We all like to receive approval from others. We start with our parents as we grow up and then include friends, teachers, bosses, social groups, extended families and so on.
We can get so involved in the continual seeking of approval that we extend it from relationships to our choices. Choices such as food, clothing, entertainment, possessions, attitudes, philosophies, and the like.
Where does it stop?
For some people never. They can live their entire lives in the shadow of other people's approval without ever stopping and determining for themselves what is important and how do they want to conduct their lives. Is it any wonder that business thrives on our being approval junkies.
If we live our lives this way we can reach the point where we become afraid of thinking for ourselves. Why someone else may not like it and so we never speak out or create because we have lost our ability to do so. We don't know who we are anymore unless we check the opinion poll.
Your thoughts?
6 conversations:
You just defined much of America. That is what is happening here. Being politically correct will be the death of us. If you voice an opinion there are crowds that accuse you of being a racist. That's the favored term here. It doesn't matter what the issue is. It's driving me crazy. Great post Peter. :)
Yeah, approval is a hard thing to get when you aren't trying at all, which is me for the most part. I sort of gave up on approval a few years ago. LOL... Now I just float by my own rules.
Have a great day.
Hi Peter,
Nice post!
I think the need for approval is very deeply ingrained in our species... it takes a lot of maturity, growth, and strength to release this need.
Hopefully humankind will realize this "need" has become maladaptive!
:-)
Jen
We can no longer be individuals it's mob psychology Sandee :)
Good way to go jennifer :)
So do we all Jen :)
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