December | 2013 | Mary Breath Yoga

For many years I was very concerned about what others thought of me. I worried a lot about if people liked me and I often times became very shy in groups for fear that if I spoke no one would like me. It overpowered my life and sometimes I would avoid any social interaction because I was to insecure to be myself.

I sorta think it was normal. Normal in the sense that I was discovering myself and learning to be comfortable in my own skin.

I spent a few sleepless nights as a teenager worrying about all of this. In a way, I don’t know why I worried so much because in my external life my large group of friends showed that I was well liked and popular. My internal life was so fearful and insecure.

Years later, I am an adult and I am much more comfortable in my skin. I am aware of myself and I am aware of who likes me and who doesn’t. It doesn’t bother me nearly as much. I am confident and much more likely to speak up when I need to be heard. I’m not afraid to speak in groups because I am comfortable enough in my own skin.

Recently, I was up all night with insomnia. Thoughts were racing through my head and I remembered all the sleepless nights I had in my teens as I worried whether people liked me or not. This time, instead of worrying why such and such person deleted me on facebook or why they might not like me, I had an epiphany.

My epiphany was: ‘It doesn’t matter if that person likes you or not. What matters is that I like me. It’s a good thing that they don’t like me. It gives me the space to like myself more and to improve on whatever I need to improve on.’ Instead of giving my power to the person who doesn’t like me, I am giving power back to myself in an area where I once disliked myself. I’m making bigger room for self love and self empowerment.

Now that’s what I call a Superpower!