Tags
approval, believe, build, courage, Diana Schwenk, integrity, kindness, love, passion, respect, sincerity, vision
“One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time. ” ~ Robert F. Kennedy
I’m going to jump right in there and say that the other 4/5 are against some things some of the time.
We all like approval.
We all want to be recognized for our…
brilliance
innovation
hard work
kindness
sacrifices.
The problem comes when what we do is primarily motivated by our desire for acceptance.
If this is what drives us, we will be sorely disappointed.
If it’s true that we can’t make everyone happy – or worse yet – nobody at times…
and if our success is measured by getting everyone to agree…
we will be hard-pressed to move forward with anything.
We’ve all heard the story of the miller, his son and the donkey.
Onlookers insisted they ride it, carry it, and walk beside it.
Isn’t it better to do what you love and spend your energy building something you believe in?
Isn’t that what integrity is?
Being the same on the outside as on the inside?
People will be drawn to your passion.
People will be drawn by your sincerity.
Even if you don’t have support and approval from everybody…
you will have their respect.
Wyrd Smythe said:
I finally have the time and energy to catch up on New Posts, and here the first one I read is about something we were just talking about! I agree, of course!!
One thing I’ve found is that people may be drawn to your passion and sincerity, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll like you. As the quote goes on to say, you may have their (sometimes grudging) respect, but they aren’t always very supportive or approving. I’ve run into this at work much of my career. “Love the work… you personally,… not so much.”
But in the end, exactly as you say, “Isn’t it better to do what you love and spend your energy building something you believe in? Isn’t that what integrity is?”
YES!! I believe that is a fundamental truth in life!
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dianasschwenk said:
You get to a certain age and just stop trying…way too hard to please everyone!
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this is lemonade said:
Great thoughts here. I find that as I get older, I try less to please everyone and am happier in myself. Somehow, being truer to myself, I guess is better for everyone 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I guess it’s better for everyone – I like that and I think it’s true!
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mindfuldiary said:
True and beautiful message. Could not agree more. Your posts are sharp and spot on. Like.Like. 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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mindfuldiary said:
Just wish, I had understood this earlier in life, would have saved me lot trouble. But better later than never, right? haha.
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dianasschwenk said:
Right!
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elizabeth2560 said:
Yes, to do one thing you believe in. That is a great aim. So often we fall short so thanks for the reminder. Have a great day 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
The challenge is not to get distracted isn’t it? Well it is for me anyway.
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russtowne said:
Great message, Diana! Thank you for sharing it. It is liberating to learn that for every person and for every creation there will be some who like it and some who won’t, so I might as well create in areas for which I have a passion and that bring joy and growth to myself.
Thank you for the reminder.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Russ thank you for dropping by and reading my post. It’s true that this can be liberating. 🙂
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Christine said:
reading your posts are always like having a healthy nibble 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Christine. 🙂
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Andrea Kelly said:
“People will be drawn to your passion.
People will be drawn by your sincerity.
Even if you don’t have support and approval from everybody…
you will have their respect.”
Amen to that! Great post Diana! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Andrea!
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artsifrtsy said:
Smart post – as an artist it’s always a balance between what you want and what you hope customers will buy. Mostly I shoot what moves me, but every now and then I shoot something that I know will sell even if I think it’s junk. Ultimately I want to create my own body of work whether or not anyone likes it.
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dianasschwenk said:
I have no doubt you will create your own body of work and it will speak volumes to many. 🙂
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mrs fringe said:
Integrity, we should all spend be using the definition as our measuring stick–thanks for the reminder! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for dropping by, it’s always good to hear from you. 🙂
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newsofthetimes said:
I love it. I really struggle with this and am on a 12 step program to recovery. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder!!
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure, I have to keep reminding myself too!
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joannerambling said:
I found this to be an interesting post……………….
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you very much ms. Joanne!
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keiththegreen said:
Diane as usual you give us, a thought provoking post. To modify a famous quote: You may please all the people some of the time; you can even please some of the people all the time; but you cant please all of the people all the time. However you come very close to doing it my friend.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) kind words…but trust me I rub some people the wrong way!
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keiththegreen said:
I found the solution to that, ask them to turn around. 😛
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dianasschwenk said:
hahaha!
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timmer said:
“Isn’t it better to do what you love and spend your energy building something you believe in?” Great words! I love making stuff. And I’m lucky that there are people other than me that seem to enjoy it as well!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes! You’re super talented!
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jensine said:
clap clap clap, here’s to all who dare to follow their dream no matter how inconvenient
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dianasschwenk said:
Inconvenient – what a great choice of a word!
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jensine said:
thanks … and I believe the right one 🙂
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Magnolia Beginnings said:
Typically sincere and very much you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you my dear.
When I was younger I always a bit disappointed when anyone thought I was anything but unpredictable.
Now I think that words like predictable or typical are great compliments because consistancy is a mark of integrity – of being true to one’s self.
Thank you for your sweet affirmation. xo
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criticalreviewer said:
Thank you for this post, Diana. It’s a great reminder.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you for stopping by. I’m really enjoying your blog as well!
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Louise G. said:
And even more important — you will have your own respect.
Great post Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise. It is a daily exercise to above all else be true to thineself…for me anyway. xo
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bulldogsturf said:
What a post… brilliant… to please just one person these days is difficult… so I say please yourself and others might just join in…
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for reading and commenting BullDog!
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katrinalabra said:
Loved every bit of it!
KatrinaLabra (This is clickable)
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for stopping by and reading Katrina. Clickable, I like the ring to that. 🙂
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Jennifer S said:
This is perfectly written… and says something so important about how a lot of us feel about life. It reminds me of that saying… character is what you do when you think nobody’s looking. Such a high standard to meet. But so very worth it. Thanks for posting!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Jennifer. It’s a constant struggle for me to remember who I am and stay true.
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jmgoyder said:
What a beautifully measured post – thank you!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Julie. xo
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