LET THEM TALK: FINDING PEACE BEYOND PEOPLE’S OPINIONS By Dr Supriya Shukla

LET THEM TALK: FINDING PEACE BEYOND PEOPLE’S OPINIONS 

Dr Supriya Shukla 

An all-time favourite number for music lovers — the universal, pithy lines

“कुछ तो लोग कहेंगे, लोगों का काम है कहना”

from Amar Prem, sung in Kishore Kumar’s velvety voice, echo a timeless truth.

These words remind us that we must learn to accept people’s unsolicited opinions and criticism. Only a few possess that rare ability to “let go,” as Kishoreda croons the next liberating line —

“छोड़ो बेकार की बातों को…”

Yet, not all are so fortunate. Many of us are 

bruised by the world’s harsh judgements and lose confidence under the weight of careless words.

Is it really necessary for people to speak disparagingly — to point out flaws, demean, or ridicule? Why are we so judgemental by nature? What gives us the right to evaluate another just based on their appearance, belief, or lifestyle? We judge , criticise ,condescend every person the minute we meet them 

inspecting their looks , sometimes peer at the wrinkles to see how prominent they are or not , certainly their attire , accessories and start judging the person through these physical characteristics and attributes.

One's physical features , body structure is not his or her own creation ....and how one wishes to dress is entirely one's own fancy and choice . 

Socrates said, “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

And yet, how often do we fall into the last category, forgetting that gossip and criticism shrink the soul that indulges in them.

Many justify their harsh words under the garb of honesty — “We’re just being frank,” they claim, wearing bluntness as a badge of virtue. But truth without empathy turns cruel. Some people, steeped in self-glorification, mistake arrogance for authenticity. Their words sting, not because they are right, but because they are devoid of kindness.

Once, at a casual gathering, a friend commented on another’s “ageing face.” It was meant as a joke, yet the awkward silence that followed said more than words could. Such moments remind us how easily we 

wound others, often without realising it. Words, after all, carry weight far beyond their sound.

We cannot change such people, but we can choose our response. We can decide not to internalize their bitterness or make their opinion our truth. Admittedly, it isn’t easy — unkind words leave invisible scars. Yet, if we could remind ourselves that such people too are battling their own insecurities, compassion would arise instead of resentment.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind — always.”

This simple truth, often quoted but rarely lived, holds the key to peace.

As we journey through life, each of us has either judged or been judged. Few realise how instinctively we slip into the habit of gossip — dissecting others’ mannerisms, choices, or appearances. It feels harmless, even entertaining. But in truth, it corrodes our inner being.

Imagine a cheerful coffee-table chat that suddenly turns sour the moment someone’s personal life becomes the topic. The laughter fades, replaced by a subtle unease. It is in such embarassing moments that self-awareness must whisper — stop, this is not who you want to be.

If we consciously negate this tendency and strive to be more accepting, our minds will expand, and our inner self will quietly elevate. Negativity constricts the heart; empathy frees it.

 “Before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes.”

— Native American Proverb

We humans are very much like walnuts — our outer shells may appear rough, uneven, even flawed, but within lies a rich and intricate kernel. Only those willing to look beyond the surface discover the true essence. Sadly, most remain fixated on the shell — the external, the visible — never realizing the value that lies inside. The wise, however, know that beauty and worth are often hidden beneath imperfection.

After all, we are all sailing in the same boat — imperfect, vulnerable, striving souls. Those who truly know themselves rarely feel disturbed by what others think. Self-knowledge brings balance — the awareness 

of one’s strengths, weaknesses, and essence.

What others say or think about us is their business, not ours. It cannot be bridled, nor should it dictate our peace. As Eleanor Roosevelt wisely remarked:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

So instead of reacting, defending, or feeling humiliated, we must learn to simply Let Go.

Our core being is like the vast blue sky — infinite, pure, and untouched by fleeting clouds of criticism. The sky does not darken because the crows caw.

If only we could shed our angst and repose within ourselves, peace would bloom 

naturally. That serenity can be nurtured through meditation and self-awareness, the twin anchors of inner harmony.

As Rumi beautifully wrote:

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.”

Our hurt from others’ words, when accepted with awareness, can become a source of wisdom. It teaches detachment, compassion, and strength.

Let us then guard our joy from cynicism, neither turning into hard-boiled cynics ourselves nor bearing the brunt of their bitterness. In the end, it is not the world’s chatter that defines us, but the silence within that steadies us.

So, the next time the world talks — as it inevitably will — smile gently, stay centred, and hum softly to yourself:

“कुछ तो लोग कहेंगे, लोगों का काम है कहना…”

For the walnut remains precious within, and the sky remains blue — no matter how many clouds drift across it.