Opinion

Encouragement and comfort can feel awfully different to each one of us. Relying on him for reassurance is not a weakness. In fact, if you are pursuing physical, emotional, and spiritual health, you best allow yourself to receive support from others.

How much do you fret over what others think of you? Be honest, please. The proclivity to care what people think of you is human nature, sweet friends. But do others’ opinions affect your way of thinking about yourself? Do you go through a great deal in order to avoid disapproval? While we should not ignore or be completely indifferent to the impressions and presumptions of others, we ought not be excessively concerned either.

Sure, there are some folks who couldn’t pick their neighbors out of a police lineup. I know, you can’t believe the police put you in the back seat when you clearly called “Shotgun.” But clearly, there are also some who go to great lengths to avoid superficial chit-chat with those who live nearby. And sometimes, for good reason.

She just tried to cheer you up, but what she said made you feel even more demoralized and disheartened. He said: “Try harder,” but you think you’re doing your very best. They said, “Snap out of it.” Yet you feel that you cannot simply talk yourself out of this sad mood.

Do you consider yourself mentally tough? We all know that, in this life, there are times we need to be stable, solid, and steady. How well do you manage your feelings? Do you want to be mentally stronger? Okay, start by viewing hindrances and hurdles as steppingstones instead of obstacles.

What are some of the thoughts that you believe about yourself that may not actually be true? Perhaps it’s time to take away some of their power and punch. After all, would you not prefer to be driving rather than sitting helplessly in the back seat? I just renewed my back-seat driver’s license actually.