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Words for S.O.H.O.
The 11th Commandment:
"Thou Shalt Not Should on Thyself (or others)."
By : Michael Angier
I've spent far too many years of my life caring too much about
what other people thought. I was a magnet for people telling me
what to do. And I let them "should" on me--a lot. As a result, I
made some very poor decisions based upon "expert" advice that
was totally contrary to what I knew in my heart was the right
thing to do.
When someone I cared about would give me advice, I'd feel bad if
I didn't follow their recommendation. Maybe I just didn't trust
myself enough to follow my heart--or didn't know how. I found it
easy to feel guilty about what I did or didn't do--simply
because it didn't match the views of others I respected.
Most everyone has an opinion about what you should do. It takes
a strong resolve to become clear and stay true to your inner
guidance system. It's one of the toughest things to learn.
I had to become aware that guilt was literally running my life.
It took several years and some painful mistakes to overcome this
disease of the mind, but I did. Somehow, I believed that I
wasn't a good person if I didn't please people.
Like everyone, I've made mistakes and sometimes even hurt people
I didn't intend to. But I've hurt myself and others far more by
trying to please people than by not. Herbert Bayard Swope said,
"I cannot give you a formula for success, but I can give you a
formula for failure which is: Try to please everybody." Staying
true to yourself isn't easy, but I think it's the only way to
live.
Many people feel shame for no reason other than the misplaced
opinion of others. They feel bad because of mistakes they've
made and because of the "shoulds" of others. Feeling bad doesn't
accomplish anything. Guilt has no virtue. Operating out of
obligation and guilt lacks integrity. Don't do it.
I'm not saying that you should (there's that word again) totally
disregard the information and advice put to you. I'm simply
suggesting that you evaluate the information, listen carefully
to your heart and do what you think is right. Just because
someone is a travel agent for guilt trips doesn't mean we have
to buy their tickets.
No one can walk in your shoes. No one can live your life.
Ultimately, it's you who must answer to how you have lived. We
all need to learn the art of correction without invalidation-to
see our errors, learn from them and move on-without
self-condemnation.
If you feel remorse about something you've done or failed to do,
take action. If you can make amends, do so. If you can't,
forgive yourself and move on. Vow not to make the same mistake
again. If God can forgive you (most religions teach that He
does), then you can forgive yourself.
Copyright 2001 Michael Angier & Success Networks International.
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Networks.
Success Net's mission is to inform, inspire and empower people
to be their best--personally and professionally. Download their
free eBooklet, KEYS TO PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS from
http://www.SuccessNet.org/keys.htm. Free subscriptions,
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