"What Others Think of Me is None of My Business"

For the last at least five years I've been thinking (and talking) about getting my nose pierced. Chris has been totally supportive of this (though if he'd had his way, it would have been my bellybutton... ;)

Every once in a while the subject of my nose piercing has come up. My main reason for chickening out, each and every time, had nothing to do with the pain of actually having it done. It had to do with my concern over how others would perceive me with a nose ring. I'm not just talking about my friends or family - I'm also talking about 'them' - acquaintances, potential friends, the cashier at the grocery store. I worried that something as simple as a nose ring might colour others' opinion of me.

I heard a great quote this week by Wayne Dyer (this is for you, Laura!!): "What others think of me is none of my business."

This really hit home for me. I've spent so much of my life worrying about being judged by other people, and working so damn hard to ensure that their judgment was a good one. It's an exhausting way to live. The truth is that no matter what I do, I can't control how others choose to look at me. Nose piercing or not, some people are going to judge me negatively, others positively, and still others, not at all.

None of my business.

The most important person whose perception I need to worry about is me. I need to be happy an content with the choices that I make in life - big and small. Everything from being loyal to my husband to getting a nose ring and everything in between. Granted, I'm not always going to make the "right" choice - that's just something that happens in life. But again, that's mine to worry about - what other people think of my choices, good or bad, have nothing to do with me.

On Sunday night I got my nose pierced. It was great. I'll spare you all the gory details, other than to say that I got pierced by a nice guy named Eddie who was quiet and friendly and really put me at ease. I found out that, (in Eddie's words) I am "a bleeder"...but once the blood stopped gushing out of my right nostril, it was really just fine. WAY less painful than childbirth. And no itchy stitches afterwards. ;)

The best part is how much I grin at my reflection in the mirror. Now THERE is a woman who living life...and who made a decision that brings her happiness, without worrying about what other people think of her for it.

I'm so glad she talked me into finally going for it.