What I Must Do, Is All That Concerns Me, Not What the People Think

"What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think." The following aphorism describes how one should not worry about how society perceives them on a daily basis, but everyone should live up to their own goals and standards. Don’t worry about what other people think. You should not let someone else’s opinions stop you from achieving your goal. Now, I do not say it would be any easier, because it is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion. But there is no reason as to why humans should be affected and controlled by the reactions of the society. Everyone should be able to live their lives freely and be able to live as an individual.
To me, his aphorism have stood the test of time, it can apply to many perspective of life. Nowadays, we are living in a society that we feel we have to fit in. Because people are so afraid of being themselves, afraid of being different, of being “weird” in other’s eyes. And sometimes, people are looked down on for their differences. This is just silly. People should stand up for what they believe in even at the risk of looking bad. Therefore, we do things just to please each other and this stops us from following our goals. This aphorism is implying that you should not worry about what other people think, also the only person whose opinion should matter to you is your own. Actions and duties that are performed by you do not need the approval of the public. When people concern about what other people think, they fail to keep their individuality. Individuality is what separates the average from the great. Anyone can follow what other people do, but to take a different path and not follow the norm of society is what makes people great. Instead of worrying about others "concerns", one should be more worried about theirs. There is no laws or rights that state everyone must follow one another and act like androids. Back in high school, I am sure not the only one who was having a difficult time choosing which career path to pursue. My parents were encouraging me to enter the medical field due to its high demand, but they forget about how I feel. Although my passion is the ultimate goal to make a considerable amount of money but to essentially be happy in my occupation is what matter. For that, I am in agreement with Emerson about how this decision is only in relevance to my own self-purpose, he encourages everyone to follow themselves instead of where the current of society is going. A person must do what he/she feels the natural urge to do and not choose to do something because of someone else's pressure or thoughts. His aphorism demonstrates the importance of being self-reliant and putting one's thought and feeling before the thought of what others think.
This aphorism is an excellent description and I try to live up to it every day for it allows me to become a better individual instead of following the cliques and groupings that are in today’s society. I must not take into account the perceptions of others, but to look into my own heart in order to understand my destiny. Like Emerson stated "the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude..." be yourself, be who you want to be, not what someone else guides you to be.