One of the hardest truths to accept is that we cannot control how others perceive us.
The instinct to defend ourselves, to explain, and to convince others of our worth is strong, but ultimately futile.
Other peoples’ opinions of us are shaped by their own experiences and biases, and attempting to manage these perceptions can be exhausting and unproductive. As I would say, there is no cheese down that hole. Ha!
We know this, yet it’s hard to do.
True peace lies in releasing the need for approval and accepting that others are entitled to their feelings about us.
It may seen that our reputation is in their hands, our character remains firmly within our control.
Embracing this distinction allows us to focus on maintaining our integrity and inner peace, regardless of how we are perceived by others.
With that said, we found this anonymous writing that may deeply resonate. Enjoy.
“I think one of the hardest things, at least for me, is to allow someone to have a bad opinion of me.
I want to defend myself. I want to explain why they’re wrong. I want to convince them that I’m a decent person and I am worth liking.
I don’t want my reputation left in their hands, because their hands are fickle.
But the truth is. The very, very hard-to-swallow truth is that I’m not in control of their opinions about me.
I’m not in control of the view they have of me, the light they choose to see me through and unfortunately, even what they say about me to others.
Peace is letting go. Peace is accepting that they’re entitled to their feelings about me.
They have every right to not like me. They have every right to not choose me, to not invite me or to label me as the villain, the bad guy, or whatever else they want.
They don’t have to forgive me, give me grace or even attempt to understand my point of view.
But at the end of the day, the thing is, my reputation is who they think I am – whatever version of me they have created in their mind.
It may be about me. It may involve me, but it’s not really mine to hold. My character, however, is who I actually am.
My character belongs to me and me alone, and I take it seriously, so I guess they can have their perceptions and they can have their own ideas about who I am and why I do what I do.
I release their opinions about me, but I hold tight to my peace.
We all have take responsibility for the words we speak, write or share. That’s on us, but we don’t have to exhaust ourselves trying to be responsible for the way people choose to read them.
That’s on them.”
If inspired please share.
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