What Are You Thinking of Me?

 

Can you guess the fear that’s the ruler of us all?

The dread that got all of us thoroughly appalled.

“Am I good enough, am I smart, am I fine?”

“Is there something wrong with this life of mine?”

 

“Am I likable, lovable, do I belong?”

“Will you think me as weak or will you think me as strong?”

“Do you think I'm strange, will you turn away?”

“What are you thinking of me on this day?”

 

“Am I a success or am I a loser?”

“Am I meeting your standards as my life’s chooser?”

“Have I done my duty, fulfilled what's required?”

“Am I what you wanted, what you've long desired?”

 

“What are you thinking of me on this today,

For your judgments rule all the games that I play?”

But wait! This fear rules the lives of all of you that I know,

You're just as frightened of me, yet trying hard not to show.

​

So here's the secret hiding in my plain sight,

They're watching me with equal worry and fright.

While I fear their eyes and what those eyes might find,

Their fear of my gaze makes them also half blind.

 

But what if I dared to look bad in their eyes,

To risk the blame, let go of my disguise?

To live the life that's calling from inside,

And stop performing just to save my pride?

 

What if the praise I've been working so hard to keep,

Was the very thing that’s put my true self to sleep?

The courage to lose it, to take care of myself,

Is what it takes to live a life of true wealth.

 

“What are you thinking of me on this today,

For your judgments rule all the games that I play?”

But wait! This fear rules the lives of all of you that I know,

You're just as frightened of me, yet trying hard not to show.

​

Can I play with this, can I feel its power?

I’ll let this shared fear enliven each hour.

We're all in it together, frightened, yet free,

I’ll let feeling this fear be my key to be me.