Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Read this or don't. I don't care.

I had my birthday a couple months ago. The great thing about being closer to forty than thirty is that I care less about what people think about me. I'm not saying I don't care about people, but I have come to the point in my life where someone's good or not-so-good opinion of me does not cause me to lose sleep at night. I am happy with who I am and nobody can take that away from me. The only person's opinion that matters to me is Secret Agent Man's. When it comes to the opinion of others, my motto is, "Do they put a roof over your head? Do they feed your children? No? Then, who gives a rat what they think?!" S.A.M. puts the food in my belly and clothes on my back. I care about what he thinks. Him and no one else. Well, and my mother. I care what my mother thinks. Especially when I write my articles. I don't want to humiliate her. So, I am mindful to put the filter on so I don't embarass her. And my dad. I care what he thinks, too. He fed me and clothed me for a long time. And then there is Voices Carrie. I'd be upset if she was upset with me. And my newspaper readers. I care what they think. Someone sent me a clipping of one of my articles with red pencil circling the grammar mistakes! Who does that? Who has time to do that? Then there are the children. I want my own children to like me and the kids at church, too. I hope they enjoy being with me and enjoy the lessons I plan for them. And the kids at school. I hope they like the art projects. I'd be sad if they thought I was boring. But that's it. Those are the only people whose opinion matters. But then there was the lady that I accidently took the right-of-way away from and she mouthed the words, "Are you an idiot?!" That hurt. She had no idea she ruined my day. I mouthed back the words, "I'm sorry," but she didn't mouth back, "It's okay," she just drove on. If only she knew what I good person I was, she wouldn't have acted like that. So, there ya go. I don't care what people think of me, except for the few I mentioned and you. I just don't care.

26 comments:

  1. I read it.
    I love this post....and you.

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  2. I like you even more than ever before because of this post.

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  3. Well, obviously she doesn't know you in real life, and how fabulous and un-idiotic you are.
    I think I made a new word.
    Un-idiotic.

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  4. I am with Thorny Tree Lady on this one. Your awesome to those that matter, to any others they are missing out.

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  5. I read it.
    I love it.
    I will read more of you, because I love you too!

    Some people just suck don't they?

    Oh, and I just noticed the shout out on your side bar.
    Correction - I FREAKING LOVE YOU!

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  6. Fantastic post, annie. You are a GREAT person and anyone who has met you would know it.

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  7. Ditto x 12 on everyone else's comments. Total Annie Dittohead here. Mega dittoes to you.

    Some people are really mean when they're driving. And some people are just really mean. It's a good thing we have sweethearts like you so we can tolerate people like them.

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  8. ummm, so really, you do care what people think.....
    some people
    sometimes
    some days
    some how.

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  9. I ♥ you. Seriously...love you so bad.

    I hate when people are mean when driving :(

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  10. I read your title and thought, "I hate that reverse psychology, Now I have t read it, whereas before I wanted to read what you wrote.

    But seriously, if people have met you, then they love you. I mean, what's not to love? I always leave your presence a better person, with a better outlook on life, and wanting be better just for having been with you.

    So that driver- if she met you, would be saying sorry to you, cause then she'd know that you are an amazing lady.

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  11. (Basking in acceptance.) This why I blog:)

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  12. Love this. I need to be better about not caring.

    Oh and who do I have to kill to get you to put my button your sidebar?

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  13. Genius POV.

    I've noticed the older I get, the less I care about some things...but what I've deemed as being important...oh - I care a LOT about that stuff. It's so neurotically difficult and wrong, it exhausts me.

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  14. Maybe I am going to rethink my driving vocabulary - because quite possibly the person cutting me off is in real life (as opposed to in driving life) as sweet as you.

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  15. "I am happy with who I am" one of the many things I love about my Annie is this! Not that you have ever said it outloud, it just shows.
    Red pencil person has a few hang ups.

    I'm sorry someone was rude to you :( You are the sweetest most un-idiotic person I know. Heck, if that lady knew you have driven me miles and miles and miles showing off how good of a driver you are she'd have to eat her words.
    Only she'll never know because she's not invited to be cool like you.

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  16. Add me to your list of fans...
    At least the lady gave you the benefit of the doubt and asked if you were an idiot. I tend to just make that determination on my own. I need to work on that, because although I'm not sure there are many people that are as nice as you are, they are still probably nice people and I shouldn't leap to conclusions.

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  17. I'm glad I made the list of people who you do care about. I care about what you think too. All the time I ask myself what would Annie think of this? You describe the car and say the word and I'll hunt that lady down cause that's what big sisters are for.

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  18. "Do they put a roof over your head? Do they feed your children? No? Then, who gives a rat what they think?!"

    Well said, Annie.

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  19. The title of this post makes readers too curious not to read it. And I'm glad I did. Thanks for your advise on my dilemma. I am taking it to heart and I think it will solve my problem. Annie the Miracle Problem-Solver Lady.

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  20. I loved this post. lol I think it's how we all feel.

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  21. Luckily you have nothing to worry about...How could somebody NOT like you? I agree with you on the red-lining of your column...who does that?

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  22. (mouthing the words) "I love you, Annie!"

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  23. I love you, Annie! You're wonderful, and this is a great post! :)

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