Reflections on Inspiration, Happiness, and Popular Quotes

We live in such a deeply complex world that comes with no manual to help us navigate key parts of our lives, and because of this, it has become a little important for us to draw inspiration from the lives of those who have lived before us. These people could be our parents and guardians, our teachers, public figures, or even our friends, but for me, it will always be my beautiful, artsy sister.

We both grew up in the same household with my family, and even though I spent significant time away from home for educational purposes, my sister has remained one person that has inspired different parts of my life. The first time I attempted to draw a mickey mouse, made the decision to start blogging, and followed through completing a course online, were all evidences of the positive impact my sister's personality has had on my life.

Growing up with somebody like that already made me realize that I needed to be better, and I began to aspire to even greater things. By simply watching my sister's life, I have learned lessons of grit, patience, and hard work. Through her, I’ve been taught never to trade my true passions for anything in the world, and I’m so grateful to have someone so amazing in my life.

In response to an important question:

What popular worldview, quote, or social belief do you think has negatively influenced our society today? How do you protect younger people around you from adopting that mindset, and how do you personally resist the pressure to conform to it?

There are so many innocent views and opinions expressed in our society today that has negatively impacted us. One of them is a popular social belief that has been wrapped into a quote and stolen the hearts of many people. It is the “Do what makes you happy” quote. Originally, it was intended to encourage people to prioritize their own joys, emotional well-being, opinions, and execute their ideas in brave ways.

However, it’s unfortunate that this quote has been misinterpreted in many situations. Many people around us now find excuses to be irresponsible, covetous, and inconsiderate simply because someone advised them to choose their happiness. A lot of young ones now indulge in cyber crimes and morally decaying activities, using this quote as an excuse.

It has also made people disrespect valued communities and strip themselves of the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Almost everyone now prioritizes individual desires, even when it is detrimental to the next person. This negative effect and misinterpretation of the quote is the reason I believe it should come with a caveat.

A line like “Do what makes you happy as long as your happiness isn’t hurting or harming anyone.” would carry more depth and meaning for everyone. This refined version serves as a reminder that not everything that makes me happy is right and saying it aloud to myself helps me resist the possible negative impact the original quote could have on me. For example, I know that rotting in bed and doomscrolling even when I have important tasks makes me happy, but wisdom does make me realize that it is a setback to myself and my goal to attain discipline.

In the same way, a caveat to the quote could help a young boy remember that the theft of someone’s hard-earned money to better his life can render the victims hopeless, leaving them financially bankrupt and emotionally unstable for life.

To ensure that younger people than myself do not adopt the negative interpretation of that quote, I often encourage them to view happiness as a feeling that comes from within and not through the external validation of others or what they may get from the outside. I help them understand that doing what makes one happy is important but it should stop at the point where others becomes affected or self-sabotage gets into the picture.

Ultimately, I would advise that everyone should exercise their freedom in the right manner and spirit, and be careful not to place unreasonable burdens on others. So by all means, do what makes you less sad, miserable, or angry, but wisdom and consideration for self and others should always be applied.

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