Who are you trying to please?

  And, if your answer is, 'no one', then I suggest you take stock of you and your behavior. My belief is that we all are trying to please someone. It's really OK as long as the one you are attempting to please is worth your effort. You see, we choose who we will please. There may be many competing voices for that place, but ultimately it is our choice. Therefore, it really is important who we choose.

  In considering who we choose, on some level of consciousness, we determine what qualities are important to us, such as: what they can do for us. Though we might choose the person who has already done something for us. We may have a variety of others that we want to please and the person we want to please may change. Regardless, who we choose is important (also realizing that if you please one 'significant' other you may displease a different 'significant' other.) This last reality may cause reconsideration of the whole 'please' issue.

  Perhaps you like to 'hedge your bet' in that you have primary and secondary people you want to please. This too can be difficult to accomplish... and the big question - why should you? I ultimately came to the conclusion that if I did not please myself (as well?) then the entire situation leaves a slightly bad taste in the mouth. It really can't be only pleasing self. Personally, I finally arrived at the point that the only one that I realllllly needed to please was the Lord.

  If my words and behavior is pleasing to the Lord then everything is covered. If I do encounter disapproval from others or rejection, while it isn't pleasant, I don't need to justify why I did/said what I did. And, I don't need to take offense. This last point is, for me, the most critical. It may turn out to be an iron sharpening iron situation, a difference in opinion, etc. but if I am doing everything that I know to do what the Lord wants from me then I am on sound standing.

  The point in this is me and my reactions to others' reaction. Intially I have the 'control' of deciding who I am pleasing and lastly how I respond.

...but, what do you think?