My garden: Once you set your own standards, nothing—not even the universe—can bring you down.
I happened to watch an interview with monk Minh Niệm, where he spoke about how universe constantly offers us countless gifts, yet we rarely pause to feel grateful or to give something back. He reminded us that only when we give in proportion to what we receive can the balance of cause and effect be truly restored. That simple teaching interrupted the stream of blame and resentment I had been holding toward the people around me. Is there a way to not feel sad no matter what others say, even if the whole world misunderstands me? Oh, I think I just have to live true to myself. To avoid being swayed by others, you must live true to your own values and essence. Here are a few ways to train yourself so that even if the whole world misunderstands you, you won’t feel sad: 1. Define your own “standards” clearly – Write down what matters most to you: kindness, fairness, hard work, sincerity… – When someone misunderstands you, ask yourself: “Have I gone against my values?” 👉 If the answe...