U make your choice

[Glen]

Sometimes I find myself, allowing others
To cause me to act in ways that I don’t choose
I can’t allow your thoughts of me,
to base my view of your character
to judge u likewise
I must let my own opinion of u, come from me.
Not the way u look at me.
I am who I am, not cause of u, and not really for u.
Here’s an example of how we live by others assumptions of us.
Someone looks at me a certain way, or should I say, I perceive it to be that certain way.
Now it may not even be what I am thinking it is, but since I allow myself to be
Weakened by this feeling, rather than looking at it from both sides of the coin, I
Begin to tell myself stuff that comes from my defense mechanisms
Here’s where the mistake is made, I have given my energy to u, and allowed myself to display a weakness in my self control. U don’t have to like me, for me to like myself, and I can say hello to u
Even if I am led to believe u don’t like me. I have that right.
So when it comes to sharing joy with someone, u have the choice,
making it unnecessary for u to give them your choice

[Wendy]

You make some excellent points, Glen. Thanks for sharing them! I fall victim to this sort of judging (of others and myself), so this is a good reminder to step back. A couple of phrases come to my mind after reading your words. 1. "Live, and let live." 2. "What you think of me is none of my business."

Peace...

Wendy

[Glen]

Yes Wendy, that is so true.
thanks for taking time to view my piece, it does so much to bring me to my own peace.

Glen
ps u have a great day, and keep in touch

I seen some of your stuff, and u got it going on(smile)

[Jules]

I was once told "you are not alone". Reading only a few of your pieces somewhat reinforces that statement. On some level I relate to all I have read.
My perceptions of what others were thinking or the meaning of their gaze has been askew since early childhood.
This is no longer a real problem for me today though...like I said before, my awareness is what starts the motion towards change.
I hope you continue to write. I am far from a literary critic but there is a power in your words...I am not sure if that is as descriptive as I'd like to be, so I hope that you know what I am trying to say.