"What other people think about you is none of your business."

-unknown

You've probably heard that quote before, and maybe, you were even inspired by it.

If you're anything like me though, your initial response was probably closer to, "Wait. What? How could what people think of me not be my business?"  

Here's the truth (and why I've learned to love the lens "it's none of my business").

PEOPLE ARE JUDGING YOU ALL THE TIME.

Sometimes, they think flattering things about you.

Sometimes their flattery boarders on veneration. 

Sometimes, they think unflattering things about you.

Sometimes their judgement borders on cruelty.

YOU DO IT TOO.

Sometimes, you think flattering things about people.

Sometimes your flattery boarders on veneration.

Sometimes, you think unflattering things about people.

Sometimes your judgement borders on cruelty.

Would you want people to "see" your judgmental inner word?

Of course not. All of that judgement is the way you process the world. This brings me pleasure, more please!  That brings me pain, no thank you!  

When it comes to people, those judgements get really complicated because they're an amalgamation of what brings you pleasure/pain, the way a person makes you feel about yourself, and the intensity of those feelings.

That's a lot. (And most of it is just made up and meaningless.)

Everything gets easier when we allow one-another the privacy of our inner worlds.

How would your life be different if you lived your life without worrying about (or attempting to figure out) what other people think of you?