list icon

Always remain balanced in your virtues. Let yourself be deeply loving & tender yet self-sufficient, soft-hearted yet self-respecting, compassionate yet firm, humble yet confident, vulnerable yet resilient, & open-minded yet principled.

Being a nice person isn't about being an agreeable, submissive doormat who allows others to mistreat you; it's about moving with a sincere balance of kindness, authenticity, and self-respect. True goodness flourishes when you have healthy boundaries that reflect the respect you have for yourself and others.

When you habitually give too much at the expense of yourself, it can gradually become a form of self-betrayal. You don't exist just to be good to other people; your first responsibility is to be good to yourself.

Caring about other people's emotions, worries, and needs is an essential part of being a good human being, but over-worrying to the point of neglecting or risking your own peace is never okay.

Pay close attention to how people treat you and speak of you when they're angry, troubled, or frustrated (including the things they say when you're not present). This will give you a clear idea of who you should keep close and feel truly safe with.

Having boundaries doesn't mean you don't love people or are being unjust to them; expressing boundaries actually makes it clear that you trust someone enough to tell them what you need from them in order to feel safe and happy.

Always be brave enough to speak the truth, even if it isn't what someone wants to hear. Be compassionate, reasonable, and graceful in the way you express it, but the more you compromise on being honest, the more you risk diminishing your own integrity.

Be open-minded, flexible, and willing to hear other points of view, but don't give in to or agree to something simply out of pressure or a desire to maintain harmony. Maintain your own perspectives and beliefs in a balanced, peaceful way.

You can have a strong, steady sense of self, firm principles, and unwavering faith in your beliefs without needing to shout it from the rooftops. Assert yourself when you need to, but don't feel pressured to be aggressive or outspoken; your principles should best be reflected in your actions more than in your speech.

x r

jan 1 2022 ∞
jan 19 2023 +