Are You an Actor in Someone Else's Play?

The root of inner conflict: Are you living for other people’s expectations?

I have a friend who, under the expectations of his family, chose a "stable" life path – working in the post office. My family thinks this is a great choice, with a stable salary, good benefits, and a secure retirement. The problem is – he was in terrible pain every day!

He told me that during his time at work, he felt like a zombie, facing the mail and the counter, with only one question in his mind: "Do I really want to live like this for the rest of my life?" But his family always advised him: "This job is great, don't let your imagination run wild!"

However, his real dream is to become a magician!

Yes, that’s right, the kind of magician who stands on the stage and performs magic, making the audience exclaim in amazement! But when he told his family about this idea, he met with strong opposition.

"Magician? Are you crazy? How can you make a living with this?"

His parents thought this was a fantasy and strongly urged him to give up this "unproductive" idea. But he was torn in his heart, painfully wavering between stability and his dream...

Then, I met him after two years.

It happened to be my birthday, and he was invited to my party, where he performed a magic show – completely professional; it was like a live magic show! Everyone was stunned, and I was also completely stunned. I just wanted to shout, "Too strong!"

Later, through his own efforts, he really became a professional magician and owned his own magic props store, helping more people who love magic to learn and perform. He used his own experience to prove that other people’s expectations are not necessarily your path. If you pursue your dreams bravely, you can also live out your own stage!

How do you stop living up to other people's expectations?

Listen to your heart: Ask yourself, "If no one else saw me, what would I want to do most?"

Distinguish between "other people's expectations" and "your own desires": Society and your family may want you to live a stable life, but do you agree in your heart?

Accept criticism, but don’t be swayed by it: When you choose a different path, there will always be people who don’t understand. But this is your life, not theirs.

Set small goals and move forward step by step: You don’t have to give up your current job or life immediately, but you can prepare for your dream step by step.

Find partners who support you: Walking with people who support and encourage you will give you more confidence.

Many times, we are afraid of going against the expectations of our family or society and are worried about disappointing others. But when you really start living for yourself, you will find that inner freedom and happiness are far more valuable than the recognition of others. Your life should not be determined by other people's expectations but should be written by yourself.

If no one saw you, what would you most like to do?

I hope these titles and minor edits work for you! Your friend's story is truly inspiring.

Thank you for reading!