Day 282; What Others Think of You

What Others Think of You

I’ve read almost every book written by Paulo Coelho, so it’s no wonder that I decided to follow his tweets to see what other parsimonious offerings he had to share.

A few days ago, I was rewarded with a line that could only come from someone so self-aware;

“What someone else thinks of you is none of your business.” I stared at the words for a moment but they stayed with me much longer; days in fact.

The thought was both illuminating and liberating. I was now free to worry less about what others thought of me. I understood the statement as recognition of the fact that the thoughts of others were of their own construct and even when they were about me; they had nothing to do with me. So true!

Still, I thought about my work and the need to make sure that I am clear to the listener and the reader. I knew that my purpose was linked to their ability to understand my thoughts for and about them.

What was I to think then? If what someone else thought of me was not my business, but I was in the business of helping others to think I had a dilemma on my hands.

Then it came to me; don’t worry about what others think of you, be concerned with what you think of yourself.

As I continued with this wonderful philosophical exercise, I could hear my own mind in the background; “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,” it said mocking.

I laughed at myself and decided to spend more time with my own business; what I think, feel, and see in myself.

Then I heard the familiar voice in my head as it said, “Now, you’re talking.”

Be you, be well, be wonderful.

Bertice Berry, PhD.

Order the book A YEar to Wellness and begin your journey NOW