Do You. Let Them Talk.

Life's too short to spend it worrying about what everybody else thinks!

You know, I've been thinking about something lately. Why do we spend so much time worrying about what other people think of us?

I mean, seriously! No matter what you do, somebody is going to have an opinion about it. And some people aren't the least bit shy about sharing those opinions either! Lol!

I've reached an age where I just don't have the time or energy to worry about pleasing everybody. Not that I ever really could, even if I tried!

Now, don't get me wrong. I care about people. I care about their feelings, and I certainly don't go around intentionally trying to upset anyone. But I've also learned that caring about people and living your life according to their opinions are two completely different things.

And sometimes I think we need to remind ourselves of that.

You Just Can't Please Everybody!

Have you ever noticed that you can do one thing and someone thinks it's wonderful, while someone else thinks you're absolutely crazy?

If you're quiet, you're stuck up. If you're talkative, you're annoying. If you try something new, someone wants to know why. If you don't try something new, someone thinks you're boring.

Good grief! Lol!

I've always been the type of person who has a hundred different things going on. I'm a singer first and foremost, but I'm also a musician who plays multiple instruments, a lyricist, and a storyteller. Then there's photography, crafting, gardening, writing, and whatever else catches my attention.

And believe me, something is always catching my attention!

I get an idea in my head, and before I know it, I'm off trying something else. Sometimes it works out beautifully, and sometimes, well, let's just say it was a learning experience! Lol!

I'm sure some people wonder why I don't just pick one thing and stick with it.

Because I don't want to! I enjoy learning, creating, and trying new things. Why should I limit myself just because someone else thinks I should?

I'm Not Everybody's Cup of Tea, and That's Okay!

I love this saying:

“I'd rather be disliked for being myself than loved for pretending to be someone else.”

There's a lot of truth in that!

I'm sure there are people who think I'm a little too talkative, a little too opinionated, or that I have too many irons in the fire.

They might even be right about that last one! Lol!

But that's me.

And you know what? I'm not going to be everybody's favorite person. Neither are you!

Some people will love your personality, your sense of humor, and the things you do. Others won't understand you at all.

That's life!

I don't expect everybody to like the same things I like, believe everything I believe, or do things the way I do them. So why should I expect them to agree with everything I do?

Or better yet, why should I feel like I need their approval?

There's a Difference Between Being Yourself and Being Rude

Now, before somebody takes this the wrong way, I'm not saying we should just go around doing whatever we want without considering anyone else's feelings.

I was raised to treat people with respect, and I still believe that's important.

I believe in being kind, helping others when you can, and admitting when you're wrong. And believe me, I've been wrong plenty of times!

But I also believe this:

“You can be kind, respectful, and still refuse to live by someone else's opinions.”

You can listen to advice without taking it. You can disagree with someone without being ugly about it. And you can make decisions for yourself without having to explain every little thing to everybody.

Now, if someone who genuinely cares about me comes to me with a concern, I'm going to listen. That doesn't mean I'll always agree, but I'll listen.

There's a big difference between someone trying to help you and someone who just wants to criticize everything you do.

Sometimes you need to consider what's being said.

And sometimes you just need to smile, nod, and go on about your business!

The Older I Get...

I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I realize just how quickly life goes by.

There are still so many things I want to do! Places I want to visit, songs I want to sing, stories I want to tell, things I want to learn, and projects I want to finish.

Okay, maybe I should work on finishing a few of those projects before starting another one. Lol!

But my point is, I don't want to spend the years I have left worrying about whether somebody approves of the way I'm living my life.

If you want to learn to paint, paint!

If you want to sing, sing!

If you want to go back to school, start a business, learn an instrument, or try something you've never done before, why not?

You might be good at it. You might be terrible at it. You might discover a talent you never knew you had!

And even if you aren't good at it, who says you can't enjoy doing it anyway?

Not everything we do has to impress somebody.

Sometimes we can just do something because it makes us happy.

Imagine that! Lol!

Do You. Let Them Talk.

I believe God created each of us with our own personalities, talents, and abilities. We're not all supposed to be alike.

And thank goodness for that, because can you imagine a world where everybody thought alike, acted alike, and enjoyed exactly the same things?

How boring would that be?

So here's my thought for today.

Be yourself. Be kind. Treat people with respect. Be willing to learn something new, and don't be afraid to admit when you mess up.

But don't spend your life trying to be who everybody else thinks you should be.

Some people are going to like you. Some aren't.

Some will encourage you. Some will criticize you.

And some people are going to talk no matter what you do!

Do you. Let them talk.

As for me, I've got entirely too many ideas running around in this head of mine to spend my time worrying about everybody else's opinions!

And at this point, I think I'd rather spend that time enjoying life, making memories, and maybe finishing one of those hundred projects I've started! Lol!

Now I'm curious!

Have you always been someone who just does your own thing, or did it take getting a little older and experiencing a few things in life before you stopped worrying so much about what other people think?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, because I have a feeling I'm not the only one who's learned this lesson over the years!