Hilal Ahmad Bhat
In the month of September, the autumn season arrives in Kashmir. It is in this season, the farmers and orchardists are about to harvest their crops and fruits. It is about to bring happiness in their lives. Same is the case that by choosing a path aligned with true principles, values, or purpose, the journey is rarely without friction. Doing what is right, honest, or necessary often requires making difficult choices that can clash with the immediate desires, comfort, or opinions of others—and even our own temporary preferences.
The journey through dislikes often serves as the most direct path to discovering what we truly like. When we experience things that feel uncomfortable, frustrating, or unaligned with whom we are, we are not just wasting time—we are actively gathering data. Every time we may encounter something we dislike, it acts as a mirror, reflecting its exact opposite back to us. It forces us to clarify our boundaries, tastes, and values. Without the friction of the things that don’t fit, it would be much harder to recognize and appreciate the things that do.
Ultimately, knowing what we don’t want narrows down the infinite choices of life, paving a clear, intentional road toward exactly what you do want. No matter how hard we try to be the best version of ourselves, there will still be people that don’t like us. Knowing that someone dislikes you can be a hard reality to sit with and an uncomfortable thing to feel.
“Resilience, moral courage, and self-acceptance form the core of true human value. While history honors those who endure hardship over popular compromise, genuine peace comes from embracing all our flaws and making peace with disapproval.”
Recently, I made a decision that offended someone in my family and it caused some serious negative reaction and discontent toward me. Processing this internally has taken awhile because my heart was wounded in a multitude of ways. At the same time, it was necessary to feel this so I could stay true to me. Those raw feelings of being disliked were certainly unsettling, but also a reminder of the things I am willing to potentially lose in deciding to stand up for my own values, even if that means I am disliked.
Respect and Honour Arrive finally!
• Consistency Breeds Trust: When people observe someone remaining steadfast in their principles despite facing dislikes or hardships, their perception shifts. Consistency over time transforms initial skepticism into deep-seated trust.
• Validation Of Results: Eventually, the positive outcomes of walking the right path become undeniable. Whether it is a healthier organization, a stronger community, or a well-lived life, the fruits of integrity eventually manifest, forcing even former critics to acknowledge the worth of the journey.
• Universal Recognition Of Character: Society inherently honors resilience and moral courage. When the dust settles, history and communities rarely remember those who took the easy, popular way out; they honor those who endured the hardships of the right path.
Finally embrace the fact that all of our qualities, both strengths and weaknesses, are essential to being human. We are all imperfect and we all say and do things we regret. By acknowledging that some people are not going to like us, We are accepting, respecting and appreciating us in the best way that we can, and that is one of the most valuable gifts we could ever receive from ourselves! The bitter taste of truth fades, And deeper like is left behind.
(The author is a teacher at Govt High School Brakpora Anantnag. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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