Art has really taught me a lot about the concept of “advice” because often, if a person doesn’t understand what you’re trying to accomplish, they will unconsciously view you as their inferior… As if you have a “lesser understanding” of their own focus and intentions, and they will tell you how to improve in certain ways to become more like them. The trouble is: if the level you’re on is actually a completely different plane of existence from their own paradigm; then this advice is not necessarily helpful and may even be harmful. You could be a hair’s breadth away from your own greatness, and somebody else will teach you how to become very hardworking at being a solidly mediocre facsimile of their own idea of greatness — distracting you miles away from your own path, and a destination you had previously been moments away from reaching.
Culture clashes, racism, sexism, generation gaps, etc. all play into this concept, and it’s easy to see why. Intuition and careful discernment of one’s own self worth are the antidote, and I wish I could say that it’s easy to distinguish but that is not all ways the case.
I am not saying…do not be humble, or open to perceiving your own faults and learning new ways (perhaps even taking the occasional necessary detour?) But do have faith in yourself, self-awareness of your own greatness, and knowledge of where your journey is taking you. Because there are many people you will meet, some well-meaning and some not-so-much, who will distract you from your path (or truth) when given the opportunity.