The Worst Advice I’ve Ever Been Given (And Why I Ignore It)

#49 People say kindness makes you weak. I say it makes you unstoppable.

Mar 02, 2025

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The Worst Advice I’ve Ever Been Given

"You’re too kind. People will take advantage of you."

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this. Friends, family, random uncles at gatherings who think they’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe—everyone seems to have an opinion on my kindness.

And yeah, I get it. I’ve been burned before. I’ve given my time, energy, and brainpower to people who turned out to be human black holes—just taking and taking, never giving anything back. But here’s the thing:

I choose kindness, and I’m sticking with it.

The “Kindness is Weakness” Myth

Some people live by the idea that life is a constant trade-off. If someone wins, someone else has to lose. If you’re too generous, you’re gonna end up empty. But that’s not how I see it.

See, I used to be scared of this, too—especially as a teenager. I thought, What if being kind means getting walked all over? What if people take advantage of me? But over time, I realized that kindness isn’t a currency. It’s not something you run out of. It’s something that grows the more you use it.

That doesn’t mean I let people treat me like an all-you-can-eat buffet. I’m not out here handing out unlimited refills of my energy. If someone shows me they don’t respect my kindness, I remember. I adjust. I distance myself. But I refuse to live in a world where I have to question every single good thing I do.

If I feel like helping, I help. If I want to be generous, I am. No expectations, no calculations. Just vibes.

The Coaching That Came Full Circle

And just this morning, I got proof that it all comes back.

Three years ago, I met someone who was hungry—not for food (although, let’s be real, I would respect that too), but for knowledge. She was ambitious, motivated, ready to put in the work. And I thought, You know what? I want to help.

So I did.

Once a week, for 60 minutes straight, I coached her. We worked on mindset, strategies, and tools that could help her grow. Week after week, I showed up, not expecting anything in return. No fees, no contracts—just two people trying to figure things out together.

And then life happened. We lost touch. I moved on. I didn’t think much about it.

Until today.

Out of nowhere, she messaged me. She told me she still applies everything I taught her. That those sessions shaped her journey in ways I couldn’t imagine. And then she hit me with this:

"I want to pay you. We never set a price, but I want to send you an amount that feels right to show my appreciation."

I was stunned. Not because of the money (although, let’s be real, surprise cash is never a bad thing), but because it proved what I’ve believed all along:

Kindness isn’t wasted. It plants seeds. And sometimes, those seeds take years to grow—but they do grow.

Kindness Will Always Find Its Way Back

Look, I know there will always be people who take advantage. I know not everyone will appreciate what I do. But I also know this:

The ones who truly value kindness? They never forget it.

Even if it takes them years, they’ll remember the way you made them feel. The way you showed up. The way you helped when they needed it most.

So to the people who tell me to “stop being too kind”? Nah. I’m good.

I’d rather live in a world where I give freely than in one where I second-guess my own goodness.

Because at the end of the day, kindness doesn’t make you weak. It makes you powerful. It makes you unforgettable.

And if that means getting taken advantage of once in a while? Fine. I’ll take that risk.

Because I know the real ones—the ones who matter—will always, always give back.

#MyDailyLearning: Be kind, and when people say you shouldn’t, slap them with your slipper. You never know whose life you’re changing. 🌱✨

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Son of a Viet Kieu