Friday 6 February 2015

Sway

"Don't let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you're crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you're lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you're greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn't understand" Unknown

A friend who is a great traveller, was pregnant, and she mentioned that after the baby was born, they were planning to go away. She paused and looked at me, waiting my reaction. I, of course, asked where and enthused at how great it would be. She breathed a sigh of relief and said "You're the only person that said that. Everyone else keeps saying 'Having kids will clip your wings' and really negative things like that." I commented that cost of kids clipped your wings - that extra airfare, the extra accommodation if you aren't allowed to cram into one room, but the kids themselves? They love it!

Why do we humans jump so quickly to squash other people's dreams? How much is it out of fear for us, and how much is out of a sort of jealousy, that if their life is not what they wanted, neither should ours be? If it's based on fear, they will eventually come around to the idea. If it's jealousy, then they'll never be swayed. Caution is not the same as fear. Listen to reason, think things through but don't heed the naysayers.

In hip hop, there are plenty of 'in your face!' songs, where they retell of how many people told them they would fail, but look at how successful they've become. There is a lot of 'if I can do it, when the world was against me, so can you - just don't listen to them'. I think it's really positive, and a great message. To try and fail is far better than to never even try. When they tell you that you can't, say 'Watch me!'.

If your dreams are too big for those around you, it doesn't mean there's a problem with the dream. Just prove them wrong.

"Laugh at me and walk away. While I stand my ground, I know your thoughts will sway." Luke Garner

(Linking this old post with #FortheloveofBLOG because this week's post has a linky attached for First of the Month Fiction. What drives me crazy is how quick people are toy tell us that we're no good at something, that we'll fail, that their thing is better, that they're no point in trying, and what drives me crazier is how quick we are to believe them. Well, not anymore. bud! )

17 comments:

  1. Because everyone has to have an opinion on everything!! This is the exact reason I am avoiding all contact with the world lately!! Live and let live!!
    Great post.

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  2. So true! I have had many people putting a dampener on my dreams over the years. I don't know why people do it? Life can be so difficult and serious at times that I believe encouraging dreams is to be encouraged!

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  3. Kids are so good at adapting to their surroundings. If you start off with travelling and jetsetting, then they get used to that. Unless you want to go back to partying every night, then I think there isn't much you can't do while you have kids, it's about working out the best ways to do things!

    Thanks for linking up with Sunshine Sundays!

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  4. I have found that there is always so many negatives out there. I am always so excited when I hear of other people's plans... I'm saving right now to take our family away on a great holiday.

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  5. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big, having the courage to making them reality is the hardest thing. Just have to back yourself and go for it. there has been plenty of times I kicked myself for not doing just that!

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  6. What a lovely post. Dreaming big is what it is about. How boring would it be if we didn't dream :-)

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  7. So very true. Dream big then try to make it happen. Now I need to find a dream.

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  8. Such a beautiful message... and who are they to tell us what we can and can't do, especially after having children.

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  9. Thought provoking and just what I needed to read right now.

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  10. I am tired of the nay sayers pouring cold water on my enthusiasm. I have identified a couple in my life that I am now relegating to the sidelines, because of this.

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  11. People who are negative all the time are draining, but positivity can be taken too far as well. I think the key is that if you really value something and it is important to you, you'll find a way despite it being challenging.

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  12. This is my favourite sentence pretty much ever - "If your dreams are too big for those around you, it doesn't mean there's a problem with the dream. Just prove them wrong." Word x

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  13. Beautiful post and there really is no reason why someone with a child / baby can't go travelling. Think about how much they will both get out of it. Anyway dream big is all I can say. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x

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  14. Brilliant post. I don't really care what people think to be honest. If I want to do something I will do it, no matter what people think. If someone thinks I can't do something then I will do it and prove them wrong. If I should fail for any reason then at least I know I tried my best and I can be proud anyway. #fortheloveofBlog

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  15. Brilliant post. I don't really care what people think to be honest. If I want to do something I will do it, no matter what people think. If someone thinks I can't do something then I will do it and prove them wrong. If I should fail for any reason then at least I know I tried my best and I can be proud anyway. #fortheloveofBlog

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