Posted by Luke Houghton in 
For many years in my short life I felt I had to measure up to the expectations of others. I have run my life largely in the shadow of what others thought I should be and live in the expectations of other people’s feelings. Can I say that I think that’s a fairly crappy way to live? If you spend time thinking and worrying about what others think I can assure you that they don’t care as much as you think they do. Herein lies the paradox:
You think they care and they don’t because they only care when they are so shallow they have nothing else to do but backstab you!
Even then you get a passing mention in the conversation. So what am I saying? Be yourself because the mask you put on will end up owning you. Be you. All the time. I learned recently that it doesn’t matter what other people think if I don’t care what other people think. So, we need to cultivate thinking patterns that are built on models of personal acceptance. Self-hatred only means misery… and life is too short to give a damn about stupid things like that.
I did this recently and it’s finally beginning to work
People where paying out on me for something and I was getting mad. The next day after I had blown up and thrown stuff and broken things… it hit me. If I can begin to accept myself, with all my limitations and say I am happy with that… then I will no longer care what others think because I know I am good enough.
My new saying is…
I’m adequate! I am adequate, good enough and filled with flaws. Why is this such a good way to be? Well, I know I have limitations and I need help in this area. I know where to go when I need help in certain areas and I take it because I know I need it. Also, embracing your flaws means you recognise weakness and strength in yourself. You can learn to love those weaknesses as much as your strengths because it’s you. I think we were made with flaws to remind us we need other people and God in our lives. This is a good thing for when you are weak then you are strong.
When it comes to you… you need to be happy with yourself. So you are flawed… who isn’t? You have problems… who doesn’t? What does it matter that you have failed… everybody fails at something. Nobody I have ever met past or present is a model of perfection. I know many fractured people who I accept have flaws and limitations just like me. I think when you begin to accept yourself and make a habit of thinking how adequate you are (even if you are not) it begins the road to development. It allows you to begin ton build better inner images of yourself and not built on the expectations of others who really don’t know you like you know you. 
* This picture comes courtesy of the you say blog
Powered by MightyAdsense
