Need Your Approval? Keep Walking...
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| WORK IN PROGRESS |
What gave me pause and a momentary sense of insecurity was
that I was actually pretty close to this guy back in my college years. I thought
to myself, "What did I do?" And then I quickly got over it with a chuckle. You do that when you hit
your 40's. Thankfully stuff doesn't bother you like it used to. You realize
there are FAR MORE important things to deal with than someone not being friends
with you or acquaintances or whatever the fuck that you may call them on Facebook these days.
To that dude that dropped me: I say good-bye, sayonara, adios, auf Wiedersehen, arrivederci, au revoir BUTTHEAD.
To that dude that dropped me: I say good-bye, sayonara, adios, auf Wiedersehen, arrivederci, au revoir BUTTHEAD.
I was intrigued though on why I felt that momentary sense
of insecurity. I guess my years of psychology classes at Rutgers still have me
questioning my undoubtedly questionable mental capabilities (or is it stability?). I mean I
still get insecure, I've admitted that often enough. (See blogpost earlier
this month for how neurotic I can get, LOL.) I got no problem with my neuroses. If you do, obviously your issue.
But what was it about this friend in that discovering that I was unceremoniously dropped, gave me an
unsettling pause? I thought about our past friendship and then realized through
introspection that I had ALWAYS been trying to prove myself to this guy. I
had been seeking his approval since I met him. As embarrassing as it is to admit now, I had more or less been trying to get him to like me since day one. He did during college I am sure, but I never truly felt part of that "in crowd" with him. I always knew that in the back of my mind, and hence, kept trying to seek his approval. (HURL)
Well, I can tell you ... no more! His approval when I got it,
didn't help me one bit. You what helped me? MYSELF. I seemed at some point in this fascinating period called adulthood, to transcend that place where I needed the approval of people like that. It is an amazing, wonderful feeling. So when I found I had been dropped, that unsettling pause gave way to a bit of chuckling, then laughter.
Life's lessons. Hmmm. You really give a sigh of relief when you have one. I get it now. And now I am onto the next neurosis ... #workinprogress
Good lesson to learn and it is never too late to learn it. Got to please yourself fist and if other don't care for you/us... our authentic selves F em! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Dave. I really appreciate it. :)
ReplyDeleteLittle Hunk.... you are your own person. You don't need the approval or disapproval for ANYTHING. You are a rational (mostly ) adult ( most often) and a responsible person (quite often) who can be brilliant, witty and can charm the socks off of anybody you choose to.You don't need the THOUGHT POLICE to stamp APPROVED on you or your life. In short, FUCK 'EM. JR
ReplyDeleteThanks JR. I appreciate the kind words. :)
DeleteIt is funny how we inherently desire everyone to like us, we need it. It used to bother me too. Then I turned 45 and looked at the calendar, realizing I am probably beyond half way through this existence. And time is too short to worry about what others think of me. So now I am free to live, love me or hate me. You have done well to realize this. Now I am going to go back and re-friend you before you notice (haha)
ReplyDeletehahaha, you still crack me up. :) i appreciate your words of support and encouragement my friend.
DeleteMarc, I know you've never liked me, just because I'm your Sister-in-law's Father (just kidding Marc). Just remember the only one you really need to please is the one who looks back at you in the mirror every morning. Glad your getting a handle on yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt is an ongoing process! I'm alot to deal with. LOL
DeleteThis is a great blog Marc. I had this happen to me recently. It is something so trivial but it plagues me, I need the constant approval of others. At least I know I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is definitely not easy and can be disheartening. We always have to remind ourselves we are as important as others and do not need others approval!
DeleteHi Marc, I always enjoy your blogs. You just need to approve of yourself and the "man upstairs". At age 70 I am still working on it. It is always a work in progress. By the way, you once said to me "friend me on FB" so I sent a request. Guess what, you didn't accept it. Should I be worried?????? lol. Love you to bits. Morag
ReplyDeleteHi Morag, I never received the request and have tried to friend request you but have been unable! :) I think we are both Facebook "challenged"! LOL See you soon! :)
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