The parable of the squirrel

Ten years ago, whilst on retreat I spent some time watching a squirrel as it ran about the garden that surrounded where I was staying. I wondered what it was doing, whether it was storing nuts for the winter or just playing. I wrote the following in my prayer journal:

Look at the squirrel - does it run around because it is busy working, or having fun? You will never know for sure, and whatever judgement you make, it will have no impact on the squirrel. So it should be with you. People may (or may not) make judgements about you, but don’t let it have an impact on you. If someone says you look tired, surely how you feel is what you are, not what someone says about you. Therefore don’t fear what others think of you, for you are who you are, you know what you feel, think and do and why you do it. You don’t need others to tell you or define you. 30 July 16

It had quite an impact on me, and became known as ‘the parable of the squirrel’ to me and my spiritual director. The squirrel wasn’t bothered about what I thought it was doing - it made no difference to it. It is so easy to allow other people’s thoughts and judgements of us to impact the way we feel, or even what we do. But the parable of the squirrel reminds me to not be so bothered by them.