MINI-SERIES: Dream Snatchers
Bitter Pills
I talk a lot on this blog about reaching for your dreams, and believing in your purpose. I also try to encourage you to not be so hard on yourself, and give yourself a break from time to time. Changing our perspective and moving forward in life can be challenging on its own. But what do you do when you’re trying to have a positive outlook on life and there’s a negative person (I call them dream busters), hangin’ around?
I’m not talking about the occasional run in with a short-tempered driver sitting behind you at a stop light or the cashier at your favorite grocery store who seems to be in a perpetual bad mood. I’m referring to those negative people that for whatever reason share a more personal space with you. Take your pick, but it’s usually someone that you’re obligated to be around (family member, coworker, old friend). Most are cut from the same cloth. They are generally happy when you fail. Miserable when you succeed and would rather throw a bone than a sincere compliment if they knew it could help you. They’re usually the ones that have an uncanny ability to take you to the edge while simultaneously sucking all the good air out of a room. If you don’t have anyone in your life like this, you usually know a friend of a friend who does.
It’s easy to walk away from an annoying person on the street, but not so easy when you’re attached to them by those invisible obligatory strings. Growing up my mother use to always say, “Never let anyone steal your joy”, but the funny thing is, often negative people don’t have to steal anything from us because we give it to them freely. We don’t even put up a fight for what rightfully belongs to us, our peace. I have experienced this in my own life on more than one occasion, and I want you to be able to recognize it for what it is and not give it more emotional space than it deserves.
Listen, I’ve been called idealistic, too positive, blah, blah, blah, but don’t let anyone fool you. That’s just a cop out. Life is tough, and it’s easier to swallow that bitter pill and act just like “them” than it is to stand your ground and demand your right to be happy, to dream, to go against the grain and make a difference. We only have one life, our life. Only those who honor it as such have a right to share in it.
Life’s pills (obstacles) come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, including bitter human. Just remember that even the worst ones can make you stronger.
Enjoy your week, my friend!
Keep doin’ what you love,
Shannon
