Hi Kimmy,
Would Eleanor Roosevelt lie?
I know that, technically, that might be sort of true, but the reality is that the things that people do and/or say and whether or not they accept us can make us feel pretty crummy.
So, if that is the case, then who do we give permission to? Our family members? Our spouse? Our friends? Our church? Of course those people's reactions to us and attitudes toward us will effect how we feel about ourselves.
Shall we go about life ignoring the feedback we get from others? I'm sure some feel they can, but I just cannot.
I am very sensitive to other's reactions to me. Just the same, there are some things I believe and hold dear to me. There are behaviors that I have that are weird to some people, but I will not change to please them. Will what they think cause me to feel bad or inferior? Yes. Sometimes. Have I given them "permission"? Probably in some way I have.
I'd better go check my records. After having this monologue, I'm ready to revoke the permission.