Do you let others opinions of you direct your steps? Do you let others’ comments about you stop you from moving forward in your job, exercise, family decisions, success? Well, I can answer YES to ALL of that as I roll my eyes at myself! I can’t believe that I have allowed half my life others to impact my choices about who I should be, what I should do, who I should become, what I can accomplish. Why is it that the few comments of negativity seem to speak louder than all of the positive comments others give?

A few months ago, I was feeling the world crashing down, personally and professionally, because of others comments about all the ways I was trying to move forward in the ways I felt God was calling me. First, being a half marathon runner, people look at me like I am crazy…. which I probably am, but only 1/2 crazy! Ha! Second, writing my dissertation proposal and not quite hitting the mark when I submitted, so now I am editing…. again. Third, problem solving (which one of my friends said she calls it worry while I call it problem solving) at work. Last, choosing to add another job adventure to my plate, which thankfully my husband fully supports every adventure I crazily throw out there.

I guess since I have tried to be a “people pleaser” for most of my life, I have had a hard time understanding that I can’t make everybody happy. However, I have begun talking to God more about it. “Don’t let other people’s opinions determine your destiny. You don’t need anyone’s permission to be the person God has created you to be.” -Dave Willis So, here I am pushing hard to reach the goals He has set before while focusing on those positive comments from those who are dear to me…

“Shake off the dust from your feet.” -Matthew 10:14