Why are Some of our Closest Friends and Relatives our Worst Enemies I recently had an insight shared with me that I found very shocking. If we were to make a list of people in our lives we would find that there are 3 or 4 who we are in relationship with who really don’t want the best for us. They can even be people we consider close, a parent, a sister, a life long friend, who we are forced to interact with on a regular basis. We also would find that of those 3 or 4 they are the ones we care the most about what they think of us. I found that to be very true and perplexing. Why would we care so much about what they think of us and our ideas when we really don’t enjoy spending time with them anyway? The only answer I could come up with is that there is something in us that wants everyone to like us and to accept us. We are willing to do just about anything to have that happen including hiding our thoughts, ideas, and life long dreams. So do we have to end all of these relationships so we can grow in our lives? Sometimes this just isn’t an option so let’s explore other ways of dealing with this issue. Gaining an understanding of why they are doing this would be a good start. Most times people criticize what others are doing or trying because they themselves could never imagine doing anything like what you are doing. They stay in their own little zone and lives not because they love them, but because they crave the comfort and safety of staying small, in short, they are afraid. When you look at it this way it tends to soften your feelings about them. Things you can do to ease the tension you feel being yourself in the presence of these people is to be yourself. It is just that easy, refuse to conform to their way of thinking and holding you still with them. No matter what they say, how they behave, put up your shield, and in your mind take everything they say as about themselves and not about you. Don’t take it personally and look at them as self esteem and confidence builders for yourself. As you become steadfast in your belief in self you won’t need to have them support or believe in you to feel good. You will know by their presence that you no longer have any self doubt or worry about being successful. What they say or do just won’t affect you any more. I really believe that these important people are put in our lives to show us what we believe about ourselves. Once we master this they will just disappear and we will be well on our way to being the best we can in our lives.