The People Around You Will Lower You or Lift You
Why do we care what others think? Well, yes, people do have the power to bully, shame, and kick us out of the “in” crowd. But does that matter? If you have to compromise who you are, maybe the “in” crowd is actually the “out” crowd.
Stay true to your integrity no matter what. As some wise person said, at the end of the day, you’re the only one who has to live with yourself. Make that person the best possible you, not an imitation or reaction to someone else.
Working on yourself is never wasted. When things are going well, when things are going wrong, when you are down, when you are up, when you are single, when you are committed, when you are hired, when you are fired, when you are young, when you are old—working on yourself is never wasted and is the one thing that will always benefit you. This is not just health and wellness but thinking about how you act on your values every day, how you make other people feel when you are with them, and what you are feeding yourself intellectually.
After doing that, take a good look at who you are hanging out with. Are they lifting you up and making you better, stronger and more inspired? Real friends should do that. Good colleagues should do that. Family should do that. But it starts with you. Be the example that lifts, strengthens and inspires others.
Give yourself permission to live a big, full life. Step into who you are meant to be. The rest will grow from there.
~Tricia