- Do you allow what other people say or think about you affect you?
Story: The Little Dingy
On our third day there, Bill said, “I want to take you out for an Ice Cream.” I was excited, this meant going into the marina! It would take us about three hours round trip, because we would not be taking the cabin cruiser, we would be taking Bill’s special boat. This would be the boat I have come to affectionately call “The Little Dingy”. It is his 4-person raft, a blow-up boat! It is four feet wide and eleven feet long. But you do need to know that this boat comes equipped with a 5-speed electric motor and all the bells and whistles like fishing pole holders and air-filled cushions!
We take off. Bill is fishing. I am catching some rays; the dogs are on point watching the ducks and we are listening to a book. As we get into the marina, we must pass all the yachts and houseboats, in fact we passed right by the houseboat that we used to own. As we float past the “Mirage” houseboat, we probably looked like we were in a lifeboat sitting next to the cruise ship!
We go around all the rental houseboats and pull into the first slip at the dock. At this point I notice all the people looking at us. I am sure that they are not admiring “The Little Dingy”. We tie up our boat and Bill hops up onto the dock, thinking nothing of his audience! I on the other hand, am very aware of the attention we have drawn, especially the six adults sitting in lawn chairs out on the deck of the 70’ luxury rental right next to us! They were staring at us because we were their entertainment!
- Your perspective
- Your values
How often do we do this? I did not have any truthful idea of what they thought…how would I know their thoughts? Why would I allow myself to have feelings about what other people might think?
We laugh at this and yet, it happens all the time! Even if I would have heard the things that they said, I do not have to believe anything that anyone else says out of judgement of me! Honestly it is none of my business! It does not matter. It is their opinion, based on their own circumstances and their own judgement, not determined on my truth or my reality! Think about it, we were at the rental dock. They do not own the houseboat they are boarding….hint, I used to be an owner of one even bigger than they are renting. Second, I am riding by choice in The Little Dingy having a great time, what does it matter? Right?
