This "life philosophy" of sorts showed up in my Quora feed, and I pretty much agree with all of it.
The person who made this post in Quora stated that the following words are from actor Anthony Hopkins, but I have not verified whether that is true or not. EDIT: Per the link provided by Phoenix61 in post number 1, these words were written by author Brianna Wiest, not Anthony Hopkins.
https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2018/12/next-year-let-go-of-the-people-who-arent-ready-to-love-you/
The reason I am posting the words of Ms. Wiest is because I generally agree with these philosophies. I take slight exception to a few of them, but in general, this is how I live my own life.
I am a strong empath. I have been my entire life. When I was younger, I recognized this characteristic in myself, and I also had the misguided notion that being aware of others and what they are going through somehow meant that I needed to put their needs before mine, no matter how I was treated by them. One day I woke up to the fact that this is a false notion.
Take a look at the below statements. They may reaffirm your current beliefs, they may make you think, or you may think they are bullshit. In any case, I think they are interesting.
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Let go of people who aren't ready to love you.
This is the hardest thing you will ever have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing.
Stop having difficult conversations with people who don’t want to change.
Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence.
I know your instinct is to do everything you can to gain the appreciation of those around you, but it's an impulse that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health.
When you start fighting for a life with joy, interest and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you to that place.
That doesn't mean you have to change who you are, it means you have to let go of people who aren't ready to be with you.
If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten or ignored by the people you give your time to, you are not doing yourself a favor by continuing to offer them your energy and your life.
Truth is, you're not for everyone and not everyone is for you.
This is what makes it so special when you find people that you have friendship or love matched.
You will know how precious it is because you've experienced what it isn't.
There are billions of people on this planet and a lot of them you will find at your level of interest and commitment.
Maybe if you stop showing up, they won't look for you.
Maybe if you stop trying, the relationship ends.
Maybe if you stop texting, your phone will stay dark for weeks.
That doesn't mean you ruined the relationship, it means the only thing that was holding it was the energy that only you gave to keep it.
That's not love, that's attachment.
It's giving a chance to those who don't deserve it!
You deserve so much more.
The most valuable thing you have in your life is your time and energy as both are limited.
The people and things you give your time and energy to, will define your existence.
When you realize this you start to understand why you’re so anxious when you spend time with people, activities or spaces that don’t suit you and shouldn't be near you.
You’ll start to realize that the most important thing you can do for yourself and everyone around you, is to protect your energy more fiercely than anything else.
Make your life a safe haven, in which only people "compatible" with you are allowed.
You are not responsible for saving anyone. (My opinion: Responsible? No. But one has a duty to make an attempt if it is reasonable to do so)
It's not your responsibility to convince them to improve. (Me: No, it's not my job, but sometimes it's the right thing to do).
It's not your job to exist for people and give them your life!
You deserve real friendships, true commitments, and complete love with healthy, prosperous people. (Me: And from non-prosperous and non-healthy people too. Prosperity has nothing to do with friendships. Neither does health).
Deciding to distance yourself from harmful people, will give you the love, esteem, happiness and protection you deserve.
= new reply since forum marked as read
your words, I could have written... no wonder your posts are such a delight to read 
"I am a strong empath. I have been my entire life. When I was younger, I recognized this characteristic in myself, and I also had the misguided notion that being aware of others and what they are going through somehow meant that I needed to put their needs before mine..."
however, about Wiest's writings... truly something to think about and much is good and relevant... some of it seems to be a bit "Ayn Randish'
overall it's advice I should have been given in my 20's
