I am not normal, and I'm okay with that.
I am afraid of mediocrity. I look around and see people who have given up at the peak of their quest for success as I skip along this path, and I am afraid of having to be like everyone else in order to fit in.
"You'll never be able to pull that off."
"No one will pay for that."
"Focus on job security and not your dreams."
"That's going to be hard to do."
"You have a family - you can't quit your job and follow your heart!"
These are things you've likely heard when telling someone who doesn't have your dreams and visions that you want to conquer the world, change lives, and have fun while doing it.
Surely, you've watched enough OWN Life Classes where Oprah talks to others who have mastered the art of following their bliss.
One thing they have in common - they weren't focusing on the opinions of those who weren't willing to step out on a limb and reach for the best fruit on the tree. It's scary because the limbs aren't very sturdy, and one slip of the foot may cause you to tumble down to a hard fall.
GET UP.
Some people will never take the risk because they're scared to fall, scared to hurt themselves, scared to commit to themselves, but ready to commit to working for someone else. If you are not one of those people, please know that it's okay, and, you are not alone. There are better things to listen to than someone who will never walk in your shoes because they're afraid to walk on their own.
Do yourself a favor today - stop internalizing the opinions of others.
We've all been told some things in our lives that weren't true by someone close to us, or someone who barely knew us. Some of those things, verbalized by someone else, have caused us to re-evaluate the greatness we individually hold within. If we're not careful, the thoughts of someone else become our own. We stop believing we can achieve our dreams, and we develop the "caged bird syndrome" - that is - we stifle and self-sabotage our success and live a life of manufactured happiness by being "normal".
We make excuses for the pain we choose to endure, falsely telling ourselves that we must continue to endure in order to see the light. Stop the madness.
What people say and do to you and around you is a reflection of who they are, not you. How you internalize the actions and words of another are all up to you.
Mindset is everything.
When I advise my clients to change little parts of their thinking in the midst of a situation or tribulation, they begin to see how the lesson is the reason for the trial. When someone tries to dissuade you from following your dreams, take a deep breath, and exhale. Remember that advice from others is based on their story of life, what they have been through, their internal fears, and perhaps, their complacency.
The truth is - the light inside of you is NEVER dim unless you dim it yourself.
Truth is - you better start listening to the sweet voices that tell you to pursue your passions, or you'll live a life of regrets, wondering what would have happened if you did this or that. You deserve better than good. You deserve the absolute best!
XOXO
JaylaThe Self Esteem Queen