I’m a people pleaser.
Really, I think a lot of us are. We want to be accepted, acknowledged and congratulated. We want to know that we’re “in,” that we’re doing okay in the eyes of others. We crave this type of approval. It’s part of the reason why the majority of us do the things we do–chase down impossible degrees at outstanding universities, work 60-hour work weeks, force ourselves to follow ridiculous diets, even go to church. These sorts of behaviors say things about our moral fibers and press an invisible stamp of approval to our foreheads: I’M SUCCESSFUL AND INTELLIGENT AND HARD-WORKING AND NURTURING AND…
What IS that?!
There is no need for any of us to feel as if we must answer to anyone! In order to pursue passion and happiness and fulfillment and spirituality and self-honesty, we need to be prepared to disappoint. It is inevitable.
(I think it goes without saying, but the only One who truly matters is GOD!)
Very recently, I’ve done some disappointing and quite honestly, it’s tearing me apart. I can’t stand to be in the shadows of someone else’s disapproving glare. I want to be impressing and perfect and…well, I want to be a lot of things I can’t. Not if I’m being true to my own heart.
Letting people down hurts a lot. But the alternative is like…forcing your size-9 feet into a very beautiful pair of expensive size-8 shoes. It may seem like it’s a good idea. It may seem like it could turn out okay. But it can’t, and it won’t. It doesn’t fit.
We can only, always, be ourselves. Our own hearts are all we have to offer.
