I saw something on television earlier today that alluded to the term validation. The word is defined as substantiating or confirming something and this made me think about how many people may be stuck in trying to receive validation from others.  If you are seeking approval from someone else, then you are giving your personal power to someone else in the process.  I don't think anyone should have such an influence on anyone, that things end or begin with an individual that is not yourself.  People can suffer even more so, if the validating individual is no longer available as they may feel lost and incomplete because they have gotten used to seeking their validation from that person.  Ideally, we should have enough of our own self validation that it will allow us to stand up at any given time and feel that sense of independence, along with confidence and self esteem.  Unfortunately we start off with poor examples of this as children.  There are many who can recall being at school and wanting to belong to a group of peers, so that it brought a sense of validation along with acceptance to us.  Not everyone is destined to be the most popular boy or girl in school and if popularity was such a desired attribute in school age children, it can have some lingering effects into adulthood for some.  Because we are all individuals and nobody is exactly the same, it is our individuality that sets us apart from each other.  I think it is good to be acknowledged by others for some of the skill, knowledge or ability that one has, however, the line should be drawn there and not expecting someone else to define more of who you are.  Live in the comfort of your own skin and celebrate the unique person that you are.  The world would be a very boring place if everyone was the same.  It is the true sparks that occur when people of various differences come together that is worth so much more.  Be defined by your character, values and choices and if someone else has a different opinion, good for them and move on.