“Lean too much on the approval of others, and it becomes a bed of thorns.”
–Tehyi Hsieh–
There is, of course, nothing wrong with seeking approval every now and again. In certain circumstances it is necessary to move forward. However, we live in a world overtaken by media trends that tells us what to buy, where to go, what to do, and how to be. It suggests that if we do not operate in such a fashion there is something odd or wrong about us.
On some level, most of us seek approval. We all want to fit in. We are social creatures. Yet if we act from a perspective that panders to the perceived desires of others, we lose ourselves. It becomes uncomfortable and even painful, hence the bed of thorns.
So I say, as always, we must first attend to ourselves. When we are aligned with the eternal present, we cannot help but be our most natural, joyous selves. Then we remove ourselves from the cycle of pain wherein everyone is seeking everyone else’s approval.
By Terence Stone
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I agree totally!