Forest Gump

 I saw a silly meme once that riffed off of Forest Gump's line about chocolate.  It said something along the likes of "Not everyone is going to like you,  your not a box of chocolate".  That line has stayed with me and resonated with me quite a bit lately.  Earlier in my life, my emotions would rise and fall with each hurtful or helpful comment.  I can still remember things people said in an off-the-cuff mark - the sting of those words left their mark.  

As I grow older and more comfortable in my skin, I try to remember I can't please everyone.  Not everyone has to like me.  It's ok.... I am not a box of chocolate.  I have tried to be true to what I believe, to show people basic human kindness and decency.  I have turned the proverbial other cheek. I have bitten my tongue more times than I can count.  

Sometimes I lose the battle with this one.  I am a pleaser by nature... a nurturer, a I want to fix you and help you kind of person.  Having people like me goes along with that, my psyche needs that reassurance.  Today, I lost the battle.  I let the actions of someone else, get me down.  I am replaying and replaying the conversation in my mind.... what could I have done, what could I have said differently.... did I do something wrong?  My stomach is in knots, my head is killing me, and I am so down.  

You know what... it's on the other person... I am not taking their negativity.  I am not going to rise and fall on someone else's words or actions. Logically, I know that I didn't do anything wrong or with bad intentions. Not everyone has to like me -   I am not a box of chocolate.