“Killers don’t seek their victim’s approval,” Unknown.  This was a response to someone in the context of someone struggling with their identity after having to take a drastic action to protect themselves and their family.  I’m not sure who actually wrote it but it struck a chord.  While this particular example is more than slightly graphic, there is still truth to it.  Why do we worry about the opinions of others?  Nature doesn’t seek approval.  I’m certainly not advocating for those who hurt other people by any means—I AM, however, advocating for the idea that we have virtually 0 need to worry about the approval of others.  If I’m a shark then I need to be a shark—there’s no shame in that.  Never let anyone make us feel bad for who we are.  Never.  We don’t need their approval to be as we are made—if we are made in that way it can’t be bad.  Sometimes we have to do things outside of our nature, and it makes us question who we are, if we are still the same person.  I’ve also read somewhere that there are times when good men have to do real bad things, doesn’t change who you are.  So don’t let anyone make us feel bad for taking the only option that made sense no matter how rough.  There are instances we will have terrible options for choices to make and we will still have to make a choice. 

It’s for us to honor and recognize our nature.  We were given the instincts we have for a reason.  We were designed as we are for a reason.  Sometimes we don’t know how we will react or what we are made of until we are in the situation.  In those split second decision moments we don’t have the opportunity to slow down or think about anything let alone question our character as a result of what we do next.  There is a time for approval but it isn’t as common as we are trained to think.  If we are the ones dealing with the consequences of our actions, it isn’t for anyone to judge what we do.  In fact, we operate a whole lot more smoothly when we aren’t caught up in the what-if game, worrying about others’ reactions and thoughts/opinions of us.  We will all face moments in life that make us question our integrity or test our resolve.  We even face moments that test us to see if we will move or how committed we are.  When faced with a tough decision that results in an outlier action, that isn’t necessarily a mark on our character depending on the cause.  If I hurt someone in an act of self-defense or defense of others, is that really a terrible thing?  If I break someone’s ribs performing the Heimlich or CPR, does that make me wrong?  Sometimes we have to make a choice between bad and worse and that doesn’t change a thing about who we are at the core.