Daily Gratitude: Have you ever noticed this about yourself? You spend lots of time wondering and worrying about what other people either do or will think about you – about what you wear, what you say, how your hair is styled or cut, how much you weigh, how you talk, what accent you have, what kind of car you drive, what gym you belong to, etc. Why? Have you ever asked yourself that? What does it matter what others think of these mundane aspects of life? If we have to worry about what others think, we should be worried about what they think of our character. But even then, you are subject to their quick impressions and judgments without having the full context behind what it means to you. These “others” probably have no clue to how you were brought up and what value system was instilled in you so how can they really judge you – your thoughts or your reasons for doing something. And you don’t know anything about most of the people you’re interacting with. They may be smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. People with chronic illness, especially the invisible illnesses, have to do this all the time. They have to suffer in silence so that they can “put on a happy face” so that another person won’t feel uncomfortable around them. How messed up is that? But we all do it. Why not take that time you’re worrying about other people’s opinions and figure out how you are treating others and what virtues you want to show the world, regardless of what others think. Can you go a day or more without thinking about that? Let us know.