Reputations, nothing but perceptions

What's in a name
If not one's reputation?
The words that 
Flood
A person's brain at the thought of a name.
"Hard-working"
"Kind"
"Outgoing"
"Annoying"
"Aggressive"
Reputation represents a person
But doesn't 
Define them.
Nothing but someone's perception of an interaction
Gossip,
Rumors,
Whispers
All stemming from seemingly insignificant moments.

Yet we obsess over people's perceptions
Over our reputations.
Overthinking every small interaction,
Every minor conversation,
Until it's all that we are...
Perceptions.

We forget who we are
What we wanted to be,
Becoming a mirror of we were,
Defined by others.

When did we stop letting our actions define us?

Stop drowning in rumors,
Gossip, 
And whispers.
Reputations,
Perceptions,
Who cares?

Do what makes you happy,
Do what makes you proud!
Who cares if they call you crazy 
Or mad?
Let them judge you,
Fight you,
And spurn at you.
At the end of the day, 
Just know you did
Your best,
And let that be your 
Legacy.