We give our power away when we become

concerned with other people's opinions. To

recapture this power, remember that this is your

life. What matters is what you think. You don't

have the power to make them happy but you have

the power to make yourself happy. You can't

control what they think; in fact, you can rarely

influence it much at all.

     Think back to the people you were trying to

please ten years ago. Where are they now? They

are probably not in your life today. Or, if they are,

you are probably still trying to get their approval.

     Let it go.

     Take back your power. Form your own

opinion of yourself.

-- from  "Life Lessons"