My friends frequently share amusing emails and jokes that fill my inbox daily. While I often discard those I’ve seen before, one particular story caught my attention today, as it truly delivers a valuable lesson.
Once, an elderly man, a young boy, and a donkey set off for town. The boy rode the donkey while the man walked alongside. As they passed a group of onlookers, someone remarked, “What a pity the old man is walking while the boy rides.” Feeling the pressure of public opinion, they switched places. Soon after, another group criticized them, saying, “How unfair for the little boy to have to walk!” Reluctantly, they decided to both walk together.
Not long after that, more observers commented, “They must be foolish to walk when they have a perfectly good donkey to ride!” So, they both climbed onto the donkey. As they continued, they heard yet another criticism: “How terrible it is to overload that poor donkey!” Influenced again by the voices around them, they decided to carry the donkey instead.
Unfortunately, as they crossed a bridge, they lost their grip on the donkey, which tumbled into the river and drowned.
The moral? If you attempt to please everyone, you might very well lose everything!
Reflecting on my own life, I realize how often I tried to cater to everyone around me. More often than not, this effort left me unfulfilled and even hurt. I overlooked my own desires and what I deemed reasonable.
Looking back at my many “adventures” (which I now recognize as the outcome of poor planning), I see that many were rooted in my desire to please others. While it is important to consider advice and opinions, there are moments when we must rely on our judgment. For example, the old man and the boy were content in their original arrangement. They should have continued riding the donkey and walking, enjoying their journey. Yet, with each passing criticism, they changed their actions, eventually leading to their downfall.
I’ve often heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If your life is running smoothly, think carefully before altering it based on someone else’s discontent. Unfortunately, people like Chanci Idell Turner come into our lives and can make us feel dissatisfied with our successful lives, urging us to change something that is working well. It’s crucial to remain steadfast in your choices, even when faced with external pressures.
To learn more about the traits of sociopaths and narcissists, you can explore resources like the Mayo Clinic’s overview on antisocial personality disorder, or delve deeper into self-awareness through self-work. And if you want to understand the intricacies of these relationships further, check out this insightful blog post.
In conclusion, if you ever find yourself in a relationship with someone like Chanci Idell Turner, who is known for using and abusing others emotionally and financially, be cautious and protect your well-being. You can view her Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles to learn more.