I lost my dad when I was only 17. I fell in love without my dad’s approval of the guy. I went to both of my proms without my dad’s opinion on my dress. I walked into senior year without my dad telling me for the millionth time that he loved me, and hoped that I had a good day. I walked across my high school gym, received my diploma and still looked for my dad's face. I walked into college, hoping that it would make him proud that I was doing something with my life. I graduated college, and still to this day I look to him for his approval. Life is complicated. In one aspect I would say that everyone seeks for their parent’s, best friend’s or their significant other’s opinion and approval. But on the flip side, we live our life and tell our peers to not seek others approval. So which do you do?

Both

I believe that on one hand we need to look to our parent’s for approval in some situations, but we don’t need to base our life on trying to make sure we live up to their standards. The saying rings true, “Our parents can spot a fake friend from a mile away.” However, we don’t need to throw away a potentially great friend just because our mom doesn’t get along with them.

We need to look to our best friend’s for their approval on a first date outfit, or even sometimes a significant other, but we don’t need dress uncomfortably just because they think it looks better. We don’t need to turn down a guy because our best friend thinks he isn’t our type, he may be the love of our life.

We need to look to our husband or wife for approval. They may have an insight about a paint color that we may not see. Just because we love the new olive color of the season, it may not be the best color for the kitchen. But if you love that olive color, who says that your closet or maybe even the office doesn’t need a new paint job?

All too often we seek other people’s approval. We think as humans, we need to please everyone else, or at least I do. Yes, to an extent we need to listen to others opinions and advice, but as human beings we need to put our happiness first. Parent’s put their children first, wives usually put their husband first, but each and every one of us need to put our happiness first. Don’t live your life trying to make everyone else happy when you’re not even happy yourself. However, don’t completely throw away their opinions because when your Daddy says the man you’re talking to isn’t the one for you, chances are, he isn’t. When your Mom says that the girl you have been hanging out with is fake, she probably is. When your best friend says that you’re beautiful, know she is telling the truth.

Don’t go to college just to make your parents happy. Go to college for your future. Don’t have kids just because your parents want grand kids. Have kids because you want children of your own. Don’t get married because all of your friends are. Get married because your so in love.

Don’t live your life to please others, life your life please to yourself.