Barnacles Begone!

"I tell my kids: 'You know yourself when you've done a good job and you know when you have let yourself down. We all know all these things inherently so look to yourself and don't blame other people or let them give you a sense of your value, that is a lie. It is false."'


~~ Sorry, I don't remember who said this, but it must be someone I respect, because I copied it into my little book of quotes a few years ago.

* * *
This is good advice for anyone, not just for kids. To understand that you alone are responsible for your actions and sense of value and that to live life accordingly frees you from the blaming on one hand, and the desperate need for approval and attention on the other. It's a middle way, without extremes, and without dependency on others for excuses or happiness.

I like it.

Wish someone had imparted this wisdom to me long ago. There would be less self-inflicted barnacles of warped perspective attached to my hull today, barnacles I spend precious time tediously scraping away.

But scrape, I do. "You know yourself when you've done a good job and you know when you have let yourself down." Yes. Yes, I do. And it is enough information for choices.

It's easy to get caught up in believing what others may think of us. Good or bad. We lose sight of ourselves when we believe flattery, undue criticism, or manipulation. Best to have a correct sense of ourselves, take personal responsibility, carry our integrity and happiness in our own hearts and minds. We become brighter, truer beacons for those in our path when we are true to ourselves.


"Set down your chains, until only faith remains,
Set down your chains
And lend your voices only to sounds of freedom.
No longer lend your strength to that
Which you wish to be free from.
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead a life uncommon."

~~ Jewel