"Fitting In" is Not a Worthy Goal

 

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.
Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those few who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in the command of others,
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White [non-gendered paraphrase]

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites
     

Blaze Your Own Trail

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.
Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those few who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in the command of others,
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White [non-gendered paraphrase]

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites
     

Walk Your Own Walk

 

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.

Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those few who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in the command of others,
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White [non-gendered paraphrase]

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites
     

Blaze Your Own Trail

 

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.

Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those men who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in other men's command
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites
     

Your Own Trail

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.

Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those men who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in other men's command
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites
     

Blaze Your Own Trail

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

For those men who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in other men's command
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.

Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.

Further reading:  Be Yourself

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Believe and Take Action

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites 
     

Appreciate and Give Thanks

 
Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation.
- Dale Carnegie

Appreciation is a wonderful thing.
It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
- Voltaire

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet
as if they were going to be dead by midnight.
Extend to them all the care,
kindness and understanding you can muster,
and do with no thought of any reward.
Your life will never be the same again.
- Og Mandino

There is more hunger for love and appreciation
in this world than for bread.
- Mother Teresa

Appreciate and give thanks for all the people who make your life possible.
Think of food: think not only of the supermarket cashier, but also the unseen workers, those in distribution and packing centers, truck drivers, the migrant farmworkers picking your lettuce and strawberries, and so many more.
Think of the doctors, nurses and so many health workers. Think of trash collectors, firefighters, the police, those who support your car or your rapid transit, your electric service, your internet and mobile service, and SO many others without whom your life would be unlivable.

Consider the contrast between the warmth of expressing sincere appreciation and the sinkhole of needing approval. Let others know how grateful you are for their kindness (when it is true), but never depend upon others to validate your own worth.

At the beginning of a relationship
we are attracted to the other person because
we think they are sexy, smart, funny -
whatever it is that we find appealing.
But very quickly, the focus of the relationship
turns to whether we feel appreciated.
If we don't feel appreciated, we don't feel loved.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: Show Your Honest Appreciation - Today

Caring - Kindness - Compassion - Appreciation

Don't allow the need for other people's approval to control your life
          

Think for Yourself

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

For those men who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in other men's command
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Attempting to "fit in" is not a worthy objective.
There is no point in feeling sad or upset when your plans, your ideas,
or even your fundamental nature do not "fit in" with the majority view.

Be the courageous hero and stay committed to your greatest ideas and ideals,
however they are received by those around you.

Further reading: Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites 

Be Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Think for Yourself

Believe and Take Action
     

You Must Approve of Yourself

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

If you find yourself unwilling to take actions that others disapprove of,
you have lost control of your own life and have given your destiny to others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
- Lao Tzu

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
- Mark Twain

One of the natural, but unfortunate, human characteristics is the sense of a need for approval.
It is wonderful to show your appreciation of others and to thank them whenever possible.
It is also pleasing when others show appreciation and thank you.
But making any significant life choices based on whether or not others approve
sets one on a course of emotional destruction.
...
Make your important choices in life based on your values and your long-term objectives
rather than on a need for approval.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: How To Not Care What Others Think

Thinking for Yourself

Dealing With Rejection

Blaze Your Own Trail

Stand Tall and Proud
     

Uncharted Territory

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

For those men who, sooner or later,
are lucky enough to break away from the pack,
the most intoxicating moment comes
when they cease being bodies in other men's command
and find that they control their own time,
when they learn their own voice and authority.
- Theodore H. White

Resilience is about believing in yourself,
and trusting your own wisdom
rather than being swayed by the opinions of others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: Be Yourself

Think for Yourself

Appreciate Yourself

Believe and Take Action
    

Approve of Yourself

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
- Mark Twain

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
- Lao Tzu

If you find yourself unwilling to take actions that others disapprove of,
you have lost control of your own life and have given your destiny to others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

One of the natural, but unfortunate, human characteristics is the sense of a need for approval.
It is wonderful to show your appreciation of others and to thank them whenever possible.
It is also pleasing when others show appreciation and thank you.
But making any significant life choices based on whether or not others approve
sets one on a course of emotional destruction.

Make your important choices in life based on your values and your long-term objectives
rather than on a need for approval.

Further reading: Thinking for Yourself

Blaze Your Own Trail

Dealing With Rejection

Stand Tall and Proud

How To Not Care What Others Think

Stand Tall and Proud

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.
- John Wooden

Stand Tall, Stand Proud.
Know that you are unique and magnificent.
You do not need the approval of others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
- Samuel Johnson

What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

That you may retain your self-respect, it is better
to displease the people by doing what you know is right,
than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.
- William J. H. Boetcker

All the Daily Inspirations ever sent (over 2000 in the past 5 years) are always available to view at www.jlhuie.com

Further reading: Gain Self Confidence

Ego versus Self Respect

Be Your Own Self

Feel Better About Yourself

Value Honor, Not Ego

Value Your Own Approval

Only Your Own Approval

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
- Mark Twain

To go against the dominant thinking of your friends,
of most of the people you see every day,
is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.
- Theodore H. White

If you find yourself unwilling to take actions that others disapprove of,
you have lost control of your own life and have given your destiny to others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

further reading: Dealing With Rejection

How To Not Care What Others Think

Aesop's Fables: The Miller, His Son, and the Ass 

How to Build Self Esteem

You are Important

Self Esteem

Self Respect

Rejection

I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear
to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.
- Sylvester Stallone

A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.
- Bo Bennett

Many people allow their need
for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

Don't take rejection personally.
Don't let someone else's bad day spoil your day.
As long as you never reject yourself, you'll be fine.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: How to Deal with Rejection

How To Not Care What Others Think

Need For Approval

Quotes about Approval

Don't Take Anything Personally

Self Esteem

Opinions

Rejection

Confidence

Show Your Appreciation

 
Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation.
- Dale Carnegie

At the beginning of a relationship
we are attracted to the other person because
we think they are sexy, smart, funny -
whatever it is that we find appealing.
But very quickly, the focus of the relationship
turns to whether we feel appreciated.
If we don't feel appreciated, we don't feel loved.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Appreciation is a wonderful thing.
It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
- Voltaire

There is more hunger for love and appreciation
in this world than for bread.
- Mother Teresa

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet
as if they were going to be dead by midnight.
Extend to them all the care,
kindness and understanding you can muster,
and do with no thought of any reward.
Your life will never be the same again.
- Og Mandino

Consider the contrast between the warmth of expressing sincere appreciation and the sinkhole of needing approval. Let others know how grateful you are for their kindness (when it is true), but never depend upon others to validate your own worth.

Further reading: Show Your Honest Appreciation - Today

Don't allow the need for other people's approval to control your life

Caring - Kindness - Compassion - Appreciation

Appreciation Quotes

Need For Approval Quotes

Quotes about Kindness

Self Esteem Quotes

Relationship Quotes

Dale Carnegie Quotes

Need for Approval

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives.
They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

To go against the dominant thinking of your friends,
of most of the people you see every day,
is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.
- Theodore H. White

One of the natural, but unfortunate, human characteristics is the sense of a need for approval. It is wonderful to show your appreciation of others and to thank them whenever possible. It is also pleasing when others show appreciation and thank you. But making any significant life choices based on whether or not others approve, sets one on a course of emotional destruction.

Make your important choices in life based on your values and your long-term objectives rather than on a need for approval.

Further reading: How To Not Care What Others Think

Need For Approval

How to Deal with Rejection

How to Build Self Esteem

Quotes about Not Caring What People Think

Quotes About Not Giving Up

Quotes about Strong Women

You are important

Trust yourself, then you will know how to live.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
- Lao Tzu

No one can give you better advice than yourself.
- Cicero

Stand Tall, Stand Proud.
Know that you are unique and magnificent.
You do not need the approval of others.
- jlh

You are important. You are the star - the only star - of your own life show. Everyone else is a bit player in the great drama of your life. Be of service to humanity, but never be anyone's doormat.

Read more... How To Not Care What People Think

Further reading: How to Build Self Esteem

How to Feel Better About Yourself

How to Be Yourself

Quotes about Not Caring What People Think

Quotes about Not Caring

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives. Rick Warren

Many people allow their need for other people's approval to control their lives. They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
- Rick Warren

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

One of the natural, but unfortunate, human characteristics is the sense of a need for approval. It is wonderful to show your appreciation of others and to thank them whenever possible. It is also pleasing when others show appreciation and thank you. But making any significant life choices based on whether or not others approve sets one on a course of emotional destruction.

Make your important choices in life based on your values and your long-term objectives rather than on a need for approval.

Further reading: Stand Tall, Stand Proud.

Need For Approval

Need For Approval

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
- Mark Twain

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.
- Andrew Carnegie

While it is natural to feel some degree of need for the approval of others, be careful. If you find yourself unwilling to take actions that others disapprove of, you have lost control of your own life and have given your destiny to others. An excessive need-for-approval is a sign of low self-esteem, and in severe cases, a condition termed Co-dependency.

Take charge of your life! You are responsible to yourself - not to others.


Further reading: Aesop's Fables: The Miller, His Son, and the Ass

7 Secrets of Happy Couples

You do not need anyone's permission to be your true self - jlh

What is Honor? Is there a place for Honor today?