As I look back on my 8 decades of life, I remember dearly so many people who loved me and taught me to be a better person. At one time, I also thought of the challenging people who were in my life and kinda shuddered, inviting that memory to pass quickly through.
Now, I realize that some of my greatest growth came from the most difficult times. I learned not to try to please everyone as it is impossible to do so—and I needed to give up myself in order to do so. I learned that I sometimes push people away because I taught myself not to trust love. The latter took some years of therapy and self awareness, and I’ve improved.
Dr. Brene Brown invites us not to give anyone a vote on us unless they are in our arena. Other people see you through the lens of their own past conflicts and feelings. They don’t know you, so why let them tell you who you are. I have lived inside of me all these years; I know who I really am. What other people think of me is none of my business!
A person who intentionally hurts another person does so from a place of wounded-ness and pain. Don’t give them the power to hurt you. Send them your love and move on to another person.
Bless the people who brought you lessons you didn’t think you wanted to learn. Forgive yourself for letting other people hurt or harm you. If someone doesn’t get you, that’s about them, not you. The world doesn’t need more copycats, the world needs the originals to stand up and help to heal all of us.
Please copy, paste and send to friends/family. Photo by Scott A. McDaniel
