Do you care what other people think?

I have had some insights about myself lately.  I have realized that I care too much about what other people think of me and my actions.  It is funny because I wouldn't have thought that about myself.  I am usually quite confident about my views on life.  And there are parts of me that really do not care what others think of me.  But then there are these other little parts where I do care.  It is a weird realization.  It is also cool to actually stop myself and say, "Wow, that is interesting that I care what this person thinks on this topic."

For example, I know women who clean their house before the cleaning crew comes in, I know of folks who paint their toenails before giving birth/having a physical.  For me, it is caring whether me missing an exercise class will disappoint my teacher and if the car driving next me notices that I am totally singing in my car.  I mean how silly is that really?  I am not saying it is bad or good to care about what other people think.  I think we all want to feel loved and appreciated by our friends and family.  It is when we only care what other people think and not what we think, we can get into imbalance.

As I get older and more experienced in my skin and in my life, I am learning that it just doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about me or my life.  I am not intentionally hurting anyone by my actions or in-actions.  The only think I need to be focusing on is being the best person, soul, spirit I can be.  By doing this very important job, I naturally and easily help everyone around me. 

We are all energy, and we are all connected.  Have you ever been around someone who is in a funk or is just being a negative nilly?  Or have you been around someone who's laugh was infectious and you just felt great around them?  It's their energy you are feeling.  Which do you prefer to be around?  I am totally not saying anything about people being in the occasional pissed off mood by the way.  There are some people who are just grumpy all the time; always seeing the glass half empty.  And there are some folks who always have a smile on their face and see the positive in everything.  Our attitude and outlook on life is a choice, but that is another topic altogether.

So think about your quirky reservations and laugh about them.  It is by acknowledging our strengths and our flaws that we can truly grow and blossom.  Until next time...