Saturday, July 6, 1996

Seeking approval

So many people waste so much time and effort seeking approval.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting the approval of others. It is when we need approval at any cost, that it becomes a big problem. If you require the approval of others, you give them control over your life. And you sacrifice your own uniqueness in order to be the way someone else wants you to be.

Here’s an irony for you to consider. Think of the person in your life who commands the most respect and approval. Chances are, that person is heavily opinionated and clearly defined, and does not change his or her behavior so as to win the approval of others. In other words, the people who have the most approval are not the ones who seek it out.

You can never gain approval by seeking it. Rather, people will respect and approve of you because of your integrity and consistency. Follow your own path. The world needs the contributions of each individual. If we were all the same, life would have little meaning. The vibrancy of life comes from differing opinions and ways of doing things.

Don’t worry about what other people think. Be true to yourself and your own beliefs, and you’ll gain the respect, admiration and approval that you deserve.

— Ralph Marston

Let life flow       I feel great today!

Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.