Don't live your life on others' terms

Many people have a penchant for imposing their views and opinions on others. This may very well be prompted by (1) their own insecurities (2) sheer arrogance (3) their inability to accept that others may not share said views or opinions.

There's nothing wrong with offering well-meaning advice. But when people prod you to enter a certain line of work, date particular people, or pursue certain passions even after you've expressed no interest in them, that's when they've crossed a line.

It's at that very point that innocent suggestions seem more like incessant hounding, and you have every right to put a stop to it -- even if it may spell the end of the relationship.

These folks need to realize that they, like you, have their own lives to live and should not butt into other people's business.

Some individuals have a serious problem comprehending -- much less accepting -- that others may not think or act like them.

Just because they acted a certain way in a given situation doesn't mean it's the course of action that's right for you. We all have different temperaments, different goals, different ways of seeing the world.

Once you convey that you appreciate their advice but would rather go about it your own way, they may take it personally and give you a hard time. Whatever you do, don't cave!

Taking marching orders from people will only eat away at your happiness. Such an encroachment on your free will might end up making you resentful of the fact that you're living on others' terms rather than your own.

At the end of the day, you should reserve your right to shape your own destiny. Even if you make mistakes along the way, you'll at least be able to chalk it up to experience -- your own rather than someone else's -- which, in the end, will make you a wiser person.

Don't compromise your own values by adopting those of other people unless you know for a fact that doing so will serve you well in life. Alas, some people are merely out to feed their ego

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