What Will People Think?

The whimsical genius of Brian Andreas and his Story People couldn’t say it better, “I don’t have too many vices beyond caring what other people think, she said, but that’s a big one.” 

This piece of art magically appeared in a gift store I was browsing in one weekend while I was writing about just that — my concern with “What Will People Think?” Had to buy it, and it still hangs on a wall I my house to remind me.

So why do we care so much about others opinions of us? I know I’m not the only one. Most of us feel at least a sting when we believe someone doesn’t approve of us. Why is another’s opinion of us so important?

Jack Canfield gave a clear answer in his conversation with Oprah Winfrey on a Super Soul Sunday show I happened to watch this week.

“What do you see as the world’s greatest wound,” Oprah asked Jack?

Jack’s brilliant answer, “I think the greatest wound we’ve all experienced is somehow being rejected for being our authentic self. And then, as a result of that, we try to be what we’re not to get approval, love, protection, safety, money, whatever.”

He continued, “The real need for all of us is to reconnect with the essence of who we really are – re-own all the dis-owned parts of ourselves — our emotions, spirituality, etc.”

Assuming this to be true, we owe it to ourselves to ask, “what parts of me have I dis-owned to keep from being rejected by others? Are there still times when I am not being my authentic self for fear others might not like the real me?”

What does caring what other people think keep you from doing? What parts of your authentic self are you hiding out of fear of rejection?

Are you ready to stop hiding?