Gandhi's Wisdom: Life Lessons Everyday People Can Use

Lately, I've been seeing Gandhi's name pop up everywhere. Someone's been sharing his "famous quotes" on WeChat Moments, there's a post on the wall at the gym saying, "If you want to change the world, change yourself first." Even my yoga teacher says, "Don't rush. Learn to be as calm as Gandhi." At first, I just nodded, thinking it made sense, but I didn't really think about what it meant.

Until one day, I suddenly asked myself: What are these sayings really saying? Are they truly useful, or do they just sound impressive but ultimately useless? So, I decided to stop just listening and actually try them out to see if they could help me live better every day.

• Step 1: Start by "Taking Care of Yourself"

• Don't Try to Change the World Yet

Gandhi's most frequently quoted quote is, "If you want to change the world, change yourself first." It sounds incredibly lofty, as if you need to become a perfect person before you can improve society as a whole. But the problem is, I'm just an ordinary person. Every day I work, answer emails, and work on projects. How can I find the time to save the world?

So, at first, I thought this statement was ridiculous. But then I thought about it another way: Maybe it's not about doing something earth-shattering right away, but rather a reminder that the only thing you can control is yourself.

For example, one day I was feeling really annoyed at work. My inbox was overflowing, my colleagues hadn't submitted their materials on time, and my boss was still pushing for progress. My first reaction was to sigh, roll my eyes, and curse. But that day, Gandhi's words suddenly came to mind: "Change yourself first."

So, instead of complaining, I sat up straight, opened the first email, and carefully wrote a simple reply: "Got it. I'll get back to you by noon tomorrow." Then I moved on to the next one. I didn't get angry, and I didn't blame anyone else.

The result? The same amount of things were still going on, but I felt a lot more relaxed. It turns out, I don't need to wait for others to get better. If I calm down first, the whole situation will be less dire.

This made me realize that "changing yourself" doesn't mean becoming a saint, but rather starting with small steps, like yelling less and taking more steps. The world may not get better immediately, but your life will be a little more comfortable.

• Tolerance isn't weakness; it's about lightening your burden.

• Don't let past anger affect your present.

Gandhi said something I found difficult to accept: "The weak never forgive; forgiveness is the hallmark of the strong." At first, it sounded a bit arrogant, as if to say: If you don't forgive, you're weak. But then I gradually understood that the "strong" he was referring to didn't mean someone with great strength or power, but rather someone with inner strength who dares to let go of hatred.

I have a personal example. A few months ago, a friend agreed to go on a trip with me, but she canceled at the last minute without explaining the reason. I was very upset at the time, and every time I tried to meet her again, I felt angry: "She doesn't value me at all." So I kept putting it off and didn't contact her.

Strangely, every time I think about it, it's not her who gets upset, but me. That feeling of holding my breath, like walking with a heavy stone on my back.

One day, I suddenly thought: Why do I have to keep carrying this stone? She might have forgotten about it long ago, but I'm still angry. It's not her who's hurting me, it's me who's refusing to let go.

So I sent a WeChat message: "Hey, how are you doing? Do you have time to get coffee?"

She immediately replied: "Wow! I was just thinking about you!"

We had a wonderful chat, and the previous disagreement didn't seem so important anymore.

At that moment, I understood that forgiveness isn't for others, but for yourself. Gandhi was right: those who can let go are the truly powerful.

• Facing conflict, not fighting back is also a choice.

• Don't let others' mistakes become your pain.

There's another quote from Gandhi that I've never quite understood: "An eye for an eye blinds the whole world."

I used to think this taught people to swallow their anger. If someone punches you, isn't it normal for you to punch them back? Why should you endure it?

But something happened last week that changed my perspective.

I was driving when a driver suddenly cut in from the side, nearly hitting me. My first reaction was to honk and curse, almost gesturing. But at that moment, Gandhi's words popped into my mind: "An eye for an eye blinds the whole world."

I paused, took my hands off the steering wheel, took two deep breaths, and slowly drove away. The driver had already driven away, as if nothing had happened.

Interestingly, my lack of yelling and gesturing helped me calm down even faster. If I had yelled and gestured, I would have been furious all the way home, probably still thinking about it.

But now? Ten minutes later, I'd forgotten what the person looked like.

This taught me that sometimes, not fighting back isn't about giving up, but about not wanting to be controlled by the other person's emotions. He may have a quick temper, but he shouldn't be the one to dictate my mood for the whole day.

• Putting These Principles Together: Life Can Actually Be Simpler

• You Don't Need to Be a Saint to Live a Better Life

After trying these a few times, my view of Gandhi has completely changed. He wasn't preaching some complex philosophy, nor was he asking us to be perfect. He was simply sharing some small tips that even ordinary people can use:

- When things get chaotic, manage your reactions, even if it's just quietly replying to an email;
- When you're angry, ask yourself: Is this resentment serving me? Or is it just dragging me down?
- When someone irritates you, choose not to get angry too; this way you can maintain your composure.

These principles aren't difficult, and they don't require you to become perfect all at once. They're more like a toolkit for life—you don't have to use them every time, but when you feel like you're about to collapse, try them out and you might discover: Oh, there's another way.

I still get angry, I still complain, and I forget these principles. But I've learned to remind myself: I don't need to change the whole world; just making a slightly different choice in a certain moment is enough.

• Summary: Three Things Gandhi Taught Me

• 1. Start with yourself, even if it's just small things.

Don't wait for others to change for the better. You can start by being calmer and more patient. Even if you simply refrain from saying a harsh word, that's progress.https://fairytales.cc/mahatma-gandhi-quotes-meaning-explained-key-lessons-for-life/

• 2. Letting go of resentment is for your own peace of mind.

Holding grudges is exhausting; forgiving is easy. Not everyone apologizes, but you can choose not to let the past hurt you in the present.

• 3. Not retaliating is also a form of strength.

Just because someone treats you harshly doesn't mean you have to respond harshly. You can control your own behavior, not others' attitudes.

To me, Gandhi's words are no longer just beautiful quotes to post on a wall. They are practical tips you can use on the subway, in the office, or while driving. They won't solve every problem, but at least they can make life less tiring .

If you find life sometimes too noisy, too annoying, and too infuriating, try this:
Stop, take a deep breath, and ask yourself:
"Is my current reaction making me feel better or worse?"

Perhaps this is the beginning of change.

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