Person A: "I quit smoking."
Naysayer: "Well, good luck. I couldn't quit. It's really hard and most people end up going back to it, but good luck." (Voice dripping with sarcasm.)
Person A: "I've chosen to eat very little/no meat in light of my new diet/beliefs/etc."
Naysayer: "Oh, come on! How will you get your protein?! Humans are carnivores! We need red meat! Here, have a bite of my cheeseburger!"
Naysayer: "Let's go to the bar tonight."
Person A: "Nah, I've got to wake up and work out tomorrow morning."
Naysayer: "Just a drink or two! Come on! I'll buy!"
I don't get this. I don't get it! Why don't we congratulate people for making the right decisions for them and just move on? Is it because we feel that there is some kind of strange camaraderie around doing "bad" things? A "misery loves company" complex? I think this must be it. Changing your life for the better is such an amazing journey, it really is. It's neverending, constantly challenging yet constantly rewarding. But it can be such a lonely place.
Here is what I hope for whoever reads this. I hope that you are able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. I hope you realize that the "fun" option isn't always the best option. I hope that you can quit smoking, give up fast food or candy or whatever bad habit it is that holds you back. I hope that the naysayers in your life are inspired by your willpower. I hope that you can power through the lonely times that are inevitable in times of positive change and realize that when you come out, there will be people who are proud of you and happy for you on the other side. As opposed to the people who appear angry and jealous of your determination. No matter who you are, there is somebody who cares about you and wants you to succeed. Seek this person out and talk to them, not to the naysayers. Push past the naysayers. The world has enough cynics. Go find someone who inspires you.
(Poem by Shel Silverstein-pretty awesome guy.)
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