Be true to yourself and surround yourself with positive

Hear the counsel of Payal Kadakia, spoken with clarity as though from a mountaintop: “Be true to yourself and surround yourself with positive, supportive people.” These words are not fleeting advice but a pillar upon which a life of strength and purpose may be built. For the soul that betrays itself loses its compass, wandering without direction; and the soul that walks among the faithless and the cruel will find its fire smothered. Only by remaining faithful to one’s essence, and by dwelling among those who uplift, can a person flourish like a tree rooted by the waters of life.

To be true to yourself is to honor the voice within that whispers your calling. The ancients called this the daimon, the guiding spirit, the inner flame that directs each man and woman toward their destiny. Yet how often do people abandon this voice for the clamor of the crowd, chasing after applause or approval, and finding only emptiness? Kadakia reminds us that the first loyalty must be to the truth of one’s own heart, for from that springs all authenticity, all purpose, all greatness.

But the path is not to be walked alone. One must choose companions wisely, for the company you keep is the soil in which your spirit grows. Positive and supportive people are like sunlight and rain to the soul: they nourish, they encourage, they strengthen. The ancients said, “Iron sharpens iron,” meaning that strong companions make us stronger. Conversely, to dwell among the bitter, the jealous, or the deceitful is to plant oneself in barren ground, where nothing but weeds can thrive.

Consider the story of Florence Nightingale. True to herself, she defied her wealthy family’s expectations and chose the path of nursing, a profession considered unworthy at the time. Her heart’s voice called her to serve the suffering, and she obeyed. Yet she did not stand alone. She gathered around her those who believed in her mission, supportive people who aided her in transforming hospitals into sanctuaries of healing. Her faith in her calling, joined with the encouragement of allies, changed the face of medicine forever.

The lesson of Kadakia’s words is thus twofold. First, never betray the truth of who you are, for to do so is to live in chains of your own making. Second, never walk among those who poison your spirit; instead, seek those whose positivity and support help you to rise higher than you could alone. This harmony of self-loyalty and wise companionship creates a life of unshakable power.

Beware, however, of false friends and false voices. Many will claim to support you, yet their counsel springs from envy or fear. Many will urge you to forsake your path, to be what is “safe” or “acceptable.” But to heed them is to silence your own truth. Let your spirit discern who uplifts and who diminishes. Cling to those who encourage your strength, and release those who cloud your vision.

Practical actions follow from this wisdom. Each day, reflect on whether your choices honor your deepest self, or whether you are bending to the will of others. Write down what your heart truly desires, and commit to it with courage. Surround yourself with companions who celebrate your victories and strengthen you in defeat, and gently distance yourself from those who drag you into despair. In this way, your life will be built upon the twin pillars of authenticity and community.

So remember the counsel of Payal Kadakia: “Be true to yourself and surround yourself with positive, supportive people.” To live this way is to walk in freedom, to grow in strength, and to shine as a beacon for others. Such a life does not wither under the weight of the world, but blossoms, becoming a garden where hope and courage bloom for generations to come.