Validation

Today my son and I attended a family reunion which we have been looking forward to for quite some time now. We had a fantastic time but I made some observations during my time there.
One of these was weird and unexpected but one that I wouldn't have recognized if I had been acting out or drinking because I wouldn't have been at all mindful. Sometimes when I spend time with my family, I feel as if I must prove how much progress I have made and how much I have changed my life. Nobody is challenging me or expecting that but I think because I struggled to succeed in my life for so many years, others' expectations of me dropped each year I failed to take action. Therefore I have noticed that when I am around them, I am seeking out validation that I have changed as much as I feel I have. But really, I know better. Because whether it's from men, family, or friends, the only validation that truly counts is that which you provide for yourself!