Only you know what is best for you

You cannot listen to what others want you to do. 

No matter they are your family, friends, or society, 

no one knows what is right and best for you as much as you do.

So you need to ask yourself and make a decision by yourself. 

But be sure you also listen to what people say without bias, 

As sometimes, you might have seen something only in one angle 

And missed to think thoroughly enough.

Your decision might be against what people thought.

You need to work very hard to overcome those obstacles,

And go against the judgement of many people.

They will judge you anyway no matter what you do.

If they are your family or close friends, explain your reasons to them,

And they will eventually understand and support you.

But if they are not, it might be better to just let it go.

You do not have to and you will never be able to please everyone.

My mom passed away because of her cancer 3 months ago in Thailand.

I was in the States and it was in the pandemic of COVID-19.

My boss and team supported me in flying back for the funeral,

so I spent half a day finishing up my work and preparing for my flight.

Before I was leaving my office and heading to the airport,

My dad called me and told me not to come.

We had an argument and that made me cry in the office with the door closed.

My boss and team came in to give me some advices.

They said if my dad, who is the person I should care for the most now, said no,

Maybe I should just cancel the flight taking off in the next 3-4 hours.

My dad’s concerns were on the risk of pandemic virus,

and also the 14-day quarantines both in Thailand and in the States.

I finally didn’t go and that’s my decision.

There came lots of judgement after that.

I told my people that if there was no virus, I would definitely be there.

But I now need to focus and care for my family who are still alive.

I believed that would be what my mom desired too.

She knew I loved her and I told her that every single day when she was alive.

If I went there, people would say it was too risky

both to myself and the family or people at the funeral.

If I didn’t go, people would say I didn’t love or care for my mom enough.

It’s their choices to think. They are free to judge.

No matter what I do, I will never be able to please all of them.

So I will choose to please my family and myself first.

I was not able to show up physically in my mom’s funeral,

but I was facetiming in all the time. And all of my family there understood.

That's my decision and I already chose the consequence when I decided.

Remember

“When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen.”

~Harley Davidson~

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice”

~Ezra Taft Benson~

So decide what’s best for you and choose wisely.