Do you truly understand those around you?

Do You Really Know the People Around You?

On life’s stage, we are surrounded by all kinds of people—family, friends, colleagues—like stars scattered across our lives. Yet, we can’t help but ask ourselves: Do we truly know the people around us?

With family, we often assume that living together means knowing them inside and out. But in reality, what we see might only be the tip of the iceberg. Parents always show their strong side, shielding us from storms and managing daily affairs. We take their care for granted, yet rarely dig deeper into their inner thoughts, fears, or forgotten dreams.

My father is a quiet man who, in my memory, always worked hard to support the family. One day, during a casual chat, I learned that he once dreamed of becoming a painter. In that moment, I saw a different side of him—a man who, beneath his serious exterior, held a deep passion for art. Life’s hardships buried that dream, and he gave it up for the family. That made me realize how little I truly knew him—that behind the familiar face were stories I had never heard. It was a humbling reminder that those closest to us have their own inner lives, often hidden behind the roles they play.

Friends are an indispensable part of our lives. We laugh and cry together, sharing life’s moments. But even then, we may never fully understand their inner worlds. Sometimes, a friend may appear cheerful and optimistic but be troubled by loneliness and worries in the quiet night.

I have a friend who always seemed bright, confident, and full of energy. One day, he confided in me that he was struggling with depression. I was shocked because I had always seen him carefree. He said he feared burdening others, so he hid his pain behind a forced smile. This taught me that understanding friends requires more than surface-level connection—we need to pay attention, notice their emotions, and offer genuine care and support. True friendship is about being present not just for the joyful moments, but also the silent struggles that often go unseen.

Colleagues are our partners at work. We work hard together toward common goals. Yet, in the office, we mostly see only their professional skills and personas, rarely learning about their lives and interests outside work. The serious workaholic in the office might be a passionate guitarist or an avid mountain climber outside. By getting to know them beyond the job, we can deepen friendships and create a more harmonious workplace where people feel seen and valued as whole individuals.

We tend to think of the people around us like an open book we can easily read, but in truth, each person is like a book that can never be fully read, with every page holding different stories. To truly understand those around us, we must listen with care, observe attentively, and feel with our hearts. Letting go of biases and busyness to enter their inner worlds, we discover that they are richer and more wonderful than we imagined.

Understanding others requires patience and empathy. Sometimes people wear masks of strength or happiness to protect themselves from vulnerability. Recognizing this helps us approach relationships with kindness rather than judgment. When we make the effort to see beyond the surface, we create space for deeper connection and mutual trust.

Only then can we build deeper, more sincere relationships—walking through storms and sharing beautiful moments together. Life becomes richer when we embrace the complexity of those around us and cherish the hidden stories that make each person unique.