You Don't Please Anyone

As the title suggest, it applies especially more so in work context. However, generally in life, we got to acknowledge and if possible, embrace that fact. We got to really understand that not only we don’t please just about anyone and everyone, the fact is, we CAN’T. How many times in your life do you feel bad about not being able to do your best to please that someone you want to? How many times in your life do you feel you’re being sandwiched in between people and no one seems to understand? How many times in your life do you get misunderstood over things you did or did not? Countless I supposed.

The fact is we can’t please everyone. A simple analogy is that, no matter how nicely and wonderfully tasteful dish is cooked with high amount of good reviews, there bound to be someone who dislikes it. To each its own – how people have different preferences, perception, interpretation over so many things in life, be it major or minor. Frankly speaking, we live for our own, we fend ourselves and so we really got to open our eyes big enough to know and see what’s best for ourselves. I can confidently tell you when you’re out there slogging out guts off to earn that mere sum, ultimately, it’s your own rice bowl you have to look after. Don’t ever expect people to shield your rice bowl in times of desperation.

I stood to my belief of this particular quote I find it very meaningful – those who matter won’t mind, those who mind don’t matter. Those who really understand you won’t land you into such awkward situation. I’m blessed with which nice people whom do put themselves before me which makes me feel lucky, yet at the same time, I’m cursed with people who conveniently put their self interest before your kindest intentions, which is how I always remind myself not to commit the same mistake.

At work, it’s a war zone. It feels like ‘infernal affairs’ to me. You never know who your friend is and who your foe is. The reality comes about in times of desperation. The thing is, people tend to show their very true colors in tough and hard times. When the good times are there, everyone seems to be your friend, laughing and working happily with you. When the bad times arrives, that is when you see people pushing the blame here and there, shoving responsibility like never before where the ugly sides of people start appearing on themselves. However, having said that, it’s is naturally important we acknowledge that we can’t please just about everyone. If I were to take in all the unhappiness caused just by the fact that someone is not pleased with me, I’ll probably be burst into a whole new world of horrifying negativity. Sometimes, it’s not what we do that people are unhappy about, it’s what we do that cannot be perceived rightly to them. What may be a sweet round orange may be seen as a spiky and ugly durian. If simple words that were meant to be a joke can end a friendship abruptly, it tells and shows a lot about that friendship. If your work got criticized when it was awfully done and yet when the work was wonderfully done, you hear no praises at all, that tells you a lot about your boss.

What’s essentially more and most important to me is that taking things at my own stride which has definitely helped me in dealing with daily affairs. You lose some, you gain some. You learn through mistake and grow through achievements. As a special analogy goes, imagine your life as a theater with exclusive front row seats which offers the best view to the show. Nobody can possibly fit everyone in your life in that front row seats, you bound to make some happy, make some angry, make some jealous and make some sad. It’s all about whom you invite to the front row seats. Do you?