I really couldn’t care less about what you or others say or think about me!

Now, don’t get me wrong – It’s not that I don’t want to be liked or well thought of. But I’ve decided that what you think or say shouldn’t determine who I am, how I think about myself, or even how I respond to you.

Do you know anyone who worries about what others think, or is still mad at someone else for something they said many years ago?  Yeah, me too.

The subject came up recently in our family, as one of our kids was angry at another over something that was said about them.  To my wife and me, the person who was angry should have had a sense of humor and just shrugged it off.  Instead, he allowed it to consume him, and he sought revenge. It wasn’t big revenge…just little nit-picky stuff that showed he still had a chip on his shoulder.

Years ago, one of my mentors gave me two thoughts on this issue that have guided me to this day.  He said:

1. Regard less what others say, do and think, and instead focus on what God says, and what you know to be true.  The only thing that matters is the truth.
2. Remember that when you allow yourself to become angry at what someone else says about you or does to you, you give them power and control over you.

I reminded my child about a story book we have, written by Max Lucado, called You Are Special.  It is about some wooden people called Wemmicks who were made by a woodcarver named Eli.

Most all of the Wemmicks have dots or stars on their bodies, which were put there by others. Stars mean that someone likes you.  Dots mean that someone doesn’t.  One Wemmick, Punchinello, had a lot of dots, which troubled him greatly.

One day Punchinello met a woman named Lucia. She had no dots or stars.  He asked her why not and she said it’s because she goes to see Eli the wood carver every day.  She suggested that if Punchinello wanted to get rid of his dots, he should go and see Eli too.

So he goes to meet Eli, and asks him why the dots and stars don’t stick to Lucia.  Eli replied that Lucia knows that what Eli thinks about her, as her creator, is much more important than what others think about her.

Then he told Punchinello that the dots and stars only stick if you let them.

Are you letting others have control over you by how you respond to their words or actions?  If so, remember that how you think, and what you know to be true, is more important than what others think and do.  They only have power and control over you if you let them.

You might also like:

• How changing your thinking can change your life
• How to attract success in your life
• Start your day with an attitude of gratitude

I just picked up a copy of How to Prosper in Hard Times, which is a compilation of writings from some of the world’s best motivational speakers and positive thinkers, including Napoleon Hill, James Allen, Joseph Murphy and others.

Before the first chapter began, the book featured The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson.  I don’t recall ever reading it before.  I enjoyed it, and thought you would too:

Promise Yourself…

• To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
• To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
• To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
• To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

A few points stood out to me as I read The Optimist Creed:

• “To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them” – Successful people build up others.  And when they rise to the top, they bring others along with them.
• “To be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own” – This reminds me of another success principle I heard years ago:  You can get anything in life that you want if you just help enough other people to get what they want.
• “To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others” – Interesting juxtaposition:  Tear others down…or build yourself up.
• “To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds” – Actions speak louder than words!

Also, did you happen to notice that each of these points begins in the mind and heart?  I think the message here is that if you want to change your response to challenging situations, or if you want to change your life, you need to change your thoughts!

Speaking of thoughts…What do you think?  Please share your comments below.