free from approval

When you feel free, you're free to be who you want to be under any and all conditions, and you really don't worry about what anybody else thinks about it, because you know that what they think about you is their problem. It has nothing to do with you.


And when you really feel that way, you become in the greatest place that we know of, which is in the place of allowing -- and you know you are in the place of allowing when you can see another not approving of you and it is okay with you.



~Abraham-Hicks


This was the random Abe quote that greeted me when I logged on to my computer this morning. Felt timely given what I'm working on at the moment: how to respond to advice/disapproval/judgment in ways that feel good to me. I do love me a good synchronicity, and I seem to be bathing in them lately.

Byron Katie also says something along these lines: What you think of me is none of my business. It's not exactly easy to undo years of being socialized to give credence to the opinions of others. I am still playing out that habitual dynamic every time I feel compelled to either accept or reject what someone says to me.


I'm obviously not yet free, or I wouldn't need to give an ounce of energy to my response at all. My list is just a baby step, but at least I feel some movement in the direction I want to go. One day I won't need it anymore. But for today, it feels better to have it.


And when I do manage to remember, even just for a moment, that it's not about me but rather simply an expression of what is important to them, I must say that the freedom and peace are quite wonderful.