Are you being held prisoner by what (you think) other people will think?

I am still amazed at how many people actually consider the reaction of their friends, acquaintances and family before taking action on their dreams!

If you need approval from those around you before you do something (good for yourself) then you are stuck somewhere in an unhealthy, immature phase of your emotional development.

If you’re still in high school or your early twenties maybe I could understand it.

Everyone knows. in that immature period of life, we give far too much weight to being “accepted”. But you are supposed to grow out of it. You are supposed to make decisions which are in your best interest. You are not supposed to be denying your hopes and dreams because it might not play well with your “friends”.

Let me ask you a question: Is that person who you’ve placed above your own happiness going to sacrifice his or her self by stepping in front of you when it’s your turn to die?

“Oh, you were so considerate of my reactions during your life that sacrificing myself for you now is the least I can do!”

IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!

So why are you so willing to sacrifice your life for someone else?

You sacrifice the precious moments of the time you have in this life whenever you let your fear of someone’s reaction (to your “stepping out”) determine whether or not you take any action. You are not being considerate! You are being a martyr!… And the sad thing is that nobody will ever recognize your sacrifice.

If “what will people think” comprises more than 5% of your consideration regarding any course of action that results in you finding or following your passion, it’s time for you to grow up.

You are really using it as an excuse not to try.

Believe me, your real friends are going to be thrilled for you. Because they love you and want you to be happy. Those people in your world who don’t care about you will try to “rain of your parade” no matter what you do… So who cares what they think?

Once you begin to find and follow your passion your circle of friends are going to change anyway…It’s normal and natural for this to happen. Otherwise you would right now be fully immersed finding and following your passion with the circle of friends you already have.

If this is indeed the case, cherish those relationships! They are people who are probably finding and following their own passion and share the same joy and wonder you are experiencing.

-Bob Baran