You're so not an idiot

There’s an interesting phenomenon that I started to notice recently. It is perhaps, one of Satan’s harshest tactics against us as we try to unite together. As we come together as a group of friends to play and study, we inevitably give a part of ourselves to the group. We participate, we speak, we joke, we play… these are acts of trust. We all want, and indeed need, to feel a sense of belonging and approval. We do these things and hope and expect that others will respect our opinion, enjoy our company and accept us. We trust that others will not judge us, will not hurt us, and will not use the things we give against us.

Yet, at the end of the party inevitably comes the thought, “I was such an idiot today.” “That was such a stupid thing to say.” “Everyone must think I’m some kind of a freak now.”

It is part of human natural to be critical of ourselves. Satan’s whisperings at the end of a party seems to strengthen that feeling of inadequacy within each of us. When you find yourself alone in your house, someone whispers into your ear, “They all think you’re stupid. Better not go again to make yourself look like an idiot.”

And there goes our unity down the drain.

Funny enough, I don’t ever remember anything stupid anyone else said.

My dear friends, I call you friends because I love you and enjoy your company. So don’t over analyze your behavior and what I may think of it. Don’t take a step back from our friendship because of baseless whisperings.

Take a leap of faith and believe that I think most highly of you. Doesn’t matter what you think of yourself. I think very well of you.

So there.