The Quote of the Day Show | Daily Motivational Talks 1664 | Anthony de Mello: “You Don’t Have to Impress Anyone Anymore.”
May 3, 2023
In this enlightening discussion, Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest and psychotherapist renowned for his insights on spirituality, reveals the dangers of seeking approval from others. He urges listeners to break free from the 'drug of approval' that inhibits true love and individuality. The conversation explores the psychological effects of societal validation, the importance of embracing solitude for authentic connections, and how liberating oneself from external opinions can lead to genuine happiness and deeper relationships.
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Approval as a Controlling Drug
- Approval acts like a powerful drug given to us in childhood that controls our behavior.
- This craving for approval turns us into robots easily controlled by praise and criticism.
Child Misreads Laughter for Mockery
- A three-year-old girl, dressed in her nightie, ran away terrified because she thought laughter was mocking, not approval.
- This shows how early we learn to equate approval and criticism with pleasure and pain.
Approval Kills True Love
- Addiction to approval damages your ability to truly love others.
- You perceive people only as threats or supports to your need for approval, not as real human beings.