Views, Perspective, Self Esteem, Priorities

Day 26 is write how you think other people view you.


But I think, who cares?  I mean, obviously we hope that people enjoy our company and see the good in us.  And we always strive to be kind and serve and make people feel good and important.  But the question "how do others view you" just doesn't seem healthy at all.  For one, you'll never really know.  And for two, all that matters is how you view yourself and how you are in the eyes of the Lord.

Depending on the views of other people is natural.  It's a human instinct to want to be loved and looked up to; and to seek affirmation from the people around you.  But I have recently learned some very important things about the way you should view life, and I think this question provides a great opportunity for me to share that with everyone!

One realization I've had is that nobody is perfect.  I know, I know, it's obvious and everybody knows that.  But yet, even though we all know that, we often still expect it of ourselves and others.  It is in our culture to "strive for perfection."  However, there is a fine line between striving for perfection and expecting perfection.  We should always strive for perfection; we should recognize our weaknesses and work to become better every day.  However, to expect perfection or get down on ourselves when we're not is blasphemous.  Perfection is impossible to achieve in this life.  If any of us were perfect, we wouldn't be here.  That dividing line is crucial to the way we view ourselves and our lives.  And it's also a line that so many people struggle to recognize.  That is why so many people harshly judge others and themselves.  Everyone should just accept that we are all here, humans, brothers and sisters.  We were all sent here for the same purpose, but not to live the same lives.  We are all unique and therefore have to find our own way of improving our lives and finding happiness.  Everyone messes up.  Everyone also does good.  Everyone has emotion.  Everyone loves someone.  If we all could remember those things, everyone would also be happy.

So, instead of ever thinking about what other people think of me, I have decided instead to focus on how I think about others.  Am I loving them?  Am I serving them?  Am I having compassion on them when they are struggling?

And then the other crucial thing to do is prioritize.  Figure out what is most important to you, and what is less important to you.  Make time for the important things, and you will be happy.  I did that this summer; I wrote down my priorities in life: the kind of person I want to be, the things that are important to me, and the time I needed to devote to those things to keep them important.  And I feel so happy.  I am content with my life and confident that I am heading in the right direction.  I am striving for perfection, but I do not expect it of myself.  And I am comfortable with that, because that is all I can do.