bed at night with no regrets, knowing that today was the real you.

Don’t let the world plan your future. You plan it. You decide. No one will write your story except you. If you don’t write it, someone else will — and they will write it for you the way they want, not the way you want.

Start today. Who says you can wait for tomorrow? Now is the best time to claim your intellectual freedom and your true dreams. Now is the time to say: “I will be me — no one else!”