Is approval necessary? (Walking Through Illusion, Thompson)

     Jesus says, in Walking Through Illusion, that, "To get approval, I had to give approval; especially to myself."  Another character in the Bible seeking approval was Mark, states Thompson.  He was on a mission to discover the answers to his questions.  As he traveled he looked for approval and acceptance.  He wanted to be distinct from others; special.  Mark discovers that approval comes from within.  That status in life doesn't make you worthy or not of approval.  He observed that although Jesus was just a carpenter he still pursued a life of travel and preaching to others.  Jesus wasn't waiting around to be someone.  He approved of himself and therefore others approved of him.
     I usually try to go out of my way to be nice to others so they will accept me.  If someone isn't as receptive of me as I hoped then my feelings get hurt.  I, too, am looking for approval and acceptance.  I'm learning, though, that not everyone will accept me.  We all come from such different backgrounds and teachings.  We are here to teach each other and it's okay if someone doesn't approve of me.  I am in the process of learning this.  As Thompson also struggled with approval she says that, "I knew that progress couldn't come from her [Thompson's mother]  approval; only from self-approval."