Lessons That Taught Me

by Joshua Davis

Ever since I was a pre-teen, I always tried to be someone that everyone loved and admired. You know, someone you adore? I tried to be the best guy there is and to fit in with anybody. I tried to be that one guy that brings comedy into the room. I tried to be the most attractive man the girls could see. I tried to please everyone on the face of the Earth, but I didn’t remember to please myself. There’s something I didn’t know at that time, and that something was when you care what people think, you’ll always be the prisoner. Lessons taught me that a healthy relationship will never require you to sacrifice your friends, your dreams, or your dignity.  

Lessons taught me that you didn’t have to agree with people just so you don’t upset them.  And Lessons taught me that I disrespected myself every time I said “yes” when I really wanted to say “no.” Lessons taught me that the need for acceptance can really make us invisible in this world. We can’t keep letting anything stand in the way of our light that shines through this form. We shouldn’t ever be afraid of losing people, we should be afraid of losing ourselves by trying to please everyone around us.

Lessons taught me that we are not put on this Earth to be stressed and miserable, so that others can be relaxed and happy. I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than someone’s cup of tea. It’s important to protect our own time and happiness.