Resisting Negativity

Here's the scenario:   We all have our dreams. Some of them are very private aspirations, while others are on public display with everything we do. Sadly, trolls aren't just on the Internet and every now and then one tries to crush our dreams.

Five years ago this week I had a dream. In general, it was time for me to stop living vicariously through all of you as entrepreneurs and independent business owners. It was time to step out on my own. Well, the trolls lined up to let me know it was a bad idea.  The dream wasn't just about my own business, but being happy in what I was doing every day. Thanks to a whole bunch of supportive friends, I started my company and three blogs, five big workshops and a book project later, SCU was born.

Along the way there have been a lot of lessons about business and life learned and many of them are thanks to some of you. One of those important lessons was from my very good buddy, Scott Bourne.  It was all about the negative people in our lives and the importance to simply remove them. Nobody has the right to crush a dream!

I've never been particularly spiritual, but that was then and this is now. Sheila got me into reading Melody Beattie and a couple of days ago I read the following:

"Some people are carriers of negativity. They are storehouses of pent-up anger and volatile emotions. Some remain trapped in the victim role and act in ways that further their victimization. And others are still caught in the cycle of addictive or compulsive patterns.

Negative energy can have a powerful pull on us especially if we're struggling to maintain positive energy and balance. It may seem that others who exude negative energy would like to pull us into the darkness with them. We do not have to go. Without judgment, we can decide it's okay to walk away, okay to protect ourselves.

We cannot change other people. It does not help others for us to get off balance. We do not lead others into the Light by stepping into the darkness with them."*

There have been a few tough stretches over the last five years, but in so many ways it's been the most incredible chapter in my life. It takes a lot of energy to remove the negativity in your life and a lot of work to not become negative yourself.  What makes it all worth it is the support of great friends and you, my readers, many of whom have become personal friends as well. So, thank you for your support, your encouragement and your ability to inspire so many of us.

It's the perfect quote for how I felt five years ago,

"I do it because I can. I do it because I want to. I do it because you told me I couldn't!"

As always, you guys know where to find me if I can help you with anything.

*The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie - April 26 reading

Illustration Credit: © Gajus - Fotolia.com