So, What Do You Think - of Me?

TDFB is ignoring Paul Ryan's insane budget proposal today because it's simply insane. Instead, let's delve into other subjects such as Self-Help Affirmations and beliefs.

To boost our spirits/attitude during times of doubt or worse, we often fall upon inspiration through a variety of sources: religion; self-help CD's and books; quotations from "wise" people…

A plethora of guidance/platitudes/suggestions for the Soul & A Happy Life abound within Facebook postings in numerous forms on my News Feed every day. Your FB experience might be similar if you have friends who are floating along a Spiritual Path or, in the midst of a Meltdown and need to share what is getting them through the night, as it were/was/always will be. All cool. Nice. Helpful. As well as sometimes extremely annoying in the chirpiness of a few.

Nevertheless, one particular "reminder" has given me pause to reflect on what some of the wise words/attitudes actually mean – and that is the one where we are not to be concerned about what other people think of us and just go on our way, raising our consciousness' to higher levels, warding-off toxic thinking and worrying about what "others" think of us so that we may live longer and prosper.

Okay. The idea of not allowing ourselves to fall victim to how others think of us is correct in the overview. If we spend time curbing our desires, thoughts or actions, because we fear the backlash of how others will perceive us via our seeming nonchalance, it is understandable that such a "negative" thinking process could harm our health and sense of self esteem, thus causing illness or general ennui. I would never take away that thought/idea/belief/affirmation. HOWEVER (you saw it coming, didn't you?), I have a few words to impart regarding the Other Side Of The 'Don't Worry About…' coin.

When I didn't care what people thought of me as a kid, I was sent to the Principal's Office all of the time for various acts of supposed non-compliance with School Rules (such as writing love notes to boys instead of doing my tests).

When I was "being myself" at work or play, not concerned with how I was viewed, I ended-up with a reputation for being on hard drugs due to my intense energy, when, in truth, it was pure adrenalin that I have threatened to sell on the street. The incorrect "drug" rep affected my career for a few minutes here and there until it became clear I was far from a coke- or meth-head. I learned to "tone it down" and became very aware of my behaviour, which, in the end, sent the whisperings away.

I could continue listing the many ways in which I have not, or did not, concern myself with what others thought of me and how the repercussions hurt not only my life but of those close to me. But you get the point, I hope. What should one do? Surely there is a fine line between following polite/PC routes of behaviour (meaning: be careful to not make an ass out of ones' self or else be damned), and living one's life without the angst of "What will they think of me if I do (fill in the blank)."

Again, I'm not suggesting that we simply say to hell with it and run wild in the neighbourhood at 3:00 A.M. singing our latest fav tune at full-throttle-voice levels; however, I'm attempting to express a need for balance in how we use the wisdom of not allowing what others think of us to dampen our dreams and personalities until they fall flat and we end up faceless, pointless PC Robots.

Perhaps the key to all of this is simple: If we have done something without thinking about the consequences, then we have to own up and accept the clichéd "responsibility" of whatever it is we need to admit, then live with it, and not fall into the Vat Of Worry over the opinions of others about us and, in the "future", try to avoid doing whatever it is if it has harmed our friendships or Biz Relationships so that there will be nothing to "worry" about.

At the same time, to be A Real Person who is true to one's self, there are times, moments, situations and what-not, where we just have to say F-K IT! I AM WHO I AM, so take it or leave it! Ah, but to do so, one has to be brave and ready to be fired, divorced, gossip-ed about, etc., without blaming anyone but ourselves – if a "need" to "blame" is at all relevant.

Did you understand all of the above? I'm not quite sure I made my point in the clearest way, but I do care what YOU think about it, which is why I'm going to re-double-check my spelling and word spacing. After all, I'm supposed to be good at these things and when I'm not, well, wow, do I worry!

On that note, I bid you a temp farewell in writing for the day!

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