You, Through the Eyes of Others
How do you see yourself? How do others see you? More often than not, the two answers can be quite different. I started thinking about this recently because of a conversation I had with a friend of mine. During our conversation, she told me that I am inspiring to others and a strong woman. She was referring to the fact that I hold down the fort while hubby’s away and she wanted to let me know her thoughts. I was humbled by her words, and then it got me to thinking about how we see ourselves compared to how others see us.
In my eyes, I don’t see myself as a strong woman. I’m doing what I need to do. We both knew what we were getting into when he decided to work out West and that a lot of the burden of raising our boys would fall on my shoulders. Some days are better than others and there are days when I want to pull my hair out (today being one of them.) I’m doing what I’m supposed to do because I wanted to be a Mom. I also wanted to be a Mom who was home to raise her boys as well as runa business from home. It’s not easy, it’s a lot of work, it’s very emotional, but I will do whatever it takes to provide the best for my family.
I once had another Mom say to me that I seem to have it all figured out and under control. While I was flattered by her words, I in no way have it all figured out or under control. I make mistakes every day, I say the wrong things sometimes, the boys rebel from time to time (once again, today rings loud and clear.) But, I won’t broadcast my problems for the world to see. People can be funny in some ways. There are some who thrive on other people’s struggles and are secretly glad when they have problems. I learned that from Brian Tracy’s “Eat That Frog” where he states to leave your problems at home because you have some who don’t want to hear about them and others who are glad it’s happening you.
On the flip side, or adding to this last thought, there are those who may see you as a threat or someone they want to be, but are too afraid to go after their dreams. In turn, they will insult, degrade, find fault in everything you do because they haven’t done it themselves. We all know or have been aroudn these types of people who ALWAYS find fault in others or make it about them; they’re just toxic. They bring you down, suck the life out of you. In these cases, as the saying goes, “don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head.” Get rid of those people because they will do nothing for you and your mentality. When you continue to hang around these negative people, you start thinking these thoughts as well, and you don’t want that to happen.
There should be a healthy balance in how you see yourself and how others see you. Feed off the positive vibes you get from others. The majority of the world see you this way. This is a work in progress for me. Like I said, I feel everyone should be this way.
Diary of a Busy Mom 