de mello

look at your life and see how you have filled its emptiness with people. as a result they have a stranglehold on you. see how they control your behavior by their approval and disapproval. they hold the power to ease your loneliness with their company. to send your spirit soaring with their praise. to bring you down to the depths with their criticism and rejection. take a look at yourself spending almost every waking moment of your day placating and pleasing people, whether they are living or dead.
[anthony de mello, the way to love]