Thickman,
So far, everyone has given you great advice/insights :-). I just wanted to add my own thoughts on this issue, as I used to think along these lines, too. Though I still do sometimes, it has lessened quite a bit for some of the reasons mentioned in the first response to your thread.
Some things to remember when these thoughts creep into your mind: Nobody is perfect...and who would want to be :-). Most people are trying to appear to be the greatest person to walk this Earth, too. Just take a look at a post in the Exercise & Fitness section of this website titled "Gym Idiots" (something like this). In it, there are all sorts of stories about people who try to look macho/cool/etc. as they workout in a gym. It's actually really funny
. It points out that many people feel pressure to be liked by others. Trust me, it's a human need to be liked by others, as we are primarily social animals. What you need to realize is that you simply can't allow this desire to rule your life and behavior. You need to be confident enough to say to others: "I don't care what you think. I know that I'm a good person who has a lot to offer this world."
Another thing to remember is that if you laugh at yourself when you make "mistakes", you seem more confident to others. Just try to laugh at yourself when you have a blooper moment. It actually makes you feel better, and puts other people at ease.
In general, don't take life so seriously. This is a hard, but important, lesson to learn. If you recognize that you, as well as everyone else, is simply learning how to manuever through this world/society, you will realize that it's okay to make "mistakes"...it's just part of learning. Be kind to yourself
.
Colleen
Linear Mode
