A friend shared a post recently commenting on how we often have these visions of how our life will turn out and what experiences will surely come – think a beautiful marriage with loving children, a fulfilling vocation, economic security, friends to share these things with etc. – but when life is surprisingly contrary and those things don’t come true or turn out to be utter failures, the reality of these situations can be stunning. It can lead one to question their own self worth.
It’s important we are self reflective and living our lives with integrity in the world – to the best of our gauge of what that is, and to the best of our ability to do so. That being said, I want to convey that I have personally experienced, and witnessed in others… a repetitive diminishment. Those, when hurt, are often quick to hurl their own garbage on other people. As a result, it’s important that we don’t take on what others hurl at us. Yes, you can neutrally observe and have an honest self reflection on what has been said to determine to what degree it is relevant, and this can be a positive gauge towards change for ourselves if we allow it – but what I’m trying to speak more to, is when one experiences constant feedback from the world that they are X (less than, a failure, not good, this or that). And how even when the world tells you that, if ‘you are living your life with integrity to the best of your ability and to the best gauge of what you think that is (while remaining open to improving upon that gauge)’, let your own voice, your own perception, and your own evaluation remain supreme. Don’t let others dim your light.