A Better Life

Perhaps one of the most important things in life is to be one’s self and not to act as society tells you. Many people want to be at par with society so they act according to some of its rules and not to their own beliefs. What these chapters are trying to teach us is how to be one’s self. In order to resist societies pull it is very important that you have good and trustworthy friends. If you have friends that support you and they themselves are a good example to you then you will become a better person. The problem is it is not easy to choose good friends but we must do as the Analects propose and “Observe closely the sort of mistakes a person makes—then you will know his character.” (Book 4, verse 7) Once you have chosen good friends the next step is to learn to accept one’s self. Many people believe that their way of being is not acceptable by society but what they should do is believe that they are correct and they have a great way of living. People don’t understand that if they seem independent and confident enough as we see Barack Obama people will start following them. Something that I liked very much and which is very true is “Do not be concerned that no one has heard of you, but rather strive to become a person worthy of being known (Book4, verse 14).” If we are able to follow these ideas we will start living a better and more independent life.