“I finally know the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting. It has taken me so many years to be okay with being different, and with being this alive, this intense. (xxvi)”
Decryption of quote
Quote: "I finally know the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting. It has taken me so many years to be okay with being different, and with being this alive, this intense. (xxvi)"
Imagine a person who has spent years trying to fit in, trying to please others, trying to conform to society's expectations. They have finally reached a point where they understand the true meaning of love and respect. They have realized that there is a difference between simply pleasing others and truly loving them, between blindly obeying and genuinely respecting.
It has been a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. This person has come to terms with their uniqueness, with the fact that they are not like everyone else. They have embraced their individuality and learned to celebrate it, rather than hide it.
Being different is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be proud of. It is what makes this person alive, what makes them intense. They have learned to embrace their passions, their quirks, their eccentricities, and to let them shine brightly.
It takes courage to be different, to stand out from the crowd, to be unapologetically yourself. But this person has found that it is worth it. They have discovered the joy and freedom that comes from being true to who they are, from living authentically.
They have learned that true happiness comes from within, from accepting and loving themselves for who they are. They no longer seek validation from others, but find it in their own self-worth and self-respect.
It may have taken them many years to reach this point, to let go of the need to please and obey, and to instead focus on loving and respecting themselves. But now that they have, they feel more alive, more vibrant, more fulfilled than ever before.
This quote serves as a reminder to all of us to embrace our differences, to be proud of who we are, and to live our lives with passion and intensity. It is a call to authenticity, to self-love, and to the freedom that comes from being true to ourselves.
aging love loving obedience respect wisdom