“The eyes of others are our prisons; their thoughts our cages.” –
Virginia Woolf — What does this quote mean to you?
One of the common thoughts we all have in life is to be looked upon as favorably by others. For many, self-esteem is directly tied to what perception others have of us,,,,at least what we think they feel about us.
As I have gotten older, it would seem that I care a lot less about what others think or say about me. I’ve gotten to know myself a lot better and my personal thoughts of self are much more important.
Indeed, if I look at the term “self-esteem,” it really has nothing to do with what others might think about me. I’ve heard it said many times, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” They are perfectly free to think what they may, whether it be good or bad.
I can look at my own perceptions of other people in my life and realize that I may not know them as well as I think I do. I don’t comprehend or understand their motives for why they do what they do. To think I know someone else that well is folly.
Just for today, I’ll set aside any wonder or worry about what others think of me. I’ll do my best at what’s set in front of me and let my words and deeds speak for themselves.
David Lee 