64. It doesn't matter what others think of you.

Many years ago, my adult sister told me the story of how mortified she was as a child when our Mother would hang our laundry on the outdoors clothesline to dry. She was so embarrassed that the neighbours would see her "bloomers" blowing in the breeze. Of course, my perspective was what did it matter if the people around our house could see our laundry. I knew that we could also see theirs and it was not really a highlight of any of my childhood days. 

Many people tend to be influenced by "What will the neighbours think?", on a lot of issues. I know that that notion never enters or has entered my thoughts at any time. In the course of our lives, we are often in a position where our income and position does not allow us to compete with others who are more wealthy or influential. We may not dress as well as others, live in as big a house, or drive as modern and prestigious a car as they do. What does it matter?

In reality, we know that it doesn't really matter what others think of us regarding these kinds of issues. My father was a coal miner and we lived in a small multicultural mining community.  We did not have much money and only survived because of my Dad working in the mines and the huge garden that provided us with a year's worth of food. Our community was small, but as kids, we were all in the same relative financial strata and we all accepted everyone as equals. Envy did not live in our peaceful little town. 

Only when I eventually went to university and to work in a big city did I first encounter the disparity in peoples' lifestyles and standard of living. I can honestly say that I was never jealous of someone else's clothes or house or vehicle. I could of course appreciate them, but I never felt that I was in any competition with them. I always believed that others could take me as they found me, or not. 

During my life, this attitude of acceptance has made my life very much easier for me. I am grateful for what I do have rather than be disappointed in what I do not possess. I know that life is a lot happier if you don't have to or try to keep up with the Joneses!