bhaskar saikia

“Tigers are strange elephants, they don’t have tusks.”
Sounds absurd? That’s because it is.
But it perfectly illustrates how often people pretend to be experts in things they barely understand.

We all know someone like that—someone who confidently comments on everything under the sun. They have an opinion about politics, religion, gardening, space science, and even your life goals. And somehow, their advice always sounds louder than your own inner voice.

Albert Einstein once said, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I’m not sure about the universe.”

The world is full of noise. And most of it comes from people who don’t know what they’re talking about.

The Problem with Unasked Opinions

In this age of instant information and endless “experts,” it’s dangerously easy to fall for opinions disguised as wisdom. People often advise you not based on your journey, but based on their fear of failure or lack of courage.

Someone who’s never picked up a cricket bat may tell you how risky it is to chase a sports career. A person who never built a business might warn you that entrepreneurship is too uncertain. Someone who never lived your dream may casually crush it under the weight of their own insecurities.

What’s worse is when these voices start sounding like truth. You begin to doubt your path. You question your choices. You delay your progress.

How to Filter the Noise

So how do you protect your dream from this flood of half-baked advice?

Simple: Consider the source.

Before accepting advice, ask yourself:

• Has this person actually walked the path I want to walk?
• Do they have real experience or just strong opinions?
• Are they helping me grow, or projecting their own fears?

For example, I value a doctor’s opinion when it comes to my health. But if that same doctor starts giving advice about being a writer or an entrepreneur, I listen politely—and then move on.

Your Mountain Is Yours Alone

I’m reminded of a beautiful piece by Paulo Coelho. He says:

“When you decide to climb a mountain, choose the one you want to climb. Don’t listen to what others say about how this or that mountain is easier.”

The mountain you choose may be steep, stormy, or unfamiliar—but if it’s your calling, it’s the only one worth climbing.

Clarity of purpose has power. When you know what you’re after, the world’s noise begins to fade. When you are clear about your mountain, no “expert” can talk you out of the climb.

Don’t Blame the Mirror

At the end of the day, life is your journey from point A to point B. You don’t get to choose point A—that’s your birth. But you do get to choose point B—your destination.

And if you don’t reach it, blaming others won’t change a thing.

If a bud doesn’t bloom, it’s not the fault of the spring. If you’re thirsty and the rain doesn’t quench you, don’t blame the clouds. If the night scares you, the night isn’t guilty. If a mirror shows your blemishes, it’s not the mirror’s fault.

Success or failure—it’s all on you. Your dreams, your choices, your effort.

The Takeaway: Be Wise, Not Loud

Not every voice deserves your attention. Not every opinion deserves your energy. And not every mountain is worth climbing—except the one that calls your name.

So choose wisely. Live boldly. And above all, climb your own damn mountain.