For someone to break free from the confines of their family background is truly remarkable.
During the formative years of a person's life, they may be subjected to insults, negation, distortion, and internal conflicts.
Their entire cognitive framework can remain in a state of chaos, without any guidance. If they haven't been derailed by this, that's already impressive. If they can continuously repair and improve themselves, becoming a better person, they are extraordinary individuals.
This is also why most people find it so difficult to break free from the influence of their families.
This is precisely why I admire the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. One particular scene from it has stayed with me to this day. The protagonist was playing basketball with his son when he inadvertently asked about his son's dream for the future. The boy said he wanted to become a professional basketball player. The father mocked his son briefly, and the boy, upset, threw the ball aside. Realizing his mistake, the father spoke to his son seriously, saying: "Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period."
This scene left a profound impression on me. The first time I watched this movie was in my university library, and those words resonated deeply with me, bringing me to tears.
This is how the world works. As individuals, we inevitably carry subjective tendencies because self-preservation is instinctual. It is precisely this instinct that has allowed humanity to evolve and endure. Therefore, keeping a distance from anyone—be it physically or mentally—who denies, exploits, or oppresses you is a sound value to uphold.
When you leave this world, none of these things will matter to you anymore. Don’t let yourself be brainwashed by empty materialist rhetoric. "Decluttering" (断舍离) is indeed an advanced life philosophy, though knowing it is far easier than practicing it.
When you encounter unsuitable people, don’t dwell on them. Walk away decisively—they are merely passing through your life. You must be the king of your own kingdom. All your actions and thoughts should pass through the filter of your own mind. Only then is such a life worthy of respect and admiration.