I’m not responsible for what people think, Pat, only for what I am. — The Big Country

I realized just how much of the baggage from growing up I had lost when there came a day when I just quit caring about what people think of me.  At least, I don’t care what most people think.  There are a few people in my family, my friends, and my co-workers who I respect, and I value their opinion.  But the vast majority of humanity, while I care about them as fellow human beings, can take a walk off a pier if they form an opinion about me.   I do the best I can, I take care of my own, and if someone wants to either respect or dislike that, it’s no skin off my nose.