Hello families,

This motto for this week is:

Do you let others determine who you are, or do you decide for yourself?

Human beings are naturally social beings, so it makes sense to want to fit in and please others.  However, it is important to know where the line is between fitting in and losing yourself.  Resist letting others define who you are, only you decide who you are.  Do not give that power to other people.

When other people have opinions about you, remember that those opinions belong to them, not you.  You do not have to make their opinion your opinion.  Only you decide what is true about you.

"Your opinion is not my reality." ~ Dr. Steve Maraboli

Comparison to Learn

Everyone has to deal with the unkind or unhelpful opinions of other people.  While we would naturally prefer other people's acceptance, it won't always be given to us.  There are so many different kinds of people in the world, with different values and priorities, that it would be impossible to please everyone anyway.  Yet, that knowledge isn't very comforting when we are in the midst of dealing with another person's judgment.  This may help:

1.  Impress Yourself.

Gaining the approval of other people can feel nice, but at the end of the day, you must live with yourself, and being a person you respect is more important than winning the temporary approval of others.

2.  Be True to You.

Being true to our own character may not get everyone's approval, but our genuine selves will naturally attract the kind of people who will bring joy to our lives.

3.  Bring Bravery.

Accepting ourselves just as we are right now is brave because it can feel easier to put our own self-approval off until we feel we have "earned" it.  However, self-approval does not require future action.  You can love and accept yourself right now.

Be good to yourself.  Look for good things.

Danna Evans
All Things E.Q.