I care too much about what people think; we all do if we are honest enough with ourselves. Vernon Howard once said that a “truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” We must allow the world around us to live as it decides fit, turning a blind eye to the influence of others so that we can live as we see fit for ourselves. I love the Peanuts comic below; I’ve always had an affinity for Snoopy and the below strip displays exactly why: Snoopy is just himself.
Snoopy ignores the bossy criticisms of Lucy and she outwardly teases him, belittling him as she calls him stupid for enjoying the falling leaves. We too live lives constantly berated by others’ opinions. To that, I say good grief, Charlie Brown. Good grief, for it is time that we stop listening to others for approval and allowing their voices, their criticisms, their harsh words of discouragement wear us down. The world is filled these types of negative influences and it is up to us whether or not we want to listen or not.
This week I challenge you to live more like Snoopy. Turn your head happily back to the leaves after your Lucy speaks words of criticism and disapproval. We are all lions, each given specific passions, desires, and joys, it’s time that we stop worrying about the approval the lambs around us and that we just enjoy being ourselves.