What most people won't admit,
yet know is true, is, when they
tell you not to care what other people think,
they want you to care what they think, themselves.

Everybody cares what at least some people think.
Your mom, your husband,
your girlfriend, your children,
your boss, your preacher,
your landlord, your teacher,
and especially, your closest friends.

If you say you don't, then you're kidding yourselves.
Anybody who enters a contest cares what people think--
anybody who runs for office,
anybody who dates, anybody who makes love,
anybody who criticizes, scorns, or ostracizes,
cares what people think.

We are raised that way, as children,
to care what our parents think.
Then, as we grow older,
we care what our peers and teachers think,
and the cycle continues...