Today’s gratitude is a life lesson I continue to put into practice, but has been invaluable to me when I get caught up in caring about the opinions of others.
Even since I was a child, it has been important to me for others to like me. I used to stress and have anxiety, pondering the logic behind why someone wouldn’t like me. I believed if I was kind and engaging why would any one dislike me? What I didn’t realize was “what other people think of you is none of your business”. It was only a couple of years ago I heard this quote for the first time, shared by a close friend.
I have suffered a lot through my life, and even as an adult, trying to figure out why I was not included in invites when it seemed like almost everyone in the office got an invite but me. I would beat myself up and wonder what did I say or how did I behave to warrant being excluded from outside activities? It hurt a lot.
In addition to minding my own business around what others think of me; I also learnt to accept the fact that many women I meet simply don’t like me. It is liberating to surrender control and accept the fact there is nothing I can do to influence someone who has decided they do not like me when they do not know me in any capacity.
I can be a bit eccentric and quirky and that is okay. I can sometimes speak before I think and my thoughts and words can be jumbled; sometimes when speaking allowed in a group setting, it doesn’t always work out well for me. However, writing allows me to sort through my words and thoughts and unlike speaking, you have the option to amend, delete, or ponder before hitting send or publish.
I am learning to accept some people do not like me for reasons which are uniquely their own. What matters most is how I treat others, and how I continue to be kind and encouraging to everyone I encounter. It is the opinion I have for myself which is most important and what anyone else thinks about me is their issue to contend with, not mine.
I have many close friends across the globe who love me for me and I am so grateful for all of them.
What others think of you is none of your business and to add to this life lesson, it is what you think of yourself which truly matters and holds the greatest value. I am grateful for this life lesson as it took me years to figure out and to stop caring so much over something beyond my control.
Peace & Love – Rachel
You Know Jacques! 