We believe in the pursuit of empathy leading to authentic conversations. That’s one of the pillars of inclusivity but, what do you do when someone challenges something you did…said thought you said…wore…created…stand for? Your first reaction might emote in a way that is oh so uniquely you. You might call a friend and howl at the moon. You might get angry and spew venomously until you wear yourself out. You might fester and fuss until your insides scream for mercy. Maybe you simply shrug your shoulders and say,“que sera sera.” Maybe, all of the above.
As the late self-help author Wayne Dyer said, “what other people think of me is none of my business.” While that’s not always easy to do, it sure is something to consider. People’s opinions of you have more to do with their personal filters not your worthiness. It’s not that they’re wrong and you’re right, or vice versa. It just is. And, when you think about it, what a boring world it would be if we all agreed on everything, all of the time. Ideas wouldn’t get better. Creativity wouldn’t soar higher. Invaluable life lessons wouldn’t be learned…and re-learned.
If you worry a little less about what others think, ignore their sometimes less than stellar moods and not fall truly, madly, deeply in love with their delicious compliments, you’re free to be more you. When you’re able to (sometimes miraculously) bypass anger, worry, fear and insecurity you can do more create more…celebrate more…appreciate more…shine more.
So go ahead, be more.