Flowers and Authenticity

Today I was reading Little A a story about a little girl mouse named Chrysanthemum. Her parents gave her the name because they thought she was beautiful and perfect, and they thought Chrysanthemum was a beautiful and perfect name for her. This little girl loved her name. She loved to see it and write it and hear it. She just loved it. Until she started school. Little Chrystanthemum’s story ends on a good note, and her confidence in the beauty of her name is restored, but it really made me think about how I used to invest way too much energy in what “people thought”. They must think I’m nice. And well trained. And well this and well that. He must think I’m this and that.
Whew. I’m so glad I am secure in myself. That I know that my parents did a pretty ok job and that I can step forward knowing that my life is lived to a much higher standard than what this person or that person may be superficially impressed with. That my life is genuine. My mistakes are real. My achievements are real. It’s all real. I love who I love. My friends are who they are. I think life is a lot less stressful that way, too, no?