A couple is sitting on the back of a donkey. Passersby see this and comment, “The poor donkey has to carry both of them! That’s animal cruelty!” In response, the woman dismounts. Comment: “Look at that selfish macho man! He sits comfortably on the back of the donkey and his wife has to walk!” The man dismounts and leaves his wife to sit on the donkey. Comment: “What a wimp! He runs along his wife like a dog, there you can see who wears the pants in this relationship!” Thereupon the woman dismounts again. Comment: “How stupid can you actually be? The fools walk next to the donkey, instead of riding it!”

Many people make decisions only to please others and to meet their expectations. In the process, they often lose sight of their own wishes and desires. Whatever you do, it is not possible to please everyone. Those who try to do so have certainly forgotten someone: themselves! You can’t control what others say about you, but you can control what you believe in.

Believe in yourself, your abilities and your strengths! Listen to your heart and do what feels right for you. Do the things you really want to do together with people who love you, support you positively, believe in you and are good for you. Do your own thing in a self-determined way and don’t be afraid to be different once in a while and swim against the tide.