Sometimes I think I need your approval. For me to live my life.
Sometimes I think I need your permission. For me to do my thing.
Sometimes I think I need your praise. For me to feel worthy.
But every time I am fooling myself.
And just making myself feel stuck, trapped and unworthy.
Sometimes I get your approval.
Sometimes I get your permission.
Sometimes I get your praise.
But every time I am fooling myself thinking that that is what I need.
Because after the initial surge of energy, I start doubting your approval, your permission, your praise.
And before I know it, I am back to stuck, trapped and unworthy.
I need my approval. For me to live my life.
I need my permission. For me to do my thing.
I need my praise. For me to feel empowered.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
That doesn’t mean I don’t listen to your advice and wisdom.
That doesn’t mean I don’t seek out your help.
That doesn’t mean I keep saying to myself how great I’m doing when I’m knee deep in shit.
It means that I’m making the final call.
It means that I’m taking responsibility for my choices.
It means I’m choosing to believe in me and what I can bring into the world.
And yes, I’ll fail along the way.
And yes, I’ll be hurt along the way.
And yes, I’ll be disappointed along the way.
But that doesn’t need to extinguish my fire.
Because I can choose to keep it lit. To fuel it. To let it shine.
There’s no one else that can do that for me.
Only I can.
I choose to.
What choice do you make?
Photo from here.
14 Responses to I don’t need your permission. (I just need mine.)
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Love this An. I try to choose what feels good. If it feels bad, I back away! Great article!
Thanks, Katie.
Do you write music? Because I can almost hear it with this post . . . you have the sensibilities of a poet and a musician. These words need to be immortalized in music or something!
Oooh, now that’s a cool idea! 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful words – a poet and a musician – that’s the first time someone said that to me, but I love the sound of it!
I applaud this post! It is so, so true that when we think we need someone else’s approval, we really need our own. It’s the only thing that will keep us strong and confident in our own skin, our own worth. Bravo!
Thanks, Joanna!
BEAUTIFUL!!!! What poetry! And you’re right — other people’s approval can only go so far. A great reminder for us to look within!
Thanks so much, Cindy!
Powerful An, very powerful! Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Oooh, thank you, Blaze!
Lovely article and a great reminder that we have all the answers all we need to do is be quiet and listen!
Yvette Syversen
Business Leverage Strategist
Thanks, Yvette!
Oh – show me the reasons I adore your wisdom! Brilliant post. And I choose ME, too. Thank you!
Aww, thanks Debra! *blushing* 🙂