I know where I am going and I know the truth: Ultimately, this is all we care for – living life on our terms. Society, people around us or culture puts unreasonable expectations on us. Before knowing, we’re part of a bigger game where we try to fit in and get its approval. Take a moment to pause and think about this quote from Muhammad Ali. There’s no better success than living a life on your terms. It is far more fulfilling to do what we connect with and look back and find life as a beautiful experience – not as time wasted living up to someone else’s standards or expectations.
I Know Where I am Going and I Know The Truth – Muhammad Ali
You don’t have to explain to anyone about where you are going. This is your life, as long as you know the direction, that’s all you need. Sure, you might need some help along the way. But remember that not everyone deserves to know your story. Sometimes, it is good enough to know what you are and where you want to go. (The Philosophy of Muhammad Ali – self-belief)
As long as you know the truth and constantly accept it for what it is – you will find ways to move forward. Don’t deny the truths – see as they are and figure out a way around them. Life will through numerous challenges, but the truth will not change. It will ask you to react and respond. Just face it openly and keep your mind on where you’re going. The rest will follow.
I don’t have to be what you want me to be
Now this is important. We will be tempted to ask others about our progress. Heck, we will also compare ourselves to others and wonder if we are in the right path. Don’t let that hold you back or weaken your approach. You don’t have to follow the same steps as someone else. You don’t have to be where someone else wants you to be either.
This is your life – you define what success or failure means to you. You also decide whether you want to play this game of success and failure. What Muhammad Ali tells here is about openly listening to what your mind tells you and doing just that. There’s no excuse for not doing that.
I’m free to be what I want
Ultimately the meaning of this quote boils down to these lines. You are free to be what you want. You’re free to do what you want with life. This life is an opportunity and a chance for you to live it the way you desire. It might meet the frowns and disappointment of a few people along the way. But that’s ok. You don’t have to live up to someone else’s rules and expectations. You’re free and ultimately you are the only person that you need to answer to.
“I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want – Muhammad Ali Quotes
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Living for others does not make a sense of success, if we did also such for few days it does not be satisfied for ourselves
BETTER TO BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE THAN OTHERS WANTS YOU TO BE ………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed Pooja.. I think one of the most elegant quotes I’d read was – the greatest achievement in life is to be yourself, especially in a world which is trying to make you someone else!!
We have to strengthen our own selves, to let these people not influence us. Be it through meditation, or whatever way, but we have to be strong. I am now trying not to judge these sort of people, who tend to know more about your life than you. I either try to to avoid these people as much as possible or in cases when I cannot, I try to increase my threshold level of tolerance, of letting go of their words. I try to remind myself of the fact that words of these people will not matter till I keep doing what satisfies my soul. I am responsible for myself and to my parents not to these people. If I can’t protect my dream, nobody will.
And it is the journey to these dreams that we become our better selves. I am still in the journey, hoping to reach the destination soon. :)
You said it shruthi, we have to strengthen ourselves, we have to keep telling ourselves that the truth we believe in for ourselves is going to pay out eventually. Sometimes it can be a longer wait than expected but maybe that’s why they call perseverance as the secret for all achievement in life. I guess that’s the best way to go about things – a silent smile and perhaps devil may care attitude. That will set things alright , at least for ourselves :)